After making sure that the meat is safe and delicious, she moved to the next beast, her body once again flowed effortlessly through the dismantling process. By the time the sun climbed higher in the sky, all three Horned Maulbeasts were completely processed. Mountains of fresh meat, stacks of massive horns, and piles of thick hides surrounded her like trophies of victory.
Skill Level Up!
Dismantling – Level 1 → Level 2
But the most precious find is the heartblood, thick, dark crimson liquid stored in clay jars. The elder approached reverently as Emilia held up one jar. "This," she said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion, "is like a natural barrier. Spread it along the gates and paths leading here. The smell will repel other Maulbeasts, even if we run out of poison. Will be effective for three years."
The old man's eyes widened. "Truly, the spirits sent you to protect us." He bowed deeply, and the other villagers followed suit. "With this, our people will be safe."
Emilia flushed, scratching her cheek awkwardly. "I-I just did what anyone would do," she mumbled.
Hikarimetsu laughed softly in her mind. "Humble words, Master, but your actions speak louder. They will see you as their savior, whether you wish it or not."
The villagers wasted no time. Under Emilia's instructions, they spread the heartblood around the village perimeter in thick, looping lines. The sharp metallic tang filled the air, making even the bravest hunters wrinkle their noses, but soon, the entire area is warded from the beasts' attack.
Meanwhile, Emilia set up a proper cooking station near the communal fire pit. She seasoned the Maulbeast meat with foraged herbs and aromatic roots, using her eyes to scan every piece of information about all the edible things around the village, tossing chunks into a bubbling stew alongside the strange local vegetables she had identified as edible.
The stew simmered over the open fire, its rich aroma wafting through the cool evening air and drawing more villagers from every corner of Tharrosk. The bubbling broth is a deep, golden brown, thickened by wild root vegetables and tender herbs Emilia had gathered earlier. Chunks of freshly purified Horned Maulbeast meat floated within, their edges glistening with melted fat that shimmered like tiny droplets of gold on the surface.
Each stir of the wooden ladle released another wave of savory fragrance, smoky, meaty, and laced with the faint sweetness of roasted mooncap tubers. Springs of green wildleaf bobbed up and down, adding a hint of freshness to balance the stew's hearty richness. The smell alone was enough to make stomachs growl all around the fire.
When Emilia finally ladled it into rough clay bowls, steam curled upward in thick, fragrant ribbons. The Maulbeast meat practically fell apart at the touch of a spoon, its texture soft and succulent. The first sip of broth is pure bliss: rich and velvety, with layers of flavor that deepened the longer it lingered on the tongue.
The smell is divine. Rich, savory steam rose in thick clouds, drifting through the village and drawing curious onlookers from every direction. Children squealed with excitement, warriors abandoned their drills, and even the elder shuffled closer, his eyes shining like a boy's.
Then a group of women came inside and gathered near Emilia, their faces glowing with pride and excitement. "Pathbreaker, we roasted it as you instructed," one of them said reverently.
They carried a massive pile of roasted Horned Maulbeast meat skewers, setting it down before Emilia. The sight is breathtaking. Thick, hearty chunks of the beast's flesh were perfectly roasted over open flames, each piece glistening with juices that dripped down the wooden skewers.
The outer edges were seared to a smoky golden-brown with slightly charred corners, while the inside remained tender and pink, promising a burst of flavor with every bite. The skewers were sprinkled with freshly picked wild herbs, their earthy scent mingling with the mouthwatering aroma of savory, smoky meat.
As the pile is placed in front of her, the rich fragrance filled the entire hut, making Emilia's stomach growl loudly. It's hard to believe this meat was once the flesh of a monster that had terrorized the village; now, it looked like a feast.
When the stew is finally ready, a rich, savory aroma filled the air, thick with the scent of slow-cooked Horned Maulbeast meat and wild forest herbs. The bubbling pot released clouds of steam, carrying the mouthwatering fragrance of victory and survival. Emilia carefully ladled out the first bowl, making sure to scoop a generous portion of tender meat, soft root vegetables, and the thick, flavorful broth.
Once the bowl is filled, she placed one of the freshly roasted skewers on top, the glistening chunks of perfectly charred Maulbeast meat resting like a crown over the stew. The skewer's smoky scent mingled with the hearty aroma of the broth, creating a combination so delicious it made the villagers watching nearby swallow hungrily.
Emilia turned to the elder and handed him the bowl with both hands. "Here," she said, her voice steady but filled with anticipation. "Tell me what you think."
The elder took a cautious sip of the steaming stew, his hands trembling as the rich aroma enveloped him. The moment the broth touched his tongue, he froze, his cloudy eyes going wide. Slowly, his lips parted, and a deep, shuddering breath escaped him. Then his entire face lit up with wonder and disbelief, as if he had just tasted something divine.
"This…" His voice cracked, heavy with emotion. He took another, deeper sip, savoring the tender meat and silky broth before speaking again, louder this time. "This is the food of the gods!"
The villagers gasped, their excitement mounting as the elder's words rang out. But he wasn't finished. With a reverent hand, he picked up the roasted skewer resting across the bowl. The glistening Maulbeast meat shimmered in the firelight, its smoky scent swirling around them. He took a hearty bite, and tears welled in his eyes.
"Never," he declared, his voice breaking, "never has such flavor graced our humble mouths!"
The crowd erupted into joyous cheers, their voices echoing through the village. Overcome by curiosity and hunger, they surged forward, each villager desperate to taste the miraculous feast for themselves. Soon, the quiet night was filled with laughter, the clinking of wooden bowls, and the happy chatter of people finally tasting hope
Emilia sank onto a wooden stool, finally grabbing her own bowl and a few skewers of roasted meat. She took a long, blissful sip of the stew. "Oh, thank god," she moaned.
Hikarimetsu appeared beside her, manifested in her human form, watching the joyous scene. Her golden eyes softened with a rare hint of warmth. "You have given them hope, Master. And strength," she said quietly. "Tonight, they will sleep without fear."
Emilia looked around at the faces of the villagers, then down at her food. She smiled faintly. "Yeah," she murmured. "Maybe… maybe I can do this after all."
But deep inside, she couldn't shake the lingering thought: "What if all of these are just scouts? What kind of nightmare is coming next?"