"Here's the situation: in two days, the royal palace will be hosting a banquet. Do you have time to attend?" Kimia asked on the other end of the phone.
"A banquet? What kind of banquet?" Angie asked in confusion.
Kimia explained, "Our kingdom has a collaborative project with a research team from the Paldea region. Recently, that research team came here to exchange ideas, so Father decided to hold a banquet to host them."
"Since you haven't made an appearance in any formal setting since your awakening, Father thought it would be a good opportunity to invite you to join, if you're available."
Angie thought about it. Making an appearance could be a good idea, so he agreed, "Alright, what time is the banquet?"
Kimia said happily, "It's at 7:00 PM. You can come by before it starts."
"Alright, I'll be there on time," Angie said.
"See you then."
"See you."
After ending the call with Kimia, Angie took his Drizzile and the others back to the Nebel Plateau.
Since the riverbank had already been cleared, it was once again time for Angie's Pokémon to plant trees that afternoon.
After lunch, Angie and the Pokémon arrived at the riverbank together. The two newly joined Farfetch'd also came, each carrying the small shovels Angie had given them. They looked quite proud of themselves.
Having gained experience from planting trees before, the Pokémon hardly needed Angie's instructions this time. They got busy on their own, dividing the tasks clearly—digging holes, fertilizing the soil... The two Farfetch'd wielded their shovels with impressive skill.
Angie took out the saplings he had purchased in advance from his system's inventory.
To his slight embarrassment, due to a lack of Happiness Points, Angie could only buy a portion of the saplings for now. The points he earned each day were just enough to cover the number of trees he planned to plant that day, so he couldn't buy them all at once.
Technically, he could use money to buy berry trees from outside, but while Angie was low on Happiness Points, he had saved up quite a bit of League Currency.
Still, he couldn't help feeling that the berry trees purchased from outside wouldn't match the quality of those from the system shop, so he didn't want to settle for less.
It was fine to take it slow; there was no rush, after all.
He estimated the size of the riverbank and figured that by the time all the trees were planted, winter would be almost over.
The first batch of saplings Angie planted were Pecha Berries and Oran Berries, with 200 of each type. Since the riverbank was limited in space and he wanted to plant a variety of berries, he hadn't planned to plant too many of each kind.
Pecha Berries and Oran Berries were relatively common berry, and the saplings weren't expensive, selling for 15 Happiness Points each in the system shop.
Berry tree saplings were more expensive than ordinary fruit tree saplings.
After handing over the saplings to the Pokémon, Angie called out to Diancie, "Diancie, I'm leaving this to you. I have something else to take care of, so I'm heading back!"
Diancie waved enthusiastically and nodded to show it understood. Only then did Angie turn and start walking home.
"Munchlax~!"
Munchlax, seeing its master preparing to leave, quickly tossed aside the dirt it was holding, clapped its hands clean, and ran to catch up with Angie.
"You want to go home with me?" Angie asked with a smile.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Together with Master.
Munchlax nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright, let's go together," Angie said, affectionately rubbing its head.
(≧≦)
Munchlax closed its eyes in bliss, thoroughly enjoying the attention.
Drizzile, who was with the Water-type Pokémon, noticed Angie leaving with Munchlax. Panicking, it dashed toward them, shouting.
"Drizzile~ Drizzile~"
Wait for me! Wait for me too!
Hearing the commotion, Angie and Munchlax immediately stopped and waited for Drizzile to catch up.
The three of them returned home together, and Angie led them to his secret fortress, where they found the waste disposal area within the fortress.
It turned out that beneath the fifth level of the secret fortress, there was a small hidden layer—this was the waste disposal site. Angie wouldn't have discovered it if he hadn't asked Diancie about it.
Apparently, all the trash generated in the Nebel Plateau was sent here, where it was broken down into non-polluting substances and reintegrated into the plateau's soil as nutrients, including the Pokémon's droppings.
The most crucial ingredient Angie needed to make fertilizer was the Pokémon's droppings.
Other materials could be purchased, but Pokémon droppings weren't something he could buy.
Inside the waste disposal area, Angie saw several massive furnace-like machines. Different types of waste were deposited into different furnaces for decomposition.
