My Pokémon Story of Seasons

Chapter 193 A Cheap Alliance

Watching the forest tortoise walk towards the irrigation ditch in the middle of the field, Tong Hua guessed that it was probably going to take a bath to clear its head.

Soon only Tong Hua, Forest Lizard, Ampharos, Riolu, Lucario, two Celebi, Dusknoir, and seven Sableye remained on the field.

Well, there are quite a few people here.

A morning breeze blows by, carrying the fresh scent of grass after the rain.

"Aren't you going to rest?" Tong Hua asked the few who remained. "I'll call you when it's ready, and you can try my cooking."

A pleasant aroma soon filled the kitchen. Tong Hua, wearing an apron, busied herself skillfully at the stove.

Since deciding to level up, Tong Hua now always buffs herself before cooking anything, even everyday breakfasts.

Gaining experience points is essential. If there's still bonus time left after cooking, you should definitely use it all.

Absolutely no waste!

Thanks to this, Tong Hua's culinary skills continue to improve rapidly. She's not far from reaching the next stage, "mastery," after "being able to work independently."

Tong Hua was very much looking forward to what features his cheat system would unlock after reaching level 60 and unlocking the "Mastery" achievement.

"Moo-woo." "Woo-oh."

Seeing Tong Hua busy at the stove with a smile on his face, Draconis, Riolu, and Lucario all crowded around to help.

"Oh? No need, no need, let me do it."

You can go outside and clean up. It rained last night, and the platform where the shelves are placed should still be damp.

It wouldn't be good if the guests slipped and fell; please go and clean it up.

The Electric Dragon and Riolu nodded obediently and turned to walk outside.

Lucario, however, stood still, carefully sensing Tong Hua's condition using its waveguide.

"Are you really not in need of help?"

Tong Hua smiled at Lucario as she poured the mixed batter into the frying pan.

"Don't worry, I can handle this little thing all by myself."

That said, there are still many professions I haven't unlocked yet. Like mining; if I later need to work with professions like goldsmithing and armorsmithing, I'll definitely need a lot of ore materials.

and----"

Tong Hua stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence. He skillfully flipped the pancakes in the pan, their golden surfaces sizzling.

"By the way, Lucario, could you go and check on Sceptile and Night Demon for me?"

And those seven scorpion eyes—they're probably helping out in the backyard field with the forest tortoise. If possible, please ask them to avoid causing the forest tortoise any trouble.

Keep an eye on them, make sure they don't start fighting again. Once I've made breakfast and given it to them, they'll all be "one of us."

"it is good."

Lucario nodded in understanding, then vanished in a flash from the kitchen doorway. Tong Hua watched it go and let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Phew—they're all finally gone."

Now I can enjoy the experience all to myself.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh————"

Seven alluring eyes, sharpening their claws, stared boredly at their leader.

The Night Demon was currently communicating with the Forest Lizard, but it was only a one-sided conversation on his part.

What he said in detail wasn't really important; the point was that he kept talking, which annoyed the forest lizard.

The forest lizard roamed the field, chasing away some Pokémon that came to steal strawberries, completely ignoring the Night Demon.

In their original world, these Soul-Eyes were originally a group of miners.

Having grown accustomed to digging and destroying underground all day, it's a bit unsettling to suddenly ask them to help take care of crops.

"Whoa!"

Suddenly, a bewitching eye accidentally severed the stem of a strawberry with its sharp claws.

"Game!" The forest tortoise rushed over immediately, its eyes filled with heartache.

"Whoa—" The troublemaker jumped back in fright, and the other Soul-Hooks also nervously gathered around.

"What happened?"

The Night Demon quickly floated over, glanced at the forest turtle, then at the strawberry plant whose roots had been accidentally severed, and a hint of displeasure flashed in its single eye.

He turned to the wicked, seductive eye, its powerful aura causing the latter to tremble.

"Can't you even do this little thing right?" The Night Demon's voice was deep and oppressive.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

"You've mistaken the person you're apologizing to. Do you really need to teach me this basic common sense again?"

Just as the Night Demon was reprimanding Soul Reaper, a calm voice came from the side.

"Kuku".

The forest lizard had somehow appeared beside the injured strawberry plant. He carefully lifted the broken stem and gently covered the wound with a leaf.

Finally, with a little stimulation from the forest tortoise, the strawberry root instantly looked brand new.

Be more careful next time.

Having spent so long in that dark world, have you forgotten how fragile life is?

If you truly intend to atone, the first thing you must do is learn to revere life.

The Night Demon's single eye widened slightly. The Forest Lizard's words were like a key, unlocking a forgotten switch.

He watched silently as the forest tortoise healed the strawberry plant with the grassy ground, and tender green shoots regrow at a visible speed.

"Ooh-ee--" The troublesome Soul-Eye timidly stretched out its claws and touched the new leaf very lightly.

The cool touch between his fingers made Gossip Eyes realize that he had truly left that hellish world.

It turns out that nature is such a beautiful and moving thing in the flow of time.

Other bewitching eyes gathered around, their ruby-like eyes gazing curiously at this miracle of life.

"Game".

Seeing the seven of them like this, the forest turtle's anger subsided considerably.

"Actually, you don't need to force yourselves to do things that are too difficult. If you really want to help, why don't you go cut down trees or mine?"

I feel that would suit you better.

