Chapter 133: Crop

"Head northwest from here, there’s a valley, above it sits a large flat rock, and the carbonated water flows right out from the crevices, it bubbles up constantly — I could hear it fizzing from fifty paces away."

’I’ll definitely have to check it out.’ Carbonated water would open up a whole new category of drinks, Ethan and Vargan agreed to go together once the weather warmed.

"Any other news recently?" Ethan asked, pouring Vargan another bowl of honey.

"News?"

"Like new crops, interesting plants, that sort of thing."

"It’s been too cold lately, so I haven’t ventured out much... Oh, right. Are you interested in carnivorous plants?"

"...Are you talking about monsters or plants?"

"Monsters."

"Although I’m a farmer, I—"

Vargan burst out laughing. "Seems you’re not interested in carnivorous plant monsters, forget it then — I’ll ask around elsewhere."

Ethan shook his head, no leads on new crops this time, unfortunately, maybe next visit.

Vargan said his goodbyes to Zharok, Pearl, and Liora, then left the cabin.

"Tomorrow, we’re going to the canyon," Ethan announced.

"What for?"

"I promised the Phoenix I’d share some honey once it was harvested, we’ll visit the Minotaur village next time."

"That’s right, are you only bringing honey?"

"Of course not, I’ve also prepared Gorgonzola pizza and honeycomb ice cream."

"Will you make a portion for us too, meow?"

"Didn’t you just eat?"

"With delicious food right in front of us, who can resist?" Pearl and Liora chimed in with matching pouts.

Ethan gave in with a helpless smile.

...

Early the next morning, Ethan and the others arrived at the apiary, after confirming the bee boxes were intact, they set about building a makeshift oven.

Once it was ready, Ethan started kneading dough.

"You’ve done well." A familiar voice came from behind.

The Phoenix had arrived — not in its massive true form, but as a small bird, it perched on the edge of the oven, felt the heat of the flames, and watched Ethan work with open interest.

"Try the honey first."

"Let me have a taste." Ethan ladled out a bowl and offered it.

The Phoenix dipped its beak into the bowl and took a few long, slow pecks, its feathers rippled with satisfaction, a small flame ignited on its crest, and it fluttered up and circled Ethan a few times, tracing lazy loops in the canyon air, it landed again, licked its beak — or whatever passed for licking when you were made of fire — and cocked its head. "Not bad, very good, what are you making?"

"Lunch, and a gift for you."

"Is that so? I’m looking forward to it." It was trying to sound calm, but Ethan could tell it was practically vibrating.

Liora walked over to the Phoenix and picked it up gently.

Ethan brought the freshly baked pizza to everyone.

"Delicious! Delicious! This is too delicious!" The Phoenix took a bite of the honey-drizzled pizza and practically sang its praise.

Between mouthfuls, it said, "Since you can make such incredible food, you should migrate the rest of the Fire Bees here as well."

"What do you mean by that, meow?"

"There are many Fire Bees deeper in the canyon."

"So I can expand the apiary," Ethan realized.

"Furthermore, I noticed the honey you used seems to be Flame Flower honey, can you only collect that type?"

"As long as there are flowers, I can collect honey."

"That’s good, I have a place to recommend."

"Where?"

’A new crop?’

The Phoenix chewed on another bite of pizza and said, "The flowers of the Flame Fruit Tree."

Flame Fruit Tree?

This was the first time Ethan had heard the name, he looked at Pearl, as usual, she launched into an explanation without being asked. "It’s a type of tree that contains fire energy, meow, it looks like an apple tree, but the fruit it bears contains fire, meow~"

"Trees and fire don’t seem like they’d go together." Generally speaking, trees burned up when exposed to fire, a tree that bore fruit containing fire was another matter entirely.

Seeing Ethan’s surprised expression, the Phoenix nodded proudly. "Humans always need to see to believe, and you are no exception. In that case, I’ll let you see for yourself."

"You have these trees here?"

"Of course. They grow deep within the canyon."

The moment it mentioned the canyon’s depths, both Pearl and Zharok looked troubled. Ethan had the Phoenix’s protection, but they did not.

"Hmm? You want to come too?" Liora tugged at the hem of Ethan’s clothes and nodded, she was the World Tree, but was it really safe for her in there?

Just as Ethan was worrying, the Phoenix opened its beak and spewed a ball of flame at Liora, she didn’t flinch, the fire washed over her like a breeze.

"How could the World Tree, possessing the power of the world, fear mere fire?"

"Then I’m relieved." And so, Ethan and Liora decided to venture into the depths alone.

Pearl was still uneasy, she hopped onto Liora’s shoulder and gently patted her head with a paw. "Meow, once you’re inside, stick close to Ethan, meow." Liora nodded, then scooped Pearl up and handed her to Zharok, she walked over to Ethan and held out her small hand.

Ethan took it and looked up at the Phoenix, which had already taken to the sky. "Please lead the way."

"Follow me."

The canyon roared with fire on every side, heat pressed in from above and below, thick enough to taste.

Under the Phoenix’s protection, Ethan passed through unscathed — the flames parted before him like curtains, closing again behind, Liora, too, walked through the inferno without the slightest discomfort. She looked around with quiet curiosity, watching the tongues of flame dance across the rock walls.

"Right there." Deep within the canyon, far past the point where any beastman could survive, the Phoenix stopped.

Ethan looked where it pointed and saw several trees growing in the middle of a sea of fire, they weren’t tall — about as thick as grapevines — and their bark was dark and rough, shot through with faint veins of orange that pulsed like embers, their branches hung heavy with fist-sized red fruits.

"The Flame Fruit Tree converts the earth’s energy into fire energy. Isn’t it something?"

"It really is, may I taste one?"

"Of course."

Ethan plucked a Flame Fruit, wiped the skin, and took a bite, crisp texture, rich sweetness, and a burst of tartness all at once. It tasted like dozens of perfectly ripe apples concentrated into a single fruit — intensely sweet and delicious.

A warmth spread from his tongue to his throat, carrying a faint tingle of fire energy that faded as quickly as it arrived.

He had eaten many fruits in this world, but nothing quite like this. He stared at the tree in astonishment.

The Phoenix puffed up proudly. "Tastes good, right?"

"It’s incredible. If I used this to make a pie, it would be even better."

"You can turn it into another dish? That is wonderful." The Phoenix’s excitement jumped a notch. Its azure feathers flickered brighter, as if the very idea of pie was making it burn hotter.

Ethan plucked another fruit and handed it to Liora, she held it in both hands and nibbled happily, juice running down her chin, her cheeks flushed from the fire energy, and she nodded between bites — she liked it too.