Ina returned to the restaurant preoccupied. when the black dragon wished to destroy the World Tree, She could beat back it. But the World Tree itself withered where then could she go to find another World Tree?
Wait a moment. Ina seemed to have seen the "World Tree Seed" somewhere before.
Ina promptly opened the prize pool for the lottery draw.
[Automated Mechanical Beehive ★★★★★] (Obtained), [Sword Saint Guardian Golem ★★★★★], [Space Folding Magic Circle ★★★★★], [World Tree Seed ★★★★★], [Sacred Oak Barrel ★★★★☆] (Obtained), [Scholar's Tome ★★★★☆]...
The World Tree Seed!
She had not remembered incorrectly - the prize pool did contain a World Tree Seed!
Nothing more needs to be said - draw first!
[You have obtained Nutrient Fluid ★100, Copper Coins 65, Lava Fountain Restaurant Decoration ★★★, Celery Seeds ☆10, Gold Coins 3, Cucumber Seeds ☆10, Popcorn Machine ★★, Gryphon Aerie ★★★★, Mango Jam ★10, Copper Coins 3]
...
[You have obtained Broccoli Seeds ☆10, Cantaloupe Seeds ★10, Scholar's Tome ★★★★☆, Silver Coins 54, Copper Coins 44, Snow Pea Seeds ☆10, Restaurant Tableware - Cloud Porcelain Set, Silver Coins 8, Custom Seasonings ☆10, Soda Fountain ★1]
Ina had drawn nearly all the achievement points she had earned these days, and there were quite a few high-star rewards. But the one [World Tree Seed ★★★★★] she had hoped for most still did not appear.
The highest-grade reward today was the 4.5-star [Scholar's Tome].
Just as Ina was about to casually flip it open, she noticed this thick book could only be opened to the first page. After checking the description, she realized that although the [Scholar's Tome] was as thick as a dictionary, only one page could be turned each day. On it would appear three random pieces of "minor news", covering anything from how many piglets were in a pregnant sow on a peasant farm, to how many gems were inset in the Pope's crown.
Although she felt the [Scholar's Tome] did not seem worthy of such a high star rating, it was quite interesting nonetheless.
Ina carefully read the text on the first page - today's three tidbits were:
1. Curse magic remains the most inscrutable branch of magic to date. It lacks the rigor of proper magic - it may inexplicably succeed even with insufficient materials. Note: Some scholars propose that the caster's own life outweighs even the most precious materials, which is why many powerful curses in the [Curse Grimoire] have notes saying "useable, but only once".
2. Inbreeding to maintain blood purity is absolutely erroneous, as one royal family has found to their sorrow. Thus the Church mercifully allowed a commoner woman to marry into the royal family, but soon regretted even that.
3. In the Sauron Highlands where beastmen dwell, there is a plant with purple-red blooms that open in sequence - twelve buds in all. Aside from the fifth bloom, which has hemorrhagic and analgesic properties, the others are purely ornamental.
Another high-star reward was the 4-star [Gryphon Aerie]. Its description read: A superior magical beast thought extinct could be returned - the gryphon aerie produces 5-10 gryphon eggs of varying sizes each month. Hatchlings may be obtained by incubation.
Ina took the so-called Gryphon Aerie outside to the wooden cabin's platform. The object she retrieved looked crudely like a chicken's nest, with a dry, disheveled straw poking out every which way. It was hard to envision the famed gryphons being born in such a nest.
Just after Ina had set down the Gryphon Aerie, she saw a soft white glow emanate from within the straw. Two enormous gryphon eggs, nearly the size of washbasins, almost burst the straw nest apart. Ina quickly grabbed one in each hand and moved the newly emerged eggs aside.
The white light flashed repeatedly, ultimately producing eight gryphon eggs total in the nest. The eggs were golden-hued, with faint patterns visible on the shells. Heavy as iron casts. The description said these eggs still required incubation, but where could she find a bird rear end big enough for that?
After careful consideration, Ina appeared at the Mist Marsh. Of the four magical beasts here diligently working for her, three happened to be avian.
