Newly hatched Pokémon require not only careful attention from their trainers but also a steady source of nourishment rich in essential nutrients.
In the modern era, trainers typically use Moomoo Milk, fresh milk produced by Miltank, to feed newborn Pokémon. Moomoo Milk is known for its exceptional nutritional value and energy content, making it the ideal food for both humans and Pokémon of any age.
Unfortunately, there were no Miltank yet in Lucien's territory, so he could only make do with a substitute: the sap produced by Shuckle.
A maid soon arrived carrying a small bowl of the sticky, golden liquid, which Lucien placed in front of the newly hatched Larvesta.
Nearby, Dratini and a few Minccino gathered around curiously, studying their new companion.
"Hungry?" Lucien said softly. "Larvesta, this is Shuckle sap. Go ahead, try it."
The little Larvesta blinked its bright blue eyes at the bowl, then leaned forward and began to lap it up eagerly.
"Woo!" Dratini's eyes sparkled with delight. This newborn Pokémon was so small!
"This is Larvesta," Lucien explained gently. "From now on, it's part of our family."
Newly hatched Pokémon are often much smaller than one would expect, but that stage never lasts long. Within a week or two, their bodies grow rapidly to a healthy size.
That's the wonder of Pokémon life.
Lucien studied Larvesta carefully. Even as a hatchling, it possessed astonishing energy. With its inherited Volcarona flame, its firepower likely surpassed even Dratini and Servine in raw potential.
That meant that long before it ever evolved, this Larvesta would already have significant combat strength.
He was eager to see how powerful this Volcarona could become, but now was not the time. Newly hatched Pokémon were still fragile; they needed warmth, care, and time.
After finishing the sap, Larvesta gave a small burp, then blinked sleepily at Lucien and the others, as if silently recognizing them. Moments later, it began to drift off to sleep.
Lucien smiled, dimmed the lamp, and soon the cabin was filled with peaceful breathing, the quiet of a trainer surrounded by those he cared for.
The next morning, Lucien went to the Lord's Hall to handle the day's affairs.
As he walked, the sight of his companions following behind made him sigh with a wry smile.
"It's really inconvenient not having any Poké Balls," he muttered.
With only three Pokémon, it was manageable, but if he caught any more, they'd end up trailing him everywhere like an entourage.
But there was no way to rush technology. That would come in time.
He turned to his partners. "Servine, Dratini, stay home today and help me take care of Larvesta, all right? I'll be back once I'm done."
Both Pokémon nodded obediently.
Lucien chuckled, patting their heads one by one before setting off toward the hall.
When he arrived, the place was already bustling.
The old butler Elif, the blacksmith Morik, and the designer Elena were all waiting for him.
The moment Elena saw Lucien, she rushed forward excitedly, clutching a rolled-up blueprint.
"Your Highness, where did you get this design for the toilet system?"
Lucien replied casually, "I drew it myself."
Of course, the truth was that he'd unlocked it from the [Toilet] branch of his technology tree.
In this era, sanitation was still primitive. Even the grandest cities lacked proper facilities.
In the royal capital of Eindoak, "toilets" were little more than wooden booths jutting from the outer walls, holes cut into planks where waste simply dropped to the streets below.
As for commoners and slaves… it was best not to imagine.
The technology Lucien had unlocked, however, was far beyond that, a complete waste-management system integrating decomposition, filtration, oxidation, and fertilizer recycling.
That was why Elena's expression had been one of sheer disbelief when she first saw the blueprint.
Upon hearing Lucien say that he had drawn it himself, her eyes widened even further.
"Your Highness… you can draw blueprints?" she exclaimed in astonishment.
Elif, ever the composed butler, looked mildly offended by her surprise.
"As royalty," he said, straightening his back, "His Highness has been educated in painting, music, and design since childhood."
He huffed slightly. "A simple blueprint such as this is hardly beyond him."
Lucien fell silent for a moment.
"Right," he said finally, coughing twice to change the subject.
"Ahem! In any case, Elena, proceed with construction according to the design. Also, you can ask the Dugtrio to assist with digging the underground sewer system. They're far more efficient than shovels."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Elena responded immediately, bowing before hurrying off to organize the work.
Lucien then turned toward Morick, the blacksmith.
"Morik, how's the project with the Apricorn and the cotton stuffing coming along?"
"It's complete, Your Highness," Morik said proudly, stepping forward and presenting a round, red Apricorn fruit.
Lucien pressed a latch at its center, and the fruit split neatly in two. The inside of the lower half was lined with a layer of fluffy white cotton, soft as a cloud.
Lucien's eyes lit up. He turned to Geralt's Haxorus, who stood nearby.
"Geralt," Lucien said, "have your Haxorus give it a try."
Geralt blinked in confusion but nodded, stepping aside to give his command.
"Haxorus, go ahead."
The Dragon-type Pokémon gave a low growl and then, in a flash of red light, was drawn into the Apricorn.
The onlookers gasped.
The air was thick with tension for several seconds until a crimson beam flickered again, and Haxorus emerged, unharmed.
"How was it?" Lucien asked. "Any discomfort?"
The Dragon Pokémon tilted its head thoughtfully, recalling the sensation. Then it shook its head and gave a low rumble of affirmation.
"Hax!"
Morik's eyes shone with excitement.
"Your Highness Lucien, your method worked!"
Lucien allowed himself a satisfied smile.
"Morik, starting today, begin producing as many of these as possible. If you can't manage alone, recruit some apprentices to help."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Morik replied eagerly.
The crafting process was not simple. Each Apricorn shell had to be hollowed, lined, and fitted with smelted iron rings to form a stable structure.
Even with skilled hands, it could take a full day or more to complete one.
This early Poké Ball design lacked the energy-based capture system of the modern era, it couldn't actually capture Pokémon, only serve as a temporary stasis container.
But for Lucien's developing territory, even this primitive version was a major step forward.
Lucien carefully stored the prototype ball and turned his attention to the rest of the reports. Once he confirmed everything was proceeding smoothly, he dismissed his people with a wave.
The following morning, the territory was already bustling with activity.
Lucien didn't immediately return home. Instead, he decided to make an inspection of the ongoing construction.
Under Elena's direction, and with the combined efforts of workers and Pokémon alike, the town was transforming rapidly.
New houses, built in elegant medieval stone-and-wood style, rose one after another from the earth.