After running for some time, Daoka and Isabel chased Haunter to the vicinity of the Munchlax Home. They personally watched Haunter phase through the wall and enter the Munchlax Home.
"That's... Prince Ange's shop?" Daoka stopped and said.
"What should we do? Should we keep chasing?" Isabel asked hesitantly.
Daoka thought for a moment and said, "Let's go back and report to Lord Jarvis first."
Isabel nodded at the suggestion. The two then quietly left with their Pokémon.
***
Jarvis was waiting at the Royal Palace gate for Romeo to return when he saw Daoka and Isabel walking over quickly.
"Lord Jarvis..." Daoka had a look like he needed to report something.
Jarvis understood. He subtly glanced at the palace guards nearby. He whispered, "Let's talk in private."
Daoka and Isabel nodded.
When they reached a corner, Jarvis listened to Daoka's report. "Lord Jarvis, that Haunter entered Prince Ange's shop."
"Prince Ange?" Jarvis looked surprised.
Daoka and Isabel both nodded.
Jarvis's expression immediately became very unpleasant.
Suddenly, he seemed to have an idea and his expression turned sinister.
He beckoned to the two to get closer.
Daoka and Isabel leaned closer.
"I have a mission for you," Jarvis said in a low voice. "Kidnap Prince Ange for me. Can you do it?"
He had repeatedly shown goodwill toward Ange during this time. Yet Prince Ange consistently ignored him. He did not believe a word Ange said about not knowing Magearna's whereabouts.
Furthermore, Prince Romeo was now growing increasingly distant from him because of him!
As long as he could find out Magearna's whereabouts, he could activate the weapon left behind by Eliphas. Then the entire Azoth Kingdom would have to obey him!
So, he decided to take a risk. If he could successfully find Magearna, why bother catching Haunter?
"Lord Jarvis, please rest assured," Daoka nodded confidently. "We will definitely complete the mission." He did not think it would be hard to handle a Prince who was once sickly and accustomed to a life of luxury.
Isabel also nodded.
They used to be bounty hunters who worked on the black market. What kind of dangerous jobs had they not done? Kidnapping someone was nothing.
"Very good." Jarvis narrowed his eyes and said, "If you succeed, I will reward you generously."
***
Ange did not know he was being targeted at this moment. He personally watched the royal guards pick up Romeo and Slurpuff.
Afterward, he closed the shop door and took Komala and Meowstic back to the Nebel Plateau.
When he arrived home, Ange paid Gardevoir, Gallade, and Meowstic their wages. Meowstic's wage today was two cans of Pokéblocks. The one can from yesterday was only its intern's wage.
On the way home, Meowstic still shared its Pokéblocks with the Pokémon it met along the way. Because its wages had increased today, it "casually encountered" more Pokémon.
After the three employees left, Ange saw Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught arrive. Politoed came with them as well.
As one of the guardians of the Nebel Plateau, Politoed felt it had to meet Ange personally. This was because it heard Ange wanted to help everyone on the plateau.
Seeing Politoed, Ange was a little surprised. He only saw it in passing last time. Looking at it up close now, Politoed seemed even more dignified.
"Del del~~~" Ange, I have already told everyone. Everyone agreed. We will gather by the lake this afternoon. You can come over then to assign the tasks.
Delphox said to Ange. Its way of addressing Ange was much more familiar than before.
"Okay. Thank you for your hard work," Ange nodded.
"Gre gre Gre gre~" No, it is what we should do. We should be thanking you instead.
Greninja said.
"Poli poli Poli poli~~" Thank you, Mr. Ange!
Politoed also stepped forward to thank Ange.
Ange said, "I am a part of the Nebel Plateau. By helping everyone today, I hope that everyone can also help me in the future. You do not need to be so polite."
Politoed, Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught all nodded. All the Pokémon (people) on the Nebel Plateau were one big family. They should look out for and help each other.
***
Soon it was the afternoon, and Ange saw it was time for his appointment with Delphox and the others. So, he held Komala, took Diancie and Munchlax, and headed toward the Nebel Lake.
When their family of four arrived, they found that the other Pokémon were already all present.
