In the early morning, the wind and snow in the Mason Royal City had subsided significantly.
Sophia opened her eyes to the sound of Willow's gentle wake-up call. She leisurely enjoyed a portion of magical medicinal porridge prepared personally by Daphne, which carried a faint sweetness of berries, paired with several wild boar chops pan-fried by Willow, sizzling with oil and overflowing with fragrance.
The warm food entered her stomach, finally dispelling the last trace of drowsiness remaining in her body.
"Your Majesty, the wheat seedlings and vegetable seeds in the greenhouses have already sprouted. Would you like to go take a look?"
Willow asked softly while fastening a thick cloak inlaid with black fox fur onto Sophia.
Sophia nodded slightly.
"Let's go for a walk. It's a good opportunity to see how those little things Irene tossed together have grown."
Walking out of the Bedchamber, the outside world was wrapped in silver, and the accumulated snow beneath her feet made a crisp crunching sound.
However, upon stepping into that massive Fire Kang Style Greenhouse in the Palace rear garden, a wave of heat—humid, warm, and carrying the fragrance of soil—instantly wrapped around her whole body.
This feeling was like crossing the boundary of seasons, falling instantly from the extreme cold of the northern winter into the idyllic fields of early spring.
"Your Majesty, look."
Delilah followed closely behind. Although her eyes were usually sharp as knives, upon stepping into this greenery, they rarely softened a few degrees.
"Those tender sprouts have already drilled their way out."
Sophia looked in the direction Delilah pointed.
On the originally brown soil, there was now a layer of extremely tiny, tender green sprout points. Those were the seedlings of winter wheat, beans, and onions.
Under the continuous heat supply from the fire kang, they were greedily breathing the moist air.
The air was filled with a unique scent emitted by soil soaked in moisture, mixed with the faint smell of pine smoke from the stove; it was surprisingly pleasant to smell.
"Miss Irene has already given orders to move all the potato seedlings and chili seedlings originally planted in the pots on the West Tower terrace to this place."
Delilah continued to report, her voice carrying a kind of reverence born from witnessing Divine Miracles.
"Your Majesty instructed that these seeds are the foundation of Mason. So now, apart from the few of us and the die-hard trusted aides responsible for adding fire, no one is allowed near here."
Sophia walked to the core position of the greenhouse. Those potatoes and chilies that had originally been shivering in the West Tower had now grown to the height of about two fingers. Their oily green leaves were stretching out, as if claiming credit from that Queen in black.
These plants indeed grew quite fast.
Coupled with Irene's fertilizer, these plants were simply growing as if using cheats.
At this rate, the hot pot for after winter arrives should be secured.
However, Sophia prepared to think of a reasonable excuse later to make Irene actively bring up the topic of eating hot pot.
Sophia squatted down, gently touching the slightly cool leaves with her fingertips, a trace of satisfaction flashing in her pale golden pupils.
Delilah stood behind Sophia, watching the Queen's focused expression, and a touch of softness could not help but dye her brows and eyes.
Her Majesty was a great person she had never seen before. Since yesterday, subjects had been spontaneously clearing the snow in front of the Palace gates.
Even though soldiers said they would clean it, subjects still went spontaneously.
This was naturally due to Her Majesty's charm.
And Her Majesty did not feel proud of this in the slightest; instead, she continued to pay attention to these foundations of the people.
That look in her eyes right now—how was she looking at just a few seedlings?
What her fingertips touched was the foundation of the Kingdom of Mason that would stand for ten thousand generations.
In this season when all things withered, Her Majesty was actually able to artificially create a patch of forbidden green here.
She had Miss Irene transfer these seedlings; clearly, she was carrying out some kind of grand layout regarding the continuation of species!
She didn't let outsiders enter because every inch of air here carried the Truth of fighting against natural laws.
That posture of Your Majesty squatting down was simply like the Mother Goddess in charge of the earth looking down upon her Divine Kingdom.
The King of Orr was still worrying that the snow disaster would starve his subjects to death, while our Majesty was already considering how to make the entire continent submit beneath Mason's dining table during winter.
After secretly praising her in her heart, Delilah quickly thought about the fact that she was currently inside this warm house.
