Cyclizar spun around in place, then rubbed its head against his trouser leg, clearly wanting to go down and run around for a while.
Silas smiled and patted its back. "Go on, but don't run too fast."
"Cyc!"
With an excited cry, Cyclizar pushed off with all four limbs and shot forward like a blur of afterimage, racing swiftly along the newly paved road, its feet striking the surface with a rhythmic da-da-da sound.
There was no slipping, nor did it leave behind any marks. Cyclizar sprinted all the way to the end of the road and then turned back, dashing toward them again.
Seeing Cyclizar's actions, Kangaskhan, Minccino, and the others at the entrance eagerly rushed out of the ranch as well.
Kangaskhan stomped its foot hard against the ground. Phione waved its tiny hand, summoning a patch of dark clouds. Rain poured down along the level road, sliding neatly off into the drainage ditches on either side without forming even a single puddle.
Minccino frowned slightly and squeezed into Kangaskhan's pouch. It didn't want its fur to get wet from the rain.
The Flabébé, Dolliv, and the Meowth, on the other hand, didn't mind at all. They circled around Kangaskhan, spinning and playing in the rain while letting out a string of cheerful cries.
Watching the lively scene beneath the rainfall, Silas observed for a while before nodding in satisfaction. "It looks great. No need to worry about heavy rain washing the road away."
"Thank you, Grant. And thank you, Onix."
Grant flashed a bright grin, showing a row of white teeth. "No need to thank me. This is what I should be doing. Besides, Onix had a lot of fun too."
Onix shook its massive body, scattering the water droplets clinging to its rocky form. It didn't particularly enjoy the rain.
Hearing the two humans talking and even praising it—Onix affectionately rubbed its head against Grant's palm, letting out a low rumbling hiss from its throat.
The raincloud dispersed after a short while. Phione hugged Minccino and apologized to it.
Its small body pressed affectionately against Minccino's, and the little Pokémon's irritation immediately vanished.
The two tiny companions held hands, jumped out of Kangaskhan's pouch, and ran toward Silas not far away.
With such a road in place, going in and out of the ranch had become incredibly convenient. They could even relocate the collection box to the front gate of the ranch.
Silas planned to mention it later when Gario came to collect the goods.
But for now—
He reached out and scooped up the Minccino and Phione that had run toward him, pinching their cheeks and giving them kisses.
"Grant, don't rush off at noon. Stay and have a big meal at the ranch, there'll be plenty of desserts."
Grant had originally intended to refuse, but upon hearing there would be plenty of sweets, the words he was about to say were swallowed back down. "Th-then… I'll trouble you, Mr. Silas."
"It's nothing. Just a few extra pairs of chopsticks."
Calling over the Pokémon, the two of them returned to the ranch surrounded by the lively group.
Grant recalled Onix into its Poké Ball and followed behind.
After letting Kangaskhan take the Pokémon off to play, Silas carried Dolliv while Alcremie perched on his shoulder, and together they entered the kitchen.
With a guest at noon, he naturally had to show his true skills. Ice-cold fruit milkshakes, sweet and fragrant egg tarts, and a milk-and-fruit platter that Pokémon absolutely adored.
Of course, there were also indispensable meat dishes—tender, flavorful grilled fish and large chunks of beef stewed with potatoes.
"So good! So good!"
Grant's eyes lit up the moment he took a bite.
Every dish had such a unique and delicious flavor that he couldn't stop himself, sighing in admiration as he ate.
After lunch, the two of them slumped onto the sofa, chatting leisurely.
"Grant, where are you heading next?"
"I heard the Battle Chateau on Route 7 has reopened. I'm planning to challenge it and earn a noble title."
"The Battle Chateau, huh?"
Silas thought about it. He had challenged it before.
It was during his first year of traveling. If he remembered correctly, he had achieved the rank of Baron.
He hadn't expected it to reopen. If he found the time, he might go again and raise his title.
"Phion!"
Phione, chased by Minccino and the others, suddenly leaped into Silas's arms and curled up against him, acting spoiled.
He gently stroked Phione's head and casually gestured with his hand.
Compared to when it had just been born, the little one had grown noticeably rounder.
If translated into human terms, Phione had grown from a babbling infant into a mischievous child who could run around chasing chickens and dogs.
He was thinking that once this batch of berries had been fully harvested, he would take Phione home for a visit.
The child had grown up—no matter what, it should meet its biological mother at least once.
And of course, he also needed to deliver the coconut soup that Manaphy had been longing for.
...
6 p.m.
Golden twilight spilled gently across the land, the setting sun stubbornly leaving behind its final trace of warmth.
In front of the ranch gate, two shadows stretched long and thin across the ground.
"Mr. Silas, I'll come visit you again in the future."
Grant carefully wrapped several pieces of dessert and tucked them into his backpack before mounting his mountain bike.
"Mm. When you come, I'll make more sweets for you."
The two waved goodbye. Grant pedaled away, disappearing at the end of the road.
"Creme?"
Alcremie withdrew its gaze and tugged at the hem of Silas's clothes.
"You'll see him again someday. Don't worry, Alcremie."
He picked Alcremie up. It was the first time the little Pokémon had met a human who loved sweets so much.
Alcremie wrapped its arms around Silas's neck, expressing that it never wanted to be separated from him.
It wanted to stay with Silas forever and give him the most delicious cream in the world.
Silas understood Alcremie's feelings and gently pinched its soft, creamy cheeks.
After seeing Grant off and letting Alcremie go find Minccino and the others to play, Silas packed up the clay made by Mudsdale, the tulip nectar collected by Flabébé, and the olive oil produced by Dolliv.
Today might very well be the last time he delivered goods personally.
Calling over one of the Mudsdale to help, Silas walked out of the ranch and arrived in front of John and Penny's Moomoo Farm.
He told the Mudsdale to wait a moment, then found John and Penny, the couple busy milking their Miltank, and informed them that he had built a road leading out from his ranch today.
They were welcome to visit whenever they had time.
The couple happily agreed.
Only then did Silas leave and wait by the roadside.
Soon, a small delivery truck pulled up steadily in front of him. Diggersby jumped down from the driver's seat, while Gario stepped out from the other side.
"Silas, good evening!"
"Good evening, Gario."
Glancing at Diggersby helping with the unloading, Silas asked curiously, "Did it pass its driving test?"
"It did! Though who knows how many days that'll last."
Don't be fooled by how properly Diggersby was driving now—give it a few days and it would probably return to its old habits.
"By the way, Gario, I'd like to trouble you with moving the collection box to the front of my ranch," Silas said, adding casually, "Today I asked a Trainer with an Onix to help build a road connecting the ranch to the outside."
"Really?" Gario looked surprised. "Can the truck get through?"
"It should. If you're not sure, we can test it in a bit."
After all, three Mudsdale could stand side by side on it without any issue as long as they weren't running recklessly.
Once today's goods had been loaded, Gario instructed Diggersby to drive through once.
After going back and forth three or four times to confirm that the road was safe, he readily agreed.
"Tomorrow I'll have the company send people over to move the collection box."
"Alright."
With the most important task of the day completed, Silas slung today's earnings over his shoulder and sat sideways atop a Mudsdale, heading leisurely back toward the ranch.
(End of Chapter)