Chapter 135: Unbothered Beastmen
The aroma from the kitchen had filled the atmosphere outside. The nearby areas were clouded with its smell.
The beastmen outside who were busy working had paused and turned. Their noses had instantly caught the smell drifting through the atmosphere as they looked around.
"Do you smell that?" One of the wolf warriors asked.
Another nodded. "Yes I did... It’s the female’s cooking."
They shook their heads, impressed. "I can’t wait to taste the female’s cooking indeed."
Even the young males who were practicing had stopped to get a sniff of the flying aroma. Their stomachs reacted violently at the grand aroma, making them even more hungry.
Having prepared some meat, Ayra had successfully shown the beastmen how to get it done. And then she allowed the cooks to learn.
She showed them some more and allowed them to do it again. And with time, the beastmen around had gotten a hang of it. They found themselves frying the meat with the different aromas it produced filling the room.
"Woah.. I can do it now!" One of the cooks smiled.
Even the rabbit chef felt proud of himself while he fried some meat. "I always knew I was so talented in this," he expressed happily.
Ally sat down on Ayra’s lap while she watched the frying happening. She couldn’t stop her mouth from drooling at the scene before her.
She blinked from time to time, leaning closer to get a better look. "Mama...mama..." the little one groaned, reaching out for some meat.
"Let little Ally have some meat," Lord Ash smiled, insisting at the adorable sight of his cub reaching out for some meat.
Ayra smiled as she got a little piece of meat and served it to her. "Here.. have a taste.. this is just right for you..."
Having given it to the cub, the cub happily ate up the meat with a smile flashing over her face. It was super delicious that the cub couldn’t help but lick her finger over and over again.
Ayra smiled, shaking her head as she watched Ally enjoy it.
Lord Ash smiled proudly at the scene. "You should give her more," he said.
Rai leaned closer while kneeling close to Ayra. "Can I also get a meat..?"
"No," Lord Ash said firmly.
"..."
Rai blinked. "Whyy..?"
"You’re not a cub," Lord Ash stated firmly.
Rai pouted. "That’s so unfair! Ayra.. the fox lord is being unfair!"
Ayra shook her head with a smile. "Okay, you can have a piece," she smiled while Rai happily celebrated.
Lord Ash simply folded his arms and stared. The female had given the instructions and he couldn’t do anything.
---
Ayra helped them slow cook the rest. Large chunks that couldn’t be fried were placed inside giant stone pots.
They added water, herbs, garlic, ginger, vegetables, salt and the likes. Covered with large flat stones. They allowed them to simmer for several hours until the meat became incredibly tender.
Then as the chief cook opened the large flat stones above it, the aroma filled the atmosphere again, sending everyone’s noses and stomachs into a sizzling frenzy.
"Delicious...!"
"I don’t know which looks better now!"
"Woah.. Looks and smells good already..."
"I haven’t had such meat before... is this even possible?"
"How did the female even learn this?"
"Thought the F-rank female couldn’t do such but she’s really resourceful!"
While they muttered about the female, impressed, Lord Ash leaned closer at where the delicious taste was coming from. He licked his lower lips as he said, "Tastes so good already.."
Lord Vale nodded.
Ayra smiled as she turned at her impatient beastmen who were struggling to hold their excitement over the meat in. She smiled as she asked, "Do you want a taste..?"
The three tribe lords and Commander Lynn were standing there when she asked them. They wanted to play it cool and not look overly hungry!
So they all kept a calm expression and folded their arms.
"No, we’re not. Nothing like that at all. We’re okay," Lord Vale expressed calmly.
Lord Zark nodded. "Yeah, so don’t worry about us..."
But the aroma crashed into their noses again and left their stomachs responding differently. Their stomachs groaned loudly at the same time in the silence while the four of them stood there staring at the female.
"..."
"..."
Ayra smiled as she shook her head. "Okay then.. if you’re not hungry, I won’t force you," she shrugged as she turned and continued the cooking.
And so the four of them stood there, hungry and staring at her.
"..."
---
They roasted the giant legs. The whole legs were skewered on thick wooden poles.
They were rotated slowly above glowing coals. Ayra was in charge and gave instructions. So every few minutes, the beastmen would brush them with melted animal fat, honey, herb mixture, salt and the likes as the aroma filled the scenery. No beastmen could resist the triggering scent at all.
The outside developed a glossy golden crust while the inside stayed juicy.
And then finally, Ayra garnished it herself.
Once cooked, she sprinkled chopped fresh herbs over everything. Scattered edible flower petals for color. Added slices of roasted mushrooms. Drizzled a little warm honey over roasted meat. And then finished with a light sprinkle of crushed pepper berries and rock salt.
As Ayra added all these final touches, she smiled as she stared at the meat she had made, proud of her creation as she stared at the beastmen around.
The beastmen had gathered closely, all staring in to see what she had created. The sight of it, the aroma, everything about the meats before them screamed yummy!
And the beastmen couldn’t help themselves from swallowing hard, drooling and letting their stomachs grumble while staring at it.
It was different from all they knew. It looked ten times better than what they knew! And certainly, they couldn’t wait but have a taste of it for sure!
And with that, Ayra smiled as she turned around to stare at the outside. It was already evening, they’d been cooking for a while now.
And with that, she smiled as she announced, "I guess it’s time to begin the celebration."