Chapter 42 - 42 39 Becoming a Cook for Gnolls_1

42: Chapter 39 Becoming a Cook for Gnolls_1 42: Chapter 39 Becoming a Cook for Gnolls_1 “They all went back to the cave one after another, seemed like they were off to mining,” Anna replied in a low voice. “I saw they didn’t run, so I didn’t stop them.” “Smart decision.” Gaven gave the Maiden Priestess a thumbs up. “From now on, it’s not about changing them but letting them adapt to our presence. I just took a look around, and there are quite a few good herbs. When you have time, take those little ones to pick some. Later, when we roast the meat, I’ll save ten pounds for you to use as prizes. I saw several Gnolls with injuries, and a few arms and legs with clear disabilities. Next, just do what you’re best at.” “Understood, we call that building good rapport,” Anna chuckled like a little fox who had successfully stolen a chicken. Gaven’s conciliatory approach really resonated with the genuinely kind-hearted Maiden Priestess. At first, when she heard about Gaven’s plan to conquer the Gnolls, she was genuinely worried that he would treat the Gnolls like those Slave Masters, whipping them with a lash. If that were the case, she would have been greatly troubled. As it turned out, her worries were unnecessary. Mr. Gaven, such a kind man, how could he use those despicable and shameless methods? Thinking that she had doubted Mr. Gaven before was a big mistake on her part. Gaven didn’t know that the Maiden Priestess had once again issued him a good guy card in her heart. He listened intently and sure enough, the sounds of mining echoed from the cave. He silently praised them, having heard that Gnolls were natural miners, especially those from the tribes. Besides eating, drinking, and sleeping, all they did was mine, even more diligently than slaves driven by whips. It was said to be an inherent racial trait of their love for digging. Gaven had been worried that once the Gnolls had their fill and went under the sun, he wasn’t sure what to do, as he couldn’t possibly whip them. Doing so would indeed make them work, but it would also build enmity, not a wise move. Now, he didn’t need to bother with them, just being a good cook would do. In just a few minutes, the two lean Rock Sheep were deftly deboned by Gaven. One was skewered from head to tail and hoisted over the fire for roasting, not all to be shared but some selected as rewards, enticing them towards the behavior he desired. The other was chopped into large chunks with bones, ready to be thrown into a pot for stewed meat, with the meat broth to be used later for hand-pulled noodles. The boneless pieces were thrown into another pot, along with a mix of other vegetables for stewing. This time, Gaven didn’t need to call for help. Those who were idle, especially the young Gnolls, took the initiative to gather firewood. After Gaven rewarded them with a few meaty bones, their enthusiasm grew even more. Seemingly hungry or perhaps lured by the scent of the food, the Gnolls who had earlier burrowed into the mine started to emerge one by one. They sensibly lined up with their wooden bowls in hand, forming a long queue. With two meals finished, the day turned to night. Gaven had no intention of letting the pot sit idle and turned to hunt a wild boar to bring back. One pot wasn’t enough for it, but two were just right. Simmering on a low flame, by the time dawn arrived, the wild boar feast would be ready. This continued for three days, with two meals a day unfailingly. One meal after sunrise, and one before sunset. And never the same dish twice. Although mainly stews, the flavors were impeccably seasoned. Especially for a tribe that had been living just above the subsistence level, this way of life was simply heavenly. The enticing fragrance was not without its allure for hunters, but when most hunters became the prey and ended up as the next main course in the stewpot, the watchful eyes noticeably decreased a lot. Even more surprising, on the third day of food distribution, Gaven counted the heads out of habit and found that the number of Gnolls had changed again, with two new faces appearing at the end of the food line. Though they feigned calmness, their behavior looked somewhat sneaky, the two Gnolls pushing and shoving each other as they followed the food line forward. Many Blackwell Gnolls just glanced back at them and then paid no more attention, lining up properly for their turn. Were Gnolls always this inclusive? Gaven felt a bit puzzled but decided to suppress his curiosity for the time being and let things take their natural course, observing how the Gnolls would handle this situation on their own. So, when the two Gnolls jostled their way to Gaven’s front, he naturally took a wooden bowl from the side, filled it, and handed it over to them. The two Gnolls who received the food almost had their excitement spilling out of their dog faces, and they politely woofed at Gaven twice, which was the Gnoll way of saying thank you. Gaven’s main focus during this breakfast was on these two Gnolls. As they ate, they exchanged a few barks, especially with Gos, and naturally integrated themselves into the ranks of the others. After finishing their meal, they didn’t sneak away but eagerly followed the others into the Blackwell Mine, possibly joining in the mining efforts. Up till now, Gaven had only been cooking and hadn’t meddled in other aspects of the Blackwell Gnolls’ normal lives, nor had he entered the Blackwell Mine. What was as well-known as their timidity were the Gnolls’ traps; who knew how many traps lay within Blackwell, which served both as their workplace and home. Gos, the leader of the Blackwell Gnolls, didn’t head straight into the Blackwell Mine after eating this time but lingered indecisively in the distance, his whole body radiating an aura of indecision, which even Vick, not particularly sensitive to such things, could sense. Of course, Gaven knew what the other party was struggling with; although his Gnoll language skills were poor, he could understand parts of the barking arguments occasionally coming from deep within Blackwell Mine, along with his own inferences, he had a basic grasp of the situation. Searᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Regardless of whether the other side had genuinely surrendered or pretended to do so, after Gaven’s three days of a pacifying policy, the allegiance of many Gnolls began to shift in his direction. It’s easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to return to frugality after living in luxury. Although Gos had never heard this saying, he understood the principle. After Gaven’s intervention, the Blackwell Tribe could never go back to the way they were before. Gos decided to have a thorough discussion with Gaven about what he planned to do with the Blackwell Tribe, just providing them with good food indefinitely wasn’t a solution! While the other Gnolls could eat carefreely, Gos ate with a sense of fear every time. He had never met a human who wasn’t cunning; providing them with plentiful food now, there must be a bigger scheme at hand, and he feared it wouldn’t be long before Blackwell would be doomed, with his foolish tribespeople counting the money for their demise. “If there’s something you want to say, just come over here. If you keep digging, you’ll end up creating a new mining shaft,” Gaven said, after cleaning up the pot and refilling it with water, washing his hands, and then waving Gos over. “I’ve seen the great one, woof,” Gos approached hesitantly and said in a wheedling voice, “On behalf of all members of the Blackwell Tribe, I thank you, woof, for the care you’ve provided these past few days, but I would advise you, woof, it’s probably best to leave soon, woof.” “Oh?” Gaven’s interest piqued as he said, “Hadn’t you pledged loyalty to me? Why are you suddenly urging me to leave?” “I’m sorry, sir, I deceived you before, woof,” Gos confessed bluntly, “Because we didn’t know your nature, woof, we were afraid you would harm us like other humans do, woof, so we used this method to keep you calm, woof. But these past few days, not only have you not harmed us, but you’ve also provided us with good food and drink; we cannot be heartless, and now we must tell you the truth, woof. Our tribe has a guardian, and in a few days, he may come to collect taxes, and if he encounters you, I fear he might harm you, woof.” “No wonder!” Gaven expressed an epiphany, adding, “No wonder your mine produces such good quality, and you work so hard yet live in such hardship—it turns out somebody is exploiting you. Who is this guardian of yours? Tell me about it in detail.”