Jungle Detox Stew

Marcille! It's me, Laios! Falin's brother!

No way! You're way too normal! Laios is the guy who'd intimidate a Basilisk with just a strange pose!

I mean, she's right.

Fine, if that's how it's gonna be!

RAAAH—!

......

Laios... it really is you?

That actually worked?!

Laios! The Red Dragon ate Falin, we need to defeat it so we can revive her!

Wait, why are you pointing at me?! What part of me looks like a dragon?!

Aagh!

What's her problem?

Ghah—Are her eyes rolling about as she stumbles everywhere?

Yes!

Is she lashing out and babbling nonsense?

Yes, yes!

Foaming at the mouth?

Yes, yes, yes!

Then she's poisoned! Lucky for you, but also unlucky, the only one who knows how to make the antidote is the High Priest!

All we have are Kbibi grass that we use as a general cure-all for poisonings, illness, or upset stomachs. You can try using them, but I can't guarantee it'll work.

Then... I'll hold Marcille down, while you guys go look for something to attract the High Priest!

How? Where?

A sumptuous feast ought to draw him in! She must be hallucinating, and if we don't hurry, she's going to blow my house up!

Chilchuck, go with the others! I'll handle it here!

Got it... we'll leave her to you!

Phew, that should be enough fruit and fish. Thanks for guiding me, friend. But could I trouble you with one more thing?

Fish? This is a fin.

Oh... so that's what you call them here. Anyhow, I'd like you to return to the village first and boil me a pot of water.

Water?

Aye, I just thought of something. A regular meal probably wouldn't be impressive enough, so I plan to make a huge stew!

On one hand, consider it a thank you for everything you've done for us, and on the other, didn't you say the High Priest likes lively feasts?

Oh! You want to make a nice pot of stew? Great! I'll head back and get it started!

Phew...

I have enough fruit and fish, but...

I still feel like something's missing...

Odd. Heard a strange noise and came over, but there's nothing here.

And my 'Invincible Cool Thing' exploded too. My luck has been terrible today!

Fine, fine. I'll just go home and sleep it off!

*Sigh* I wouldn't be out here all on my own if I hadn't promised Zumama I'd look after the research projects.

Hmm?

Plump and vibrant colors... A healthy bird. Let's check Bob's Gourmet Guide to see if its edible...

'Fowlbeasts are creatures covered with feathers that can fly. Edible, and delicious no matter how you cook them.'

Hmm... this should make for the perfect main ingredient. Eye-catching too. I'm sure the High Priest will love it! This is it!

(Why is there a Durin approaching me with a hungry look in his eyes?)

(Hm? Hold on. Is he really a Durin even?)

(...Ha, I see. How interesting.)

(Wait, it's been so long since I last played dead. How do you do it?)

SQUAAAAAWKKK!!!

...I don't think I hit it that hard?

Grk...guh...

Well, as long as its dead.

Chilchuck! Have ya gathered enough fruit? Let's head back!

Laios, I know you're Laios, but why do I keep thinking you look more like the dragon?

......

Marcille, let's talk about Falin instead.

Yeah, she's my best friend! And, listen to me, she's so happy that you're her brother, Laios. She really likes you and always talks about you.

Everyone else considered her a terrible student, but I disagree. I learned so many things from her! I... I love her!

But... but... I was too weak, so she... she got eaten by the dragon!

...It's not just your fault, Marcille.

She's my sister, of course we're going to save her. I'll never give up.

How's Marcille?

She just fell asleep... They said it's how the body protects itself from the toxin, but it's still better to get the antidote sooner than later.

Good! I'll go get the stew started then, with this fatty bird I caught as the star of the broth!

I really hope this'll attract the High Priest...

Help me with the prep work and it'll be done sooner!

Check which way the wind is blowing... and build your fire downwind to avoid starting a forest fire.

Wash the fruits, mushrooms, and potatoes, then cut them into bite-sized chunks and put them aside.

Add some spices and Kbibi grass to the pot, and bring it to a boil so the meat will absorb the flavor better.

