Chapter 59
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Hungry Slayer 59
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While jeers and cheers continued in Mekardo, a breeze slipped into Tebier's office.
The wind carried pollen from the World Tree. It had come all the way from distant Conwell.
The pollen drifted around the room before settling faintly in the space where Tebier's gaze lingered. Then it scattered and reformed into letters.
A message from Priscilla.
[The root in Conwell has lost its life. I couldn't commune with it.]
If the village in the east had fallen, erosion deeper inward wouldn't be far off. It was faster than Tebier had anticipated.
[Krebtonos from the eastern delta wetlands have entered the root territory for the first time.]
The fact that Conwell Village had become a habitat for Krebtonos intrigued even Tebier.
It was a perfect example of what could happen when the roots vanished.
The elves knew of the Krebtonos too. But only the mid-to-small varieties were recorded in the Tienun.
'At the very least, they have the intelligence to form societies. Krebtonos should be classified into two types.'
[The bodies of Conwell's villagers contained Krebtonos eggs.]
The mother had her small offspring implant the eggs into human bodies. The hatchlings would grow using the humans as nourishment.
'Small ones as workers, mid-to-small as soldiers protecting the nest from intruders.'
[The villagers had no idea about the eggs. They seemed paralyzed without memory and turned into hosts. I removed them all.]
Priscilla had extracted and removed the eggs from dozens of bodies. In the process, she gained a deeper understanding of human physiology.
Opening the body of a living being for inspection was a valuable experience. It was like prepping before dissecting the ultimate ingredient. She felt a real sense of accomplishment.
This was the message about Conwell and the Krebtonos. What followed intrigued Tebier even more.
[I like Dane. I want to open him up.]
The pollen forming the message moved with an oddly lively flair.
It sparkled like sunlight-kissed dust, as if infused with Priscilla's joy.
'Opposites attract, huh... How amusing.'
[I'm heading to Mekardo where the butcher crew is.]
Tebier smiled faintly, awaiting the next message.
Instead of letters, the pollen drew a picture before scattering out the window.
'Krebtonos... Haha, her skills still haven't improved.' Even so, recognizing the drawing instantly bruised his pride a bit.
* * *
In Mekardo, the cooked dishes and live small Krebtonos sold out completely.
Everyone clamored to buy them. The price was whatever they bid.
Once all had left, only the butcher crew, Rudelver, Kreya, and Riziev remained in front of Dane's Butcher Shop Branch 1.
They sat in a circle around a table, leisurely sipping Mekardo wine. The orange sunset clashed against the Yadus trailer, creating a mystical atmosphere.
"Wasn't the price a bit too high?"
River asked. Her target was Kreya, who had handled the sales.
"Krebtonos are only in the deep eastern delta, it seems. They're monsters no one bothers hunting there since they're useless, so... whew..."
Kreya exhaled a long trail of cigarette smoke, pausing for effect.
"But turns out they're such excellent ingredients. Rare monsters like that? You have to factor in scarcity. Riziev, settlement done?"
Riziev, who had been standing politely at her side, stroked his mustache lightly and replied.
"Sales summary: Spicy mid-large Krebtonos stew at 15 silver per bowl, 128 bowls total. Mid-small Krebtonos stir-fry at 10 silver per plate, 76 plates. Small whole steams at 80 silver each, 12 sold. Live smalls at 75 silver each, 35 sold. Soy-marinated crabs excluded from sales. Total revenue: 62 gold 65 silver."
A hefty sum. Reciting it from memory without notes was impressive too.
Kreya nudged Dane's arm lightly.
"If we'd sold the soy-marinated crabs, profits would've been way higher. Not your everyday easy dish. Could've charged over 1 gold each. How'd you manage to eat them all?"
"We saved one... And you ate a ton too."
"Well, yeah."
Of course, Dane and Bankers had devoured the most. Even as other dishes and live ones sold, they wolfed down rice mixed with the crabs like possessed men.
After sales ended, the others lost their minds over the first taste of such delicacy. No wonder it was called rice thief.
Kreya said,
"We could make Krebtonos soy-marinated crabs our specialty product."
"Go for it. Hunters everywhere will start shipping them here. No tech to chill them properly otherwise. Plus, the seasoning's one-of-a-kind."
"So, take 'em live, process, and sell."
"Keep brainstorming with Chef Rudelver like that."
Dane glanced at Rudelver as he spoke. The chef nodded, but his eyes weren't exactly warm.
'Ah... He's still sore about me hugging River.'
Dane felt a pang of regret. Rudelver wasn't the only one who'd seen it awkwardly.
"Whew... How'd I end up a merchant? If I'd had cooking talent, I'd get props like the vice captain earlier. Wait, no—was it because he's vice captain?"
Kreya shot Dane a sly glance.
It had been unconscious, but easy to misinterpret. Dane made an awkward face.
"No, anyone who cooks great gets..."
"Then Bankers could make it too?"