Willow had served by Your Majesty's side since childhood, and Irene possessed the talent and ability of a super inventor, so they were able to enter this warm house.
But she was different; compared to these two, she was much inferior.
Yet Your Majesty still allowed her to freely enter and exit this precious warm house.
Raising her head to look at Sophia's back, the corners of Delilah's lips couldn't help but rise slightly.
After inspecting the greenhouses, Sophia originally wanted to go to the West Tower to check Irene's progress on researching cement, but she thought of Irene's frantic working attitude and the explosions that could happen at any time.
To avoid being blown into popcorn, she decided it was better to go check on those strategic materials first.
That is, those small livestock.
A corner of the Palace rear garden had been transformed into a semi-open-air warm pen.
As soon as she approached, she heard the crisp lowing of calves.
"Your Majesty!"
The little girl, Hailey, was wearing a thick leather jacket. Her face flushed red, she burrowed out from a hay pile, hugging a bundle of dry, high-quality hay in her arms.
Her complexion looked much better, and her small face was no longer as sallow.
Seeing Sophia, she hurriedly put down the fodder and curtsied somewhat awkwardly.
"Did you come to see the calves?"
Sophia nodded slightly, her gaze looking toward the cattle pen.
The two original large cows were leisurely ruminating. Aside from the first calf that was born, the other cow had unexpectedly also given birth to a robust calf.
At this moment, the two large cows were protecting the two toddlers learning to walk, appearing exceptionally cozy in the floor-heated room paved with thick hay.
Two big cows, two small cows.
The milk source had expanded. In the future, even without drinking wild berry juice, the supply of pure fresh milk was secure.
In the enclosure not far away, the chickens, ducks, and geese that were previously chicks had grown a full circle larger, their feathers much fuller.
And those two piglets bought incidentally from the Kingdom of Qubi were curling up comfortably in a hay nest, making grunting sleeping sounds. They were obviously very satisfied with this warm and moist life in the Mason Palace.
Hailey meticulously filled every feeding trough with feed mixed with wheat bran, her eyes filled with care for these animals.
"Your Majesty, they are all growing very well. Lord Irene said that as long as they eat well and don't get sick, next spring we will have even more meat and eggs."
Hailey spoke earnestly.
Sophia looked at this vitality that was carefully nurtured amidst the world of ice and snow, and patted Hailey on the shoulder:
"Good work. When spring begins and these calves grow up, This Queen permits you to give them names."
As for why not now...
Sophia wasn't sure if these little brats could survive this winter.
The Kingdom of Mason rarely raised such livestock.
And giving them names meant having emotional attachment. If the little brats died then, she was afraid this little girl Hailey would cry herself to death.
Hailey was so excited her small face turned red: "Thank you for Your Majesty's immense grace!"
Sophia walked out of the pen, looking up toward the distant West Tower.
Although no explosion sounds came from there, she could see streams of grey smoke continuously pouring out from the exhaust vents.
Irene had been burning stones over there for three days; she estimated it wasn't far from that so-called grey magic cement.
Once the cement is produced, this livestock shed should also be reinforced; living in haystacks all the time wasn't grand enough.
Sophia pulled her cloak tighter, feeling this orderly and hope-filled busyness within the Palace.
"Let's go, back to the Bedchamber. Willow, have the kitchen prepare some meat soup and send it to the West Tower. Don't let Irene faint from hunger in the ash pile instead of being blown up."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Just after strolling a round in the rear garden, she saw Daphne standing on the small path ahead.
At this moment, Daphne was boringly drawing something on the ground with a tree branch. Upon hearing footsteps, she immediately stood up.
"Your Majesty."
"Mn." Sophia nodded. "Why are you here?"
"I was waiting for Your Majesty here." Joy flashed in Daphne's emerald eyes, and she subsequently said, "I have some things I want to say to Your Majesty."
Seeing Daphne acting mysterious, Sophia permitted Daphne to come to her palace.
Delilah stood guard at the palace entrance. Sophia, wearing the golden crown, sat on the throne, her gaze calmly looking at Daphne below.
She was stating her thoughts.
"If my magic can make a person's body better, then can it also make an animal's body better?"
After she finished speaking, seeing Sophia didn't object, she continued:
"Maybe if the animals' bodies are better, they will be less prone to dying prematurely. After growing up, could they also increase yield and production quality?"
