In Aspiration City, Lady Mira had been busy preparing for the Magical Beast Tide that would arrive in half a year.
On top of that, with winter arriving much earlier this year, the female Lady had no time to pay attention to the fruit farmers.
"Johnson, how many healing potions have we gathered this time?"
Burying her head in a pile of paperwork, Mira asked without looking up.
Johnson quickly and respectfully replied, "Exactly twenty crates of healing potions, Your Highness. Half of them came from Apothecary Aven."
"Ten crates of healing potions?"
Mira lifted her head, clearly surprised. She hadn't expected that Aven alone could produce as much as all the other apothecaries in Aspiration City combined.
Hmm, the healing potions should be enough for now... Looks like I don't need to ask Aven for the potion formula just yet...
Mira thought to herself, feeling a little relieved.
Truthfully, the idea of asking for the formula had been difficult for her to bring up, so this outcome was a weight off her shoulders.
"By the way, Your Highness," Johnson hesitated, then continued, "Apothecary Aven has recently been buying a large amount of unripe berries."
"Unripe berries?"
Mira frowned, puzzled by what use such things could possibly have.
"Yes, I didn't understand at first either.
However, something happened in Fruitvale Village that helped me realize the reason."
Johnson then recounted the incident between Pete and Peter, which left Mira momentarily stunned.
He bought those unripe berries... just to help the farmers?
Mira felt a pang in her heart.
This was something she, as the Lady, should have done—but instead, someone else was doing it in her place.
After a while, Mira exhaled and asked, "Johnson, how much gold do I still have in my private treasury?"
Johnson was taken aback but respectfully lowered his head and answered, "Your Highness, there are about 1,000 gold coins left."
"1,000 gold coins..."
Mira muttered, then said decisively, "Send all of it to him."
Johnson instinctively raised his head, but seeing the determined look in Mira's eyes, he bowed again and responded, "Yes, Your Highness."
After Johnson left, Mira stared blankly out the window for a moment, then sighed softly:
"Aven... just what kind of person are you?"
…
At the farm, Aven was surprised to receive a visit from the tax officer, Johnson.
Because of the frequent dealings over the healing potions lately, the two had become quite familiar with each other.
"These gold coins are from the Lady herself?"
Aven asked after a moment of silence.
He had initially thought the coins were meant for purchasing more healing potions.
To his surprise, Johnson clarified that the money was not for potion purchases.
"Apothecary Aven, Her Highness knows all about what you've been doing for the farmers of Aspiration City,"
Johnson said respectfully.
Hearing this, Aven was momentarily dazed before quickly realizing that they must be referring to his purchase of the unripe berries.
The incident in the village had spread quickly—it wasn't surprising the lady would hear about it.
"Her Highness said this should have been Aspiration City's responsibility,"
Johnson continued,
"But with the city facing an unprecedented threat, she has no way to do it herself. She is grateful to have someone like you, Aven."
An unprecedented threat...
Aven narrowed his eyes slightly, instantly catching the key point in Johnson's words.
The first thing that came to mind was the annual winter monster incursions—but he quickly dismissed that idea.
After all, such events happened every winter and wouldn't be called an unprecedented threat.
It seemed Aspiration City must be facing something far more serious than the usual winter monster invasion—something that endangered the city's very survival.
Johnson hadn't expected Aven to figure out so much so quickly.
After a moment's hesitation, he added in a low voice,
"These are all the gold coins from Her Highness's private treasury."
He had debated whether to mention this, but felt it was necessary—to show just how much the lady valued Aven.
Sure enough, Aven was briefly stunned, then smiled warmly and nodded to express his thanks toward Mira.
This lady truly is a good person.
Maybe I can do something for her...
Aven thought.
It wouldn't conflict with his plans for farming development, after all.
…
After seeing Johnson off, Aven went to the orchard, where the unripe berries had already piled into small mountains.
Since it was already late autumn and the temperature had dropped significantly, the berries could be left outside without too much spoilage.
However, the low temperature would slow down microbial activity, which wasn't ideal for making fertilizer.
Making growth fertilizer required enough warmth for microorganisms to break down the nutrients in the berries and ferment them into special energy.
At the orchard, Uncle Mike was hard at work, his mood still somewhat gloomy.
In order to buy the berries, Aven had poured nearly all his earnings into the effort—and had even borrowed a fair amount from the villagers.
Although the villagers had been happy to lend him the money, Uncle Mike still felt uneasy.
In his heart, he thought Aven was just too kind.
"Uncle Mike, Tax Officer Johnson just came by,"
Aven said with a smile as he arrived at the orchard.
Mike visibly relaxed, knowing the farm had just secured another source of funds, which would help ease Aven's financial pressure.
"Besides the money for the healing potions, Her Highness also personally sent another 1,000 gold coins for us to help the farmers,"
Aven added.
Mike was stunned, his feelings becoming complicated.
If they ignored the question of money, gaining the Lady's personal attention was extremely valuable.
After sharing this good news, Aven went to the pasture to check on the Oddish group's training.
As he approached, a foul stench drifted toward him—the smell released by the Gloom leader.
Although Aven had promised Gloom he would teach it how to control its odor, he had been too busy lately to find the time.
Over time, the villagers and farm workers had gotten used to Gloom's presence, and Gloom had become much more cheerful.
Thus, the matter had been delayed even further.
Still, once winter was over, Aven intended to teach Gloom the move Sweet Scent to suppress its stench.
He looked forward to it.
After enduring the trials of this winter, the Oddish should have accumulated enough experience.
When spring arrived, the farm would likely see a large number of Gloom evolve.
One Gloom was manageable—but a whole group of Gloom?
The smell might just become unbearable.
(End of Chapter)