The Litwick family, the five members of the Victreebel family, the three members of the Fletchinder family, the three members of the Swablu family, Vivillon, the Dugtrio brothers, Floette, the Gardevoir couple, Bunnelby, Watchog, Patrat, Aron, Hippopotas, Hippowdon, Sentret, Lopunny, Drilbur, Pachirisu, Deerling, Castform... Almost all the Pokémon Ange was familiar with on the plateau had come.
Of course, the four guardians, Delphox, Greninja, Chesnaught, and Politoed, also came. Chesnaught even brought its child, Quilladin. Politoed also brought the Poliwag, Poliwhirl, and Poliwrath it commanded.
However, Meowstic did not come.
It arrived at Ange's house very early every morning. So, after coming back around noon, it would take a long nap. It did not know that a great project was about to begin on the plateau.
Looking at everyone, Ange said excitedly, "I am very happy everyone could come. I won't say any unnecessary words. I only hope everyone can easily get through this winter. I also hope we can join hands to create a beautiful future."
"Voir~~"
"Dug~~"
"Gal~"
"Lee~"
"Yo~~"
...
When they heard Ange's words, the Pokémon immediately cheered loudly. Their voices were full of hope for the future and gratitude toward Ange.
"Then let's start working!"
As he spoke, Ange took out the fruit trees he had selected and bought from the System Backpack. He placed them on the open ground nearby.
Next was the fertilizer.
For planting these fruit trees, Ange really could not use his homemade fertilizer anymore. There simply was not enough time. Although the System's fertilizer cost Happiness Points, Ange was not lacking in them now!
Moreover, the fertilizer provided by the System not only promoted the survival of the fruit trees and rapid fruiting but also did not pollute the environment. It was incredibly cost-effective.
***
As for the first batch of fruit trees Ange chose to plant, there were three types: Sweet Apple, Tart Apple, and Grassy Apple.
These three types of apples each had their own characteristics. For example, the Sweet Apple was a very palatable fruit. It was suitable for eating directly. The Tart Apple was suitable for making juice drinks. The Grassy Apple was more suitable for making desserts.
These three types of apples were also items needed for the evolution of specific Pokémon.
After taking out the saplings and fertilizer, Ange began to explain to the Pokémon how to plant them.
His idea was to plant three layers of fruit trees around the shore of the Nebel Lake. The innermost layer would be planted with Tart Apple because it required the highest soil moisture. The Sweet Apple would be planted in the middle. The outermost layer would be planted with Grassy Apple because it had the lowest water requirement.
He only planned to plant one tree in each layer. Planting too many would encroach on the grassland area. This would then affect the environment of the Nebel Plateau.
The shore of the Nebel Lake was long enough. Even planting only one tree in each layer was enough to grow many.
After the explanation, Ange asked, "Did everyone understand?"
"Dug~~" Understood!
"Leo~~" Understood!
"Hoot~~" Understood!
...
The Pokémon loudly responded to Ange. They looked full of enthusiasm.
"Then let's begin!" Ange raised his fist to cheer them on.
"Munch~" Time to work!
"Pan~" Time to work!
"Hoo~" Time to work!
...
Litwick's candlelight on its head shot out a column of flame. It sprayed toward the weeds on the lake shore. The roaring flames instantly cleared the weeds completely.
Fletchinder and its father, Talonflame, saw this and did not want to be outdone.
Fletchinder flapped its wings. Balls of flame shot out. The flames landed on the ground. They scorched the weeds bit by bit.
Talonflame was even more impressive. Its whole body suddenly burst into fierce flames. Then it flew low over the grass. Large patches of weeds immediately disappeared.
Swablu and Spritzee saw this and immediately flew to their friends. They stood side-by-side with them. They flapped their wings, cheering for their friend and its father, like a line of cheerleaders.
"Blu blu Blu blu~" Go, Uncle! Go, Uncle!
"Zee zee Zee zee~" Go, Uncle! Go, Uncle!
"Fle fle~" Go, Dad! Go, Dad!
Talonflame's vanity was satisfied. It immediately worked even harder.
Staraptor looked at the father and son with a gentle gaze. It shook its head helplessly.
These two...
After the weeds were cleaned up, it was the turn of Bunnelby, Hippopotas, Hippowdon, Drilbur, and Dugtrio to show off their skills.
