The next morning, several blacksmiths led by Morik set out toward the mountains where the Aron lived, shovels and tools in hand. Their task: to dig out usable clay and limestone from the rich mineral veins nearby.
The excavated clay was hauled back to the settlement on carts pulled by two sturdy Bouffalant.
During his break, blacksmith Glo began digging a large pit at the outskirts of the territory, preparing the foundation for a kiln that would be used to fire bricks.
After months of stillness, the territory once again hummed with activity.
Though their methods were crude and they had only two Bouffalant to handle transport, the work progressed steadily. Trip by trip, clay and limestone flowed back to the growing camp.
Lucien watched from a distance, breathing a quiet sigh of relief.
With bricks and mortar, they could soon build stronger houses and even begin paving roads.
"Elif, make sure the Bouffalant are well cared for," Lucien instructed.
Those two Pokémon had become the backbone of the entire operation; nothing could be allowed to happen to them.
"Yes, Your Highness," Elif replied with a respectful bow.
With the problems of clay and limestone resolved, only one thing remained: fire.
They would need a Fire-type Pokémon.
"I wonder how Ryan is doing," Lucien murmured.
If the Simisear truly refused to follow him, then once spring came, they'd have to search the forest for another Fire-type partner.
Meanwhile, at the forest hot springs, Ryan sat by the edge of the steaming pool, grinning as he watched the Simisear soak contentedly in the water.
"Here, try another one!" Ryan said brightly. "If that's not enough, I've got more candy!"
"Bak~!"
Simisear accepted the candy eagerly, a delighted expression crossing its face.
Ryan chuckled and sat back on a nearby rock, the winter air crisp around him. Over the past few days, the two had grown unexpectedly close.
Every morning, when Ryan came to visit, Simisear would already be waiting by the spring.
For someone who had spent most of his life alone, that simple act, someone waiting for him, filled Ryan's heart with a warmth he'd never known before.
"Simisear, can you understand me?" he asked softly.
"Bak?" The Fire Pokémon turned, blinking curiously, as if to ask what he meant.
Ryan smiled faintly.
Back in the royal city, no one had ever thought about communicating with monsters. They were just called monsters, creatures to be fought, feared, or avoided.
But now, seeing Simisear's innocent eyes and playful curiosity, Ryan understood. They weren't monsters at all.
They had emotions, real, gentle emotions, and a kind of childlike simplicity that made them… endearing.
'His Highness Lucien was right,' Ryan thought. 'Magical beasts aren't tools. They're companions.'
He looked at Simisear again, the firelight glinting in his eyes.
"Simisear," he said quietly, "would you really not come back with me? To my camp?"
Ryan couldn't help but extend his invitation to the Simisear once again.
"We live in the open plains just outside the forest," Ryan said earnestly. "His Highness Lucien has already built several houses there, sturdy ones that keep out the wind and rain. You wouldn't have to worry about snowstorms anymore. And…" He grinned.
"I've got plenty of candy. If you come with me, you can have as much as you like, anytime you want."
At that, the Simisear hesitated.
"Bak…"
During the days they'd spent together, he had come to sense this human's sincerity.
Ryan always came to visit, always brought sweets, always smiled.
But still…
"Bak…" Simisear's brow furrowed as though in conflict. He looked troubled, almost pained.
Then, after a moment of thought, he stood up from the hot spring and began walking toward the forest.
"Bak!"
He stopped a few steps ahead and turned, calling out to Ryan.
Ryan blinked. "You want me to follow you?"
"Bak!" The Fire-type nodded firmly.
Though confused, Ryan obeyed.
Man and Pokémon walked together through a maze of brush and snow-dusted trees. The forest thinned, and soon they emerged into a small clearing where a cave mouth yawned before them.
Ryan tilted his head. "Is this… your home?"
"Bak!"
Simisear gave a short nod and ducked inside, motioning for Ryan to come along.
Ryan followed. The cave was shallow but surprisingly neat. The floor was layered with orange-brown leaves, forming what looked like a crude bed.
And there, nestled on the leaves, were three smaller Pokémon.
One looked like a tiny mushroom with a pink cap; another was a gray pigeon Ryan recognized from the skies above the territory; and the last was a small, mouse-like creature with red cheeks, sleeping peacefully.
"What is this…" Ryan whispered, frozen in place.
At the sound of voices, the mushroom and pigeon Pokémon scurried to their guardian's side, peeking out nervously at the human intruder.
The little mouse remained asleep, its soft breathing barely audible.
Simisear crouched down and spoke to them in gentle tones, his voice low and reassuring. Slowly, the two frightened Pokémon relaxed.
Ryan's eyes softened as realization dawned. "They're… the monsters you've been taking care of, aren't they?"
"Bak."
Simisear nodded.
"So… that's why you won't come live with me? Because of them?" Ryan asked softly.
"Bak…"
Simisear nodded, his expression full of embarrassment.
Even though he liked this human, trusted him, he couldn't simply abandon the three little Pokémon that depended on him.
He had found them over a month ago, shivering and injured in the forest.
Winter had arrived, and the temperatures were freezing. Each of them had sustained varying degrees of injuries, making it impossible for them to fly to warmer climes.
They would never have survived the cold alone.
So Simisear had brought them back to his cave, caring for them as best he could.
Ryan stood there, stunned.
A monster… rescuing and protecting other monsters of different species, on its own initiative!
It turned everything he'd ever believed upside down.
No wonder Simisear had turned him down before.
But then Ryan's eyes lit up with sudden realization.
"Wait, if that's the problem, then come back with me together! I live alone, and there's plenty of room. You can bring them too!"
His face broke into a hopeful grin. "Wouldn't it be great if we all lived together?"
"Bak?!"
Simisear froze, blinking in surprise. The offer seemed so impossible, so… human.
But before he could respond, Ryan knelt beside the pile of orange leaves where the small mouse-type monster lay.
Reaching out, he gently touched its forehead.
"It's burning up," Ryan said grimly. "This one has a fever. If it's not treated soon, it could die."
"Bak!!"
Simisear's eyes widened in panic.
"Don't worry," Ryan said quickly. "We have a healer in our settlement, a real doctor. I can take you there."
...
Bonus @400 PS
Read chapters ahead @Keepsmiling- P@eon