As soon as Torterra finished speaking, they heard Lucario walking towards them and saying something.

"That's right, everyone has their own unique talents."

Instead of forcing yourself to do things you're not good at, why not make the most of your strengths?

Lucario walked slowly towards them, a gentle smile playing on its wings.

"I just overheard Tong Hua mentioning that the ranch will need miners in the future."

Go down into the pit to mine and extract ore. Perhaps the seven of you are just right for this job.

The Soul-Hooks' eyes lit up instantly, their ruby-like pupils gleaming with excitement. Mining? That was their forte!

"Woohoo! Woohoo!" The Soul-Eyed creatures, who had been looking dejected just moments before, immediately became lively, eagerly displaying their sharp claws.

The Night Demon, standing to the side, was speechless. How did he end up playing the good cop for someone else?

Just then, Tong Hua's shout came from the kitchen.

Breakfast is ready!

The Pokémon returned to the open-air restaurant outside the cabin and found that everyone who had gone back to sleep had also gotten up.

"Oh my god—" "Fufu—" "Terrible—"

Everyone lined up and washed their faces with tap water in the bathroom one after another.

I finally came to my senses.

"Come and eat, I made extra today."

Tong Hua said with a smile, pointing to the cake on the table.

That was a special dish made using the Soap Cream Fairy's Soul-Soothing Cream.

"Meow~" "Mew~"

Pickpocket Cat and Electric Dragon couldn't wait any longer and quickly sat down to wait for everyone to start eating.

The Night Demon and the Seven Soul-Hooking Eyes also sat down. In their world, there were few opportunities to eat breakfast so leisurely.

He's either serving Dark Dialga or on his way to a mission.

Ultimately, as a Ghost-type Pokémon, Dusknoir has no need to eat. It can regain its vitality simply by absorbing the energy waves of the spirit world.

"Speaking of which, there must be a spirit world here too, since we can always receive their radio waves."

The Night Demon thoughtfully sensed the surrounding spiritual energy waves. In this vibrant world, even the spiritual energy waves seemed exceptionally peaceful, unlike the Dark Future, which was filled with resentment and restlessness.

He imitated the other Pokémon and picked up a piece of cake.

"Gurgle————"

Almost at the same moment the cake was near his mouth, the Night Demon's stomach growled without warning.

"Oh?"

He had long forgotten what hunger felt like, but this small piece of cake unexpectedly whetted the appetite of the Night Demon.

Without hesitation, he ate the cake.

The sweet aroma of cream melted in my stomach, and the soft cake base was just the right amount of moist. Even more wonderfully, a warm current flowed along my meridians to my limbs and bones, as if awakening the body's long-dormant functions.

"This is----"

The Night Demon's single eye widened slightly. What he sensed was not just the smell, but also a long-lost feeling of being "alive."

Every bite brings a new surprise: the creaminess, the softness of the cake, and something else indescribable, all awaken his most primal joy as a living being.

The Soul-Hooking Eyes were astonished to find that their usually dignified leader's single eye was now glistening with tears.

"What kind of delicacy is this?"

"It's cream. I added cream from Alcremie," Tong Hua explained with a smile, sitting to the side.

"This dish is called Happy Strawberry Cake," and it's our shop's signature dessert.

If you like, you can eat it every day from now on.

The Night Demon stared blankly at the cake on the table in front of him, the watery light in his single eye becoming more and more obvious.

He slowly raised his head and looked around at the Pokémon sitting around the dining table.

Ampharos and Riolu were happily licking the cream off their paws, while Caterpillar and Slimie were elegantly sipping it. Even the usually aloof Grovyle nodded slightly in appreciation along with Celebi.

"Are you happy?"

He repeated the name softly, a warm current flowing through his body as if coursing through his veins. Having survived in that dark future world, he had long forgotten the meaning of the word "happiness."

Seeing this, the bewitching eyes couldn't wait to take a bite of their cakes. The next second, seven pairs of ruby-like eyes lit up in unison.

"Whoa!"

"tasty!"

"I've never tasted anything so sweet before!"

Seeing the reactions of the Night Demon and the Soul-Hooking Eyes, Tong Hua couldn't help but laugh even more happily.

A single cake can make someone devoted to you.

This really is probably the cheapest alliance in history, right?

However, as soon as the thought crossed her mind, Tong Hua gently shook her head.

What is cheap? Whether it's cake or the genuine feelings of the Night Demons, they are the most precious treasures in the world.

This cooperation was not based on self-interest, but on trust earned through sincerity and warmth.

"Whoa!"

Suddenly, a bewitching eye jumped in front of Tong Hua, pointing at the cake with its claws, then at itself, its ruby-like eyes full of anticipation.

"Want another slice?" Tong Hua smiled knowingly and cut off another large piece of cake, handing it over.

Seeing this, the other Soul Reapers also gathered around, chattering excitedly about their love for the cake. The Night Demon watched this scene, a hint of warmth flashing in his single eye.

"In the dark future," he said softly, "there has never been such a sharing."

Upon hearing this, the forest lizard raised its head and, unusually, replied, "Kuku."

Here, you can learn at your own pace.

Having said that, he pushed a plate of cake in front of the Night Demon, his meaning couldn't be clearer.

After a long while, the Night Demon seemed to have made a decision and nodded firmly.

"Yes. I will learn, after all—"

"I am a learned explorer."