The Four-Winged Thunder Hawk had not seen Ina for a long time and was extremely excited. It had just molted, and the new tail feathers were fluffy and sleek with a silvery metallic sheen.
Noticing Ina's furtive glances at its tail, the Four-Winged Thunder Hawk proudly flared its feathers, unaware that Ina was thinking: "That rear end should be big enough."
Ina first inspected the various fish ponds. Under the management of the four beasts, the fishery was thriving - even with Ina opening so many branches, the ponds had never been fished empty.
During this visit, Ina also prepared tasty desserts for them - fruit and shaved ice.
The four beasts lined up expectantly watching Ina. Bowls suited to their respective sizes were set before each - the lizard's was bigger than a washbasin, while the goldfinch had a bowl no larger than a palm.
Ina had prepared the ice in advance and simply needed to portion it out. The fruits were freshly cut - Ina hefted over five or six huge dark green watermelons, slicing them in half widthwise. Using the large scoop just employed for the ice, she adeptly flung fist-sized watermelon chunks into the lizard's bowl, bouncing amidst the ice cream.
With the watermelon apportioned, next were apples and strawberries. Ina held an iron tube, which she used to punch clean through the apple cores. Plump, red apples are ready in an instant. The strawberries were simpler - just washed, stemmed, and poured directly into the bowls.
No need to cut the lizard's share at all. The thunder hawks and pelicans were halved, while the goldfinch was quartered for it to eat slowly.
There were also lychees and cherries outside the Mist Town restaurant, which Ina had picked some to bring over. Peeling and pitting took time, so the beasts all gathered around to help.
Before long, tender white lychee flesh and richly purple cherries adorned each beast's bowl. Finally, Ina sprinkled each serving with nuts and poured over chilled yogurt. A quick stir created the cool, sweet fruit shaved ice treat.
The beasts' faces were practically in their bowls as they ate. Only then did Ina explain her purpose: "I've obtained some gryphon eggs needing urgent incubation. Do any of you have experience with that?"
The lizard bit into a watermelon chunk, spurting juice everywhere: "You'll have to ask those three - we just bury eggs in the sand."
The thunder hawk hesitated: "But I'm male..."
Ina's gaze swept over it: "That shouldn't matter, right? Any bird will do."
The thunder hawk instantly bristled, its fluffy tail feathers clenching tight.
In the end, because there were so many gryphon eggs, Ina carry all three birds. The goldfinch simply wanted an outing to see the Silverleaf Forest sights.
Leaving the lizard alone guarding the ponds, Ina felt slightly guilty: "I'll come to bring you meals every day. Order whatever you like."
At this, the lizard grew embarrassed: "I can handle the ponds myself, no need to trouble yourself, Lady Ina."
But Ina insisted it chooses, so the lizard shyly selected braised fish and saliva chicken before Ina promised to return with them tomorrow.
———
Back in Silverleaf Forest, the pelican balked at the massive gryphon eggs, nearly neck-height: "Can we really hatch eggs so huge?"
"Let's try." Ina encouraged it to climb atop one.
As soon as the pelican's rear touched the egg, Ina saw a timer appear over it: [Incubating 95:59:59]
Looked like the gryphon hatchlings would emerge after just 4 days of incubation.
The pelican quickly wobbled and tumbled off the huge, slippery egg, stopping the countdown instantly.
"Wait, let me figure something out." Ina hurriedly called Atelika over.
Atelika came and wove a large, sturdy vine nest with a hollow for the eggs, so the birds could squat comfortably atop them.
With eight eggs but only three birds, they were clearly shorthanded. Atelika eagerly volunteered to help, squatting in the woven nest and somehow also starting a countdown.
Ina realized not just birds could assist incubation - the conditions were quite lax.
After a while, she came over cradling the green-eyed black cat, and gently placed Coal onto an egg. Coal restlessly rolled about, eager to escape.
