Chapter 56: The New Little Helper Arrives

Andrew gently patted Raleigh on the shoulder.

After a while, Raleigh, sniffling, said, "Your Highness, hic~ do you think I'm useless too? Everyone… hic~ says that Alva is a bad person, but… hic~ I'm hiding here crying because of him, hic~"

Andrew shook his head and said, "No, I don't think less of you."

"Really?" Raleigh looked up at Andrew, his eyes red from crying.

"Really," Andrew said, rubbing Raleigh's head. "Alva is indeed a bad person, but I know he has been with you for a long time, taught you a lot, and was your teacher. It's normal for you to feel sad for him."

Raleigh's mother, Celine, passed away early, and his father is the king of this country, so he rarely had time to be with them.

When Raleigh was very young, it was alright because he had his sister with him.

However, as Kimia grew up, she became busier. As the first in line for the throne of the Azoth Kingdom, Kimia had many responsibilities, and after reaching adulthood (she is the same age as Andrew), she had to assist their father with state affairs, leaving her almost no time to be with Raleigh.

Gradually, Alva, as Raleigh's teacher, became the person who spent the most time with him. Even though Kimia noticed Alva's issues, she did not take extreme measures against him due to her guilt about not being there for Raleigh.

Hearing Andrew's words, Raleigh's eyes began to brighten.

Andrew continued:

"Raleigh, remember that people are complex. Judgments can vary depending on the perspective.

For example, if someone, desperate to save their terminally ill daughter, turns to robbery and ends up killing someone in the process.

To the victim and their family, this person is undoubtedly a heinous criminal deserving of punishment. But to the robber's daughter, this person is her beloved father. Even though he committed a crime, she still loves him and is saddened by his actions.

Similarly, although Alva did bad things, he was with you and taught you. It's not wrong for you to feel sad about him. Of course, feeling sad is just feeling sad; as long as you don't lose your sense of right and wrong, it's fine."

After hearing Andrew's words, Raleigh wiped his tears and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. I understand. Alva made a mistake, and it's right for Father and Sister to take action. I'm just a bit sad, just a bit."

Andrew smiled and ruffled his head. "Once you've finished crying, go back quickly. It's very cold outside. Be careful not to catch a cold, or your sister and father will worry."

"Mm~~"

Raleigh nodded vigorously, then suddenly hugged Andrew, quickly let go, and ran off.

Andrew watched him leave and shook his head helplessly.

Still just a child…

Just as Andrew was about to leave, he noticed a blonde man not far away, watching him, with a Sobble perched on his shoulder.

"Your Highness Andrew," the young man greeted him.

"You are…" Andrew asked, puzzled.

"My name is Siebold. I'm visiting the palace and happened to pass by just now," the young man replied.

"Siebold?" Andrew was surprised and then recalled, isn't this one of the Elite Four from Kalos? "You're… Siebold of the Elite Four?"

Siebold smiled and walked up to Andrew. "It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I've wanted to meet you for a long time but never had the chance."

"Sob~ble~"

Sobble on Siebold's shoulder waved its hand enthusiastically at Andrew.

Andrew reached out and scratched its chin.

What a cute little creature.

"Does Elite Four Siebold need something from me?" Andrew asked, curious.

Siebold replied with a smile, "To be precise, it's not me who wants to see you, but this child." He pointed to the Sobble on his shoulder.

"Sob~ Sobble~"

Sobble grinned and smiled at Andrew.

Andrew looked at Sobble in surprise.

Siebold continued, "We've been coming to your shop for breakfast every day and have wanted to meet you. But with so many customers, we thought you must be very busy, so we didn't want to disturb you."

Andrew hadn't noticed this at all.

"I must have been rude."

He then looked at Sobble and asked, "Little guy, why do you want to see me?"

"Sobble~ Sobble~"

Sobble, quite familiar, climbed up Andrew's arm to his shoulder and rubbed its cheek against Andrew's.

Sobble's skin was smooth and moist, which felt very nice.

"It seems this little guy really likes you, Your Highness," Siebold said with a chuckle.

