The next day, just as dawn was beginning to break and the sky was only faintly illuminated, Korrina had already arrived at the ranch. Cyclizar helped open the gate for her.
They had agreed yesterday that she could come again today to help out.
To this energetic girl, harvesting hops was especially interesting, and she was brimming with enthusiasm.
"You're here so early. Sit down and have breakfast with us in a bit."
Yawning as he walked downstairs, Silas gently placed the two little ones who had been curled up in his arms onto the sofa.
"Okay!"
Korrina agreed excitedly. She had already eaten breakfast at home—but if it was something made by Big Brother Silas, she could definitely eat a little more.
After finishing a quick wash, Silas headed toward the kitchen, glancing back over his shoulder.
He saw Korrina crouching there, using her fingers to tease Minccino and Morpeko. The two little ones always insisted on lazing in bed for a while every morning.
After breakfast with Kangaskhan and the others, the Meowth trio went off to work first.
Today, Silas arranged for Cyclizar to temporarily take over Mudsdale's job of transporting the harvested hops, since the Mudsdale brothers needed to help till the farmland with their plowing moves.
Silas himself also needed to make a full inspection round of the ranch.
He confirmed that all the Pokémon were in good condition—especially the newly joined shiny Clauncher.
With sufficient food available at the ranch, Clauncher had visibly grown a whole size larger.
"Cher!"
(Silas, I feel like my claw has become really heavy.)
Clauncher raised its massive pincer with some effort, showing it to him.
Hearing that, Silas crouched down, lifted Clauncher up, and placed it on his lap.
The left claw had grown even larger than its body. When Silas tapped it lightly with his fingers, it produced a dull, solid sound.
"This is completely normal. Before, your development wasn't very good because of poor nutrition.
Now that you're getting enough nutrients, your claw is finally starting to grow properly. Once you get used to it, it won't feel so heavy."
"Cher~"
Clauncher smiled upon hearing this and stopped worrying. As long as Silas said it was fine, it felt reassured.
After setting Clauncher back into the lake, the little Pokémon quickly dived underwater. Before long, it resurfaced, dragging a lotus pod along to present to Silas.
Clauncher also wanted to help Silas in its own way, offering whatever strength it could muster.
"You're amazing! When I have some free time tomorrow, I'll make a few more dishes for you. I guarantee you'll grow even bigger and stronger."
Holding up the lotus pod Clauncher had gifted him, Silas gestured enthusiastically with both hands.
The fact that Clauncher's large claw had developed ahead of the rest of its body was undoubtedly related to the special effects of his cooking.
And for Pokémon like Clauncher, an enormous claw was a symbol of identity and status.
With a big claw, it would never again be bullied by others of its own kind.
Carrying the lotus pod, Silas walked back toward the cabin. Halfway there, he saw Minccino and Popplio running toward him.
"Slow down, what's going on?"
Each Pokémon grabbed onto one of his legs, tilting their heads up to look at him pleadingly.
"Min~"
"Lioo!"
"You want me to take you to see Diancie and invite her to join your band? So you haven't forgotten after all!"
He lifted one in each arm. He had assumed they might have forgotten about it, but clearly they hadn't.
"Min~"
Minccino nodded earnestly, indicating that everyone had been busy yesterday, and it hadn't wanted to trouble Silas further.
Pushing open the cabin door and setting the two little ones down, Silas glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
"Wait a bit. It's still Diancie's study time. When it's her break, I'll take you to find her."
Upon receiving his promise, Minccino chirped happily and wrapped its fluffy little arms around his neck, rubbing its soft cheek against his face.
Popplio followed suit, hugging him affectionately as well. Silas treated them so kindly.
Once their band was formed, they would sing for him every single day.
"Oh, thank you so much," Silas said dryly, pinching their cheeks lightly. Still, giving the little ones something to focus on now and then wasn't a bad idea.
May was the hottest month of summer. If they had something to do, they wouldn't go running around recklessly under the blazing sun.
He took two servings of chilled rice cake from the refrigerator for them and let them stay inside watching television.
Then Silas grabbed several more portions and headed outside toward the hop fields.
"Meowth, Kangaskhan, Cyclizar—everyone take a break and come have some chilled rice cake!"
He cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and called out from the edge of the field.
"Meow~"
Rustling sounds came from deep within the hop vines. The three Meowth emerged, grinning broadly with the satisfaction of a good harvest.
"You've all worked hard. Come here."
Smiling, Silas beckoned them over, patting each one in turn and brushing off leaves and bits of dirt clinging to their fur.
The other Pokémon had helped as well. Silas praised them warmly and handed each a serving of chilled rice cake.
After they had finished eating, Silas rested one hand gently on Kangaskhan's head.
The grown lady Pokémon clearly enjoyed his touch. Her tail tapped softly against the ground, and she let out a low, contented hum.
"I'll leave this side to you to watch over, Kangaskhan. I'm going to check on the drying hops."
"Kang~"
Kangaskhan hugged Silas and even lifted him high into the air, assuring him she would take good care of things.
With Kangaskhan helping, Silas felt completely at ease. He headed toward another field nearby.
Since he was already out here, he decided to check on the growth of the various fruits and vegetables.
The round melons had begun to develop a faint yellow tint on their skins. When tapped with a finger, they produced a dull, hollow sound.
The watermelons nearby were growing just as well. Before long, the ranch would usher in yet another abundant harvest.
Everything was thriving—especially the green beans, which had climbed all over the fence. Silas was already contemplating preparing a grand "green bean feast" for the little ones.
However, when he arrived at the small plot where chili peppers were planted, he noticed something unusual.
One particular chili plant was much shorter than the others. Moreover, the fruit it bore was an extremely vivid red—so intensely red that it was impossible to ignore.
Driven by curiosity, Silas stepped closer. The moment his finger brushed against it, a panel suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[Devil Chili Plant: A mutated plant, born by chance under the influence of special energy. Its spiciness is explosively, explosively, explosively intense!!!
Special Effect: If harvested at the very first moment of full maturity, it yields a special fiery chili imbued with offensive energy.]
What a treasure!
Silas's eyes lit up. He had never expected yet another special crop to appear.
With this kind of chili, if he ground it into chili powder and sprinkled it over grilled meat, he might even be able to befriend Groudon.
Well—provided he could survive long enough to approach it and successfully feed it the food.
Having suddenly discovered one special crop, Silas hurried to inspect the other plants.
Unfortunately, he found no additional special crops.
He had no choice but to give up.
Before leaving, he marked the Devil Chili Plant carefully. Then he made his way to the corn and wheat fields.
The corn was growing well; small ears had already formed.
Out of curiosity, Silas peeled one open—inside there were only tender white corn silk strands, far too young.
It would take at least another month before they were ready to eat.
The wheat beside it was growing slightly faster. Small flowers had begun blooming along the heads of grain.
Later, he would ask Litten to call over two Butterfree to help with pollination.
Wheat typically self-pollinates with the help of wind; as long as Butterfree flew back and forth over the field, it would suffice.
After making a mental note of this, Silas turned and headed toward the drying grounds near "Sheep Village."
When he arrived, the first batch of harvested hops had reached the proper standard—the cones were crisp and brittle.
Silas called over "Happy" (one of the Mareep) and asked it to help fetch some tools from the silo.
Storing hops wasn't as simple as stuffing them into sacks.
There was one crucial step required to ensure they would not spoil or grow mold.
(End of Chapter)