Chapter 114: Delicious Shaved Ice!

“My lord, let me help you!”

Outside the cave, Migen and the others saw Gervas and Lei Meng carrying two large burlap sacks out, and hurried forward to take the linen bags.

But as soon as they took the linen bags, they immediately sensed something was wrong.

“Ah, so cold—is this ice?”

“That’s right, it’s ice!” Gervas nodded with a smile.

“This is unbelievable! My lord, it’s the Season of Burning Sun—if you stand under direct sunlight, people can faint from heat, yet how can there be such huge blocks of ice?!”

Even though they had already felt the cold wind at the cave entrance, seeing ice blocks wider than their own bodies still filled Migen and the others with disbelief!

“Didn’t I say there’s a cold spring source there? Ice isn’t strange. Come, we must hurry back with the ice.”

“Otherwise, it’ll melt on the road, and you won’t get to taste a delicious dish I know!”

Another delicious dish?

That night when he hosted Andrew and Catherine, some grilled oysters remained uneaten, and Gervas distributed them as rewards to the knights.

And those garlic-grilled oysters were without doubt the most delicious food Migen and the others had ever tasted in their lives.

Now, hearing there was another dish Gervas knew, Migen and the others couldn’t move fast enough.

“My lord, we’ll return to the castle at top speed!”

Then, they loaded the ice onto the cart and brought along the guide, Mit, the serf, and Gervas’s party began their return journey.

Of course, Gervas again ordered Mit to keep silent.

It wasn’t that he feared his own subjects might develop bold ideas upon learning of it.

But he feared noble lords might grow envious and secretly come to steal the ice.

…

Back at the castle, the Firehorses had already been settled in the pasture outside.

After recent repairs, all the pasture fences were now extremely sturdy—even the Firehorses couldn’t escape.

Thus, housing such a large herd of Firehorses in the pasture was perfect.

“Chef Rose! Chef Rose!” The knight Migen and the others rushed behind Gervas straight to the kitchen.

Before even entering the kitchen, they couldn’t help shouting.

Hearing the shouts, the first to appear was Shirley’s small head.

“Oh! My lord Gervas, you’ve come!”

Shirley had been puzzled at first, but seeing Gervas at the front, her face lit up with delight.

“That’s right, I’m here. Did you behave well today, Shirley?”

“My lord Gervas, Shirley behaved very well today—Shirley washed five silver plates for Mother!”

“Really? That’s very good. Then I’ll reward you properly for being such a well-behaved girl!”

“Really?” Shirley’s big round eyes blinked eagerly, full of hope!

“Of course it’s true!”

At that moment, Rose hurried to the doorway. “Greetings, My Lord Gervas!”

Now that Rose had been nourished by Gervas, she had grown even more radiant.

Her magic herb bloodline seemed to activate gradually as it aided Gervas’s cultivation, so she herself also benefited.

Not only had she become younger and healthier, but her skin had turned smooth and firm.

Rose’s skin now rivaled that of any noble lady or lady of high birth.

“Rose, you’ve arrived just in time—prepare some dried fruit, milk, honey...”

Then Gervas led Migen and the others into the kitchen.

Once Rose had prepared the ingredients, Gervas took a small axe and began gently chiseling the ice block.

Soon, a large tray of crushed ice was collected.

Gervas placed the crushed ice into ceramic bowls, then sprinkled dried fruit over each, poured honey on top, and finally drizzled milk over it.

“All done!”

Gulp! Gulp!

As soon as Gervas finished, though it was something never seen before, several loud swallowing sounds erupted immediately.

It was Migen, Shirley, and the others.

“Here, the first bowl is for Shirley!” Gervas lifted a bowl and handed it to the little girl.

Shirley’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she stared at the beautiful shaved ice, swallowing hard—but she resisted the temptation.

She shook her head. “No, My Lord Gervas—Mother said you are the master; this first bowl must be yours to taste first!”

Gervas paused, stunned—this little girl was so thoughtful it tugged at his heart. “Shirley, you’re so well-behaved. Excellent!”

Then Gervas scooped a spoonful of shaved ice into his mouth, took another bowl, and handed it to Shirley.

“Now, can Shirley eat?”

“Yes, thank you, My Lord Gervas—Shirley will eat with Mother!”

Shirley happily took the shaved ice and passed it to Rose.

Gervas had prepared a portion for Rose too, but he didn’t stop her.

“Come, this is for you all!” Gervas stood up again and turned to Lei Meng, Migen, and the others.

“Wahahaha, thank you, my lord, for your generosity!”

Migen and the others weren’t as refined as little Shirley—they laughed joyfully and grabbed their portions without hesitation.

As they eagerly scooped the shaved ice into their mouths, Migen and the others shuddered, feeling every pore of their bodies open.

“It’s... it’s absolutely delicious!”

Migen and the others cried out, staring at the shaved ice as if it were a legendary delicacy.

It wasn’t surprising they reacted so strongly—this was their first time ever tasting ice in summer.

And to add milk and honey—rare delicacies they rarely got to taste—made it even more extraordinary.

Thus, this milk shaved ice had become one of the most incredible foods they’d ever tasted in their lives.

In truth, if there were white sugar, the flavor could be even better.

And Gervas was already preparing for white sugar.

After discovering Sugarcane Island, he had ordered the Stormwind to transport construction materials there daily.

He planned to build a sugar refinery there.

Although sugarcane cultivation would surely expand in the future, the sugar refinery would never leave the island.

Whether in his past life or this world, what was the most profitable thing?

Of course, monopolies were the most profitable.

So this sugar-refining process, not particularly advanced, was safest and most secure when kept on the island.

After settling the ice cave matter, Gervas didn’t forget his deal with the fish-people—he ordered Old John to prepare a cartload of beer.

Fortunately, Catherine had sent plenty of beer earlier, so Gervas didn’t need to prepare extra.

Of course, besides the trade, preparations for the pirates were also needed—Gervas told Lei Meng and the others to notify the guard squad and prepare for battle.

And upon learning that a never-ending ice cave had appeared in the domain, the veteran steward Old John was overcome with excitement, declaring it a blessing from the God of Glory.

The reason this matter was not handed to the civil official was that the ice cave, which directly generated massive coin revenue, was considered the castle’s property.

Thus, unified management by the castle steward was the noble custom.

After settling the matter of the ice cave, Gervas did not forget the deal with the merfolk, and instructed Old John to prepare a cartload of beer.

Fortunately, Catherine had sent plenty of beer earlier, so Gervas did not need to prepare any additional stock.

Of course, besides the trade, preparations for the pirates were also needed; Gervas ordered Lei Meng and the others to notify the guard unit and ready themselves for battle.