LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 30
The issues in Antler Forest have been resolved, but the work of the Subjugation Team is far from over. No, in fact, more important tasks remain than just slaying monsters.
The Ice Worm was massive, easily comparable to a few wagons lined up together.
Just considering its exposed part on the surface shows that, and it’s clear that the portion buried underground is of equal size.
The true meaning of a successful subjugation is only achieved once the aftercare of the defeated monster is complete.
So.
“The subjugation ended sooner than expected.”
“Fortunately, the damage isn’t too severe. Sir Joric.”
“Then we should start organizing the site.”
“Sir Joric?”
“Let’s give them two days.”
“What?”
I was already exhausted to the point of collapse. To be told to start working without any break?
Even the loyal soldiers of the Felwinter Family would surely grumble, and those who were merely hired would have no hesitation in expressing their resentment.
However, the one who summoned the Subjugation Team, Joric, seemed prepared for such complaints, as if he expected this outcome all along. He only had one thing to say to those who came to protest.
“Payment, reward, and fees will each be 1.5 times.”
“!!!”
The reward for this operation was already quite substantial.
Given that it was organized right before winter, this was perhaps to be expected.
But for him to offer even more than that?
Even those who had the most complaints turned into eager puppies, all too willing to jump at Joric’s command.
As many people rushed in despite the cold and dry climate, the massive Ice Worm was quickly butchered.
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“It looks different than I imagined.”
“Hmm? What are you referring to?”
“Well, I was expecting something more insect-like.”
The long body was layered with a deep blue carapace,
with hook-like hair sprouting from it.
Its flared maw was packed with saw-like teeth and its immense size could easily connect several wagons.
It resembled a mutated eel marinated in some kind of radioactive virus, more than a giant bug that might appear as a boss in a game. I think I’ve seen something similar in Percy X Rim.
“Kid, what are you trying to say? Is it disgusting?”
“It’s not particularly disgusting… Never mind. Let’s just ignore it.”
Karem shook his head, while Catherine raised an eyebrow, clearly perplexed.
Well, it made sense that someone encountering this for the first time would have no clue what to say.
Was it like how Mongolians treat shrimp as sea cockroaches?
Karem decided to stop those pointless thoughts and continued to observe the Ice Worm being butchered in real time.
The carapace, which seemed like a single piece, was peeling away in layers, revealing the flesh beneath as people rushed in with their knives. Once a few made cuts into the skin, others jammed hooks into the gaps and used their weight to peel it away.
It was reminiscent of scenes from movies depicting whale hunts.
Already separated sections were being butchered without regard for the blood, as people cut off chunks of the Ice Worm’s pristine white flesh.
“Sir Atanitas, what do we do with the Ice Worm now?”
“The innards can be used as a magical catalyst, while the bones, skin, and scales can serve as building materials and equipment materials.”
“Building materials? I see.”
I was used to using monster byproducts as equipment materials, but building materials seemed novel.
Karem, bewildered, nodded along.
After all, just the head of this Ice Worm could fill an entire cart, and its body length was needless to mention, so it made sense it could be used as construction material.
“We might even mount the head as a trophy.”
“The head? Won’t it spoil?”
“Come on, kid. Think about the current weather.”
“Oh, right.”
Even wrapped in warm clothing with a fur cloak, I felt an icy chill; it felt like temperatures were well below freezing, so it was unlikely anything would spoil.
“And the flesh can be used for food.”
As Catherine spoke, Mary frowned as if recalling something unpleasant.
“Even if the Subjugation Team takes some, the dogs and cats of Serf Village will feast until spring on the meat.”
“There doesn’t seem to be any poison, right?”
“Yeah, except for certain types of Death Worms. As far as I know, it’s poison-free.”
Well, if something of this size also had poison alongside that breath seen at the campsite, it would surely be biologically unfair.
“Only the Death Worms that inhabit the Swamps have poison.”
“Do they emit breath like this one?”
“Breath? Hmm.”
Catherine scratched her chin in thought.
“If we consider the gigantic stone-like poison they can expel from their mouths as breath, then I suppose it qualifies. I’ve lived long, but I’ve only encountered Death Worms that breathe on one hand.”
“Oh, so not all Death Worms breathe?”
“Of course not. They’re rare as it is, and those strong enough and mature enough to breathe would be even fewer.”
