Mira’s reaction was all the confirmation anyone needed.
The moment she declared the roasted tuber tasted amazing, the fragile wall of doubt surrounding Aurora cracked further, and this time... it didn’t repair itself, at least for the time being.
The others exchanged uncertain glances at first. Hesitation was still lingering in their eyes, but curiosity had already taken root, and now it pushed them forward more strongly than their prejudice held them back.
Without waiting to be asked, Mira stepped forward again and took it upon herself to handle the rest. She crouched beside Aurora and picked up another roasted tuber carefully.
She then mimicked the way Aurora had peeled the charred skin. Steam rose as she worked. Her movements were slower but eager, and once she was satisfied, she turned and began handing out pieces to the others.
"Try it," she urged gently.
They hesitated for a moment but then one by one, they started accepting since it was Mira herself offering them the tubers.
Even Calix and Soren accepted them silently, not wanting to upset their wife any further than they already had.
But Lyria did not. She stood slightly apart with her arms folded and her expression stiff as she refused to step closer, though her gaze betrayed her interest more than she likely intended.
The moment everyone took their first bites, their eyes widened and brows lifted in amazement as the rich and sweet flavor flooded their mouths.
Everyone’s expressions shifted in ways they couldn’t control.
The texture was different - soft, almost melting in the mouth, unlike anything they had ever experienced. The sweetness deepened and there was warmth to it... not just temperature, but something that felt fuller, more satisfying.
One of the men let out a low sound of surprise, glancing down at the remaining piece in his hand as if it had betrayed his expectations.
"This... this is the same tuber?" another asked, clearly unable to reconcile the taste with what he had known before.
"It shouldn’t taste like this," a female murmured, taking another bite as if to confirm it wasn’t an illusion.
Mira smiled faintly as she watched them, clearly pleased, while Calix and Soren remained quiet, but their silence spoke volumes. Their earlier skepticism had been replaced with something else entirely.
Acknowledgment... even if unspoken.
Aurora observed it all without interruption with calm gaze and composed expression. She listened as the murmurs shifted from doubt to quiet amazement, as the rigid hostility in the air softened, even if only slightly.
For the first time since meeting these tribesmen, they weren’t looking at her with disgust. Not entirely.
The realization settled quietly in her mind - it was possible to change their perception of her.
She knew it wouldn’t happen overnight, nor would a few roasted tubers could erase years of resentment. But this... this was proof that their views weren’t unshakable.
They just needed a reason to look at her in different light. A better one. And Aurora intended to give them plenty.
Questions began to rise soon after as their curiosity was no longer restrained.
"What else did the Beast God show you?"
"Can everything taste like this?"
"Is this what fire does to all food?"
Aurora didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she turned her head slightly and let her gaze settle on Mira once more. "If we are going to inform the chief about the fire," she said calmly, "then it would be better to gather everyone at once."
Mira nodded instinctively. "That makes sense."
Aurora continued, "Ask him to arrange a gathering this evening."
That caught everyone’s attention.
"Not only will I show the entire tribe how to create fire," she added, her steady voice carrying clearly across the group, "but I’ll also prepare something better... I’ll roast meat."
The effect was immediate.
"What?"
"Meat can be roasted too?"
"You mean it can taste like this?"
The excitement surged through the group like a sudden spark, replacing hesitation with eager anticipation. If a simple tuber could transform into something like this, then meat - something they already valued highly - would undoubtedly be even better.
Aurora gave a small nod. "Wait until evening," she said. "And you’ll see."
That was enough... for now.
Only then did she spare a brief glance toward Calix. Just one. It was measured and intentional.
"I’ll need a large amount of wood," she said, keeping her tone neutral as if she’s issuing a simple instruction rather than acknowledging his presence. "Enough to maintain a steady fire for a large group."
Calix blinked slightly as he was caught off guard, not by the request but by the fact that she had addressed him at all after ignoring both him and his brother moments ago.
And yet, before he could respond properly or could even process the shift in her tone, she was already looking away.
"I’ll handle it," he said quickly, nodding once.
With that settled, Aurora checked the remaining sweet potatoes in the charcoal and found all of them ready to be enjoyed. She handed them all to the gathered people and then showed them how to put out the fire.
"Though fire is something we can use to make our daily lives easy, it’s also something that can’t be left unattended as it could spread and burn down even large forests. So you need to always make sure it’s been put out before you leave the place."
She showed them how to use water to douse the burning sticks and smoldering charcoal, and then she even used soil to do the same.
Only after she had made sure the fire was completely put out did she stood up and turned back to Mira. "I’ll meet you at the gathering," she said. "There are things I need to prepare. So I’ll be taking my leave now."
Mira nodded again. Her expression was thoughtful but trusting as she confirmed, "I’ll speak to the chief."
Aurora didn’t linger. She didn’t wait for further questions, didn’t stay to bask in the attention. She simply turned and walked away.
Her figure moved steadily past the group, past the fading murmurs and lingering stares, deeper into the forest where the noise of people gave way to the quiet rhythm of nature.
Just then, Navi’s unmistakably cheerful voice filled her head.
[Ding! Task Completed!]
Aurora didn’t stop walking. But her attention sharpened.
[Congratulations, Host Aurora!]
[You have successfully introduced a new food source to the Beastworld!]
[Rewards will be distributed shortly~]
Aurora’s lips twitched faintly. "...Finally," she thought. And without looking back, she continued deeper into the woods.