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“Goodbye, everyone! Our workshop is just outside the forest, so if you ever want to visit, you’re always welcome!”

“But in winter, we might leave, so make sure to come in the right season!”

Hikaru and his Pokémon began their journey back. Hisuian Lilligant bid farewell to her kin, and the Pokémon of the orchard could now live together in peace and mutual understanding.

At the same time, the legendary giant Regirock also followed Hikaru, as he had requested its help in crafting ancient stones.

For the next few days, Regirock would remain near the workshop.

On their way back, Hikaru took a detour to Celebi’s shrine to check if anything new had appeared. Sure enough, he found a strange palm-sized stone.

[Rare Material: Hard Stone]

[Effect: A stone that will never crack. When held, it boosts the power of Rock-type moves—this is a Hard Stone from an ancient time, weathered by the passage of ages.]

[Crafting Skill Obtained: +1]

[Ancient Awakening Craft (B-): An ancient technique of infusing natural energy into stones, requiring the move ‘Hidden Power’ to craft an ‘Ancient Bracelet.’]

Ancient Bracelet!

Hikaru hadn’t expected to gain this crafting skill—he was thrilled!

With the ability to craft Ancient Bracelets, he could now create jade-like TM equivalents!

As they passed through the forest, Regirock caught its first glimpse of Hikaru’s workshop.

“That’s my workshop. What do you think? Not bad, right?”

“For the next few days, we’ll be working together, so please be patient with us.”

A Regirock that digs up minerals everywhere… wasn’t that basically a Pokémon version of Steven Stone?

Hikaru arrived back at the workshop, and Doublade immediately noticed a small pit in the ground and quickly called Hikaru over.

Since Celebi had already left, this pit wasn’t its doing.

The Diglett also denied any involvement.

“It’s back again… A Pokémon we don’t know has been visiting this place. Now we can confirm that, like the Petilil, it was drawn here by the fertile soil and abundant crops.”

Doublade proposed an idea.

It decided to stand guard tonight to find out who was digging these holes!

Although the mysterious Pokémon hadn’t damaged any crops, Doublade’s curiosity had been piqued.

“Yowoo~!”

Hey, doesn’t this feel exactly like when Celebi was spying on Petilil?

At that moment, an Unown suddenly floated up from the roof of the workshop, catching Hikaru completely off guard!

A wild E-shaped Unown appeared!

The Unown flew down and landed in front of Hikaru.

“Annon.”

The Unown greeted Hikaru. The other Pokémon, having never seen such a peculiar Pokémon before, quickly gathered around in curiosity. Seeing the Unown approach Hikaru, Hisuian Lilligant became immediately alert!

No touching my Trainer!

Hisuian Lilligant quickly stepped in front of the Unown, startling it. But after a closer look—oh! The Petilil had evolved!

Doublade also floated up, glanced at itself, then at the Unown.

Oh, so you float too, huh?

Meanwhile, the Unown observed the surrounding Pokémon and was particularly shocked to see the legendary giant, Regirock. It then revealed that it had actually been living here all along—it had just never shown itself!

Now that it had finally revealed itself, it wanted to contribute to the family!

“I’m here to join your household!”

“You’ve been living here all along?” Hikaru was stunned for a moment before chuckling.

“Does an abandoned workshop count as ruins now?”

Unown usually lived in ruins or time-space distortions, but this one had been residing in his workshop… Could this rundown workshop actually be a mysterious ruin?!

“Annon.”

The Unown made a sound.

It knew the truth behind the mysterious pit. Let me reveal the answer for you!

…

Midnight

Turtwig once again sneaked into the area.

From a distance, it spotted Regirock.

This giant was one of the Pokémon that had caused a stir in the forest—but unlike the other powerful Pokémon, this one didn’t fight for territory. Instead, it just kept digging up stones!

Now, the once-feared giant just stood there, looking blankly into the distance—it almost seemed… lonely? From afar, it really did look like a statue.

Turtwig grew nervous.

From long-term observation, it knew this Rock Giant wouldn’t attack other Pokémon unless provoked—like that one Scyther who constantly picked fights with it.

But!

Turtwig had seen how that Scyther had been beaten and driven away in just a few moves. Before Regirock awakened, that Scyther had been one of the top bullies in the forest!

Turtwig, moving stealthily, approached from a blind spot and made its way into the herbal garden.

Why was this giant at a human’s workshop?

Did that human tame the giant?!

That would be insane!

Turtwig couldn’t help but feel awe, but after glancing at the towering Regirock and then at its own small, weak body, a familiar feeling of inferiority crept up again.

Forget it.

A Pokémon as weak as me… I have no value in being captured.

Also… where was that Petilil? It wasn’t outside tonight either.

“Annon~”

As Turtwig looked around and entered its usual self-doubt mode, Unown E suddenly floated out from the void!

Yo! You’re back again!

So? Have you made up your mind about today’s conversation?

“Na…” Turtwig shook its head, expressing its self-doubt.

It was too weak. That human would never like it.

