Chapter 173: Farm Security Team, Established!

Although the Herba Mystica were recorded in the Scarlet/Violet books as having been brought back from Area Zero and attempted to be planted throughout the Paldea region.

In reality, as far as Luo Mu knew, there was almost no trace of these spices on the market nowadays; rather, the public regarded these spices as one of Geeta's delusions and scams.

In the original game's plot, in order to treat Ao Ao Jiaofu, who had been severely injured by a Paradox Pokémon, Arven most likely searched the market in vain before finally having to seek out the rare Titan Pokémon across the regions, searching their lairs for possible Herba Mystica plants.

Coupled with the experience accumulated over this period, a tentative conclusion could be drawn.

The growing environment required for Herba Mystica was harsh, and the energy needed for growth was terrifying; cultivating them to maturity would likely consume enormous time, effort, and cost, certainly not something achievable overnight.

Luo Mu squatted by the field, curiously observing the newly sprouted crops; to be honest, looking at their current appearance, one really couldn't tell they were related to the Herba Mystica with their miraculous effects.

They were the type that might not even attract attention if stepped on by humans or Pokémon in the wild, and combined with their growth efficiency where even sprouting was extremely difficult, the combination was simply a disaster.

After pondering for a while, Luo Mu felt it was necessary to guard this field where the Herba Mystica crops were planted; while the Pokémon within the farm possessed the awareness not to damage the farm's crops, there was no guarantee that wild Pokémon wouldn't sneak in from the sky, underground, or while Luxray was distracted, and it would be bad if these precious crops were damaged then.

Finding another batch of seeds would likely be difficult; perhaps he would even have to go down into Area Zero within the Paldea Crater to restock.

Luo Mu called over the Growlithe and Mabstiff who were aggressively spectating nearby; seeing their tails wagging furiously, Luo Mu went against his conscience and hired two child laborers: "From now on, you two must assist Luxray in guarding this field well; absolutely do not let other wild Pokémon destroy this place. Guarding the home and courtyard depends on you two; can you do it?"

"Wang Wang!!"

The Growlithe and Mabstiff only felt that the instincts buried within their bloodlines had awakened; just the four words "guarding the home and courtyard" filled them with enthusiasm.

For a moment, the tails on the rears of the two Pokémon were wagging so fast they were nearly turning into propellers.

Perhaps due to the tacit understanding between Starter Pokémon, without Luo Mu needing to speak, Luxray slowly strode over and sat on the ground with considerable propriety.

The Growlithe and Mabstiff glanced at it, hesitated for a moment, then imitated its example by sitting on the ground as well, tongues out and chests puffed, looking as if they were awaiting Luo Mu's orders.

Luo Mu was amused by their serious demeanor and said with a smile: "Then I'll trouble Luxray, Captain of the Security Team, to train the two new members joining the Farm Security Team."

Luxray's gaze fell upon the two little ones beside it; although Luo Mu had mentioned that an evolved Growlithe would be larger than itself, a little one was still a little one, a being that needed care, even if their future size would exceed its own.

Since this was Luo Mu's request, it would certainly teach the two little dogs the importance of guarding the home and courtyard and the essential skills, protecting their home well.

Security Team!!!

The Growlithe and Mabstiff exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes.

They still remembered that other Growlithe friend who had only played with them for one day; from that one's mouth, they had learned much knowledge they previously did not know.

For example, before that Growlithe partnered with Miss Miss Junsha, it had witnessed many imposing counterparts at the Police Dog School.

That one's running posture like a raging wind, and its actions full of awe-inspiring righteousness when facing enemies, had filled that Growlithe with admiration, transforming its dream from merely eating its fill to becoming a powerful police dog inferior to none.

Although the Growlithe and Mabstiff also felt the police dog described by Miss Miss Junsha's Growlithe was cool, for them, there was an even cooler idol within the farm, one they could see and touch—Luxray.

Unlike Serperior, Swampert, and Dragonite, who cultivated crops within the farm, Luxray's contributions to the farm were silent and unheralded.

Usually, while they were playing, they could often see Luxray patrolling past them, occasionally driving away wild Pokémon, and occasionally rescuing injured Pokémon or humans who needed help.

In the hearts of the Growlithe and Mabstiff, Luxray was like a guardian deity protecting this place it had designated as home.

Simply explosively cool!

Luxray lowered its head, emitting a few rumbling sounds from its throat to signal the Growlithe and Mabstiff to follow; it was now going to teach them how to guard the farm.

The two little dogs were more active than anyone else; as if encountering some immense joy, they hopped and skipped with happy steps to keep up with Luxray's pace.

Growlithe & Mabstiff: ヾ(▽) ノ Happy

Consciously helping to reduce Luxray's burden, Luo Mu dismissed the spectating Pokémon; after the false alarm, he felt a bit tired.

He had intended to take a nap to replenish his energy, but when he entered the house to fetch a lounge chair to go sunbathe outside, he passed the kitchen and discovered that the box storing eggs in the open cabinet was already empty; not a single egg remained.

This would not do; if one were to ask what was most important among the ingredients on the farm, besides meat and vegetables, it was surely the eggs, which could almost be called universal.

As an ingredient, eggs existed in various delicacies; in the production process of many gourmet dishes, eggs occupied an extremely important position.

Besides that, when making desserts, eggs were also an indispensable ingredient.

Therefore, replenishing eggs was inevitably a Top Priority matter.

Although he could go to Cortondo Town as usual to purchase a large quantity of eggs, Luo Mu felt this was not quite right.

He was a farm owner, after all; why should he buy someone else's eggs? Shouldn't he produce and sell them himself?

Perhaps after this procurement, he should consider whether to build a chicken coop on the farm to raise egg-laying hens?

Thinking of this, Luo Mu temporarily abandoned his nap plan, returned to his bedroom to fetch his wallet, and intended to go buy some eggs first; otherwise, it would be awkward if he needed eggs and had none available.

By the time Luo Mu and Dragonite returned to the farm, each carrying a large bucket of eggs, the sky had gradually grown dim.

While buying eggs, Luo Mu also took the opportunity to visit Grandma Kiko and conveniently gifted her a large bucket of eggs.

During their casual chat, Grandma Kiko mentioned that her son, who had always been active outside, had recently contacted her and would be returning to the Paldea region in a short while.

Ever since Sada mentioned that the remaining number of Hisuian Growlithe was pitifully small, Luo Mu had been very curious about where exactly she had obtained the Hisuian Growlithe Pokémon Egg; Sada had also entrusted him to ask about it if he had the chance.

Luo Mu told Grandma Kiko that if her son returned to Paldea, he hoped she could notify him, as he had important matters to discuss.

(End of Chapter)