After finishing, Daphne clasped her hands in front of her somewhat apprehensively, looking at Sophia nervously.
She had heard how much Sophia treasured those animals. She was very afraid Sophia would think her move was reckless tinkering and punish her.
"Is there a risk of failure?" Sophia asked.
"If it fails, there is a high probability that nothing will happen, and a small probability they will have diarrhea."
Daphne finished and immediately added, "However, if they have diarrhea, I can cure them immediately."
Sophia pondered for a moment, then said:
"Then give it a try."
Daphne finally heaved a sigh of relief.
She and Vasha arrived later, so they could rarely touch the true core places, which were the rear garden and the West Tower.
Both of these places were restricted from entry for most people.
Vasha hadn't completely joined Mason, but she was determined to join Mason. If she continued to be useless like this, Daphne feared she would soon be 'eliminated'.
Fortunately, she finally thought of a place for her skills to be used.
Thus, the group appeared in the rear garden again.
Hailey, seeing Your Majesty's group appearing here again not long after leaving, felt it was a bit strange but didn't open her mouth to ask. She took small quick steps, raising her head to look at that reassuring figure standing at the very front.
Finally, the group stopped near the cattle shed.
Daphne looked at Sophia. Seeing Sophia nod, she immediately walked forward.
She stood solemnly in front of that cow that had just given birth.
Taking a deep breath, her emerald eyes filled with piety and drive, she chanted the incantation of Saint Glory Magic in a low voice:
"—Breath of the lush forest, sweetness that bestows life, Saint Glory Protection!"
Following the rhythmic movement of her hands, a wave of magic—extremely gentle and carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees—instantly submerged into the cow's body.
The cow's expression, originally somewhat exhausted from giving birth, vanished instantly. It became spirited, even waving its tail happily.
Hailey looked at the light just now with confusion, and a word immediately appeared in her heart.
Witch.
But her gaze immediately became bewildered. Aren't Witches people who harm others? Princess Daphne is helping the milk cow; she is a good person.
Next, Willow went forward to milk the cow personally.
Subsequently, everyone was surprised to discover that the fresh milk caught in the milk bucket was no longer ordinary milky white. Instead, it revealed a faint color of suet jade, like silk, and the aroma was so rich it could almost cover the smell of the surrounding dry hay.
After processing it to the degree where it could be directly drunk, the few people present each held a cup of milk in their hands.
When Sophia held that cup of warm fresh milk, which was sweet as honey syrup even without added honey, she couldn't help but drink two extra mouthfuls.
"Daphne."
Sophia put down the glass cup, her pale golden pupils looking at the uneasy young girl to the side.
"The texture of this milk is very good, and the taste is pure.
"You did well. Mason's morning tea won't be able to do without you in the future."
"Really?! Your Majesty!"
Daphne's emerald eyes instantly lit up, as if she had received the best reward in the world.
She had always worried she had no place to use her skills in this country of hardcore infrastructure. Now, she had finally found her positioning.
"Magic Girl... surely is useful!
"Justice's protection won't even spare the milk!"
Daphne clenched her small fists, running full of vitality toward the next pigsty, her whole body radiating a fanaticism to 'Buff' the entire output of the Mason Palace once over.
Sophia watched her pumped-up appearance and thought silently:
This is good. It's best if this drive can be maintained.
If she can make magic cheese in the future, my afternoon tea will be even more perfect.
Meanwhile, the West Tower had become the most terrifying place in the entire Palace.
Grey dust lingered incessantly, and the originally tidy steps were covered in fine stone powder.
"Fast! Move faster! Don't stop the Number One Grindstone!"
Irene's hoarse voice came from the depths of the laboratory.
At this moment, she had a simple linen mask hanging diagonally on her face. Holding a heavy iron hammer in her hand, she was directing several alchemy apprentices who were panting from exhaustion.
"Copper Head!
"Where is that limestone I asked you to screen?
"It must be crushed to the size of a fingernail; even a little bit bigger won't do!"
Irene pointed at a pile of white ore chunks.
The apprentice called Copper Head waved his stone hammer without even lifting his head, sweat washing the dust into muddy trails.
