Seeing the actions of the Nacli, Naoki was slightly taken aback. "What are you doing?"
"Salty salt~"
The Nacli displayed happy smiles.
They really liked Naoki and wanted to share the rock salt from their bodies with him.
That was what this group of Nacli were thinking in their hearts.
Naoki had a general idea of the Nacli's intentions and remembered that it was a part of Nacli's ecological habits.
—They were willing to share their precious salt with those they liked, hence they were highly valued in the past.
So, were these five Nacli offering it to him because they saw him collecting salt grains and thought he really liked it?
Naoki felt touched and commented with a wry smile, "Enough, enough! Moderation is key!"
The Nacli's bodies would wear down when they left salt traces.
Though the records didn't mention it, excessive wear all at once could surely be burdensome to their bodies.
Upon hearing this, the Nacli blinked innocently, "Salty?"
Is this much enough?
Naoki crouched down, gently touching each of their little heads, saying, "I understand your goodwill, but it's okay, take it slow. You're still small, so you should take care of your bodies to grow healthy and evolve into mighty Garganacl."
"Salty…" The Nacli seemed to understand somewhat.
They knew that every Nacli would evolve into Garganacl when they grew up.
When that time came, the Garganacl could produce rock salt far exceeding the amount they could as Nacli.
They understood!
Lightbulbs lit up above the heads of the Nacli.
Evolve into Garganacl to produce more and better salt for the best Naoki!
"Off you go!"
Naoki had no idea what the Nacli were thinking.
He picked them up, handed them back to Koraidon, and continued collecting the rock salt spread on the membrane with Cyclizar.
Soon, a bag full of rock salt was collected.
Naoki laid out the membrane again, then fed and filled the Naclis' water troughs, before heading back to the cabin.
He placed the bag on a scale to weigh it, and soon a line of numbers appeared on the screen.
It was the weight of this bag of rock salt: 3,250 grams.
"Three thousand two hundred and fifteen grams…" Naoki calculated silently, "At an export price of 3,000 League Coins per 500 grams, this bag of rock salt will bring me 19,500 incomes. Wow, that's a bit beyond my expectations!"
"If this continues, soon I can expand my home, buy a refrigerator and a TV. Yes, a cellar has to be built too. In summer, I can grow hops and certain fruits, then make wine in the cellar."
The beer and fruit wine brewed would also amount to considerable income.
Naoki felt joyful, securing the rock salt, preparing to sell it to Zack when he came to pick up the goods later in the evening.
However, before that, he had to set aside some for his own use.
Compared to normal salt, the rock salt from Nacli was more beneficial for body growth. If consumed over an extended period, not only him but even the Pokemon at the ranch would grow healthier and stronger.
Setting aside the rock salt, Naoki headed to the sheep pen.
Today was milking day once again.
The three Skiddo had already been prepared. Seeing Naoki approaching with a milk bucket, they immediately lined up obediently.
Naoki casually asked, "Did you learn any new moves again?"
"Baa~!"
The Skiddo in the middle nodded its head.
It was the one that had battled Koraidon.
"Really?" Naoki was a bit surprised, so as he squatted down to milk, he queried, "What move was it?"
The Skiddo then began to demonstrate.
Its body emitted a faint glow, but thereafter, nothing seemed to happen.
"Is that it?" Naoki froze for a moment.
"Baa~" The Skiddo nodded joyfully.
It discovered that this place is really wonderful, with abundant grass to eat every day and no dangers.
Even more delightful was that here, it could learn new moves just by lying down!
"Show me again?" Naoki hadn't quite caught it.
The Skiddo happily obliged, using the move once more.
This time, Naoki realized.
"It's Synthesis!"
Synthesis: A Grass Type move, it restores its own stamina, with the recovery amount varying according to the weather.
Naoki said, "That's a pretty good move."
Skiddo: "Baa!"
"Keep it up!"
Naoki mentioned it casually. He didn't intend to send the Skiddo to fight.
However, becoming stronger is second nature to Pokemon. For the Skiddo, this life where it becomes stronger by resting must be quite wonderful.
Soon, the milk bucket was full, and Naoki carried it back to the cabin.
His eyes scanned it, and the information on the goat milk appeared in his mind.
[Goat Milk (Top Quality): Goat milk at the pinnacle of quality and nutrition, extremely beneficial when consumed, can also be made into top-quality cheese, top-quality butter, and other foods.]
Naoki didn't sell the first batch of goat milk but kept it for himself.
He only started selling after the second batch.
The benefits of that milk porridge were so noticeable that when Zack came to pick up goods a few days ago, he exclaimed "Good milk" at first sight of the goat milk.
Generally, buyers would price based on the milk's quality and nutritional value.
After a series of tests, he offered 600 League Coins for this top-quality goat milk, triple the previous 200.
Naoki was very pleased with this.
The gentle spring breeze was pleasant.
After finishing the day's work, Naoki carried a small stool to the field to check the crops' growth and pull some weeds.
After a month, the crops with shorter growth cycles like turnips, potatoes, garlic, and radishes were close to maturity.
Their roots dangled full and heavy fruits.
Of course, that's Naoki's imagination, as these crops' fruits were buried in the ground and not visible.
As for cabbages, cucumbers, and tomatoes, they'd need more time to mature.
The few Berry trees planted at the field's edge were also growing.
But their growth was slow; they'd transform into big trees and bear fruit likely by autumn.
Just then, Dragonite, who had delivered the milk, returned.
Its face radiated excitement, and after landing, it looked around and spotted Naoki in the field.
Dragonite raced over excitedly, extending its two plump paws.
Before Naoki could react, he was enveloped in a big hug.
"Whoa~"
Maybe due to a strong desire to grow stronger, Dragonite had never had the kind of close bond with him like the Nacli and Alcremie had after joining the ranch.
Therefore, Naoki was very surprised at Dragonite's sudden hug attack. "What's this about?"
Dragonite seemed very happy, "Roar!"
Naoki had an inkling, "Did you master Dragon Tail?"
"Roar!"
Dragonite nodded repeatedly with joy.
Following Naoki's guidance, it diligently practiced Dragon Tail every day, even while delivering goods.
It had just successfully executed it, causing Dragonite to have greater faith in Naoki's advice.
Overcome with excitement, it dashed back and hugged Naoki, who had helped it learn a new move.
"Congratulations!"
Naoki was truly happy for Dragonite, thinking that this might just represent the essence of being a trainer?
Remembering this, he seized the chance to give Dragonite's plump belly a few pats.
It was so soft! What a nice feel!
Naoki grinned.
The bond between person and dragon became stronger.