God's Tree

Chapter 72 Experimenting with Magic Cuisine

The calm air of Malakar's home had settled into a comfortable rhythm.

Kaelred sipped his tea, his mood improving now that he didn't have to risk his teeth on another one of Malakar's cookies.

Argolaith, however, had other plans.

As he finished writing down everything about the tea and cookies, a spark of curiosity lit his eyes.

He turned to Malakar, setting his quill aside.

"I want to try making the cookies myself."

Kaelred nearly choked on his tea.

"What?! You want to make those cursed things?"

Argolaith grinned. "They weren't cursed. They were just... advanced."

Malakar's eyes glowed faintly with amusement.

"Interesting. You learn quickly. But making them properly will not be easy."

Argolaith crossed his arms. "I like a challenge."

Kaelred groaned, shaking his head. "You're insane."

Malakar smirked. "Oh, I agree. But that's what makes it fun."

Malakar guided Argolaith through the steps once more, this time allowing him to do everything himself.

The ingredients were the same—Spiritual Wheat Flour, Ember Rose Nectar, Frozen Shadow Essence—but the process was now in Argolaith's hands.

He mixed them carefully, feeling the mana pulse through his fingers as the dough formed.

"Don't overwork it," Malakar instructed, his gaze sharp. "Too much force, and the mana disperses unevenly."

Argolaith nodded, adjusting his technique.

Kaelred, watching from the sidelines, muttered, "This feels like some kind of cult initiation."

Malakar ignored him.

Once the dough was properly balanced, Argolaith portioned it out and placed it in the obsidian oven.

The heat was different here.

It wasn't normal fire—it was fueled by shadows, baking the cookies with an unnatural stillness.

After a few moments, the kitchen filled with the rich, warm scent of magic-infused dough.

When the cookies finally finished, Argolaith carefully took them out, feeling a faint pulse of energy beneath his fingertips.

Kaelred stared warily.

Malakar took one and inspected it, giving a slow, approving nod. "Not bad."

Argolaith smirked. "Only 'not bad'?"

Malakar chuckled. "For a first attempt, it is excellent."

Argolaith took a bite of his own creation—and immediately noticed the difference.

It was softer than Malakar's. Still dense, still rich with mana, but less destructive to the jaw.

Kaelred hesitated, then cautiously picked one up. "...This one won't break my teeth, right?"

Argolaith smirked. "Only one way to find out."

Kaelred narrowed his eyes, then took a small, hesitant bite.

To his utter shock, the cookie was actually chewy.

Not rock-hard. Not weaponized. Edible.

Kaelred exhaled in relief. "...Finally, food that doesn't try to kill me."

Malakar smirked. "I suppose this means you'll eat another?"

Kaelred paused. "...Maybe."

As the kitchen settled into a comfortable silence, Argolaith turned to Malakar, curiosity burning in his gaze.

"By the way... I've been meaning to ask."

Malakar raised a brow. "Yes?"

Argolaith glanced at the far corner of the room, where Fluffy lay curled up, its fur glistening like the night sky, all thirteen eyes closed.

"What exactly is Fluffy?"

Kaelred tensed. "Yeah, I'd like to know too. That thing creeps me out."

Malakar stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Fluffy... is an anomaly."

Kaelred blinked. "...That's not reassuring."

Malakar smirked. "I never said it would be."

Teeth and claws sharper than any ordinary blade.

Bones dense enough to be reforged into weapons.

Blood that still pulsed with traces of magic.

Kaelred wiped sweat from his brow. "What do you even plan to do with all this?"

Argolaith shrugged, storing more materials. "Sell what we don't need. Forge weapons with the bones. Maybe experiment with alchemy."

Kaelred sighed. "I feel like you're the kind of person who just figures things out as they happen."

Argolaith grinned. "It's worked so far."

Kaelred just shook his head.

As they continued working, the shadows around them flickered.

Kaelred stiffened. "...Did you feel that?"

Argolaith didn't even look up. "Malakar is still watching us."

Kaelred turned, scanning the darkened treetops, but saw nothing.

"That guy creeps me out."

Argolaith smirked. "You'll get used to him."

Kaelred sighed. "I'd rather not."

A faint whisper of laughter echoed from the shadows, but it was gone in an instant.

With their storage rings full of wyvern materials and the battlefield cleared, Argolaith stretched, rolling his shoulders.

"Alright. We're done here."

Kaelred exhaled, glancing toward the distant horizon. "Then let's move. We've got a long way to go before we reach the human city."

Argolaith grinned. "Then let's not waste time."

As they set off once more, the weight of their journey still loomed ahead—but for now, the battle was behind them, and the next chapter of their adventure was waiting just beyond the horizon.

The wind swept over the plains, carrying the faint scent of earth and distant rain as Argolaith and Kaelred walked north, the weight of their supplies secured in Argolaith's storage ring.

For a while, they walked in silence, the only sound being the rhythmic crunch of their boots against the dry ground.

Then, Kaelred let out a long sigh, rubbing his temple.

"Alright. We need to talk about currency."

Argolaith glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Is that really necessary?"

Kaelred gave him a flat look. "You don't know how money works, Argolaith. You stole an infinite storage ring but have no clue how the economy functions."

Argolaith smirked. "To be fair, I haven't needed money so far."

Kaelred rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, that's going to change when we get to the city."

Argolaith stretched, tilting his head in interest. "Alright, enlighten me."

Kaelred cleared his throat, getting into a more instructor-like mode as they walked.

"There are three primary forms of currency used throughout Morgoth. Equal trade, gold coins, and magic stones."

Argolaith nodded. "Go on."

1. Equal Trade

"Equal trade is the simplest form. You give something of value in exchange for something of equal worth. This is most common among small villages, nomads, and those who don't rely on minted currency."

Argolaith nodded thoughtfully. "I've done that before."

Kaelred smirked. "Of course you have. Stealing and trading—you've really covered all the basics."

Argolaith chuckled. "Survival is survival."

2. Gold Coins

Kaelred continued, "Gold coins are the standard currency in most large cities. They're stamped with the crest of the kingdom they belong to, and their value fluctuates depending on the region."

Argolaith frowned. "So, not all gold coins are worth the same?"

Kaelred shook his head. "Nope. Some kingdoms mint higher purity gold, while others mix it with cheaper metals. Some cities don't even accept foreign gold if they don't recognize the kingdom's stamp."

Argolaith sighed. "That sounds complicated."

Kaelred smirked. "You'll get used to it."

3. Magic Stones

Kaelred's voice lowered slightly as they reached the most important form of currency.

"Then there are Magic Stones. They're worth more than gold because they contain mana and can be used for crafting, spellcasting, and enchantments."

Argolaith raised a brow. "So they're like fuel?"

Kaelred nodded. "Exactly. The higher the mana concentration, the more valuable the stone. Low-grade stones can power basic tools or lamps, while high-grade stones are used by powerful mages and forge masters."

Argolaith rubbed his chin. "That actually makes sense. So we could trade the wyvern materials for Magic Stones instead of gold?"

Kaelred grinned. "Now you're thinking like a merchant."