It was still morning and the sun was hanging low in the sky of Country S. It casted a warm glow over the farmhouse as Grace stood by the counter, listening intently to Manager Atlas.
The two of them began to discuss the butterfly breeds since they were now done with silkworms. She looked at all the detailed information about the breeds that were available there and listened intently as Manager Atlas began telling about each breed in brief.
"Monarch butterflies...," he began, gesturing to a frame of the image of a butterfly hanging on a wall next to a field of flowers. The wall was lined with similar other frames with images of butterflies and information about that particular breed. And in the field of flowers, those same breeds of butterflies were flying all over.
"... this breed is among the most common and well-known breeds. Their long migrations and ability to pollinate a wide range of plants make them vital for the ecosystem. They help with the reproduction of food crops."
Grace nodded, making notes in her brain as her eyes found the particular butterfly hovering over a flower. "How many caterpillars can you supply?" she asked.
"I can give you fifty right away," he replied.
"That will do," Grace said with a determined nod. She placed the order right away.
The next breed they discussed was the Painted Lady, known for its adaptability. Manager Atlas explained how these butterflies could thrive in various climates and habitats, making them perfect for pollinating vegetables and wildflowers.
Grace was impressed the more she listened. "I will take fifty caterpillars of those too," she said, adding the order to her growing list.
Moving on, Atlas introduced her to the Swallowtail Butterfly, a breed known for its robust nature and adaptability. They fed on citrus and parsley family plants, making them highly beneficial for herb gardens and fruit crops. But what caught Grace’s attention most was their beauty.
"They are stunning," she murmured, examining a vibrant black-and-yellow Swallowtail.
Atlas smiled in response, clearly proud of the beautiful creatures he had helped breed. "They are as useful as they are beautiful."
She decided to order twenty-five caterpillars of this breed. She reasoned with herself that their beauty would also bring some much-needed joy in bleak times.
Next came the Cabbage White, a small but hardworking butterfly essential for pollinating leafy vegetables. Atlas stressed their importance for vegetable crop reproduction.
"How many do you recommend?" Grace asked.
"Given your plans, sixty should suffice."
"Done," she said, adding another breed to her list.
They moved on to the Buckeye Butterfly, a breed that supported wildflower and garden ecosystems. These butterflies were crucial for maintaining a balanced environment, which would be essential for food growth.
"Forty caterpillars," Grace decided after a brief discussion with Davian who went ahead and just offered to buy the entire farmhouse.
Finally, Atlas introduced her to some butterflies that weren’t just useful but also breathtakingly beautiful. These included the Blue Morpho, Emerald Swallowtail, Apollo, Birdwing, Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing, Zebra Longwing, Peacock Butterfly, and the delicate Glasswing. Grace couldn’t resist adding a few of each to her order.
With all the orders placed and the down payment made, Grace and Davian left the farmhouse. Since it was still early, they didn’t head back to Sunspire but decided to continue with their hoarding mission.
Their next stop was a fishing village about an hour’s drive away. The salty sea air greeted them as soon as they arrived there. The village was bustling with activity - fishermen were unloading their catches, vendors were calling out their wares, and then there was also the sound of waves crashing against the shore.
Grace’s plan was simple - stock up on as much seafood as possible.
For the next three hours, she and Davian moved from stall to stall, from boat to boat, buying a variety of seafood. Fresh fish, crabs, lobsters, clams, and even preserved goods like dried shrimp and salted fish were filling their containers. Grace negotiated with the vendors, ensuring she got the best deals.
"Do we still need to buy more fish or seafood?" Davian asked as they finished their business in the village and headed toward their car to leave.
"Not anymore. We have more than enough fish and seafood to last us for next hundred years." Grace replied as she checked for a restaurant on a town or city nearby. It was nearly one in the noon and she was feeling really hungry.
They ate their lunch, enjoyed ice cream, and finally headed back.
Over the next several nights, Grace and Davian tackled other tasks on her list. One afternoon, they stopped by a bustling meat market to stock up on more fresh meat. They bought everything from beef and chicken to lamb and pork, carefully packaging it for storage. They knew that protein would be essential in the harsh times ahead.
Another night, they visited a shoe factory. Grace had learned from her previous life how quickly shoes wore out when supplies ran dry. Though she had already bought a lot, she still bought all kinds of - sturdy boots, comfortable sneakers, durable sandals, snow boots, rain boots, and even children’s shoes. Every pair was a potential lifeline for someone in the future.
Their shopping expeditions continued as days continued to pass. They continued to stock up on medical supplies, clothing, tools, seeds, and other essentials. Grace was so focused on buying the supplies that she barely had time to set the supplies up in the warehouse.
On the thirteenth day, she entered the space and headed to the second warehouse. Because of her recent purchases, each section of the warehouse was a mess. She spent hours in the warehouse, arranging everything in place.
Once she was done, she received a notification.
[Warehouse capacity full]
A sigh escaped her lips as she immediately opened space for a third warehouse. But this time, she just chose a two storey warehouse instead of the big ones like the previous two.