Devising A Plan

Seeing his overblown reaction, Astaroth knew he was on to something. He promptly pulled out the fruit from his inventory, showing the beast-man.

Leon's eyes bulged when he saw the fruit.

"I take it you know what this is."

"Where did you get it?!"

"I got it as a reward for clearing this place. Why?"

"This is the reason I took possession of this place. This fruit drew me here."

"Did you get it?"

Astaroth grew curious. If Leon took hold of the Bastion for this fruit, then why did he stay after?

"I never could. The smell of the fruit drew me here, but I searched everywhere and never found it. I stayed in the hopes another would grow before too long. It never did."

Still holding the fruit out, Astaroth became pensive. Had the fruit disappeared, or did something take it away before he could have it?

Moreover, why did it appear now as a quest reward? Was the system trying to guide his hand for something?