Manor Lord of the Elf World

Chapter 24 Exploration Plan
"Who in the current Knights Order possesses the most superb swordsmanship, or has extensive experience fighting magical beasts?"

Raven flipped through the information on the territory's residents while asking Elif, who was standing beside him, questions.

Upon hearing this, Eriff pondered for a moment before replying:
"Currently, the Knights Order only has five knights left. If we're talking about superior swordsmanship, I think Ryan is more suitable. But if we're talking about experience fighting monsters... I think Cleveland would be better suited."

"He is a veteran who retired from the battlefield. In his early years, he fought alongside Wang in many battles. A country incorporated captured monsters into its army, and Cleveland participated in the battle against that country and survived."

Cleveland...

Raven searched carefully among the 78 inhabitants of the territory and quickly found the name of veteran Cleveland.

[Commoner's Name: Cleveland]

[Age: 40 years old]

[Class: Guardian Knight]

[Special ability: none]

Loyalty: 90 (maximum 100)

[Life Background: Born in Cleveland in the 108th year of the Kingdom Calendar, into a fisherman's family.]

In the year 125 of the Kingdom Calendar, Cleveland joined the army of Eindooc and participated in the war.

In the year 136 of the Kingdom Calendar, Cleveland retired from the army. Upon returning home, he found his parents had already passed away. With nowhere else to go, Cleveland returned to the army to serve as a guard.

[In the 148th year of the Kingdom's Calendar, he escorted the third prince, Raven, to his fiefdom.]

Looking at this person's information, Raven couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Elif, standing to the side, said with a look of regret:

"Ah, if only Lord Geralt were still here..."

Raven paused slightly upon hearing the name.

"Geralt?"

The original owner does seem to have this name in their memories.

Elif couldn't help but sigh, his eyes filled with worry and regret:

"Lord Geralt was the most powerful man in the Knights. He had defeated countless terrifying monsters. But not long ago, to protect everyone, Lord Geralt single-handedly lured away a group of monsters attacking the caravan, and then he never returned..."

After Eriff said that, Raven's memories of Geralt came back to him clearly.

At that time, the caravan was passing through a vast forest when they unexpectedly encountered a group of Haxorus.

The group of Haxorus mistook them for intruders who had entered their territory and launched a fierce attack on them with their Fanged Fiends.

Geralt lured away the horde of axe-wielding dragons to protect them, and never returned.

While Haxorus is a gentle Pokémon, it will show no mercy to intruders and will tear them apart with its massive, axe-like teeth that can cut through iron like mud.

Faced with such a terrifying group of Pokémon, Geralt is now likely in grave danger.

Moreover, Raven searched the citizens' list but couldn't find his name.

“Then let’s have Ryan and Cleveland. I need them to explore the area around the territory carefully.” Raven paused and then asked, “Are there any other people in the territory who are good at drawing? I need them to draw a map of the area and the types of magical beasts in the surrounding area.”

“Drawing…” Elif thought carefully for a moment, then said, “There is one! It was a little girl who loved to draw. I think her name was Christina. The things she drew looked so real that even the King praised her drawing skills!”

Christina...

Raven searched through the names and quickly found hers.

[Commoner's Name: Christina]

[Age: 19 years old]

[Occupation: None]

[Special ability: none]

Loyalty: 80 (maximum 100)

[Life Background: In the 129th year of the Kingdom's calendar, Christina was born into a merchant family.]

In the 143rd year of the Kingdom's calendar, Christina entered the Eindooc Academy to study painting.

In the 146th year of the Kingdom's calendar, Christina became the royal court painter.

[In the 148th year of the Kingdom's Calendar, he accompanied the Third Prince, Raven, to his fiefdom.]

A court painter? Raven was somewhat surprised; it seemed this girl's painting skills were exceptionally high.

Since that's the case, he was relieved.

Ryan and Cleveland are responsible for exploration and battles, while Christina can draw the surrounding map and the Pokémon that live there.

It's a pity that Anna hasn't grown up yet.

Otherwise, with Zoroia's [Illusion] ability, they would be perfect scouts.

Seeing that His Highness intended for the three to explore the surrounding area, Elif spoke up:
“Lyan and Cleveland are currently helping with logging and building houses at the lumberyard, while Christina is out gathering berries with the harvesting team. If Your Highness wishes to see them, I will go and fetch them for you.”

With the help of the snow-hatted monsters, the work progress at the lumberyard has been greatly improved.