The Pokémon droppings, in particular, were placed in the central furnace.
"Munchlax~"
"Drizzile~"
When Munchlax and Drizzile realized what was inside the central furnace, they immediately stepped back with disgust on their faces, even though the furnace was sealed, and no odor could escape.
Angie quickly found the controls for the waste disposal system. He deactivated the decomposition function for the central furnace, ensuring that Pokémon droppings wouldn't be immediately broken down in the future.
Now, Angie could simply add other materials into the furnace and let them ferment together with the droppings to produce special fertilizer.
After a flurry of adjustments at the control panel, Angie set the central furnace to "Fermentation" and "Fertilizer Production" modes. Then he turned to his two apprentices and said, "Alright, let's head out."
The two Pokémon immediately followed Angie out of the waste disposal area, relieved to leave.
Once they were back on the surface, Angie called Flamel.
"Hello, Your Highness. Do you need something?" Flamel's voice came through on the other end of the phone.
"Flamel, I'd like to place an order for some materials," Angie said.
Since Happiness Points were running low, Angie decided to use League Currency to buy the materials for the fertilizer from outside sources.
"Please tell me what you need, and I'll handle it for you," Flamel offered.
Angie listed the materials he needed.
After jotting everything down, Flamel remarked, "The materials you're asking for seem to be related to fertilizer and crops."
Angie replied admiringly, "You even know about that?"
Flamel laughed. "Actually, my parents are farmers. I worked on the farm when I was a kid."
"That explains it," Angie said in realization.
Flamel thought for a moment and suggested, "How about this? I'll reach out to a farm owner from my hometown. He should have everything you need."
"That would be a great help. Thank you," Angie said gratefully.
"It's no trouble at all," Flamel replied.
With everything arranged, Angie felt pleased. He turned to Munchlax and Drizzile and said, "Let's get to work!"
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
What kind of work?
Munchlax looked puzzled.
Drizzile also stared at Angie curiously.
Angie called Robert No. 1 and brought the two apprentices to the warehouse. One corner of the warehouse was piled high with neatly stacked logs.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
What are we doing here?
Munchlax asked.
Angie explained, "I plan to build houses for Gogoat and Skiddo, so we need to turn these logs into wooden planks first."
The Gogoat and Skiddo didn't live in the secret fortress. Angie had invited them before, but they refused because they didn't like living underground. Compared to the secret fortress, they preferred the open air and being closer to nature.
Recently, Angie had been considering raising some cows and sheep, which led to the idea of building a barn and sheepfold. That's when it struck him—why not build wooden houses for Gogoat and Skiddo on the grasslands?
Coincidentally, he had collected a large amount of timber while clearing the riverbank. It was perfect for constructing wooden houses! Angie then consulted Gogoat and Skiddo, and this time, they agreed. If the houses were built on the grass, they would happily move in. Secretly, they also envied the other Pokémon who had proper shelter from the wind and rain.
When Angie shared his idea with Munchlax and Drizzile, the two Pokémon eagerly offered to help.
Angie turned to Robert No. 1 and said, "Robert No. 1, could you cut these logs into wooden planks like this?" He handed over some blueprints he had prepared in advance.
Although Angie had studied wooden house construction beforehand, when it came to actual work, he still needed Robert No. 1's help.
Robert No. 1 took the blueprints, and its eyes emitted a blue glow as it scanned the designs into its memory. Then, it looked at Angie and responded.
"No~ Problem!"
As soon as it finished speaking, Angie watched as its hands retracted into its wrists, replaced by a saw and a knife.
In no time, Robert No. 1 was cutting planks, while Angie, Munchlax, and Drizzile handled support tasks.
Thankfully, Robert No. 1 was there. Though it might not be the smartest, it was incredibly efficient. Without it, Angie and the Pokémon would have been at a loss, staring at the logs all day.
By the end of the afternoon, a variety of wooden planks, differing in size and thickness, were neatly stacked in the warehouse corner.
As it grew late, Angie said to Munchlax and Drizzile, "That's it for today. Let's head back and make dinner—it's getting late."
"Munchlax~"
"Drizzile~"
Both Pokémon nodded in agreement.
Angie patted Drizzile's head and said, "You two worked hard today."
