Agricultural Exchange Meeting

Naoki had never noticed this antique shop before—it must have opened recently. The heavy, intricately carved wooden door gave way to a wave of rustic charm as Naoki stepped inside. The air was thick with an aged aroma, evoking the passage of time.

The interior was spacious, with a counter directly across from the entrance and rows of shelves lining the walls. Each shelf displayed an array of antiques: worn pottery, faded scrolls, and relics from bygone eras. Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair, round-framed glasses, and an air of refinement. He was dusting the counter with a feather duster while a Luxray cub snoozed lazily on the bar.

The faint creak of the door caught their attention. The man looked up, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "A customer? Welcome!" he said warmly.

The Luxray cub yawned and raised its head, its piercing eyes briefly meeting Naoki's.

"Hello!" Naoki greeted with a polite smile.

"What brings you in today?" The shopkeeper set down his feather duster and approached with a spring in his step. "Are you looking for collectible antique paintings, or perhaps evolution tea sets for Pokémon like Sinistea and Polteageist? We carry a wide variety of treasures here!"

Naoki blinked in surprise. He was familiar with Polteageist, but the mention of another Pokémon, Sinistcha, piqued his curiosity.

"Sinistcha?" Naoki repeated, tilting his head.

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "You've never heard of it?"

Naoki shook his head. "I only know about Polteageist."

"Ah, that makes sense!" The shopkeeper adjusted his glasses and smiled. "Sinistcha and Polteageist are closely related. Both are tea Pokémon, but Sinistcha is native to the distant Kitakami region. Like Polteageist, it requires a special tea set to evolve."

He gestured toward one of the shelves, where an ornate tea bowl rested. "This, for example, is a tea set needed for Sinistcha's evolution. It's said that these Pokémon form from the lingering regrets of tea masters who never perfected their craft. Their essence is bound to matcha, creating these peculiar beings."

The shopkeeper leaned in conspiratorially. "In Kitakami, there's a chilling legend about Sinistcha. They say, 'If you waste food, a Sinistcha will sprinkle matcha on you, drain your energy, and turn you into a shriveled husk!' Terrifying, isn't it?"

Naoki chuckled nervously, unsure how to respond. "That's… quite the story."

While he appreciated the lore, Naoki found the description of Kitakami puzzling. He had always envisioned the region as a tranquil, agricultural haven, filled with sprawling orchards and picturesque landscapes. The contrast between its idyllic image and this macabre tale was striking.

"I bet it's just a story to scare people," Naoki mused inwardly. "Like the rumors about Polteageist or Gimmighoul."

Still, he hadn't come here to discuss tea Pokémon. His attention turned back to the array of antiques lining the walls. Each piece seemed to hold a story, and the shopkeeper was eager to share them.

"That suit of armor over there," the shopkeeper began, pointing to a polished set displayed in a corner, "belonged to a knight of the Paldean Kingdom. It's over five hundred years old and still remarkably preserved, with no signs of rust."

He gestured to a stack of ancient books nearby. "And these? They're Pokémon observation journals penned by scholars of the Paldean Kingdom. The contents might seem like common knowledge today, but back then, this information was groundbreaking."

Finally, the shopkeeper moved to a ceramic pot. "This, they say, once belonged to the king of Paldea. He drank water from it during his reign."

Naoki: "..."

Naoki silently regarded the pot, which, to his amusement, resembled an old chamber pot. His eyes then caught something far more intriguing—a weathered treasure chest about 30 centimeters tall, sitting at the other end of the shelf. It radiated a charm that immediately piqued his interest.

The shopkeeper noticed Naoki's gaze and walked over. "Ah, this treasure chest," he began, "it's another relic from the Paldean Kingdom era, just like the pottery jar. Over 2,000 years ago, during the Kingdom's golden age, explorers embarked on grand treasure hunts. This chest was recovered during one such expedition. Unfortunately, its treasures were removed long ago, leaving only the chest behind."

Naoki leaned in, examining the fine details of the chest. "How much are you asking for it?" he asked.

The shopkeeper adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "I won't lie—there's nothing inside. It's an empty shell now. But as a historical artifact, it's still valuable. I can part with it for 20,000 Poke dollars."

Naoki mulled it over. While 20,000 Poke dollars wasn't a prohibitive sum—he could easily recoup it by selling a bottle of Gogoat milk—he still wasn't sure if the chest was worth the price. Moreover, such artifacts didn't have a standardized market value; pricing was largely subjective.

