Chapter 57: Tilling
In battle, the move Tilling might not be very useful.
But if it is used in places like farmland, orchards, or gardens, its effect will far exceed a hundred Hyper Beams.
After reclaiming this wasteland, the Sandshrew looked somewhat listless.
It was obvious that using the move Tilling was also very taxing for them.
“Prince Lei Wen, what exactly is the situation with this monster?!”
After a long while, a Knight snapped out of the shock brought on by the Sandshrew. He looked at the soft, tilled land before him and immediately couldn’t help but ask Prince Lei Wen, who knew the most about monsters in the territory.
Hearing this, the surrounding farmers couldn’t help but look towards Lei Wen.
Compared to the members of the Knight Order, they were even more shocked.
Because what they were seeing far exceeded their understanding.
The land that would take them several days to reclaim, this monster completed in a short time?!
“This is the power of this monster,” Lei Wen slowly explained under everyone’s gaze. “I’ve read books about it in the Royal Library before.”
“Its name is Sandshrew, a monster that lives underground, and the move it uses is called Tilling.”
Tilling, establishing a connection with the earth, channeling its own Grass-type energy into the soil beneath its feet.
“If I recall correctly, land tilled with this move can make crops grow faster and better.”
Their berry orchards will also be taken care of, Lei Wen couldn’t help but think.
“To think such a thing exists…” The surrounding farmers and Knights cast curious glances at the Sandshrew.
“This is the wonder of monsters,” Lei Wen said with a smile.
However, Lei Wen only knew that Tilling would make crops grow faster, but he didn’t know exactly how much the maturation time would be shortened.
But it likely wouldn’t be too exaggerated, after all, Sandshrew is just an ordinary, unremarkable Pokémon.
It is far inferior to the power possessed by some mythical beasts and divine beasts.
Shaymin, which instantly blooms with flowers wherever it goes.
Landorus, the god of farmland, which replenishes soil nutrients and makes crops grow vigorously.
And even Regidrago, the King of Abundance, who can make any plant mature instantly with a casual wave of its hand.
However, for the current territory, it is enough.
“Take good care of Sandshrew. I hope you can all continue to reclaim land and farm crops with it,” Lei Wen said slowly.
Everyone was slightly taken aback, then quickly nodded and said, “As you command, Prince Lei Wen!”
“Sandshrew, for the time being, you will stay here and help! In return, we will provide you with food so you won’t go hungry anymore,” Lei Wen crouched down and said to Sandshrew. “I hope you can get along well with everyone.”
“Squeak squeak…”
After Lei Wen left, the farmers holding hoes looked at each other, facing the monster named Sandshrew.
But now was not the time to stare blankly.
Since new fields had been reclaimed, they had to sow the seeds as quickly as possible.
The farmers began to get busy.
Sandshrew remained in place, watching the busy scene with its round, small eyes.
A moment later, to compensate for the losses it had caused these humans and to lessen its guilt, after recovering some strength, Sandshrew began to use the move Tilling again.
The people in the surrounding fields were initially surprised as they watched this scene, seeing how diligently the monster that had damaged the farmland was tilling the land.
Even though it was tired, it did not stop.
This sight moved their hearts.
Prince Lei Wen was right. This monster is not a bad monster; it only damaged the farmland because it was too hungry.
And now, Sandshrew, having learned the truth, is diligently making up for their losses…
At this moment, the farmers felt a greater sense of approval towards this Sandshrew.
When all the fields were reclaimed, several farmers walked together to the panting Sandshrew.
“Squeak squeak?” Sandshrew, sensing shadows above it, looked up.
The next second, it saw several smiling faces looking at it cautiously.
The owners of the smiling faces gently placed the water bottle and berries they were holding in front of it.
“You must be hungry after working all morning! These are fruits that monsters can eat, eat them quickly!”
Sandshrew was slightly taken aback.
“Squeak squeak…”
＊
After lunch, Lei Wen was sitting in a tent in the Lord’s Hall, contemplating the various affairs of the territory.
At this moment, the Old Butler Cliff entered from outside, his face full of surprise as he reported on the progress in the farmland.
“Prince Lei Wen! In just one morning, a large area of land suitable for farming has been reclaimed in the farmland!”
“I know,” Lei Wen said with a smile. “It’s the power of that Sandshrew, isn’t it?”
Seeing Lei Wen’s demeanor, Elif instantly understood what was going on.
—His Highness encountered a new monster again, this time a monster skilled in farming.
“If I’m not mistaken, have all those crops been planted already?” Lei Wen asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Huh? How did Your Highness know?” Elif was somewhat surprised.
Lei Wen smiled. “I understand that monster; its power is perfectly suited for tilling.”
Thinking of this, Lei Wen couldn’t help but feel a sense of emotion.
Indeed, in the Pokémon World, Pokémon are the primary force of production!
The fact that one Sandshrew and a few farmers working together could achieve this much; Lei Wen couldn’t even imagine what more Sandshrew would bring.
Lei Wen had intended to ask Sandshrew to help reclaim the berry orchard fields that afternoon and then for them to bury the berry seeds.
But upon hearing Elif’s words, Lei Wen changed his mind.
Sandshrew had worked so hard; it must be very tired now.
Lei Wen did not want to be a Lord who exploited his citizens.
In that case, the matter of opening up the berry orchard would be postponed until tomorrow!
“Once the berry seeds are planted, we can officially begin the special training for Snivy,” Lei Wen thought.
Snivy’s strong moves primarily focus on special attacks, and skillfully using these types of moves requires a high level of energy control from the Pokémon itself.
Whether it’s Giga Drain, Energy Ball, or Leaf Storm… even the physical attack move Leaf Blade requires the Pokémon to first condense energy into the shape of a leaf blade before attacking.
Therefore, Lei Wen planned to use the planted berry seeds for Snivy’s special training.
Having it use its internal Grass-type energy to care for the crops, accelerate seed germination, and provide nutrients to the seeds, thereby speeding up their growth.
This would both improve Snivy’s control over Grass-type energy and help it care for the crops.
It’s killing two birds with one stone, Lei Wen couldn’t help but think.
At this moment, a voice filled with surprise suddenly came from outside.
“Prince Lei Wen! Come quickly and see what we’ve caught!”
