Chapter 23: Rotom Drone

"Congratulations! You have obtained a Rotom Drone!"

"Holy shit, you can actually pull Pokémon from the gacha?"

Leon was shocked by the result. Previously, he had only obtained items from the gacha. He never expected to get a Pokémon this time.

And not just any Pokémon, but a Rotom, a truly mysterious one.

Rotom's body is composed of plasma, allowing it to possess various machines and transform into corresponding forms.

The Rotom Drone is the form it takes when it possesses a drone.

Unlike its other forms, the Rotom Drone does not have combat capabilities. However, it does have aerial filming functions.

Not only can it record battles, but it can also provide commentary like a referee.

"I was just worrying about not having filming equipment, and now I get a Rotom Drone. Arceus truly loves me!"

Leon was very satisfied with the gacha result.

With the Rotom Drone, he could now film promotional videos and take photos of Pokémon to complete the Pokédex.

The more he thought about it, the happier he became. He eagerly took the Rotom Drone out from the system panel.

The Rotom Drone was entirely grass green, with an oval shaped head and a triangular protrusion in the middle.

Below its head was a round body with a camera installed in the center, surrounded by four rotor blades.

Its large blue eyes were fixed intently on Leon.

"Bzzt... Facial recognition complete. User confirmed as Leon. Greetings, Master. Rotom Drone is at your service."

"Uh... hello."

Although Leon knew from anime in his past life that Rotom Drones could speak human language, hearing it directly still felt a bit surreal.

"Ahem, how do I use you... Wait, that sounds so weird!"

The Rotom Drone didn't find Leon's words strange at all and answered seriously:

"You may state your filming requirements, and I will automatically adjust my flight path for filming."

"If you wish to operate manually, please carefully read the instruction manual and use the remote controller to direct my movements."

After hearing this, Leon noticed the remote controller and instruction manual in the system panel. He had been too excited earlier and missed them.

He took out the instruction manual and began reading, while also asking:

"Where were you before I took you out of the system? Why did you immediately recognize me as your master?"

Leon had always been curious about where the gacha system's items came from. Previously, he had only obtained items, which couldn't answer his questions.

But now that he had a Pokémon capable of human speech, he naturally wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"I only gained consciousness after arriving in this world. I have no memory of where I was before. I only know that serving you is my purpose."

The Rotom Drone's answer didn't clear up Leon's confusion. He still didn't know where these rewards came from.

But he didn't dwell on it too much. Even if he knew, what could he do? It wasn't like he could break in and steal all the rewards.

After finishing the manual, Leon picked up the remote controller and tried it out.

Since it was his first time using it, his control was unsteady, causing the Rotom Drone to crash into walls multiple times.

After several attempts, he finally got the hang of it.

He piloted the Rotom Drone outside the castle. Through the remote's display screen, he could clearly see the territory below.

If he lowered the altitude slightly, he could even hear the conversations of the townspeople.

Moreover, the Rotom Drone produced almost no noise during flight, making it hard to notice.

Leon flew the Rotom Drone around the territory and spotted a group of players gathered together, talking about something.

He lowered the drone slightly, and their voices came through the display.

"Damn, Leaf, you really missed out. You didn't get to see the battle this morning. It was insane!"

Dylan patted Leaf on the shoulder.

"Are you saying that out of sympathy? You're just bragging, aren't you?"

Leaf swatted Dylan's hand away.

"And it's just a Pokémon battle. It's not like there won't be more in the future."

He sounded indifferent.

"Keep pretending. I wonder who kept pestering us for details about the fight earlier~"

That comment broke Leaf's composure. He grabbed Dylan's shoulders and shook him violently.

"You bastard! You know I wanted to see it, yet you're still rubbing it in. After I saved your ass too! I'll shake you to death and make you the second player to die!"

"Ethan, help! Leaf's losing his mind because he missed the battle!"

"You're still bringing it up?!"

Seeing Dylan still taunting Leaf even while begging for help, Ethan Carter shook his head. His friend's habit of running his mouth would never change.

"Alright, cut it out. We still haven't finished the lumber gathering quest. Now that the Ursaring has been captured by the lord, let's hurry up and complete it."

Ethan stopped their scuffle. He was focused on finishing the quest for the rewards.

"Fine. I'll go to the castle courtyard to get the Heracross. They really like me now."

Leaf let go and prepared to fetch the Heracross.

"Why do they like you?"

Dylan asked, confused.

"Heh, they must've seen how bravely I lured the Ursaring away. Even though they don't understand how I survived, they're impressed. One of them even wants to follow me now."

Leaf sounded extremely smug. Now it was his turn to brag.

"No way! That actually worked? I should've died instead! Heracross is so damn cool!"

Dylan sounded as if he had eaten a whole lemon, his tone dripping with envy.

"This is what they call 'misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.' But whatever, you wouldn't get it."

Now it was Leaf's turn to twist the knife.

"Well said. Consider this a reward for your bravery."

A voice suddenly came from above.

"Who the hell said that?"

"It's coming from up there!"

The players looked up and saw the Rotom Drone hovering above them.

"Is that a Pokémon too? It looks like a drone."

"Isn't this game set in medieval times? How is there a drone already?"

"Why are you all fixated on its appearance? Shouldn't the fact that it can talk be the most shocking part?!"

"Yeah! Why the hell is it speaking human language?!"

Watching the players' stunned expressions on the display, Leon smirked.

Despite living two lives, his mental age was still only in his early twenties. Naturally, he wanted to show off his new toy.

The Rotom Drone could recognize his words through the remote and repeat them, allowing him to speak directly to the players.

"I am Baron Leon, currently speaking to you through this Pokémon. Do not be surprised. Pokémon are simply this incredible."

"Your current task is to gather lumber as quickly as possible. You've already delayed for too long."

"If you can complete the quest before returning to the divine realm tonight, everyone will receive the right to use a plot of farmland."

"The person who collects the most lumber will not only get a larger plot but also receive additional special rewards."

After hearing Leon's words, the players stopped caring about the drone Pokémon. Their minds were now fully occupied by the rewards.

"What are we waiting for? Time's running out. Let's move!"

"Charge! I'm chopping down a hundred trees!"

The players rushed off in a frenzy, and Leon piloted the Rotom Drone back to the castle.

"It's pretty fun to control, but I'll let you handle it yourself from now on."

Leon reviewed the footage he had just taken and noticed it was slightly blurry. Clearly, his filming skills weren't up to par. He decided to let the Rotom Drone handle filming in the future.

"Understood. Simply inform me when you wish to film, Master."

"Don't call me 'Master.' It sounds weird. Just call me Leon. And I'll give you a name too. 'Rotom Drone' is too much of a mouthful. From now on, you'll be called Roto."

The Rotom Drone's voice was a synthetic male electronic tone. Hearing it say "Master" was unbearably awkward.

"Understood, Master. From now on, my name is Roto."

"I said don't call me 'Master.' Just 'Leon' is fine!"

"Understood, Master Leon!"

"..."

(End of Chapter)