"Do you two know me?" Angie asked, visibly surprised.
Professor Sada replied, "We're currently guests at the Azoth Kingdom Palace and have heard some stories about Your Highness."
"I see," Angie chuckled softly.
The stories about him were nothing special—just the usual rumors about him sleeping for 500 years and being Queen Anna's older brother.
Suddenly, it all made sense to him. Earlier, Kimia had mentioned the collaboration between the Azoth and Paldea research teams. She must have been referring to Professor Sada and Professor Turo!
Professor Sada asked, "Will Your Highness also be attending the banquet tomorrow night?"
Angie nodded. "Yes, I'm here to pick up an outfit for the occasion."
Professor Turo smiled and said, "What a coincidence! So are we."
Professor Sada had many things she wanted to discuss with Angie, but since they would be attending the banquet together tomorrow, there would be plenty of opportunities later. After glancing at Diancie, she said, "Your Highness, we'll see you at the banquet tomorrow evening."
Angie nodded. "Alright, see you tomorrow. It's been a pleasure meeting you both."
Professor Turo added, "The pleasure is ours, Your Highness."
With that, Angie and the professor's family parted ways.
After returning home, Angie and the others each put away their new clothes in their rooms and then got to work for the afternoon.
Angie and the Pokémon first went to the riverbank. The Pecha Berry and Oran Berry trees had already been planted yesterday; today, they were planting Rawst Berry and Cheri Berry trees.
After distributing the saplings they had prepared in advance to the Pokémon, Angie decided to take Munchlax and Drizzile back home.
From a distance, he noticed Meowstic helping everyone. Waving enthusiastically, Angie called out, "Meowstic!!!"
Meowstic turned around curiously.
"Can you come and help me with something?" Angie continued to shout.
Meowstic nodded and quickly ran toward him, with Espurr following close behind as usual. The two Pokémon were inseparable.
Once they reached Angie, he said to them, "I'm planning to build a shelter for the Gogoat and Skiddo. Could I ask for your help?"
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
"Espurr~"
The two Pokémon nodded without hesitation.
"Great, let's get going."
Angie led them to the secret base, where he used the system backpack to gather all the wooden planks stored in the warehouse. Then, he carried the planks to the northern part of the prairie, beneath the two largest trees.
Angie had already discussed with the Gogoat about building their wooden shelter here.
After stacking the planks in a pile, Angie asked Drizzile to head over to the vegetable garden and call the Dugtrio brothers.
Building a shelter required digging a foundation—a task Angie wasn't equipped to handle. It was better left to professionals like the Dugtrio brothers.
When the Dugtrio brothers arrived, Angie carefully explained his requirements to them and said, "I'll leave it to you all!"
"Dugtrio~"
"Dugtrio~"
The Dugtrio brothers nodded and dove into the ground as instructed by Angie. The earth quickly began to rise and shift, and before long, the foundation was fully excavated.
Angie directed Meowstic to use its psychic powers to bring over large stones, which were then smashed repeatedly into the foundation dug out by the Dugtrio brothers.
This step was to solidify the base.
Finally, Angie, Munchlax, and the rest carried wooden planks into the foundation, hammering and nailing them into place.
Of course, the main workforce was still Robert No. 1.
By the time evening rolled around, they had only managed to build half the wooden house; the roof wasn't even installed yet.
Thankfully, Meowstic and Espurr used their psychic abilities to assist. Without them, Angie and the team might not have accomplished even this much.
As dinnertime arrived, the other Pokémon sat outside around the table Angie and his team had built, eating their meals amidst cheerful laughter and chatter.
Meanwhile, Angie's family of five dined inside the house, their meal filled with equally joyous conversation.
As they ate, Angie suddenly noticed Munchlax putting down its bowl. Confused, he asked, "Huh? Munchlax, why are you eating so little? This isn't even half of what you usually eat!"
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
I want to lose weight.
Munchlax tugged at the fat on its belly, looking distressed.
"What?" Angie froze. Was losing weight even necessary for Munchlax? In fact, hearing those words come from Munchlax was itself an incredible thing.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
I want to wear the same outfit as Master, but I don't want Master to have to accommodate me.
