“Why do these Hoppip look a bit dim-witted?” Watching the field of Hoppip that had been knocked out by a single move from Chimecho, Ronan was also left somewhat speechless.
‘Did they not even know how to scatter and dodge?’ Ronan directed Venusaur to use Vine Whip to pull the Hoppip floating on the water’s surface back to the shore.
He then had Chimecho use psychic power to gather the remaining Hoppip.
With mixed feelings, he captured the group.
He wondered if this would negatively affect the intelligence of the Pokémon already at home.
Regardless, Ronan’s goal for entering Petalburg Woods this time had been achieved.
Furthermore, he had obtained information about two other Pokémon habitats.
Once his Pokémon grew stronger, or once Venusaur reached the Elite level, Ronan could go looking for Shroomish and Yanmega.
Although with Ronan’s current strength, he could already try looking for them—escaping safely would at least be no problem.
But to Ronan, his own life was the most important thing.
Besides, he had captured a group of Hoppip with decent potential, which was enough to solve the current development issues of the day care.
There was no need to take further risks.
Although he might miss out on two excellent Pokémon populations, Ronan prioritized his own current development.
This time, while commanding Chimecho in battle, he had realized his own strategic shortcomings.
He planned to incorporate battles into his daily routine once he returned.
However, thinking about how he would have to run between the day care and the farm once it opened gave Ronan a headache.
‘I definitely need to hire a few employees after I get back.’ …
The travel-worn Ronan hadn’t even reached the farm before he was spotted by several Murkrow on patrol.
They let out a series of caws, and one of them flew off toward the villa on the farm.
Receiving the message from the Murkrow, Audino quickly handed her tasks over to the busy Lilligant nearby and rushed toward the farm gate in a flurry.
Lilligant: Are you alright?
-`д´- Ronan had only taken a few steps before he was met by a charging Audino, who bowled right into him.
“Audino!” Seeing the exhausted Ronan, Audino’s eyes were filled with heartache.
Audino were a very kind species of Pokémon with a strong talent for healing.
In the wild, they would often go out of their way to treat and care for injured Pokémon.
The Joy family of the Pokémon world was highly skilled at breeding Chansey, Audino, Comfey, and Wigglytuff.
These species were essentially monopolized by the Joy family on the market.
After all, few people dared to provoke a powerful family like the Joys, whose influence spanned every region of the League.
Almost no one would risk offending them over such matters.
However, Ronan’s Audino had been obtained by his grandfather through an exchange with the Joy family.
As a reputable breeder family in the Hoenn League, purchasing an Audino with decent potential wasn’t a major issue.
Moreover, with Ronan being such a promising prospect as a breeder, the Joy family wouldn’t be stingy with a single Pokémon, even one of Cyan-rank potential.
Not to mention, the items Grandpa Roland had offered were worth no less than an Elite-potential Pokémon.
At that moment, Audino circled Ronan, breathing a sigh of relief only after confirming he wasn’t injured.
Looking at Audino’s gaze, which held a mix of heartache and reproach, Ronan felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.
It was like the feeling of a child who had been wronged outside and was then found by his mother.
“Audino!” ‘Go wash up quickly.
Once you’re done, get some rest.
I’ll call you when it’s time to eat.’ …
‘It feels even more like a mother and son dynamic.’ Ronan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He was clearly the Trainer, yet now it felt like he had gained another mother.
However, the concern shown by Audino and the other Pokémon warmed his heart.
Although Ronan was the only human at home, the patient companionship of the Pokémon filled the void in his heart.
It gave Ronan a true sense of belonging and “home” in the Pokémon world.
The pure and clear hearts of the Pokémon made Ronan treasure them even more.
Ronan deeply cherished all the Pokémon on the farm.
In his heart, Audino, Venusaur, Chimecho, Absol, and the others who lived with him were already his family.
At Audino’s urging, Ronan released the Hoppip onto a lawn at the farm, let out Venusaur, and followed Audino back to the villa.
…
Warm water washed over his fair skin as he submerged his body into a bathtub filled with fatigue-relieving medicinal herbs, leaving only a small, curly-haired head visible.
Feeling the warmth of the water and the way it massaged his tight muscles, a faint blush appeared on Ronan’s cheeks.
It felt as if the exhaustion from trekking through Petalburg Woods for two days was being carried away by the warm stream.
After finishing his enjoyable hot bath, Ronan headed downstairs, looking refreshed with his damp, curly hair.
Looking at Chimecho and Audino in the living room, the large space didn’t feel cold or empty despite there being only one person and two Pokémon.
Instead, it was full of vitality.
Due to his massive size, Venusaur couldn’t come inside the living room.
Besides, the mountain behind the farm, overflowing with Grass-type energy, was more suitable for Venusaur’s growth.
Although Absol was also quite large, he could still rest inside the house.
A massive soft cushion in the living room served as Absol’s resting place.
At the moment, Absol was still out training and had not yet returned.
As the farm’s manager, Audino clearly knew Absol’s whereabouts.
She told Ronan she had already sent a Murkrow to find him and that he would be back soon.
Chimecho also drifted over and pulled Ronan to the dining table.
Using telekinesis, she placed chopsticks and a bowl in his hands, signaling that it was time to eat, or else he wouldn’t grow tall.
…
‘I really do feel like a child who won’t eat being coaxed by parents.’ Audino truly was an excellent farm manager.
Ronan had barely taken two bites of food when Absol returned.
Absol clearly looked like he had undergone intense exercise; his flowing white fur was matted with sweat.
His red eyes shone brightly, and combined with the single horn on his head, he had a strange sense of cuteness.
Patting Absol’s damp head, Ronan decided to give him a proper bath later.
After setting out Pokéblocks and some daily food for Absol, Ronan continued enjoying his dinner.
Under the quiet night sky, everything on the farm seemed to have fallen into a sweet dream.
In the berry orchards, Murkrow and Honchkrow huddled together in their nests.
The massive Venusaur and Lilligant slept peacefully under the moonlight.
Roserade, Roselia, and Budew lay dormant among the purple seven-leaf flowers, their bodies tinged with a faint violet hue.
Inside the villa, Absol lay on his white cushion while Audino drifted into a sweet slumber in her own room.
As the lights on the second floor were extinguished, Chimecho and Ronan also fell asleep along with the farm in the tranquil night.
Even the newly arrived Hoppip huddled together to form a pink cloud, suspended over the lawn.
Everything on the farm sank into a quiet, deep, and beautiful dream under the sparkling starry night.