"Uh...? Yeah."
Caught off-guard by Kreya's question, Bankers scratched his scales and flinched. River felt a bit hurt.
Amused by Dane's discomfort, Kreya grinned.
"I did something praiseworthy too. Whew... Remember those requests you made? Got a lot to report, but not here... Wanna head to my office?"
She swept her hair back. Dane reverted to his usual stoic expression.
"Do it here. No secrets from the crew."
"Ears everywhere. How do you discuss important business in such an open spot?"
"Then we all go."
"All three?"
"That one makes four."
Dane pointed to a small figure casting a long shadow. Priscilla.
"You're here?"
"Came quicker than expected!"
River and Bankers welcomed her, making space.
Priscilla stood there blankly, hood pulled low like their first meeting. She'd rushed over somehow, but now her feet wouldn't move easily.
Bankers waved grandly, and she approached reluctantly.
"You came? Eat."
Dane casually pointed aside. The one saved Krebtonos soy crab sat there. River scolded him.
"Hey, why tease when she can't eat?"
"If she wants to, she eats."
His words shook Priscilla again.
Was it okay? Drawn like a moth, she sat in the spot they'd made but still hesitated.
She knew she was different from other elves, yet she'd never touched meat.
Dane quickly mixed rice into the large carapace and shoved it her way. The glossy rice jiggled invitingly.
"Just follow your stomach's rumble."
Strange courage surged. Priscilla took the carapace and spoon, cautiously putting the sauced meat and rice in her mouth.
"Huh?!"
"Whoa..."
Maybe too hasty—her throat caught. Or was it the taste? Priscilla didn't know.
"Now we finally feel like a team."
Eating together made them family. Dane didn't mind this lineup.
Kreya alternated glances between grinning Dane and sniffling Priscilla before asking,
"Who's this?"
"Our crew member."
Dane's "our" lingered long in Priscilla's ears.
* * *
After Priscilla finished eating, the Dane Butcher Crew headed to Kreya's office together.
To discuss plans for tomorrow and beyond.
"Whew... Time for homework check first."
Kreya had diligently prepared everything Dane requested. A complete list of remnant root villages in the Fold region, plus estimated revenues per village.
Profitability versus population, outsider accessibility, post-root weakening stability—all scored and ranked by location suitability. Nicely done.
Places Dane had visited ranked high.
"Horhe Root Village is number one."
"They've tasted monster meat already, so lots of shifts from old industries to hunting. Pohen Hunting Party stuck around to lead it."
"Ah... Pohen's still there. Branch 2 there then."
Dane recalled the former king of hunters swinging his Yadus sword and smiled faintly.
Kreya reported meticulously on business plans linking deltas, other regions, and hub cities. True to a savvy merchant guild leader.
"Two more Yadus trailers arrive today. Good to set one up in a Moph region merchant village. I'd go with you, but whew... Leaving again is tricky. Tough spot. You too, Captain Dane?"
Dane stared holes into the map Kreya handed him before muttering off-topic.
"This... Map shows no land routes. How do we move?"
Kreya sighed smoke alongside.
"Eastern delta's mostly wetlands, rivers, tropical jungle—no land travel possible. Bugs scarier than monsters, easy to get lost. Best via our merchant ships."
The map made sense. Rivers snaked like the Amazon to the distant eastern sea called the end.
"Savage villages at every river bend. Hunt from those as bases for surrounding areas. Covers most of the delta. Follow Yuka River end to that eastern merchant village I mentioned."
Kreya Guild traveled by ship, restocking and trading at stops. Now adding Dane Butcher Crew hunts.
Dane asked,
"Even independent hunting parties or solo hunters do that in the delta?"
"All start the same. Land to Timata docks, then ship."
"Timata, the inland port city's bustling."
Bankers tapped the map with a finger.
"You've been?"
"Born in the delta. Entered Foldtown via eastern gate from Timata."
"Ah... Your hometown's there."
"Drop by if time allows. Been ages since seeing brothers, heh heh."
The route shaped up naturally. Dane traced the Tike Mountains foothills atop the map.
"Then where's Rahasia Hills?"
They said Rahasia Hills held subjugation force records. Words of Harac Bar's queen Tuparak.
Colossal monsters, underground city below Mekel Mountain, subjugation forces—clues to curiosities.
Yadus ore trades under trust with Tuparak couldn't ignore the eastern dwarf kingdom severed from Harac Bar.
"Rahasia? Why there?"
Kreya frowned.
"Wanna check it out. Things to see."
Kreya tilted her head, pointing to a spot.
"Whew... Here, Rahasia Hills in the hilly zone stretching below Tike Mountains. Problem is..."
"What problem?"
"To get there, pass Ketuha-nan region. Impossible."
Kreya's face hardened unusually firm.
"Why?"
"Even Dane Butcher Crew would die. It's Regosa Type 2 habitat."
"Regosa?"
Dane recalled hearing the word somewhere.