Fresh fish?
The very mention lit up the eyes of the people, who had been gnawing on dry rations for months.
Timber for building, clean water, fresh fish, and a valley to shelter them…
For this caravan that had wandered too long in the blizzard, it was nothing short of a blessing.
They exchanged hopeful glances, then turned as one toward Raven, awaiting his decision—for he was their master.
Meeting their gaze, Raven paused before asking, "Were there any dangers nearby?"
Lyon blinked, scratching his head sheepishly. "I was too busy staring at the fish… but I didn't notice any beasts around."
After all, he'd made it back alive.
Raven: "…"
This knight really was a bit simple-minded.
He fell into thought.
According to the original Raven's memories, they had already been lost in the storm far too long. The old Raven had once sent men to scout for nearby settlements, but those men either returned empty-handed—or never returned at all.
The Pokémon world was vast and sparsely populated. In this era, villages and towns were scattered few and far between; stumbling upon one was no easy task.
Raven lifted his eyes to the weary group before him.
The old, the young, the sick, the crippled…
It was impossible to keep pressing forward with them, and abandoning them was something Raven, as someone from the modern world, simply could not do.
There was only one path left to them.
Under the people's pleading gazes, Raven slowly nodded. "Very well. We march."
"Yes, Your Highness Raven!" Lyon straightened, excitement in his voice.
The group rested briefly, gathered their remaining supplies, and then set off under Lyon's lead toward the valley.
Lyon and the knights formed a protective ring, keeping Raven, the commoners, and the slaves safely in the middle.
They advanced cautiously, ever watchful for signs of beasts.
Raven chose not to return to the carriage, instead walking outside, eyes scanning their surroundings.
"Your Highness, it's still snowing. Please, return inside the carriage," came the voice of his steward, Aelif.
Raven turned toward him.
Aelif was a man in his late thirties or early forties, the one who had tended to his daily life since childhood. Naturally, he had joined the journey to the new fief.
"It's fine, Aelif," Raven shook his head. "This isn't the royal capital anymore."
The words gave the steward pause.
In Eindoak, the young prince had a doting father and elder brothers. He had only needed to play and enjoy life, free from care.
But now…
Perhaps these recent hardships had made him grow.
Aelif sighed quietly, then fetched a thick wool cloak and draped it over Raven's shoulders.
Raven was about to respond when suddenly a sharp cry rang out:
"Careful! A pack of beasts ahead!"
Panic rippled through the caravan.
Raven turned—and froze.
A herd of massive creatures lumbered into view, their shaggy brown fur covering hulking bodies shaped like giant boars.
Mamoswine?!
The moment he recognized them, Lyon and the knights raised their iron swords, instinctively forming a shield wall around the group.
The Mamoswine herd picked up on their hostility, turning their massive heads to glare.
The leader fixed its gaze on the knights' drawn weapons.
Sensing the threat, the herd grew restless, a crushing aura of raw power and primal dominance sweeping outward.
The knights tightened their grips on their weapons.
Gulp.
Lyon swallowed hard. He had never seen such beasts before, but the pressure they gave off rivaled even the massive centipedes outside the capital.
So many of them—if they charged…
He dared not imagine the outcome.
What should they do? What could they do?
If only Sir Geralt were here…
Geralt, the strongest knight of their order, had once slain countless mighty beasts. But not long ago, he had lured away a pack of monsters to protect Raven—and never returned.
"Lyon, drop your weapon!"
Raven's sudden shout jolted him.
"What?"
"Hurry!" Raven barked. "All of you—put down your weapons!"
Though confused, the knights obeyed, lowering their blades.
Raven stepped forward and called out loudly to the herd:
"Mamoswine, we mean you no harm. We're just passing through and will leave shortly!"
The oppressive atmosphere vanished.
The Mamoswine shifted their gaze from the iron swords, then slowly turned away, leading their Swinub through the snow until they disappeared into the storm.
"Phew…"
Raven let out a long breath.
Thank goodness—they hadn't been hostile to begin with. Had they fought, the consequences would've been disastrous.
"Move out," Raven ordered, turning back to the stunned crowd.
Lyon's eyes were wide. "Your—Your Highness Raven, how did you do that?!"
"What?" Raven blinked.
"They just… left?" Lyon's voice was incredulous.
"…"
Raven glanced toward where the herd had vanished. "They weren't hostile. It was the weapons that made them uneasy. And… I don't think these beasts are stupid. Quite the opposite—they're intelligent. With the right approach, they can understand us."
The group exchanged bewildered looks.
Beasts… capable of understanding?
But Raven didn't explain further. The snowfall had lightened, and the winds were easing.
He looked to the others. "Let's keep moving."
"Yes!"
Aside from the Mamoswine, they encountered no further danger.
Perhaps it was the season—apart from Ice-types, most Pokémon weren't active in the winter.
At last, they reached the valley Lyon had described.
A hidden plain encircled by towering, snow-clad peaks. The mountains rose like walls into the sky, sealing them in.
Across the wide valley ran a broad river, glistening in the snow. Beyond it stretched a dense forest.
One could imagine, when spring returned, how fertile this land would become.
(End of Chapter)