Chapter 396: HLBE Grand Grassland
June was the best time to visit the grassland. Combined with abundant rainfall this year, the grass was already lush and green.
Compared to the peak season in July and August, the grassland in June was dotted with wildflowers of various colors, scattered amidst the greenery, providing a perfect embellishment.
On the HLBE Grand Grassland, Tauros, Mareep, Rattata, and other Pokémon were wantonly grazing on the fresh and juicy green grass, feasting to their heart's content.
"Carbink, this should be your first time seeing a grassland, right?"
After spreading his arms to embrace nature, Basalt smiled at the curious Carbink, who was looking around.
Basalt's main purpose for coming to the Grassland Province was to send Bronzong back to the Mine Secret Realm to receive inheritance and learn new moves.
But Basalt couldn't help with learning moves. So, after dropping off Bronzong, he took a break to visit the renowned HLBE Grand Grassland.
His main goal was to show Carbink the vast world, how Pokémon lived, and how humans and Pokémon coexisted harmoniously, hoping to reverse its biased view of humans. Although Red City also had grasslands, compared to HLBE, they were insignificant.
"Carb~ink~"
Carbink's face was filled with curiosity and excitement. Living in underground caves since birth, when had it ever seen such a sight? The boundless grassland was too magnificent!
However, when it saw Basalt's face, Carbink stubbornly turned its head away, pretending not to care.
"Heh, petty little thing!"
Basalt shook his head with a smile.
After spending these few days together, although Carbink wasn't fully won over, it was at least not as explosive as before, ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Carbink understood that with Excadrill and Swampert around, escape was impossible. It couldn't win a fight, and it couldn't flee, so it resorted to non-violent non-cooperation.
Fortunately, Basalt knew about Carbink's dark past, so he was extremely tolerant, striving to move it with sincerity.
"Alright, everyone can move freely and rest for a while."
Basalt gave Carbink a chance to play but didn't forget to warn, "Carbink, don't run too far!"
"Carb~ink~"
Carbink still turned its head away, seemingly unmoved. But once Basalt moved away, it revealed its true nature, happily hopping on the grass and trying to interact and play with the Rattata.
Seeing Carbink's happy appearance, Basalt smiled knowingly. This was a good start.
But Basalt didn't let his guard down. He ordered, "Pupitar, aerial alert."
This was to prevent anyone from accidentally intruding. Carbink had a stress reaction to humans. Currently, apart from Basalt, the appearance of others was likely to trigger bad memories or even provoke an attack. Given Carbink's strength, an average person really couldn't handle it.
"Excadrill, stick close to Carbink."
Basalt signaled Excadrill. This was to prevent Carbink from digging a hole and escaping. Since it hadn't truly submitted yet, the possibility of escape was high, and he had to guard against it. If Carbink ran away, Basalt would have nowhere to cry.
"Carb~ink~ Carb~ink~"
"Rat~tata~"
Carbink interacted friendly with the similarly-sized Rattata, chasing and playing.
As for the large herds of Mareep and Tauros, the timid Carbink was still wary and dared not approach.
When it finally mustered the courage to approach the Mareep, two large dogs suddenly rushed out from the flock: one golden yellow, the other with black and gray fur. They were Manectric and Mightyena, seemingly serving as sheepdogs. Smelling an unfamiliar scent, they came to investigate.
"Woof~"
"Awooo~"
Compared to Manectric, Mightyena looked much fiercer, and its bared teeth were terrifying, scaring Carbink greatly. It immediately turned and retreated in panic.
Seeing this, Manectric and Mightyena flanked it from left and right. It was their first time seeing a Pokémon like Carbink, which piqued their curiosity.
Carbink had high defenses, but lacking limbs and flight, its speed was a weakness, and it was soon caught by the two sheepdogs.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, fear appeared on Carbink's face, and the gem on its forehead involuntarily lit up.
"Excadrill, stop them!"
Just then, Basalt's voice rang out.
A stream of light flashed, cutting a line through the green grass. Excadrill stood in front of the two large dogs, preventing them from getting any closer to Carbink.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here!"
Basalt appeared at the right time to boost his favorability.
"Carb~ink~"
The fear on Carbink's face faded, and its gaze toward Basalt held a trace of different emotion.
Actually, with Carbink's strength, repelling these two dogs would have been a piece of cake. But since it absorbed Xerneas's power while asleep, it wasn't proficient in using it, like a child suddenly given a divine weapon.
