CH-104

104 It's Rice!

Imperial Calendar Year 425.
Duchy of Sermon.

In late spring, the Duchy issued a proclamation declaring that the aging, childless Lord would select a single youth of high moral character—boy or girl—from across the entire nation to be their sole heir. Once the news broke, the nineteen parishes within the Duchy responded swiftly. Nobles and knights personally handpicked candidates of suitable age, who would assemble in July and journey to the capital, 'Levanthal'.

However, another version of the story circulated privately among the nobility.

The Lord's sudden decision to choose an heir was not merely born of concern over a lack of offspring, but rather because a mysterious prophet residing within the castle had left a revelation.

"The fate of the Duchy of Sermon hinges upon an heir yet to be revealed within the nation's borders. The Divine Lord bestows upon that person honey, to bring sweet rain to the world; and gifts them brimstone, to burn away old abuses and decay. Only the one chosen by the Divine Lord can, between salvation and destruction, reforge the nation's destiny."

After the message spread, people speculated wildly about the characteristics of the new heir.

Some were convinced the candidate would come from a devout family of believers, for the figure in the prophecy seemed intertwined with the Divine Lord's will.

Others believed that the 'honey and brimstone' mentioned hinted that the heir was versed in alchemy or medicine. For alchemy and medicine are always closely linked; both require work in a laboratory and employ similar raw materials and methods of concoction. And many alchemists are also physicians.

However, all such speculation remained unverified; the true answer would only be known at the final moment.

Regardless, upon receiving this news, people did not speak of it openly, passing it only in private whispers.

Some, harboring ambitions for advancement and favor, would deliberately treat youths fitting the prophecy's description with exceptional kindness during the journey, while ignoring others entirely, offering them no pleasant countenance whatsoever.

The party that Shu Li found himself in was precisely such a group, hailing from the southernmost parish of Turansol.

Those considered promising heirs rode in carriages the entire way.

While the other children were made to follow behind on foot.

Originally, they were all children raised on farms, so trekking over mountains was something they were accustomed to.

But it was the height of summer heat, and the escorting knights, eager to complete their delivery, urged them onward without much pity, granting the youths neither adequate rest nor sufficient food and water. One after another, many fell ill, until even the knights' 'encouraging' whips could not rouse them.

Left with no choice, they had to find a nearby estate where the candidates could rest temporarily.

And because more and more people kept collapsing, Shu Li and Kyle gradually moved from the very back of the procession toward the middle ranks.

Shu Li was helping tend to the sick when the knight who oversaw their rear section walked over, pointed at his face, and said, "You're in charge of the thirteen children in this latter half. What is your name?"

"Shu Li," Shu Li replied.

His voice was distinctly that of a youth—clear and bright.

When he raised his eyes, there was a cleanliness and efficiency unique to a young man.

Shu Li had no idea what impression he left on others, but in order to assess his own situation, he had studied his reflection in the river.

He now looked very much like his high school self from the modern world.
Although his features resembled those of Father Aris, whom he had transmigrated into, there were subtle differences, most notably the absence of that young priest's distinctive eye color. Moreover, he had not let his hair grow long, which made him appear fresh and neat.

The knight discerned the thick local accent that Shu Li could not hide no matter how hard he tried from the pronunciation of "Shu Li." His gaze swept over the boy's clean-cut, youthful face, and a flicker of contempt crossed his expression.

He suddenly realized he had only taken notice of this boy because of his rudimentary medical knowledge, and he felt a pang of regret for having done so.

"Shulrik, is it?"

He paused, then warned sternly, "Do not make any mistakes."

Shu Li felt exasperated for the second time hearing someone mispronounce his name.

As a matter of fact, from his perspective, everyone's speech sounded like normal communication in Chinese. But when it came to pronouncing his name, Shu Li noticed they all seemed to "correct" his wording, as if assuming he had a local accent that was interfering with proper pronunciation.

If one were to consider it from a local perspective, a name ending in 'ri' was indeed informal; few male names ended in a vowel sound.

Too lazy to correct their pronunciation, Shu Li tacitly accepted that his name was 'Shulrik'.

Beside him, Kyle waited until the horseman had left before speaking. "That's why I said not to draw attention. Once people remember you, if you ever try to run away, you'll be the first one they catch."

Shu Li glanced sideways at Kyle.

His clothes were simple, like those of an ordinary villager, but his gaze was deep, his words measured and careful, his mind shrewd and calculating.

In everything he said, between every line, he was hinting that something was wrong with this procession, subtly urging Shu Li to run away.

At first, Shu Li had assumed that the nobles held a complete registry of names. So, if Kyle were to run, he would be branded a fugitive, and once on the path of exile, turning back would be difficult.

But the knight's words earlier made him realize that they actually couldn't remember every individual. Given their attitude, among hundreds of children, a few missing might not even be noticed.

