Chapter 119: Hero

"The land... the land has come back to life..."

"Growth Acceleration." Ethan unleashed his ability once more.

The vitality that had been slumbering within the earth was awakened by his power and began to grow rapidly, fine roots dug deep into the soil as tender green leaves broke through the surface, greedily absorbing sunlight and dew.

The once dead and silent land was revitalized with vibrant life.

"This... this is simply a miracle..." Some elves were so moved that tears welled up in their eyes.

Ethan ignored the gasps of amazement around him and continued to channel his ability, back in the Ascendant Tower, he had faced far harsher trials than this.

Sensing Ethan’s fatigue, Pearl extended a small paw and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Minute by minute ticked past, under Ethan’s meticulous care, the wheat — initially nothing more than sparse roots — grew strong and sturdy, golden ears of wheat swayed in the wind, heralding the arrival of an abundant harvest.

"So beautiful..." Leon couldn’t help but marvel as he looked at the golden waves of wheat before him.

"Indeed..." Elara also gazed at the field, a gleam of excitement flashing in her eyes, for a merchant, nothing was more precious than food, to Elara, this golden sea of wheat looked just like a mountain of gold and silver.

"Phew..." Ethan finally stopped, channeling his ability for such a long time left him feeling a wave of dizziness.

"Alright, it’s time to harvest, go gather some stones and wood, and I’ll make some sickles for everyone."

"Okay." The elves agreed excitedly, turning and running back to the village.

They returned soon with the collected materials, Ethan used his Crafting skill to turn the raw stones and wood into sharp sickles and distributed them to the elves.

"Just like this — see? And then you can harvest it." He picked one up and demonstrated.

"We understand." The elves picked up the sickles and began harvesting wheat with gusto.

"Mr. Ethan, please take a rest first." one elf urged.

"No need. I’m not tired yet..." Ethan replied, turning and walking toward another plot.

He buried cut sweet potato chunks into the soil, then activated his ability again to accelerate their growth, within minutes, thick green vines spread across the earth, and plump tubers swelled beneath the surface.

"Alright, time to dig them up. Just pull the vines and the sweet potatoes will come right out," Ethan instructed.

"Have the sweet potatoes been harvested?" he asked a short while later.

"They’re all harvested." the children shouted excitedly, they had thrown themselves into the digging with abandon, their little hands and faces smeared with dirt.

The single basket of sweet potatoes had now piled up into a small mountain, Ethan picked out some of the better-looking ones to save for the road, leaving the rest for the elves.

"I’ll leave washing these sweet potatoes to you guys."

"Okay." The elves agreed, carrying the sweet potatoes toward the stream.

"Meow, I’ve finished grinding." Pearl called out from nearby, where it had been using Shatter to mill the harvested wheat into flour.

"Thanks for your hard work." Ethan patted Pearl’s little head and then began preparing to cook.

The elves all stared at Ethan eagerly, their mouths practically watering.

Ethan first used a frying pan to cook dozens of thin flatbreads, then he used the Cauldron of Blessing to boil a massive pot of candied sweet potatoes, a sweet and fragrant aroma permeated the air, making everyone’s stomach rumble.

Gulp...

The elves couldn’t help but swallow, even the most mischievous children had become well-behaved.

"Alright, time to eat." Ethan distributed the prepared food to the elves.

"Wow." The children cheered, grabbing the flatbreads and stuffing them into their mouths, eating until their faces were smeared with grease, even the most timid children, who had been hiding behind their parents, crept forward when the aroma reached them.

Watching the elves scarf down the food, a gratified smile appeared on Ethan’s face, he worked nonstop — frying flatbreads, kneading dough, boiling sugar syrup, he didn’t stop, didn’t rest, batch after batch came off the pan and out of the Cauldron.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but the elves finally ate their fill, looking at the empty pots and pans, Ethan smiled in satisfaction, with just one sack of wheat and one basket of sweet potatoes, he had fed the entire elven village, and there were still over a dozen baskets of flatbreads and candied sweet potatoes left over for later.

"Phew..." The elves rubbed their round bellies, satisfied smiles on their faces, ever since the dungeon appeared, it had been a long time since they had eaten a full meal.

"Thank you... thank you so much..."

"You are truly our savior..." Some elves were so moved they shed tears of gratitude, pouring out their thanks.

Ethan smiled and shook his head. "You’re welcome, it was just a small effort, by the way, we should head to the dungeon now—"

"I’ll go with you." Leon drew his longsword.

"I’ll go too." Elara also stepped forward, glancing at her guards.

"You all come along as well."

"The Hero Roland is here." Just then, a shout rang out from the village entrance.

Roland — the hero of the elven race, he had cleared countless dungeons and saved countless elves.

"He’s finally here." The villagers were overjoyed.

"Since Roland is here, there’s no need for us to go," Leon said, everyone had their specialty, clearing dungeons was best left to the professionals.

"Yeah, you’re right." Ethan nodded.

"By the way, Mr. Magnus — this." He took out the God of Cookery’s Kitchen Knife and held it out.

"Please keep it, as a token of our gratitude for saving our village," Magnus said with a warm smile.

"Then I thank you very much." Ethan didn’t stand on ceremony and put the knife away, it was very comfortable to use, and he quite liked it.

Ethan and the others walked out of the village toward the entrance, four elves were walking in their direction.

"Is that red-haired elf Roland?" Ethan asked.

"Yes, I met him once before," Leon replied.

Roland was tall and muscular, with short red hair and a bearing that radiated heroic confidence, he exuded an aura of someone who had stared down countless dangers.

"Apologies — we are late." Roland walked up to the villagers and spoke with genuine regret.

"We only just received news that the dungeon here needed clearing."

"It’s no problem at all, we are already incredibly grateful that you came..." the elves responded.

"However, I heard the land here had withered, what is going on?" Roland asked in confusion, looking at the vibrant fields before him.

"Well, it was like this..." One elf recounted Ethan’s deeds to Roland.

"To think such a thing happened!" Roland was astonished after hearing the story.

"Is the benefactor still in the village?"

"Yes — right over there." The elf pointed in Ethan’s direction.

Roland hurried over.

"Hello, you must be Mr. Ethan? I am Roland." He stopped before Ethan and spoke respectfully.

"Hello, Mr. Roland." Ethan bowed slightly.

"You are truly incredible, I’ve heard that humans can farm, but I never imagined you could create such a miracle..." Roland looked at the golden fields with open admiration.