Golden Apple Tree
Ryan’s eyes fell on the tree, accidentally hidden behind the taller fruit trees.
It was easy to miss at first. Compared to the other trees, most especially the Ruby Apple tree which attracted the senses, it looked too simple, but it called out to Ryan.
“Idiot!” one of the mocking birds called out.
“You can shoot that one, Spike.” Ryan said as he ignored the bird and approached the tree.
“Yes, Master Ryan!”
Thwack!
“How’d I miss?” Spike cried out.
“Idiot! Bad aim!”
Ryan ignored the birds and put his focus on the hidden tree.
Most of the trees were tall, at least ten feet in height. It meant that, even with their heights, the Kobolds all climbed up with expended effort to reach the fruits.
“This one is much smaller than the rest, but that also means we can at least carry it downwards,” Ryan muttered to himself, but that wasn’t all.
The apple tree might only be three feet tall but its budding apples were golden yellow instead of red.
There were yellow apples, as far as Ryan knew, but the golden sheen on this tree’s fruit was mesmerizing.
How could the Kobolds miss this tree entirely?
“What tree is this, Builder?” Ryan asked quietly.
— — — — — — —
Golden Apple Tree (Dwarfed):
This unique tree thrives on abundant soil nutrients, utilizing them to reach its full potential. However, under certain conditions, it remains dwarfed, conserving its resources for optimal growth.
The fruit it bears initially possesses a tart flavor, gradually transitioning into a mild sweetness over time.
While its current properties are already delightful and refreshing, the full extent of its capabilities has yet to be unlocked.
Golden Apple Tree Information:
Average Time to Yield Fruit: 2+ years
Fruit Yield Per Tree: 30 apples (Current)
Fruit Yield Per Tree: ??? (Locked)
— — — — — — —
“This tree is special.” Ryan nodded to himself, feeling satisfied and he glanced around the fruit-bearing forest to see if there was any other tree like it.
And there was none.
“It’s almost like someone just dropped this tree out of nowhere for me to pick up,” Ryan said.
“Why would someone just drop a tree for you? That… that hardly makes any sense.” The Grimoire said.
“Idiot!” the mocking bird’s shrill voice rang again.
Ryan glanced behind him. Both Spike and Doran had attempted to shoot the mocking birds, but contrary to their expectations, all of their arrows failed to hit the birds.
“Is it really bad luck…?” Ryan muttered to himself as he eyed the three birds perched on the tree branches.
Three was a number often associated with special things. One of the mocking birds met Ryan’s gaze and then squawked again.
“Dummy!”
Ryan chuckled and shook his head. “Ah. What am I thinking about? Let’s focus on what I currently have to deal with, Builder.”
“I was about to tell you the same thing. There are things beyond your control and grasp, so focus on things you can change,” The Grimoire said.
— — — — — — —
Ryan had high hopes about the abundance of resources in Ironcross Mountains.
And his hopes turned out to be the reality.
‘Compared to Stonefall Village, the land here is more fertile, which allows the growth of many varieties of fruit bearing trees. It would be great if we can start road construction from the village to the mountain,’ Ryan thought to himself. ‘But with the current number of villagers—well, the Kobolds here can help as well, but building roads would take months to even years. With the distance between the Ironcross Mountains and Stonefall Village, road construction would definitely take years. Trying to excavate will have to be a project for next time.’
“That’s so small!” Chrysus strolled to Ryan and flapped his wings.
“It reminds me of you,” Ryan said with a smile on his face. “It may look small, but it’ll grow into an amazing tree. We’re taking it with us.”
“Okay!” Chrysus ordered the Kobolds. “We will take this tree and the other ones to grow.”
“Be careful with its roots and everything else.” Ryan added helpfully.
— — — — — — —
Soon enough, the two trees were uprooted, which took a number of Kobolds to carry it across their shoulders.
“Do you have everything that we need, Ryan?” Joan stepped closer to Ryan and squeezed his hand.
“We have mana-infused oats as a crop in the village. And now, we got these two types of apples. With that, we can form an orchard of our own… Sadly, we can’t build our own road yet. It’d also be nice if we can collect another crop to add to our current ensemble, but what we have is already good,” Ryan said, squeezing her hand back. “If we stay here for too long, the village might wonder where we are or if we’re still alive. So let’s head back.”
“Bye-bye!” the mocking birds called out.
“Idiot!”
“Dummy!”
“I really don’t like those birds…” Spike complained as he clutched his recurve bow. “I’ve been able to strike deer, rabbits and other skittish creatures but not them?”
Ryan eyed the birds again and cleared his throat.
‘Builder?’
“Yes, Master Ryan?”
‘How many Grimoire Points for those birds?’
“I thought you were going with Kobolds! Why the sudden interest in birds?” the Grimoire asked as it floated right next to him. ‘They’re not really that useful of birds to begin with. They can’t fly very far, and they only know how to mock people before flying away. If you want to, you’re better off investing your points on a Griffin to maximize benefits. You wouldn’t need to travel Ironcross Mountains on foot to get back here. And at this stage… you actually have enough points for it.”
'You have a lot to say when I only asked one question, Builder.’
“I'm giving incredible and well-thought responses that consider your current circumstances, you buffoon! Accept them with gratitude!” the Grimoire floated in front of him. “I’d smack you hard!”
‘Haha, you’re really testy.’ Ryan chuckled as he and the others soon made their way back down the mountain and back to Stonefall Village. ‘But you do have a point. Even if I can’t build roads… I still have the option to fly! You’re starting to think like me, Builder. I like that.’
The Grimoire stopped floating in its tracks. “Like you? What a preposterous statement!”