"What does the Elite Four mean…" Andrew paused his teasing of Sobble.

"Here's the situation…"

Siebold then explained Sobble's interest in Andrew.

"There's this?" Andrew was both amused and bewildered.

"Would Your Highness be willing to take in Sobble?" Siebold asked.

Andrew looked at the small Sobble in surprise and asked, "Can you really cook?"

Sobble, sensing its skills were being questioned, became excited and protested strongly.

"Would you like to see Sobble show you its skills?" Siebold suggested.

"Sure!" Andrew agreed.

It was a great opportunity since he was looking for helpers. If Sobble could indeed cook, it would be like receiving a pillow just when he was feeling sleepy.

"Shall we head to the palace kitchen?" Andrew asked.

Sobble, feeling determined, clenched its tiny fists, silently vowing to impress Andrew.

"Alright," Siebold nodded.

Andrew signaled to a maid in the distance. The maid quickly approached and bowed to Andrew, "Your Highness."

Andrew waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. Could you please take us to the kitchen?"

"Of course, Your Highness. Please follow me."

With that, the maid led Andrew and Siebold to the palace kitchen.

The kitchen did not dare to be neglectful with Andrew around, quickly preparing ingredients for Sobble as instructed.

Andrew felt a strong curiosity about how such a small Sobble could cook. After all, even a larger Munchlax needed a stool to reach the stove, and Sobble wouldn't even reach it if it stood on a stool, right?

Then Andrew saw something amazing.

Sobble's tail shot out a stream of water that formed a pillar, lifting Sobble high enough to reach the stove. Not only could Sobble keep this state for a long time without the water stream fading or losing balance, but it also could control the water pillar to adjust its position.

What incredible control!

Andrew wasn't alone in his amazement; the kitchen staff and maids stared wide-eyed at Sobble.

Despite the attention, Sobble stayed calm and even gave Andrew a thumbs-up and a wink, as if to say, "See how cool I am?"

Andrew smiled and responded with a thumbs-up, thinking Sobble's personality and skills were quite impressive.

Seeing Andrew's reaction, Sobble's eyes lit up, feeling even more confident in its choice of new trainer. In the past, when it did this for Siebold, Siebold would just pat its head and say, "Don't be silly." Sobble felt like it was on a completely different wavelength from Siebold.

Next came Sobble's cooking demonstration.

Sobble was preparing a pan-seared steak for Andrew.

In the Pokémon world, besides berries, there are also regular fruits and animals; otherwise, people wouldn't have meat to eat.

Sobble mixed barbecue sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cooking wine in a bowl.

Then it took a large piece of beef and, to Andrew's amazement, conjured a small knife made of water.

So skilled? And it even has its own kitchen tools?

Andrew's eyes widened, while only Siebold was unfazed.

After cutting the beef to the right size and thickness, Sobble began tenderizing it with careful, precise strikes to enhance its tenderness and flavor.

Next, it sprinkled salt, pepper, and other seasonings on the beef to marinate it for a while.

Once marinated, Sobble placed the beef into the prepared sauce and gently turned it to ensure it was fully immersed on both sides. Then it added crushed basil leaves and continued to marinate until the beef was completely flavored.

Afterward, it melted butter in a hot pan. Despite its small size, Sobble handled the cookware with great skill.

Once the butter was fully melted, Sobble added the marinated beef to the pan, searing it over medium heat, turning it until both sides were golden brown and fragrant.

Finally, it placed the cooked steak on a plate to rest, allowing the juices to redistribute, and garnished it with broccoli and cilantro.

The pan-seared steak was ready.

Sobble cut a piece of steak with its water knife, placed it on a small plate, and quickly brought it to Andrew, offering it eagerly.

Andrew took the plate, forked a piece of steak, and tasted it. The steak was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich, flavorful sauce that delighted his taste buds.

The steak was delicious!

Even though the steak was cut by Sobble's water knife, it had not absorbed any moisture. Sobble's control over its water abilities was impressive.

Despite its small size, it had great skills!

