"Naoki, from now on, I'll be grateful for your guidance."
Hearing this, Naoki was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.
Calyrex, the King of Bountiful Harvests, looked at him and continued, "This is my answer. From this moment on, I am no longer the King of Galar."
This was the decision that Calyrex had come to after much careful thought.
The Galar region had undergone tremendous changes over the years. It was no longer the Galar that Calyrex once knew, and the title of "King of Galar" now belonged to the past.
In his mind, Calyrex envisioned the place where Naoki lived—a land with new people, new Pokémon, and the warmth of the sun. There were so many things in this world that Calyrex had yet to experience or understand.
As these thoughts solidified in his mind, Calyrex's once wistful gaze became resolute.
"Really?" Naoki finally grasped the gravity of what Calyrex was saying, his face lighting up with joy. "Are you serious?"
Calyrex nodded gently, his expression sincere. "I do not lie, Naoki. Take me to the place where you live. I wish to see it."
Naoki smiled warmly, replying with equal sincerity, "Of course."
At that moment, the smell of the stew wafted through the air. The potatoes and meat in the pot had finished cooking, and the delicious aroma of the savory dish filled the room.
Koraidon and Cyclizar's eyes sparkled with anticipation as they stared eagerly at the pot, hoping for a taste.
Even Calyrex, who typically remained composed, was drawn in by the scent. "I've never smelled anything like this before," he commented with mild curiosity.
Naoki chuckled and offered, "Would you like to try some?"
To his surprise, Calyrex shook his head gently. "No, thank you. It's not that I dislike it, but my steed and I do not eat meat."
Understanding immediately, Naoki smiled. "Ah, I see. You're both vegetarian Pokémon!"
After thinking for a moment, Naoki rummaged through his bag and pulled out a piece of freshly baked bread. He handed it to Calyrex. "How about this?"
Calyrex accepted the bread, took a small bite, and chewed thoughtfully.
"Well? How is it?" Naoki asked eagerly.
Calyrex nodded approvingly. "While it's not as good as the carrots my steed and I favor, it's quite enjoyable. I like it."
"Glad to hear that," Naoki said with a grin. He then fed similar pieces of bread to Glastrier and Spectrier, both of whom nibbled at it contentedly.
Naoki turned back to the stew, lifting the pot's lid to check on the dish inside.
The scent intensified as the steam rose. He couldn't help but smile when he saw the rich, hearty meal inside. A message popped into his mind:
[Meat and Potato Stew (B+): A high-quality dish made by stewing diced potatoes and meat together in a large pot over high heat. The broth has perfectly absorbed into the soft potatoes, and the soup is rich, making it an ideal meal for cold weather.]
Cooking Effect: Cold resistance recovery, Level 2. After eating, the body will warm up significantly, and physical strength will be restored. Lasts 6 hours.
Comment: A dish that both fills the stomach and warms the body. Perfect for humans and Pokémon sensitive to the cold.
'Dual effect?'
'Keeping warm and restoring physical strength?'
Naoki chuckled to himself. 'Looks like hot soup noodles can be retired for now,' he thought.
Considering the time, it seemed the effects of the hot noodle soup they'd eaten earlier were starting to wear off. This hearty pot of potato and meat stew was the perfect way to replenish their energy and stay warm.
Naoki served the stew to Cyclizar and Koraidon. The two Pokémon eagerly dove into their bowls, happily munching away without hesitation.
While they ate, Calyrex glanced at Naoki and asked thoughtfully, "When do you plan to return to Paldea?"
Naoki paused, giving it some thought before replying, "Probably in a few days. I still have some things to finish up here, and once that's done, I'll head back."
One of Naoki's tasks was to visit other cities to buy steel feathers from Corviknight. He planned to bring them back to the ranch.
Beyond that, there were a few other matters he needed to address on the Crown Tundra.
Glastrier and Spectrier, for example, both loved the ice and shade-root carrots unique to this region. Since the two steeds would be joining them at the ranch, Naoki needed to figure out a way to keep them happy.
