Pushing open the door, Daeren found the farm completely transformed.
The tender green of spring buds had faded, replaced by the fiery splendor of summer in full bloom.
Daeren looked out across the land.
The twelve Basic Sprinklers arranged neatly in a 6×2 formation on the Farmland before the cottage had just finished their work.
The fine spray gradually subsided, leaving the forty-eight plots of previously tilled Farmland moist.
Swish, swish!
Daeren took out his tools, cleared away the weeds and stones that had appeared with the changing season, and inspected the Basic Sprinklers and Farmland.
Once he confirmed there were no issues, he bought summer seeds.
The seeds in the Shipping Bin updated with the seasons, just like those at that profiteer Pierre's general store.
Summer seeds included:
Blueberries: 80 gold
Matured in 11 days; could be harvested every 4 days thereafter.
Hops: 60 gold
Matured in 11 days; could be harvested every day thereafter.
Melons: 80 gold
Matured in 12 days; a single-harvest crop.
Poppies: 100 gold
Matured in 7 days; a single-harvest crop.
Corn: 150 gold
Matured in 14 days; could be harvested every 4 days thereafter.
A crop for both summer and autumn.
Tomatoes: 50 gold...
There were eleven kinds of summer seeds in total, among which corn could continue producing through autumn.
"All melons!"
With a tap of his finger, Daeren bought forty-eight melon seeds.
The melons in the game resembled plump pink peaches, modeled after muskmelons, Hami melons, and similar varieties.
Like Cauliflower in spring, pumpkins in autumn, and Frost Melon seeds in winter, planting melons in a 3×3 area gave them a chance of becoming giant crops.
Cultivating a giant crop was one of an old farmer's pleasures.
However, Daeren had no time for such leisurely elegance.
He was going to Dragonstone and had no time to tend the farm.
Melons were simply convenient to grow.
Looking at the hop seeds on the seed vending board, Daeren sighed helplessly. "My farming level isn't high enough. I also haven't gathered enough Copper Ingots and wood to make a Tapper, much less craft Kegs for brewing."
Hops could be processed in a Keg into Pale Ale.
They sold for a decent price.
But the requirements for making Kegs were demanding.
The Keg recipe unlocked at Farming Level 8.
Keg recipe: 30 wood, 1 Copper Ingot, 1 Iron Ingot, 1 Oak Resin.
The required Oak Resin had to be collected by first crafting a Tapper and hanging it from an oak tree.
The Tapper recipe unlocked at Farming Level 3.
Tapper recipe: 40 wood, 2 Copper Ingots.
Dragon Tongue Farm was still in its infancy. It could not afford to brew alcohol yet.
"Westeros has lost a brewing tycoon."
Daeren found it truly regrettable.
He bought forty-eight melon seeds in one go, spending 3,840 gold.
He checked his balance:
[Gold: 4,649]
Daeren planted the melon seeds, then checked the Farmland and Basic Sprinklers again to ensure the seeds would not stop growing from lack of water.
Bang!
He took out the materials and crafted a scarecrow wearing a Straw Hat.
Scarecrow recipe: 50 wood, 1 coal, 20 fiber.
Once the farm had more than fifteen crops, crows would come peck at them.
One scarecrow could protect an area with a radius of eight tiles, forming a 17×17 square. However, ten tiles in each of the four corners remained unprotected, leaving the crops safe from crows.
No crows had appeared before, and Daeren had stayed at the farm every day, so he had not made a scarecrow.
Now that he would be leaving for a while, placing one was necessary.
He planted the scarecrow in an open patch of ground.
Daeren patted its straw shoulder and instructed, "I'm leaving the farm to you. Protect the crops well."
Scarecrow: !!
Good. Full of enthusiasm.
Daeren stroked the chickens again, collected the eggs, and checked the building and fence around the livestock shed.
After confirming that everything was in order, he began the final spending spree.
Copper Pickaxe upgrade requirements: 2,000 gold, 5 Copper Ingots.
Upgrade!
New Fishing Rod—Fiberglass Rod: 1,800 gold.
Buy!
Daeren consoled himself. "You have to give something up to gain something!"
He checked the System Panel and saw that his gold had plummeted to 849.
The fruits of an entire spring's hard work had nearly vanished in an instant.
But it was all worth it!
Upgrading the pickaxe would improve his mining efficiency.
The Fiberglass Rod was essential for early-game fishing.
During the trip to Dragonstone, he would have plenty of time to fish and supplement his income.
"Let's make some more bait."
Daeren returned to the cottage, took out all the bug meat dropped by insects in the mines from the Chest, and turned it all into bait.
1 Bug Meat = 5 Bait
From 135 pieces of Bug Meat, he made 675 bait.
The Fiberglass Rod was made of better material than the Bamboo Pole and had an additional feature for attaching bait, holding up to 999 pieces.
Clank!
The bait was fully loaded.
Daeren said, "At Dragonstone, fishing will depend entirely on you."
He organized his inventory, keeping the Neptune Greatsword, hoe, and Fiberglass Rod.
He packed up the television as well.
It was a little treasure that could divine his daily luck, indispensable whether he was at home or away.
He searched through the cottage once more.
He put away the Dragon Egg from the fireplace, packed the exquisite gift box on the table, and found three Sun Essence dropped by monsters on Floor 40 of the mines...
Bang! Bang!
Finally, he spent 100 wood to craft two Chests to bring along in case they were needed.
They took up eight inventory slots in total.
"Let's go!"
With his luggage packed, Daeren walked out of the house.
"Woof, woof, woof~~"
After finishing the water in his bowl, little doro saw his countryman leaving and scrambled after him, wanting to go along.
"A puppy that can't guard the house isn't a good puppy."
Daeren wore a stern expression.
"Wuuuf~~"
doro lay on the ground, exposing his soft belly as he whined anxiously.
Daeren rolled his eyes and scooped doro into his arms.
"You're still too young. You can guard the house by yourself in the future."
"Woof woof!!"
King's Landing.
Mud Gate, Port.
The refurbished Royal Family ship was docked by the shore. The sailors each carried out their duties, ready to depart at any moment.
"Prince, preparations are complete."
Davos reported with a solemn, meticulous expression.
"Good."
Daeren bid farewell to everyone on the shore.
Shayani wore a sea-blue gown. Her lovely face was calm and unmoved as she stared absently at the horizon.
At her side, she held Brother on her left and Viserys on her right.
"Second Brother!"
Jaeherys's eyes were filled with reluctance as he held out little doro from his arms.
He seemed to want to follow his brother to Dragonstone.
Daeren rubbed Brother's head and smiled faintly. "Be good. Let me go to Dragonstone and scout things out first. If nothing happens, I'll send someone to bring you over."
"All right."
Jaeherys could not hide his disappointment, but he still forced out a bright smile.
Daeren rubbed his head again, then turned to Viserys.
At that moment, Viserys stared at the bustling Port with constant amazement. "Delicious, delicious..."
"Ah!"
Daeren could do nothing about it. He might as well let him be happy.
"Take good care of Brother, and take good care of yourself too."
When it came to Shayani, Daeren hesitated for a while, unable to think of much to say.
She merely appeared withdrawn on the outside; it did not necessarily mean she lacked sense.
"You too."
Shayani came back to herself and naturally opened her arms to embrace him. Her voice was gentle. "My brother, remember to take care of yourself."
The Maiden's soft, fragrant body carried a sweet scent, and her touch was like the softest vanilla pudding.
It gave him a healing kind of happiness.
Daeren closed his eyes comfortably and returned the embrace.
This was a privilege he deserved!
Before you continue