Exiled Villainess: They Threw Me Out, Now Every Beastman Wants Me novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Where Is All This Meat Coming From?

Tera watched Xavi and a group of hunters drag another dead animal into the settlement. The other clan members cheered at the sight of fresh meat.

"Where are all these animals coming from?" she asked.

Ermin tilted his head. "The forest. Where else?"

"I thought there was barely any meat in the forest when we arrived. We went days without finding anything bigger than a squirrel, and now suddenly there’s meat everywhere?" Tera shook her head. "That’s not normal."

Ermin considered this. "You think something is wrong?"

"I think something is strange." She watched as another hunter jogged past, a smaller animal slung over his shoulder. "This many animals in one area after weeks of nothing... they must have come from somewhere."

Xavi bounded over to her, his face bright with pride. "We brought more meat! You will eat well today."

"I will eat well indeed." Tera’s eyes narrowed. "How many animals did you bring back this time?"

"Four." Xavi puffed out his chest. "All large. The cubs will grow strong."

"Four?" Tera was shocked. "Just this morning?"

"Yes. The forest is full of them now."

"The forest is full of them now," she echoed, her suspicion deepening.

[Host’s tone suggests dissatisfaction with the available food resources]

[(·•᷄_•᷅ )]

’It suggests I’m not an idiot. This sudden surplus does not make any sense.’

[This system acknowledges Host’s concern]

[However, food is food]

Xavi was still standing there, waiting for her to praise his hunting abilities. When she didn’t, he found it strange.

"Are you not happy about the meat?"

"I am happy the clan is eating." Tera sighed. "But I am not happy about how many animals you’re killing."

Xavi blinked. "Killing animals is how we get meat."

"It’s how you get meat today. But what about tomorrow? And the day after?" Tera gestured toward the forest. "The animals were already scarce because of the Collapse. If you keep killing everything you find, there won’t be any left. That is probably why we couldn’t find any when we first got here!"

Xavi’s brow furrowed. "There are many animals now."

"There are more now, but not enough to hunt forever. If you kill them all, we’ll be back to no meat in a few weeks."

The other hunters had gathered around, listening to the exchange with varying expressions of confusion and alarm.

"But if we do not kill them, we do not eat," one of them said slowly.

"That’s the problem." Tera planted her hands on her hips. "So instead of killing them all, we need to keep them alive."

The silence that followed was profound.

"...Keep them alive?" Xavi repeated, as if she had suggested they start farming clouds.

"Yes. Capture them. Bring them back without killing them. We can build an enclosure and raise them. Feed them, breed them, and use the new ones for meat."

"You can make meat without hunting?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

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