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After counting his earnings, Lucas parted ways with Raleigh. Lately, he hadn't been visiting the palace much because he always seemed to run into those persistent ministers.
Because of his food stall outside the palace, those ministers constantly badgered him, all trying to convince him to abandon it for the sake of the royal family's reputation. Some even wanted to arrange marriages between him and their daughters, which was completely absurd!
He was just a carefree member of the royal family, so why were they so eager to marry their daughters to him?
Lucas stood on the cable car with Komala in his arms, heading toward the city gate when he suddenly heard someone calling from behind.
"Your Highness Lucas! Your Highness Lucas!"
Moments later, a person on a motorcycle appeared in the lane beside him.
"Your Highness Lucas, please wait a moment," the rider called, chasing after the cable car.
Seeing this, Lucas stopped at the nearest docking point, and the motorcyclist promptly pulled over as well.
"And you are?" Lucas asked with suspicion.
The man removed his helmet, revealing a middle-aged man with somewhat stern features. He introduced himself, "Good afternoon, Your Highness Lucas. My name is Levi, and I work for Lord Alva."
"Alva?" Lucas frowned. "What does one of Alva's men want with me?"
Levi replied, "Your Highness, our lord invites you to join him for coffee. It's just over there." He pointed toward a nearby coffee shop.
Lucas hesitated briefly before agreeing. "Very well, let's go."
"Yes, sir!" Levi responded, leading the way.
"Welcome!"
Upon entering the coffee shop, Lucas immediately spotted Alva sitting by the window. Seeing Lucas enter, Alva immediately stood up with a welcoming smile.
"Your Highness Lucas!" His enthusiasm was evident. "I've been wanting to speak with you privately for some time, but the opportunity never presented itself until now."
At Alva's invitation, Lucas sat down across from him and asked skeptically, "What could Minister Alva possibly want to discuss with me? I'm just a laid-back person with no interest in state affairs. Don't tell me you want advice on how to set up a food stall and run a business?"
"Your Highness is quite humorous," Alva said with an awkward smile. Then, he suddenly sighed deeply and said with serious intent, "Logically speaking, the throne of the Azoth Kingdom should rightfully belong to Your Highness!"
What? What? What? Was Alva implying something treasonous?
"You must be joking. The throne belongs to Edward, and the heirs are Kimia and Raleigh. What does it have to do with me? I simply want to live freely without unnecessary responsibilities," Lucas replied, eyeing Alva with suspicion. This man's intentions were questionable at best.
However, Alva merely hinted at the subject without dwelling on it further, instead shifting to another topic.
"Does Your Highness know of Magearna?" Alva inquired.
"Of course. That was my sister's Pokémon. Hasn't it gone missing? It's uncertain whether it's even still functioning—after all, five hundred years have passed," Lucas replied.
"Does Your Highness truly not know Magearna's whereabouts? You are Queen Anna's brother, and since Nikola woke you from a five-hundred-year slumber, surely they must have left you some clues?" Alva pressed.
"No," Lucas shook his head decisively.
Indeed, there weren't any clues.
"Your Highness, please consider carefully," Alva persisted. "Magearna is crucial to the future prosperity of the Azoth Kingdom!"
Lucas shook his head again. "Honestly, there were no clues left to me."
"Your Highness, don't you wish to see Azoth dominate the world?" Alva said with growing excitement. "The secret weapon left by Nikola will undoubtedly help Azoth achieve this goal, if only you and I can locate Magearna!"
Lucas hadn't expected Alva to harbor such ambitious designs.
"I believe Azoth is perfectly fine as it is," Lucas responded calmly. "The people are prosperous, the nation is thriving, peaceful and harmonious. Dominating the world seems like an unnecessary fantasy."
"It's possible! It's absolutely possible! It's not a mere fantasy—not if we can find Magearna and activate the secret weapon left by Nikola!" Alva's expression had grown almost manic.
"Alva!" Lucas called sharply.
Only then did Alva realize his lapse in composure. He quickly restrained his emotions and sat upright once more.
"I believe Azoth is very well-off as it is and requires no change," Lucas reiterated.
Upon hearing this, Alva's disappointment was palpable. "Your Highness, I am truly disappointed in you. You are simply unworthy of your royal heritage!"
Lucas mentally cursed: Damn it, is this guy trying to manipulate me with guilt? Do I have to satisfy his ambitions no matter what?
He stood up abruptly. "Alva, I apologize, but I must return home. Goodbye."
