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"What's wrong? What's so important that we have to talk away from everyone else?"
Behind the Farmhouse, Leo was pinned against the wall by Yukari Yakumo.
He didn't understand what was wrong with her. Ever since their "NTR Skit," Yukari's mysterious, dignified image had collapsed. She was no longer a cold, ruthless Sage. She was just a 20-something-year-old girl with zero integrity.
"Sell me the rice," Yukari whispered, her eyes darting around. "Please."
She grabbed Leo's hand. "If I don't bring back rice today, Reimu won't just refuse to save me. She'll join Eirin and Yuuka in beating me to death."
"Rice?" Leo blinked. "Oh. That."
He had thought Yukari had some inappropriate designs on him. It gave him a fright (and a little excitement) for nothing.
"I need to keep at least 20 pounds for food. The rest is 100 Gold a bag. One pound per bag. How much do you want?"
"I'll take everything!" Yukari's eyes lit up. "It's 460 pounds, right? I'll pre-order another 1,000 pounds! Take my money!"
She pulled out her fluffy fox-tail wallet.
"No, no," Leo stopped her. "It's not 460. Only 300 pounds. I need to keep some for seeds."
One of the Divine Artifacts of Stardew Valley: The Seed Maker.
It could turn one mature crop into 1-3 seeds. This was the key to infinite sustainability. As long as he had one seed, he could multiply it into a field.
And for the rare Ancient Fruit? It was the path to unimaginable wealth.
Leo's current goal wasn't money; it was expansion. He wouldn't sell his stock until his chests were overflowing with seeds.
(Except for Parsnips. Those could go.)
"300 pounds..." Yukari did the math. She paled. "Fine. If anyone has a problem, let them go talk to Yuuka Kazami!"
She decisively shifted the blame. Who told Yuuka to demand 50 pounds? Is she raising pigs?!
"30,000 Gold," Leo quoted. "Count it."
Yukari handed over the cash. "Deal. I might be busy for a few days, so I won't visit. Keep an eye on Aya. Don't let her scare you."
Walking back to the front of the cabin, Sanae was still hard at work.
She was sticking her butt out, using optimal leverage to crank the thresher handle. A steady stream of white rice poured out, which Yukari immediately packed into Gaps.
"Sanae, keep busy. I'll pick you up in the evening," Yukari waved and vanished.
"Ah? Okay!" Sanae wiped sweat from her brow and kept cranking.
Leo went to water the fields.
Tomorrow was another Very Important Day.
The Strawberries were about to ripen.
Strawberries were the King of Spring Crops. The reason Leo played so hardcore early on was to save money to buy these seeds during the Egg Festival. They regrew every few days and sold for a fortune.
High in a tree outside the farm, Aya Shameimaru watched him like a hawk.
Yesterday, she had tested her "Invisibility Theory" at the Kappa office. Nitori had ignored her perfectly, but the Little Kappa interns had flinched when she jumped out at them.
Conclusion: I'm not invisible. They're just ignoring me.
That was fine. Aya had been camping in this tree since midnight, observing Leo's every move.
"Strawberries..." Aya licked her lips. "I didn't expect them to ripen so quickly. I, Aya Shameimaru, will be the first person to taste a Stardew Strawberry!"
She had a theory. Since Sanae (a Gensokyo resident) could pick up the rice, maybe Aya could interact with crops if no one was looking.
Or maybe she'd just steal one. What was he gonna do? Exile her? She was already exiled!
"Phew. All done!"
Sanae wiped non-existent sweat from her forehead. Threshing 500 pounds of rice was barely a warm-up for a Living God.
"Thanks for the help," Leo handed her a sack. "Here are the 20 pounds of rice I promised."
"It's fine, really," Sanae smiled brightly. "Back in the Human Village, I used to help farmers all the time."
Then, her expression turned serious. She reached into her sleeves and pulled out two wooden statues.
"Would you like to consider putting your faith in a God?"
Sanae held up the carvings.
"Our family's gods are very effective! They grant good weather and crop growth! No tedious rituals needed—just bow once a day! Very convenient!"
These weren't mass-produced Kappa souvenirs. These were hand-carved by Sanae herself. They were Holy Relics.
Leo inspected them.
Statue of Kanako Yasaka Effect: Place on farm and worship daily. Reduces crop growth time by 1 day.
Statue of Suwako Moriya Effect: Place on farm and worship daily. Increases soil fertility and chance of Gold/Iridium quality crops.
"Holy cow..." Leo's jaw dropped.
This was the first time he had seen items from Gensokyo recognized by the System with actual mechanical effects.
Ran's pot was just a pot. Yukari's grill was just a grill. Even Marisa's mushroom boxes were just "Buildings."
But these statues? They were Game Breakers.
Permanent Speed-Gro? Permanent Fertilizer? Without needing to craft or buy supplies?
It was invincible.
Leo immediately grabbed Sanae's hands, his eyes shining with piety.
"You know, Sanae..." Leo said solemnly. "I have always been a steadfast believer in the Moriya Shrine. Please, by all means, let me enshrine these two statues on the farm immediately."
People from my country never believe in useless gods. But if the god gives +20% Yield? I'll build you a temple right now.