The Fire Stone, a mineral infused with concentrated fire energy, was a magical stone capable of evolving certain Pokémon.
Beyond that, it had other, more practical uses.
Lucien recalled seeing a note in the technology archive:
[Bathhouse: Unlocks the ability to construct a bathhouse using coal, Fire Stones, and other minerals as fuel.
Requirement: 1000 Satisfaction Points.]
The Fire Stone constantly released energy from within. The stronger the energy, the higher the heat it radiated, which in turn influenced the temperature of the surrounding water.
Lucien made a mental note of the hot spring's location. Later, he would dispatch people to investigate further, there might even be a Fire Stone vein to mine.
Meanwhile, Ryan came running back, candy clutched in his hands.
"Your Highness Lucien, do I just… give this to the beast?" he asked, his voice bubbling with excitement.
"That depends on the magical beast's personality," Lucien replied evenly. "But even if it doesn't work right away, keep trying. Let it grow familiar with you, then your chances will improve."
"I see…" Ryan muttered, before turning his eager gaze toward the Simisear.
Never mind hesitation. He'd just try it!
Ryan carefully approached the Simisear, who was lounging comfortably in the steaming spring.
"Bak?"
Sensing someone near, Simisear cracked open an eye and found Ryan standing there, grinning awkwardly.
"Hey, Simisear, want to try some candy? It's really good!" Ryan said, mimicking the gentle tone Lucien used when speaking to Dratini.
"Bak…"
Simisear tilted its head, staring at the small package in Ryan's hand but making no move.
"Huh?" Ryan blinked, then turned to Lucien with a desperate, questioning look.
Lucien gave him a long stare. "How about unwrapping it first?"
Ryan smacked his forehead. He'd been so excited that he'd forgotten to even open the wrapper.
Quickly peeling it back, he revealed a crystal-clear piece of candy, its sweetness wafting into the air.
"Bak…"
This time, Simisear's eyes locked on the candy, its mouth visibly watering.
"Go on, try it!" Ryan encouraged, holding it out.
Unable to resist, Simisear snatched the candy and popped it into its mouth. Its expression melted with joy as the sweetness spread across its tongue.
"Bak~!" it cried happily.
Lucien nodded. "Good. Now… try inviting it again."
"Yes!" Ryan looked at the Simisear again and tried once more.
"Simisear, would you like to come live with me? I've got plenty of delicious candy!"
Lucien: "..."
Why did that sound suspiciously like some shady street-seller's pitch?
Hearing this, Simisear tilted its head. For a moment, a flicker of hesitation passed over its face. But in the end, it shook its head and declined.
Ryan's shoulders sagged in disappointment.
Lucien spoke gently. "Don't be discouraged. This is only your first meeting with it. It doesn't know you yet. Keep bringing candy, keep talking to it. Once it grows familiar with you, it may accept."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Ryan straightened, determination burning in his eyes.
He looked again at the Simisear in the hot spring and made up his mind. He was not someone who gave up easily. If this magical beast wasn't aggressive, then with enough patience, he would one day win it over. And then, just as His Highness had said, they would live together, share warmth, and cook meals with its flame.
After spending a while longer at the spring, Lucien turned and returned to the tent that served as the lord's hall.
Inside, he summoned the old butler, Elif.
"Is there anyone in the territory who can make bricks and mortar?" Lucien asked.
Elif thought for a moment, then nodded. "Your Highness, I recall several blacksmiths in the territory who might be able to do such work."
"Tell them to come see me."
"Yes, at once."
Elif hurried away, soon returning with three middle-aged, bearded men.
Lucien's gaze swept over them. From left to right, they were Glo, Rune, and Morik.
Elif introduced them respectfully. "Your Highness, these three are highly skilled blacksmiths. Back in the royal city, they smelted the soldiers' blades and forged the farmers' tools."
Lucien nodded, then addressed them directly. "Do any of you know how to make bricks and mortar?"
"Your Highness, I do!" Morik, the man on the far right, raised his hand. He hesitated, then added, "But our current problem is materials. To make bricks, we'll need a good supply of clay. And to make mortar, we'll need plenty of limestone."
Clay and lime…
Lucien leaned forward slightly. "Don't worry about the fire. I'll take care of that. What I need to know is this, if we can gather enough materials, then you can produce bricks and mortar, correct?"
"That's right."
Lucien nodded. He thought back to the mountains where the Aron lived, rich in minerals. Perhaps clay and lime could be found there as well.
At that moment, Glo, one of the three blacksmiths, spoke up.
"It would be perfect if that magical beast were here."
"Magical beast?" Lucien tilted his head, curious.
Glo explained, "Your Excellency, it's a magical beast that can create concrete out of thin air using its own power. We humans first learned the technique from it."
At once, Lucien's mind connected the description.
The builders of the Pokémon world—Timburr, Gurdurr, and their final evolution, Conkeldurr.
They were always seen around construction sites, carrying timbers and steel beams with ease. Not only were they immensely strong, but they also enjoyed helping humans with building projects.
In fact, a Conkeldurr could mix the energy of stone with its fighting power to produce solid, durable concrete on the spot.
If he could bring such a Pokémon into the territory, construction and urban development would accelerate dramatically.
"I see." Lucien gave a satisfied nod. "I'll send someone to search for this magical beast later. For now, I have another task for you."
"What is it, Your Highness?" the three blacksmiths asked in unison.
"My scouts report signs of large mineral deposits in a mountain near our territory," Lucien explained. "I need you to go investigate."
If they could locate a good clay deposit, bricks could be produced immediately.
Of course, that would also depend on Ryan succeeding in befriending the Simisear. Its Fire-type flames would serve as the perfect furnace for baking bricks.
Lucien even smiled faintly at the thought. With plenty of sweets on hand, Simisear's favorite, it would be easy enough to pay for its service.