One hole after another appeared under their rapid digging. Each hole was about the same size, as if they had discussed it beforehand.
"Voir~"
"Gal~"
"Del del~"
...
After the holes were dug, it was the Psychic-type Pokémon's turn. They used their psychic power to control the bags of fertilizer. They poured the fertilizer into the holes according to the amount Ange instructed.
"Star~"
"Chikoo~"
...
Next, Staraptor, Altaria, Honchkrow, and other Flying-type Pokémon took action. They grabbed the saplings. They tossed the saplings one by one into the fertilized holes. Their movements were neat and clean.
"Ah~~"
"Pinch~~"
"Ugh~"
"Hoo~~"
...
Then Victreebel, Weepinbell, Bellsprout, Floette, Chesnaught, Quilladin, Gogoat, and Skiddo each went to a hole. They used Vine Whip to straighten the saplings. Then Pancham, Litleo, Watchog, Sentret, Lopunny, and Aron swarmed around. They pushed the soil into the holes. They buried the trees and stomped the soil firm with their feet.
Finally, it was the turn of Greninja and Politoed. They brought Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Marill, and Azurill to water the trees.
Everyone cooperated with their respective tasks. The atmosphere along the Nebel Lake shore was lively. Ange moved among the Pokémon. He pointed things out from time to time. This prevented them from making mistakes.
The depth of the hole, the amount of fertilizer applied, how firmly the soil was packed, and the amount of water to pour... all these needed attention. Ange had carefully studied them beforehand.
When buying the saplings, the System Store provided a planting guide. The record on how to plant the three types of apple trees was very detailed.
Seeing that it was getting late, Ange said to Munchlax, "Munchlax, let's go home and cook."
So many Pokémon needed to eat today, so Ange and Munchlax had to go back early to prepare.
"Munch Munch~" Munchlax heard this. It quickly clapped the dirt off its hands. It quickly ran to Ange's side.
Then Ange said to Diancie, "Diancie, I'm entrusting you to watch over things here."
Diancie nodded. "Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong. I see everyone is already skilled."
Ange nodded. He held Komala. He turned and went home with Munchlax.
After returning home, the master and apprentice began desperately kneading dough and steaming Mantou. With so many Pokémon coming to eat, there was no time to make stuffed buns. Steaming Mantou was faster.
Soon evening came. The sun gradually set. The orange light sprinkled over the Nebel Plateau. It added a touch of warmth to the entire plateau.
All the saplings Ange brought out by the lake had been planted.
Diancie led the group of Pokémon. They marched grandly toward the Diancie's Grand Cafeteria. Everyone was chatting and laughing. Although their faces showed a little fatigue, their expressions were entirely joyful.
At that moment, Ange, wearing an apron, walked out the door. His face held a smile, as if he was welcoming all the Pokémon home.
"Everyone is back just in time. Dinner is ready!"
When the Pokémon heard this, they immediately burst into cheers.
Gardevoir and Gallade quickly walked out of the crowd of Pokémon. They intended to help Ange serve the food to everyone.
Ange patted the couple. "Thank you for your hard work!"
"Voir voir~" No trouble, no trouble.
"Gal gal~" We are very happy to help the boss.
Gardevoir and Gallade repeatedly shook their heads.
Soon, pot after pot of Mantou and plate after plate of Spicy Asire Seaweed were carried out by Gardevoir, Gallade, Ange, and Munchlax. They were distributed one by one into the food bowls in front of everyone.
Because there were too many Pokémon, they could not fit inside the shop. So, everyone sat directly on the grass by the door. Then they began to eat ravenously.
Perhaps food tasted better after labor because the Pokémon's faces were filled with immense satisfaction.
Although most Pokémon eating this meal could not bring Happiness Points to Ange (each Pokémon could only contribute Happiness Points during the first meal), Ange's mouth involuntarily curled up as he watched the smiling faces of the Pokémon.
However, Ange found it strange that Floette, Sentret, Lopunny, Drilbur, Pachirisu, Aron, Deerling... did not finish the food they were given. They each left a portion.
Were they planning to save it for tomorrow? But there will be food tomorrow, too!
Despite his confusion, Ange did not interfere. Since the food was given to them, how they handled it was up to them.