Darius took the spoon in his hand, carefully observing it for anything strange. After all, Justinian was smiling way too eagerly for the food to be normal.
'...I don't smell or see anything strange.'
He tasted it, and when he did, his world changed. The flavour assaulting his taste buds made his mind go blank.
He had already tasted the finest dining back in the kingdom's capital itself, and even then, this simple soup was better.
Better than anything he had tasted before.
And that realization made his hand tremble; he knew he was now completely under Justinian's thumb.
"How is it?"
"M-my lord..."
Darius stuttered.
"Yes?"
"I accept your offer!"
He yelled out, mostly to hide his embarrassment and defeat, realizing he had just made a deal with the nicest devil known to this world.
Justinian smiled at his response, already expecting it, as he gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"I expect good things from you, Darius."
"But if you don't meet them."
Justinian grinned, giving a glance at the bowl of soup before looking back at him.
"You'd know what to expect."
And with that really ominous warning, he left the room without any more ceremony, leaving Darius alone to contemplate his decision, and to handle the rest of the realm's messy laws.
"...He's a devil... but he's a cunning one!"
He clenched his spoon tight before grabbing another bite.
"..."
He savored his bite before opening his eyes in enlightenment. Who cares if he's a devil, as long as he has good food, right?
***
"Justinian..."
Cassia spoke from behind him, her tone in slight amusement and caution.
"I'm not sure if I should be afraid or impressed... You knew everything about him, even his weakness."
She paused.
"It's like you were planning everything for years until you emerged."
Justinian laughed at her remark before looking back at her and just replying with a wink.
He didn't want to refute or confirm the suspicion, after all, no matter where her imagination wanders off to, it'll be positive for him.
THUD.
Justinian opened the door back at the courtyard, seeing Lucan and the knights drill the men once more, but it was clear they were now better than before.
And the sight of multiple wooden bowls littered everywhere was also a good sign; it meant the knights had received their reward and had loved it, judging by the empty bowls.
And to add to the good news, they were executing drills at top efficiency with the morale of a zealot willing to die for his god, which creeped Justinian out.
'Is this... the work of my war noble trait?'
It was the only thing he could think of that explained the sight, either that or the rumours of him being connected to divinity finally went completely out of hand.
'I guess I'll just call it a blessing...'
Lucan noticed Justinian arriving, giving him a small nod before looking back at the men.
"They're progressing quickly, it's creepy if you ask me..."
He remarked, crossing his arms, his eyes narrowed in confusion.
"But it's a positive for us, I expect them to be battle-ready three days from now."
"I see... but I have a feeling they'll be battle ready tomorrow..."
"Nonsense, they still have skills lacking..."
Lucan replied, but Justinian ignored it, silently opening his system and buying the 100 elite men straight out of the book of war.
[Automatically Apply to Recommended Areas In Range?]
'I guess it doesn't actually create life out of thin air... that's disappointing.'
Justinian laughed, but he didn't mind; it just meant he didn't have to think about the logic and details of being able to create life out of thin air.
'Yes.'
He replied to the system, and with a glow that only he could see, it was clear that everyone improved immediately, their form sharpening and perfecting in an instant.
[Army Swordsmanship - Increased]
And his ability to activate confirmed it, it worked, and it even had a few more to spare, which also affected Lucan and Cassia, which also surprised them.
"...What?!"
"You felt it as well, Lord Lucan?"
Cassia and Lucan asked in confusion, looking at each other and at the men, seeing that all of them improved immediately to the quality of elite warriors and beyond.
They looked at Justinian for answers, but they only saw a dumb grin on his face, like he didn't know what happened.
"What are you looking at me for?"
But they didn't buy it, his stupid grin actually working against him due to the competence he had already shown before, for all they knew was that... their duke really is divine and was just hiding it.
'What the... fuck?'
'...This... I'm not dreaming, am I?'
Cassia and Lucan thought to themselves, before listing a rule in the back of their mind, one they made sure not to forget.
And what was it?
To never mess with Justinian, the soon-to-be greatest duke Snowkeep has ever seen.