Andrew couldn't help but give Sobble another thumbs-up, "This is delicious, Sobble! You're truly a great chef!"

Sobble beamed with pride, giving Andrew another thumbs-up as if to ask, "Am I cool?"

"Cool, absolutely cool!" Andrew praised enthusiastically.

"Sobble~ Sob~" Sobble quickly hopped onto Andrew's shoulder, looking like a victorious general, satisfied with its success.

Seeing this, Siebold knew Andrew had accepted Sobble and said, "Your Highness Andrew, please take good care of Sobble from now on."

Andrew nodded seriously, "Don't worry. I'll take good care of Sobble."

Siebold then turned to Sobble, "Sobble, I'll visit you when I have time."

Sobble nodded, its gaze showing reluctance. But since the choice was its own, it wiped away a tear and steadied its resolve.

Sobble's tears had a strong emotional effect; even though it shed only one tear, Andrew was moved and couldn't help but shed tears as well.

"Sobble, let's take good care of each other from now on!"

At the same time, Sobble's data appeared in Andrew's view.

Sobble

- Type: Water

- Ability: Sniper

- Gender: Male

- Level: 14

- Moves: Pound, Growl, Water Gun, Water Pulse, Bind, Water Gun, Water Pulse, Oath of Water, Whirlpool, Water Gun.

Individual Values:

- HP: 20

- Attack: 29

- Defense: 19

- Special Attack: 31

- Special Defense: 24

- Speed: 30

This Sobble's individual values were among the best Andrew had seen, rivaling only those of Diancie, proving it was a Pokémon raised by one of the Elite Four of Kalos.

Noticing Andrew's dazed expression, Sobble patted his shoulder.

"Meh~ meh~" Don't cry, let's take good care of each other.

It looked as if Sobble thought Andrew was crying out of emotion for its inclusion.

The kitchen staff and maids who witnessed this scene couldn't help but laugh quietly behind their hands.

Andrew: A lifetime of fame lost in a moment!

After bidding farewell to Siebold, Andrew, holding Komala and with Sobble on his shoulder, headed home.

On the way home, Andrew said to Sobble, "Let's buy some ingredients and make a nice meal tonight to celebrate your joining."

Sobble quickly climbed from Andrew's left shoulder to his right shoulder, giving a thumbs-up.

"Sobble~ Sobble~"

"Then it's settled."

Andrew then took Komala and Sobble to the supermarket.

After a major shopping spree, Andrew suddenly spotted some high-quality beef in the fresh produce section and said to Sobble, "How about I show you my beef recipe tonight? You can try my cooking skills."

He remembered that the potatoes from his garden seemed ready to eat, so tonight he planned to make beef stew with potatoes.

"Sobble~ Sob~"

Sobble's eyes lit up, nodding vigorously.

Meanwhile, Komala in Andrew's arms silently shed a tear of joy, which it wiped away before turning over to continue sleeping.

After finishing their shopping, Andrew and his companions returned to his home, went up to the third floor, and planned to use the spatial channel to return to the Nebel Plateau.

However, Andrew and Sobble didn't notice a pair of eyes secretly watching them from the corner.

Komala did flick its ears but paid no further attention.

When Andrew arrived home, it was already evening. The Pokémon who had helped with the gardening had finished dinner and gone home. However, he saw Munchlax, Diancie, Gardevoir, and Gallade gathered around a table, looking excited and occasionally bursting into bright laughter, though Andrew had no idea what they were doing.

"What are you all up to?" Andrew's sudden appearance startled everyone.

"Andrew, you're back!" Diancie said happily.

"Munchlax~ Munch~lax~~" Master, didn't you say you'd be back soon? Why did you take so long?!

Munchlax rushed to Andrew, diving into his arms, rubbing against him and acting cute.

Fortunately, Andrew's physique had greatly improved; otherwise, he might have struggled with this little chub.

"Sobble~~?"

At this moment, Sobble called out.

"Munchlax?"

Tiny Munchlax looked up, staring at the unfamiliar Pokémon with a confuse expression.

(The End)