The two arrived at the farmland area. Robin crouched down to observe the environment and said, "The soil quality here is very good, very suitable for growing crops."
Leo recalled the farming games he had played in the past and asked, "Miss Robin, do you have automatic watering machines here? You know, the kind you just stick in the ground and it waters automatically?"
Like automatic sprinklers. As the ranch grew bigger and he planted more crops, he likely wouldn't be able to handle it all alone.
At times like that, having automatic sprinklers would be great. They would automatically water the surrounding grid tiles every morning—saving both effort and worry.
However, ideals were full, but reality was skinny.
Robin looked helpless. "Where would you find something like that!"
Leo: "..." As expected, games are just games.
Robin: "But there is another type of automation system."
"Hm?"
Robin: "You lay pipes underground in advance, set up sprinkler heads, and use precise instruments to time it. When the designated time comes, it automatically sprays water to irrigate the surrounding area.
"The kind you described—sticking it in the ground and having it produce water out of thin air—at least in our era, that doesn't exist."
Hearing this, Leo's interest was piqued. "Can your shop make that?"
"Of course," Robin raised an eyebrow. "But it's expensive! A system covering the entire farmland would cost about 30,000 to 40,000 League Dollars. The underground pipes, water pumps, and timers aren't expensive individually, but if the quantity is large..."
Leo understood.
Thirty or forty thousand League Dollars. While not a huge sum, it was clearly not something he could afford right now.
Seeming to realize his current situation, Robin added, "Of course, there is another way to water."
"What is it?" Leo paused.
A smile appeared on Robin's face. "Water-type Pokémon. They can use Water-type moves to help with watering."
"In the cities, some wild Pokémon cooperate with humans and are hired to work for us. Pelipper helping deliver mail, Conkeldurr working for construction companies, Machamp for moving companies... I think you should have seen them, right?"
Leo hadn't seen them personally, but the original owner had.
He nodded.
Robin continued, "Pokémon have simple needs. As long as we provide enough food and snacks, they will work for us. It's precisely because of this that the relationship between humans and Pokémon has become more and more harmonious over the years."
No need to search for food in the wild, no need to fight other Pokémon for berries, and they get a house that shelters them from wind and rain.
For a Pokémon, could there be anything happier than this under the sun?
As the saying goes: Beastmen will never be slaves... unless food and shelter are included.
Compared to the automated system, this watering method was obviously much cheaper.
He only needed to pay a Berry, a bottle of milk, and a little bit of food to get a free, obedient laborer...
Leo was very tempted.
Didn't that mean he could hire hundreds of Pokémon to help manage the ranch in the future, and he just needed to sit comfortably on the sofa and wait for the money to come running?
Damn, that's capitalist behavior!
Leo quickly shook his head, throwing this terrible thought out of his mind.
He couldn't help but ask, "In that case, aren't there people who force Pokémon to work?"
Robin: "Regarding that, it depends on the person hiring the Pokémon. If they treat the Pokémon as a tool, the Pokémon will sense it, become angry and pained, and will either attack the employer or refuse to work and return to the wild."
"If the employer uses force to suppress these Pokémon and force them to work—well, that is strictly prohibited by the League. If it happens, Officer Jenny will arrive immediately to arrest them."
"But if the person treats the Pokémon as partners, friends, or family, working and living together... I think, no matter how hard the work is, the Pokémon will work hard to complete it with them."
Leo understood.
He nodded thoughtfully.
Seeing this, Robin smiled and continued touring the ranch.
The current ranch was empty except for the farmland. Oh, wait, not quite.
Behind the wooden cabin, there was a small cave.
The cave wasn't big. The environment inside was dark, damp, and very cool—a good choice for escaping the summer heat.
Robin walked into the cave, looked at the scene inside, and said, "This place is perfect for growing mushrooms!"
Leo thought so too. Great minds think alike.
Robin: "It just so happens I have Mushroom Culture Dishes. Place them in this damp, dark environment, and you can harvest new batches of fresh, edible mushrooms every day. Do you need one? The price isn't expensive, only 5,000 League Dollars."
5,000...
That price was indeed not expensive.
If he could grow mushrooms himself, he wouldn't have to buy them in town.
Leo nodded, indicating he'd buy it!
Seeing this, Robin smiled. "Okay, then when I come with the construction team tomorrow, I'll bring the Mushroom Culture Dish along."
"I'll be waiting here then!" Leo said.
Robin nodded gently. Seeing it was getting late, she didn't stay longer. She mounted her Cyclizar and rushed back to town.
Early the next morning, Leo was making breakfast when he heard the sound of a truck outside.
Going out to check, he saw a truck full of tools parked in the ranch.
Robin got out of the truck with several Machamp and Conkeldurr.
Seeing Leo, Robin greeted, "Good morning, Leo!"
Leo nodded gently. "Good morning, Miss Robin!"
Robin smiled. "Construction starts today. It will take about three days to complete. You don't need to worry about us until then."
"Okay."
Although he said that, Leo couldn't suppress his curiosity.
Holding a sandwich, he sat under the eaves with Koraidon and Cyclizar, watching the construction team work.
Under Robin's command, the Machamp and Conkeldurr went to the back and carried out all the lumber and stone Leo had prepared.
During the process, Robin moved several wooden boxes filled with soil into the cave behind the cabin. "These are the Mushroom Culture Dishes. Put them in the cave, and mushrooms will grow on their own. I'll move them in for you first!"
"Okay, thanks for the hard work!" Leo said.
Robin smiled. After moving all the boxes, she led the Machamp and Conkeldurr to get busy.
Some used saws and pickaxes to process the wood and stone, while others mixed a slurry that looked like cement.
Robin took out measuring tools and a white powder, using them to mark out the area for the Coop on the ground.
The crops were growing, and there was almost no work to be done on the ranch. With nothing to do, Leo simply moved a small folding stool to the riverbank, fishing while watching the construction team work.
Seeing him fishing, Koraidon wanted to use Collision Course to help but was stopped.
Koraidon looked over, confused.
Leo said leisurely, "No rush. I'm just killing time."
He wouldn't have new things to do until the Coop was built.