Munchlax lowered its head, fidgeting with its fingers.
Though Munchlax might seem simple-minded, it wasn't foolish. It had been thrilled when Angie bought them matching outfits, but upon returning home, it slowly realized that Angie had made compromises for its sake.
After Diancie translated this, Angie felt a warm glow in his heart. While one-sided sacrifices might bring self-satisfaction, true and balanced connections come from mutual understanding.
Angie gently ruffled Munchlax's head. "You silly thing... Don't overthink it. Honestly, I like you just the way you are—soft and cuddly. So, eat as much as you want and don't hold back."
For Munchlax and Snorlax, eating more doesn't lead to unhealthy weight gain.
"Munchlax~"
Really?
Munchlax looked at Angie in surprise.
"Of course," Angie nodded. "If you're really serious about losing weight, how about we do it in another way—like through exercise?"
Munchlax brightened instantly.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Exercise! Exercise!
Given a choice between dieting and exercising, Munchlax didn't hesitate to pick exercise!
Angie affectionately pinched its cheek. "Alright, let's set aside some time to exercise in the future."
After Angie's reassurance, Munchlax eagerly picked up its bowl and resumed eating with gusto.
Watching Munchlax eat so happily, Angie couldn't help but smile.
Noticing its master looking at it, Munchlax glanced up with a goofy grin, a grain of rice stuck to the corner of its mouth.
"You little rascal..."
Angie helplessly removed the grain of rice before Munchlax dove back into its meal.
The next morning, Angie woke up earlier than usual and knocked on Munchlaxs door.
"Munchlax! Munchlax!"
After calling several times without a response, Angie opened the door and entered. As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by the sound of loud snores.
There lay Munchlax, sprawled out on the floor, hugging a matching pillow identical to Angie's. Its blanket was half on the bed and half on the floor.
Angie walked over, tossed the blanket back onto the bed, and nudged Munchlax "Munchlax, time to get up!"
"Munchlax~~~"
Munchlax smacked its lips and rolled over, hugging the pillow even tighter.
Angie shouted, "Breakfast time! There's braised fish!" Munchlax loved fish.
"Munchlax~"
Fish? Braised fish? Where's the braised fish?
Munchlax instantly sat up, surprisingly nimble, though its eyes remained closed, and its hands flailed around blindly.
"Munchlax, didn't you say you wanted to exercise and lose weight with me?" Angie asked.
"Munchlax!"
Right! Lose weight!
Hearing this, Munchlax's eyes shot open. It sprang to its feet like a loaded spring, clearly showing that it had taken the matter to heart.
After washing up, Angie and Munchlax left the room together.
Coincidentally, Drizzile had also just woken up, so their jogging group became a trio. To make the workout more effective, Angie had purchased weighted gear for himself and his two disciples. Munchlax carried the heaviest weights, Angie took the second heaviest, and Drizzile carried the lightest.
Early risers weren't limited to Angie's trio. Aron, Drilbur, Croconaw, Quilladin, and the two Farfetch'd had gotten up even earlier. Before dawn, they were already sparring on the open plains, their shouts echoing through the air!
"Good morning, everyone!" Angie waved at the Pokémon from a distance.
"Aron~"
"Croconaw~"
...
The Pokémon paused their activities to return Angie's greeting.
Seeing Angie's group jogging, the Pokémon halted their sparring and expressed interest in joining. Angie happily fetched additional weighted gear for them.
Fortunately, the equipment was inexpensive.
For days afterward, Angie led Munchlax, Drizzile, Aron, and the others in morning runs. After an invigorating jog, they would shower and start another busy day.
Time flew by, and by evening, Angie arrived at the palace gates on the back of Honchkrow. Finding a quiet corner, he summoned Diancie, Munchlax, Drizzile, and Komala to his side.
Both Angie and the Pokémon were dressed in elegant attire.
"Alright, let's go." Angie led his Pokémon toward the palace entrance.
At the gates, the guards saluted and greeted, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
Angie smiled and nodded in return.
"Your Highness, this way!"
Angie looked up to see Flamel running toward him.
"Flamel!" Angie waved at her.
Flamel was also beautifully dressed. Slightly out of breath, she said, "Your Highness, please follow me."
