When the mushroom soup's aroma... was that really an aroma?
Levi felt his nose might not be working quite right.
Anyway, when the mushroom soup's scent wafted up, Morwen emerged from the room. She'd fed the child and put him to sleep, instructed the household servants to watch him carefully, then came out to check the situation at the stove.
"You're cooking that soup again?"
"Yes."
Getting an affirmative answer, Morwen's expression was truly indescribable.
"This is what Levi taught me," Thengel said proudly.
Now Morwen's expression became even more difficult to describe. She looked at Levi.
Under this gaze, Levi felt like he'd lost something. Perhaps some kind of reputation in a certain area.
"Almost ready."
Thengel rubbed his hands together, staring intently at the meat chunks and sliced mushrooms bubbling in the pot. His face lit up with excitement.
After staring at the pot for several more minutes, he stirred it with a wooden spoon, then announced it was finished.
The moment the soup was ready, he ladled out a bowl and handed it to Levi first.
"Here, taste this."
Levi took the bowl and stared at the mushrooms inside for a while.
Based on past experience, it was indeed thoroughly cooked and should be fine. Wait, what was that beside it? Fat meat?
It looked greasy just looking at it, but...
Seeing Thengel looking at him with great anticipation, even thoughtfully bringing over a small spoon, Levi couldn't really refuse.
Whatever. Greasy is greasy. Could it be greasier than that oil-laden roasted meat sauce from Erebor?
Just as Levi scooped up a small spoonful of soup and prepared to drink it, he suddenly noticed another gaze.
It was Morwen. She was shaking her head repeatedly behind Thengel. As if afraid Levi wouldn't understand, she quickly pointed at the bowl of soup, then waved her hands frantically.
Don't drink it.
These words were nearly spoken directly from her mouth.
Levi gave her a look, indicating not to worry.
I've eaten rotten meat and maggoty bread. Would I be afraid of this?
Gulp.
When the mushroom soup full of fatty meat touched his tongue, Levi's breath caught and his entire body froze.
Careless.
He closed his eyes, steeled himself, and struggled to swallow the soup. His tongue hadn't suffered such grievance since following him.
Perhaps he understood mushroom soup well enough, but clearly Morwen understood Thengel better than he did.
Levi took a deep breath and glanced at his status bar.
[Nausea: 10s]
No health lost, no poisoning. Just purely indescribable taste.
You had to say, in a certain sense, this guy really was a genius.
"How is it?"
Thengel asked with wide, expectant eyes. His face was full of the joy of an apprentice showing his first work to his master.
Levi couldn't bear to hurt him.
At his age, finally taking interest in learning a new skill? If he got discouraged now, it might take a long time to recover.
"It's... not bad."
Levi struggled to say something against his conscience.
Not many people in this world could make him act against his conscience anymore.
"Then drink more! There's plenty left in the pot."
Thengel, ignoring the scalding heat that could burn someone, was about to carry the entire pot of soup over barehanded.
"Don't!"
Levi quickly stopped him.
"What's wrong?"
Thengel looked confused.
"I don't mean to hide it from you, but actually I already ate before this. Forgive me for not mentioning it earlier. I'm really not very hungry."
"This one bowl's enough."
"Alright then."
Thengel looked somewhat deflated but quickly recovered, ladling himself a bowl and drinking it with relish.
"Thengel."
"Yeah?"
"Have you felt unwell recently? Gotten sick or anything, like a cold? It can make your sense of taste less sensitive."
"How could that be?"
Thengel shook his head, flexing his muscles.
"As you can see, I'm quite healthy. Those diseases might trouble people who lack exercise, but I'm confident. Even if I ran shirtless through winter streets, everything would be normal the next day."
"That's really... quite good."
Levi nodded, looking at the soup in his bowl with difficulty.
He stirred the soup with his spoon, making small talk with Thengel about this and that. Forcing smiles while unable to take another sip.
When Thengel finished his bowl and went to ladle a second, Morwen pointed to their household garbage disposal area.
Levi immediately understood and quickly poured the soup down the drain.
"Finished?"
Thengel suddenly turned to look at Levi.
Levi's hand froze as he nodded guiltily.
"Let me ladle you another bowl."
As he spoke, Thengel was about to take Levi's bowl.
Levi admitted he was somewhat triggered at this moment.
"No!"
"Ah, I mean, no need. If necessary, I'll get it myself."
Hearing this, Thengel retracted his hand with a strange expression.
Why's he guarding his bowl like that?
The simple meal ended like this.
Levi didn't intend to stay another second. At least not during mealtimes. He feared Thengel might stew another pot of soup, making it impossible to decline.
Such things were better left for him to enjoy himself.
But before leaving, he still displayed what he'd brought.
It was an amulet strung with cord. The outer frame was crafted from pure gold with a gem flickering with magical radiance embedded in the center. It was green.
"I give this amulet to Théoden."
"It can protect its wearer from external attacks and harm, whether swords or magic."
"Of course, there are limits. When the magical radiance flickering in the gem fades, it means this amulet has lost its power."
"But if one day it loses power for some reason, you can send it to Roadside Keep. I'll imbue it with magic again so it can continue protecting its wearer."
Listening to Levi's explanation, Thengel's movements became careful.
He received the amulet and examined it closely. The gem embedded in the golden frame gave an impression of solidity, like the earth itself.
This feeling wasn't wrong. This amulet indeed contained the power of earth.
[Emergency Shield Amulet]
This was the same model Levi wore. It could provide 7 shield points and immediately provide another 7 shield points after the shield broke. Hence the "emergency" designation.
In total, it was equivalent to 14 shield points. Definitely life-saving at critical moments.
But beyond physical defense, the runic shield's most crucial aspect was targeted defense against magical forces. It was precisely through this that Levi could completely suppress Nazgûl.
If it could counter Nazgûl magic, it could also counter certain ill-intentioned wizards...
While thinking this, Thengel suddenly gripped Levi's shoulders with both hands, speaking with genuine emotion:
"I will remember this friendship."
"This gift will accompany my child always."