Volume 58 Chapter 8.5: Weed & Bard Ray, (5)

Bard Ray couldn't hide the awkwardness.

The two always competed against one another in Royal Road and met only through swords at the coliseum. He never thought they would meet at such a place.

Bard Ray too looked over and saw that Weed also had laid out red ripe strawberries.

"You farm too...?"

"Yeah. My wife and daughter do it as a hobby."

Weed thought he would never go back to farming when he asked Seoyoon to marry him at the island. But, Seoyoon liked growing flowers and trees.

There was a wide garden at the great mansion, with furrows for crop fields.

He had purchased a farm in Royal Road as well and was enjoying the subtle joy of growing crops with his wife and daughter.

"Okay then. I need to sell these strawberries."

"Ah, yes."

Bard Ray deemed it was not going to be easy.

That being said, if Weed were to reveal his identity, he could instantly sell out. However, that was also the case for himself.

'Farming is nothing to take lightly.'

Then, Weed began his marketing.

"Alright, the precious strawberries have arrived. These strawberries are rarer than treasures! One taste and these strawberries will have you set for life."

Weed glared at the players passing by while he was shouting to attract customers!

He was conducting a market assessment right on the spot!

'There are many tourists. These people care more for the experience than the taste or money.'

Selling a product was not a simple job. You had to stimulate their interest and turn that opportunity to results.

"Morata's special product! The treasure strawberries are limited to selling only 3 times a year. These berries you won't ever forget!"

A few tourists turned around to Weed. He had succeeded in triggering their interest.

A warrior who wore expensive looking armor walked over and asked.

"How much?"

"10 gold per crate."

"No way. How are strawberries 10 gold? This guy is a swindler!"

Gold had become more common as the overall level of players went up.

They gladly played thousands of gold for equipment but cheaped out on crops.

Weed waved his head in shame.

"Do I look like someone who will rip people off for the strawberries I grew with my own blood and sweat?"

"That... I won't know. But the price..."

"Alright. I have a simple solution in this case. Just try one."

"Can I?"

"You don't have to buy them if you don't like it."

The warrior pulled out a strawberry from the crate and put it into his mouth. His facial expression switched as if he was dreaming.

"What in the world... This berry is..."

"It's delicious, right?"

"It is! It's so good! How many crates do you have here? I will buy all of them. I have money!"

He always ripped people off, but not this time.

They were excellent berries worth all the gold.

In the end, he sold crate by crate and sold out quickly!

Even Bard Ray was curious about how delicious those berries were.

***

Weed took down his sign and spoke.

"Since we met, wanna come over and see my farm?"

"I am..."

"My wife has dinner ready. I thought we could eat together."

"Dinner?"

"We have barbecue for dinner."

Bard Ray could not turn down the invitation.

World conquest or honor was empty once he achieved them.

He was envious of Seoyoon more than anything!

"I will accept the invitation then."

Bard Ray never got to sell a single peach as he wrapped them up again and followed Weed.

The place they arrived after some time was surprisingly not that far from Bard Ray's farm.

It was the richest of the lands near Morata with pleasant scenery.

"Wow."

Bard Ray was in awe starting from the farm entrance.

Beautiful trees grew along the path. Over a dozen different fruits were ripening. They gleamed with various colors in line like soldiers in a formation.

He could see giant corn cobs, pear trees, apple trees, grape trees and chestnut trees.

Weed's mouth was twitching, dying to show off. However, the real boasting must sound like he is humble!

"It's nothing. They are from seeds I collected from the Elven Forest."

"Elven Forest..."

"I'm growing the World Tree for fun. It was hard bringing it over, but hey. What's not possible in this world? Ah, if you want to try one of the strawberries, you are welcome to pick one."

Bard Ray also raised strawberries at his own farm. Thus he was even more curious.

'It doesn't seem all that special. I guess it will taste good nonetheless.'

He carefully picked one and poked it into his mouth.

He estimated that it would be sour sweet as he observed the reactions of the people back at the market.

'Huh...'

The scent and taste of the berry spread inside his mouth.

Fruit.

It was like a gem that was created with the essence of the earth and sky.

'It's good. It's mind boggling. How can one farmer grow something like this...? How come I have never tasted this before?'

He wanted to hold onto the taste that disappeared beyond his throat.

"It's nothing, right? Just like any other strawberry."

He wanted to react against his teasing words but Bard Ray spoke honestly.

"This was the best strawberry I had in my entire life."

"That's good to hear. Farming is all about the sweat and care."

Bard Ray nodded.

He couldn't agree more as someone who had just started learning how to farm.

However, farming with sweat was something in Weed's distant past.

Weed had grown to despise farming, but he put his best into it because Seoyoon and his daughter loved to grow crops and these crops would feed them.

The Plow of Raktisha instilled the essence of mother nature into his crops.

The Cloud Sprinkler enriched the land.

Weed actively utilized his equipment and his acquaintances.

He learned sowing from the continent's best farmer Miretas and received the seeds from elf Haruna. His manual dexterity at master level helped the plants grow more healthily and his sculptural technique groomed them into beautiful shapes.

"This is truly an amazing farm. Can I look around more?"

"As you please. I will prepare the food with my wife."

Bard Ray walked around the farm and found some sheds built with wood.

