Roaring Heroes Battle the Overlord (Ainz)

Chapter 117: The Schemes of the Slane Theocracy

In a clearing beneath the pine forest, a patch of snow was cleared away. Pine branches and straw were piled together to form a bonfire, with a dark iron pot hanging above it. The pot, suspended by simple wooden sticks, bubbled as it simmered, the surface of the broth shimmering with a layer of oil.

Dried beef was thoroughly cooked in the boiling soup, softening into tender slices. The frozen berries melted, releasing their sweet juices into the broth, turning it a deep red. White, misty steam rose from the pot, swirling in the cold winter air, adding to the warmth of the moment.

A few plump fish were skewered on sharpened sticks and roasted by the fire, occasionally sprinkled with a pinch of fine salt. The fish scales gleamed in the firelight, turning a brilliant golden color, and soon the fish were crisp and golden, filling the air with the mouthwatering aroma of roasted fish.

EeDeChi picked up a roasted fish with her left hand, taking a bite of the tender meat and chewing it together with the white, brittle bones. In her right hand, she held a green ceramic bowl, sipping the delicious broth from time to time.

Barrett admired her strong teeth; he, for one, would never eat the fish bones. He took out a soft wheat bread and dipped it into the meat broth, savoring it as he forked up pieces of beef and brought them to his mouth. The rich, berry-laden soup warmed him from the inside, spreading heat through his body and chasing away the chill of the deep winter.

The two of them were camping in a sunken area halfway up the mountain, planning to cross the range and reach the wilderness on the other side.

After finishing the meal, EeDeChi cleaned the bowl and pot with snow, then reached into the fire to stir the embers and burning pine branches, creating a hollow space to let the flames burn brighter. Barrett checked the equipment in his spatial ring, counting the ropes and pitons.

"We've got a serious problem," Barrett said, furrowing his brow. "Our food supplies won't last for the long journey ahead."

This was an issue he had anticipated. When they set off, they hadn't expected to cross over the mountain range, and had made no preparations for such a journey. But now, there was no way they could go to the town at the foot of the mountain to buy more food. In a winter like this, with snow falling heavily, travelers from out of town would stand out too much.

"What should we do?" EeDeChi had no idea either. She crushed a piece of red charcoal between her fingers, and sparks flew out like a shower of stars across the sky.

"ROAR!" A deep, thunderous beast's roar shook the snow from the trees, and heavy breaths blew the pine needles around.

Barrett and EeDeChi turned to look. Through the dense pine forest, a massive creature was charging toward them. Its fur was dark brown, speckled with white patches of snow.

The beast bared its enormous teeth, rows of sharp fangs like steel spikes lining its jaws.

"Owlbear!" Barrett swallowed hard. "I picked this campsite to avoid monsters, and owlbears should be hibernating in their dens during winter!"

The owlbear crashed through several pine trees, its eyes burning with rage. Its heavy steps quickened as it charged directly at their camp.

The giant bear clearly ignored the plump, meaty Barrett, its claws tearing through the rocky ground as it accelerated, its target clearly EeDeChi.

"Don't tell me," Barrett glanced at EeDeChi, "Your 'Favorability Level' dropping by 66% affects even beasts?"

"Looks like it." EeDeChi scratched her head, a bit embarrassed.

In the few seconds they had been talking, the enraged owlbear had already lunged at them. Its terrifying jaws gaped wide, sharp fangs and claws closing in, and EeDeChi could even smell the stench of its breath.