Nigel savored the taste of the eggs, relishing the simple pleasure of a well-cooked meal. It had been days since he last enjoyed such basic comforts. The buffet provided a much-needed respite for his hungry stomach.

"Nigel! I see you're enjoying the food," a voice called out.

Nigel turned to find Lewis approaching from behind. Without pausing his meal, Nigel acknowledged Lewis's presence, maintaining his silence. Lewis seemed to have something on his mind, evident from the awkward expression on his face.

"So... Nigel, I wanted to ask... Would you be interested in joining the egg hunt today?"

"Egg hunt...? Why not," Nigel replied calmly, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Please, it won't take long! It's a fun activity... Oh, what... you're joining in?" Lewis asked, surprised by Nigel's agreement.

"Yes. Like I said, why not," Nigel responded tersely, his words delivered with a cold detachment.

Lewis appeared relieved, the tension in his demeanor easing slightly. People in town had been expressing their concerns about Nigel. His solitary nature, frequent visits to the mines, and his attire—always dressed in black and sometimes bloodstained—had instilled fear among the townsfolk. Lewis felt a need to address the situation. Nigel's presence was vital for the town's economy, and it was important for him to establish connections with others.

Lewis sighed, a mixture of relief and hope filling his voice. Convincing Nigel to participate in the egg hunt and enjoy the festival might help him integrate into the community as a genuine neighbor. Nigel's cold and solitary demeanor had cast a shadow of fear over his interactions with the townspeople. Lewis believed fostering a positive relationship between Nigel and others was crucial.

"...good. Um... The search will start at 2 pm... come to the town square, okay?"

"Okay."

It was still 1 am, leaving Nigel with plenty of time. He finished his meal without acknowledging Lewis further and walked away in search of a seat. Luckily, a bench in front of the saloon had an empty spot between two individuals—Penny and a red-haired young woman.

"...Oh... hi...! Nigel."

"...Penny."

Nigel glanced briefly at Penny. He had encountered her several times in the library, where she worked as the town's teacher. Though Nigel wondered silently if a person teaching only two students could be called a teacher, he had no interest in prying into her life or occupation. Taking care of others was not his concern.

"The children have been eagerly awaiting this festival... Are you going to join the egg hunt too?"

Nigel couldn't comprehend why Penny was engaging in conversation with him. They were not close, and their previous interactions were limited to small talk near the library. Furthermore, Penny seemed uncomfortable talking to him. Nigel couldn't fathom the reason behind her actions.

However, Nigel had learned during his social interactions in the city that being completely antisocial wasn't beneficial. Letting out a small sigh, he nodded in response to her question. Then, he retrieved a book from his pocket—his plan B for the day. Since sewing his clothes was no longer an option, he decided to dedicate his time to studying.

He needed to memorize the process of forging iron. As his farm expanded, he would undoubtedly require sprinklers, and Nigel believed it was best to construct them himself. While he could seek assistance from Clint, the local blacksmith, his exorbitant fees made it less appealing. Familiarizing himself with the smelting and forging processes was essential.

And based on his past experiences with studying, nothing provided more certainty than memorizing an entire book.

"Oh, is that book... 'All about Forging'? I'm familiar with it. Well, I've never actually forged anything... but I have done welding before."

Nigel shifted his gaze toward the person who interrupted his studying. He recognized her face vaguely—perhaps he had seen her during his treks through the mountain to reach the mines.

"You're an engineer?" he asked, his voice devoid of curiosity.

"An engineer? Well... I mean, I understand engineering, but I prefer to be called a scientist.. Well, even though I work as a nurse in the hospital... I'm Maru, by the way. It's nice to meet you Nigel."

Nigel simply nodded...but inside, he was quite interested. Maru might have heard his name from someone else, but that was not the important part. The thing is, she knew how to weld...maybe she had some spare electric circuits in her possession... To get what one wants, one should know about its target.

"...What kind of science are you talking about?"