Deciding to negotiate, Naoki tapped into his limited bargaining skills. "How about 10,000?" he countered.

The shopkeeper's expression tightened. "…You're joking, right? Even mass-produced decorations cost more than that," he scoffed. "And this chest is an authentic antique—over two millennia old!"

Naoki tried again, smiling diplomatically. "How about 15,000? I'd also be open to a long-term partnership if that sweetens the deal."

The shopkeeper's interest was piqued. "A long-term partnership, you say? What sort of arrangement?"

Naoki pointed to a pair of ancient coins displayed on a nearby shelf. "I see you have some Gimmighoul coins. I'm looking to collect as many of those as I can get my hands on. If you can supply me with coins like those, we could work together regularly."

The shopkeeper followed Naoki's gesture, his gaze landing on the coins. The coins, also relics from the Paldean Kingdom, were once used as currency and held historical significance. Modern collectors valued such coins for their rarity, though their market price was relatively modest—typically around 50,000 dollars—far less than high-end antiques like rare tea sets.

"You're interested in those coins?" the shopkeeper asked, intrigued.

Naoki nodded. "Yes. I recently encountered a Gimmighoul at home, and it seems to have an affinity for these coins. I thought that offering it some might help me build trust with it."

The shopkeeper's eyebrows rose in surprise. "A Gimmighoul?"

Naoki's interest in the shop's treasures had left the owner perplexed. To the shopkeeper's discerning eye, Naoki didn't seem like a collector of antiques. Priceless relics were glanced at briefly before his attention wandered elsewhere. It wasn't until Naoki mentioned the Gimmighoul that the shopkeeper finally understood the young man's true motivation.

"You're trying to help a Gimmighoul collect coins so it can evolve into a Gholdengo?" the shopkeeper exclaimed in surprise.

"Huh?" Naoki blinked, equally surprised. "You know about Gholdengo?"

"Of course! Anyone in the antiques business knows about Gholdengo," the shopkeeper replied. "The connection between Gimmighoul and the coins is well-documented. These Pokémon originated during the reign of the Paldean Kingdom over 2,000 years ago, their existence intrinsically tied to the greed of treasure-seeking explorers."

Naoki nodded slowly. "That makes sense…"

The shopkeeper continued, his tone almost reverent. "It wasn't until two centuries ago that people even realized Gimmighoul could evolve. As the story goes, an antique collector befriended a Gimmighoul, which had an insatiable desire for coins. To please his companion, the collector spent a fortune amassing the gold coins from all over the world."

"And then?" Naoki asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

"With enough coins, the Gimmighoul merged with them and evolved into Gholdengo—a rare and extraordinary Pokémon!" the shopkeeper said with excitement. "Since then, collectors have dreamed of replicating that success. But Gimmighoul are incredibly timid and flee at the sight of humans. Capturing one is a monumental challenge."

Naoki listened intently as the shopkeeper's tone turned more serious. "And even if someone managed to capture a Gimmighoul, collecting the necessary coins is a daunting task. The coins aren't easy to come by. They're scattered across ruins, tombs, and other dangerous locations. Most people give up long before gathering enough."

"Is that why no one's seen a second Gholdengo in over two hundred years?" Naoki asked, astonished.

"Exactly," the shopkeeper said with a nod. "The coins themselves are valuable. In the market, one coin typically sells for around 50,000 Poke dollars. Do the math—collecting 1,000 coins would cost a staggering 50 million Poke dollars! That's a price most people simply can't afford."

"And that's assuming the coins are even available," the shopkeeper added. "Many are hidden in ancient ruins or tombs. These places are perilous, filled with traps and guarded by powerful Pokémon loyal to their long-dead masters. Anyone daring enough to trespass risks being chased down."

Naoki, who had briefly considered venturing into ruins to find coins, hesitated. "…That sounds like too much trouble," he admitted. "I'd rather not get into unnecessary fights."

The shopkeeper chuckled. "Wise choice. So, how about it? Are you taking the treasure chest?"

"Yes," Naoki replied decisively. "I'll also take those two coins. If you happen to acquire more in the future, contact me directly—I'll pay a premium."

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "Deal! But on one condition."

Naoki tilted his head. "What condition?"