"Lord Irene, that batch is already over there!
"The clay has also been ground into powder after being dried by fire according to your instructions. But, are you sure you want to add these iron ore slags in too?
"That stuff is hard as rock; how can it be ground down?"
"Idiot! It's only useful because it's hard!"
Irene jumped next to a massive calcining furnace cast from raw iron; that was something she and Valery had specially customized.
"Listen well!"
Irene jumped onto a high stool. Holding a blueprint covered in scale marks, she shouted orders at the apprentices and assistants:
"Three parts crushed limestone, one part clay powder, plus these Qubi ore slags that have undergone initial grinding!
"What we want is not ordinary stone, but the ash of life that has undergone the baptism of fire!"
"Burn the furnace to its peak!
"Valery, tell your people to pump the bellows like their lives depend on it down below!
"We want to see the color in the furnace turn into that blinding white light!
"Without that kind of temperature, these stubborn stones can't be reborn in nirvana!"
"Those scorched black lumps that are burned out, don't throw them away!
"That is clinker! Wait for them to cool, then use the heaviest iron grindstone to grind them for me into grey powder as fine as flour!"
For a whole morning, heat waves rolled within the West Tower.
Under Irene's near-devilish supervision, the apprentices operated like machines.
Some were responsible for transporting, some for watching the temperature, and some for performing the final screening in that pile of deadly dust.
"Is it done? My Lord?"
An assistant looked at those buckets of dusty, seemingly ordinary powder and asked doubtfully.
Irene wiped the sweat off her forehead, revealing a confident smile stained with black soot:
"Whether it's done or not, we'll know when we let Your Majesty come see it personally."
In the afternoon, accompanied by Delilah and Willow, Sophia stepped into the West Tower once again.
In the open space of the laboratory, several grid molds made of wooden boards were placed.
Irene was squatting nearby, holding a small trowel in her hand, pouring a kind of grey, viscous paste into them.
"Your Majesty, this is the grey magic."
Irene put down the trowel, motioning for everyone to look at a mold that had already solidified for four hours.
"This is the first batch of test products.
"Inside this, I mixed in fine sand and crushed stone."
Sophia looked at that object with a gloomy color and rough surface, but her heart was extremely excited.
Cement... it really is cement.
If this stuff succeeds, Mason's winter will no longer be just mud.
Irene really is a genius!
However, no matter how excited Sophia was, she still appeared cold and aloof on the surface.
"Delilah."
Sophia spoke coolly. "Test its hardness."
Delilah nodded slightly. She didn't draw her sword, but directly extended her right foot wrapped in a cowhide boot. Condensing a powerful force, she stomped fiercely onto that grey block from which the mold had already been removed.
Bang!
A muffled sound.
The grey block, which everyone originally thought would shatter like an ordinary adobe brick, actually didn't move a muscle.
That kick from Delilah, which was enough to shatter bluestone, merely left a shallow white mark on it.
"Eh?"
Delilah revealed an extremely rare expression of surprise.
She bent down, using her fingers to stroke that cold touch, hard as iron.
"Your Majesty, this thing is even denser than the rocks on the mountain.
"It has no cracks; it is a unified whole."
The surrounding apprentices and assistants immediately erupted in a burst of irrepressible cheers!
"We succeeded!"
"That rotten mud really turned into stone!"
Chancellor Victor stood behind Sophia. Looking at this grey square brick, a complex expression appeared on his face.
Although he didn't participate completely, he and his people had been helping from the side the whole time.
Through Miss Irene's hands, Your Majesty had not only bestowed food upon us, but now even the earth had to obey her will.
This cement was clearly the physical manifestation of Your Majesty's Divine Authority.
She wanted to stitch this scattered wasteland together with this grey Divine blood, building an eternal, immortal Sanctuary!
Sophia turned her head, looking at Irene's expression that was begging for praise. She reached out and gently patted the dust off her shoulder:
"Well done, Irene.
"Starting tomorrow, begin paving from the inner courtyard of the Palace first.
"This Queen does not wish to see mud staining boot soles anymore, nor wish for houses to collapse at will. Mason's civilization shall strike its roots beginning from this hard ground."
"As you command! Your Majesty!"
Irene and the apprentices shouted in unison.
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