Early the next morning, after the baptism of chicken soup the previous night, a noticeable change occurred in the knights’ mood.
They were no longer merely mechanically performing tasks; their movements were faster, and there was a hint of fighting spirit in their eyes.
Some began to proactively check their equipment, others discussed the situation in the Northern Territory, and some even started thinking about how to defend the camp.
Even though the cake drawn by Louis seemed so distant.
But compared to waiting in a daze for death, having a goal to pursue is surely much better.
Of course, Louis knew that a passionate speech alone could not completely change their mindset.
Without tangible benefits, morale would soon dissipate again.
He had to immediately bring out real benefits so that these knights could see genuine hope.
...
On the icy river, the cold wind was fierce.
The knights looked at the thick layer of ice under their feet, exchanging puzzled glances with each other.
"Can we really catch fish here?" someone muttered.
"The Lord said so, let’s give it a try." Lambert was the first to swing a hammer and struck the ice hard.
Many knights secretly laughed in their hearts.
Do they really think they can catch fish by randomly finding a river and smashing a crack in the ice?
This Lord is still too naive.
But no one dared to defy Louis’s orders, so the knights followed his instructions and began breaking the ice with their weapons.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Soon, a narrow crack appeared, and the deep, cold river water surged out.
A large net was slowly lowered into the water, and everyone held their breath, staring intently at the crack.
Suddenly, the net rope tightened!
"Pull!"
The next second, a silver flash appeared, and a Northern Crystal Cod was pulled out of the water, struggling fiercely on the ice!
"Good heavens, there really is fish!"
"Quick, quick, catch them! Don’t let them escape!"
The knights eagerly joined in, swinging the fishing nets with excitement.
Over and over, they lowered and raised the nets, pulling up Northern Crystal Cod one after another, their scales reflecting dazzling brilliance in the morning light.
They counted, a total of twelve!
At this moment, a knowledgeable knight exclaimed excitedly: "These are Northern Crystal Cod! A rare delicacy from the extreme cold! Its bones can purify the blood and enhance strength!"
Upon hearing this, the knights’ breathing suddenly became rapid.
They understood very well what purifying the blood meant, not only immediately enhancing strength but also increasing a knight’s future potential.
Such treasures might only be tasted a few times in a lifetime by the Nobility.
If only they could take a sip...
While they were lost in their fantasies, they heard Louis’s casual words: "Half of these fish are for you; we’ll make fish soup later."
A short sentence, like thunder, exploded among the knights.
This was something they never even dared to dream of!
Knights exiled to the Northern Territories, when have they ever had such grace?!
The knights were in an uproar!
"Lord, are you serious?!" a knight suddenly looked up, his voice trembling with excitement.
"This... this is Northern Crystal Cod! Those Southern Nobles might not even get to eat it a few times in their lifetime!"
"Long live the Lord!!"
...
Excitement, shock, disbelief, various emotions intertwined, finally transforming into a chorus of praise.
Soon, a big pot was set over the campfire, the boiling fish soup bubbling, exuding a strong, fresh aroma.
After being stewed, the fish soup presented a faint silvery white color, as if light glimmers flowed within it, like a gift from the heavens.
When the fish soup was thick and rich, a bowl was filled and handed to the knights.
"Can we really drink this?" a knight holding a wooden bowl, his hands trembling, not out of fear, but disbelief.
"Stop talking and drink!" Louis raised his own bowl and drank it down without hesitation.
The soup flowed down his throat, energy quickly spreading from his stomach to his limbs, an invisible warm current washing away the impurities in his blood.
Seeing this, other knights hurriedly picked up their wooden bowls and eagerly gulped down the fish soup.
At the moment the hot soup slid down their throats, their movements stalled for a moment, as if something within them awakened.
The next moment, they all sat cross-legged, closed their eyes, focused their minds, and swiftly circulated their breathing techniques, greedily absorbing this indescribable energy, afraid of wasting even a slightest bit.
Someone trembled slightly, feeling the sensation of being cleansed deep within their blood, a sense of lightness enveloped their entire body.
Someone gritted their teeth, enduring the burning within them, as if their bones and blood were undergoing some transformation.
The camp was silent, only the sound of steady breathing rising and falling, merging into a kind of invisible resonance.
Suddenly a startled cry shattered the silence.
"My... my body..." a young apprentice knight’s eyes widened, a peculiar light emerging deep within his pupils.
Boom!
A faint silver light emanated from him, causing the knights to be momentarily stunned, then their pupils contracted sharply.
"The aura of an Official Knight! He... he advanced!"
No sooner had the words fallen, another apprentice knight also shuddered violently, a faint light oozing from him, surprisingly also breaking through the realm!
Deathlike silence, followed by a thunderous burst of clamor!
"It’s insane! Truly insane!"
"Just by drinking a bowl of fish soup, can one directly advance?!"
The knights’ gaze toward Louis completely changed.
Just a few hours ago, they were still doubting what qualifications this exiled to the Northern Territory disgraceful Lord had to lead them?
Was his promise really reliable? Was the dawn he spoke of just a wishful thinking?
But now, all doubts had long been transformed into endless admiration.
They personally witnessed two apprentice knights breaking through and advancing into Official Knights in a short time.
Such things in the territories of Southern Nobles required a long cultivation and vast resources, whereas here, it was merely a bowl of fish soup.
Even if other knights did not directly advance, their strength was also significantly enhanced.
This matter was simply incredible, even making one suspect if it was an illusion.
And bringing all this about was merely Louis’s casual gesture to obtain such precious treasures.
They certainly had no knowledge of the intelligence system’s existence, only feeling that Louis received Divine Grace!
And what amazed them most was that Lord Louis generously shared these Northern Crystal Cod with them!
Things so precious that even the Nobility couldn’t enjoy, Louis shared with them so easily!
At this moment, all the knights were immensely grateful to Louis, no longer doubting the grand vision he painted last night.
All doubts had been cast aside; now they had only one common goal—to unite behind Louis and embrace the beautiful future that belonged to them!
"Long live the Lord! Long live Louis!" the knights shouted in unison, their excited voices echoing across the icy and snowy land of the Northern Territory.
The grace of Lord Louis cannot be repaid!