Chapter 502:
The moment the tier for the ingredient was revealed, Kaede's expression froze. And upon seeing the Pecha Berry's effect, his mouth hung open in astonishment.
Revival?
Death-defying?
You've got to be kidding?
Is this another Sacred Ash?
"Serperior..."
Serperior slithered to his side, placed the Pecha Berry in his hand, and gestured for him to eat it.
"Serperior, do you know what effect this Pecha Berry has?" After the initial shock, Kaede's expression turned somewhat complex.
The "certain obsession" mentioned likely stemmed from Serperior slithering under the tree earlier and frantically using Grassy Terrain to nurture this fruit.
"Serperior!" (Never mind if I know or not. You eat it now.)
Serperior coiled its tail onto the sofa, encircling Kaede, strongly implying, "If you don't eat it, I won't let you go."
"Alright, alright, I'll eat it. But I should make it into a dish first; that'll enhance the effect."
The Pecha Berry's skin had already been pierced by Serperior's fangs. Plus, Pecha Berries were inherently hard to preserve, meaning it had to be used today.
Even with Kaede's hoarder tendencies, there was no way to save it now.
Hearing this, Serperior loosened its tail.
"Gardevoir?"
Gardevoir beside them looked puzzled.
"It's... an ingredient like Ho-Oh's Sacred Ash. Eating it can trigger a revival effect... ahem, I mean, it allows revival after death... but probably within a short time." Kaede explained to Gardevoir.
Gardevoir was taken aback, then felt relieved internally. It looked at Serperior—no wonder it insisted Kaede eat it.
"Wait a moment. Let me see what I can make from this~ it will be something really good!"
Kaede grinned. This came at the perfect time; now he didn't even need to explain further.
He took the Pecha Berry to the kitchen. Without much deliberation, he quickly decided what to make—Energy Cubes!
Nothing was more suitable for this Pecha Berry than Energy Cubes.
And this time, he wouldn't use just the Pecha Berry.
Washing off the fine fuzz from the Pecha Berry's surface, he cut it open, removed the pit, chopped it finely, and placed it in the blender. At this stage, Kaede took out a small bottle of fine powder from his storage capsule.
The powder shimmered brilliantly, as if infinite vitality flickered within.
This was Sacred Ash!
Nothing paired better with this Pecha Berry than Sacred Ash.
With two such complementary ingredients, Kaede was curious about what kind of dish they'd create.
Adding the Sacred Ash, he began blending!
Blending into a fruit puree, adding corresponding solidifying agents, controlling temperature and proportions...
Just half an hour later.
Ten glossy Pecha Berry Energy Cubes were freshly made!
The aroma of Pecha Berry filled the air. Kaede immediately activated his [Eye of Exploration].
[Legendary Dish – Sacred Pecha Berry Energy Cube: An Energy Cube made using a specially cultivated Pecha Berry and Sacred Ash. Possesses the culinary effect of reviving the deceased.
Culinary Effect 1: Revival – Can revive a recently deceased being. Upon consumption, restores all conditions. This effect can be stored after consumption.]
Straightforward culinary effects, and only this one effect.
At first glance, Kaede was momentarily stunned.
But then it seemed normal.
One Pecha Berry plus one portion of Sacred Ash—both originally had revival effects. Combining them didn't seem to add extra effects, but the quantity increased.
Originally there are only two chances of revival, but with it being made into energy cubes it now turned into ten!
One could say...
These were ten get-out-of-death-free cards!
Carrying the ten Energy Cubes, Kaede went outside. Serperior and Gardevoir were still waiting. Clearly, they wouldn't leave until they saw Kaede eat the dish made from that Pecha Berry.
"Alright, alright!"
"Gardevoir?"
"Serperior?"
The two Pokémon simultaneously inquired about the effects of the Energy Cubes in Kaede's hands.
"The effect hasn't changed; it's still the same as before. But originally there was only one, now there are ten. All ten have the same effect~" Kaede said excitedly.
"Gardevoir..." (One turning into ten?)
Gardevoir was somewhat shocked, as it seemed like magic.
But it was happening right before its eyes.
"Yes, yes."
"Serperior~" (Then you should eat one now~)
Serperior urged from the side.
"Hmm... I think..." Kaede originally felt the Energy Cubes weren't that useful for him. With his constitution and immunity to Pokémon move damage, he was unlikely to face any real accidents.
Ten pieces—perfect to save for emergencies. His hoarder instincts were kicking in again.
But clearly, Serperior's gaze told him he had to eat one today.
Otherwise, its forced nurturing would be for nothing.
With no other choice, Kaede ate one.
"Would you two like one?"
Feeling the burst of Pecha Berry flavor in his mouth, he asked.
Serperior shook its head.
Its life was now bound to the Tree of Beginning. Ordinary vital energy was useless to it.
Gardevoir also shook its head slightly. "Gardevoir..." (Let's save it for when it's needed.)
It understood the importance of these Energy Cubes, so it didn't use one immediately. It would be awkward if a Pokémon needed it later and there were none left.
"Alright." Kaede didn't insist they eat one either.
If it was just for life energy storage, the Pecha Berry wine infused with Xerneas antler had a similar effect.
Although not as good as full condition restoration, it was sufficient.
The key effect of these Energy Cubes was the revival aspect.
That was the crucial part.
Putting away the remaining Energy Cubes and promising Gardevoir he'd be more careful about his safety in the future, the matter was finally settled.
After the Time Ripples appeared, the following days became uneventful.
Every day, Zoroark guarded the spot with the Time Ripples.
Kaede also awaited Celebi's arrival.
And during these days, in the Titan Mountains...
Within the dense forests, the ley line legend widely circulated over a decade ago now seemed to have vanished without a trace. Under permission, vast fleets of excavators rumbled forward into the mountain forests.
Pokémon disturbed along the way fled in a rush into the distance.