Then add the fruits and mushrooms for bringing out the umami taste, cook a few minutes more, then add the meat and potatoes.

Scale the fish, then slice open the belly and remove the organs. Wash the gills with running water or simply remove them with a knife.

Make diagonal cuts on the fish. Mix chili, pepper, salt, and lemon juice all together, then smear the mixture on the cuts...

Skewer them on clean branches and place them right by the campfire. Don't forget to rotate them now and then to ensure they're evenly cooked...

Now let's check back on our bird. When the broth starts to thicken, add some salt and have a little taste test!

Finally, simmer on low heat until that mouth-watering smell comes out...

Mmmm, and it's done! A pot of stew for the High Priest!

How do you usually get his attention?

Sing! Dance! Cheer! Feast! Then he'll show up naturally!

Alright, then let's dig in, everyone!

Mm, the fruit and mushrooms enrich the flavor along with the herbs' unique aroma. A good stew.

Ah... it smells so good...

Sing! Dance! The High Priest won't come unless you get moving!

O-Okay...!

You too, Chilchuck and Senshi!

Uh... is the High Priest still not here yet?

Ugh...

We'll have to use our ultimate method then. An earnest plea!

High Priest! Delicious food awaits you, so please come!

...High Priest! Delicious food awaits you, so please come!

Uggh...

Gukhh!!

Slurp... Mm... mm...

*Gulp*

So warm...

I haven't had such a pleasant bath in a long time.

But there are too many strange ingredients in here!

Half-cut lemons, sliced mushrooms, and cubed potatoes?

Chili pepper and Kbibi grass too, even!

Slurp... Mm... mm...

Mm... Ugh! It tastes weird!

Is this a medicinal bath?

Oh... it feels like my butt is being broiled... Reminds me of the heat inside the cockpit before the mech takes off... This really is quite pleasant...

I'll just soak it in and all the exhaustion from the explosion will disappear!

Th-The bird came back to life?!

It revived in the stew? Could it be...

...Oh, is it an 'undying monster'?

High Priest! What are you doing inside the pot?!

HIGH PRIEST?! This bird?? He was here the whole time?!

Ew... so that broth was his bath water?!

Ugh! I just drank some!

(Oh... I wonder what the undead taste like...)

Yes, I'm the High Priest!

And during my bath, I figured out what you all want from me!

Seeing how your companion is poisoned, I will certainly not sit idly by!

I don't remember mentioning that...

Ahem! To cure your companion...

The best method is to drink this medicinal bath water!

I bet even a crazy feral wolf would come to its senses after having such a disgusting stew!

D-Disgusting?

If it's bad, I'm sure it's the main ingredient's fault.

Since the High Priest has spoken, please have your companion try the blessed stew!

Ugh... *Gulp*...

What a strange taste...

...Urgh... it's so noisy...

Great! The High Priest Stew really worked!

High Priest... Stew?

Oh no!

M-MONSTER?!

AHHHHH—

I DON'T WANT IT—

I'M SICK OF EATING MONSTERS!

Heh, the stew's pretty good.

Hahaha! You need your tastebuds checked, my boy!

High Priest...?

Shh! I know what you want to know! I already have the gist of what's happened... Hmm, I see, but it's not the time yet.

The time? For what?

Oh, nothing... You're looking for Rhodes Island, yes?

Yes, Rhodes Island can help you!

You're moving in the right direction! Just carry on as you have!

Huh? He's gone? Again?

He said we were heading in the right direction? Sounded to me like a whole bunch of nonsense...

...Because we're not even heading in any particular direction!

So, Marcille... why did you eat the fruit?

...They looked like raspberries.

Raspberries?

When I first met Falin, she offered me some. So when I found fruit here that looked exactly the same...

I thought they were raspberries too, and there was a little bird eating them, so I took two...

Well, you can tell her what happened later.

Yeah, and about all the trouble you caused while you had food poisoning!

Ugh, enough of that!

Let's continue our search for Rhodes Island!