The moon shone brightly amidst sparse stars, and the night was like a tranquil water.
In the dense forest by the sea, a flickering orange flame danced, licking at the slightly reddened bottom of the pot, where the stewing meat soup simmered.
Luo En stood up, took a branch that served as cutlery, and poked at the tumbling pieces of beast meat in the pot, ensuring they were thoroughly tender before sketching a few lines of Hermes Script with his hand and taking out several pottery bottles from the Magic Circle Diagram. He evenly sprinkled the stored spices into the pot.
Soon, a rich fragrance spread out, and Thetis and Astraea sitting in front of the fire unconsciously flared their nostrils, their appetites evidently enticed.
"It's ready, you can eat now."
With a slight smile, Luo En picked up a ladle, served the well-stewed soup into pottery bowls, and passed them to Thetis and Astraea in turn.
However, after taking her bowl, Astraea didn't hurry to taste the delicious soup but set down her utensils, looked back at the vast sea, and opened her mouth hesitantly, "Leaving Lady Hecate alone in the sea today, weren't we a bit too harsh?"
Luo En, while tasting the thick soup in his bowl, answered carelessly. "Don't worry, the Furies and Eris can't bother her; she'll catch up on her own."
"That may be true, but tossing her directly from the chariot was still a bit..." Astraea frowned slightly.
"Don't worry, don't worry, she won't mind because that's a friendly tradition on Aiaia Island."
Luo En reassured with a beaming smile and then proceeded to share his training experiences on Aiaia Island with judicious omissions to Thetis and Astraea.
Being chased by a hungry magic beast, playing underwater hide-and-seek with sea monsters, or stealing sheep from the neighboring Cyclops...
Or occasionally being a test subject for some dopey Enchantress's potion, getting poisoned, turning into a pig...
Or facing an ascension ceremony, being tossed onto a deserted island by Hecate to fend off a horde of Divine Blood dependents for three days and nights, then being sweet-talked into a standoff with the patrolling Atlantean Imperial Guard...
Upon hearing Luo En's nonchalant narrative, Astraea, who had initially felt indignant for Hecate, suddenly ran out of steam.
Was this training intended to ensure he wouldn't live to adulthood?
Meanwhile, Thetis displayed a look of pity and sympathy, her azure eyes even brimming with a hint of maternal love.
At this moment, seeing the mood ripe, Luo En started half-jokingly to lament.
"Actually, it couldn't be helped. Thetis had just recovered, and the two of us together wouldn't stand much of a chance against Eris and the Furies. As both of you are guests I have invited, I couldn't allow any harm to come your way, right? So my mentor had to make a small sacrifice.
The more capable should bear the greater burden, after all, and among us, only she can handle those four nuisances.
Besides, since she is going to Athens with us, if we encounter any obstacle, she would definitely have to step in."
After listening to Luo En's clear explanation, Astraea nodded reluctantly.
Thereupon, the Goddess of Justice no longer inquired about the matters between the mentor and disciple and began to enjoy the meal prepared by the God of Stove's lineage.
With a small sip, the soup tasted rich and inviting, making it hard to stop.
When a piece of poultry meat reached her lips, the strings of tender meat held no hint of gaminess but radiated the umami of mushrooms...
Feeling a probing gaze, the Goddess of Justice instinctively looked up with surprise to her side.
Luo En snapped back to reality, shook his head with a smile, and replied, "Nothing, I just thought you were eating so cautiously, I wondered if you didn't like the meal."
Watching Astraea gingerly sip the soup in the firelight, the master chef of the evening felt a nagging doubt.
Funny, why is she so polite tonight? And her usual demeanor when eating wasn't .
"I just wasn't feeling very hungry just now!" Astraea hurriedly explained.
"And now?" inquired Luo En.
Without directly answering, Astraea tilted back her head and gulped down half a bowl of soup, then boldly passed the empty bowl over.
Seeing his guest's renewed appetite, a smile returned to Luo En's face as he promptly filled another generous bowl for Astraea.
The Goddess of Justice took her utensil and without a word, buried her head and devoured it vigorously.
Her robust manner instantly reminded Luo En of the familiar vibes, as he quietly raised a thumbs up for her in his heart, admiring sincerely.
—This lady is truly spirited!
However, as if hearing someone's silent mockery, Astraea could hardly take a few bites before a chunk of meat unexpectedly lodged in her throat, making her clutch at her chest with severe coughing.
Luo En immediately showed concern, cautioning her.
"Quick, have a sip, be careful not to choke."
Astraea instinctively put down the pottery bowl, picked up her leather water bag from the ground, pulled out the stopper, and took a big swig.
However, as soon as she swallowed the liquid from the water bag, the Goddess's face changed. She spat out the mouthful and stared at the leather pouch in astonishment.
"Yes, don't you enjoy having that with your meals?"
Luo En was slightly taken aback, somewhat puzzled by Astraea's intense reaction.
"I just drank it a bit too quickly..."
The Goddess of Justice by the fire, after a gentle cough, wiped off the lingering drop of wine at the corner of her mouth, once again grabbed her wine-filled leather pouch, and unperturbedly took several more gulps.