Gardener of Eden

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Imperial Grand Array

The low, heavy rumble of a custom engine echoed down the paved driveway of Sunny Vale as Martha and Arthur’s refrigerated van pulled up toward the main homestead. However, the usual hum of the delivery vehicle was accompanied by the crisp, synchronized clatter of armored boots and heavy runic mounts.

Out on the porch, Barney, Caelen, Mirei, and Seraphina stood up, their hands instinctively shifting toward their weapons as a squad of half a dozen Imperial Guards clad in polished silver-and-gold plate armor flanked the van.

Wiping his hands on a kitchen towel, Rowan stepped out onto the porch, tipping the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat as his parents stepped down from the cab.

Arthur looked exceptionally vibrant, his posture straight and his face full of healthy color as his once-damaged mana circuits continued their steady repair under the nourishment of Rowan’s primordial produce.

Beside him, Martha looked radiant, cradling her gently showing bump as she smiled warmly at her son and his teammates.

”Don’t worry, everyone! They’re on our side!” Arthur called out with a hearty laugh, waving a broad hand toward the silver-armored escort.

The Guard Commander dismounted swiftly, offering a deep, respectful salute to Rowan.

”Cadet Rowan,” the commander announced, his voice carrying clear military discipline through his visor. ”Following today’s official debriefing with Dean Sterling regarding the Order of Humanity’s assault on the 10th floor, the Imperial High Command issued an immediate security directive. Because the cult actively targeted Cadet Rowan’s vitality produce and sought to breach royal security, the Crown has designated the Vance family estate and Eden International’s primary supply lines as imperial high-priority assets.”

”They met us right as we were wrapping up our storefront distribution,” Martha explained, walking up the porch steps to give Rowan a warm hug. ”High Command insisted on escorting our refrigerated van to ensure no cult cells attempted to interfere with our shipments.”

Rowan smiled calmly, gesturing toward the estate grounds and the intoxicating dinner aromas wafting out from the kitchen. ”I appreciate the vigilance, Commander. Have your detail set up a perimeter rotation—we’re just about to serve a celebration feast.”

***

Stepping out from behind the armored escort, a senior Imperial Array Master clad in deep blue, rune-embroidered robes bowed respectfully toward Princess Lyra and Rowan. In his hands, he carried an ornate silver formation compass and several high-grade spatial anchor stakes forged from royal mithril.

”Under direct order from High Command, I have been tasked with establishing a top-tier Imperial Grand Array around the entirety of the Sunny Vale estate,” the Array Master explained, his eyes glowing faintly with mana-perception as he surveyed the property. ”This dual-layer formation will deploy high-density detection webs to intercept covert spatial incursions and an outer kinetic barrier to neutralize high-tier siege attacks.”

Accompanied by two junior formation artificers, the Array Master immediately set to work walking the perimeter of the fifty-acre property. However, the moment he attempted to drive his first mithril anchor stake into the outer boundary soil, a sharp, resonant hum echoed through the ground. A golden ripple of terra-mana flared upward, gently deflecting the royal stake.

The Array Master froze, his jaw dropping in sheer disbelief as his compass spun erratically. ”Spirits above... what manner of formation is anchored beneath this soil?”

Rowan stepped down off the porch, tipping the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat with a mild smirk. ”That would be my Sovereign Terra-Barricade and Earthen Ward. Any unrecognized entity stepping past the perimeter gets pinned by gravity and bound by petrified vines.”

Examining the invisible, living matrix running through the earth, the Array Master let out an astonished breath. ”The vitality density alone... It’s integrated directly into your domain bloodline! It would be a crime to disrupt this natural structure.”

Working together, Rowan guided his domain mana to open small gateways within his Earthen Ward, allowing the Array Master to seamlessly interweave the royal formation over Rowan’s existing defenses.

Within minutes, four massive pillars of pale blue light shot briefly into the evening sky before settling into an invisible, shimmering dome over Sunny Vale. The grand imperial array locked into place—combining cutting-edge royal detection matrices and anti-spatial wards directly with Rowan’s lethal, living earth defenses.

With the estate now elevated to an unassailable fortress, Rowan turned back toward the kitchen door with a satisfied nod, ready to serve dinner.

***

Rowan stepped into the bustling kitchen where Martha was already pulling out cutting boards and heavy ceramic pots.

”Mom, go ahead and use the fresh domain produce I stored in the fridge for tonight’s meal,” Rowan said with a calm smile, tipping the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat. ”And please make extra portions—the imperial guards and the Array Master outside have a long night watch ahead of them.”

Martha’s eyes lit up as she opened the refrigerator door, greeted by the soft, luminous radiance of the Sun-Crystalline Eden Apples and Amethyst-Gold Peaches alongside crisp domain greens. ”Consider it done, son. No one leaves Sunny Vale on an empty stomach.”

Within an hour, the comforting aroma of slow-simmered spirit-veggie stew, roasted vitality tubers, and freshly baked golden sourdough filled the entire homestead. Martha filled the long oak dining table end-to-end with a sumptuous, steam-rising feast.

Barney, Seraphina, Caelen, and Mirei took their places along the table alongside Princess Lyra, their faces lighting up with pure excitement at the sight of a real home-cooked meal after days of hard rations and tower combat.

”Spirits above, Mrs. Vance, this looks incredible!” Barney grinned, his stomach letting out an enthusiastic rumble as he pulled out his chair.

While the squad eagerly dug into their meal, Rowan gathered several heavily laden trays stacked with steaming bowls and warm, vitality-infused bread meant for the perimeter detail. Stepping out into the cool evening air, he made his way over to the Guard Commander and the Imperial Array Master, who were adjusting the final anti-spatial rune anchors along the estate’s boundary.

”Courtesy of the Vance kitchen,” Rowan said smoothly, handing over the hot trays to the surprised commander. ”High-vitality stew and fresh bread. It’ll keep the cold out and replenish your mana while you’re on shift.”

The Guard Commander and his men stared at the glowing, aromatic dishes in utter shock. ”Cadet Rowan... you’re feeding us the same primordial produce that purified the citadel?” the commander asked, deeply moved by the gesture.

”A good defense starts with a filled stomach,” Rowan replied with a warm smirk. ”Enjoy the meal, gentlemen.”

With deep, respectful salutes and heartfelt thanks, the imperial sentries took their portions, as Rowan turned back toward the warm, laughter-filled house to join his squad and family.