Intimidated by Excadrill's aura, the two dogs only bared their teeth threateningly but dared not advance. They exchanged a glance and howled loudly.
Before long, Pupitar flew back, indicating someone was approaching.
Clop, clop, clop...
Accompanied by rapid hoofbeats, a burly middle-aged man riding a majestic Rapidash galloped over, looking wary.
The Rapidash under the man was strong, running like a red streak of light. Basalt didn't even have time to retreat before the man arrived.
However, seeing that Basalt was just a teenager, the sternness on the man's face softened, and he asked curiously, "Young man, why did you run deep into the HLBE Grand Grassland alone? This is close to the border. Not only are there many wild Pokémon, but poachers often cross the border to catch Rapidash. It's very dangerous; go back quickly."
"Poachers?"
Basalt's eyes narrowed slightly.
He expected them in the Takla Desert, but he didn't expect them on the grassland too! But China's vast land and abundant resources meant a rich variety of Pokémon. Some Pokémon were unique to China, making trainers from other alliances jealous enough to take risks. This situation wasn't unique to China; several alliances with large territories faced similar problems.
Knowing the man meant well, Basalt took out his Pokédex and waved it. "Uncle, I'm a Pro-level trainer."
"You're a Pro-level trainer? Who are you kidding!"
The man acted as if he heard a huge joke. "Do I look that easy to fool?"
But when he saw the information on the Pokédex clearly, his expression froze, and he exclaimed in shock, "Goodness, you really are a Pro-level trainer, kid?"
"Genuine article!" Basalt smiled.
"Are kids these days all this amazing?"
While lamenting, the man's attitude toward Basalt did a 180-degree turn, even inviting Basalt to his home.
Glancing at Carbink shivering behind his legs, Basalt politely declined. Carbink's fear of strangers was still too strong.
"Young man, your Numel seems well-bred. Can I borrow it for breeding? I have a few Camerupt at home, but their quality is average, and they need some bloodline improvement."
Before leaving, the man made an presumptuous request that left Basalt stunned.
What kind of move is this?
Looking at the underage Numel, Basalt politely declined again. As an aspiring Pokémon, some doors must never be opened! This was a matter of principle! Besides, Basalt was twenty and single; why should these one or two-year-old Pokémon rush?
Rejected repeatedly, the man was clearly unhappy. He called his two sheepdogs and left with the herd.
However, before leaving, he still reminded Basalt, "Young man, if you find traces of poachers, please report it immediately."
Watching the man's retreating figure, Basalt scratched his head awkwardly, then squatted down and whispered to Carbink, "See? Not every human is bad. Like me and that uncle, we are very good people. We not only don't hurt Pokémon but also live in harmony with them."
This was the thought Basalt instilled in Carbink every day: not all humans are bad. Basalt didn't deny there were a few bad apples, but condemning everyone because of a few was wrong. He had to distinguish himself from Baruhi and the Cartier family.
Glancing at Manectric and Mightyena wagging their tails behind the man, then at Basalt and Excadrill, Carbink seemed thoughtful, half-understanding.
After a short nap, Carbink became active again, hopping freely on the grassland and making friends with wild Pokémon.
Initially, Basalt followed Carbink, happy to see it playing. But by the afternoon, his stamina gave out, so he had to ride Pupitar in the air.
"Carb~ink~"
Watching Pupitar fly freely, Carbink's eyes were full of envy.
"Huh? That kid has a pseudo-legendary pre-evolution?"
On a small hill a kilometer away, a capable woman in camouflage put down her binoculars, looking surprised. Beside her was a gray fox-like Pokémon with dark red mane covering its back, dark gray hair on the mane, and a blue pearl-like object near the end of the mane.
She was a poacher from Europe. Because a buyer offered ten million for a fast-running Rapidash, she traveled all the way from the Central Asian steppes to the East Asian steppes, crossing into China's territory.
Having gained nothing, she was about to withdraw. But Pupitar's appearance revitalized her.
If she could get her hands on Pupitar, why would she need a Rapidash? Why need a bicycle?
Although the probability of an evolved Pupitar being tamed by another trainer was low, and its trainability greatly reduced, many people in Europe were still willing to pay. After all, it was a pseudo-legendary. Even if it couldn't be a partner, it was a good choice as an ornamental exhibit.
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