Kingdom Calendar, Year 148, December 15th.
It had already been half a month since the caravan had settled in this valley plain.
Inside his tent, Raven sipped the hot black tea served by a maid, warming himself as he listened to Aelif's report on the recent affairs of the territory.
On the table, Dratini was curled up, happily munching on fish meatballs Raven had prepared.
They were made from bass caught in the river, carefully deboned and cleaned.
With resources still scarce—no Poké Puffs, no Pokéblocks—Raven could only improvise to provide food that suited Dratini.
Aelif glanced at the little Pokémon by Raven's side and thought it looked… rounder than before.
He remembered the journey from the royal city.
Back then, winter had just begun, the air growing colder by the day. The little Pokémon was terrified of the chill, hiding in the carriage from dawn till dusk.
The cold and harsh travel had left it thin and frail.
But now… not only had it plumped up, it could even swim in the freezing river without complaint.
His Highness truly has a gift for raising Pokémon, Aelif thought, quietly impressed.
Collecting himself, he continued his report.
"Your Highness, the seeds in the farmland have all been sown. Now we need only wait patiently for them to grow. Logging in the forest is also progressing smoothly. If nothing unexpected happens, in another week at most, every wooden house should be finished."
He paused, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Also, the people wish to use this time to build a house for you, so you may winter more comfortably."
At first, Raven thought it unnecessary. The tent was still livable—windproof, waterproof. But on second thought, this was the people's goodwill. Besides, he quite liked the idea of having a proper "home" with Dratini.
Very well. In the future, this tent could serve as a lord's hall for discussing affairs.
"I understand," Raven nodded. He then thought of Lyon and his group, who had gone to explore the surroundings, and asked, "Have Lyon and the others not returned yet?"
It had been several days since they left the territory. Their names still appeared on the subject panel, so he knew they were alive, but worry gnawed at him.
Aelif shook his head. "Not yet, but Your Highness need not fret. Lyon and Cleveland are experienced. Even if they encounter dangerous Pokémon, they should be able to retreat safely."
Raven nodded. At this point, waiting was all they could do.
"Your Highness! Lord Raven! Trouble!"
A panicked voice suddenly rang out from outside.
Raven and Aelif both looked up as a woman rushed into the tent.
"What happened?" Raven asked.
"Your Highness, beasts!" she cried, face pale with fear. "Pokémon attacked the lumberyard!"
Pokémon?
Raven frowned and immediately stood. "Take me there!"
"Yes, sir!"
Bringing Dratini with him, Raven followed the woman to the lumberyard.
After half a month of cutting, the once-thick forest here had been cleared, replaced by bare ground dotted with newly built wooden houses.
Even from a distance, Raven could see several knights standing in front of the civilians, weapons raised, eyes locked nervously on something among the trees.
"Lord Raven!"
Spotting him, they quickly stepped aside.
"Your Highness, be careful!" one knight warned.
Raven gave a short nod, then followed their gazes upward.
There, on the branches of several trees, stood a group of small, gray Pokémon with fluffy ears and rodent-like bodies.
Each clutched sticks and pebbles, glaring down with fierce eyes.
"Minccino!"
…Minccino?!
"Blasted pests, begone! Don't disturb our work!" one knight shouted, trying to drive them away.
But the next second, a hail of pebbles, twigs, and even a few berries came flying at him.
The knight was pelted mercilessly, lumps rising on his head. Grinding his teeth, he snarled, "Damn it! Looks like you need to be taught a—"
He never finished. The Minccino suddenly glowed brightly.
Swift!
Countless glowing stars shot forward at dazzling speed, engulfing the knight in a storm of light.
He didn't even have time to scream before collapsing unconscious.
The residents, who had thought the little Pokémon cute just moments ago, gasped in terror, stumbling back.
The Minccino stood firm, glaring, as if warning them: Take one more step, and we'll attack again.
Seeing this, the three Snover at Raven's side shifted forward.
Over these days, they had grown close with the people here.
These humans had played with them, shared food with them—they already saw them as companions.
Now, seeing their companions attacked, the Snover moved instinctively to retaliate.
"Wait, Snover!"
"Snor?"
The three turned to Raven.
"Please, wait." Raven shook his head gently and stepped forward himself.
He looked up at the Minccino on the branches, quickly understanding the cause of this conflict.
The logging.
They had destroyed the Minccino's home.
So the Pokémon had come to stop them.
This was the inevitable clash between human expansion and wild Pokémon.
Sensing Raven's presence, the Minccino fixed their eyes on him.
Perhaps realizing he was the leader here, they let out sharp cries of accusation.
"Minccino!"
Two options lay before them:
First, seek peace—invite the Minccino to live alongside the humans.
Second, drive them away by force.
Raven counted them quickly.
One, two, three, four, five…
There were five in total. With Dratini, Zorua, and the three Snover, they might be able to win a fight.
But deep down, Raven knew—the fault was theirs. They had destroyed the Minccino's home.
What should he do?
Unnoticed, in a shadowed corner, another small Pokémon watched silently.
Its green body peeked from behind a tree as it observed both the humans and the Minccino.
"Snivy…"
(End of Chapter)