Gardener of Eden

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Famous

Word of the pristine D+ Class produce spread like wildfire through the culinary elite. Executive Chef Julian of L’Étoile D’Or—a three-star establishment catering exclusively to the city’s upper echelon—wasted no time capitalizing on the discovery.

Determined to showcase these pristine, slag-free crops, Chef Julian announced an exclusive, invite-only gala at L’Étoile D’Or to host the first-ever tasting event featuring Eden International produce.

The guest list was as formidable as it was curated:

Guildmasters of First-Rate Guilds: Elite Awakeners whose presence alone commanded entire districts.

High-Ranking City Politicians & Ministers: Key decision-makers in charge of territorial resource allocation.

On the night of the event, the Grand Dining Hall of L’Étoile D’Or glistened under enchanted crystal chandeliers. High society figures filled the velvet-lined seats, buzzing with anticipation as servers in formal attire stepped out from the kitchens.

Chef Julian personally presented the multi-course banquet:

1) First Course: Consommé of Azure Dew Berries — A translucent, ice-chilled soup that instantly restored mana reserves without leaving a heavy sensation in the stomach.

2) Main Course: Seared Filet with Glazed Earth-Core Roots — The dense, mineral-rich roots infused every bite with pure vitality, soothing old battle fatigue and internal mana blockages in the high-tier Awakeners.

3) Dessert: Golden Spirit-Wheat Soufflé — Light, airy, and bursting with natural earth sweetness.

Silence fell over the dining hall as the main course was served. Guildmaster Valerius of the Iron Vanguard took a single bite of the Earth-Core Roots, his eyes widening as a warm wave of pure vitality washed over his core—instantly soothing a chronic mana-burn injury he had carried for months.

”No elemental taint whatsoever,” Valerius murmured, looking up at Chef Julian in utter shock. ”Where did you get this produce?”

Chef Julian smiled broadly, stepping up to the center of the hall. ”Ladies and gentlemen, these ingredients are cultivated exclusively by a brand-new supplier—Eden International.”

Murmurs of astonishment erupted across the room. City councilors immediately pulled out their communication artifacts to investigate the brand, while Guildmasters instructed their aides to track down Eden International to secure exclusive supply contracts for their guilds’ private dining halls.

***

The morning air following the L’Étoile D’Or gala felt unusually charged. By 6:00 AM, before Rowan and Arthur could even set up the display shelves under the cool misting sprays, the brass desk phone in the back office was ringing off the hook.

Outside, a line of sleek, high-end hover-limousines and Guild transport vans stretched all the way down the cobblestone street.

Arthur stood behind the front counter, blinking in utter shock as a dozen personal aides, high-tier guild representatives, and city procurement officers packed into the humble storefront, each waving formal requisition forms and open checkbooks.

”One at a time, please!” Arthur called out, though his voice was nearly drowned by the clamor of overlapping voices.

”The Iron Vanguard requests a weekly bulk delivery of Earth-Core Roots!” an aide wearing heavy plated armor declared, leaning over the counter. ”Guildmaster Valerius has authorized double market rate!”

”The Office of Territorial Development demands priority rights for state banquets!” a city minister’s secretary interjected, thrusting a gold-embossed document forward.

Inside the office, Rowan sat calmly at the wooden desk, reviewing the steady stream of contract proposals overflowing his inbox. Beside him sat his Enchanted Straw Hat, while a phantom projection of The Virgin Soil status window hovered faintly in his peripheral vision, calculating the next harvest cycle.

Rowan stepped out to the front counter, his calm, grounded presence instantly drawing the room’s attention. He adjusted his sleeves and looked out at the eager crowd.

”Eden International appreciates your enthusiasm,” Rowan spoke, his voice carrying the quiet authority of his awakened bloodline. ”However, our cultivation methods prioritize absolute purity over mass production. We will not compromise crop quality for quantity.”

He laid down a newly drafted distribution schedule on the counter.

”We will be opening a tiered reservation system,” Rowan continued. ”First-rate guilds and state venues may secure fixed monthly allocations through advanced deposits. Retail customers will still have access to daily fresh stock at our front counter.”

The representatives scrambled to sign the reservation logs, relieved to secure even a fraction of the pristine, taint-free produce. By noon, every single allocation for the next three months was completely sold out, securing a staggering sum of working capital for the family business.

Arthur leaned against the doorframe as the last luxury transport pulled away, wiping his forehead with a laugh. ”Rowan... I think we’re going to need a bigger farm.”

Rowan smiled quietly, resting his hand on the smooth pine counter stamped with the Eden International seal. ”We are just getting started, Dad.”

***

The afternoon sun cast a warm amber glow across the front office of Eden International as Martha carefully filed away the morning’s receipts. A quiet knock sounded at the front door before three official representatives from the Greenvale City Council stepped inside, carrying leather-bound portfolios embossed with the city seal.

The lead council representative, Director Harlan, offered a polite, respectful bow. ”Mrs. Vance, we have been instructed by the Executive Committee to reach out directly regarding a supply arrangement for the City Hall Canteen.”

”The City Hall Canteen?” Martha asked, setting her ledger aside.

”Correct,” Harlan explained, opening a folder. ”Our government staff, district planners, and civil servants work long hours under severe mental fatigue. After observing the remarkable vitality-restoring properties of Eden International’s crops at the recent L’Étoile D’Or banquet, the Council wishes to secure a steady supply to bolster the health and endurance of our municipal workforce.”

Martha listened carefully, her sharp business instinct kicking in. ”We would be honored to support our city’s civil servants, Director Harlan. However, as you may know, our current production capacity is tightly constrained. We simply do not have enough arable land under our family name to expand our yields without compromising our strict purity standards.”

Harlan smiled, as if anticipating her response. ”The Council has already taken that into consideration, Mrs. Vance. If Eden International agrees to prioritize a weekly supply contract for the City Hall Canteen, the city is prepared to grant your family special agricultural acquisition rights.”

After a short discussion over the counter, a firm verbal agreement was struck: Eden International would guarantee a fresh weekly delivery of spirit greens and root vegetables to the City Hall Canteen, and in return, the City Council would expedite the Vance family’s expansion into new municipal agricultural zones.

Harlan produced a thick dossier and placed it gently on the wooden counter. ”Per our agreement, here are three prime municipal farmland parcels currently open for immediate acquisition by the Vance family. Please review them at your leisure.”

Municipal Farmland Acquisition Options:

Parcel A: Sunny Vale

Location: Southern Foothills

Area: 50 Acres

Special Characteristics: High sunlight exposure; fertile alluvial topsoil; ideal for spirit wheat and fruit crops.

Parcel B: Mist Hollow

Location: Eastern River Basin

Area: 35 Acres

Special Characteristics: Rich mana spring vein running underneath; natural mist cover; optimal for delicate spirit herbs.

Parcel C: Iron Terraces

Location: Northern Ridge

Area: 60 Acres

Special Characteristics: Mineral-dense earth; high ambient terra-mana; perfect for heavy root crops and timber.

When Rowan stepped back into the store later that evening, Martha handed him the dossier with a proud smile. ”Take a look, Rowan. The city wants our produce for the council canteen—and they’re offering us the land to grow it.”

Rowan leaned against the counter, running his eyes over the three farmland options as he adjusted his Enchanted Straw Hat.