"Uncle Boss, we've returned from Sky Island!"
Looking at Yamato who ran in, Dote felt confused. Initially, he was just humoring the child because she seemed so sincere.
For the people of Demon Valley Town, Sky Island is like an unrealistic fairy tale.
Even until now, he had doubts about the existence of Sky Island, yet within just a couple of days, they had returned, swearing that they had visited Sky Island.
But it didn't matter anymore whether Sky Island existed or not. To him, it was already irrelevant. Its existence, whether real or imagined for a child, was confirmed by her words alone.
He couldn't afford to provoke these people. Despite appearances of friendliness, the essence of the Hundred Beasts remains a pirate crew, and they weren't the least bit soft when dealing with Harlot before.
Now, whatever they say is correct. He would believe them even if they claimed there were islands beneath the sea.
Putting on a smiling face, he continued the conversation, picking up on Yamato's lead.
"Returned already? What was Sky Island like?"
"An island made of clouds, oh, and there was a giant serpent."
His early education efforts seemed to have worked. She didn't mention the Golden Land, which actually saved these people. If someone really ventured to Sky Island out of greed and truly got there, only destruction awaited them.
Few in Paradise could rival the giant Serperior.
Eventually, Dote received a Memory Shell, which contained poorly taken photographs. After that, the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew left Demon Valley Town, preparing to return to the New World.
...
On the Origin, in Setsuna's room, it was time for her to record her sailing log again.
The desk lamp emitted a dim glow, but its brightness was just right for her.
Due to being at sea, the desk had few items. The waves' rocking prevented anything from staying put unless secured. Otherwise, a strong wave could send things rolling anywhere.
So all the small items were kept in drawers. Setsuna extended her claws to open the drawer and retrieve her diary. She needed her claws to unlock it.
Her drawer had a small lock, but it was more symbolic. After all, anyone on board could open it. She couldn't be bothered to use the key and would unlock it with her claws every time.
Flipping the diary to a new page, elegant handwriting appeared.
[December 30, 1496
The sailing time was faster than expected. We have already left Sky Island. Besides the back of Zou, there are such peculiar islands in the sky.
Lord Arceus found what he wanted. Zeraora seemed quite pleased about it, but Setsuna found it odd. I was told I'd gain more experience, but nothing happened.
Zeraora grew slightly taller, just a little. Soon, I'll definitely be taller than him.
Today, we're headed back to Wano Kuni. The world outside is indeed more interesting than Zou, but there are so many more bad people...]
She seems to have wanted to write more, but she didn't put it down. After closing it, she locked the diary back up.
The next day arrived, marking the last day of 1496.
The Origin's schedule remained unchanged, with no nearby islands to dock at for half a month. However, the necessary sense of ceremony would still be there, a task primarily for the ship's cook and musician.
This was one of the few things to do during the voyage. Although not standard equipment, musicians, as a rare form of entertainment, were often indispensable aboard pirate ships.
The children on the ship each received a New Year's gift, a white creature floating in the air.
Small in size, creamy white all over, with no fixed shape, it was a peculiar creature made of liquid.
Cream Pokemon - Milcery, Type - Fairy.
Perhaps due to Yamato's mysterious buff, this Plate's attribute was Fairy. Arceus now had another weapon against Kaidou: the Milcery was a new life created by the Pixie Plate.
"Foster father, what is this? It's so cute."
Watching the Milcery bouncing in their hands, the children showed great interest, Setsuna included, though she had some objections to being treated as a child herself.
"This is your New Year's gift. Treat them as partners, and they will reciprocate."
As she spoke, the Milcery in Yamato's hand threw something into her mouth.
"So sweet, it's cream!"
"Yes, it's cream. They share cream with their friends, remember to get along well. When they evolve, they'll become different."
The choice of giving out Milcery instead of their evolved form, Alcremie, had a reason. Alcremie's cream flavor was significantly related to its Milcery phase.
If a Milcery's cells producing fresh cream were affected by unstable conditions during evolution, it could result in various flavors.
The way Milcery evolved was by holding different candies and spinning. The direction, duration, type of candy, mood, and intimacy would all influence the Alcremie cream's taste.
They also decorate themselves with Berries, leading to more flavors.
Just from what he knew, there were sixty-three varieties. The local fruits would provide even more combinations for Alcremies, which was why they were given Milcery.
In a way, they were the first Trainers.
Having a Milcery or the evolved Alcremie was akin to owning an endless cream generator.
Such Pokemons are exquisite partners for Charlotte Linlin, yet Arceus had no intention of sending them to Cake Island.
Since their bodies are made of cream, a voracious Linlin is even scarier than a drunken Kaidou. He didn't want the Alcremie to be entirely consumed.
As unique female entities, they wouldn't breed second generations like Magikarp, so Linlin could only obtain their cream at most.
The children began playing with their Milcerys, but the ones present weren't limited to just those four. Several Milcerys were providing cream by the side of the ship's pastry chef too.
He was brought along specifically because there were three kids on board. He was a pastry chef sent by the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew to study in Totto Land.
If Pastry Chefs in the Pokemon World found out he had so many Milcerys, they'd weep with envy. A dessert shop favored by Milcery is bound to boom, and Alcremie is every pastry chef's dream partner.
However, at this moment, the fisherman by the ship's side managed to reel in a peculiar fish...