“Elde?” Eldegoss tilted its head in confusion.
It understood that Michael was inviting it, but…
what exactly was a ranch?
Smiling, Michael explained, “A ranch is a place where everyone lives together, plays together…
and works together.” “At the ranch, I can guarantee that you won’t have to face dangers like today ever again.
You and the Gossifleur can grow up in peace.” “Of course, in return, you’ll need to contribute your own strength to help the ranch develop.” Michael tried his best to explain both the benefits and the responsibilities clearly.
After all, he wasn’t rich enough to run a charity.
His original goal in looking for Grass-type Pokémon had always been to help develop the ranch in the future.
Naturally, they would have to contribute their labor.
When it came to ordinary crops, Serperior could only take care of them.
It couldn’t directly accelerate their growth.
If Serperior knew Grassy Terrain, none of this would be a problem.
Since it didn’t, if Eldegoss chose to join the ranch, those duties would naturally fall to it.
Eldegoss first looked at Michael.
Then it glanced at Serperior.
The powerful Pokémon was so intimidating that Eldegoss barely dared look directly at it.
Yet it had also been the one that saved them.
Thinking of the two sleeping Gossifleur behind it, hesitation appeared in Eldegoss’s eyes.
Freedom made it happy.
But in this unfamiliar land, the two little Gossifleur were constantly at risk of being attacked.
Could it trade away a portion of its freedom in exchange for a safe and stable life?
That question lingered in its mind.
It remembered the image of Michael descending like a hero, commanding Serperior to drive away Skuntank.
It remembered the poisoned, weakened Gossifleur.
It remembered how peacefully they were sleeping now.
The answer gradually became crystal clear.
Strangely enough, it didn’t resist that answer at all.
Whether to repay Michael’s kindness or simply for the safety of the two Gossifleur, accepting this invitation was the right choice.
Once it made up its mind, all hesitation disappeared.
Eldegoss gently nodded, entrusting both itself and the two Gossifleur to Michael.
Seeing Eldegoss’s response, Michael smiled.
He reached into his shoulder bag and took out three standard Poké Balls.
Under Eldegoss’s watchful gaze, he gently tapped each sleeping Gossifleur with a Poké Ball, recalling them inside.
The button glowed red.
The Poké Ball wobbled slightly three times.
Click.
A crisp sound rang out.
That signified the capture had been completed.
Then Michael looked toward Eldegoss and raised the third Poké Ball.
Eldegoss blinked.
Very obediently, it floated over and touched the Poké Ball of its own accord.
Three shakes later…
the capture was complete.
“Even though I’ve experienced it myself before…” Arven looked enviously at the three now-miniaturized Poké Balls in Michael’s hand.
“…catching Pokémon really is exciting.” As he looked closer, he suddenly noticed the symbol printed on them.
“Big Bro, what’s that little grass emblem on the Poké Balls?” Michael paused while putting them back into his shoulder bag.
Smiling, he explained, “Poké Balls with this mark mean the Pokémon inside belong to the ranch.
They’re not part of my personal battle team.” Arven nodded, though he still looked somewhat confused.
‘…But you were still the one who caught them, weren’t you?’ “Come on.
It’s getting dark.
It’ll be a problem if we get lost.” “…Okay.” …
By the time Michael and Arven returned to the ranch, night had completely swallowed the sky.
The temperature had dropped noticeably compared to daytime.
The cool evening breeze brushed across their skin, carrying a distinct chill.
With almost no lighting at all, the ranch lay shrouded in darkness.
It looked more like an abandoned horror movie set than a place people actually lived, making it feel rather eerie.
Michael took out a brand-new blanket he’d bought earlier that day and draped it over Arven’s shoulders.
Seeing the tip of Arven’s nose turning slightly red from the cold, he said softly, “There.
That should keep you warm.” Arven sniffed quietly.
Feeling the warmth spreading through the blanket, his eyes gradually reddened.
It was such a tiny gesture…
yet it almost brought him to tears.
Michael failed to notice anything unusual.
Instead, he tilted his head, wondering whether what he’d just said had sounded too much like an overbearing dad.
A little while later, Michael glanced at the old-fashioned wall clock hanging inside the house.
It was already approaching nine o’clock at night.
Arven hadn’t brought a phone or any means of communication.
Meanwhile, Michael’s own phone was still hanging around Dragonite’s neck.
Sada and Turo were probably frantic by now after being unable to contact him.
After thinking it over, Michael decided to personally escort Arven home.
He’d bring Swampert along.
Serperior had already followed him around all day and had long since curled up comfortably in its nest.
He couldn’t very well drag it back out now.
Turning toward Arven, Michael said, “I’m going to get Swampert so it can come with me while I take you home.
It’s this late already.
Your parents must be really worried about your safety.” “I’ll have to apologize to them too.” Arven’s expression froze.
Panic immediately spread across his face.
‘Wouldn’t he know whether his parents were home or not?’ If Michael personally escorted him back, his lie would definitely be exposed.
‘Anything but that!’ Before Arven could frantically come up with an excuse, Michael had already opened the front door to call Swampert, who preferred sleeping outside.
But then, an orange figure descended from the night sky.
The powerful gust generated by its landing sent sand flying everywhere.
Michael got an entire mouthful of it.
Remembering Arven was still there, he forcibly swallowed the curse words that had already reached his lips.
By the time his eyes recovered from the blowing sand, he recognized the culprit.
His bloodshot eyes widened.
“Dragonite!
How many times have I told you?!
Check whether anyone’s underneath before you land!” “And could you please land a little more…
gently?!” “Bwoo~” Dragonite looked at Michael innocently.
It insisted that Michael had simply opened the door at exactly the wrong moment, which was why the accident had happened.
Then Dragonite carefully set the large crate it had been carrying onto the ground.
Without another word, it wrapped both arms around Michael in a huge hug.
Its face overflowed with happiness as it rubbed against him affectionately.
“…” After getting hit with Dragonite’s full combo, no matter how angry Michael had been, his emotion was tamed, especially with Dragonite’s soft, plump belly.
Simply leaning against it felt like lying on the world’s finest mattress.
Its healing effect was absolutely incredible.
Sanity +1.
Sanity +1.
Sanity +1.
Sanity +1.
Sanity +1.
Michael felt as though every bit of fatigue from the entire day had been completely washed away.
After Dragonite finally released him, Michael looked toward the crate under the light spilling from the house.
The logo printed on it made his heart ache the instant he saw it.
-Silph Co.- One of the world’s most famous corporations.
Its headquarters were located in Saffron City in the Kanto region.
Countless Pokémon-related products were manufactured and sold by them.
“Bwoo~” Dragonite then handed Michael the phone that had been hanging around its neck, gesturing for him to look at it.
“Let’s see…” Michael took the phone.
The screen was covered in cracks, and the battery indicator in the upper-right corner showed only a sliver of charge remaining.
He quickly scrolled through its contents.
Moments later, his expression darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Finally, he threw his head back toward the sky and roared, “IONO!!!
YOU GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!!!”