"Your Highness! Your Highness Lucas!" Alva called after him, but Lucas didn't look back.
As soon as he left the coffee shop, Lucas phoned Kimia, telling her about his meeting with Alva and warning her to be wary of the minister's intentions.
After leaving the royal city, Lucas rode Lapras directly home.
As usual, Munchlax was sitting on the doorstep waiting for Lucas to return. The moment Lucas arrived, Munchlax immediately leaped into his arms, seeking affection.
"Alright, alright! You clingy little thing!" Lucas teased, gently pinching Munchlax's ears.
Walking into the house, Lucas noticed both Kirlia and Gardevoir were present, and greeted them with a warm smile.
During this period, Kirlia had been helping around the house daily, and since Gardevoir's recovery, she often accompanied Kirlia.
As Lucas had been completely accepted by the Pokémon of the plateau, the number of Pokémon visiting his establishment for meals had increased considerably. Thanks to Kirlia and Gardevoir's assistance, Diancie wasn't overwhelmed with work.
Diancie was so busy with cleaning alone that her feet barely touched the ground.
Since Gardevoir and Kirlia were Psychic-type Pokémon, their help meant Diancie only needed to provide direction, making the work much more manageable.
"Thank you both for your hard work during this time," Lucas said gratefully to the couple.
"Garde~! Voir~!"
"Kirlia~! Kirlia~!"
The couple waved dismissively. Compared to Lucas's help during their time of need, their assistance was minimal.
Moreover, after helping around the house, they could enjoy meals at Lucas's establishment every morning and noon. If anything, they felt they were the ones benefiting from the arrangement.
Seeing that Lucas had returned and the work in the house was nearly complete, the couple prepared to leave with their child.
At this point, Lucas called out to Kirlia, "Wait, Kirlia, would you like to evolve?"
Kirlia looked at Lucas in confusion. Its level hadn't yet reached the threshold for evolution.
However, recently it had sensed the urge to evolve, so its level must be approaching the necessary point.
Noticing Kirlia's puzzlement, Lucas took out his phone, found an image of Gallade, and showed it to Kirlia. "I'm not talking about evolving into Gardevoir, but into Gallade instead."
Upon seeing the image of Gallade, Kirlia's eyes lit up. Compared to evolving into Gardevoir, it clearly preferred the gallant appearance of Gallade.
"Kirlia~! Kirlia~!" How could I evolve into Gallade?
Lucas smiled and said, "All you need is a Dawn Stone." With a flourish, he produced a crystal-clear blue stone—the Dawn Stone.
He had purchased this Dawn Stone earlier that day while passing by the Pokémon shop, intending to give it to Kirlia as a token of appreciation. It had cost him 30,000 coins, which was quite expensive.
But these days, 30,000 wasn't a significant sum for him anymore.
Lucas didn't tell Kirlia that he had bought it with his own money, lest Kirlia feel indebted. He merely said that someone had given it to him, and since he had no use for it, he was offering it to Kirlia.
Delighted at this opportunity, Kirlia eagerly reached for the Dawn Stone.
The moment they made contact, a blue-white light emanated from the stone, traveling up Kirlia's arm until it enveloped its entire body.
Within the brilliant glow, Kirlia's height gradually increased from less than one meter to over 1.5 meters.
When the light finally dissipated, a completely transformed Pokémon stood before everyone.
This Pokémon featured a green upper body and white lower body, wearing what appeared to be a helmet and crown. It had a slender waist, rounded hips, powerful thighs, and sharp, retractable blades protruding from its elbows.
It was the gallant Gallade.
"Congratulations, Gallade," Lucas said with a smile. Simultaneously, Gallade's data appeared in Lucas's vision.
Gallade
[Type] Psychic, Fighting
[Ability] Steadfast
[Gender] Male
[Level] 30
[Moves] Growl, Confusion, Double Team, Charm, Hypnosis, Draining Kiss, Teleport, Psybeam, Mean Look, Slash, Knock Off, Night Slash, Leaf Blade, Dream Eater.
[Individual Values]
HP: 25
Attack: 21
Defense: 14
Special Attack: 19
Special Defense: 2
Speed: 21
Gallade's Individual Values were relatively impressive for a wild Pokémon, except for its notably low Special Defense.
Lucas then observed Gardevoir.
Gardevoir's level was slightly higher than Gallade's, which explained why it had evolved first.
