Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 447. Preparations before the start

With Clara's aid, Theo ripped apart the python's body.

From a single point, they sliced open the hide, revealing the fresh red raw meat that caused everyone to hesitate.

"Are you certain this is safe to eat? Can we truly rely on this tool? It's showing green for everything," Merek questioned, clutching the device that still glowed green after scanning some moss on the ground.

"Well, I've consumed plenty of... unusual stuff after verifying edibility," Theo responded with a slight grin. "And as you can see, I'm still kicking, aren't I?" Theo inquired.

Merek merely winced at his statement.

"Who among you knows how to butcher?" Theo inquired. He was shocked that even Lucien didn't raise his hand.

"If you're going to eat it, you ought to learn butchering. Watch this closely for a bit, then give it a try yourselves."

Assisted by Clara, Theo started processing a portion of it. He showed them how to isolate a section, peel the meat from the curved bones, and cut neat fillets.

Meanwhile, Elias had ignited a campfire. Before Theo could comment, he spotted Kaelor, the knight, trying to skin the beast with the given knife.

It wasn't neat work, but it got done while the rest simply watched on.

"After finishing these precise cuts," Theo went on, "grab some solid sticks and scrape off the outer bark with your knife until just the smooth wood touches the meat."

He gauged the fire's heat by inching his hand nearer until he hit the perfect spot, then positioned the stick-skewered fillet there.

"Watch patiently for the color shift. Flip it every few minutes. I'll demonstrate what well-cooked or decently done meat appears like."

They waited. Once ready, all witnessed the outcome, and Theo insisted everyone sample it.

A few balked, uneasy about consuming it, yet deemed it tolerable upon tasting. Others chowed down boldly, only to gag moments later from the flavor.

Theo thought it superior to the crawlers and the massive variants. This flesh proved tender with a delightful mouthfeel.

In the distance, the mantis lurked at the shrub's far edge, feasting on the python's enormous head while steering clear of the group.

Next, Theo directed everyone to chop nearby trees.

Lucien dove into each chore, from carving meat to felling timber, swiftly mastering every job.

Merek matched his pace, fueled by a subtle rivalry sparked by their shared age.

Kaelor, however, took a shine to butchering. Each stroke honed his skill further.

Clara crafted slender, exact meat slices that astonished her, fueling the knight's smug pride in his own prowess.

Lysara hovered close, anticipating injuries, yet none occurred.

A creature that ought to have snapped at least a pinky now sprawled lifeless, its remains transformed into treats without a single mishap. Quite the letdown.

Hours ticked by, and the group eased into the labor.

Merek faltered initially with the heavy work, unaccustomed as a noble, but gradually adjusted.

Before long, they amassed roughly a hundred fillets. Theo taught them to construct basic smokers to preserve the meat.

Close by, Garrick perched with paper and pen, one eye shimmering gold, the other emerald.

Theo glanced at him repeatedly, noting an intricate map emerging with exquisite precision. Observing his teammates more, he saw each shone in one area yet faltered elsewhere.

This sparked curiosity about the emperor's intent in assembling this crew. Thus far, Theo encountered no major clashes with any.

As fatigue from their internal clocks crept in, making them drowsy, they noted the sky remained ruddy.

When Theo sensed mild sleepiness, he polled the others and discovered most shared it.

Thus, they concluded simply: body and original world declared it night, sky's hue be damned.

Finishing the map, Garrick passed it to Theo, then knelt to etch markings on the dirt with a stick. Harnessing this realm's sunlight, he fashioned a rough clock.

Theo grew even more admiring of him. Now, their gate behavior logs would gain pinpoint accuracy.

Around them, most trees lay toppled. The stronger men shaped them into planks.

This round, they erected a bigger hut for the larger party.

By completion, hours had elapsed, and the sky began dimming at last.

As the final rays of light dimmed, Garrick etched one last mark into the earth. He clarified his intent to observe the upcoming sunrise, allowing him to precisely gauge how the days here measured against those in the outside world.

The two women tucked themselves into a corner, while everyone else slumbered across the hut in sleeping bags supplied by the kingdom—a convenience that greatly simplified their rest.

They took turns on night watches, vigilantly guarding the smokers through the enveloping gloom. It wasn't long before another peculiar detail emerged.

Nights within the gate dragged on far longer than expected too. Their shifts doubled in length from the usual, which only deepened their relief at possessing such an expanded group.

Lysara stayed just as useless as before, contributing nothing to the night watches whatsoever.

Witnessing this, Theo concluded it was high time for a serious chat with her.