Chapter 25: The Workshop

June 14.

Weather: overcast, light rain.

After several days of clear and cloudy weather, rain finally arrived today.

The rain was light, just right—no need to water the fields today.

Many items have sold recently; funds have suddenly become abundant!

Yesterday afternoon, Guang Tai went to the village and brought back an anvil, placing it in the forge room; meanwhile, Guang Ta also purchased a batch of “Jingjing Honey” online.

This is an essential ingredient for making Pokémon Candy, but the crucial Muzi Fruit has not yet been obtained, so buying Jingjing Honey is merely preparatory.

Today, Guang Tai was in high spirits; he opened the door and walked to the herb and crop fields with an umbrella.

At the edge of the fields, near the herbs, familiar leaves appeared once more.

This time, the leaves were damaged, with two snapped off; the Lilyroot Doll had buried herself in the soil and did not enter the field.

She stayed only near the edge, as if believing this would prevent Guang Tai from driving her away; beside her lay a white spherical fruit.

“Clearly, you lost again.”

This time she was beaten worse than last time; Guang Tai walked over and tried to pull her up. The Lilyroot Doll immediately let out an indignant “Bai!”—but quickly realized it was the house’s owner, so she strained to lift her head from the soil.

Indeed, the injuries healed last time had worsened again, and the wounds were deeply severe—uncommon in the Pokémon world.

However, some wounds differed from the majority; they were likely caused by a Bug-type Pokémon attacking during a subsequent period of weakness.

“Bai~”

The Lilyroot Doll looked at Guang Tai, then at the Revival Grass nearby, and pushed the white spherical fruit toward Guang Ta.

“No, it’s not healed yet—only two or three days have passed,” Guang Tai replied helplessly. The Lilyroot Doll nodded, then became still again.

This time, she lacked even the strength to hop.

Guang Tai picked up the white spherical fruit.

【Rare Material: White Spherical Fruit】

【Description: A white spherical fruit with no scent. It appears only in fertile soil.】

【Knowledge Gained: 1】

【Lush Land: Crops, herbs, or trees you plant increase surrounding vitality; soil fertility recovers faster.】

“Was your habitat taken away? I’ve heard fights in the forests are fierce, but you’re not from deep within Shen Du Forest, are you?”

Guang Tai asked her. The Lilyroot Doll slightly lifted her head:

“Bai~ Bai.”

At that moment, Monferno also floated out, serving as Guang Tai’s faithful translator, and rendered the Lilyroot Doll’s words.

She lived at the forest’s edge, not deep within Shen Du Forest. She said she was merely using the soil nearby to restore her condition and would leave soon, posing no danger to this herb field.

“Bai bai.”

If needed, she could exchange leaves for potions and herbs—but how do you know her habitat was taken?

“I understand your kind somewhat. You’re a social Pokémon, often led by a Skitty.”

As Guang Tai listened to Monferno’s translation, he felt slightly embarrassed—this embarrassment stemmed from the peculiar feeling that he had become the villain.

Yet this Lilyroot Doll’s personality was truly unusual: she refused to trouble others and insisted on exchanging leaves for corresponding herbs.

Stubbornness can be wonderful sometimes.

“Bai~”

The Lilyroot Doll responded weakly.

Monferno translated:

She abandoned her leader.

Guang Tai’s expression grew puzzled.

“Not that the Skitty abandoned you—but that you abandoned the Skitty?”

This question was quickly answered by the Lilyroot Doll; meanwhile, Guang Tai, as usual, fetched healing herbs, Energy Fragments, and berries. After consuming the food and using the potions, her condition improved.

In her answer, since her companions—including the leader—refused to reclaim the habitat, she abandoned them to seize it alone. Weak Pokémon lose their homes to stronger ones; so if she grew strong enough, she could take it back.

Many Grass-type Pokémon dislike fighting, but some have unusual temperaments and traits—they are often rebels within their groups. Guang Tai couldn’t help thinking of Ash’s Charizard.

Ash’s Charizard, back when it was a Bulbasaur, was once a rebel in its group.

Pokémon grow stronger through simple means: battle. Fight constantly in the wild, accumulate experience to meet evolution conditions, or learn more moves.

Yet the Lilyroot Doll’s evolution isn’t achieved merely by gaining experience—she must find a Sun Stone.

“Fight, lose, get hurt, heal, fight again.”

“Has your chance of victory increased? How many battles have you fought since losing your habitat?”

Guang Tai asked. The Lilyroot Doll couldn’t recall clearly—certainly over a dozen times.

That means, even before Guang Tai moved here, she had been fighting other Pokémon continuously—since before summer, through the harsh winter and cold spring.

“Your habitat was taken during winter or spring, because warm, nutrient-rich soil supports life better. Was the one who took it another Grass-type Pokémon? But there must have been additional types involved.”

“Do you need help?”

Yet when Guang Tai offered kindly, the Lilyroot Doll stared at him for a long while—neither nodding nor shaking her head—then let out a loud cry:

“Bai! Bai!”

This time, her voice was no longer gentle—it brimmed with frustration and anger.

If she didn’t reclaim her habitat herself, her companions would never reflect. They’d only say she used someone else’s strength to win it back; once that helper left, another Pokémon would take the place again, and everything would be as if nothing had happened!

So she must rely on herself—she must evolve!

To grow strong, she didn’t need temporary help—she needed true strength. For this, she would give anything—even though she had only the leaves on her head to exchange. If he didn’t mind, take them all!

Guang Tai was moved. Usually, weak Pokémon seek Trainers or bond with powerful ones to gain stable lives—following a Trainer makes them stronger; bonding with powerful Pokémon brings mutual benefit.

Yet this Pokémon, stubborn and focused only on honing herself—even viewing Trainers as unstable external forces—

Guang Tai’s thoughts grew complex, but Monferno was deeply moved. It floated beside the Lilyroot Doll and used its blue ribbon to comfort her fiercely!

“Yao!”

Long ago, I met knights who had your spirit!

Honing your strength, defeating powerful foes—that’s the process of surpassing yourself!

I support you!

Monferno was moved; it told the Lilyroot Doll it wanted to train her!

“Yao~!”

I was once a knight’s sword!

And I have the glorious record of slaying a dragon!

In ancient times, that would have been recorded in history and sung of in ballads!

“You only defeated a Shelgon, not a Sharpedo. Even a dragon-slayer who slays a baby dragon doesn’t prove strength, does he?”

Guang Tai bluntly shattered the illusion, but Monferno retorted: “So what if it was a baby dragon? I’m still a young sword myself!”

Monferno immediately pounded its sheath to assure the Lilyroot Doll:

“Yao!” (⊙)/~!

I’m strong, and this person is strong too. With our training and the gear we make, no enemy will be unbeatable for you!

“That’s right,” Guang Tai volunteered:

“If you want to grow stronger, work for me. Work makes you stronger, plus Monferno’s training—no problem. Weak Pokémon can become strong, as long as they master move combinations and possess unyielding will!”

“Then it’s settled.”

Guang Tai pulled out a Poké Ball: “In the Johto region, a Trainer once said—strong Pokémon, weak Pokémon—they’re just human opinions.”

“You’ll become stronger.”

The Lilyroot Doll looked at the Poké Ball and, without hesitation, slapped it!

A red light drew her inside; the Poké Ball barely wobbled before stopping.

“I caught a Lilyroot Doll!”

(End of Chapter)