Chapter 196: The Booming Business of the Breeding House

At his father's words, Berrin's face lit up with joy. He immediately knelt to perform a noble's oath of loyalty.

At the same time, his eyes sparkled.

He knew that, as the eldest son of Baron Ruize, he was destined to inherit everything.

This task was clearly a test. Only by passing it could he truly become a worthy successor!

As he knelt, Berrin's mind returned to his memories of life in Fruitvale Village…

Although that period had indeed been humiliating, he had learned a great deal through labor.

As he was leaning over his desk, planning the future of his territory, he suddenly heard a knock at the door.

"Young Master Berrin, it's me."

A young man's voice came from outside.

Berrin's eyes lit up at the sound. He hurried to open the door.

Standing outside was a young man dressed like a merchant, around seventeen or eighteen years old, looking travel-worn and dusty.

"Moore, how did things go?"

Upon seeing the young merchant, Berrin welcomed him inside and quickly asked.

Moore bowed. "Young Master Berrin, the Oddish you asked me to collect are now all being kept at the farm in the northeast corner of Aspiration City."

Although he had no idea why his young master wanted so many Oddish, as Berrin's personal butler, he had faithfully completed the task.

"Excellent work."

"You didn't mistreat the Oddish during the process, did you?"

Berrin nodded excitedly. The Oddish were a crucial part of his plans.

He knew that Aven had methods to evolve Oddish into Gloom quickly, as well as ways to train them in moves like Absorb, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, and Poison Powder.

As long as he could gather enough Oddish, he could go to the Pokémon Breeding House and purchase training services, just as he had agreed with Aven.

Although the services at that breeding house were a bit pricey, if he could raise a strong team of Gloom, he felt it would be entirely worth it!

His father was about to acquire the northeastern territory, and he would have a domain of his own. This Gloom squad would be a vital step in building his village!

"All the Oddish are doing very well, please rest assured, Young Master," Moore said with a nod.

"Good. I trust your work."

"Once I get my own fief, you'll be my official clerk."

Moore lowered his head even more. The position of clerk was exactly what he aspired to.

"Alright, go get ready. I plan to visit Fruitvale Village."

At these words, Moore clearly froze for a moment. He naturally remembered how his young master had been captured in Fruitvale Village.

Now that village was part of the increasingly powerful southeastern border territory governed by an Earl. Moore couldn't imagine why his young master wanted to go back there.

However, the reason Moore had risen to his current position and earned Berrin's trust was precisely because he knew what to ask and what not to ask. Obedience had always helped him advance.

After giving Moore his instructions, Berrin made his way to the back garden.

He stood at the entrance and saw, from a distance, an Oddish happily chasing a butterfly, its face full of joy.

Seeing this scene, Berrin's expression softened as well. At times like this, he genuinely felt grateful to Aven—for introducing him to Oddish.

"Oddish~"

Seeing Berrin approach, the Oddish let out a happy cry, gave up on the butterfly, and ran toward him.

"We're going to Fruitvale Village," Berrin said as he patted Oddish's head.

Upon hearing this, Oddish nodded excitedly and leapt into Berrin's arms for a hug.

Cradling the Oddish, Berrin walked out of the house, where Moore had already prepared a Rhyhorn-drawn carriage and set up a wooden step for Berrin to climb in.

"Rhyhorn, I'll be relying on you again."

Standing in front of the Rhyhorn, Berrin patted its head, prompting a surprised look from Moore.

It was clear the young master had changed a lot. Moore thought to himself that the new Berrin was easier to get along with and made things more comfortable.

"Let's go," Berrin said to Moore after climbing into the carriage.

The carriage soon left Aspiration City and headed toward Fruitvale Village.

This was Berrin's third visit to Fruitvale Village. The first time was to steal Petilil leaves to make universal potions; the second, he had been captured.

The first two visits had been terrible experiences for him, but this third time, he came seeking cooperation.

"Moore, have Rhyhorn stop here."

