CHAPTER 574: POWDERED MILK

TL: Rui88

The chieftain of the Zalg Clan, Abal, was exactly thirty years old this year, right at the peak of an orc’s physical condition in life. He had an exaggerated physique, astonishing brute strength, and an intelligent, or rather, cunning mind. A face full of long, brown hair almost concealed his entire face. Some orcs, for aesthetic reasons, would learn from humans and trim their hair, some even shaving the downy hair on their faces completely (such orcs looked like rugged barbarian humans), but Grand Chieftain Abal never did so, letting the hair all over his body grow freely. His already very strong body appeared even more burly because of the thick hair.

“My fledgling hawk!” This was Grand Chieftain Abal’s name for Kalem.

Kalem had just turned 26 this year. For his status as a Myriarch, this age was truly too young, so Grand Chieftain Abal always called him a fledgling hawk.

Being too young also caused Kalem to suffer a lot of criticism. Many people secretly discussed whether he was the Grand Chieftain’s illegitimate son, but anyone who heard it knew it was impossible with a little thought, because the concept of an illegitimate son simply did not exist in orc culture; it was a term that came from the humans.

Another bad thing was that, in the beginning, people would always doubt his abilities. Of course, Kalem’s military achievements gradually made them shut their mouths.

“My fledgling hawk, come here quickly!” Abal beckoned to him.

Following the Grand Chieftain’s command, Kalem walked around the fire pit and came before the chieftain. Only then did he realize that there was another small fire burning in front of the Grand Chieftain, with a pottery basin on it, in which some white liquid was boiling. A strange fellow was busy adding firewood underneath. He did not seem to have seen this person before. Was he the Grand Chieftain’s new cook?

“Look at you all!” Abal’s gong-like voice boomed, making the tent buzz. “I told you Kalem would be victorious. That fool Babaka, he thought he could escape the punishment of the King’s Tent’s warriors by relying on the protection of winter, but my fledgling hawk just had to defy convention and launch an attack in the severe cold. Sure enough, they had no defenses at all and easily became our prisoners, hahahahahaha!”

Kalem reported the results of the battle to him, “Grand Chieftain, Chieftain Babaka is willing to offer you his loyalty. As a price for his previous rudeness, he sincerely presents you with five hundred slaves, one hundred of whom are the strongest warriors currently in their tribe.”

The Grand Chieftain was overjoyed and praised, “Kalem, well done. Treat those warriors well, make them people who are willing to serve us.”

Kalem placed a hand on his chest and replied, “As you command, Grand Chieftain.”

Abal pointed to the boiling pottery pot. “Kalem, I have a very happy matter to share with you. A clever young fellow from the Grosso Clan…that’s the young man named Aru next to it…has invented a new food that can greatly enhance the long-distance combat capabilities of our warriors.”

“Oh, what invention is it?”

Kalem’s interest was piqued, and he cast his gaze towards the pottery basin. He could already tell from the scent wafting through the air that milk was being cooked in there. He was very strange as to why the milk was being cooked for so long. Could not milk be drunk after just a little heating? Of course, for orcs, the best milk was that which had just been squeezed, which came out warm.

And the new food the Grand Chieftain spoke of? Could it be soaking and constantly cooking in the milk?

“Hahaha, I’ll keep you in suspense for now.” Abal laughed loudly, and the circle of orc chieftains sitting around all laughed.

It seemed that only he, who had just returned, did not know. Kalem was not angry; he was a man who could take a joke, so he also found a place to sit down and quietly waited to see what would emerge from that pottery basin.

The milk inside continued to boil, constantly spraying white mist into the air. Gradually, the milk in the basin became less and less.

Finally, not a drop of liquid could be found in the basin, only a layer of white substance left on the inner wall.

“Grand Chieftain?” Kalem cast a questioning look at Abal.

“My fledgling hawk,” Abal pointed at the pottery basin. “See that layer of white stuff? That is the new food Aru invented. Its name is…powdered milk!”

“Oh?” Kalem looked back into the basin.

“Quick, Aru, let our Myriarch taste your powdered milk.” Abal happily stroked his hair and urged the orc named Aru.

Aru carefully scraped the powdered milk from the inner wall, placed it in a bowl, and came before Kalem, offering it very respectfully.

“Please have a taste, Lord Kalem.”

Kalem stared at the white powder in the bowl, hesitated for a second or two, then stuck out a finger, dabbed some from the bowl, and put it in his mouth.

The moment this white powder called powdered milk touched his tongue, saliva instantly soaked it, and a rich milky fragrance immediately filled his mouth. 𝘙ÁΝο𝐁ÈŞ

The taste seemed quite good!

He took the wooden spoon that Aru handed him, scooped a full spoonful into his mouth, and then began to chew.

“Grand Chieftain, is this the stuff from inside the milk?”

“Yes, in my view, the essence of milk is this powder. After using the power of fire to remove the water, the essence is preserved.”

“Grand Chieftain, this is a great invention.” Kalem became excited. Milk was an important food source for the plains orcs. Besides drinking it directly, they also made it into cheese, butter, and brewed milk wine. But all these things were not easy to carry. This powder, or powdered milk, was undoubtedly very easy to carry, and more importantly, it was particularly easy to make. One had to know that for long-distance marches and battles, supplies were quite a troublesome matter. The appearance of powdered milk was definitely an important contribution. Just think, after a long march, warriors could take out a bag of powdered milk, eat it with water, and immediately recover their strength, without even getting off their horses.

This was much more convenient than leading a herd of cattle or a flock of sheep into battle.

“Yes, I think so too.” Abal happily rubbed his hair.

Aru said with a smile, “Grand Ch chieftain, if you mix granulated sugar into the powdered milk, the taste will become even more delicious, both fragrant and sweet.”

“Ahahahaha!” Abal laughed loudly.

“You really know how to dream. Even in the human kingdoms, granulated sugar is a luxury item, yet you want to mix it in powdered milk to eat. However…”

Grand Chieftain Abal’s tone changed, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. “This dream will become a reality sooner or later. One day, all the granulated sugar of the human kingdoms will belong to us, just like their other wealth.”