One egg per the pelican, thunder hawk, and goldfinch, plus the reluctant Coal Ball still left four eggs unattended. Atelika had to mind the shops, and it would look too odd for visiting elves to see her squatting there, so Ina coaxed her out of the nest.
Now she had to find more helpers.
A group of fuzzy black balls huddled together, beady eyes fixed on the swaying hunk of roast meat dangling just out of reach. The wolf pups scurried along on their short legs, occasionally leaping up to snatch at it - only to be tripped by oblivious litter-mates and sent tumbling into the underbrush.
The fallen pup shook out its shaggy fur and obstinately continued after the others, grubby-faced.
The pups looked considerably larger than when Ina had first met them, with delicate white fangs visible as they panted. Their faces were less pitch-black too, with individual features discernible at a glance.
Ina walked ahead dangling the roast from a branch via a string, the meat's marbled fat ever-so-tempting to the ravenous pups.
They stared unblinkingly at it, drool dripping down their jaws as they tailed Ina with wagging tails.
Occasionally Ina would stop and lower the branch, letting the overnight-starved pups sniff and lick the roast before striding off again just as they readied to tear into it - eliciting plaintive yelps as they dashed to catch up.
Trailing distantly behind this odd procession was a man, who upon hurrying up asked bemusedly: "Miss Ina, where are you taking these pups?"
Ina turned: "Savi, it must be exhausting feeding this litter when they can't hunt yet but eat so much. Why not let me take them to work - teach them the ways of the world aren't kind... I mean, let them be self-sufficient from a young age?"
Savi hesitated: "But won't such rambunctious pups only cause you trouble...?"
"Not at all," Ina waved her hand, "I have just the job for them there. Come check on them anytime if you're worried."
Savi was tempted - the far-from-mature pups had him on tenterhooks, struggling to satiate six hungry maws daily. He'd had no time for himself lately. Perhaps temporarily entrusting the pups to Ina was best.
Savi couldn't imagine jobs these frisky pups could handle but took it as Ina simply liking them and offering to help care for them.
"Then I'll trouble you, Miss Ina."
The moon wolves are highly intelligent war beasts. The two cubs that initially were not placed on the griffin eggs saw their brothers getting meat and made the right choice. They ran excitedly to the two vacant eggs and worked hard to climb up.
"Good job." Ina rub their ears and gave one of them a piece of meat.
The two wolf cubs who missed the opportunity crouched unhappily to the side. Ina carefully explained to them that when their brothers helping to hatch the eggs need to rest, they will replace them, and they can soon eat the same roast meat.
The two wolf cubs seemed to understand. At this time, the Coal suddenly jumped onto the table, fetched two pieces of meat from a plate, and accurately threw them in front of them. The two wolf cubs gratefully looked at the Coal and lowered their heads to tear the meat energetically.
Ina scooped up the Coal Ball, which is the laziest one as if it's always on the go and never settles down. "You live and eat from me, and now it's finally your turn to repay me, but your performance is so perfunctory!" Ina pointed at the Coal's forehead with her finger. The Coal Ball blinked its big eyes, trying to get away with everything by being cute.
People can't argue with cats. Ina thought for a while took out a large cardboard box, put the griffin eggs in it first, and then turned around to look for the Coal.
The development of the situation was exactly as she expected. There was no need to throw the Coal in. It had already plunged into the box.
Now all eight eggs were incubating. However, apart from eating and drinking, Ina felt that there needed to be some other entertainment. She moved the dynamic light curtain in front of everyone and said to the system, "Play 'Wild Tales'."
The system, which hadn't spoken for a long time, expressed confusion.
"It shouldn't be difficult for you. If it really doesn't work, then pull the camera to the plains of Moro Continent for a live broadcast."
The system was silent for a while but finally acquiesced.
After a background sound, the scene appeared on the light curtain. This was a barren prairie, where the wild grass was withered and low, and the scorching temperature distorted the air close to the ground. A herd of buffaloes was active by the river, which was getting shallower. As they moved, yellow dust rose, and their mooing sounds came.
