"Your Highness Raven, the tents are ready!"
Outside the carriage, a knight came to report.
Raven nodded, then stepped down with the blanket-wrapped Dratini in his arms.
They had chosen to set up a temporary camp at the edge of the forest by the river.
The moment he got out, Raven saw the scene around him—people busily working in the snow.
Some cleared the ground, others pitched tents, some tended to the sick, others lit fires for warmth. The knights with weapons stood guard, scouting the surroundings for danger.
Seeing this, Raven slowly let out a breath, finally easing the tension that had weighed on him.
He returned to his tent. It wasn't large, but the golden royal crest printed on the outside marked it as one for royalty.
Inside, the space was about twenty square meters—not huge, but compared to the commoners' tents, it was practically luxurious.
When Raven entered, a maid had already prepared hot tea. He took a sip, warmth quickly spreading through his body.
He gently pulled Dratini from the blanket and held the cup to its lips. "Here, drink. Warm yourself up."
"Wuu…"
The little dragon blinked up at him with watery eyes, then lowered its head and drank the rest of the tea straight from his hands.
Warmth spread through its body, and it let out a blissful cry.
"Wuu~!"
Raven couldn't help but chuckle. "Go back to sleep for a bit."
Dratini obediently nestled back into the blanket.
Beside them, old steward Aelif held a list, quietly watching. The sight of his young lord with the little beast reminded him of the late king and his Victini.
"Aelif, report on our supplies."
"Yes, Your Highness." Aelif nodded and placed the list before him.
Every item stored in camp was recorded clearly.
Raven lowered his head to read.
[Black bread, white bread, ham, smoked meat, salted fish, jerky, almonds, figs, wine, beer, mead, oats, cheese, wheat, spices, salt, and more.]
As he expected—foods with long shelf lives, easy to store.
There was still plenty left. If rationed carefully, it would be enough to carry them through the winter.
Raven read further.
Besides food, the old king had also prepared everyday goods, tools, and crop seeds.
Soap, combs, clothes…
Tools like shovels, hammers, axes, and sickles, clearly meant for farming—proof the old king had hoped his son might grow his own food.
And the seeds…
Raven's eyes brightened.
Cabbage, carrots, flax, oats, onions, rye, wheat…
Stored food would eventually run out. That was when these seeds would prove vital.
He had to make sure they were preserved.
"How are the seeds being kept?" Raven asked.
"I checked earlier," Aelif replied. "All in excellent condition."
"Good." Raven nodded, exhaling in relief.
His eyes drifted back to the food list—jerky, ham, smoked fish, salted meat…
The source of meat in the Pokémon world was always a mystery.
In the early days, it had been hinted there were normal animals. Later, the setting shifted—Pokémon themselves could be eaten.
Things like Swirlix, Slowpoke tails, Arrokuda, Basculin…
But eating such intelligent creatures… Raven couldn't quite stomach it.
To him, Pokémon had always been partners—family.
Searching the original Raven's memories, he found the answer.
This world did indeed have ordinary animals: chickens, cows, sheep, fish. People raised them for meat, eggs, and milk.
But unlike Pokémon, their yields were pitiful.
A normal cow gave maybe five kilos of milk per day, while a Miltank produced twenty liters—and far richer in nutrients.
Against Pokémon, ordinary animals had no advantage. They existed solely as food for humans and Pokémon alike.
And in strength, they were no match.
Still, according to those memories, only livestock like chickens, cows, and sheep remained—no predators like tigers or bears.
That, at least, was good news.
Aelif's face, however, clouded with sorrow.
Raven noticed. "What is it?"
The steward sighed. "While you rested in the carriage, I counted our people. Only seventy-eight remain."
When they left Eindoak, they had over five hundred. Now, just seventy-eight…
Grief filled the old man's face.
Raven knew this better than anyone.
He thought for a while, then used his panel to check the details of his people.
Stewards, maids, knights, farmers, apothecaries, physicians, carpenters, blacksmiths, gardeners, barbers, cooks, commoners, slaves…
Among them: twenty commoners, thirty-five slaves.
And of course, the two Bouffalant used as draft beasts.
Raven had observed them earlier—docile, probably from long years of servitude. Harmless cattle now.
But many others were sick—frostbite, fevers, broken bones.
Aelif explained their conditions, then asked at last:
"Your Highness Raven, what should we do?"
Raven pinched the bridge of his nose, frowning. What else could he do?
"Have the doctors check on them. I saw herbs in the stores—use them."
Aelif blinked. "But those were prepared for you, my lord…"
Raven shook his head, glancing at his golden finger panel.
The entry for his domain had already changed:
[Lord: Raven]
[Territory: Small (unnamed)]
[Population (Humans): 78 (details available)]
[Population (Pokémon): 3 (details available)]
[Public Sentiment: 2 (precarious)]
[Satisfaction: 0]
[Technology: None (unlockable with satisfaction)]
A domain could not grow without people.
And he couldn't stand by while they died.
After some thought, Raven said, "Have them treated. Once they're healed, I'll need them—there's much work to be done."
For now, it seemed they would be staying here for a long while.
The perfect chance to test his golden finger.
As lord, he needed his people working for him—so the territory could grow.
So hurry up and recover, he thought grimly. I'll be putting you to work soon enough.
(End of Chapter)