Chapter 22: Lady Ciel Visit the Victor
The sun had only just started its lazy climb over the hills when Eren stood in the middle of the now-trampled competition field, arms folded, sweat still drying on his neck. His prized crop—a bizarrely resilient blue-stalked lettuce hybrid he'd grown using fish bone compost and stress-induced fertilizer—had officially placed first. First. In a hentai farming sim.
What kind of world gave out gold and public glory for vegetables?
Eren squinted into the horizon, half-expecting a fireball or sexy demon girl to erupt from the trees. But instead, the crowd was just dispersing. Happy farmers, disappointed ones, a few sore losers. Some lingered, whispering his name like it was about to be minted into currency.
"You look overwhelmed," came a smooth, teasing voice behind him.
He didn't even turn around. "Ciel. You here to collect taxes on my prize money already?"
Lady Ciel Vernhart chuckled softly, the sound as elegant as her footsteps. She wore her usual noble attire—black gloves, silver-blonde hair in a twist, eyes sharp as fresh frost. But there was a softness in them today. Curiosity, maybe.
"I came to congratulate you," she said, stepping beside him. "You did something remarkable, Eren. I watched from the stands."
"Didn't realize nobles cared about farming competitions," Eren muttered, brushing dirt off his trousers.
"Most don't. But most farmers don't invent hybrid crops with unnatural resilience and a slight aphrodisiacal scent."
He froze. "Wait. What?"
Ciel smiled faintly. "I do my research. Don't worry. It's subtle. Only really affects rabbits and one unfortunate merchant."