Chapter 223: Return to the Farm

Inside the farm.

At this moment, the group of Pokémon had just finished dinner.

The monotonous taste of standard Pokémon food made many of the farm's Pokémon miss the nutritious meals and reward meals Luo Mu had carefully prepared for them.

Among them, the foodie Moltres reacted the most strongly.

Capable of devouring two or three buckets of rice in a single meal, it had eaten only a little over half a bucket per meal these past few days; Moltres's sharply reduced appetite had even caught Luxray's attention.

Observing this abnormal phenomenon, Luxray called over Comfey, had Serperior use Vine Whip to pin down the clamoring Moltres—who insisted it wasn't sick—and administered an Aromatherapy treatment to Moltres.

Under Moltres's vigorous defense, Luxray finally believed that Moltres's sharply reduced appetite was simply because its "big son" had left, and having eaten too much gourmet food, it could no longer stomach plain fare.

Having worried over nothing, Luxray had Serperior release its restraints on Moltres; after all, most Pokémon on the farm had lived in the wild before, or else had eaten communal slop at other ranches.

A Pokémon like Moltres, which aside from absorbing magma energy ate only the carefully prepared meals Luo Mu made, was indeed rare, so its temporary inability to adapt was understandable.

Finally breaking free from those damn vines, Moltres glared at Serperior; don't think it didn't know that while Luxray wasn't looking, Serperior had catalyzed those thin vines into the size of Frenzy Plant.

That Frenzy Plant was quite fire-resistant; it had intentionally raised its body temperature, letting flames wrap around the vines, yet for a while it still couldn't burn them through.

Serperior glared back, unwilling to show weakness; ever since being caught by Luo Mu, Moltres had grown much bolder, and don't think Serperior hadn't noticed that the news of its failed attempt to re-practice Grassy Terrain a few days ago had spread from Moltres.

Seeing the two Pokémon locking gazes in mid-air as if sparks were igniting between them, Luxray, who originally hadn't planned to fuss over their little antics, could no longer hold back; it growled low a few times, telling them to cut it out.

Don't forget, Luo Mu was due to return within these next couple of days.

Comfey looked left and right, at a loss as to what to do about the current situation.

Luxray's authority was still quite effective; the two Pokémon snorted lightly and ultimately didn't continue to be stubborn.

Occasional bickering was a small matter, but if they truly provoked Luxray, they would likely suffer a round of electric therapy.

Even though Serperior could rely on its type to resist some of the current, it didn't want to be electrocuted by Luxray, and Moltres, being weak to Electric-type moves, dared even less to say anything.

Mimikyu, having witnessed everything, thought for a moment and decided to file a report with Luo Mu once he returned.

It wasn't that Mimikyu wanted to trip up Serperior and Moltres; although Serperior's tendency to pick conflicts with Moltres out of jealousy, combined with Moltres's stubborn personality, made it difficult for the two to reconcile on their own.

As Luo Mu's designated intelligence officer, Mimikyu would definitely report any threats hindering the farm's peace for correction!

Before Mimikyu could fantasize about being hugged, kissed, and lifted high by Luo Mu for earning merit, Luxray, which had just stopped the further conflict between Serperior and Moltres, suddenly lifted its head, its sensitive nose detecting a familiar scent in the air.

Luxray's eyes lit up; it let out a low growl and ran toward the farm entrance not far away.

A beat slower, Moltres and Serperior froze for a moment; one twisted its serpentine body, the other spread its wings, and both gave chase.

Outside the farm, Luo Mu had just tied the souvenir gifts onto Feng Su Gou, had Dragonite and Swampert each carry some, and even Shuang Nai Xian was holding a box.

They couldn't keep making Oranguru exert itself indefinitely; a Psychic-type Pokémon's mental power was absolutely not infinite, and overuse could even cause symptoms of dizziness.

Holding several boxes in each hand, Luo Mu smiled at the few Pokémon and said, "Let's go, we're home?"

The moment Luo Mu's words fell, a black shadow pounced over in an instant.

Oranguru froze, thinking it was an attack by a wild Pokémon; just as Oranguru was about to wave its fan, Luo Mu hurriedly stopped it, saying, "Don't attack, it's one of us!"

That black shadow also knew its limits; although somewhat excited by Luo Mu's return, its personality was ultimately reliable, so it merely stopped reservedly beside Luo Mu and rubbed its head against his hand.

However, those who arrived later were not so reserved.

Serperior's vines coiled out, directly relieving the burden of the souvenir gifts in Luo Mu's hands; Serperior held its head high, glanced sideways at him, and snorted.

Roaming wild outside for so many days before returning... but seeing as Luo Mu brought souvenir gifts, it would forgive him.

Moltres exchanged a glance with Luo Mu, nodded, and then went to check on its "big son," who had grown quite a bit taller.

Arriving late, Comfey landed directly on Luo Mu's head, shook its body, and its pleasant floral scent quickly healed his fatigue from the long journey.

Mimikyu darted onto Luo Mu's shoulder, causing even Luxray to freeze.

Mimikyu, when did it arrive?

Serperior and Moltres exchanged a guilty glance; come to think of it, Mimikyu possessed that special ability of having no presence—could it have witnessed their open and hidden struggles just now?

This series of Pokémon relationships left Oranguru stunned; even with its intelligent mind, it couldn't process such complex relations for a moment and completely crashed.

Over so many years, Oranguru's knowledge reserve was just like the moves it mastered: very rich, and it recognized many Pokémon species.

Coincidentally, it had an impression of Moltres; Oranguru remembered that Moltres was a legendary Pokémon, very mysterious even among Pokémon.

Such an existence was actually in Luo Mu's farm... just what kind of remarkable master had it followed?

However, there was one thing it could be sure of: at least based on the scene it had just witnessed, this farm was truly just like the data described, its ideal working environment.

Oranguru did not desire its working environment to be particularly luxurious.

Comfort was what mattered most.

Luo Mu's return immediately excited the Pokémon on the farm.

Outside the small western-style house, since the sky had already darkened, Luxray used the move Flash to replace the streetlights.

Surrounded by the excited crowd of Pokémon, Luo Mu's gaze circled around them; seeing that their condition was all good, Luo Mu felt nothing but relief.

Then, under the gaze of all the Pokémon, Luo Mu introduced their new companion.

"Everyone should know that after this trip of mine, our farm will have a new partner joining us; this is Oranguru, who will be our farm's head steward from now on, so everyone must get along harmoniously!"

As his words fell, Luo Mu stepped aside to give the stage to Oranguru.

Oranguru could feel the curious and scrutinizing gazes; in order to make sure Luo Mu could understand as well, it chose to use telepathy for its self-introduction: "I am Oranguru, and I will soon assume the position of farm steward; I will provide the most suitable support for everyone's work, please treat me kindly!"

(End of Chapter)