Chapter 332: Harvesting Blazewort Root
"According to the map, this should be Sky Dragon Mountain. It's inhabited by a Charizard clan that claims the entire mountain and sky as their territory. It's only safe to enter around noon."
Basalt recalled Adil's warning.
Although the Ashkule region was naturally rich in Fire-type energy, it was the midday sun that made it perfect for the Pokémon there to train.
So, every day at noon, when the weather was clear, the Charizard would return to their nests to rest and cultivate. As long as one didn't fly too conspicuously overhead during this time, it was usually safe.
Conveniently, Basalt had timed his arrival perfectly.
After landing, he released Excadrill. With one mole and one bell guarding him, they flew low to the ground, entering the Ashkule volcanic zone.
While the Ashkule region was famous for its Fire-type Pokémon, they weren't the only inhabitants.
As he traveled, Basalt spotted many wild Pokémon of other types, like Geodude, Sandshrew, Cubone, and Fearow.
"Bronzong, Hypnosis!"
Sensing Basalt's movement, a Graveler drilled out from beneath a hill. It seemed this rocky area was its territory.
The Graveler was furious, but before it could act, it was hit by Bronzong's Hypnosis. Its head grew heavy, its body swayed, and it finally collapsed to the ground, fast asleep.
"Whew, good job, Bronzong!"
Basalt wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Although the Charizard were resting, a high-intensity battle nearby would definitely alert them.
If he had a choice, Basalt didn't want to travel underground with Excadrill. That experience was not pleasant.
And as far as Basalt knew, Charizard could also learn Dig and Earthquake. If they attracted the attention of a powerful Charizard, it would be game over.
After all, aside from having trouble underwater, Charizard were highly adaptable.
With Excadrill running on the ground and Bronzong and Basalt flying low, their speed was considerable. Plus, the Ashkule region was mostly rocky terrain, so there were few obstacles.
So, in just over half an hour, Basalt had crossed the territory of Sky Dragon Mountain.
"Finally, I don't have to be on edge anymore."
Basalt let out a long breath and checked his map again.
Aside from the entrance at Sky Dragon Mountain, the next high-danger zone was Great Black Mountain, home to the Houndoom pack. They were very tricky to deal with.
But the area between Sky Dragon Mountain and Great Black Mountain was relatively safe.
Just as Basalt found a rock to sit on for a rest and a snack, he suddenly felt the ground tremble slightly.
"What's happening? An earthquake?"
Basalt tensed up, quickly hiding behind the large rock and scanning his surroundings. "Is there a Pokémon battle nearby?"
"Don't panic, it's a herd of wild Pokémon!"
Bronzong's voice echoed in Basalt's mind.
Basalt poked his head out and looked in the direction Bronzong indicated. In the distance, a massive, fiery-red cloud was moving across the horizon. It was dazzling.
"That's... a Rapidash herd!"
Basalt's eyes went wide. "Magnificent!"
Rapidash is an equine Pokémon. It is much larger than Ponyta, with a cream-colored body. Flames stream from its head down its back to its tail, forming a fiery mane. It has a single horn on its head, and its eyes are a fiery red.
The fiery cloud in the distance was actually a herd composed of hundreds of Ponyta and dozens of Rapidash. They seemed to be migrating in search of food.
"Neigh! Neigh!"
The neighing of the horses echoed constantly, deafening even from a distance.
"Running into a Rapidash herd... that's a good sign!"
After the initial shock, Basalt was filled with excitement.
Adil had told him that Rapidash and Camerupt herds were herbivores, instinctively drawn to places with abundant food.
And as Fire-type Pokémon, their favorite food was Blazewort.
"Horsies, oh horsies, I won't fight you for the Blazewort. Just leave the roots for me."
Basalt perked up, pointing at the Rapidash herd and shouting, "Excadrill, Bronzong, let's follow them! But don't get too close. Just trail them from a distance."
"Dro-lisk~"
"Understood!"
The two Pokémon exchanged a look and quickly led Basalt after the herd.
Although the Rapidash herd was moving quickly, they weren't at full gallop. They were grazing as they went—walk a few steps, eat a few bites, run a few steps, eat a few bites. It seemed very leisurely.
But because they were naturally fast runners, it looked like a burning cloud sweeping across the land.
There were few tall trees in the Ashkule region, but small grasses and plants stubbornly grew among the rocks and soil. It was sparse, nothing like the vast grasslands of the Savanna Province.
This herd of Rapidash seemed to understand the concept of sustainability. Although they grazed as they moved, they didn't strip the area bare. They picked the fully grown plants and left the small ones, like a disciplined army sparing the civilians.
Of course, that was only for ordinary grass.
When it came to Blazewort, the Rapidash herd showed no mercy, devouring it all.
Because Blazewort had immense vitality and wasn't an annual plant, even if the upper part was eaten, as long as the root remained, it would grow back after absorbing enough energy and nutrients.
Crucially, Blazewort was in high demand.
If they didn't eat it, other Pokémon would find it and eat or take it anyway.
"Found it. This is Blazewort."
Basalt, trailing behind the herd, scanned the vegetation on the ground.
Although Blazewort was green, its sap was milky white, so it wasn't hard to identify if you looked closely.
Basalt found a Blazewort plant that had been eaten and carefully took a small shovel from his bag.
"Dig the soil, cut off half the root with the shovel, then bury it again."
Basalt muttered the instructions as he worked, quickly obtaining a small handful of Blazewort roots about the length of a foxtail grass.
This method was a rule of the Roba Tribe, aimed at sustainability. Basalt had learned it from Adil and would certainly respect their traditions.
Unfortunately, Blazewort was just too scarce.
After following the Rapidash herd for several kilometers, Basalt had only harvested a dozen or so root sections. The efficiency was frighteningly low.
"My back is breaking, and I've only got this much? After grinding it into powder to make Blazeberry Powder, I wonder if it'll even fill a single bottle?"
Basalt twisted his waist to relieve the ache, grumbling inwardly.
And this was the result of following the Rapidash herd.
If he were searching on his own, the efficiency would be even lower.
...
While Basalt was trailing behind the Rapidash herd, the black-robed man finally arrived at the northern entrance of the Ashkule volcanic region.
"Woof!"
Stoutland used Odor Sleuth periodically to ensure they didn't lose the trail or go astray.
"The prey has entered the mountains?"
The black-robed man grinned, revealing white teeth. "It seems this is his destination. We're not far from the prey. The Larvitar will soon be mine!"
The black-robed man grew more excited, and the Claydol behind him, influenced by his mood, let out a strange laugh.
"Keep pursuing!"
Ecstatic, the black-robed man led his Skarmory and Claydol straight through the sky over Sky Dragon Mountain, not bothering to hide or dodge.
"ROAR!"
However, he didn't get far before a high-pitched dragon roar erupted from Sky Dragon Mountain.
The black-robed man turned to see a massive orange dragon soaring into the sky from the mountain, chasing after him with a ferocious roar.
"A Charizard?"
The black-robed man was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. "What a magnificent Charizard! Its flight speed is much faster than Skarmory's. Perfect for a new mount."
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