Snow began to fall again at some unknown point.
Draconis and the others, leaning on each other for support, hurried back.
Before they even got close, they spotted their camp in the vast, snowy night from afar.
Flames burned in the camp, and several figures stood at the forest entrance, constantly looking in their direction.
Seeing this, Draconis couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
"Your Highness Draconis, they've come to meet us!"
Although Ryan was sent flying by the Beartic, he was fine apart from a few minor injuries.
At times like these, Draconis couldn't help but marvel at the special physique of humans in the Pokémon world.
Being knocked flying by a 260kg Pokémon like Beartic, they weren't seriously injured; the worst was a Knight who fractured a bone due to his landing posture.
"Your Highness Draconis!"
Old Butler Alfred and a group of Commoners came to meet them from afar.
Anna's mother, Allie, rushed forward to hug her daughter, carefully checking her injuries.
Anna scratched her head awkwardly: "Mom, I'm fine!"
It was then that Allie saw the magical beast her daughter was holding.
She immediately recoiled in fear, letting out a gasp: "A magical beast! Anna, throw it away quickly!"
"Mom, don't worry! It's fine, this magical beast saved us!" Anna said.
Allie looked still shaken, and the other Commoners were equally surprised and uncertain.
"Hehe, it's incredible, but this little magical beast really did save us!"
Even now, recalling what happened in the forest, Ryan still found it incredibly unbelievable.
Today, he had truly learned something new: a terrifying magical beast would actually disregard its own safety to protect a human!
Hearing this, the onlookers exchanged glances.
What exactly was going on?
Everyone couldn't help but turn their gaze towards Draconis.
"Your Highness Draconis…"
Draconis's gaze, however, was on Zorua, and he slowly said: "Perhaps we have always been wrong; magical beasts are actually intelligent, wise, emotionally rich creatures, capable of even understanding human language."
"Anna helped it, so it, in turn, protected Anna without regard for its own safety, even putting its own life before Anna's. If I hadn't seen this with my own eyes, I probably wouldn't have believed it."
But that's exactly what happened.
Hearing these words, the expressions on their faces were the same as Ryan's had been in the forest.
Incredible, bewildered, astonished.
It would be very difficult to get these ancient humans, who viewed magical beasts as monstrous threats, to immediately accept living with Pokémon.
Therefore, everything had to be gradual.
"Alright, that's enough for today. Everyone, go back and rest!" Draconis looked around at everyone and said: "New work awaits us tomorrow!"
The crowd then dispersed one by one.
Many things had happened today, and Draconis was a bit tired, so he prepared to return to his tent to rest.
But Allie, with a serious face, pulled Anna down to kneel before Draconis.
Seeing this, Draconis was slightly stunned.
"Anna, quickly ask for His Highness Draconis's forgiveness!" Allie tugged at Anna and said.
Running out of the territory without permission, and putting His Highness Draconis in danger, was something not allowed anywhere.
If anything happened to His Highness Draconis, everyone in the entire territory would be doomed.
Anna belatedly realized how out of line her actions had been today.
She knelt down, holding Zorua, and said with some lingering fear: "Your Highness Draconis, I'm sorry!"
Draconis: "…"
"Get up!" Draconis glanced at Anna and said: "Anna went out today to help find herbs, it was unintentional. Just be careful in the future."
Seeing His Highness Draconis forgive her daughter, Allie's heart was filled with gratitude.
His Highness truly is a benevolent King!
"Also, Anna." Draconis continued: "Bring your magical beast to me tomorrow; I have a very important task to entrust to you."
"Eh?" Anna was slightly stunned, but she quickly reacted and hurriedly said: "Yes, Your Highness!"
Draconis turned and returned to his tent, with Old Butler Alfred following behind, looking at him disapprovingly.
He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking: "Your Highness Draconis, if there's anything, you can just leave it to the Knights Order; there's no need to put yourself in danger."
Draconis: "…"
His trip out this time was, firstly, to find Anna, and secondly, as a transmigrator, he wanted to experience this real Pokémon world outside.
Coupled with the fact that Ryan and the others had already thoroughly investigated the surrounding environment, he had made such a move.
However, thinking about it now, it was indeed a bit reckless.
Draconis readily admitted his mistake.
"I understand, Alfred, it won't happen again."
The Old Butler breathed a sigh of relief: "Then please rest well."
With that, he withdrew.
Immediately, only Draconis and Dratini remained in the tent.
Thanks to the Energy Root Anna collected outside, Dratini's injuries were able to heal completely.
At this moment, Dratini still seemed to be recovering from the shock of that Beartic.
It was curled up listlessly on Draconis's blanket, appearing quite affected.
"Dratini, do you want to become stronger?" Draconis asked.
Hearing Draconis's voice, Dratini immediately looked over.
"Woo?"
"As you saw today, there are still many dangers near our territory. If we are not strong enough, then sooner or later, we will die here." Draconis deliberately spoke very gravely.
"Woo…" No Pokémon wants to die, and Dratini was no exception, but it didn't know how to become stronger… At times like these, it was time for the Trainer to play a role.
Draconis continued: "If you are willing, from now on, I will do my best to help you become stronger. But this path will likely be very tough. You won't be able to just nestle in a blanket and sleep like before; you'll also have to face the cold wind outside."
"Woo…" As a Dragon-type Pokémon, it naturally had little resistance to cold and ice.
Therefore, upon hearing Draconis's words, Dratini felt a bit scared and hesitant.
Draconis naturally noticed this.
This Dratini had always been raised as a pet in the palace, with the best of everything.
Now, this kind of life would probably be very difficult for Dratini, who was used to a luxurious life, to change.
At this, Draconis couldn't help but sigh: "If we don't become stronger, we will all die here, just like today."
"Woo…" Dratini shook its little head repeatedly.
It didn't want to die. At this moment, Dratini gathered its courage, made up its mind, and said firmly: "Woo!"
It wanted to become stronger!
"Very good." Draconis immediately felt relieved.
He squatted down, came before Dratini, looked directly into its eyes, and slowly began to speak:
"No matter what lies ahead, I will face it with you, so don't be afraid, Dratini, we are the best partners in this world!"
At this moment, Dratini seemed to feel the "heart" of the human before it.
It stared blankly at Draconis, and a very unfamiliar feeling suddenly appeared in its heart.
"Woo…"