Seeing that enough century eggs had been prepared, Angie said, "Alright, let's start making salted duck eggs!"
"Munchlax~"
"Sobble~"
Munchlax and Sobble carefully placed the last century egg they had made into the ceramic jar and sealed it before patting off the curing paste from their hands.
"Come on, Sobble, wash your hands."
Angie held out his hands to Sobble, and Munchlax mimicked him.
"Sobble~"
Sobble responded cheerfully, releasing a stream of water from its fingers. Angie and Munchlax quickly scrubbed their hands clean.
The process of curing salted duck eggs was quite similar to that of preserved eggs, the main difference lying in the ingredients.
Angie explained to the two Pokémon, "The first step in curing salted duck eggs is to prepare the brine."
He fetched a large pot, setting it up on a stand. Into the pot, he added water, salt, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, star anise, and bay leaves.
"Remember, the ratio of water to salt is critical. It determines the flavor of the salted duck eggs and whether they'll produce that rich, oily texture," Angie explained in detail to his Pokémon apprentices.
Since they'd never seen salted duck eggs before, they didn't quite understand what "rich and oily" meant but still committed Angie's words to memory.
Next, Angie placed the charcoal he'd purchased from the system shop beneath the pot and lit it, bringing the water inside to a boil.
Once the water was boiling, he let it cool and then added white liquor—preferably with an alcohol content of 50% or higher.
And just like that, the curing liquid was ready.
"Alright, Munchlax, Sobble, let's start packing the duck eggs into jars," Angie said, moving the brine aside and motioning to his two apprentices.
"Munchlax~"
"Sobble~"
Both Pokémon responded enthusiastically and carefully placed each duck egg into the jars.
Once everything was ready, Angie announced, "Alright, now for the final step! Let's pour the brine into each jar."
Angie handed two large ladles to Munchlax and Sobble as he spoke, and the three of them continued their work.
While working, Angie reminded them, "Make sure the brine completely covers the duck eggs. They need to be fully submerged, or they won't cure properly."
"Munchlax~"
"Sobble~"
Munchlax and Sobble nodded earnestly.
Once all the jars were filled, Angie led his apprentices in sealing each one tightly with a lid. He used different types of jars to distinguish between the preserved eggs and the salted duck eggs: white ceramic jars for the preserved eggs and black ceramic jars for the salted ones, ensuring there would be no mix-ups later.
"All done! In a month, we'll get to enjoy these salted duck eggs!" Angie said with satisfaction as he looked at the rows of jars lined up in front of the door. His heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment.
Although waiting a month seemed a bit long, Munchlax and Sobble cheered joyfully nonetheless.
The next task was to move all the jars into the secret fortress's storage room. However, Angie looked at the two or three hundred jars before him and frowned.
How long would it take for him and Munchlax to move all of these?
"Meowstic~~"
Just then, Meowstic appeared with a Espurr by its side.
"Espurr's awake? Feeling better now?" Angie asked, surprised as he looked at the Espurr standing next to Meowstic.
"Espurr~"
Espurr stepped forward and bowed deeply to Angie, sincerely expressing its gratitude. Meowstic had told it that Angie was the one who took it to the Pokémon Center and even bought it food.
It also learned from Meowstic that going to the Pokémon Center cost money.
Meowstic wasn't the same inexperienced Pokémon it had been when it first entered the human world. It now fully understood the importance of money in the human realm.
Angie's salary to Meowstic didn't just include Pokémon food; there was also pocket money. Meowstic often brought back small gifts from the Azoth Kingdom to delight everyone.
"I'm just glad you're okay," Angie said with a smile.
At this moment, Meowstic gestured at the jars scattered all over the ground, making various signs.
"You're offering to help me move these?" Angie asked.
"Meowstic~"
Meowstic patted its chest confidently.
"You want to help?" Angie repeated, surprised.
"Meowstic~"
Meowstic nodded.
