Chapter 12: Losing Both the Lady and the Troops

With the misfortune of pigs as a lesson, the primary goal in training truffle dogs is to teach them to find truffles without damaging them. Therefore, during training, it is essential to reward the dog for its discovery behavior and not allow it to dig indiscriminately.

Pierre’s method involves placing fresh truffles inside a scentless sock, tying it securely to prevent the truffles from falling out. This uniquely scented sock is then used as a toy for the dog to play with—thrown out and retrieved. Each time the dog brings the sock back, it receives a reward, such as bread or meat, encouraging it to release the sock willingly.

After practicing this for a while, the next step is to hide the sock—first indoors, then outdoors—to train the dog’s sensitivity to the truffle scent and to teach it that anything carrying that scent will earn a reward. Pierre claimed to have trained over a dozen truffle dogs with outstanding records using this method. Although Provençals are known for their boastfulness, Ronan believed that even discounting exaggeration, the number was not insignificant.

However, when Ronan began training his dog, Little Black, problems arose right from the start. Little Black showed no interest in the sock and even kept his distance upon seeing it. Ronan guessed that perhaps the dog disliked the blue color and bought a new pair of red socks, but the situation remained unchanged. Did Little Black dislike the smell of truffles?

Yet when Ronan placed fresh truffles under Little Black’s nose, the dog swallowed them in one bite, sat up properly, and eagerly waited for the next piece. “That one bite cost us a week’s worth of groceries!” Ronan imagined the scene of trying to gather truffles with a pig.

On the weekend, Vieri, who was off work, observed Ronan’s training and kindly brought his three dogs over. “Maybe it just doesn’t know how to play this game,” Vieri suggested. “That’s normal. We need to introduce it to the world as if it were family.”

“Will that help?” Ronan asked skeptically.

“Of course!” Vieri threw the sock containing the truffle far away. The three big dogs shot off instantly, but Little Black flopped down at Ronan’s feet, exhaling in resignation as if to complain about the boredom and laziness of the other dogs.

Ronan looked to Vieri for help. “What should I do?”

Vieri rubbed his nose and shrugged. “It’s a bit abnormal, but we have to accept that our ‘child’ might have some intellectual shortcomings.”

Ronan was speechless.

After that day, Little Black became moody and refused to play with Ronan, making it unlikely their relationship would mend anytime soon. This training method not only confirmed Little Black’s disappointing lack of intelligence but also caused Ronan to lose a way to gain happiness points—a real case of losing both the wife and the army.

He had no hope of winning the village’s truffle-hunting competition. With the current rate of gaining happiness points, he certainly wouldn’t level up before the deadline. Still, he wanted to earn money by gathering truffles.

One afternoon, Ronan went back to the old tavern. First, to follow Pierre’s advice to quickly get familiar with the village farmers; second, to inquire about alternative ways to find truffles.

The nth annual truffle-hunting competition in Lurmaran Village was in full swing, but few people were drinking in the tavern—only seven or eight scattered around.

Ronan sat at the bar, ordered a beer, and pondered which table to approach first. However, the Provençals were more hospitable than he expected. Before his beer even arrived, someone initiated a conversation.

“A new batch of wine has arrived. You should try it,” said a young man reeking of alcohol, dressed in a plaid shirt, black jacket, deep blue jeans, and leather boots, sitting next to him with a wine glass in hand.

A few days ago, when Ronan came looking for Pierre, Pierre was talking with this man, whom Ronan remembered was named Theo.

Seeing he was Pierre’s friend, Ronan instantly relaxed. “Isn’t this from the Moli Wine Cooperative?”

Wine was an indispensable part of daily life for the French. Statistics said the average Frenchman drank three glasses of wine a day, but Ronan guessed that number didn’t include Provençals. Here, people started drinking from the moment they woke until they went to sleep, always accompanied by wine—even when driving.

Most of the grapes harvested in autumn in Lurmaran Village were sent to the Moli Wine Cooperative, less than five kilometers away, where the entire village could buy wine at very low prices.

Since moving here, whether at private gatherings or dining out, Ronan always drank wine from there.

Why did this stick so clearly in Ronan’s mind? Because every time he drank, his system rewarded him with one happiness point, making him very sensitive to it.

Theo took a big gulp, closed his eyes, and exaggeratedly kissed his fingers. “Even more ‘sensual’ than Moli’s wine.”

Ronan was used to such flamboyant expressions from the Provençals, and since this was a tavern full of drinkers, he didn’t take it too seriously. Yet he still politely told the owner:

“I’ve changed my mind. Give me a glass of what Theo’s having.”

“My friend, you won’t be disappointed!” Theo, already tipsy, asked Ronan with a dreamy gaze, “Here to find Pierre? He’s out looking for truffles these days.”

Ronan shook his head. “No.”

Knowing Theo was also a farmer, Ronan explained his purpose: “Do all truffle hunters rely on dogs? Are there other ways to find truffles?”

Theo tapped his empty glass and signaled the owner for another round. “Some people can find truffles by experience alone—true masters. They don’t use animals to keep their secret spots safer. But at least in Lurmaran, no one’s that skilled. Everyone relies on animals.”

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he sobered slightly. “Why do you ask?”

Never underestimate a man’s competitive spirit. All the farmers in the village had been out hunting for truffles these past few days. Those drinking here now were either poor truffle hunters or had accepted they wouldn’t succeed. Everyone assumed Ronan was among them.

He drove his tractor well and tended crops properly, but truffle hunting was different. Even the seasoned farmers who had worked with nature for decades had given up—so why should he persist?

Theo’s answer left Ronan deeply disheartened. Lost in thought, he missed the surprise and skepticism in Theo’s tone. “Just asking.”

With a troubled expression, he took a sip of wine.

He found it indeed tasted better than the Moli Wine Cooperative’s product. Theo hadn’t lied.

Ronan savored it carefully in his mouth when suddenly he heard a notification.

[Tasting authentic Luberon regional wine increased happiness by 2 points.]