"Teach technology?"
Lucien was slightly taken aback.
Was he supposed to personally instruct the residents of his territory in these skills?
At that moment, the panel flickered, and a set of tips appeared, much like the beginner's guidance he had seen before.
[Residents have more possibilities. By assigning residents to certain production tasks, you can greatly increase their chances of mastering related technologies!]
[Additionally, the lord himself has a chance of acquiring technologies mastered by the villagers, allowing him to unlock certain advancements early!]
Lucien finally understood.
He didn't need to stand there teaching people methods step by step. Instead, if he simply had a group raise Combee, there was a chance they would naturally learn honey processing and eventually become skilled beekeepers.
Of course, if he chose not to "teach" at all, this opportunity wouldn't exist, whether the residents mastered the skill would depend solely on their own talent and comprehension.
Still, one particular note made Lucien's eyebrow twitch.
It reminded him of a familiar line from Civilization VI:
[Villagers have shared Controlled Nuclear Fusion technology with you!]
The feature was unexpectedly convenient.
After grasping this mechanic, Lucien turned his attention back to the Animal Husbandry section, scanning through the list of Pokémon available for breeding.
Miltank produced fresh milk. Tropius bore bunches of banana-like fruit. The wool of Mareep and Wooloo was warm and durable, perfect for making clothing.
But then his eyes caught on the last entry, three glowing words that left him speechless.
Groudon.
Could humans really breed Groudon?
[Groudon: The embodiment of the earth. Possesses the power to dispel rain clouds and expand land by evaporating water with blazing heat. Once revered as a savior by those who suffered from floods. Loves natural energy, expanding the land, and watching its rival Kyogre suffer defeat. Its goal is to overcome Kyogre, seize the oceans, and transform them into earth. Breeding Difficulty: Hell.]
Lucien: "…"
There was no doubt about it. Legendary Pokémon like this were listed purely for the sake of completeness. With their immense power and pride, they would never allow themselves to be bred by humans.
This reminded him of a quote;
"Even if they're called gods, they're still just Pokémon."
Perhaps that was why even Legendary Pokémon were shown in this system.
Still, Lucien found himself far more intrigued by another entry: Aron.
[Aron: Typically lives deep in the mountains. To build its protective steel armor, it consumes iron ore from the bedrock. Occasionally, it ventures to the lowlands to feed on bridges, railroad tracks, or even abandoned vehicles, making it a troublesome Pokémon for humans. Its favorite food is metal ore of any kind. If supplied with ample iron, it is easy to earn its trust. In the past, miners often relied on Aron to help them locate ore veins in the mountains. Raising Difficulty: Average.]
Aron, a dual Steel- and Rock-type Pokémon, had an exceptionally powerful final evolution: Aggron.
What fascinated Lucien most was that, according to what he knew, Aggron treated an entire mountain as its personal territory.
When landslides or wildfires left its home desolate, Aggron would haul soil up the slopes and even plant saplings with its own claws, carefully restoring the land. It was almost poetic.
Even a massive armored beast could have a gentleness for gardening.
Lucien couldn't help but admire these giant Pokémon. If he ever had the chance, he wanted to capture an Aggron, it would be perfect for both defending the territory and tending the land.
By the time Lucien closed his panel, Dratini and the others had finished their meal.
He had the maids clear away the dishes. After playing with Dratini for a short while, Elif arrived to give his report on the day's affairs in the territory.
With the wooden house completed and heavy snow falling outside, the residents had little work to do and were mostly staying indoors for the winter.
"Your Highness, is there anything else you need us to do?" Elif asked after finishing his report.
Lucien shook his head. "No, let everyone rest for now. We can handle the rest once winter passes."
"Understood, Your Highness." Elif bowed slightly and prepared to take his leave.
But just as he was about to go, Lucien remembered something.
"Oh, there's one thing," he called out.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Elif stopped, attentive.
Lucien's expression turned serious. "This land isn't only inhabited by humans. If anyone comes across injured or starving beasts, we must do everything we can to help them."
It wasn't only because Lucien wished to create a territory where humans and Pokémon could live side by side. Their very arrival here had destroyed countless Pokémon habitats. It was his responsibility to make amends.
Elif was startled for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I understand, Your Highness."
After spending time with the beasts, not only Elif but most of the territory's residents had already begun to realize the same truth:
Magical beasts might not have been as terrifying as people once imagined.
They were intelligent, capable of emotion, able to show gratitude, and many would even fight against other beasts to protect humans.
"I believe everyone will be willing to do this," Elif said with conviction.
Lucien nodded. Part of him thought about the day Dratini evolved. When it became a Dragonite, he could ride it across the skies and around the territory. It would prove to everyone that beasts were not just companions, but could be trusted partners, even mounts.
Yet to the common folk, it would only seem like a feat exclusive to him. They would marvel at his ability, not see it as something they could do themselves.
After all, most of them were former city dwellers who had lived their whole lives behind the safe walls of the royal capital. Many had never even seen a magical beast in person, only heard about them through stories passed from others.
Because of this, strong stereotypes remained.
The only way to break them was for the people to see, touch, and experience Pokémon firsthand, until their fear was replaced by understanding.
"Your Highness, please rest well," Elif said at last. After giving his instructions, the old butler withdrew quietly.
Lucien, feeling the weight of fatigue, washed up and lay down. Before long, he was fast asleep, surrounded by Dratini and the small, furry Pokémon curled up at his side.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest…
On that quiet, snowy night, four or five Sneasel concealed themselves in the darkness. They scattered among the trees, their cunning, menacing eyes all focused in the same direction.
Any trainer would have recognized the signs: the pack was working together under cover of night to corner their prey.
In a snow-dusted clearing, a Snivy crept cautiously forward, its vine-like body low to the ground. A blizzard was coming, and it desperately needed to find shelter.
But then, Snivy froze. It felt it, several malicious gazes watching from the shadows.
The Grass-type Pokémon's body tensed in alarm.
The instant their ambush was noticed, the Sneasel made their move.
With a chilling cry, the four or five predators sprang from the darkness, icy claws gleaming in the moonlight, as they slashed toward Snivy from all directions at once.
...
I'll post 5 Bonus Chapters this week, if we gather 1300 PS by this weekend.
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