Chapter 337: An Unexpected Surprise

The white flower in the White Flower Society is not a person’s name, but a peculiar bloom native to Flowing Current Island.

According to Knight Vali’s description, it is a delicate white blossom, its petals fine and soft, yet devoid of any noticeable fragrance.

This seemingly ordinary flower boasts a stout stem, beneath which grow rough, ugly, irregular tubers.

When Roning heard this, his attention was instantly captivated.

“Does this flower grow only within the White Flower Society’s territory?” he asked.

Vali shook his head. “No, not originally. There were some near the harbor too—until a time when the island suffered famine, and some prisoners, driven by hunger, dug up the tubers and took a bite. They quickly grew dizzy, vomited, and died. We eradicated the poisonous thing.”

He paused, then added, “But perhaps you might still find some in the woods beyond the harbor. Though it’s already October—the white flowers are nearly withered now, not very pretty to look at.”

Vali assumed, as many nobles did, that Roning was interested in flowers—though he was a man.

Roning nodded, shifting the conversation away from the flower and toward the tactical details of tomorrow’s operation.

First, they would need to enter the White Flower Society’s territory, and must consider whether the enemy had laid traps, seized high ground, or prepared ambushes to inflict heavy casualties.

Second, this mission must eliminate all threats permanently—no core members of the White Flower Society must escape.

Thus, in necessary circumstances, they would rely on Knight Misi’s griffin for pursuit.

After much deliberation, noon approached.

Under Knight Vali’s hospitality, the group shared lunch.

In the afternoon, Roning departed the harbor with Tom and David, entering the woods beyond.

Following Vali’s description, the three began searching for the white flowers.

Perhaps because harbor residents had thoroughly purged all toxic plants, they walked a long distance without finding any—until David spotted a few nearly withered white blossoms beside a pool in the forest.

“Master, is this it?”

Roning stepped forward. He had never seen such a flower before; he could not tell if it matched Vali’s description.

“Dig up the tuber beneath it. Let me see.”

Tom and David hurried to dig, and soon the ugly, irregular tuber was unearthed.

“What is this thing?”

David examined it curiously.

The tuber’s surface was pitted and uneven, utterly devoid of beauty.

“It certainly looks poisonous,” Tom remarked.

“Master, are you planning to take this back to Master Elron to make poison?”

“This is not poison!”

Roning took the tuber from Tom’s hand, studying it more closely, growing increasingly enchanted.

“It may be ugly, but it is nothing less than a gift from Mother Earth—a nourishing food source!”

Now it was Tom and David’s turn to be puzzled.

“Master, Knight Vali said eating it causes vomiting, dizziness, and death—and yet you claim it’s edible?”

“Can you really eat this?”

Roning smiled mysteriously, with absolute certainty.

“Yes. Of course you can.”

The object in his hand was none other than the potato—the humble tuber known to all.

Not only was it delicious, but rich in starch, vitamins, and minerals, it was a vital source of energy for the human body. On cold winter nights, a bowl of fragrant shredded potatoes could bring endless warmth and comfort.

Most crucially, potatoes had a short growing cycle and high yield, making them a staple crop.

Historically, the widespread cultivation of potatoes had contributed to at least a quarter of global population growth.

Now that the Ubei Territory had wheat and rice, if potatoes could be rapidly planted and fully integrated, Roning believed its population would enter a sustained phase of growth.

“We shall call this tuber from the white flower ‘potato.’ The man who died? I suspect he ate sprouted or greened potatoes, and being already starved and in terrible health, he perished.”

Once someone died from eating it, others would never dare try again—and the rumor of its toxicity would spread. Over time, it became known as a deadly poison.

Roning drew his dagger from his space ring, swiftly peeling the potato’s skin and slicing it into thin pieces.

Washing them clean in the nearby pool, he summoned a small flame above his palm and began roasting them on the spot.

“If we use properly matured potatoes, roasted at high heat, there is absolutely no risk of poisoning.”

As he spoke, the potatoes quickly cooked, some edges charred from uneven heat, yet a unique, inviting aroma drifted into the air.

Roning took a piece and ate it. Though lacking seasoning, it carried a familiar taste—like returning to Earth.

Tom and David, initially hesitant, watched him eat—and then, emboldened, tried a piece themselves.

Their eyes widened instantly.

“It’s fragrant!”

“An unprecedented sensation!”

Their admiration for Roning deepened.

“Master, you know so much.”

“Merely from having seen much,” Roning replied, distributing the remaining slices to them.

He thought of the White Flower Society. Had they already discovered the correct way to eat potatoes? Why weren’t they afraid of Vali cutting off their food supply?

“Return to the harbor first. Don’t mention the potato’s edibility to anyone.”

Roning said, “If anyone asks, say I was merely walking alone in the woods.”

As he spoke, he silently called out—and soon, Karlos descended into the forest, his form blurred by shimmering light.

“Master, have you encountered trouble?” the dragon asked, concerned.

Lately, Karlos had followed Roning everywhere—hunting at sea when hungry, resting on islands or rocks when tired.

To him, life remained as free and easy as ever—though he preferred living in Ubei Territory, where food was abundant.

“No trouble,” Roning replied, leaping onto Karlos’s back.

It had been a long time since they last met; Karlos’s level had risen to 30/12,500.

A slight increase, yes—but against such a massive total, it was nearly negligible.

“Let’s go. Take me for a flight over the islands. Stay hidden.”

“Aye, Master!”

Karlos spread his wings, soaring into the sky in an instant. The full outline of Flowing Current Island emerged beneath Roning’s gaze.

The island was no small place—its terrain rolled like hills, mostly blanketed in green trees. Though humans had dwelled here for generations, their development remained minimal.

“Head there first,” Roning said, pointing to the region with the most buildings. He guessed it was Vali’s White Flower Society territory.

Karlos flew swiftly—within minutes, they hovered above the Society’s domain.

Roning saw vast fields had been cleared, and many people were laboring in them.

He had Carlos descend slightly, and it was easy to see what the farmers were doing—digging potatoes.

Clearly, the members of the White Flower Society now ate potatoes.

“Huh?”

Ronin glanced curiously toward the east, and there, on Jiliu Island, he spotted the second dock. (End of chapter)