The cold winter night howled outside, snow carried on icy winds battering the wooden walls.
Inside a newly built cabin, Anna, her mother Ellie, and Zorua sat around a crackling fire. A pot hung above the flames, simmering with a milky-white fish soup.
"All right, it's ready—time to eat!" Ellie said gently, ladling the steaming broth.
"The snow outside is so heavy!"
Anna and Zorua peered out the small window at the blizzard, marveling.
Hearing her mother's call, Anna ran back, and Zorua hopped down from the sill onto the wooden floor. Both stared at the soup, wide-eyed. "It smells so good!"
"Then have plenty." Ellie smiled, setting a bowl before Zorua as well. "Here, Zorua—this one's for you. If it's not enough, just let me know."
"Wuu!"
Zorua bent its head, lapping the broth with its pink tongue.
Watching, Ellie felt a surge of wonder.
So… there really were magical beasts in this world.
A few days ago, while gathering herbs with Anna, they had been attacked by a wild beast. If not for Zorua's help, they might have been badly hurt.
Now, she had fully accepted Zorua's presence.
Living alongside such a creature wasn't bad at all.
"This is delicious!" Anna cheered between bites of golden-grilled fish.
Ellie smiled. "Anna, you must study hard under Lord Raven. Don't disappoint his expectations."
It was thanks to him that they had survived. Without Raven, they would likely have perished in the blizzard.
"Yes!" Anna nodded firmly. Remembering the training Raven had given her, she turned to Zorua. "Zorua, let's practice illusions again before bed!"
"Wuu~!"
＊
Dinner time came, and Raven returned, cloaked in snow and chill. He shook off his mantle and stepped inside.
The stone fireplace roared, sparks snapping, its orange glow filling the cabin. Soon the warmth seeped into his bones.
Perhaps too cozy—the Dratini and Minccino were already drowsy. The five Minccino had curled up on the bed, while Dratini coiled atop a cushion on the rug.
None stirred when Raven entered.
He quietly called for dinner to be brought. Tonight's meal: roasted fish, fish soup, white bread, smoked ham, and for dessert, sliced Yache berries.
The rich aroma filled the room.
Dratini was first to stir, then the Minccino perked up, noses twitching.
Raven chuckled. "All right—let's eat!"
They crowded around, joining him at the table.
He ate quickly, and while the Pokémon were still busy with their food, he opened his lord's panel.
"Now, time to check on technology."
The construction of the cabins had given him 500 satisfaction, which by now had risen past 600.
At his thought, the tech tree appeared:
[Gathering (unlocked)] → Branch 1 [Basic Berry Cultivation (available)] → Branch 2 [Basic Herbalism (unlocked)] → [Advanced Herbalism (available)]
[Animal Husbandry (available)] → [Basic Processing (basic agricultural byproducts)]
[Fishing (unlocked)] → [Basic Shipbuilding (available)]
[Mining (available)] → [Ore Theory (available)]
Raven scanned them.
With 600 satisfaction, he could unlock both Mining and Animal Husbandry.
But…
Berry cultivation would unlock naturally in spring, once farmers planted Yache seeds.
Advanced Herbalism required 500 satisfaction and specific herbs—resources they didn't yet have. "Not now," he decided. "When we've enough herbs, or a proper garden, then."
As for Shipbuilding—boats were useless if they planned to settle here for now.
That left Animal Husbandry, Mining, and Processing.
[Animal Husbandry: Unlock methods to raise land Pokémon. Cost: 200 satisfaction.][Mining: Unlock methods to extract mineral resources. Cost: 200 satisfaction.][Basic Processing: Unlock recipes and techniques for agricultural byproducts. Cost: 300 satisfaction.]
"Aron's mountain may hide ore, but without miners or tools…" Raven mused. "Though, perhaps Aron itself could help locate veins?"
He shook his head. "No—for now, food and warmth come first."
So he spent 500 satisfaction unlocking Animal Husbandry and Processing.
Knowledge surged into his mind:
[Miltank, Wooloo, Mareep, Bounsweet, Chansey, Combee, Alcremie, Tropius, Slowpoke… Glastrier, Spectrier, Groudon—methods of raising land Pokémon unlocked!]
[Techniques for processing milk, honey, wool, fruit, cream, wheat, beer, eggs unlocked!]
In moments, Raven knew how to craft cheese, honey, cloth, yogurt, jam, flour…
Another message appeared:
[These skills may be taught to residents, granting them new professions!]
[Cheesemaker, Brewer, Beekeeper, Miller, Farmer, Miner, Fisher…]
(End of Chapter)