Chapter 84: The World On The Opposite Bank Of The River
Elif’s mind recalled the Fire Stone he had found near the hot spring earlier.
The Pokémon World is rich in mineral resources. Besides ordinary iron ore and coal, many unique ores are buried underground.
These include evolution stones of various types, Everstones, Smooth Stones, and Sun Stones, among others.
These stones have a strong connection with Pokémon; some can even cause Pokémon to evolve and change their appearance.
“It’s fine, Snivy. Tomorrow, I’ll ask those miners if they can give me any news about an Everstone. With that stone, you won’t have to endure evolution anymore,” Elif said.
“Snivy…”
Snivy looked at Elif and then nodded gently.
The night passed without incident. The next morning, Elif went to the Lord’s Hall as usual.
Geralt and others were already waiting there.
Seeing Elif arrive, Geralt stepped forward to report:
“Your Highness Prince Lei Wen, the spring harvest is basically complete. As you instructed, I have stored a portion of the harvested grains for seeds.”
Elif nodded. As far as he knew, seed saving for crops was not a simple task.
First, during harvest, one must remove weeds and inferior plants, discarding diseased plants, sick plants, and underdeveloped wheat, while retaining robust plants with consistent characteristics to ensure seed purity.
In addition, the seeds need to be spread out and dried separately, turned daily to keep them dry and prevent mold.
Elif didn’t need to specifically remind them about these things; ancient farmers knew more about this than he did.
“Thank you all for your hard work,” Elif said. Then, he looked at Geralt beside him and said, “Geralt, remember to bring me a small piece of each type of ore the miners excavate.”
Hearing this, Geralt was slightly taken aback, “Your Highness, why?”
“I believe that as a qualified lord, I need to have a certain understanding of all matters within my territory. I must first determine the types of ores before deciding on their uses,” Elif explained.
“As you command, Your Highness!” Geralt nodded. After these days of interaction, he felt that compared to the two in the Royal City, Prince Lei Wen was a truly qualified and excellent lord.
He was benevolent, loved his people as his own children, was brave and resourceful…
“Alright, if there’s nothing else, everyone can go about their business!” Elif said.
He also needed to go for special training with Dratini and Snivy.
Geralt nodded and left to carry out his mission.
Meanwhile, Elif said with a smile, “By the way, Your Highness, the boat you ordered has been completed.”
Hearing this, Elif’s heart stirred.
“Oh? That quickly?”
“Yes, because it’s just a simple small boat with limited carrying capacity, the manufacturing process is relatively straightforward,” Elif replied.
“In that case, quickly take me to see it!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The two arrived at the riverbank. From a distance, Elif could see a small wooden boat docked by the river.
At this moment, there were already several small wooden boats on the river, with several bare-chested middle-aged men standing on them, casting nets into the water to fish.
Elif looked at those people and noticed their profession had changed from none to fishermen.
Looking at the scene, Elif introduced, “These people originally worked as fishermen in the Royal City. A few days ago, they saw us build wooden boats, so they decided to return to their old trade.”
“Good,” Elif nodded. This way, even without Dratini, these commoners could fish from the river themselves.
“Your Highness, are you going to the opposite bank of the river?” Elif asked.
Elif nodded.
As if Elif had already anticipated Elif’s plan, a worker who knew how to row was already waiting there.
Seeing Elif approach, the uncle immediately respectfully called out, “Your Highness Prince Lei Wen!”
“Take me to the other side to take a look,” Elif said.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Elif, along with Dratini and Snivy, got on the boat. The boatman untied the rope and steadily steered the boat towards the opposite bank of the river.
Ripples spread across the water’s surface. Elif estimated the width of the river.
It was already over twenty meters wide.
Through the clear water, one could vaguely see ordinary fish and some Water Type Pokémon swimming below.
Magikarp, Feebas, Basculin…
On the riverbank not far away, a group of silly Psyduck were gathered. Further out on the water, a few Wooper had their heads out of the water, revealing fuzzy faces as they observed the scene.
It seems the variety of Pokémon inhabiting this area is truly abundant!
Soon, the boat docked.
Elif disembarked.
The boatman said, “Your Highness Prince Lei Wen, I will wait for you here.”
Elif nodded.
He looked back and saw the territory under construction on the opposite bank.
Fishermen fishing on the river, farmers tilling the fields, women washing clothes, children and Pokémon playing around…
Everything looked so full of life.
Elif on the opposite bank saw Elif intend to walk further in and felt a bit worried.
He shouted across the wide river, “Your Highness Prince Lei Wen, please be careful!”
Many monsters inhabit the plains on the other side of the river!
“Don’t worry, Elif!” Elif shook his head, signaling him not to worry.
He walked with Dratini and Snivy across this vast, fertile grassland. Looking up, he could see various Pokémon living there.
Rattata, Whimsicott, Whimsicott, Cherubi, Budew, Roserade, Sawsbuck, Zebstrika…
A few bold Sawsbuck were grazing nonchalantly around Elif. These Pokémon seemed unafraid of strangers; even when Elif approached, they didn’t run away.
“Hey, Sawsbuck!” Elif took a berry from his pocket.
The Sawsbuck turned their heads. One boldly stepped forward, took the berry, and ate it.
Elif could see that the eyes of that Sawsbuck seemed to become brighter.
Then, it and its companions nimbly leaped around Elif.
“As expected, if you give Sawsbuck food, you can quickly build a rapport with them!” Elif thought.
However, at that moment, a rumbling sound suddenly came from not far away.
The Sawsbuck seemed startled and turned to flee in panic.
Elif was slightly taken aback. He turned his head and saw an aggressive Rhyhorn charging towards them.
And the target of that Rhyhorn was clearly the most conspicuous human on this plain!
But fortunately, Elif was prepared.
“Snivy, Magical Leaf.”
Snivy rapidly mobilized its energy, condensing sharp leaf blades. Under its control, those leaves emitting green light flew towards the Rhyhorn at extreme speed.
The sharp leaves grazed the Rhyhorn’s steel-like body. Although the difference between them seemed vast, in the actual collision, it was the robust Rhyhorn that was heavily damaged.