Gardevoir
[Type] Psychic, Fairy
[Ability] Trace
[Gender] Female
[Level] 35
[Moves] Growl, Confusion, Double Team, Charm, Hypnosis, Draining Kiss, Teleport, Psybeam, Dazzling Gleam, Misty Terrain, Baby-Doll Eyes, Calm Mind, Imprison.
[Individual Values]
HP: 28
Attack: 4
Defense: 14
Special Attack: 17
Special Defense: 26
Speed: 11
After evolving, Gallade bowed its head, raised its arms, and curiously examined its new form. Diancie and Munchlax approached to offer their congratulations.
Only Komala rolled over, silent except for two soft snores.
"Garde~... Voir~..."
"Gall~... Lade~..."
Gallade and Gardevoir sincerely thanked Lucas for his kindness.
Afterward, Lucas escorted the couple to the door.
Following lunch, Lucas went to inspect his vegetable garden once more.
Under the diligent care of the Dugtrio brothers, the garden was flourishing impressively.
During recent weeks, with the Dugtrio brothers' assistance, Lucas had expanded the garden somewhat and planted several new varieties of vegetables.
After inspecting the garden, Lucas visited Barboach and Whiscash. The brothers were half-submerged in the water and half-stretched out on the shore, basking in the sunlight.
Joining them were two Wooper, also lazily reclining on broad lotus leaves, enjoying the sun's warmth.
The lotus leaves swayed gently in the breeze like natural cradles. The Wooper had their eyes closed, their mouths opening and closing slightly as faint snores escaped—an incredibly endearing sight.
Although the Wooper didn't make their permanent home in Lucas's pond, he encountered them every time he visited the Barboach and Whiscash brothers.
To avoid disturbing their peaceful rest, Lucas merely glanced at them before quietly tiptoeing away.
Returning to the vegetable garden, Lucas filled a basket with fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables.
He then addressed the Dugtrio brothers, "I'll continue to rely on you to care for the garden. Feel free to eat any vegetables you'd like."
In truth, the Dugtrio brothers didn't consume much; they couldn't eat large quantities in a single meal.
"Trio~! Trio~!"
The Dugtrio brothers nodded acknowledgment as they watched Lucas depart with his basket of produce.
What did Lucas plan to do with this basket of vegetables? Eat them himself? Certainly not. He intended to build rapport with the Gogoat herd.
His mission hadn't progressed much yet. Two of his three assignments required cooperation from the Gogoat to complete.
Over the past ten days or so, Lucas had been visiting the Gogoat almost daily.
Carrying the vegetable basket back home, Lucas called out to Munchlax, "Munchlax, let's head out!"
"Munch~! Munch~!" Coming! Coming!
Munchlax dashed out in a hurry upon hearing the call.
Diancie followed closely behind, calling after them, "Remember to come back early, don't stay out playing until dark again!"
Whenever Lucas and Munchlax visited the Gogoat, they inevitably ended up playing with various Pokémon along the way, returning home only when darkness fell. Diancie had reminded them several times, but to no avail.
"Munch~! Munch~!" Housekeeper! Housekeeper!
"Got it! Got it! Housekeeper!"
Lucas and Munchlax laughed as they ran off. Munchlax never dared call Diancie that to her face, so it used the nickname with particular glee now, knowing full well it would face Diancie's disapproval upon returning home.
Lucas always watched these interactions with amusement.
Munchlax often complained: why was it acceptable for the master to use that term, but punishment awaited if it did the same?
Diancie's response: My master pays me. Do you pay me?
Munchlax: . . .
Recently, with Lucas's increasing earnings, the wages he paid his Pokémon had also risen.
Munchlax was easily distracted. If it spotted a small flower along the path, it would stop to smell it; if it noticed a Bunnelby, it would approach to exchange a few words; if it caught sight of a Fletchling soaring overhead, it would call out persistently until the bird Pokémon acknowledged it before continuing on.
Consequently, it took quite some time for Lucas and Munchlax to reach the Gogoat habitat.
The largest area on the Nebel Plateau was the expansive, lush grassland, making grass-eating Pokémon like Gogoat and Skiddo the most numerous inhabitants.
Across the flat terrain, the Gogoat were either grazing with lowered heads, resting on the ground, or showing affection toward one another. The Skiddo frolicked happily, playfully rolling across the grassland, creating a scene of perfect pastoral tranquility.
"Everyone, I've returned!"
Lucas set his basket on the ground and called out to the gathered Gogoat and Skiddo.