Mirena and Cazan gazed at Vlad with confusion, as they did not understand what the man referred to as lunch. After all, those buckets of meat seemed genuinely appetizing.
Vlad smiled as he aimed at a zone covered by a layer of bones beneath the ribcage of the Hippopotamus Monster.
Even if Mirena and Cazan were not familiar with the anatomy of a normal hippopotamus, they knew there was no way it would have a shield of bones beneath the rib cage, so this was something unique to the Monster.
"For monsters, and practically any species that focus on size and vitality, their hearts transform into a much more specialized and powerful organ. After all, it must be capable of distributing energy across the entire massive body.
The regular meat of a Champion Monster would help ordinary people to recover, and if they consumed enough, their bodies would grow stronger, but the benefits of the Monster’s heart were much higher. It could help even people like us to advance."
In an apocalyptic world, nothing could drive a person’s desire more than power, which was why Mirena and Cazan’s eyes glowed with thrill and excitement at the idea of consuming the Champion Monster’s heart and growing more powerful.
"The layer of bones is incredibly tough and will not be easy, so let’s get to work."
Vlad and the metallic brother and sister began to work, using all their strength to break open that shell of bones. They needed to be careful as they did not want to harm the heart’s meat, so the procedure took some time.
As the trio worked on the Champion Monster’s heart, Lieutenant Mitchel guided the soldiers and distributed pieces of the Hippopotamus Monster’s meat and cups of blood to the civilians.
Although it was very strange to eat raw meat and consume blood for people from such an advanced place like Constantine Country, hunger and thirst had already pushed many to the brink of collapse, so they practically engulfed the food.
Lieutenant Mitchel had been paying attention to all the people to monitor their condition, and a broad smile appeared as he saw the effects of the Champion Monster’s meat and blood.
Just a little piece of meat and blood filled those who resembled skeletons with a sense of vitality and energy, filling their faces with blood as they felt a heat burning inside their stomachs. Some of the people who had been too weak to eat the meat were only able to drink the cup of blood, yet the next second, clarity returned to their eyes, and the sense of fatigue and utter exhaustion that nearly put them into a coma faded.
"Everybody, make groups of ten and then search the vicinity for saucepans and dry wood. We will use the blood and meat to make a stew."
Since the civilians had regained their energy, Lieutenant Mitchel decided to help them prepare a proper feast, just as Vlad had said. The people of Good Side Town had gone through hell, and it was essential to heal not just their bodies but also their minds, and a warm meal was a good first step.
Vlad heard everything from the side and softly nodded as Lieutenant Mitchel once again proved he was extremely capable. However, he did not lose much time with those thoughts, as the sound of bones cracking echoed, and a wide smile appeared as they finally reached the Hippopotamus Monster’s heart.
The heart was bloody and glowing, most likely due to the immense amount of energy still inside it, even after the Champion Monster’s death. The trio removed it carefully, and the smell almost made them drool.
Without losing time, Mirena and Cazan went to look for a pan and condiments while Vlad and Jormungandr started a bonfire. Although they could eat it raw, they were not in a hurry, and it was better to enjoy moments .
It was easy for Vlad and Jormungandr to ignite a bonfire using the lightning of the small yellow cat, and the metallic duo returned very soon with a massive pan and all sorts of condiments.
They began to work, with Vlad cutting steaks of the Champion Monster’s heart and throwing them into the pan already filled with garlic and oil. Immediately, an exquisite smell flooded the area, making everybody turn toward the bonfire.
Vlad could see the eyes of the people gazing at them, but he had no interest in sharing the Champion Monster’s meat with them. It was important to be benevolent, but also important to make things clear and reward the hard work.
Mirena and Cazan helped him kill the Hippopotamus Monster, so they had the right to share the rewards. Meritocracy was necessary, and if you take the risk, you deserve more than those too afraid to do it.