And Kyle's wariness suggested it wasn't that he lacked the opportunity to leave, but rather that he didn't want to.

Now, he was merely trying to use fear and information asymmetry to recruit Shu Li to his side.

Shu Li didn't dislike this kind of cooperation; since it was a misunderstanding, he decided to play along.

Besides, he still couldn't figure out his own situation.

Was this a dream?
But this dream was far too real.

Shu Li knew that even in a dream, one could feel pain. But every second of pain, heat, and hunger was too vivid. Each second stretched long and clear, making it impossible for Shu Li to skim through a dream narrative.

Shu Li was certain he couldn't control his dreams.

Yet, to accept that he had transmigrated yet again was something he definitely could not do lightly.

He had finally, after so much effort, managed to make his own little nest so comfortable.

He had only just polished his life bit by bit until it was so decent.

And now, he was back to square one.

Shu Li missed his wheat flour, missed the fruits and vegetables he'd planted himself, missed Nasser...

He wanted to go back to the Northern Territory immediately to find familiar faces, even if they weren't close to him, he could forge new connections; yet he was afraid. Afraid he'd arrive to find nothing, afraid this world was different from the one he knew, afraid that people had changed and everything familiar had crumbled.

He even started wondering if he had to die to return to his original world.

But if it really came to that, it wasn't an option he was unwilling to consider.

"..."
Shu Li's thoughts drifted further and further away.

"Shulrik," Kyle said, noticing Shu Li staring blankly at him, he felt oddly exposed. His gaze flickered for a moment before he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking, if I could really escape, I'd run to the Northern Territory."

As soon as those words fell, the youth who had previously received aid suddenly raised his voice in agreement, "The Northern Territory is remote, cold, barren, and poor. It has been a place of exile for centuries. Going there is just asking for suffering. Surely you're not that desperate, are you?"

Clearly, this was meant as a concerned warning, trying to pull Shu Li back from the brink.

Shu Li had known he was awake for a while, just unwilling to engage. Now, hearing him speak up again, Shu Li deliberately shifted the topic onto him, wanting to avoid any discussion about the procession.

Shu Li smoothly asked, "When did you wake up?"

"You glanced at me when I woke up, didn't you?" the youth replied with righteous confidence.

Being called out on the spot didn't faze Shu Li; he merely smiled faintly. "I thought you wanted to pretend, so I played along."

"I wasn't pretending," the youth explained with a serious face. "I genuinely don't have the strength to walk. No pretense needed."

Shu Li understood the logic, so he asked, "What's your name?"

"Philippus."

Shu Li paused at the familiar-sounding name, "..."

Before Shu Li could say anything, Philippus continued speaking on his own, "Is there a doctor in your family too? You seem well-versed in herbal knowledge. If you have such skills, going to the Northern Territory would be a waste. You'd be better off waiting until this selection process is over and then coming to work for my family. Consider it a favor."

Philippus knew his own status was higher than a common villager's, and he didn't want others to take advantage of his need to repay a debt. But since he had undoubtedly received kindness, and seeing that Shu Li seemed honest, he was willing to help this poor boy out.

He looked at Shu Li with great confidence, waiting for Shu Li to be overjoyed, waiting for him to accept with tears of gratitude.

But Shu Li merely smiled faintly, waving his hand lightly. "No need."

His voice was mild and languid.

Over the past few years, Shu Li had been spoiled by the Savoy Parish into a life of idle leisure, unaccustomed to production. Now, the thought of being someone else's workhorse didn't sit well with him.

Shu Li said in a calm tone, "I want to go to the Northern Territory to serve as clergy."

After these words fell, not only Philippus, but even Kyle beside him couldn't help but scrutinize him, blurting out in near unison, "Are you mad?"

Their voices were filled with astonishment, and even a hint of looking at a fool.

Before their words had fully faded, the order to halt came from up ahead.

They had arrived at the estate.

This was a temporarily borrowed aristocratic property, situated on a secluded wooded highland behind a bend in the trade road. The walls were covered with vast patches of vibrant red photinia, aged yet dignified.

The escorting knights at the front had already negotiated their entry.

Shu Li and the others simply followed the line into the estate, proceeding along with the flow to the side courtyard for rest and recovery.

The noble lady of the estate was a kind-hearted woman.

The food being prepared in the kitchen was originally intended for charitable distribution, but the several hundred portions coincidentally went to the now exhausted and hungry candidates.

Thus, over a hundred candidates were soon seated at long wooden tables, and the clatter of pots and bowls quickly brought wafts of delicious food.

Shu Li had expected nothing more than oatmeal porridge or stewed beans, but to his surprise, the trays brought out held steaming hot rice cooked in iron pots—distinct grains, aromatic and appetizing, even topped with gravy and meat sauce.

He froze for a second, almost suspecting he was seeing things.

"!"
It was actually white rice!!!!!

Shu Li suddenly felt that life was looking up again!