Krobus nodded repeatedly without saying a word, but from his exaggerated expression, it was clear he was both pleased and touched.
“Alright, I need to run. I still have lunch plans, and showing up reeking like the sewer will definitely get
dirty looks. You should also keep a low profile—this recent price hike on Void Essence isn’t doing your kind any favors.”
Before leaving, Leon didn’t forget to remind Krobus.
“Mm, no problem,” Krobus replied with a nod. But after hesitating for a mont, he stopped Leon.
“What is it?” Leon asked, puzzled at the shadowy figure blocking his path.
“You get along well with the rfolk, don’t you?” Krobus asked in return.
“My relationship with them is… average. But I do have friends among the rfolk,” Leon explained.
“Then I want you to pass a ssage to your friend. The Shadow People won’t just sit and wait for death. This bounty has led to many of us being attacked. The priests of the council plan to use assassinations to pressure the rfolk into rescinding this targeted bounty, and they’re already preparing to act.”
Krobus’ expression was deadly serious.
“You’re telling
this without worrying the Shadow People will see you as a traitor?” Leon stared at him in shock. This sounded like a top-secret operation, and Krobus—being an insider—was spilling it outright. That could get him in serious trouble.
“I’m not bound by the Shadow People’s rules. They don’t welco
anyway. I am Krobus, the Bridge-Crosser, a lone traveler between light and dark shadows. I live only for myself,” Krobus shook his head and answered.
“Thanks. This intel is important. I’ll thank you on behalf of the rfolk, Krobus,” Leon said with a nod, understanding the man’s will from his answer.
“Mm.” Krobus nodded. “Go on, Leon.”
Leon nodded back, then climbed up the wall ladder out of the sewer. He retrieved his bicycle and pedaled toward the beach. The mont he reached the pier, he pulled out the rmaid Horn and blew it.
A familiar magic array, familiar blue hair, and a familiar face—Anya had co again, this ti alone.
“Leon, are you heading to the rfolk’s gathering place for fun?” Anya asked when she saw him.
“No. Why is it you always assu I can’t be calling you for help?” Leon shot back.
“You’re in Stardew Valley, with powerful guardians watching over you. Your visit to the Queen alongside the Guardian has long been spread throughout the rfolk. Everyone knows your relationship with the Guardian is special, so there’s no way you’d be in danger here,” Anya analyzed.
“…Fair point. Fine, I’ll drop the jokes. I’m here to share so intel with you,” Leon said, nodding before his expression turned serious.
“I know a rather unique Shadow Person. He told
that, in response to your bounty, the Shadow People plan to pressure you by assassinating rfolk, forcing you to withdraw the bounty for Void Essence.”
“I see,” Anya’s face grew grim. “Thank you for the information, Leon. This is important. I need to go inform the elders and the Queen imdiately. Sorry, no ti to catch up.”
“Go, and safe travels,” Leon said with a nod. Anya dove into the sea and vanished, and only then did he turn to leave the pier.
He had done what he could. Whatever happened next between the rfolk and the Shadow People was their business. Leon was just a weakling who had eaten a single Starfruit. He had neither the right nor the desire to get involved in that fight.
Checking the ti—just past eleven—it was still a bit early for lunch. Leon rode back to Pelican Town and headed straight for the old Community Center.
Pushing open the moss- and vine-covered doors, he stepped past the splintered, uneven floor of the main hall, passed the noticeboard, and entered the dilapidated vault.
The floorboards had rotted through in places, revealing bare earth. The rusty vault door looked as if half of it had been blown off with C4. A desk, already corroded down to half its size, was covered in moss. The whole room practically scread “ruin.”
The only thing still intact was the woven-vine basket beside the vault.
Leon glanced around but didn’t see any Junimos. He walked to the basket and began stuffing in money. Forty-two thousand five hundred gold—his heart ached with every bill. The money had barely ward in his hands before it was gone.
As the last bill fell into the basket, a chorus of “puff-puff” sounds filled the room. Junimos of various colors hopped around Leon in delight. Four of them lifted the basket and ran toward the hall.
The rest raised their bean-sprout-like hands, swaying as they chanted in high-pitched chirps. Leon then witnessed an extraordinary magical renovation.
Fresh wooden floors replaced the rotted boards. The peeling, cracked walls gave way to red brick and sky-blue wallpaper. The rust on the vault door faded away as if ti were rewinding, restoring it to its forr state.
A huge carpet now lay before the vault, and a leafy potted plant filled the corner. On the opposite side, a brand-new office desk appeared, complete with a plush leather sofa. Filing cabinets and shelves adorned the wall.
It all happened in the space of four or five breaths. The wrecked vault was now a pristine office, sunlight streaming through spotless glass-and-tal windows without a speck of dust in sight.
“This is amazing. If I could partner with you guys to open a renovation company, I bet Robin would be out of a job,” Leon joked, squatting to address the Junimos around him.
They didn’t reply, only danced their strange little dance in joy.
After a short while, they vanished, reappearing monts later with sothing in their tiny hands.
“Gifts?” Leon guessed.
“Choo-choo-choo!” they chirped happily, setting their load before him.
The gifts ca in four varieties. The first was three triple-layer chocolate cakes—each tier slightly smaller than the one below—topped with a cherry. Each sat beneath a glass do.
“Chocolate Cake (Dish): Sweet and soft, with a thick coating of sugary icing.”
Leon picked one up, examined it, then offered it to the Junimos still lingering nearby. “Do you want so?”
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