The next morning, the people of the territory rose early. Under Lyon and Tucker's direction, construction work for the day began.
Raven, meanwhile, remained in his tent, pen in hand, writing down everything he remembered about Zorua.
From its typing, to its abilities and moves, to its evolution and habits.
"Is Your Highness inside?"
Anna's voice sounded from outside.
"Come in," Raven replied.
Looking up, he saw the girl carrying Zorua in her arms as she stepped inside.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Raven asked casually, noting that Zorua looked much better today.
"Mhm!" Anna nodded eagerly. After they'd returned yesterday, her mother had—despite her fear of the little beast—still prepared them a warm pot of oatmeal porridge.
That night, Anna had fallen asleep hugging the furry, warm little beast.
Sleeping with it had felt wonderful.
"Heh, looks like the two of you are getting along well," Raven chuckled.
"Your Highness, what important task do you have for me today?" Anna's eyes sparkled with anticipation. She was thrilled at the thought of helping him.
Instead of answering directly, Raven asked her a question.
"Anna, what do you think of beasts?"
"Eh?" She blinked, lowering her gaze to the creature in her arms. After a moment's thought, she said, "Beasts are scary… they can breathe fire, spit water, soar into the skies, dive underground… and they hurt people. But…"
"But your little beast isn't like the others?" Raven asked.
"Mhm!" She nodded firmly. To her, this was the best beast she'd ever met—because it had protected her!
Raven smiled. "This world is vast. Our Eindoak Kingdom is just one corner of it. Beasts, like humans, are part of this world.
"They have feelings, they understand gratitude, they're intelligent—even capable of communicating with us."
He leaned closer. "Anna, have you ever imagined what it would be like if humans and beasts lived together in this world?"
"Beasts of every kind walking the streets. Fire-breathing ones helping cook meals, water-spraying ones putting out fires, strong ones carrying loads, and flying ones delivering letters.
"Humans and beasts living together in cities, like family."
Any adult who heard this would likely dismiss it as a fantasy.
How could terrifying beasts possibly live peacefully with humans?
But for a ten-year-old girl—especially one who had just been saved by a beast—such a vision seemed magical and… perhaps possible.
"Your Highness… does that mean Little Beast and I are family too?" Anna recalled the words she'd whispered to it last night.
Raven smiled. "It already sees you as its most important person. Otherwise, why else would it have risked its life to protect you?"
"Little Beast…" Anna's eyes glistened with emotion.
"Zorua," Raven corrected gently.
"Eh?" Anna blinked.
"Zorua," he repeated, glancing at the creature. "That's its name."
"Zorua…" she murmured, testing the sound.
The little fox looked up at her in response.
"Also, this is some information I once read in a book about its kind. It may help you understand Zorua better."
Raven handed her the parchment he had just finished writing on.
"Take good care of Zorua. That is the task I'm entrusting to you."
"Eh?!" Anna froze.
Her eyes darted down to the parchment.
Typing, abilities, moves…
What did any of that mean?
She looked at Raven for help.
But he offered none.
At that moment, Steward Aelif came requesting an audience.
Raven rose. "That's all for today, Anna. If you don't understand something on the parchment, try asking Zorua. Perhaps, in time, you'll find the answers together. When you know each other better, then come see me again."
Anna, though bewildered, nodded. "Yes!"
She left the tent clutching Zorua and the parchment, eager to study.
When she was gone, Aelif entered, worry etched on his face.
"Your Highness, there is one matter that still troubles me greatly."
"What is it?"
"Our food stores," Aelif explained. "They'll only last until February. If they run out then, I fear…"
He didn't finish, but Raven understood.
It was a problem he'd considered before, though other concerns had delayed it.
After some thought, he recalled that among the caravan's supplies, there had been seeds—some suitable for winter planting.
"I remember we have a group of farmers here, don't we?" Raven asked.
"Yes," Aelif nodded.
"Bring them to me."
"As you command."
Soon after, Aelif returned with several dark-skinned, calloused-handed men.
"These are our most experienced farmers," he introduced.
Raven brought out the seeds. "See if any of these can be planted this season."
The farmers carefully inspected them, then replied:
"My lord, black rye, white radish, potatoes, and wheat can be sown now. However…"
"What is it?"
"The land must first be cleared. This is still raw, undeveloped wilderness. We'd have to cut brush, uproot weeds, till and loosen the soil before we can plant anything…" one explained.
Another added with a frown, "And even if we plant now, nothing will be ready by February. The earliest harvest would be May. And we've no fertilizer either…"
In other words, even with immediate planting, there would be a three-month gap with no food.
Raven fell silent, troubled.
If only they had grass-type Pokémon. Their energy could substitute for fertilizer and even shorten crop growth cycles.
But there were none to be found—and in the dead of winter, grass-types were scarce.
Other ways of securing food would be needed.
Raven's mind raced.
Foraging for berries, fishing and drying them into stockfish, gathering wild fruits…
But suddenly, panicked cries from outside shattered his thoughts.
"Help!"
"A beast!"
"A beast has broken in!"
(End of Chapter 16)