"Oh, well...Hehe, I do a lot of it, so I can't specify into some... But mainly, I do mechanics, electronics, biology, computer science, astronomy...and more!"

It was good news. That meant that she would be an expert in machinery and electronics...

Nigel pulled out his phone and looked for the image of the blueprint of a sprinkler he made, with the information he gathered from books and articles. He then showed it to Maru.

"...This is my blueprint...of a sprinkler that I've been envisioning. Can you check it?"

"Of course, let me have a look... Oh! wow, I'm impressed! Weren't you a farmer? This is impressive! Huh... The circuit looks fine... I'm not sure. I can't tell you right now, I need to inspect it to make sure... Here, I'll give you my phone number. Can you send it to me? I'll check it at home."

"Okay."

Surprisingly, Maru was very enthusiastic about this sudden topic. Nigel wondered about the reason for a brief second but decided to take the opportunity. He didn't major in engineering anyway...

"It's hard for you to find a person to talk about science in this town, you know. Penny knows quite a lot though, so I usually chat with her..."

"Like I said before, Maru, I'm not good at science..."

"Oh, you're good enough! Get some confidence!"

Leaving the two females to chat, Nigel resumed his focus on the book, determined to make progress. He pulled out his notebook and diligently began jotting down every important detail. However, a nagging thought lingered at the back of his mind, reminding him of the untapped potential within the community. He realized that if he could effectively utilize the talents of the townspeople, he might be able to harness the town's resources and enhance the efficiency of his farm.

Of course, he needed to test the usefulness of these individuals and determine if they lived up to his expectations. But if they did, Nigel saw the possibility of gaining control over Stardew Valley's economy, and even eliminating every trace of Joja Corporation's influence.

Nigel had firsthand experience with Joja's predatory tactics and how they could harm small farmers in a quiet country town. Their aggressive pricing strategies often forced local businesses to surrender their livelihoods at meager prices. Nigel scoffed at their typical predatory behavior, but he knew the importance of finding a stable market for his crops—one free from Joja's control.

"Possibly the local cooperative," Nigel murmured to himself, jotting down the idea in his notebook. However, he was cautious not to inadvertently empower Joja in the process. He valued autonomy and wanted to protect the local community from corporate exploitation.

As his thoughts raced, Nigel contemplated various ways to improve his farm and establish a stable market for his crops. He understood that achieving his goals required a combination of time, technology, hard work, and business skills. Farming wasn't simply about gardening; it involved staying informed about crop prices, combating pests, and ensuring optimal soil conditions. Nigel considered incorporating modern agricultural technology, such as automated sprinklers, to streamline his operations and increase efficiency.

While Pierre's General Store and the local markets managed by Lewis served as suitable starting points, Nigel knew they wouldn't suffice as his farm expanded in size and quality. He aspired to explore wholesale markets or larger venues for direct sales, enabling him to maximize profits and reduce reliance on external factors. To achieve this, he recognized the importance of cultivating unique, rare, and premium crops.

However, Nigel was cautious about the potential risks associated with such crops, especially the ancient seed. Its value stemmed from its rarity, and he sought to protect it from being copied by larger companies like Joja. He contemplated genetic modification to ensure the seeds remained exclusive to preserve their market value.

In the midst of these contemplations, Nigel acknowledged the importance of taking things one step at a time. He understood the need to focus on improving his farming skills, building connections within the community, and familiarizing himself with the necessary technology and techniques that would contribute to his success.

As Nigel continued his studies, the preparations for the festival intensified, with vibrant colors and cheerful banners adorning the town square. The festive atmosphere was hard to ignore, and Nigel couldn't help but wonder if, amidst the celebration and camaraderie, he would find the connections he needed to achieve his goals.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, it was 2 pm—the official start of the egg hunt. Nigel closed his book, stood up, and made his way toward the bustling town square. The time had come to seize something from this town—the prize of the egg hunt and the attention of the wary community.