Draconis's mind recalled the Fire Stone he had previously discovered at the hot spring.
The Pokémon world is rich in mineral resources; in addition to common iron ore and coal, many unique ores are buried underground.
For example, various types of Evolution Stones, Everstones, Oval Stones, Dawn Stones, and so on.
These stones have a great connection with Pokémon; some can even cause Pokémon to evolve, changing their appearance.
"It's alright, Snivy. Tomorrow, I'll ask the miners if they've heard anything about an Everstone. With that stone, you won't have to endure evolution anymore," Draconis said.
"Snivy—"
Snivy looked at Draconis, then gently nodded.
The night passed uneventfully. The next morning, Draconis went to the Lord's Hall as usual.
Alfred, Gerolt, and others were already waiting there early.
Seeing Draconis arrive, Alfred stepped forward to report, "Your Highness Draconis, the spring harvest is basically complete. I have followed your instructions and stored a batch of harvested grains for seeds."
Draconis nodded. To his knowledge, saving seeds for crops was not a simple matter.
First, during harvest, it was necessary to remove impurities and inferior plants, discarding weeds, diseased plants, and malnourished wheat, while retaining strong, consistent plants to ensure seed purity.
Additionally, the seeds needed to be spread out separately to dry, turned daily to keep them dry, and prevent mildew.
Draconis didn't need to specifically instruct them on these matters; ancient farmers knew more about this than he did.
"Thank you all for your hard work," Draconis said. Then, he looked at Gerolt beside him and said, "Gerolt, remember to bring me a small piece of each type of ore the miners excavate from now on."
Hearing this, Gerolt was slightly taken aback: "Your Highness, is this…?"
"I believe that as a qualified lord, one needs to have a certain understanding of all affairs within their territory. I must first determine the types of those ores before I can decide their uses," Draconis explained.
"Understood, Your Highness!" Gerolt nodded. After spending these days together, he felt that His Highness Draconis was a more qualified and excellent lord compared to the two in the royal city.
He was benevolent, loved his Commoners as his own children, and was both brave and resourceful.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you all may go and get busy!" Draconis said.
He also had to go and specially train Dratini and Snivy.
Gerolt nodded and then left to carry out his task.
Alfred, smiling, said, "Oh, by the way, Your Highness, the boat you ordered earlier has been completed."
Hearing this, Draconis's heart stirred.
"Oh? That fast?"
"Yes, because it's just a simple small boat with limited capacity for people and goods, the manufacturing process is relatively simple," Alfred explained.
"In that case, quickly take me to see it!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The two arrived at the river, and from a distance, Draconis saw a small wooden boat docked by the riverbank.
At this moment, there were already several small wooden boats on the great river, with several shirtless middle-aged men standing on them, casting nets for Fishing.
Draconis looked at those people and noticed that their profession had changed from nothing to fishermen.
Watching this scene, Alfred introduced, "These people originally worked as fishermen in the royal city. A few days ago, they saw us make wooden boats, so they decided to resume their old profession."
"Good," Draconis nodded. This way, even without Dratini, these Commoners could catch fish from the river on their own.
"Is Your Highness going to the other side of the river?" Alfred asked.
Draconis nodded.
Alfred seemed to have known Draconis's intentions already; at this moment, a worker who knew how to row a boat was already waiting there in advance.
Seeing Draconis approach, the uncle immediately respectfully called out, "Your Highness Draconis!"
"Take me to the other side to have a look," Draconis said.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Draconis boarded the boat with Dratini and Snivy. The boatman untied the rope and steadily controlled the boat, rowing towards the opposite bank.
Layers of ripples spread across the water. Draconis estimated the width of the river.
It was already over twenty meters.
Through the clear water, ordinary fish and some Water-type Pokémon could be vaguely seen swimming below.
Magikarp, Feebas, Basculin… Not far from the riverbank, a group of dazed Psyduck gathered, and further out on the water, several Buizel poked their heads out, revealing furry faces to observe the scene here.
It seems the variety of Pokémon inhabiting this area is truly rich!
Soon, the boat docked.
Draconis disembarked, and the boatman said, "Your Highness Draconis, I will wait for you here."
Draconis nodded.
He looked back and saw the territory being constructed on the opposite bank.
Fishermen Fishing on the river, farmers tilling the fields, women washing clothes, children and Pokémon playing everywhere…
Everything looked so vibrant.
Alfred on the opposite bank saw Draconis intending to walk further in and couldn't help but worry.
He shouted across the river, "Your Highness Draconis, please be careful!"
There were many magical beasts inhabiting the plains on the other side of the river!
"Don't worry, Alfred!" Draconis shook his head, signaling to the other party not to worry.
He walked with Dratini and Snivy across this vast, fertile plain, and looking up, he could see various Pokémon living here.
Rattata, Cottonee, Whimsicott, Petilil, Budew, Roselia, Deerling, Zebstrika…
A few bold Deerling grazed nonchalantly around Draconis; these Pokémon seemed unafraid of strangers, not even fleeing when Draconis approached.
"Hey, Deerling!" Draconis pulled a Berry from his pocket.
The Deerling turned their heads to look, and one of them bravely walked forward, took the Berry, and ate it.
Draconis saw that the Deerling's eyes seemed to become even brighter.
Then, it and its companions nimbly jumped around Draconis.
"Sure enough, giving Deerling food immediately brings you closer to them!" Draconis thought.
However, just then, a rumbling sound suddenly came from not far away.
The Deerling seemed startled, turning and fleeing in a panic.
Draconis was slightly stunned. He turned his head and saw a furious Rhyhorn charging towards them.
And the Rhyhorn's target was clearly the most conspicuous human on this plain!
But fortunately, Draconis was prepared.
"Snivy, Magical Leaf."
Snivy swiftly channeled energy, forming sharp Leaf Blades. Under its control, the green glowing leaves flew towards the Rhyhorn at an extremely fast speed.
The sharp leaves sliced across the Rhyhorn's steel-like body. Although the two seemed vastly different, when they truly collided, it was the robust Rhyhorn that suffered heavy damage.