The issue was that these special carrots could only grow on the snowy soil of the Crown Tundra, making them a rare regional specialty.
Back at the ranch, the two steeds wouldn't be able to eat their favorite carrots unless Naoki found a way to replicate the conditions needed to grow them.
With that thought in mind, Naoki turned to Calyrex. "I was thinking. If I can figure out why the ice and shade-root carrots only grow here, maybe I can create a special plot of land at the ranch and grow them myself. That way, Glastrier and Spectrier can still enjoy their favorite food."
Hearing this, Calyrex nodded slowly, lost in thought. "Indeed, if we could cultivate those carrots at the ranch, it would make them very happy."
Encouraged by Calyrex's approval, Naoki smiled. "After lunch, I plan to explore the Snowy Valley and the Old Cemetery. I want to compare the soil and see if there are environmental factors that make those carrots grow here."
Calyrex gave an approving nod. "I'll come with you."
...
After finishing their meal, Naoki packed up his belongings and strapped on his backpack. He climbed onto Koraidon's back, ready to set off.
Calyrex mounted Spectrier, with Glastrier trailing behind. The two horses moved in tandem with Koraidon, the three Pokémon walking side by side as they made their way out of the Crown Shrine.
As they reached the shrine's entrance, Calyrex paused and looked back at the ancient temple perched high on the snow-capped mountains.
It would be a lie to say his heart didn't waver.
After all, Calyrex had lived here for so long, and the snow-hardened stones of the shrine had borne witness to both his rise to power and his fall into obscurity. From once being revered as a king to being forgotten by the world, the Crown Shrine holds all the memories.
At some point, snow began to fall again.
Calyrex stood silently in the snowfall, gazing at the shrine, lost in thought. His expression reflected both sorrow and acceptance.
It wasn't until a soft sigh escaped into the quiet air that Calyrex finally turned away. With one last look at the shrine, he spoke.
"I… Never mind. I am no longer a king. Let's go!"
Naoki gave him a nod, understanding the weight of the decision Calyrex had just made. He knew it must have taken a great deal of resolve for the once-King of Bountiful Harvests to let go of the past.
They traveled quietly down the snowy path, the sound of their Pokémon's hooves crunching against the fresh snow filling the air. Midway through their journey, Calyrex broke the silence with a surprising question.
"Naoki, what does it feel like to be a farmer?"
Naoki blinked, caught off guard. After a moment of thought, he answered, "Maybe it feels like freedom? Everyone sees it differently. Some people enjoy a life full of excitement, traveling the world, while others prefer the peace of staying in one place, enjoying a simple, quiet life."
Calyrex nodded thoughtfully. "I see. In that case, I think I would like to learn how to become a farmer too. Naoki, I'll be counting on your guidance in the future!"
Naoki: "Wait… what?"
The puzzled expression on Naoki's face must have been too obvious, because Calyrex offered a patient explanation.
"The world has changed. The days of kings are long gone, and I no longer wish to be one."
"I've thought a lot about what I might do now that I've let go of being a king. And when I saw you and your ranch, I realized it's something I'm interested in. Maybe farming is the right path for me."
Naoki: 'Seriously?'
The thought of Calyrex, the once-revered Pokémon King, deciding to become a farmer was almost too absurd to process. Naoki could already imagine how outraged Calyrex's old followers would be if they found out their mighty king had chosen such a humble life.
But, if he thought about it, Calyrex would actually make a great farmer—with his control over nature and his deep understanding of plants, he was more than qualified.
"Well… I'm looking forward to it," Naoki said with a grin.
A soft smile appeared on Calyrex's face, his expression lighter and more hopeful than it had been in centuries.
They continued their journey down the snow-covered path, riding Koraidon and Glastrier side by side. The snowstorm swirled around them, but neither of them minded the cold. Snowflakes settled on their shoulders as they pressed onward, together.
...
This is a bonus chapter for reaching 2000 Power Stones.
The next bonus chapter will be released at 2500 Power Stones.