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
It wasn't hard. I like working with you, Master.
Munchlax replied with a wide grin.
"Drizzile~ Drizzile~"
I'm strong and not afraid of hard work!
Drizzile said, giving itself a thumbs-up.
Angie then turned to Robert No. 1. "Thank you, too."
However, Robert No. 1 simply stared at Angie with its big, vacant eyes, giving no response.
As expected of a robot… Angie shook his head helplessly.
After leaving the warehouse, Angie and the Pokémon returned home to make dinner. Before long, the Pokémon who had been planting trees returned, and it was time for a joyful dinner.
During dinner, as the five of them sat around the table, Angie suddenly said, "Oh, right. The palace invited me to attend a banquet two days from now. Do you want to come?"
"Munchlax~"
A banquet? What's that?
Munchlax hurriedly swallowed the food it had stuffed into its mouth and asked curiously.
"Drizzile~ Drizzile~"
I know! I know!
Drizzile chimed in eagerly.
The Drizzile eagerly raised its hand and said, "Me! Me!"
Angie smiled and said, "Alright, let's have Drizzile explain what a banquet is."
Drizzile was instantly delighted. It stood on the chair, cleared its throat, and began explaining with a serious expression.
"Drizzile, Drizzile, Drizzile!"
A banquet is an event held in the evening where lots of people gather, and there's plenty of delicious food…
Munchlax, ever focused on the important details, twitched its ears rapidly when it heard "plenty of delicious food." Tugging on Angie's sleeve, it asked.
"Munchlax? Munchlax?"
Really? lots of delicious food?
Angie hesitated for a moment before nodding, "Yes, there really is…"
Munchlax's eyes immediately lit up.
"Munchlax! Munchlax!"
Master, I want to go! Take me with you!
Angie pinched its cheek affectionately and said, "Alright, I'll take you."
Overjoyed, Munchlax's eyes squinted into thin lines.
"Drizzile! Drizzile!"
Me too! Me too!
Drizzile chimed in eagerly.
Angie turned to Diancie. "What about you, Diancie?"
Diancie smiled. "If everyone's going, of course, I'll go too!"
"Alright, then we'll all go together," Angie decided.
"Drizzile!"
Yay!
Drizzile cheered, punching the air.
As for Komala, nobody asked its opinion, but its silence meant agreement.
The next day, after having lunch with everyone, Angie said, "Since we're attending a banquet, shouldn't we get some proper outfits?"
Previously, Angie always bought clothes directly from the system shop, but with funds running low lately, he decided to shop in Azoth City.
"Munchlax?"
Proper outfits?
Munchlax tilted its head in confusion.
"Nice clothes," Angie explained.
"Munchlax~?"
Do I have to wear some too?"
"If you want to, you certainly can!" Angie said.
"Munchlax! Munchlax!"
Then I want to wear the same outfit as Master!
Angie patted its head. "Alright, we'll match."
Not wanting to be left out, Drizzile quickly protested.
"Drizzile! Drizzile!
I want some too!
"Don't worry, you'll have one, and so will Diancie and Komala," Angie reassured.
Hearing this, Drizzile was satisfied, and Diancie's face lit up with a smile.
"Let's pack up and head out now. We still have work to do when we return," Angie said.
"Munchlax!"
"Drizzile!"
With cheers of excitement, Munchlax and Drizzile dashed upstairs, while Diancie stayed behind to help Angie tidy up the dishes.
After gathering their things, the five of them used a space portal to travel to Azoth City. It was their first outing as a full family.
Stepping out of Munchlax's Home, Diancie asked, "Where should we go to buy clothes?"
Angie pulled out his phone. "Let me check!" he said, scrolling through online reviews.
"Found it! Let's go here!" After a short search, Angie showed the results to Diancie. "This is a branded shop with a great reputation. They specialize in formal wear, so let's try this place."
Diancie glanced at the screen. Not being very familiar with such things, she nodded. "Alright, let's go with that one."
"Munchlax! Munchlax!"
Let me see too!"
"Drizzile! Drizzile!"
And me!
Munchlax and Drizzile crowded around.
Angie lowered the phone so they could take a look, though they couldn't really understand anything on the screen.