Please Bully Me, Miss Villainess!

Chapter 135 : A Gentleman Stays Away from the Kitchen

"So this is the Pelo tribe's 'hunting'... It's truly spectacular."

Watching cartloads of prey being brought back, Yvonne couldn't help but feel amazed inwardly.

"[Beastfolk Language] Big harvest, big harvest—"

"[Beastfolk Language] We'll have roasted meat tonight!"

"[Beastfolk Language] Those in front, handle with care, handle with care! These fellows are still alive!"

With the return of the hunting party, the demi-beast residential area suddenly became extraordinarily lively.

The demi-beasts use a type of large land turtle as labor force. Although their movement speed is somewhat slow compared to other transportation means, their pulling power and endurance are very strong.

Now, the land turtles were treading with heavy steps, dragging full loads of harvests, entering the plaza of the beastfolk residential area one after another.

Not just the Pelo tribe, those participating in the hunt together included the Feli and Ursi tribes, commonly known as the cat people and bear people races.

Although the two races are usually at odds like cats and dogs in daily life, when it comes to the need for cooperation and coexistence, different races surprisingly demonstrate good tacit understanding in bringing their strengths into play during hunting,

After all, hunting is for the continuation of the race's future, and no one wants to be careless.

"[Beastfolk Language] Give me the liver of this antlered deer."

"[Beastfolk Language] I want the whole hind leg."

"[Beastfolk Language] Hey—you greedy bastard—aren't you cutting too much for yourself?!"

Dividing the ownership of prey before dismemberment is a fixed item, and howling arguments suddenly filled the surroundings, creating a unique lively atmosphere. This is a scene that can only be seen in such a fantasy world.

Similar to most beastfolk languages, the language used by the Pelo tribe is not complex. Although the initial language structure can clearly perceive the traces left by the world's creator, language changes subtly in the process of use. Races with intelligence use language, change language, and after their death, descendants inherit these languages and continue to change them further. In this repetitive cycle, language often evolves in unexpected directions.

However, compared to written communication, communication between demi-beasts tends more towards body language and pheromones that can be obtained through other sensory organs, so their language is quite simplified. Although they have their own unique set of pronunciation rules, generally speaking, the emotions expressed through intonation are more intuitive, so it sounds more similar to animal howls.

But if one were to truly study their language structure, the language used by demi-beasts is very different from the common language used by humans in this world.

They usually omit subjects when speaking, and often use interjections like 'ru' 'ga' at the end of sentences. This is a manifestation of the Pelo tribe making sounds like canines when speaking, and is also considered their racial characteristic and marker.

Of course, this unique pronunciation from deep in the throat is difficult for humans to pronounce, but since these words are generally used at the end of sentences, mainly to express tone, they can usually be omitted without destroying the meaning of the sentence itself. It would just sound a bit strange to beastfolk.

The meanings expressed by the Pelo tribe's language are true feelings. In a sense, they don't lie, and because of this, although sometimes it can be troublesome to communicate with them in daily life, after getting along with them for a while, one might feel quite relaxed. Unlike humans who say one thing on the surface but mean another behind backs, there's no need to waste extra effort guessing their feelings and judging good or bad.

However—just as not all people in the world are good people, not all Pelo tribe members are close to humans. There was once a period in this world's history when humans and demi-beasts were at odds. Demi-beasts who know that history naturally sneer at humans who now pretend to want to get along with them.

However, unfortunately, the overall status of demi-beasts is now far inferior to what it once was. Moreover, their forces are scattered, and it's even difficult to gather all the various beastfolk scattered across this land in one place.

Since the man called 'Oz' appeared in the world, humans officially entered the era of magical science. Following the ancient ways of their ancestors, the combat abilities that violent nomadic hunting demi-beast races once relied on for survival are no longer effective.

They are not like elves who can use powerful magic. In front of humans who can transform magic into knowledge and control it, they can only accept defeat.

In many humans' impressions, beastfolk are bloodthirsty and cruel, they enjoy war and like war—but that's not actually the case. Many of those who have experienced defeat hate war and bloodshed even more than humans,

Beastfolk have stronger and deeper family concepts than humans. For them, family is not just relatives with blood ties, but an entire clan. This is quite similar to humans in some ways, but also different.

For the Pelos, like is like, and dislike is dislike—

This point is quite understandable, but it can also bring troubles sometimes.

What a terrifying gaze...

The gazes from other races made Yvonne, who was being stared at, feel her scalp tingle.

Direct emotions are indeed easy to recognize, but once you're truly disliked, that feeling is still quite hurtful.

Although most Pelos are close to humans, there are exceptions like this...

After the main hunting force returned, those slightly older tribe members' gazes towards her were not very friendly.

"Miss Yvonne, Miss Elsa—join us for the feast tonight!"

Kukur, the vice chief, extended a sincere invitation to the two.

"By the way, Mrs. Kukur, have you recovered enough to get out of bed now?"

"Of course~ On such a grand day, if only my husband was busy outside while I lay in bed, it wouldn't be quite right—"

The Pelo tribe is a demi-beast race led by females, so in all matters, large and small, female tribe members, as the heads of households, must personally participate.

"Don't push yourself too hard, health is the most important—You still have children who need your careful care."

Kukur smiled and shook her head.

"Hehe... beastfolk bodies are much tougher than you imagine. Moreover, this is also thanks to your care earlier. It's so good that you were the ones who came to help this time..."

Hearing the hidden meaning in her words, Yvonne was a bit surprised:

"...Does this mean others have come to help before?"

"Yes, there are missions to help every year, and members from other societies have stayed temporarily... but it seems they weren't as dedicated, so meeting you two this time is really great."

