After a night passed, the players completed their night patrol duties, each exhausted. After receiving their rewards from Leon, they hurriedly logged off.
Seeing this, Leon became even more determined to retrieve the Yungoos.
Night patrol required intense focus and constant movement, leaving one physically and mentally drained.
A night or two was manageable, but if this continued long-term, the players would inevitably grow weary of patrol work.
Leon went to the town's blacksmith and explained his all-night research on modifying the beast saddle.
After listening, the blacksmith furrowed his brows and said to Leon,
"Lord, who told you to modify it this way?"
"It was... I just asked someone casually."
Leon initially wanted to say it was himself, but seeing the blacksmith's frown, he quickly changed his answer.
"How could you ask just anyone about something so important? That person's suggestions are complete nonsense. Neither comfort nor safety is guaranteed. If possible, bring that person here. I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
The blacksmith's face flushed with anger.
"Ahem, no need. I'll deal with him later. Just modify the saddle for me, using your own design. Can you finish it by noon?"
Leon's face also turned slightly red.
"No problem. The modifications won't take long, but you'll need to leave your Pokémon here so we can take measurements."
"Alright, come on out, Ursaluna!"
"Roar!!"
Leon released Ursaluna.
"What... what kind of Pokémon is this?"
The blacksmith staggered back, stunned by Ursaluna's imposing presence. He had never seen such a Pokémon before.
"This is Ursaluna, the evolved form of my Ursaring. Don't worry, it's very gentle. If you're uneasy, I can stay here the whole time." Leon explained.
"You actually tamed such a powerful Pokémon? Its aura is no weaker than Lord Nord's Nidoking."
The blacksmith calmed himself and offered sincere praise.
It seemed the current lord had enough strength to protect the territory, which put their minds at ease.
"You don't need to stay here. Once the modifications are done, I'll send an apprentice to notify you."
He wasn't particularly afraid of Pokémon. When Leon's father was still around, he often repaired Beast Control Devices for Nidoking.
Besides, the territory had seen many Pokémon lately, and the townsfolk were gradually getting used to coexisting with them. Some even grew fond of the little creatures helping with farm work.
"Good. Have someone notify me at the castle when it's done."
Leon didn't want to wait around either. He wasn't sure how long his trip would take, so he needed to handle today's administrative duties beforehand.
By noon, the blacksmith had finished modifying the saddle and installed it on Ursaluna's back.
Leon tried sitting on it and found it much better—no longer prickly and far more stable and secure than before.
He rode Ursaluna back to the castle, made some quick preparations, and then left the territory.
This time, Leon brought all his Pokémon except Poliwhirl, including the Rotom Drone.
The Pokédex on the official website was still empty, so he planned to have Roto take plenty of Pokémon photos to update the entries.
As for why Poliwhirl wasn't brought along—well, Leon had already rented it out to the players. It was probably somewhere slapping its belly to summon rain.
After leaving the town gates, Leon had Ursaluna pick up speed, charging southeast at full tilt.
Ursaluna was actually quite fast when running. Its slow pace the previous night was due to the lack of a saddle—it feared Leon might fall off if it went too fast.
Now, with the saddle properly installed, it could finally run freely.
Soon, Ursaluna carried Leon onto a road within Glowfern Forest.
Following this road would lead straight to Seaview City.
The road had been built by merchants from Seaview City, funded collectively for easier transportation of goods.
To prevent Pokémon attacks, they sprinkled a special repellent along the roadside. Pokémon disliked the smell and thus avoided the road.
"Mmmph!" (ε｀)
The Bounsweet perched on Leon's head pouted, clearly disliking the road's odor.
"Bear with it a little longer. This road is easier to travel. Once we reach the checkpoint ahead, we'll head into the forest."
Leon comforted Bounsweet and patted Ursaluna, knowing it must also dislike the smell.
"Roar~"
Ursaluna let out a low growl, indicating it could endure it.
After traveling for a while, Leon spotted a checkpoint ahead, where people were collecting tolls.
Merchants were profit-driven. Having invested heavily in building this road, they naturally wouldn't let anyone pass for free.
They set up multiple checkpoints along the road, charging travelers to cross.
No money? Too bad—the road was closed. You could either turn back or take your chances traversing the dangerous Glowfern Forest.
Some had tried forcing their way through, but the outcomes were never good.
For one, the checkpoint guards were all Pokémon trainers, making them tough opponents for ordinary folks.
Even if you defeated the trainers at one checkpoint, reinforcements would arrive from the others.
And if you were strong enough to defeat all of them? Seaview City would hunt you down relentlessly.
Seaview City was governed by a merchant alliance. Crossing them meant crossing the entire city.
As the most powerful city in the region, being targeted by Seaview City spelled certain doom.
In short, after seeing the consequences, almost no one dared to force their way through checkpoints anymore. Everyone paid the toll.
Leon, of course, wouldn't provoke them either. He never intended to pass the checkpoint in the first place.
He nodded at the trainers ahead, then directed Ursaluna into the forest beside the road.
"Sir, aren't we going to charge him?"
One trainer asked his superior.
Backed by Seaview City, they usually acted arrogantly. Even if someone didn't want to pay and chose to turn back or enter the forest, they'd still extort a fee.
Most people, fearing Seaview City's influence, paid up. And that money lined their pockets.
"Are you out of your mind? Open your eyes and look properly. That man's clothes are exquisitely tailored, and he's riding a powerful Pokémon. Clearly, he's nobility from some territory."
"Someone of his status? Even if he were crossing the checkpoint, we wouldn't charge him. And here you are, thinking about threatening and extorting him? If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"
The superior snapped. This guy had no sense at all. He'd find an excuse to send him back to Seaview City—keeping him around was asking for trouble.
Leon had no idea his noble status was exposed just by his clothing. He was busy directing Roto to take photos.
"Snap that Metapod. That Yanma too. And over there..."
The Rotom Drone was running around, overwhelmed with tasks.
Suddenly, a blue figure swooped overhead, stirring up a gust of wind.
"Is that... a Corvisquire?"
Leon looked up.
"The thing in its claws looks just like you, doesn't it, Bounsweet?"
"..."
"Bounsweet? Why aren't you answering?"
Leon reached up to his head—only to find it empty.
"Oh no, where's my big Bounsweet? It couldn't be..."
He jerked his head up, eyes widening.
"Mmmph mmmph!!" (Help me!!)
Bounsweet's cries for help came from above.
"That really is my Bounsweet!!"
(End of Chapter)