At dawn the next day, the expedition team—Lyon, Cleveland, and Christina—prepared to set out.
Raven, with Dratini at his side, and Butler Aelif accompanied them to see them off.
Each of the three had their own role. The task could not be completed in just one day.
Lyon carried a pack filled with food and water for all three.
Cleveland bore weapons, flint, and simple medicines.
Christina carried a blank book and pen, ready to record sketches of beasts.
Raven looked them over seriously. "I'll be counting on you three."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Lyon grinned, thumping his chest in promise.
Christina, however, was deeply anxious. Beasts… such dangerous, terrifying creatures. She doubted whether she could really fulfill the mission His Highness had entrusted her with.
"No matter what happens, your safety comes first," Raven added firmly. "If you meet a beast you cannot handle, your only task is to run. I have just one demand—that you return alive."
"Eh?" Christina froze at those words, then quickly nodded. "Yes!"
Return alive… Cleveland was struck still. It had been so long since anyone had said that to him. His parents and the girl he loved had once said those very words when he went off to war. But when he returned, they were all long gone.
For someone to say them again now—his heart stirred with quiet emotion.
Lyon, in contrast, was brimming with excitement. Beasts weren't all monsters. Some were loyal, grateful, as innocent as children.
Like Anna's little one. Like the three curious Snovers who had wandered into the territory.
Could he, too, meet such a beast?
With their own thoughts, the three promised to complete the mission and departed.
"Your Highness… do you think they can really succeed?" Aelif asked, watching their backs with worry.
"At this point, there's no other choice," Raven said gravely.
No one would come to rescue them. If they wanted to live, they had to rely on themselves.
He glanced up at the sky. At least the weather had been good lately—warmer than before.
"It's time to begin sowing," Raven said.
"Colin and the others are ready," Aelif reported.
Colin was one of the farmers.
Raven nodded. Farming was crucial for the territory. "Let's go take a look."
"Yes, Your Highness."
When they arrived, they found many gathered around the fields.
Sowing was a great event—it concerned everyone's future. Even women from the foraging team had come to help.
With the aid of two Bouffalant, the farmers scattered seeds across the newly tilled land.
The fields were vast. If left to the farmers alone, it would have taken ages. But with the Bouffalant and everyone's help, half the seeds were planted within half a day.
This time, they sowed rye, white radish, potatoes, and winter wheat.
All four were hardy crops, able to thrive even in cold weather.
Potatoes especially would yield more than enough to feed all seventy-eight people.
Rye and wheat could be ground into flour for bread. As long as they could hold out until May—through three months of scarcity—they would no longer fear hunger.
By then, they could choose: remain here to farm and build, or carry provisions onward to the fertile land the old king had promised. Either way, it would be a good future.
Watching the scene, Raven finally let out a breath of relief.
Eindoak. The mighty Sword of the Earth Castle towered high upon the mountain peak.
Within its grand halls, the old king stood upon the balcony of his chamber, gazing down at the bustling city below.
Behind him, two tall, handsome men knelt on one knee, reporting the latest affairs of the kingdom and their own completed duties.
"Father, the beast riots in the Knights' Domain have been quelled. Our knights are helping the commoners rebuild homes and fields."
"Father…"
The old king listened in silence. When they finished, he merely said, "Go."
The two princes exchanged a glance before rising and leaving.
As their footsteps faded, the king let out a weary sigh.
He was old. Once a warrior who had built this prosperous kingdom, now he hesitated over succession.
Both sons were brilliant, each with their own faction, locked in quiet conflict for years.
His indecision had left the throne beneath him ill-suited for either one.
If mishandled, it could plunge the realm into war.
What should I do? the old king thought bitterly.
Just then, a soft cry came from behind him.
"Ni-ni?"
He turned to see a small creature with V-shaped ears and large blue eyes flutter toward him.
"Victini?"
"Ni-ni!"
It clutched a small sweet bun, munching happily.
But once the treat was gone, its cheer faded.
"Ni-ni…"
The old king understood. After so many years together, words were hardly needed.
"You're worried about Raven too, aren't you?" he asked.
"Ni-ni!" Victini nodded quickly.
"I'm sorry, Victini…" the king's voice softened. "I had no choice but to send him away. If he stayed in the capital, his life would only grow more dangerous…"
Most of his power was gone already.
"Ni-ni…" Victini lowered its head, dejected.
"Don't worry." The king reached out and patted its head. "Raven will be safe. The land I chose for him is the most prosperous in the kingdom. He will live a peaceful life there."
Of his three sons, the first and second were twins, born together.
Raven, the youngest, was closer in age to Victini—and closest to it in heart.
Since childhood, they had played hide-and-seek in the halls of Sword of the Earth Castle.
Beasts lived far longer than humans. The king knew his own time was short.
Before the end came, he had to ensure Victini's future.
Its power was immense. If seized by his ambitious elder sons, disaster would follow.
Thus, after much thought, he resolved: before his death, he would secretly send Victini to Raven.
(End of Chapter)