harleyscars Chapter 309 Rome Stories February 25 New Share
Chapter 309 Rome Stories February 25 New Share
“That’s really a shame. Aside from sandworm sashimi, fried scorpions and roasted rattlesnake are pretty good too. The meat and flavor aren’t much different from chicken,” Sandy said with an exaggerated look of regret.
“And the protein is five times that of beef, right?” Leon couldn’t help but tease.
Unfortunately, Sandy didn’t get the joke. She actually thought about it seriously before replying, “I don’t know, but in terms of protein content, it’s probably about the same as beef. Nothing that exaggerated.”
“Go make some food, I’m hungry.” Leon didn’t bother explaining his sarcasm, simply urging her along.
“I don’t cook.” Sandy slumped against the table, speaking lazily. “Someone will bring us food when it’s time. All we have to do is eat.”
“Figures. Last time we had a barbecue together, you didn’t lift a finger. So you just sit back and wait to be fed, huh?”
That memory made Leon recall the last time he’d come to see Sandy with Emily and Abigail. During lunch, he and Emily had been grilling, while Sandy and Abigail were just eating.
“Well, I am the owner of the Oasis Store. This little privilege is part of the package,” Sandy replied.
“Who brings you the food? People upstairs?” Leon asked, testing her.
“Mm. But don’t think about sneaking in there. That wooden-faced bodyguard is not someone you want to mess with. As long as you don’t cross the line, he’ll pretend you don’t exist. But once you do, I can’t help you.” Sandy’s tone turned serious.“I don’t want to see you hanging from a coconut tree to dry. That would be… rather unappetizing.”
“That probably won’t happen. Besides, my sword is no slouch either,” Leon said with a smile.
Of course, it was just a joke. He wasn’t a hothead. There was no reason to start a fight with a bodyguard—especially when the man was simply doing his job. Starting trouble over selfish whims would make him a real piece of work.
Leon’s moral bottom line might be flexible, but his values were still sound. And, well… part of it was that he wasn’t entirely sure he could beat the bodyguard.
Sandy just chuckled and let the matter drop. Since there was still some time before the food arrived, she used it to ask Leon about recent happenings in Stardew Valley. Just as Emily had said, Sandy was very fond of the valley.
“What? You repaired the bus?” Her eyes widened when Leon casually mentioned it.
“What’s so surprising? I only paid for it,” Leon said, puzzled by her dramatic reaction.
And it was true—completing the Vault bundle required nothing but money.
“It’s nothing. I just didn’t expect you to bother with it.” Sandy’s tone was light, but her expression still betrayed genuine surprise.
She deliberately steered the conversation away from that topic, focusing instead on Emily. Leon had nothing to hide—everything he knew was perfectly shareable—so he told her whatever she wanted to know.
“I couldn’t make it to Haley’s birthday. Such a pity.” Sandy sighed when the topic came up.
“Must have been something important,” Leon said casually.
“Sort of. That day I was preparing supplies for a desert explorer team. If I hadn’t, their trip might have been one-way,” Sandy admitted freely.
“What was the team doing in the deep desert?” Leon asked, his interest piqued.
“What else? Checking monster density, fixing watchtowers, changing the border patrol. Happens every year,” Sandy replied.
“What’s in the deep desert?” Leon wondered if this had anything to do with the Starfall Lands he’d heard about.
“How would a simple store owner like me know? If you’re interested, go ask the Adventurer’s Guild yourself. Just flash your Galaxy Weapon and they might skip the formalities and let you join straight away.” Sandy rolled her eyes.
Leon returned the look, clearly not buying her “simple store owner” act.
“I’m already an adventurer. I’m just registered with the Pelican Town branch, and I don’t know many others.”
“I was joking. You actually joined the Adventurer’s Guild? Are you insane? Isn’t being a farmer good enough? Why risk your life like that?” Sandy’s reaction was a mix of disbelief, disdain, and exasperation—finally settling on annoyance.
Still, she gave him a serious warning: “Don’t let your blood run hot and fall for those old-timers’ persuasion. Remember, your role as a farmer is more important than the guild. If they try to force you into a long-term posting in the deep desert, just quit the guild. Got it?”
“You said you didn’t know anything about the deep desert,” Leon teased.
But Sandy’s expression turned solemn. “I’m not joking, Leon. The deep desert isn’t for you. For most stationed adventurers, the worst they face is hardship and a bit more sand in their meals—little real danger. Their role is reconnaissance.
But you’re different. Your Power of Nature is like a blazing beacon to the monsters there. They despise life itself, and you would draw their attention. They’d stop at nothing to kill you.”
“There’s such a thing?” Leon asked in surprise.
“I don’t know if you’ve met monsters from human-inhabited areas. They’re dangerous, but not insane. Deep desert monsters are different. They grow up steeped in corruption and curses, with no reason or intellect—only slaughter. They loathe living beings, and your immense life force and Power of Nature make you exactly what they hate most.”
Sandy’s voice was firm. “So don’t even think about approaching that place of death and curses. The moment you appear, you’ll be surrounded by endless monsters and torn apart.”
“Relax. I was just curious. I value my life,” Leon assured her.
He was still young, with many good years ahead, plenty of joys yet to experience. He wasn’t some hot-blooded protagonist with a grand vision to wipe out all darkness and fill the world with light.
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