Chapter 16: Food Crisis
The next day, the people in the territory woke up early and, under the leadership of Ryan and Tucker, began the construction work for the new day.
Lei Wen, meanwhile, stayed in the tent, took out a pen, and wrote down all the information he remembered about Zorua on the parchment.
From its type, to its abilities and moves, to its evolution, and its living habits.
“Is Prince Lei Wen in?”
Anna’s voice suddenly came from outside.
“Come in!”
Lei Wen looked up and saw Anna walking in with the Zorua in her arms.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Lei Wen glanced at the Zorua, seeing that its condition had recovered well, and casually asked.
“Mm!” Anna nodded vigorously. After they returned to the tent last night, although Mother was a little afraid of the little monster, she still prepared fragrant oatmeal for them.
When she slept at night, she slept holding the little monster.
Sleeping with the fluffy and warm little monster was so great!
“Heh, it seems you two are getting along well,” Lei Wen chuckled.
“Does Your Highness have any important tasks to give me today?” Anna asked with sparkling eyes, as she was very much looking forward to being able to help Prince Lei Wen.
Hearing this, Lei Wen did not rush, but instead asked Anna a question.
“Anna, what do you think of monsters like 【monsters】?”
“Huh?” Anna was slightly stunned. She lowered her head to look at the little monster in her arms, thought carefully, and replied, “Monsters are very terrifying creatures. They can breathe fire and water, go to the heavens and the earth, and harm humans, but…”
“But your little monster is different from them?” Lei Wen asked.
“Mm!” Anna nodded forcefully, the little monster was the best monster she had ever seen!
Because it would protect her!
Lei Wen smiled: “This world is very, very big, and the Aindook Kingdom where we are is just a small corner of it. Monsters, like us humans, are all part of this world.”
“In some ways, they are like humans. They have emotions, show gratitude, are intelligent, and can even communicate with us.”
“Anna, have you ever thought about what it would be like for humans and monsters to live together in this world?”
“All sorts of monsters walking on the streets, monsters that can breathe fire helping humans start fires to cook, monsters that can spit water helping humans extinguish fires, strong monsters helping humans carry things, and flying monsters helping to deliver messages.”
“Humans would live with them in cities, just like family.”
Any adult hearing the scene Lei Wen described would probably think it was impossible.
How could terrifying monsters and humans live together?
But for a child like Anna, who had just turned ten, it was a dreamlike vision.
Especially since she had just met a little monster that actively protected her—Anna even felt that it wasn’t an impossible thing.
“Prince Lei Wen, are the little monster and I family too?” Anna recalled what she had said to the little monster last night.
Lei Wen said with a smile, “It already considers you the most important person, otherwise it wouldn’t have protected you yesterday at the risk of its own safety.”
“Little monster…” Anna was both touched and heartbroken.
“Zorua.”
“Huh?” Anna was slightly stunned.
“Zorua.” Lei Wen looked at the Zorua in Anna’s arms and said, “Its name is Zorua.”
“Zorua…” Anna mumbled the name.
Zorua indeed looked at her.
“In addition, this is some information about this monster that I saw in a book before. Perhaps it can help you understand Zorua better.”
Saying this, Lei Wen handed Anna the information he had just written on the parchment with a feather pen.
“Take good care of Zorua,” Lei Wen instructed, “This is the task I want to give you.”
“Huh?!” Anna was dumbfounded.
She instinctively looked at what was written on the parchment.
Type, Ability, Move…
What did these mean?
She looked at the prince in front of her for help.
But Lei Wen showed no intention of explaining.
Just then, the old butler Elif requested an audience.
Lei Wen said, “Alright, Anna, that’s all for today. If there’s anything on that paper you don’t understand, you can ask Zorua first. Perhaps it can give you the answer. When you understand each other better, come and find me!”
Anna looked bewildered, but still nodded: “Yes!”
She hugged Zorua and took the parchment outside to study it.
After she left, the old butler Elif came in.
He said with a worried look, “Prince Lei Wen, there is one thing that still worries me greatly.”
“What is it?”
Elif explained, “The food we have stored is only enough to last until February. If the food runs out by then, I’m afraid…”
Elif didn’t finish, but Lei Wen understood.
He had considered this matter before, but it had been temporarily set aside due to some issues.
After thinking carefully for a moment, Lei Wen recalled that among the batch of seeds brought by the convoy, there were some crops suitable for winter planting.
After a moment of thought, Lei Wen asked, “I remember there are some farmers in the territory, right?”
“That’s right,” Elif nodded.
“Have them come over.”
“Yes, Prince Lei Wen!”
Elif hurried away and soon returned with several burly men with calloused hands and dark skin.
“These are all experienced old farmers,” Elif introduced.
Lei Wen then found the batch of seeds: “Take a look at these. Are there any crops among them that are suitable for planting this season?”
The farmers stepped forward and inspected them, then said:
“Reporting to Lord, these rye seeds, white radish, potatoes, and wheat seeds can be planted this season, but…”
“But what?”
“But land reclamation takes time. This land here has not been developed yet. We need to clear weeds and shrubs, till the soil, and loosen it before we can farm…” an old farmer said hesitantly.
Another farmer looked even more distressed: “If we plant now, we won’t be able to harvest in February next year; it will take at least until May to harvest, and we don’t have any fertilizer here either…”
This meant that even if they started farming now, they would have a three-month gap with no food.
Hearing this, Lei Wen fell into thought.
This was indeed a significant problem.
It was a pity that there were no Grass Type Pokémon in the territory now, otherwise they could have asked them to use their grass-type energy to care for the crops.
The grass-type energy in the Pokémon World was very special and could act as fertilizer. If nurtured with energy every day, it could even shorten the crop growth cycle to some extent.
But the problem was, there were no Grass Type Pokémon at all right now.
Especially since it was winter now, who knew where the Grass Type Pokémon had hidden themselves…
It seemed he had to think of other ways to obtain food.
Lei Wen couldn’t help but fall into deep thought, his mind racing.
Gathering berries, fishing to make dried fish, collecting wild berries…
But at this moment, a cry of alarm suddenly interrupted Lei Wen’s thoughts.
“Help!”
“It’s a monster!”
“A monster has broken in!”
