TOTK: The Lonely Hero

Of Mushrooms and Mayors

It was noon when Link and Taima arrived back at the main hub of Hateno Village. The wolf licked her lips, having indulged in another snack of Hateno cheese. After having seen Koyin, he'd given away the last of the Hylian shrooms assigned by Cece. As he made his way downhill, he began to think to himself:

"I've helped Cece quite a bit. I don't want to seem biased to the other villagers, so I should help Reede a little to make up for it."

Turning right as he passed by the Great Ton Pu Inn, he made his way up a small set of stone stairs, through a stone gate and into a well tended-to garden, with a small statue of the goddess Hylia by the wall.

Standing in the yard was the mayor's wife, Clavia, staring down at the statuette.

"I worry about that man... What should I do?" she muttered.

"Is everything alright?" Link asked.

"Wha? O-oh, Link," she breathed out, turning to him, "Sorry, just trying to think. This mayoral election has become something of a hassle."

"Tell me about it."

Clavia let out a sigh, before shaking her head.

"They're both so stubborn. I wish they'd clear the air between them and end this silly quarrel once and for all. But that's a moot point now. I have something else on my mind..." she said, before muttering underneath her breath, "I have to take care of this before the mayoral election starts!"

"What's on your mind?" Link asked.

"Oh! You don't mind lending me an ear? I won't mince words. It's about my husband, Reede... That man of mine... He shuts himself up in our shed every night. I don't have the faintest idea what he's up to. When I ask, he just says "it's a secret," and I can't get another peep out of him. I hate the idea of snooping on him. Plus, he'd catch me at it right away. But I get so worried when I think about whether whatever he's doing will affect his chances in the election. I was fit to burst if I couldn't find someone to talk to about this. Good thing you came along. I'd like you to figure out what Reede has been doing in the shed."

Link shot a quick glance over to it. It was a small stone building that sat right beside the mayor's house.

"Is he in it right now?" he asked.

"No, but it's locked," Clavia informed him.

"Locked... This will be a pickle. Unless..."

He eyed the well right behind the house.

"I'll be right back," Link said, before turning to Taima, "Howl if you see Reede nearby."

The wolf panted in approval. With that, Link hurried off. After marking the well on the map, he leapt into the wall, dropping him down into a small cave system below.

"Now to follow the map."

Navigating the tunnels, swatting away the keese that would swoop down to bite him every so often, he was eventually able to bring himself right beneath where the shed was above ground. Using Ascend, he arose through the ground and up through the ceiling

Popping up inside the dusty old shed, he looked around. All there was was a single table on the stone floor. On it was an oil lamp, and an open book. Link leaned against the table, as he began to read its contents.

It was a diary written by Reede. On the most recent page, it detailed him and one of the farmers, Nack, coming up with a new type of pumpkin, the color, shape and appearance all based on the Cece brand aesthetic, stating that due to regular agriculture not resonating with the youth, it would be reasonable to use this to raise their interest.