With a wave of its paws, it used its psychic powers to lift a dozen jars at once, making them hover effortlessly around it.
"Wow, this is a huge help! But be careful; these are all fragile," Angie cautioned, delighted.
"Meowstic~"
Meowstic nodded again to reassure him and started floating the jars toward the secret fortress.
"Espurr~"
Just then, Espurr also activated its psychic powers, lifting five or six jars into the air.
"You want to help too, Espurr?" Angie asked in surprise.
"Espurr~"
Espurr nodded.
"But you're still recovering," Angie said, concerned.
Espurr waved its paw dismissively, indicating it wasn't sick. It had only fainted from hunger.
Seeing Espurr's determination, Angie had no choice but to say, "Alright, but be careful. Rest if you get tired, and don't push yourself."
Espurr nodded, then carried the jars with its psychic powers, taking small steps as it followed Meowstic.
Watching the two Pokémon's retreating backs, Angie turned to Munchlax and said, "Let's get started too. We can't rely entirely on Espurr and Meowstic."
As for Sobble, its small frame wasn't suited for heavy lifting, so it could only cheer everyone on from the sidelines.
"Munchlax~~"
Munchlax responded enthusiastically and joined Angie, each of them carrying a jar in each hand as they started transporting the load.
With Meowstic and Espurr helping, the hundreds of jars were soon moved to the storage room.
Looking at the neatly arranged white ceramic and black ceramic jars, Angie wiped the sweat from his forehead, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Perfect."
"Sobble~"
"Munchlax~"
Sobble was thrilled as well, having learned two new food preparation techniques. It jumped up and gave Munchlax a high-five, and Munchlax happily cooperated.
"Alright, let's head out," Angie said to the Pokémon.
"Munchlax~"
"Sobble~"
"Mya-pa~"
"Meowstic~"
The four Pokémon nodded in agreement, lining up to follow Angie as they walked out.
Back on the surface, Angie glanced at the sky. It was still early, so he turned to the four Pokémon and said, "Let's go check on how everyone's fruit trees are coming along!"
"Munchlax~"
"Sobble~"
Munchlax and Sobble took the lead, chatting and laughing as they walked ahead. Sobble frequently stretched out a finger to aim and shoot at random targets, whether a blade of grass or a small flower.
After every shot, Sobble would turn to Munchlax and ask, "Wasn't that awesome? Am I cool or what?"
Munchlax, ever supportive, showered Sobble with endless praise, clapping or exclaiming in admiration. Sobble, thoroughly flattered, was practically floating on air.
Before long, Angie and the group arrived at their destination. They first checked on the planting of Rowap Berries. The area along the pond's edge was now filled with Rowap Berry seedlings, some of which had already begun to sprout and grow.
The Pokémon working there noticed Angie's arrival and greeted him enthusiastically.
"Angie!"
Diancie happened to be there as well. Upon seeing Angie, it quickly ran over. "Are the preserved eggs and salted duck eggs done?" it asked curiously.
"Yep," Angie nodded.
"So quickly?" Diancie was surprised. "Didn't you say you were making a lot?"
"That's because Munchlax, Sobble, and I work fast!" Angie said proudly, turning to Munchlax and Sobble with a smug look. "Isn't that right?"
Munchlax responded with a serious expression, "Munchlax~" That's right, we're efficient!
Sobble struck a sharpshooter pose, full of pride, "Sobble~ Sobble~" Of course! I'm awesome!
Diancie couldn't help but laugh at the trio's antics, shaking its head in exasperation. "You three really have some thick skin…"
Espurr silently followed behind Angie, curiously observing all the Pokémon hard at work. It was its first time seeing so many Pokémon laboring together, their faces beaming with joy. The scene left it inexplicably moved.
Seeing Espurr engrossed in thought, Meowstic gently asked.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
What's on your mind?
"Espurr!"
This place is wonderful!
Espurr exclaimed with heartfelt admiration.
Meowstic patted Espurr on the head and asked softly.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
Would you like to live here with me?
