Building My Empire in the Frozen Apocalypse (Riley Carter) novel Chapter 308

Chapter 308 Warm Shelter

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TartKing waved at them with a bright smile. The pumpkin guards instantly stepped aside in perfect order, clearing a path.

“Their names are Pumpkin. They’re super gentle. They won’t hurt anyone as long as you don’t attack the camp.

“Don’t just stand there. Drive the caravans inside.”

Riley parked her snowmobile, pulled out the key, and stored the vehicle inside her inventory. She casually flicked her hair.

“The snow stopped, but it’s still freezing out here. Come inside and warm up.”

If the pumpkin guards outside gave them a visual shock, stepping into TartKing’s main house hit them with full–on sensory overload.

The thick wooden door shut tightly, instantly blocking the howling cold wind.

A warm smell of baked bread filled the air.

The room was cozy and neatly decorated. Strange metal magical devices were placed around the space–they were nothing more than simple modern electric appliances.

“Have a seat. Make yourselves at home,” TartKing told them.

The middle–aged man awkwardly froze by the doorway. He stared at the spotlessly clean shiny floor and hesitated to take a single step forward.

TartKing hung her coat on the clothing rack. She grabbed several extra pairs of cotton slippers from the shoe cabinet and tossed them over.

“Put these on. Your feet will feel better.”

The four natives nervously slipped on the fluffy slippers decorated with bunny ears. It felt like stepping on soft clouds.

“Drink some hot tea to warm up first.”

TartKing carried an elegant tray out from the kitchen.

Amber–colored steam swirled inside white cups, garnished with fresh lemon slices and sweet jujubes.

“Sorry we don’t have anything fancier.” Tartking smiled apologetically.

“We’re low on milk lately, so this is just honey grapefruit tea. The honey was freshly harvested, and the grapefruit came from Misy It’s simple, but drink up.”

The natives did not understand what she meant by freshly harvested honey, but they knew better than to ask questions. They politely accepted the cups with both hands.

The middle aged man took a careful small sip first

The warm sweet and sour liquid slid down his throat, Pure honey sweetness spread across his tongue, chasing away the bitter cold in his bones.

Chapter 308 Warm Shelter

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The other three people drank their tea right after him.

The warm drink eased their tension. They finally relaxed and began to properly introduce themselves to the three supposed

mages.

“My name’s Jack. I was the caravan guard.

“These two are Tom and Lily, winemakers from High Court Winery. They originally planned to take a city vacation after the year end wine production.

“This is Anna. She’s the winery’s logistics supervisor for the trip.”

Tom, Lily, and Anna nodded briefly and gave simple introductions when their names were called.

The caravan once had many more members. After getting lost in the snow, only these four people from different professions had stuck together.

As the oldest, Jack had naturally become their leader.

“But these two caravans…” Jack glanced uneasily at the wagons in the yard.

“I don’t know if we can still deliver the cargo. It’s winery property. If we miss the deadline… the nobles in the city will…”

“Worrying won’t fix anything. You might never find Winterhold City again.” Riley cut him off.

These people had no idea what was happening to their world. All they could think about was angering the nobles.

Jack tried to keep talking, until his stomach interrupted him.

“Gurgle…”

The loud stomach growl made everyone flush with embarrassment. They wished they could vanish into the floor.

“You guys are hungry, right?”

Riley and the others did not mind the awkward noise at all. Tartking walked back into the kitchen and brought out prepared food: stir–fried dishes, sweet desserts, and fresh bread.

“Eat. Don’t be shy. There’s more if you need it.”

Faced with such an unbelievably rich meal, the four natives finally broke down

They ate ravenously with tears in their eyes.

The long–forgotten feeling of fullness and the warmth of kindness completely erased their remaining wariness.

After eating for a while, color returned to their pale faces.

Jack rubbed his hands nervously. He looked at the three girls watching then quietly and finally spoke up.

“Honorable lords….

Jack stood up and bowed deeply.

2:20 pm

ppp.

Chapter 308 Warm Shelter

Thank you for saving our lives. This meal is finer than any feast a noble could host…”

He hesitated and exchanged glances, with the others, and every single one of them pulled a small leather money pouch from the clothes.

“We only have a few dozen coins between us… We know this isn’t nearly enough to repay your kindness, but..”

“It’s fine.” TartKing waved her hand first.

“It’s just some food. When someone’s in trouble and you have the ability to help, you just do it.”

Chapter 309 Ice Grape Wine

Chapter 309 Ice Grape Wine

Riley nodded beside them, gesturing for the four natives to put their money pouches away.

Jack sheepishly slipped the pouch back into his clothes. He thought for a second and spoke up.

“We were short–sighted. Honorable mages would never care about ordinary coins. We have nothing valuable to offer.

“We can give you one barrel of our Ice Grape Wine. That is the most we can spare. Any more would get us in trouble with the winery.

“Right, exactly. It feels awkward eating in front of you while you watch. I’ll go grab a barrel so you can taste it

Jack called Tom over, and the two men headed into the yard to fetch the wine.

They soon carried an oak barrel back into the house.

#0

The barrel was thick with brass hoops wrapped around its body. A carved flower emblem was stamped onto the dark wood surface.

“This is our Ice Grape Wine.”

Jack carefully set the barrel on the table while Tom fitted a wooden spout onto it.

“Wine from Winterhold City is famous across the entire continent. High Court Winery is one of our best vineyards,” Jack explained proudly.

“I’m definitely excited to try it.”

Riley’s interest was piqued.

TartKing pulled out several clear glass cups and passed them around.

Jack and his group politely refused any wine for themselves, insisting the barrel was purely a gift for the three girls.

Pop–the cork popped free.

A rich, strong wine aroma instantly filled the whole room.

The liquid inside glowed violet, shimmering with tiny flecks of light under the indoor lamps.

“It smells amazing!”

Even TartKing, who knew nothing about wine, breathed in deeply.

“This smells way better than those expensive bottles I bought from supermarkets back home?

Tom proudly puffed out his chest.

“Of course. This is our highest quality batch of the year”

As a winemaker, Tom gained confidence the second he started talking about tus craft.

Chapter 309 Ice Grape Wine

Before he could keep boasting, Riley poured herself a glass. She swirled the liquid gently and took a small sip.

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The wine tasted cold with a faint sour sweetness at first. Bold fruity flavors burst across her tongue, followed by smooth oa with subtle cream and vanilla hints.

It easily outclassed every bottle of wine Riley had ever tasted back on Blue Star. Not that she had ever drunk anything fancy

anyway.

The strangest part was the warmth. Once the cold liquid hit her stomach, it turned into a soft, gentle heat that chased away chill in her body.

[System Notification: You have consumed Ice Grape Wine.]

[Buff Received: Warm Buzz]

[Effect: Cold Resistance +10%, Mood slightly improved, Mana Affinity +5%.]

Riley’s eyes lit up. She stared down at her glass in surprise.

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