Chapter 28: Conflict? Wild Pokémon In The Forest!
On December 15th of Kingdom Calendar year 148, half a month had passed since the caravan had set up camp in this Valley Plains.
Lei Wen sat inside the tent, warming himself with the black tea served by a maid while Elif reported on the recent work progress in the territory.
A Dratini curled up on the table, enjoying the fish balls that Lei Wen had prepared for it.
These were made after deboning and de-spining the perch that had been caught in the river.
With limited resources, no Poffin, and no Energy Cubes, Lei Wen had to find ways like this to provide suitable food for the Dratini.
Elif, standing nearby, glanced at His Highness’s little monster, feeling that it seemed to be getting… chubbier.
This reminded Elif of when they had departed from the Royal City and were en route to their territory.
At that time, winter had just begun, and the temperature started to drop. This little monster was terribly afraid of the cold, hiding in the carriage from morning till night.
The changes in temperature and environment had made the little monster much thinner.
And now… it had not only fattened up but could even swim in the ice-cold river water.
It must be said, His Highness is truly skilled at raising monsters! Elif couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
He calmed his mind and then began to report on the work progress of the territory’s residents from the previous day.
“Your Highness, all the seeds in the farmland have been planted. Now we just need to wait patiently for them to mature. The logging in the forest is also progressing very smoothly. If nothing unexpected happens, all the wooden houses should be completed within another week at most.”
Elif paused here.
A smile appeared on his face: “Furthermore, everyone is preparing to use this upcoming period to build a winter house for you.”
Upon hearing this, Lei Wen initially felt it was unnecessary; after all, his tent was still habitable and provided shelter from wind and rain. However, on second thought, he realized it was the residents’ good intentions, and he also quite desired a “home” of his own with the Dratini.
In that case, this place shall henceforth serve as the Lord’s Hall for discussing affairs!
“I understand,” Lei Wen nodded. He then thought of Ryan and the other two who had gone out to explore the surroundings and asked, “Haven’t Ryan and the others returned yet?”
Several days had passed since Ryan and his companions had left the territory. Although their names had not disappeared from the Citizen Panel, Lei Wen couldn’t help but feel some concern.
Elif shook his head and replied, “Not yet, but please rest assured, Your Highness. Ryan and Cleveland are experienced. If they encounter dangerous monsters, they can retreat safely even if they are not a match for them.”
Hearing this, Lei Wen nodded. At this point, all they could do was wait.
“Your Highness! Prince Lei Wen! Something’s wrong!”
Just then, a hurried shout came from outside the tent.
Lei Wen and Elif looked up and saw a woman rushing in.
“What is it?” Lei Wen asked.
“Your Highness! There are monsters!” the woman exclaimed in panic. “Monsters are attacking everyone at the Logging Camp!”
Monsters?
Lei Wen frowned and immediately stood up, saying, “Take me there!”
“Yes!”
Lei Wen, with the Dratini, was quickly led to the Logging Camp by the woman.
After half a month of logging, all the trees in this large forest had been cut down by humans, leaving behind a bare clearing. Small wooden houses were built one after another on this open space.
When Lei Wen arrived, he saw from a distance several knights holding weapons, shielding a group of commoners behind them. They were nervously looking towards the large trees ahead.
“Prince Lei Wen!”
Someone noticed Lei Wen’s arrival and quickly made way.
“Your Highness, please be careful!” a knight said.
Lei Wen nodded at him and then followed everyone’s gaze upwards.
He saw that on the large trees not far ahead stood a group of small creatures, Pokémon with fluffy large ears and bodies, resembling squirrels.
They held small branches and stones in their paws and glared angrily at the people below.
“Lili!”
Are those… Poffins?!
“You annoying little things, get away! Don’t disturb our work!” a knight standing at the forefront tried to drive away these adorable-looking monsters.
But the next moment, countless small stones and branches, mixed with a few berries, flew towards him.
The knight was immediately covered in bumps on his head. Gritting his teeth in anger, he said fiercely, “Damn it! It seems we have to teach you a lesson!”
However, before he could finish speaking, a dazzling light flashed from the Poffins.
Speed Star!
In an instant, a sky full of stars bombarded him at extreme speed, engulfing him in starlight in the blink of an eye.
The poor knight was knocked unconscious without even a sound.
Witnessing this scene, the residents who had initially found these small monsters cute now showed expressions of terror, even involuntarily taking a step back.
The Poffins looked at everyone with determined expressions, as if they would attack again if anyone took another step forward.
Seeing this situation, before Lei Wen could speak, the three Snowrunt couldn’t help themselves.
Through their days of interaction, they had developed a deep affection for everyone.
The people here not only played with them but also shared food with them. They had long considered these people their companions.
Now, seeing their companions attacked by other Pokémon, the Snowrunt immediately stepped forward, attempting to retaliate.
“Wait a moment, Snowrunt!”
“Mugu?”
The Snowrunt turned to look at Lei Wen.
“Please wait a moment,” Lei Wen shook his head at them and then stepped forward.
He looked up at the Poffins standing on the branches, and his mind quickly grasped the reason for this situation.
Their logging of the forest over the past few days had destroyed the “home” that these Poffins relied on for survival.
Therefore, they had appeared here today to stop them.
This was an inevitable conflict between human territorial expansion and wild Pokémon.
With Lei Wen’s appearance, the group of Poffins immediately turned their attention to him.
As if sensing he was the leader of these humans, the Poffins let out accusatory growls:
“Lili!”
There were two methods currently available to them.
One, reconcile with the Poffins and invite them to live together with humans.
Two, forcibly drive them away with brute force.
Lei Wen’s gaze swept over the Poffins in the trees.
One, two, three, four, five…
There were a total of five Poffins. With their current combat strength – the Dratini, Zorua, and three Snowrunt – they might not necessarily be a match for them.
However, Lei Wen knew very well that they were in the wrong first in this matter, as they had destroyed the Poffins’ home.
What should he do?
In a corner unnoticed by anyone.
A small Pokémon with a green body was hiding behind a tree, secretly observing the humans and Poffins not far away.
“Fuji…”
