[B3]Chapter 179: Bamboo Be Gone

The land, once empty after the departure of the farmers, now flourished with a variety of crops, each one seemingly supercharged and thriving beyond ordinary expectations.

The first to catch the eye were the robust tomato plants, standing about four feet tall. The vines were laden with clusters of deep red tomatoes, each significantly larger than one would typically expect. Adjacent to these, the blueberry bushes formed a dense green backdrop, dotted with oversized, almost purple berries bursting with tangy juice.

The lettuce presented a lush expanse of green, its leaves so large and crisp they seemed almost sculpted from wax. Nearby, pumpkin vines sprawled across the ground, their leaves as big as dinner plates, overshadowing the enormous, smooth-skinned pumpkins that sat plump and vibrantly orange among them.

Peach trees bore fruits that blushed from yellow to deep red, and the cauliflower plants were no less impressive, each head large and snowy white.

Pea vines wove through their trellises, with pods so plump they appeared ready to burst. Watermelons lay scattered about like giant striped beads, and sweet potatoes peeked from the earth, hinting at the bounty below.

The mushrooms had transformed a corner of the field into a scene from a fairytale, with caps so large they could serve as shelters from a rain shower. Meanwhile, corn stalks towered above the rest, with cobs thick and kernels exceptionally plump.

As everyone stared at the field of enchanted crops, they were struck with awe, overwhelmed by the miraculous transformation of the land.

Theo glanced back at the group, catching the looks of amazement on their faces. Even he was initially taken aback by the transformation of the field before him. He hadn’t anticipated that the seeds he planted just four days ago would exhibit such remarkable growth.

The land here wasn't enriched with Bone and Ash soil, known for its enhanced growth properties, which made the rapid maturation of the crops all the more surprising.

However, a realization dawned on him as he recalled a critical detail—he had used water from the Abyssal Well to nourish the crops.

<<<<

[Abyssal Well]

~ Sourced from the serene Abyssal Nexus of Eldritch Springs, this water source is a blend of midnight dew and abyssal springs. With a shimmer that hints at moonlit dances and the mischievous play of impish creatures, this pond's waters have a touch of otherworldly enchantment. Besides its captivating allure, it holds the power to speed up crop maturity by ten times.

>>>>

With the memory of the Abyssal Well water’s properties, the mystery of the crops' rapid growth unraveled. It was all thanks to this enchanted water source. Though it had taken four days for the seeds to mature into full-grown plants in this field, on his own farm such growth would have taken barely a day.

Meanwhile, the old man was visibly shaken by the transformation before him, yet he quickly composed himself, considering the unlikely possibility that filled the farming land of a hundred acres with an array of crops. It was difficult to believe any divine intervention was at play, and certainly, his people hadn’t managed this miraculous change. That left only a few who could be responsible.

Turning his attention to the man charged with the care of this place, Gildor asked in a tone of curiosity, “Is this your doing, young man?”

All eyes shifted towards the whitish-cyan-haired man, whose casual nod under Liliana’s surprised gaze confirmed his involvement.

“What magic did you employ to achieve this feat in such a brief time? Was it not merely four days ago this land was empty?” Gildor questioned.

“My grandfather owned a farm,” Theo began without revealing his inner emotions. “When he passed, he left behind his land and special agricultural treasures. Among these was a collection of growth-enhancing potions for plants, a gift from an old alchemist friend of his. These potions are quite potent and rare.”

The surrounding group murmured in astonishment at Theo’s explanation. Such wonders were unheard of in the Northern Woods.

Liliana, unlike the others, was not surprised. She knew of such marvels in the world, though she understood they couldn't be acquired through ordinary means.

Just then, a rhythmic sound of thuds echoed from behind. Turning, Liliana saw all the farmers kneeling, their right hands over their hearts, heads bowed in the direction of the young man. Even Tauron, the leader of the farmers, was on his knees, showing a rare respect that he previously reserved only for figures like Gildor.

In the Continent, the Canorians' pride was legendary; they would kneel for no one but their leader. Yet here they were, offering their respect to Theo.

Theo, unfamiliar with their customary pride, didn’t give the scene much thought, keeping his focus on Gildor, who remained upright, though his moist eyes revealed his unconcealed emotion.

The old man's voice cracked slightly as he spoke, “Your generosity has saved our people in its hour of greatest need. We Canorians are indebted to you. Please accept our deepest gratitude and respect.”

Theo silently accepted their heartfelt thanks, expressed not just through words but by their reverent actions. His gaze soon met Liliana's, who was looking at him with new softness in her gaze. The sacrifice of parting with such a precious treasure for the benefit of others was not a decision made lightly, and her expression reflected her respect and admiration for his generosity.

After a moment, Theo spoke to the gathered farmers. "Please rise," he said gently.

At his command, the farmers slowly stood up, looking at him as if he were a hero who had just saved their village.

Theo smiled slightly and began to explain, “Right now, you feel gratitude toward me. But consider this—if it weren’t for these potions, you might have chosen to surrender rather than forsake the bamboo lands that you've tended for generations, which failed to support you when it mattered most. If you cling to old beliefs and resist change, you may find yourselves in a similar crisis again. Next time, there might not be anyone to provide emergency aid.”

His words resonated deeply, a quiet murmur of acknowledgment rippling through the crowd as they contemplated the harsh truth in his message. Their eyes dropped, understanding the reality of his warning that their survival had hinged on a timely intervention that might not come again.

Tauron, standing at the forefront, spoke with humility, "On behalf of us all, I apologize for our earlier rudeness. You had our best interests in mind from the start, yet we failed to see your kindness. We can no longer afford to ignore your advice. Even if it means changing our way of life, starting with these bamboo lands, we are ready to make that shift. From today, we will begin to replace the bamboo with the crops you’ve introduced to us."

Theo nodded in response, pleased with their willingness to embrace change.

Meanwhile, Linwe stood slightly apart, still processing the transformation before him, as if he was struggling to emerge from his awe at the dramatic turn of events.

Gildor, witnessing the positive shift in the farmers' attitudes, felt a deep sense of relief and pride for his people. He issued his instructions with an authoritative voice, "Tauron, begin harvesting the matured crops and transport them to the town center, where we are distributing rations. And ensure you start the tasks you promised to the young man."

Tauron nodded respectfully, his head bowed. The previous resistance, fueled by desperation during the food crisis, had dissolved now that a viable solution was in place.

Once the instructions were given, Gildor felt it was time to leave. He, Theo, and Liliana started walking back to the Embassy Enclave, leaving Linwe behind to assist the farmers with their new tasks.

As they walked, Theo and Liliana trailed slightly behind Gildor. Liliana sneaked glances at Theo, curious about him, while Gildor couldn’t stop smiling, pleased with the day’s progress.

Their journey back was suddenly interrupted. A Canorian soldier, looking rushed and worried, stopped them. His uniform was messy, and sweat covered his face. He was out of breath as he delivered his urgent message.

"Monarch, we've been attacked. Men in white robes are trying to break through our defensive barriers to get into the forbidden area," he reported.

Hearing the concerning message, Gildor’s smile vanished, replaced by a serious frown. He understood immediately the gravity of the situation.

Turning to Liliana, he said quickly, "Please excuse me, princess, but I must attend to this." Without waiting for a response, Gildor turned and dashed towards the south, moving so quickly he was almost a blur.

Liliana and Theo exchanged quick looks, understanding the urgency. They too quickened their pace, following closely behind Gildor as they all raced towards the forbidden area where the battle was taking place.