157: Statue

[Rare] Hearty Baelvryn Pie

• +21 Strength
• +5 Endurance
• Power Strike
• Titan Strength
• Greater Earth Magic Potency
• Poison Resistance
• Minor Fear Aura
• Ember Surge
• Fire Immunity

This was, by far, the largest single stat buff I had ever received, and I only used uncommon ingredients.

I was immediately reminded that I had never followed up on finding out what Power Strike actually was. I never got around to it after everything that happened in Dunhearth, but the other new thing there was Titan Strength—well, along with twenty-one Strength!

“So, Milo, I can see the buffs now… And, uh, I can’t buff yours.” I relayed the whole list, as Hari’s eyes grew wide immediately.

“You said it’s rare? Did you use any rare ingredients in it?” he asked curiously.

I shook my head. “No. Only the Baelvryn and the soup were uncommon. Everything else was common. Before I forget, what are the abilities Power Strike and Titan Strength?”

“Power Strike is actually one of my normal abilities. It allows me to hit considerably harder while also reinforcing my weapon for a small amount of stamina, essentially enhancing my strength, but Titan Strength is not one I’ve heard of before. I normally wouldn’t suggest this or risk it, but Trev, do you mind infusing my pie?” Hari asked, a giant smile on his face.

“Wait!” Liane yelled. “You’re taking a risk?! Since when? Can I try dragon then?” She said, poking him in the chest.

“No. You cannot,” Hari responded.

I was surprised by Lily’s reaction. In the past, she had been very defensive of her dragon meat, and she gave a brief look, but then went straight back to her pie.

Had Lily actually started to accept Liane?

I used Purify on the entire pie. Again, I didn’t think there was anything toxic in there, but it was better to be safe than sorry, and I served it up for everyone. The only other pie I buffed was for Hari.

“Trev, this is sooo good!” Jen squealed.

Everyone was nodding in agreement, except for Liane, who was just sitting there with her eyes closed. I was immediately worried I had messed something up—perhaps given her Hari’s plate or something. I didn’t know.

“Liane?” I asked.

She simply held up a finger, then released a deep sigh. “This is so good. Trev, make a dexterity version of this, please.”

Storing the leftovers before Lily ate them all, I finally got to try it myself, and it was really good. The gravy was incredibly rich and smooth, with a sweetness to it, but no lingering wine flavour. The meat had a slight gamey flavour, but it was so tender it melted in your mouth.

Everyone ate in near silence as every plate was cleaned.

“That was incredible!” Micca said, getting a nod from Darren and George next to her.

“You asked what Titan Strength provided, and by the looks of it, it’s providing me an additional twenty percent strength, taking me to seventy-eight strength from forty-four, which might be the single largest strength gain I’ve ever heard of from all elixirs, items, or otherwise,” Hari said, getting up from his chair.

“And with that in mind, I’m going to go train and see how this feels. Thank you for the incredible meal,” Hari said, walking out of the dining room.

“He’s going to be training until those buffs wear off, isn’t he?” I asked.

“Sure is,” Jen replied with a grin.

“I’m going to go join in!” George said, getting to his feet, and Darren followed right behind.

“Trevor, Milo! Let’s talk business!” Micca said from across the table, and I couldn’t help but notice Lily and Liane both vanished instantly.

“Can’t I go?” I asked hopefully.

“No, it’s you who needs to cook it!” Micca said with a grin.

“I still think we need to take it easy on how much you sell out of there, unless we can secure stronger guards than just George and Darren. They have good spirit, and will do well in a year or two, but for now, they are still too low-levelled,” Milo said.

“I believe the threat of the dragon, along with likely a vested interest in being on our good side, and most likely the Princess putting two and two together and realising Trev is the cook—all that combined means we’ll be fairly safe,” Micca countered.

Milo nodded. “Makes sense. Have you thought about what you’d sell out of there?”

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“Yes. I think the Princess’s idea about the cafe is a great one, and if I can hire the staff, I think turning the ground floor into a cafe with the top floor reserved for selling the more expensive goods—after all, the staircase is fairly hidden, and the occasional person speaking with the manager upstairs likely won’t draw immediate suspicion,” Micca said.

“That again is fair reasoning, so what did you have in mind besides the candies?” Milo asked.

I looked at them both. “Is there really that much more I can sell if I’m not there?” They both looked at me as if I had said something stupid.

Letting out a sigh, I asked, “What am I missing?”

“You’d be able to sell anything that’s preserved. Drinks, such as the rum you’re making, a vast variety of jerky from different monsters that provide different buffs, even cured meats like your bacon. Then you have the sweet stuff—jams, fruit leather, cookies…” Micca said, listing them all off.

I had thought of jerky at one stage. The rest of it, though, I had not thought of at all, but I couldn’t help but laugh at the idea of Lily’s and Liane’s reaction if I gave up bacon to be sold at the shop.

“What’s funny?” Micca asked.

“Oh, sorry. I just thought of Lily’s and Liane’s reaction if you tried to take the bacon,” I said, which caused Milo to chuckle as well.

Micca, though, looked very serious. “Good point. No bacon.”