“And you couldn’t even manage a retaliation against that breath?”
Karem stared at Catherine, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“Are you sure it wasn’t actually some dragon or something else disguised as a wizard?”
“What? If there had been even ten, no, five wizards, we could’ve defended ourselves.”
“But you couldn’t retaliate?”
“Well, obviously.”
At that moment, a strange odor wafted past the tip of Karem’s nose.
It wasn’t the smell of blood, but something different.
A serious fishy stench drifted through the wind?
“Did anyone else just smell a stink?”
“….Oh dear.”
“Mary?”
Mary’s face contorted in a way I had never seen before, like someone trying to erase memories they wished to forget.
Karem felt a chill run down his spine.
Hadn’t she reacted like this when she first met me?
“You seem to know something.”
“Karem, you will understand my feelings, even if you don’t want to.”
“What?”
“It seems the smell is coming from over there.”
Karem was confused but nodded at Mary’s words.
Right now, the urgent matter was the Subjugation Team under Joric, butchering the Ice Worm and helping the villagers, not the knights who were just standing around watching.
As he went around the length of the Ice Worm’s tail, peeking from the opposite side, he suddenly grimaced like Mary did.
The scene on the other side was not vastly different from before.
People struggled like whalers butchering a whale, while knights who seemed to have robust stomachs observed from a distance, and those hauling away the Ice Worm’s byproducts.
But one thing had changed.
No, it had been added.
“Now! We have enough quantity, but time is short, so drink up quickly and get back to work!”
“Wow, there’s so much meat in this stew?”
“Of course! With that big chunk of meat right beside it!”
“Urgh, it’s freezing. If only we had some liquor, I wouldn’t ask for anything more.”
“We’ll drink once we go back. Once we go back.”
Supply soldiers stirred steaming bowls atop the bonfire as various workers lined up, presenting their bowls to be filled to the brim with chunks and broth.
And with each ladle pulled up, the bubbling stew released a stench reminiscent of a summer beachfront fish market.
“…Mary?”
“What is it, Karem?”
“What on earth is that horrid thing?”
“Death Worms are edible monsters. Fresh meat just came in, and it seems like they’re giving it out for free, so everyone is rushing to eat.”
Just as Mary said, Karem almost stumbled past Catherine, only to see a mercenary in front of him, respectfully saluting as he walked away with a bowl brimming with white meat.
“Wait, are you saying they’re going to eat that? That smell?”
“Karem? Weren’t you raised in a Serf Village?”
Mary’s words carried a heavy tone, as if implying that neighborhoods like that only had things worse than this.
“Well, my village didn’t have the means to make meals like that. I often had grain porridge.”
“Is that so?”
“Moreover, the few festivals in a year were where we’d see roasted meat.”
“I see.”
“Although I’ve never tasted it.”
The peculiar smell was different from the fishy stench of a fish market.
Yet people were enjoying the stew with joyful expressions.
Karem’s confusion gave way to calm.
Indeed, food should never become an object of prejudice.
Even kimchi, which Koreans relish, is something others can’t bear to eat, and the king of fruits, durian, is notorious for its odor, while in its homeland, surströmming is happily consumed by most.
Karem stood in line like the starving altered by ghosts, determined to smash his own prejudices and proceeded to grab a bowl filled to the brim with the Ice Worm’s white meat stew, the very source of that fishy scent.
Mary and Catherine watched on, as if to say, “Let’s see how well you fare.”
With the eyes of a brownie and the employer on him, Karem looked into the contents of the stew.
The cooked Ice Worm meat seemed familiar.
It had a texture similar to boiled white fish, with a distinct grain.
However, both the meat and the accompanying vegetables were oddly misshapen, suggesting that the supply soldiers were far from culinary experts.
But that wasn’t the point. The most important part was that it should taste good, right?
Karem took a deep breath and tossed a piece of meat into his mouth.
Just as he thought, the meat tore apart along its grain.
The flavor was passable, and the vegetables definitely lagged behind.
And the smell…
The smell.
“Holy mother!!!!”
“You said you wanted to taste it yourself. I warned you.”
“Wow, I can’t believe you actually ate that.”
The end of one who had yearned for gastronomy under the shortage of tools and ingredients in the wild.
Mary and Catherine chuckled as if they’d expected this outcome.