Several beasts turned their heads at once and stared at the light curtain. Ina quickly explained, "Don't get excited, this is a device similar to the Picture Stone. What we see are scenes that have already happened elsewhere. Just treat this as a diversion when you are bored."
The appearance of the light curtain greatly enhanced the egg incubation experience. Not only did several intelligent war beasts, but even the confused moon wolf cubs and the resting Coal stuck out their heads, and stared unblinkingly at the buffalo moving on the screen.
A few lions stealthily lurked on the edge of the bush, waiting for the buffalo that strayed from the group. These buffaloes all grew strong, beautiful large horns, their fur was smooth, and their muscular bodies made them look very intimidating.
The four-winged thunder hawk, while eating its fried pork, nonchalantly said, "I just need to firmly grasp the horns of the buffalo, and I can take them into the air and drop them to their death."
The white-feathered pelican wasn't to be outdone, "I just need to open my mouth, and I can fit the entire head of the buffalo in it. In this way, it will soon suffocate and die."
The Goldfinch puffed out its chest, "I fall on the buffalo's head and peck their skulls. These guys don't even have the courage to fight back!"
The three birds each boasted about their own abilities. They tacitly did not expose each other, instead, they flattered each other a few times, then continued to watch the screen intently.
The strong lion found an opportunity and spotted a solitary adult buffalo. It boldly confronted the buffalo, pouncing onto its head, preventing the buffalo's horns from slashing open its abdomen. Another lion also pounced, biting the buffalo's throat tightly. The buffalo hadn't completely lost its fighting power. Its strong and powerful hind legs kicked twice, ran a long way with the two lions firmly clinging to it, and finally fell down.
The moon wolf cubs watched the lion's movements attentively, their short legs kicked from time to time as if they were the ones who were bravely hunting the buffalo on the screen.
Cosu arrived outside the wooden house with the grocery store sign and called Atelika's name. Atelika was watching the light curtain intently in the restaurant next door. Hearing her name called, she didn't turn her head, and shouted loudly, "What do you want to buy?"
Cosu was a bit curious about why Atelika didn't come out but still said, "I need an iron flower stand, the largest kind."
A vine stretched out from the restaurant's platform, tied up the iron flower stand on the shelf, and delivered it stably in front of Cosu.
This was a bit strange. Cosu curiously looked towards the restaurant side. It seemed lively on the platform there, mixed with a few dog barks and bird calls.
Cosu, who was supposed to turn and leave, hesitated for a moment. She wondered whether she should go up and take a look and buy some dinner to take away.
She walked in, and at a glance, she saw the stampeding herd of buffalo on the light curtain. Their black fur was shining, bringing up a rolling dust, like a black torrent.
The herd of buffalo rushed into the river, stirring up white waves, just like their vigorous vitality. The camera quickly zoomed out, showing the vast grasslands, the scorching sun high in the sky, hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and antelopes traveling thousands of kilometers, crossing grasslands and rivers, leaving their footprints and even their lives on this long road, in a continuous cycle.
This was a completely different scenery and species from the Silverleaf Forest. Cosu couldn't take her eyes off it. While she said, "Please give me a citrus crepe," she used the flower stand in her hand as a chair to lean on.
Savi found that the forest was unusually quiet today, it seemed like everyone had gone out. He carried the fresh meat prepared for the wolf cubs and walked towards the Dragon Flame Restaurant. He was worried that the cubs would eat too much of the restaurant's food because of their large appetites, so he prepared to go and check on them.
As soon as he walked in, Savi was taken aback. The restaurant was bustling, and the small room was filled with elves sitting tightly together. Of course, there were not enough chairs, and many elves were sitting on the floor, next to the wolf cubs holding giant bird eggs.
Why were the wolf cubs lying on bird eggs, and moreover, elves a species that don't like to gather?
Savi quietly pinched himself, making sure that he hadn't fallen into an illusion due to the scent of some plant. This was indeed the original Dragon Flame Restaurant.
Cicely saw him and greeted enthusiastically, "Savi, you're here too, come over, I can squeeze out a space for you here, otherwise, you'll have to squat on the tree outside."