Angie nodded and followed Flamel toward the banquet hall.
Soon, Angie was led into a room where rows of maids stood, each holding a stack of clothing.
"This is…" Angie turned to Flamel in confusion.
"Your formal attire, of course," Flamel replied with a smile.
Angie: …
So the royal family had prepared outfits? Then why had he bothered going to the tailor? Moreover, he and his Pokémon had spent ages dressing up at home before heading out.
What a waste of effort!
"Hurry up, help His Highness change into the formal attire," Flamel instructed the maids.
"Yes!" the maids responded in unison, swarming around Angie and his Pokémon.
Not only had the royal family prepared Angie's formal wear, but they had also made outfits for his Pokémon. Even Honchkrow was adorned with accessories the maids had quickly put together.
Before long, Angie was dressed in the Azoth royal formal attire: a white suit with light blue and gold accents, a blue bow tie, and white shoes.
Komala, Munchlax, and Drizzile were dressed similarly to Angie, while Diancie wore a flowing blue-and-white gown adorned with a light blue bow.
Honchkrow's hat was adorned with a blue rose, its neck decorated with a blue bowtie, and its right ankle accessorized with two vintage anklets studded with gemstones. The sparkling look clearly delighted it.
As soon as Angie and the others had finished changing, the door opened, and Raleigh peeked in. "Your Highness?"
"Raleigh?" Angie said in surprise. "Come in! Were you waiting for me?"
Raleigh nodded. "Yes, I wanted to enter the banquet with you."
Raleigh was dressed in a small blue suit with white and light gold stripes, a white bowtie at his neck, the color scheme a perfect contrast to Angie's outfit.
The Azoth royal attire always featured only three colors: blue, white, and gold.
Angie said, "Alright, let's go."
"Okay."
Raleigh and the Pokémon followed Angie, with Flamel leading them to the banquet hall.
By the time Angie and Raleigh arrived, the hall was already packed. Foreign guests, ministers, maids, and attendants mingled under the dazzling lights, clinking glasses and exchanging pleasantries.
Angie scanned the room and quickly spotted Edward and Kimia, who were chatting with two other people—Professor Sada and Professor Turo, whom Angie had met by chance the day before.
Glancing at Munchlax, Angie noticed it drooling over the lavish spread of food. He patted Munchlax on the head and said to the Pokémon, "You're free to move around."
Munchlax and Drizzile cheered loudly.
Angie quickly reminded them, "Don't cause trouble, and don't wander off, okay?"
"Munchlax~"
"Drizzile~"
Munchlax and Drizzile immediately promised to behave.
Angie added, "And Munchlax, control yourself when eating. Don't eat everything."
"Munchlax…"
Munchlax scratched its head sheepishly.
Angie then patted the Komala nestled in Munchlax's arms. "Komala, I'm counting on you to keep an eye on them."
Komala, half-asleep, merely rolled over in Munchlax's arms. Left with no choice, Angie turned to Honchkrow for help.
Honchkrow nodded confidently, vowing to complete the task.
As Angie watched Munchlax and the others leave, he noticed Hermia waving at him. Accompanied by Raleigh and Diancie, he made his way over.
Professor Sada and Professor Turo were delighted to see Angie.
"Your Highness Angie, we meet again. And Diancie as well," said Professor Sada.
Diancie politely curtsied, lifting the hem of her gown, and greeted them through telepathy. "Good evening, Professor Sada, Professor Turo."
Surprised that Diancie could use telepathy, the two doctors exchanged astonished glances.
"Good evening, Professor Sada, Professor Turo. It's wonderful to see you again," Angie greeted them warmly.
Kimia exclaimed, "You know each other, Your Highness?"
Professor Sada explained, "We happened to meet in the azoth city yesterday and introduced ourselves."
Edward laughed heartily. "It seems the two professor are quite fated to cross paths with His Highness!"
Angie looked around curiously and asked, "Is Arven not here?"
Professor Sada chuckled and pointed to a child sitting not far away, nibbling on a pastry. "Oh, he's here, over there!"
Following Professor Sada's gaze, Angie saw Arven lounging on a chair, looking bored. At his feet lay Mastifford, dozing off.