Some Grass-type Pokémon are quite special.
They do not need food and can live only on sunlight, soil, and clean water.
Smoliv is one of them.
When it bathes in the sun, it converts the nutrients produced by photosynthesis into oil stored in the fruit on its head, which allows it to go a week without eating or drinking.
Watching Smoliv's lazy demeanor, Naoki also sat at the desk.
Turning around, Koraidon stood there energetically looking at him.
Perhaps tired from chasing butterflies outside, Cyclizar lay on the wooden floor yawning.
In the cupboard, Alcremie looked around this new home contentedly.
On the windowsill, Smoliv lazily basked in the sun and enjoyed the breeze.
Under the eaves outside, the Metapod that had evolved from Caterpie was diligently growing, waiting for that day to come.
In the newly-built Chicken House, hens clucked as they moved about.
Under the soft soil, crops that bring hope to people were thriving.
In the cave at the back of the house, mushroom mycelium was sprouting, and it was believed that within a few days, delicious plump mushrooms would grow.
The entire ranch had undergone a significant change compared to when Naoki first came here.
It's really...getting more and more lively!
A feeling of unprecedented satisfaction emerged in Naoki's heart.
He took out the ledger and meticulously recorded today's income and expenses.
Spring 198, January 14th.
Income:
Expenses: Construction of Chicken House, wooden fence, purchase of hens ×3, rooster ×1, Alcremie ×1, Smoliv ×1, -30600
Remaining funds: 5900
Looking at the names of Alcremie and Smoliv in the ledger, Naoki suddenly realized something.
Actually, he didn't need to buy some Pokémon from the ranch in town.
A Rancher isn't a Trainer and doesn't have much combat ability.
Wild Pokémon like Garganacl, Noibat, and Miltank are pretty much impossible for ordinary Ranchers to capture, and even if they manage to capture them, it takes time to train them to work in the ranch.
Compared to wild Pokémon, those bred artificially are generally very tame, do not attack people, and actively cooperate with Ranchers in their work.
So, it is most convenient for them to directly purchase from a ranch where they are specifically bred.
But for Naoki, it's different.
He turned his head and exchanged a glance with Koraidon.
Koraidon, being a legendary Pokémon, known as the king of wings, should have far superior combat abilities compared to normal Pokémon.
With Koraidon around, Naoki could do what ordinary Ranchers couldn't, capturing Pokémon from the wild to bring back to his ranch.
It's decided, tomorrow I'll head to Casseroya Lake to investigate the Pokémon ecology there!
See if there's anything suitable to keep on the ranch.
————
Outside, the sky was already late, and the entire ranch was shrouded in the twilight.
Naoki, along with Koraidon and Cyclizar, checked the condition of the crops in the farmland.
In the past half month, the turnips, which grow quickly, have successfully sprouted leaves, neatly arranged in the grid-like farmland, looking very pleasing to the eye.
"Luckily, only a few weeds grew, no pests."
After pulling out the weeds, Naoki looked up at the sky, seeing that it was getting late, so he returned to the house with Koraidon and Cyclizar to start preparing dinner.
Upon seeing his actions, Alcremie immediately jumped out of the cupboard, moved to the stove, showing no fear of fire.
Naoki raised an eyebrow, seeing Alcremie's action, he guessed: "You want to help me prepare dinner?"
"Maa maa!"
Alcremie nodded happily.
Naoki looked down at the ingredients placed before him, including eggs, berries, smoked sausages, slices of toast, raw meat patties, and noodles.
They could be used to make fried pork cutlets, steamed eggs, sandwiches, and clear soup noodles.
To celebrate the arrival of Alcremie and Smoliv, Naoki intended to make several dishes tonight.
Upon hearing Alcremie's words, he began to ponder what dishes could be made with cream.
As everyone knows, Alcremie can produce whipped cream from its hands, which it decorates berries with and then gives to Trainers it trusts.
The happier Alcremie is, the richer the taste of the whipped cream it produces.
With desserts adorned with such whipped cream being exceptionally delicious, having Alcremie as a partner is every Pastry Chef's dream.
Cream...
Looking at the packaged toast slices and berries, Naoki suddenly thought of a good idea.
Cream fruit cake!
Although he did not have an oven or whisk yet, he could use toast slices as the cake base. By spreading a layer of whipped cream and placing a few berries on top, he could create a simple fruit cake.
"In that case, let's prepare together!"
Naoki stacked several pieces of toast together, shaped them into a circle with a knife, and placed them in front of Alcremie.
"Use your cream to coat this cake base!" Naoki said.
The clever Alcremie immediately understood his intention.
It extended its hand, and the whipped cream poured out continuously, coating the cake base made of toast.
When it was almost done, Naoki called out for it to stop, smoothing out the cream with a knife, then cutting the berries into small pieces and placing them on top.
Thus, a caramel-flavored cream fruit cake was completed.
As Naoki looked down, the cake's information appeared before him.
[Cream Fruit Cake (Caramel Flavor) (D-): A dessert of average quality, made with Alcremie's hand-whipped cream, if a proper cake base had been used, its grade might have been higher.
Cooking Effect: Sweet Dream lv1, after Pokémon eat it, they can temporarily forget worries and sadness, having a sweet dream where they meet the people and things they wish to see.
Evaluation: A dessert that can bring happiness to humans and Pokémon alike.]
Huh?
A dream-inducing effect for Pokémon?
Naoki was a bit surprised; he originally thought the effect might be to recover stamina.
But come to think of it, having sweet dreams seems to be the ability of the Dream God Cresselia?
Naoki mused a little.
Successful in helping Naoki make the cake, Alcremie seemed extremely happy.
Naoki couldn't help but chuckle: "Just wait a bit, I'll make a few more dishes."
"Maa maa?"
Upon hearing this, Alcremie immediately raised its hand, asking if cream was still needed?
"No need for now." Naoki shook his head: "Let's make desserts together again next time!"
"Maa maa~"
Alcremie happily agreed.
Naoki then began preparing the remaining dishes.
Fried pork cutlets, clear soup noodles, steamed eggs, sandwiches, and finally, a few glasses of Berry Juice.
When making the first three dishes, Naoki specially added Purifying Salt given to him by the elder at Happy Ranch.
As expected, after completing these dishes, an extra effect [Stamina Recovery] appeared.
Naoki had made fried pork cutlets and clear soup noodles before, but this was his first time making steamed eggs.
The steamed egg had a soft yellow color, dotted with small clusters of green scallions, finally drizzled with a drop of sesame oil, glistening under the light. When served, the steamed egg in the bowl gently wobbled like pudding with any movement.
[Steamed Egg (B+): A dish of average quality, the addition of Purifying Salt grants it an extra magical effect.
Cooking Effect: Slippery Lv3, Hairless Pokémon only, after consumption, the Pokémon's body becomes smooth and shiny, making it easier to escape from contact moves during battles, duration: 3 hours.
Additional Effect: Stamina Recovery
Evaluation: Enjoy it with your Pokémon!]