Gardener of Eden

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Global Stage

As Arthur finished securing the last harvest crate onto the transport wagon, a low, reverberating horn echoed through the valley. The sky above the estate shimmered as a magnificent royal carriage forged from polished silver-steel, drawn by four armored pegasi and flanked by elite Imperial Royal Guards, descended onto the stone driveway.

The High Chamberlain stepped down from the carriage, unrolling a heavy parchment bound by spun-gold silk and sealed with the burning crimson wax of the Imperial Crest. He cleared his throat, his voice carrying the resonant weight of royal authority across the quiet courtyard.

***

BY ORDER OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY

ROYAL DECREE OF IMPERIAL SELECTION

To Rowan Vance, Citizen of the Citadel and Chief Producer of Eden International:

Be it known across the four corners of the realm that the Crown has taken notice of your unprecedented botanical feats—most notably the miraculous resurrection of the extinct Sun-Gilded Jade Avocado and the cultivation of S-Tier mana-dense produce.

By royal command, you are hereby drafted to represent the Empire in the upcoming Global Awakener’s Tournament (Under-18 Division).

As our nation prepares to showcase its absolute supremacy on the international stage, top youth talents have been meticulously selected across all primary Awakener categories:

Martial Vanguard Division: Direct Offensive & Elemental Combat

Non-Combat Herbology Division: Rowan Vance (Chief Botanical Strategist & Master Cultivator)

Alchemical Synthesis Division: Apothecary & High-Purity Elixir Crafting

Runic Artifact & Forge Division: Spatial Equipment & Ward Architecture

You are commanded to report to the Imperial Capital’s Grand Arena ahead of the opening ceremonies. Bring glory to your house, demonstrate the divine supremacy of our realm’s harvests to the rival nations, and claim victory for the Empire.

SEALED UNDER THE ROYAL CROWN AND IMPERIAL SOVEREIGNTY

***

The High Chamberlain stepped forward and bowed deeply, presenting the warm, mana-infused scroll to Rowan on a plush velvet cushion.

Arthur stood frozen with a crate still lifted in his arms, his mouth slightly open in shock, while Martha gently covered her mouth, her eyes shining with immense pride. Rowan accepted the edict, feeling the deep, thrumming aura of the Imperial seal. What started as a mission to secure his family’s survival was now placing him directly at the center of the global stage.

Before turning back toward the house, Rowan reached into his spatial storage and retrieved a sleek, polished wooden crate lined with velvet. Inside rested a dozen freshly harvested Sun-Gilded Jade Avocados, their deep emerald rinds pulsing with a soft, golden under-glow.

He offered the crate to the royal messenger. ”Please present these to His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Aurelius IX, with my family’s compliments. A small preview of what our domain will bring to the global stage.”

The High Chamberlain’s breath hitched. Holding a crate of unreleased, extinct A-Grade botanical treasures intended directly for the Sovereign was an unexpected honor. He received the crate with utmost reverence, carefully cradling it in his arms.

”Your generosity does your house immense credit, Master Vance,” the Chamberlain said, bowing deeply to Rowan, Arthur, and Martha. ”His Imperial Majesty will be thoroughly pleased. I shall deliver these directly to the Imperial Palace without a single moment’s delay.”

With a sharp snap of the reins, the four armored pegasi kicked off the stone driveway, launching the silver-steel carriage gracefully into the clouds toward the capital.

Arthur clapped a heavy, pride-filled hand onto Rowan’s shoulder. ”A royal edict and a gift for the Emperor before breakfast... safe to say our morning is off to quite a start, son.”

”Come on, you two.” Martha smiled warmly, adjusting her shawl. ”The city will be waiting for today’s harvest.”

Packing up the transport wagon, the family of three made their way down into the Citadel for Eden’s Flagship Store. By the time they rounded the corner of the market district, a long line of eager regulars, regional guild scouts, and visiting merchants had already formed outside the storefront.

Rowan unlocked the heavy mahogany doors and set up the main display counters, placing the fresh crops on full, radiant view. As the front bell chimed and the first wave of smiling patrons stepped inside, another bustling day of business began—filling the shop with life while the family quietly looked forward to the special nursery delivery waiting for them at home that evening.

Behind the flagship store, two heavy-duty, rune-reinforced delivery trucks sat idling at the private loading bay. Outfitted with specialized mana-chilled interiors and spatial stabilization wards, these vehicles were custom-designed to transport Eden’s high-tier produce across long distances without losing a drop of elemental potency.

Rowan and Arthur moved efficiently between the storage vaults and the loading bay, carefully stacking sealed, velvet-lined crates into each vehicle:

Truck One (Premier Culinary Partners): Packed with fresh harvests of Verdant Crown Tomatoes, Golden Spirit Flour, and a prized allocation of Sun-Gilded Jade Avocados. Bound directly for Chef Julian’s three-star kitchen at L’Étoile D’Or and Master Corin’s dedicated transport escort in Riverbend.

Truck Two (Noble Estates & High Guilds): Loaded with mana-dense fruits and grain, destined for the district’s elite families, high-ranking guild masters, Caelen + Mirei’s Family Business, and Seraphina’s family estate under exclusive wholesale contracts.

Arthur checked off each entry on his ledger tablet with a satisfied nod, feeling the deep pride of a master merchant managing a thriving enterprise. ”That’s the last of the morning wholesale reservations, son. Chef Julian’s kitchen manager already confirmed they’ve cleared out their primary vault specifically for the avocados.”

”Perfect,” Rowan replied, tapping a hand against the rear door of the second vehicle to activate its external defensive barrier. ”With our local wholesale routes running on autopilot, we won’t have to worry about supply hiccups once Caelen, Mirei, and Seraphina launch their regional branches.”

As the two driver-mechanics engaged their mana engines and pulled out of the private alleyway, Rowan and Arthur walked back inside to join Martha at the bustling front counter. With the morning shipments officially dispatched and sales soaring, the family worked seamlessly together, counting down the hours until the store closed and their long-awaited nursery furniture arrived at the estate.