Espurr looked up at Meowstic in surprise.
"Espurr~ Espurr~"
Is that okay?
Meowstic nodded.
"Meowstic~"
Of course.
Overjoyed, Espurr nodded its head enthusiastically.
"Espurr!"
...
Angie led the Pokémon on a patrol around his territory and returned with a lively fish caught by Poliwhirl from the water.
The fish, skewered with grass through its mouth and gills, wriggled vigorously in Angie's hand. However, staring at the shimmering pond before him, Angie suddenly spaced out.
With such abundant freshwater resources on the Nibel Plateau, why hadn't he thought about fish farming before?
Nibel Lake was home to many Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, and a few Politoed, along with Marill, Azurill, and other Water Pokémon. Why not enlist their help in raising fish?
Although Nibel Lake had some fish, the population wasn't abundant. Most years, the lake teemed with fish in spring when schools swam upstream to spawn. But as the season passed, the fish returned downstream, leaving only a few to reside permanently in the lake, further reduced by Pokémon predation.
However, with its pristine water quality, the lake seemed perfect for fish farming! It could also provide more job opportunities for the Pokémon.
With this idea forming, Angie turned to Diancie and asked, "Diancie, what do you think about farming fish, shrimp, and crabs in Nibel Lake?"
Diancie paused, then broke into a bright smile. "That's a great idea!"
Building the Nibel Plateau step by step with Angie was a joyful endeavor for her.
"Alright then, let's start preparing!" Angie exclaimed happily. "Munchlax, Sobble, we're heading home!"
"Munchlax~"
"Sobble~"
Munchlax and Sobble, who had been frolicking by the pond, responded promptly.
...
At sunset, the Pokémon who had been planting trees returned, bathed in golden light. Angie, along with Munchlax and Sobble, had already prepared a feast for them.
After distributing the food, Angie approached Politoed and said, "Politoed, I'd like to discuss something with you. Is that okay?"
"Politoed~"
Politoed nodded and followed Angie into the house.
Once seated, Angie shared his fish-farming plan.
Politoed, understanding the proposal, leapt from its chair in excitement. This meant the Water Pokémon could work steadily for Angie!
"Politoed~ Politoed!"
Politoed voiced its thoughts eagerly.
Angie nodded. "That's right. Fish farming is a long-term project, and I'll need the Water Pokémon's help."
Politoed suddenly bounced around the room with joy, shedding its usual composed and authoritative demeanor as the Water Pokémon leader.
To Angie, this genuine enthusiasm was the mark of a true leader—always considering others.
They discussed the farming plan in detail.
As a novice, Angie relied on a farming manual purchased from a shop to guide him. Politoed, with its innate affinity for aquatic life, contributed many valuable suggestions.
...
After the other Pokémon finished their meal and headed home, Politoed stayed with Angie until late in the evening, helping him refine the details of the project.
Once Politoed left, Angie opened the system shop to purchase fish fry.
The shop offered a variety of freshwater fish, including carp, grass carp, silver carp, and bighead carp—collectively known as the "Four Great Domestic Fish." These species, renowned for their rapid growth, resilience, and high yield, were perfect for a beginner like Angie.
However, Angie decided to diversify, opting to also farm small quantities of perch, cod, and sturgeon. Though pricier than the Four Great Domestic Fishes, they were valuable additions.
As Angie was finalizing his selections, a particular group of fish fry caught his eye. The label read: <
Angie froze. These were the only fish in the shop with a special designation.
As a chef, Angie recognized these names. In his past life, their exquisite flavor led to overfishing, bringing them close to extinction before strict conservation measures were enacted.
To his amazement, the system shop offered these fish fry, claiming they had been genetically enhanced for improved flavor, easier farming, and resistance to disease. They were also key ingredients for unlocking advanced recipes.
Currently, Angie had only unlocked one advanced recipe requiring Gogoat milk—milky buns.
Naturally, the price of these fish fry was exorbitant.