As he gave the order, the carriage gradually came to a halt.

Berrin quickly jumped off and walked to the Rhyhorn's side.

To Moore's astonishment, Berrin removed the beast harness from the Rhyhorn's body.

"Rhyhorn, the next part of the journey is up to you," Berrin said, then mounted the Rhyhorn.

"Rhy~"

Rhyhorn did not resist at all and allowed Berrin to ride it.

Seeing this, Berrin breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but recall something Aven used to say:

"As long as you treat a Pokémon sincerely, it will treat you sincerely in return."

"Moore, wait for me here. I'll be back soon."

Leaving the carriage to his servant, Berrin rode off toward Fruitvale Village on Rhyhorn.

Before long, he reached the grassy fields outside the village.

He took a deep breath, tightened his grip on Oddish, and gave Rhyhorn a pat, urging it to dash forward.

Rhyhorn sped across the field.

He saw two Rattata poke their heads out of the grass, watching as he sped past.

Even though he had mentally prepared himself, he still felt relieved to see that none of the wild Pokémon on the field attacked.

Rhyhorn ran very quickly and soon they crossed the grasslands. In the distance, the outline of Fruitvale Village came into view.

Just then, a patrol squad approached from the other direction.

"Sir Berrin?"

Leading them was Peter, who had taken up patrol duty himself to give his men more training time.

"Peter, long time no see," Berrin greeted him openly.

Peter looked at the Oddish in Berrin's arms, then at the gentle Rhyhorn beneath him that bore no beast gear, and gave a nod.

"Sir Berrin, may I ask what brings you to Fruitvale Village?"

Although he sensed no hostility from Berrin, Peter remained vigilant.

After all, this was the same noble who had caused trouble in the village more than once—better safe than sorry.

"I'm heading to the Pokémon Breeding House."

Berrin took out his apprentice trainer card and smiled. "After all, I'm a registered apprentice trainer of Fruitvale Village!"

…

Meanwhile, Phyllis was preparing to have a serious conversation with Aven about the village's finances.

Just earlier, she had distributed the salaries for the patrol members and knight instructors. When she saw how high the wages were, her brows furrowed deeply.

The territory's finances were already in dire straits. Such high expenditures were making an already poor budget even worse.

She was beginning to realize that Aven had no idea how to manage a territory's finances.

For example, the patrol members were now being paid wages comparable to full knights in other territories.

And the newly appointed knight instructors—many of whom were still trying to catch their first Pokémon—were being paid already, despite not having proven themselves.

What's more, a large number of these knight instructors were disabled veterans. She had no idea what Aven was trying to accomplish!

But remembering Aven's humble, commoner origins, she could only sigh. Suddenly, it all made a bit more sense.

"No, if this continues, the territory's finances will collapse!" Phyllis was anxious and didn't hesitate further.

Soon, she found Aven at the southern farmland of the village. Part of the vast farmland had already been planted with berry saplings, and they were growing well.

"Phyllis? What brings you here?" Aven asked, surprised, seeing her holding a ledger.

He remembered assigning her, the temporary financial officer of Fruitvale Village, to handle salary disbursement a few days ago.

She had looked happy about the job back then. How had her face grown so dark in just a few days?

"Lord Aven, we need to have a serious talk about the finances of Fruitvale Village," Phyllis said, taking a deep breath.

She handed him the ledger, her expression stern. "If you keep spending like this, the territory's finances won't last."

Aven was stunned for a moment. Hearing her concern, he finally understood what she was worried about.

"If there's an issue with the budget, you can go speak to Link at the Breeding House."

Without even opening the ledger, Aven pushed it back toward her with a smile. "I believe business at the Breeding House has been good lately—enough to cover our financial gaps."

"The Pokémon Breeding House?"

Phyllis blinked in confusion. She hadn't expected that response.

The idea that a Breeding House could cover the entire territory's deficit seemed laughable to her. Even a master apothecary couldn't support an entire territory's finances… could he?

(End of chapter)