Chapter 425: The Last Feast Before the Storm
Inside the command tent, Ethan surveyed the crates strewn across the ground, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. The two old-timers hadn’t held anything back—every last supply box was accounted for. He ordered his men to move the crates outside for sorting, then leaned in to whisper something to one of the battalion leaders. With a wave, he invited Vogemoth and Gilded Blaze to sit, before turning his full attention to the roasted beast sizzling at the center of the tent.
It was no ordinary meal. This was a rare delicacy from Earth, a breed of lamb none of the others had ever seen. The whole creature was roasted to a perfect golden-brown, its charred skin glistening under the tent’s soft lighting. Ethan, sleeves rolled up, was carefully brushing a glaze of honey across the crisp surface, his motions practiced and precise.
Julian, Priestess Dana, and Bongo sat nearby, quietly watching Ethan at work. The aroma that filled the tent was intoxicating—thick with cumin, sesame, and the unmistakable richness of slow-roasted meat. Vogemoth and Gilded Blaze, both seasoned warriors of immense stature, were stunned speechless. It was unheard of for a City Lord, especially one like Ethan, to personally prepare food for guests.
"Just a little longer," Ethan said cheerfully, flashing them a grin. "Almost there!"
That smile—warm, welcoming—was jarring when contrasted with the man who, not long ago, had issued the command that wiped out the Blackscale Serpent tribe in a single, decisive strike. Their underground city alone had housed over a hundred thousand pure-bloods. On the surface, another two to three hundred thousand hybrids. And now... all of it was gone, reduced to a smoldering crater.
And yet here Ethan was, humming as he seasoned the meat.
With a final flourish, he sprinkled on chili powder, gave the spit a few last turns, then began carving the lamb, slicing it into even cuts and handing pieces out on wooden platters. The moment the meat touched their tongues, everyone’s eyes lit up. Even the usually stoic Vogemoth nearly groaned aloud with pleasure. Gilded Blaze looked like he was about to cry.
"Elders Vogemoth, Gilded Blaze," Ethan said, grinning. "How is it?"
"Delicious," they said in unison, barely managing to swallow first. "Absolutely divine..."
Ethan chuckled. He knew most beast tribes ate their meat raw—or worse, swallowed it whole. Even humans in Beastfall City had crude habits when it came to food. Grilled, maybe. Salt, if they remembered. Seasoning? Unheard of. "If you like it, come visit Beastfall more often."
The words froze them mid-chew.
Beast tribes—especially those of Sovereign rank and above—were strictly forbidden from approaching the vicinity of Beastfall City. Even powerhouses like Vogemoth and Gilded Blaze wouldn’t dare get close.