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Of course, there were also a dozen of skeletons wandering around leisurely. The two things contrasted a little bit, I wouldn't blame someone if they saw it ruined the view. But these skeletons had the job of watering the plans and eliminating any pest they find in the way of the veggies.
"It is growing well!" Emeraldine began wandering around the fields happily, inspecting every plant using her abilities. "They might be fully grown in about a week from now- Oh!"
We quickly noticed certain patches of the fields where plants were growing more rapidly and larger than in other places. These were the areas where we placed the dust made from the magic ores we mined, the Rainbow Crystals, Earth Topaz, and Turtle Shell Stones.
Apparently, Rainbow Crystals gave the most enchantment. The small sprouts were flowing with a rainbow aura as well. Upon inspecting, it was revealed the aura of rainbow color covering the sprouts was called [Multicolor Aura of Life] and it enhanced the growth of all plants it covered by +100%, while imbuing into them Spiritual Energy.
"Wooow! This is amazing! Rainbow Crystals seem to be the most effective in this regard!" Emeraldine seemed naturally drawn into the plants, which now emanated Spiritual Energy.
Wait… wait a second.
They emanate spiritual energy?
Could they be Spirit Treasures?!
I tried checking the plants growing, they were tomato plants, some potatoes, and onions. However, it still said they were merely magic plants, not spirit plants.
Ah, I got excited over nothing!
We quickly moved to the other plant patches. The patch with the Earth Topaz dust turned into a [Earthy Aura] which enhanced the Plants Durability by +200%, making them able to withstand the lack of water, sunlight, and even resist the bites of pest and keep themselves pristine.
They didn't got the buff of the Rainbow Crystals in terms of speed and quality enchantment. But it was certainly true what Helga had said, Earth Topaz is the best ore if you want to help plants grow in the most unwelcome of places, such as the top of mountains. I guess this is why they're so essential.
We've got tons of Earth Topaz from the mining the Ants did, and we'll keep getting a steady supply. I know the skeletons won't be able to fight all the pests that will show up here, so I might as well leave them around a hundred Earth Topaz and some Phantasmal Familiars to crush the topazes and then make them into dust.
Phantasmal familiars are the best at distributing this, as they can just easily fly anywhere. Rainbow Crystals are too rare, even after the Ant's mining, we only secured twenty, and they're too precious as they can be used for a variety of alchemy items I want, so sadly I'll be keeping them for now- Wait, a second, can't we just mix them up? I'll leave five Rainbow Crystals and mix them with the hundred Earth Topazes, might as well just mix everything. Even if the effects will become thinner, it is better than nothing.
And lastly, Turtle Shell Stone seemed to create a [Long Life Aura] which made plants have higher vitality, increasing it by +200% and also giving them regeneration abilities. This means we could breed our own medicinal plants, vegetables, tubers, or fruits by using these stones! They're just as rare as Rainbow Crystals, if not more, as the Ants couldn't find any in this dungeon's third floor mines. Which only means they don't even grow in this dungeon and we need to find them outside.
I gave out only two of them to mix with the others, hopefully some of the veggies turn to become medicinal. I could sell those at even higher prices. The rest of the Turtle Shell Stones will remain with me for now. I think I could use them either for alchemy or… I don't know, give lifespan to someone? Maybe the old grandmas and grandpas at my village, although evolving and leveling give more lifespan and can even rejuvenate.
As my Phantom Familiars began to spread the dust made out of mixed ores, we quickly decided to go back to the dwarven city. The beautiful fields were rather relaxing to be around, most of us didn't wanted to leave so soon, so we took a relaxing stroll around.
"Rat!"
Nyx began chasing around a wandering rat, while Takeshi and Laura were playing around with Onyx. Partner, Emeraldine, and Brunhild were talking about how to keep their hair clean. Emeraldine shared her secret of using oil extract from medicinal herbs using alchemy.
Meanwhile, Lucifer and I were walking around while keeping an eye on Nyx. As strong as she is, she might get into trouble anyways, we wouldn't want that to happen to our dear daughter.
Nonetheless, I still remember something that happened yesterday.
When we were done with the fields and all, some hours later, I felt "something". It was a presence directly linked yet not to the dungeon.
It was strange… I wonder what it was.
I thought something might come out, but nothing has really happened yet.
Maybe it was my imagination?
"Hey Nyx, don't get into the forest now!"
Lucifer began chasing down Nyx to not let her get lost inside the forest, as I was left alone while looking at the fields calmly.
"Help…"
And as I was- Huh?
"It hurts…"
What is that voice?
"Guuhh…"
I quickly began looking around, trying to find some clues as to where that voice was coming from. It was so faint and small yet so close. I looked back at the rest of my group, everyone didn't noticed anything, not even Emeraldine with her amazing hearing abilities.
"Must have been my imagination?"
No…
That voice was surely something deeper, like a soul asking for help.
"Hello? Who's there?"
I continued chasing this little presence, getting inside the fields, until I suddenly stumbled upon something.
There was a small sapling, I think it was… an apple tree.
It was black, dry, and withered, and a bit of miasma was coming out of the dirt in there.
The tree was more than dead now, it didn't emanated any aura of life at all.
Yet… it spoke to me?
"I don't want to die…"
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Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m