Indeed, Yvonne could hardly imagine those noble-born fellows treating these different races with courtesy.

"There's a feast today?! I'm looking forward to it!!"

As soon as she heard the word 'feast', Elsa's eyes lit up. This girl is really a foodie...

"...You just want to eat and drink for free, don't you?"

Yvonne couldn't help but feel helpless seeing through her little thoughts.

"Ehehe~ What's wrong with eating a little on the side—"

"Of course there's no problem, you two are our guests after all, please enjoy yourselves."

However, soon, Elsa couldn't smile anymore.

To maximize the freshness of the meat, many monsters were only stunned when brought back, not actually killed with a blow. Instead, they were handed over to specialized craftsmen within the tribe for processing.

This also meant that a very bloody scene would follow.

Crack, thud—!

With the sound of the blade falling, her shoulders trembled along with it, and she hid behind Yvonne,

Elsa's face turned pale, her body unconsciously shrinking back, almost pressing against Yvonne's embrace.

"What's wrong?"

Usually, Yvonne might tease her a bit for being unserious, but this time she looked truly scared.

"Sorry... I'm a bit..." Ugh!!

Within her field of vision, the tall and strong Ursi tribe professional butcher raised and lowered his knife, opening the thick skin and flesh with one cut, severing the antlered deer's throat and major arteries.

Blood gushed out like a fountain from the wound, the deer's limbs first started to struggle, trembling, but soon returned to stillness.

Elsa turned her head away with a pale face, unable to bear watching anymore.

"If you don't want to watch, then don't look?"

The process of dismembering meat is indeed quite bloody.

As the bleeding progressed, a strong smell of blood permeated the air.

Compared to ordinary creatures, the smell of monster blood is even stronger.

With one stab, the monster would still emit a miserable cry.

The ancient saying 'A gentleman stays away from the kitchen' is not without reason.

Generally speaking, such scenes would cause physiological discomfort to a person with a sound personality.

Moreover, women tend to have stronger psychological reactions, so it's even more pronounced.

However, in her previous life, Yvonne mostly cooked for herself, so as a food lover, she frequently visited markets and was already accustomed to seeing common cross-sections of whole livestock,

Although she had gotten used to it, for Elsa, such experiences were still rare.

"If it's uncomfortable to watch, don't force yourself."

Yvonne covered her eyes with her hand.

"It's hypocritical, isn't it... Knowing it's food, eating it without hesitation when it's served on the table, but being unable to face their deaths directly..."

"There's nothing hypocritical about it—Rather, this is a manifestation of the gentleness in your heart."

"...Gentleness?"

"In my world, there's an ancient saying—'A heart of compassion is the beginning of benevolence',"

"...What does that mean?"

"'Having a kind heart that sympathizes with others is the highest realm of a benevolent person'—Even for non-human creatures, you can feel their pain, if this feeling isn't gentleness, then what is it?"

"............" She lowered her eyelids, still in thought.

"Don't think too much, not all creatures possess human consciousness and human emotions... If that were the case, wouldn't we be unable to eat any meat at all? Should we force everyone to become vegetarians?"

"Then... what should we do?"

This question is probably one that everyone who has ever contemplated life would think about.

"—Eating with gratitude is the best respect for the life that has already become prey."

When facing these meats, we should eat them without waste and with gratitude, this is the correct attitude.

Eating them well is the best worship. After all, their value of existence has already become transferring energy through transformation to creatures higher up the food chain,

This is nature's choice, and also nature's law.

"But still... even if it feels uncomfortable, I still want to witness it."

Elsa removed the hand Yvonne had used to block her eyes.

"Witnessing their end is also a form of respect, isn't it?"

Life never lacks cruel things

But—just face them directly.

"Mm, you're right."

Yvonne patted her head.

She's still very gentle.

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The Pelo tribe had already started selecting today's food materials from the mountain of meat chunks.

"Alright—now we'll start cooking!"

"...Wait??"

Yvonne hurriedly reached out to stop this barbaric act.

"What's wrong, Sister Yvonne?"

Rumi and Ruge had also come to help, each carrying one end of today's food materials to be processed.

"—Freshly slaughtered meat can't be cooked immediately!"

This is simply a waste of heavenly delicacies!!

"Why? Isn't this the freshest?"

The two sisters asked confusedly, and Elsa beside her also cast a puzzled look at her.

...So the 'aging of meat', which is common knowledge in the original world, isn't recognized among demi-beasts?

Yvonne thought for a moment about how to explain the principle, but considering it involved chemical and biological knowledge, she deliberated for a long time and finally decided to use the simplest and most direct explanation:

"Freshly cut meat needs to go through at least one night of 'aging' before it becomes tasty. If eaten now, the gamey smell in the meat will be very strong... And also, even if you're going to cook meat, why not wash away the blood—Ah ah ah! Why aren't you skimming off the foam from the boiling—Ah ah ah!!!"

Yvonne, this kitchen perfectionist, was about to go crazy after seeing such crude cooking methods.

"Sister Yvonne... is quite strange sometimes."

"Is she not used to the cuisine here?"

The two sisters looked at each other, whispering,

Because they retained some habits from the nomadic era, everyone thought fresher meat was better, the fresher the better.

Oh well,

Remembering the distrustful gazes of the Pelo tribe elders, Yvonne took an extra step for the first time,

Let me show these people!!

"Miss Yvonne... wants to be in charge of cooking for the banquet?"

Hearing this request, Kukur opened her mouth in surprise.

"Yes!"

Let me show these little puppies what delicious meat really is!!