A farming master in Stardew Valley

Chapter 873 A Lot of Melons
"Let's not talk about this anymore. I think it's good to have the identity of an explorer. At least I can enter and exit the association freely and buy some combat supplies and items that ordinary people can't buy, right?" Leon comforted Roche.

"Well, as long as you're willing. That's why I didn't go directly to Ma Long. If he forced you to join the gang, I would definitely send him to the border." Roche agreed with a look of relief.

"Abigail, Sophia, this is Vice President Roche, the second-in-command of the Blade's Head Guild, one of my immediate superiors, and an old friend of mine." After greeting Roche, Leon took the initiative to introduce Roche to Abigail and Sophia.

Abigail and Sophia greeted Rosh together.

"Hello, ladies."

Roche was not arrogant, but took off his hat in a very gentlemanly manner. At the same time, he glanced at Sophia and Abigail holding Leon's arms and raised his eyebrows at Leon.

Leon naturally knew what Roche was hinting at, but he pretended not to see it.

"This is your first time participating in such a large festival. Roshi, do you have any experience you can share?"

"The outer areas are filled with invited participants and believers. You're the one invited to the core area, so you should head inside," Roche explained. "But the ceremony will take some time to begin. You can wander around for a while. This is a grand event, and you might meet some interesting merchants who could bring you a lot of money. That's as long as you bring enough money."

"Let's consider strolling around after attending the ceremony." He had something else to do, and even though Leon was very tempted by the proposal, he didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble because of his delay.

"Then come with me, I'll take you to the core area." Roche immediately suggested.

"Yeah." Leon nodded, then followed Roche with Abigail and Sophia.

Along the way, many people cast their eyes over. After all, the three people's clothes were too eye-catching, and they were also good-looking, not to mention Roche, who was walking in front like a bodyguard, with his exaggerated muscles and powerful temperament.

Some people were even whispering gossip about whether Lyon was a noble young master from the Fingill Republic, which made Lyon, who accidentally heard some of the content, smile bitterly.

Perhaps because of a misunderstanding, the four of them did not encounter any traffic obstructions along the way. Many people saw Leon and his three companions from afar and avoided a road, so they had a smooth journey.

The route forward was also very clear, which was to rush under the World Tree model. The journey was not short, and it took more than twenty minutes for the four of them to reach the area closest to the tree.

The place was already crowded with people. Many men, women, young and old, wearing accessories with the Yuba emblem or clothing in related styles, were looking up at the World Tree devoutly, looking like believers.

But no one knelt or prayed, they just remained quiet and admired the majestic model of the World Tree, which made Lyon feel quite good.

There is no fanatical religious atmosphere or religious rituals that involve bowing three times and nine times, which proves that although Yuba is loved by believers, the church does not regard itself and Yuba's status as superior and unattainable.

It is much more reliable than some religious organizations that claim to be religious but actually use public power for personal gain.

However, while Lyon was complaining in his heart, he also noticed that these believers intentionally or unintentionally avoided the area closer to the core of the World Tree. He didn't know whether it was because of self-awareness or because there was some invisible barrier nearby.

And soon, Lyon got the answer.

"Take out the invitation, you should have brought it." Roche took out an invitation that was the same as Leon's and reminded Leon. "I brought it." After Leon said that, Abigail took out the invitation.

Roche nodded, then continued to move forward with the invitation. As Roche moved forward, the invitation in his hand began to emit a purple halo, and then Roche's figure became illusory in front of Leon, and finally disappeared completely from his sight.

With Roche's demonstration, Leon also followed the path Roche had taken, and clamped his arms together to prevent Abigail and Sophia from breaking free and moving forward in unison.

Unlike the feeling of entering the square, the experience of entering the core area is smoother, a bit like passing through the mirror and entering Mr. Qi's club. The world tree model in front of you is still the same, not enlarged or reduced, but the scene you see has undergone earth-shaking changes.

Everywhere you look, there is vibrant grass, and on the grass, fresh and tender melons are placed on the ground. Under each melon, there is a stone slab that covers most of the area, leaving only four corners exposed.

The grass extended outwards with the World Tree model as the center. Lyon turned around and found that he could not see the outer believers behind him at all. There was only green stretching to the horizon, as if he had come to another world.

"Aren't you shocked by the melons contributed by farmers from all over the world? Maybe the melon you contributed is among them." Roche, who came in first, joked to Leon.

"Are they all high-quality melons?" Lyon asked.

Because the density of melons that can be seen is too high, although Lyon does not know the exact number, the high-quality melons he contributed are definitely just a drop in the ocean. If he can still get the church's reward, then he has to estimate how exaggerated the number of farmers in this world is.

"Of course not. There are not so many high-quality melons that can fill up here. These are ordinary quality melons, and they are all like this in the periphery. The high-quality ones are all in the core area." Roche complained.

"It was said to be a party, so why can't I see anyone else?" Leon asked.

"That's because we haven't actually arrived under the tree yet." Roche explained, "The invitation letter only allows us to enter here, but if we want to go under the tree, we need help from the church."

As if to verify Roche's words, as soon as he finished speaking, the weeds around the four people began to grow wildly, and finally twisted and knotted into a five-pointed star-shaped arch, and an uncle who was very familiar to Lyon walked out of it.

"Bishop Owen."

Lyon and Roche greeted the uncle at the same time. The visitor was none other than Bishop Owen, who had come to Red Star Farm and taken away high-quality melons, perfect-quality melons, and giant melons.

"Mr. Roche, long time no see."

Bishop Owen first greeted Roche, then turned his attention to Leon, Abigail, and Sophia.

"I'm glad you came so early, Mr. Lyon. And your female companion are two really beautiful girls. I'm a little envious of your popularity now."

　New Year’s Eve is here, and tomorrow is New Year’s Day. Have you all gone home and had the New Year’s Eve dinner?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)