CHAPTER 37: YOU’RE NOT ALL TALK

Everyone paid attention to me. Some muttering under their breath at how I was bluffing, others wondering if genuine curiosity as to what that rock was, and the rest, well, might just be looking forward to me demonstrating my incredible-ness. And that category belongs to Fenric and Solin, who seem to be new fan of mine, haha.

I took in a deep breath and said,

"First of all, you need to know what this thing is called., I said. "The name is salt."

"Salt?" Father and Chief Kasa echoed together, nodding at the intriguing name.

"Yes, salt. It’s an ingredient used on food, especially meat." I explained.

"Wow, that’s interesting. And how do we use this ingredient on meat? I am quite curious since our meat already tastes great." Chief Kasa said, and I almost shook my head at the poor, oblivious souls who had yet to taste the goodness of salt.

Sure, as a wild animal, raw meat is a delicacy. But I wonder. Would a dog choose to chew on raw meat or seasoned meat?

"Here in the grasslands, there is always a shortage of food in the winter season. The animals go into hiding or hibernation, and we cannot store too much meat since they end up getting rotten before long. If we were to manage that rotten meat, we would only get sick."

"Yes, that’s true," Rakan said. "Even the fruits spoil after a while, so hunger becomes inevitable." I nodded my head at his reasoning. "Are you saying this salt can help prevent that?"

As soon as he asked that, everyone began to mutter. It was such a wild speculation. How could such a thing be possible?

"I’m not saying salt can prevent meat from spoiling completely but it delays the process," I explained. "Without salt, the meat could spoil in days, add the proper amount of salt needed, and it can be preserved for so many more days, even weeks."

More and more murmuring erupted and I felt like I was getting interrupted far too much.

Yes, they must be amazed since they’ve always had to starve in the winter because of a lack of provisions. Well, the males did because the females were prioritized and they got to eat, not as normal as before, but they still ate.

And now I bring about a method to help save those days of starvation.

"Arinya, I get that you’re confident but are you certain of what you’re saying?" Chief Kasa asked and I went silent. "It’s such a great discovery that I can’t help but wonder where you got it from."

"Father, please don’t doubt Arinya," Fenric spoke up on my behalf but I stopped him.

It’s only natural to be suspicious. It would be even crazier if they took my method as it was without worrying that it might work.

After all, it’s the survival of an entire tribe we’re talking about.

And for Chief Kasa, who rules over a winter region where food is always scarce, this method may prove to be very helpful in their tribe.

I took in a low breath and then raised my head, regaining my confidence.

"It’s easy not to believe me." I said, "And I’m not counting on it either. So why don’t we do this? Let’s do the experiment. For the next few days, we’ll keep two meats in the storage. One with salt, and the other without salt. Let’s see which one rots first and then see how long the other can stay without rotting."

As soon as I heard that, Chief Kasa laughed.

"Good. Very good. You’re not all talk." He said. "You’ve brought up a solution and an excellent way to make others believe it as well." He turned to my father. "Chief Rakan, you’ve raised a fine daughter here."

"The credit shouldn’t go to me," Rakan said. "Arinya learned all she could on her own."

"Then she is even more impressive." He said, rubbing his chin as he gazed at me, but then Fenric stepped in between, as if he could see through his father’s intentions.

I glanced between them, unable to tell if Fenric was just being paranoid or if my senses had just dulled.

"Tell them about the other thing, Arinya," Fenric said, shifting the topic to keep us busy.

"Oh, right," I said and stepped out from behind him. "What I just stated was how to use salt to preserve meat. I didn’t tell you the other part."

I grabbed Fenric’s arms and pulled him to the middle where he dropped the rocks.

"Let’s set it up in front of them," I said, and he lifted them effortlessly, flexing his biceps, and the females began to make eyes at him.

I felt proud, thinking about how they could only make eyes at him and nothing more since he belonged to me. Well, I did put him on probation but regardless, he’s mine.

I set up the rocks like a stove.

Used two smaller rocks to act like a wedge for the bigger rock, acting like a slab.

And then, I dust any dust particles from the surface carefully and cleanly. I would’ve washed it first but I doubt I’d die from being a little unhygienic when my room, ahem, my cave, is in such a state.

"Aside from preservation, salt can be used to add taste to the meat we eat," I said. "I’m not saying you can just sprinkle the salt and then eat it. It’ll only taste bad."

"You’re right. The salt does not taste good. It stings, in fact." Chief Kasa said and I nodded.

"Yes, that’s why you either have to cook or roast with the salt," I said but they didn’t understand. "Forget the first part," I said. "I’ll show you what it means to roast with salt and make it even more tasty than it already was raw."

No one would say no to good food, especially when it’s made well. I’ll show you all what you’ve been missing all this time.

"I’ll begin."