- Chirp! Chirp!

"Weed is also growing chickens."

While he thought it was a good hobby, he walked closer and realized they weren't chickens.

- Krrrrragh! Krrrraggh!

The baby wyverns zoomed across the dirt floor! The bunch that was much larger than chickens were flying around playing.

"What the..."

Bard Ray stuttered away, but these were pets for Weed's daughter!

Weed had brought them as he grew an interest to grow wyverns while he rode on Wyvern3.

"What's that?"

Bard Ray moved to the next building.

- Moooo.

The relaxed docile cry was undoubtedly a cow.

"So he has a cow like I do. Farming or transport certainly needs a cow..."

He got closer thinking it was a barn and he could see inside.

"..."

A muscular bull was standing right in front of him!

Yellowy stood with 10 other cows in visible happiness.

"What about this place...?"

Bard Ray inspected the other buildings.

- Kuuuuuaagh!

Nile, the Giant Crocodile, was playing around in muddy water.

"Woof-Woof!"

What's more was that the guard dog rushed to the entrance and let fuming red smoke out of its mouth.

"Cerberus, the Warden of Hell?"

Bard Ray muttered to himself.

"What in the world..."

Even in the sky, something with huge wings flew around.

Wyvern3 with the scales of the Black Dragon was chasing after birds.

***

Bard Ray even found the greenhouse and the cold storage room.

"This farm is incredible."

With each step he could see beautiful flowers along the road.

Furthermore, there were a variety of sculptures everywhere.

Blink!

< Masterpiece! You have observed the Sculpture: A Girl With A Wide Smile.

This is the work of the Sculptor who sculpted the star and sees frozen time.

This is a masterpiece sculpted after a long rest!

This sculpture was made from melting pure Helium, deemed as one of the treasures of Versailles.

The observation of artwork increases all stats by 2 points.

Maximum health points are permanently increased by 3,000 points.

Luck is increased by 10% for a week.

There is a chance of acquiring a powerful artifact from hunting a boss level monster.

Magic resistance is increased.

You acquired immunity to abnormal mental statuses.

Curing effects of diseases is increased. >

An absurd effect from the sculpture of a girl!

'This is a sculptor...'

Bard Ray imagined if the Hermes Guild recruited Weed.

They would have been able to devour the continent and reign over Royal Road earlier.

The establishment of absolute power that will not allow any opposition.

Of course there would have been a quarrel if he competed with Weed over the throne.

'That is all meaningless now.'

The Hermes Guild that engulfed the Haven Kingdom and united the Central Continent was now just a part of history. Even the great defeat on account of the Arpen Kingdom.

The countless hours he spent at the hunting grounds were now only vivid memories in his heart.

'Life... I guess you do feel a bit bitter about the things you weren't able to accomplish as time went by.'

Bard Ray carefully examined the sculpture. What looked to be a girl of about 5 years old was sculpted out of Helium, glistening in a bright blue, like the sky.

It was the ultimate material for sculptors and one of the most rare metals in the continent.

'I guess this is his daughter. She's adorable.'

Then he walked about another 10 steps. He came across another sculpture.

Blink!

< Masterpiece! You have observed the sculpture of the Girl With A Wide-Brimmed Hat.

A treasure left on this world by the legendary sculptor who defies time and changes history with sculpting techniques!

This is a unique sculpture crafted from the bones of the White Dragon.

Maximum mana is increased by 2,500.

Mages will gain proficiency in elemental magic spells.

Magic resistance is increased by 2%.

Wisdom is increased by 5 points.

Art is increased by 10 points. >

This time, it was a child about 7 years old.

"..."

Bard Ray remembered that he had heard about the bones of the White Dragon.

Weed must have purchased and sculpted it.

'He brought over the rarest materials from across the continent.'

He walked along the flower path and encountered another sculpture!

This one depicted Seoyoon and the little girl running happily.

< Masterpiece! You have observed the sculpture: Mother & Daughter Race!

A sculptor, Necromancer, Warrior; The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor, who completed countless adventures all over the continent, sculpted this artwork.

The treasure of Versailles!

Movement speed is permanently increased by 3%.

Maximum mana and health points are increased by 250% for 24 hours.

You can accelerate beyond human limits.

Agility is increased by 5 points.

Proficiency of movement skills is increased consistently.

You will reduce the chances of natural disasters in the vicinity. >

Seoyoon was smiling brightly, known as the most beautiful woman.

The sight of her and her daughter was like a movie.

As Bard Ray continued to walk, he observed sculptures after sculptures!

Weed must have sculpted for all the time he was farming.

'This is the most precious location in all of Versailles.'

There were toys and hand marks in various places. Traces of digging and playing with sand.

Small tents put up for playing with children.

'How happy they must be living here.'

Bard Ray felt lonely as he kept walking. He had to take a seat because he agreed to the invitation. The flower path led to the mansion on the farm.

Weed, Seoyoon and a little girl were sharing a pork barbecue by the fire.

'They look alike.'

The daughter perfectly resembled her mother.

From the eyes, the nose, lips and her hands.

If Seoyoon were to return to her childhood again, she would look exactly like the girl smiling and eating her barbecue.

All the happiness that existed in the world was at this mansion.

'I lost... I am defeated...'

< The End >