As everyone knew, there were many ways to restore physical strength in the Pokémon world.
There were healing herbs, medicinal tree roots, and even the simple Oran Berry, said to restore a sliver of vitality.
But in this frozen season, Lucien had no way of knowing whether such herbs grew in the nearby forest, or if the fruit trees here would bear anything at all.
"What if I prepare medicine myself, using herbs?"
Lucien turned his attention to the technology column on his panel. Soon, he found what he was looking for.
[Basic Herbalism: Unlocks some basic wound medicine recipes. Redemption requirement: 200 Satisfaction.]
"It's still halfway there…" he muttered.
The path to gaining satisfaction was both simple and difficult.
As long as the people of his territory were content, whether with food, warmth, or shelter, he would gain satisfaction. But to meet all those needs in the depths of this cruel winter was no easy feat.
"It seems we can only harvest a wave of satisfaction once Ryan and the others finish building the wooden houses."
Meanwhile, in a small tent on the edge of the camp, Doctor Lila pressed a worn book into the hands of young Anna.
"This describes the appearance and effects of various herbs," she explained gently. "Take it, study it. Once you can recognize each herb without looking at the drawings, you'll be ready for the next step."
"Yes, Teacher Lila! I'll study hard!" Anna said earnestly, bowing in gratitude.
Lila smiled. She had come under Lucien's orders to tend the sick, including Anna's mother, and had expected nothing more than a routine treatment. But that very morning, the little girl had come to her, begging to be taught herb lore.
She wanted to repay His Highness Lucien, to grow strong enough to help others just as he had helped her mother.
Seeing her sincerity, and knowing how overwhelmed she was with patients, Lila agreed.
"Good. Now go back and rest," she said, turning back toward her duties.
Anna clutched the book tightly and hurried to her tent. She warmed herself beside the small fire and immediately opened it, eyes flying across the pages.
But after a while, she clenched her tiny fists.
'This is too slow. If I only read, who knows when I'll actually be able to help His Highness?'
Everyone else was already out gathering wood and berries, working hard for the camp's survival. How could she sit idly by?
Her gaze fell to one of the illustrations in the book.
Lila's herbs were nearly used up.
'Then I'll collect them myself!'
Without hesitation, Anna slung her little backpack over her shoulder and slipped out into the snow.
She hadn't been searching long when she spotted something strange: a knotted, brown rhizome peeking from beneath the roots of a great tree.
"This is…" Anna quickly flipped through the book until her eyes widened in delight.
"The vitality root! It tastes bitter, but its juice can heal wounds in no time!"
Her heart leapt with excitement. Vitality Root was rare and precious, yet here it was, right in front of her.
With clumsy but determined hands, Anna dug it free and tucked it carefully into her bag.
Then, brushing snow from her hair, she looked up at the white-coated forest around her.
The cold environment did not reduce Anna's determination at all. On the contrary, she was very excited at this moment, because this herb is very precious and rare!
There must be more nearby.
Anna's eyes sparkled with determination. If she could find more vitality roots, she could bring them back and give them to His Highness Lucien!
Her small figure darted through the snowy forest like a nimble deer. The cold bit at her cheeks, but she searched carefully, eyes scanning the white-draped ground for any sign of herbs.
Then, suddenly, she spotted something behind the trunk of a tree.
"Huh? Is that some rare herb?"
Her heart leapt. Without thinking, Anna hurried forward, eager to add another treasure to her bag.
But when she got closer, her excitement froze in her throat.
What lay there was not a plant at all, but a gray-black creature, small and fox-like, its fur matted with snow and blood.
Anna's breath hitched. Her body trembled.
"Ahhhhhh! It's a monster!" she screamed.
The sound made the creature stir. Weakly, it opened its crimson eyes.
And Anna saw it clearly, an ugly wound tore across its body.
Even so, the instinctive fear of "monsters" drilled into her since childhood took over. Anna spun on her heel and bolted.
She ran, snow crunching under her boots, heart pounding in her ears.
But… nothing chased her.
Panting, she slowed. Then, hesitantly, she turned to look back.
The fox-like monster was still lying there, its body unmoving. Too injured even to stand.
Anna bit her lip. In her heart, two voices argued fiercely.
"That's a monster! If you get close, you'll die!"
"But it didn't even try to chase me…"
"If it attacks, you'll never see your mother again!"
"But if I leave it here, it will surely die…"
Her small fists clenched. Fear and pity wrestled inside her chest.
Finally, conscience won.
Anna slowly retraced her steps, approaching the creature as carefully as her shaking legs allowed.
She crouched beside it, imitating her teacher Lila's calm manner, and examined the wound.
The fox, Zorua, watched her warily, but it no longer had the strength to move.
"Be good, monster. Don't attack me. I'm here to heal you," Anna whispered, her voice trembling as she reached out.
Zorua's crimson eyes followed her hand closely.
Her heart hammered. 'What if it bites off my fingers?!'
At the last second, Anna yanked her hand back in fright.
Zorua: "…"
Swallowing hard, she forced herself to act. From her bag, she pulled out the vitality root she had dug up earlier. With clumsy hands, she squeezed its bitter juice onto the Pokémon's wound.
"This… this is the medicine we humans use for injuries. I don't know if it works for you. But if it does, you're not allowed to hurt me!" she blurted, half command, half plea.
The first drops of juice touched the gash;
And before her astonished eyes, the red wound began to close. The swelling faded. The flesh knit together at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Zorua blinked, stunned.
Anna gasped in wonder. "H-huh?!"
The little fox stirred. Slowly, it pushed itself up, shaking the snow from its fur like a puppy drying after rain.
Then it raised its head, eyes locking onto the trembling girl before it. Vigilance gleamed in its gaze.
Anna flinched at its sudden movement. She threw up her arms to shield her face, voice cracking with panic.
"Ahhh! Don't hurt me!"
Zorua, startled by her sudden cry, froze in place, wide-eyed and stiff.
"…?"
Anna waited, her arms trembling over her head. But the little monster never moved.
Hesitantly, she lowered her hands and peeked out.
The fox monster finally seemed to shake itself free from its daze. It crouched low, leaning forward defensively, its body tense. Its pale blue eyes fixed on Anna with sharp wariness.
Anna's fear eased just a little. Looking closely, she realized;
'It's actually kind of… cute.'
Her courage grew. She shuffled one step closer.
But the moment she moved, the Zorua flinched. Startled, it skittered back a pace, its paw pads pressing into the snow and leaving behind neat, plum-shaped prints.
Then, with a sudden puff of white smoke, its form shimmered.
Anna blinked in disbelief as the fox's body rippled and shifted.
When the smoke cleared, standing before her… was herself.
"Eh—?! That's me?!" Anna gasped, eyes wide with shock.