The shopkeeper's expression softened with excitement. "If you ever manage to evolve that Gimmighoul into a Gholdengo, you must bring it here. I want to see it with my own eyes!"

Naoki smiled. "Okay"

He left his contact information with the shopkeeper, paid for the treasure chest and coins, and then headed to the ranch.

As Naoki dismounted from his Cyclizar, carrying the fresh seafood he'd purchased in town, a group of Dragonites and a curious Dragonair immediately gathered around. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they sniffed the bag.

"Awooo?" one Dragonite called out inquisitively.

Naoki chuckled, glancing at the bag. "Oh, this? I bought it in town—seafood."

He had originally planned to let the Dragonites try some during lunch, but seeing their reactions, he realized something. For Dragonites that lived near the sea, fish, shrimp, and other seafood were likely part of their natural diet.

From the corner of his eye, Naoki noticed a larger Dragonite approaching, soon joined by even more Dragonairs. Their eyes darted between Naoki and the seafood as if a plan was forming in their minds.

"Wroo!" Dragonairs nodded, their expression one of realization. If Naoki liked these things, they could catch more during their trips back to Dragonite Island and bring them as gifts!

Unaware of their intentions, Naoki handed the seafood bag to Indeedee instructing her to steam it for lunch. Then, carrying the treasure chest and coins he'd purchased earlier, he headed toward the tavern.

The pub was quiet during the day, with sunlight streaming through the windows, revealing motes of dust drifting lazily in the light. It seemed the Indeedees had just finished cleaning the space.

Naoki looked around but saw no sign of the Gimmighoul he suspected was hiding there. Still, he was certain it was nearby, observing him from the shadows. Without making a fuss, he placed the treasure chest and the two gold coins under the bar where shadows collected.

"Gimmighoul," he called out gently.

"I found a treasure chest and two coins today that I thought you might like. Come take a look when you're ready."

The room remained silent, with no response from the unseen Pokémon. Naoki smiled faintly, not expecting one, and turned to leave. His footsteps echoed softly as he exited, growing fainter until they disappeared completely.

Moments later, a small, hesitant figure peeked out from the darkness. The Gimmighoul glanced around cautiously, ensuring Naoki was truly gone before it crept toward the bar. It stared at the treasure chest and coins, its glowing eyes wide with wonder. Yet, it didn't immediately claim them. Instead, it perched on the bar and gazed toward the door, confusion etched on its face.

Why had this human gone out of his way to bring it such a precious gift? It hadn't done anything to deserve this kindness.

Meanwhile, Naoki returned home and set to work preparing the seafood. By the time he finished cleaning the shells and conches, it was nearly noon. Just as he was about to begin steaming them, a familiar voice called from outside.

"Naoki, are you home? Good afternoon, Cyclizar! Oh, Koraidon, hello to you too!"

Recognizing the voice, Naoki paused, wiping his hands on a towel. "Mayor Thomas?" he muttered to himself, wondering why the mayor was visiting at this hour. Setting down his work, he stepped outside.

The mayor stood at the entrance, smiling warmly. "Good day, Naoki. May I come in?"

"Of course," Naoki replied, motioning for him to enter. "What brings you here?"

Once seated on the sofa, Mayor Thomas explained, "It's about an invitation we received recently. You see, last year, Kosaji Town had an excellent harvest, providing fresh vegetables and crops to many other regions of Paldea. Thanks to that, our town's reputation in agriculture has grown."

He continued, "A few days ago, we received an invitation from Kitakami Village to participate in an agricultural exchange event. They've asked us to send an experienced farmer to share planting techniques and insights. After some discussion, the townspeople unanimously decided to send you."

Naoki blinked in surprise. The name "Kitakami" caught his attention—it was the same place the antique shop owner had mentioned earlier that day. He had been intrigued by the stories and had even considered visiting when time allowed. Now, the opportunity had presented itself naturally.

Though Naoki wasn't exactly a seasoned farmer—he relied heavily on Pokémon like Dugtrio for tilling, Gogoat for nurturing crops, and Dragonite for watering—he felt confident enough to represent the town. More importantly, he saw this as a chance to spread awareness of Calyrex and its remarkable powers.

"When is the event?" Naoki asked.

Mayor Thomas smiled, pleased by Naoki's willingness. "In three days. Kitakami Village is quite far, so we'll need to take a plane to get there."

...

Bonus Chapter @500 PS