Field incorporated modern elements into the maid outfit, with the hem cut above the knees and the sleeves changed to short ones. Although it lacked the essential black or white stockings, the sight of her crystal-clear and round toes and smooth, fair thighs was still pleasing to the eye.
"It fits well," said Aisha, unable to bear the torment of speculation, with a playful tone as if she had seen through Field's intentions, "My lord, is there anything you need me to do?"
Her job, according to the maids, was to sleep with the man before her. But Aisha thought that unlikely, as humans generally detested demihumans. Having animal ears and tails made them feel like humans contaminated by animals, akin to devilish hybrids born from inappropriate relations with goats.
"Of course, to assist me in expanding my territory, as I just mentioned," Field responded matter-of-factly. Seeing Aisha's disbelief, he helplessly covered his forehead and said, "Let's eat first, we can talk while eating."
Upon hearing about food, Aisha immediately calmed down; her stomach was burning with hunger.
Field's situation was difficult. Merely being despised by all his siblings for his behavior wasn't much of an issue.
However, with the old Earl's health deteriorating day by day, his vast wealth was about to be distributed. Even though Field was not favored, the laws of the Holy Griffin Empire stipulated that any direct bloodline had the right to inherit property.
This was akin to an otherworldly version of the Enfeoffment Decree, breaking up large territories into smaller ones to prevent any lord from becoming too powerful.
Thus, Field's brothers naturally hoped for his demise on the spot, and they were also hostile towards each other.
Shortly after the dinner bell sounded, two demure maids entered carrying steaks with sauce and honey bread.
"Aisha, you have... oh, where are you?"
Field, carefully choosing his words, turned around only to find Aisha gone, leaving him utterly confused.
"I'm here."
Aisha sat obediently on the floor in the corner, in a duck-sitting position.
"What are you doing?" Field asked, shocked.
"Uh... sitting... waiting for dinner, my lord. Did I do something wrong?" Aisha became tense again.
Field strode forward, grabbed her hand, and led her to the chair: "Sit on the chair now, and eat."
Aisha dared only to sit on a third of the stool. She stared at Field for a long time, making sure the nobleman in front of her didn't pull out a whip or a riding crop.
"You're not joking, can I really eat this?" Aisha pointed to the fragrant steak.
Field shrugged: "Of course."
The pitiable beast eared girl, seeing that Field was serious, cautiously took a bite of the steak. The next moment, the flavors of spices and sauce bloomed in her mouth, and her taste buds, starved for meat, danced wildly.
This was the most wonderful thing in the world!
Casting aside everything else, Aisha quickly devoured the steak on her plate and licked the gravy clean.
Afterward, Aisha alone finished three steaks and five white bread rolls, until her stomach bulged like pregnancy, then she finally stopped eating.
Field showed a kind smile like a caring father.
Hehehe, eat up, work hard for me later.
"Phew, even if I die now, I would be happy," Aisha licked the soup off her lips, and her wolf ears stood up energetically.
"It won't come to that; I hope to train you to become a chosen one," Field crossed his fingers and leaned back in his chair.
Of course, he wouldn't be honest enough to reveal that Aisha was an unawaken chosen one; instead, he used the term "training".
"Ah? Then you might be disappointed. The probability of becoming a chosen one is extremely low, and there has never been a record of humans forming contracts with demihumans," Aisha replied weakly.
According to records, more chosen ones appear in prosperous big cities. Even in Golden Eagle City, there had only been three chosen ones in a century, two of which were noble children and one was clergy.
Demihumans becoming chosen ones were even rarer; they lacked powerful nations and prosperous cities, struggling to meet basic needs.
Field chuckled lightly: "How will we know if we don't try? I believe I can train you to become a chosen one."
If training fails, he would likely die in the cursed lands.
"Alright, as long as there's meat to eat," Aisha licked her lips, still savoring the taste.
The next ten days passed quickly on the road. To supplement Aisha's nutrition, Field bought a lot of meat and magical potions wherever they passed through a city.
Aisha soon realized that Field was not joking.
In addition, Field purchased fog-dispelling lamps, purification potions, and awakening crystals worth 150 gold coins. Field had done his homework; these magical items were essential supplies for exploring the Nightfall Domain.
Soon they arrived at the last fortress leading to the Northern Province.
Bull Baron's Ka Mountain Fortress, built upon towering mountains with stone castles, could resist corrupted creatures, magical beasts, and terrifying orcs from the north.
"May the Winter Goddess bless me and make me a chosen one!" Aisha prayed silently to the Wolf Demihuman's deity while hiding in the creaky carriage. These past few days felt like a dream to her.
Being able to ride in a noble carriage, eat delicious steaks, and even receive care and service from maids—even though they did so reluctantly and often complained—these past few days had been like heaven. Just thinking about it, Aisha touched her forehead to make sure she wasn't delirious from fever.
The only thing she couldn't understand was why Field would buy her precious magical potions to drink, as she had never heard of chosen ones could be made by consuming potions.
"Perhaps it's some evil ritual," Aisha muttered, "But even if it means sacrificing to the devil, it seems worthwhile. Ptui, ptui, ptui, what am I saying!"
"Sigh, I really wish I were a chosen one, otherwise, Baron Field would be furious, wouldn't he?" Aisha could only pray silently.
The butler Cao sighed despairingly: "Sigh, I never thought the last time coming to Ka Mountain Fortress would be like this."
Field ignored the butler's lamentations, sat on horseback, and gently nudged the butler's shoulder with his whip, curiously asking: "Did you often come to Ka Mountain Fortress before?"
Cao rolled his eyes: "Of course, you always donated the living expenses here to the villagers or to Bull Baron's treasury, allowing him and his soldiers to feast and revel."
"Uh, okay," Field twitched his mouth corners, forgetting that the original owner was such a good person. He laughed awkwardly, shrugging unnaturally, "At least Bull Baron will welcome us, right? The locals will praise us too, making future visits to Ka Mountain Fortress much easier."