At most, they would just want its herbs.

“Annon.”

Unown E sweatdropped.

You’re even more emo than me?!

Not cautious, not timid, just… unbelievably self-deprecating!

Unown E floated right up to Turtwig’s face and encouraged it.

“Annon!”

Have some confidence! How about this—just challenge the workshop owner directly! If you win, you’ll know how strong you really are!

Don’t underestimate yourself! All Pokémon are strong in their own way! That Petilil used to be weak too, and now look at her—she’s amazing!

“Na?!”

Turtwig was shocked. Then, it glanced at the towering Regirock.

You expect me to fight a legendary giant?! That’s suicide!

“Annon?”

Unown E realized the misunderstanding.

No, no, no! That giant is just a customer! It’s just standing there because it has nothing better to do!

Turtwig, mouth agape, took a moment to process the information. Suddenly, its gloominess lessened.

Oh… so it was just a guest… I completely misunderstood.

But… fighting the workshop owner…?

That newly evolved Petilil was already strong. And that floating pair of swords looked pretty powerful, too…

Turtwig’s heart raced. It had a feeling—this decision would change its future.

But humans only liked rare plants from Pokémon like it. Even wild Pokémon did. If it really revealed itself, and if it lost the battle, then all the rare plants it had painstakingly gathered would probably be taken away!

“I’m so weak… That’s the most likely outcome.”

“Annon.”

Unown E sighed.

You’re way too cautious! You’re already thinking about failure before even trying!

“Annon!”

Sometimes, you just have to be brave and take the first step!

“Strong Pokémon, weak Pokémon… that’s just how others see it. Sometimes, you need to believe in yourself too.”

A voice suddenly interrupted.

Turtwig spun around—the workshop owner had appeared!

It had been discovered!

“Na!”

Turtwig was startled, its whole body tensing up. It wanted to retreat, but Hisuian Lilligant had already moved. With an elegant skating motion, she swiftly blocked its escape route and gently lifted Turtwig into her arms!

“Lilligant!”

Hisuian Lilligant smiled, while Turtwig, initially panicked, suddenly froze.

This Pokémon… I’ve never seen it before…

Wait.

The scent is familiar…

Is it… Petilil?!

Turtwig stared in disbelief at the Pokémon before it. How was this possible? It had only been gone for one day, and Petilil had already undergone such an incredible transformation!

Strong… graceful… beautiful…

This was Turtwig’s first impression of Hisuian Lilligant.

“Yowoo~”

Doublade floated over, its twin eyes observing Turtwig closely. Even Regirock, the silent legendary titan, slightly turned its massive body and approached.

Turtwig anxiously looked toward Hikaru.

I’m doomed!

I’ve been sneaking in here for days, digging holes, and now the human has caught me!

He’s definitely going to pluck all the plants off my shell!

And now they’re talking about a challenge…?

There’s no way I can win!

“Oh, the plants on your back…”

It’s happening! Turtwig closed its eyes in despair.

“You’ve been cultivating them quite well! These soils… They’re from the Black Apricorn area, aren’t they? I could tell the moment I touched them.”

Hikaru gently patted Turtwig’s head. The small turtle blinked in confusion.

Hikaru then pointed to his own herb garden.

“My plants are pretty well-grown too, aren’t they? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so interested in this place. I have plenty of rare herbs here. For example—this one. This is Revival Herb.”

Hikaru gestured toward a lush, green Revival Herb growing in the garden.

Turtwig cautiously turned its gaze toward the herb. Over the past several days, it had already sensed the incredible life force contained within these plants.

“Would you like to learn my cultivation techniques?” Hikaru asked enticingly.

“Na…”

Turtwig hesitated. But it had observed this place for days, and now, looking at Petilil—no, Hisuian Lilligant, who had become so much stronger in such a short time…

Hikaru’s words echoed in Turtwig’s heart:

“Do you want to become stronger?”

“Do you want to challenge me?”

“Why not give it a try?”

With a soft gesture from Hikaru, Hisuian Lilligant gently placed Turtwig on the ground.

At the same time, Unown E floated beside Turtwig, offering quiet encouragement.

Turtwig could sense that no one here had any malicious intent. Slowly, it began to let go of its fear.

Taking the first step is always the hardest, but once that step is taken, everything else becomes much easier.

Hisuian Lilligant crouched down.

The pink crown-like flower on her head released a gentle, soothing fragrance.

That was a scent meant to encourage and uplift allies!

“Lilligant!”

Hisuian Lilligant cheered for Turtwig. Unown E also joined in, offering words of encouragement.

Turtwig took in the scent, and for the first time, it felt a spark of courage.

If I become stronger, I can protect the plants I’ve worked so hard to find!

If I become stronger, those wild Pokémon won’t dare steal my herbs anymore!

And… I really do want to learn better cultivation techniques!

Turtwig’s gaze sharpened as it looked toward Hikaru.

For the first time in its life, it let out a battle cry—a call for recognition!

『A wild Turtwig has challenged you!』

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep