Mareep: A gentle, easy-to-raise sheep Pokémon. Its wool grows continuously and sheds on its own. Even when completely shorn, it returns to full fluff within a week. The fleece traps large amounts of air, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer. It can be spun into fine yarn for clothing, hats, socks, and carpets.
However, due to its natural static charge, handling it carelessly may result in mild shocks. Exercise caution when raising it.Raising Difficulty: Easy.
Lucien focused for a moment, and the details of Mareep appeared clearly in his mind.
"Raising difficulty: Easy."
According to Lucien's system, Pokémon raising was divided into seven tiers of difficulty: Novice, Easy, Normal, Hard, Extreme, Nightmare, and Hell.
Timid, fragile Pokémon like Hoothoot or Caterpie were usually classified under "Novice" or "Easy," as they required delicate care.
In contrast, legendary beings such as Groudon or Kyogre were the stuff of "Hell-tier" challenges, creatures no human could realistically raise.
Mareep, despite its static charge, was calm and gentle. With a few basic precautions, even a beginner could manage it.
Certainly easier than handling a wild Bouffalant.
Lucien pondered this thoughtfully.
At that moment, Ryan leaned forward eagerly.
"Lord Lucien, are any of these monsters particularly useful to our settlement?"
Christina and Cleveland both turned to listen.
Lucien nodded slightly. "Yes," he said, pointing to the entry on Mareep.
"This beast sheds its wool regularly. Its fleece is excellent for making warm clothing and carpets."
He paused for a moment, glancing toward the glowing tail drawn in the notes.
'And… if we ever discover how to harness electricity, Mareep could one day become a natural power source.'
He didn't elaborate further; few in this era even knew what electricity was. Still, the thought lingered.
Ryan's eyes gleamed. "Then let me catch them and raise them! I'll bring them back myself!"
Lucien blinked. "…"
Christina sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"Hey! There are so many monsters out there. If you're alone, you'll probably be defeated in a single encounter."
Even the stoic Cleveland silently nodded. There were simply too many wild beasts out there; a reckless approach would only end badly.
"I'm just preparing ahead!" Ryan said defensively, then turned back toward Lucien. "You must already have a plan, right, my lord?"
Lucien smiled faintly as the others waited expectantly.
"Yes," he said at last, and Ryan immediately puffed out his chest in triumph. "See? I told you!"
"Since we can't overpower them, we'll attract them instead," Lucien explained calmly. "Build trust, offer safety and food, and let them choose to join us willingly."
Christina's eyes brightened. "You mean, use food to lure them?"
Lucien nodded. "Precisely. Mareep prefer soft, fresh grass, but they're also fond of fruit. That gives us an advantage."
He turned toward his steward. "Elif, have someone construct a bridge across the river. On the plains beyond, fence off a section of land and begin preparing a pasture. Tell the farmers to plant lush grass there."
"Yes, Lord Lucien!"
Elif nodded and turned to leave, but paused halfway as a thought struck him.
"Lord Lucien, we're a little short on manpower right now…"
At present, there were only seventy-eight people in the entire territory. Some were cutting timber in the forests, some were mining clay and ore, others were tending the farmlands, while the rest, including women and children, foraged for edible plants and berries in the surrounding woods.
Everyone who could work was already doing so.
Hearing this, Lucien frowned.
As expected, a territory couldn't develop quickly without enough people.
Would the plan to raise Mareep have to be postponed?
"Forget it," Lucien sighed after a moment. "Let's focus on building the houses and roads first. We'll think about the ranch later."
Elif bowed his head. "Understood, my lord."
Still, Lucien mused, there were some Pokémon that could be raised right away.
He flipped through another section of the ecological notebook until he found an entry about a peculiar Pokémon, Shuckle.
Turning to Ryan, Lucien said, "Ryan, I have a new task for you."
Shuckle, the Mold Pokémon, timid, harmless, and known for storing berries inside its shell.
Over time, the berries ferment, blending with Shuckle's natural enzymes and forming a thick, sweet juice that restores stamina and vitality.
Gentle and defenseless, Shuckle couldn't even defeat a small child. When frightened, it simply pulled its limbs and head into its shell and stayed perfectly still, hoping danger would pass.
That made it perfect for early domestication.
"If you can find any Shuckle colonies," Lucien instructed, "bring them back safely. We'll provide them with berries and shelter. In return, they'll help us produce restorative juices, something valuable both for the people."
"Yes, Lord Lucien! I promise to complete the mission!" Ryan saluted, already excited by the thought of meeting the curious little creature from the notes.
...
Meanwhile, in a distant village…
By his third day there, Ivan was already restless.
Every day, he stood by the village gate, staring down the dirt road that cut through the valley, hoping to see Sir Geralt return.Only then could they plan to reunite with Lord Lucien.
Still, Ivan didn't neglect the task Lucien had assigned him.
On the very first day, he had asked around and learned that this village sat on the far northern border of the kingdom, near the edge of the Unova region, and far, far from the royal city of Aindok.
At least, there were occasional traveling merchants who stopped here, bringing goods and news from other towns in exchange for local crops and wool.
As the sun began to set, Ivan was just about to give up for the day when two tall silhouettes appeared at the edge of the horizon.
His heart leapt.
They came closer, one of them broad-shouldered, silver-haired, unmistakable.
"Hey! Sir Geralt!" Ivan shouted, waving both arms as he ran toward them.
...
Bonu @600
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