In addition, the Dratini can use [Electromagnetic Wave] to catch fish, and the three Snowcap Monsters produce fruit once a day, so there is no need to worry about food in the territory for the time being.

In this situation, temporarily assigning a few people to explore the area wouldn't have a significant impact on the overall situation.

“Call them over!” Raven nodded.

"Yes!"

Elif left the tent and soon returned to Raven's side with the three of them.

Raven looked up and recognized Ryan among the three.

Cleveland was a tall, weathered middle-aged man with a hideous scar on his face, while Christina was a serene and beautiful blonde girl.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?" Ryan, one of the three, asked with considerable curiosity.

The other two also turned their gazes in this direction.

Cleveland and Christina had never spoken to His Highness before today, and they were completely bewildered, wondering what His Highness wanted from them.

Under the gaze of the three, Raven slowly spoke: "I have a very important task for the three of you. This matter concerns the future of everyone in the territory."

Upon hearing this, the three of them were slightly taken aback.

Raven didn't keep them in suspense and said:
“I need the three of you to form a survey team to explore the area around this territory, as well as some places a little further away. Christina, I need you to draw all of this on a map. In addition, you need to record every magical beast you encounter on the way and bring it back for me to review.”

Christina, caught off guard by being called out, quickly replied to the request, "Yes...yes!"

“Cleveland, you have a wealth of experience fighting monsters. I hope you can protect Christina. Ryan, I need you to use your martial skills to assist Cleveland,” Raven said.

Exploring Cleveland is understandable, but recording every monster encountered is something that Cleveland finds very puzzling.

Does Your Highness intend to capture them, chain them up, and force them to work?
Just like the magical beasts in the royal city.

That's not a problem. The problem is that they're also being asked to bring along a helpless little girl.

Cleveland knew all too well the terror of some magical beasts, but recalling His Highness's actions these past few days, Cleveland felt that His Highness didn't seem like that kind of person.

There might be some intentions behind this that he is unaware of.

Compared to him, Ryan was much more direct.

"What does Your Highness intend to do?" he asked.

Raven nodded, his expression serious.

"To be honest, with our current charcoal reserves, we can only use it for a month at most, and it's only December now, not even the coldest time yet."

"Temperatures will not rise until the end of February. If it doesn't snow during this period, it will be fine. But if we encounter a blizzard and run out of charcoal, we will have no means of heating."

“In extremely cold weather, adults like us may be able to get through it with our own physical strength, but it may not be the case for children and the elderly.”

"Therefore, the reason I sent you out this time is to ask you to find fire-breathing magical beasts, as I want to use their power to keep warm."

Upon hearing this, the group was slightly taken aback.

"Does Your Highness intend to utilize the power of magical beasts?"

Raven nodded and said seriously, "Our human strength alone is not enough, so we must rely on the power of magical beasts!"

Just like those three snow-hatted monsters? Cleveland thought to himself.

“But Your Highness, with our current strength, even if we find fire-breathing magical beasts, we may not be able to control them,” Cleveland said calmly.

"You don't need to worry about that. As long as you find the corresponding magical beast, I have a way to deal with it."

Upon hearing this, Ryan became completely excited.

"I know, just like Anna and her little monster!"

These days, he often sees Anna training that little monster outside.

Anna was even able to command the little monster to launch an attack.

That's something only a Beastmaster can do.

To command powerful magical beasts and make them fight for him—Ryan also wants to possess this power!
"Don't worry, Prince Raven!" Ryan cracked his wrists. "I'll complete the mission!"

Raven, unaware of what Ryan was thinking, nodded upon seeing him agree:

"In addition to fire-attribute magical beasts, I hope you can help me find some other magical beasts."

After saying that, he handed Christina the drawing of the "Warcraft" that he had drawn on parchment with a quill pen beforehand.

The three looked closely and saw that it was covered with strange creatures, whose appearances were barely discernible.

"So abstract!" Christina thought, her eyes wide.

No, we can't be so rude to Prince Raven!

Raven didn't notice the others' reactions.

He looked at the Pokémon he had drawn from memory and silently recalled their abilities in his mind.

Mareep, an Electric-type Pokémon, has wool that can be used to weave clothing, and female Mareep can produce Mareep milk. If electricity is invented in the future, they can also generate electricity for their territory.

Flower monkey, fragrant monkey, cold water monkey.

All three are very common Pokémon in the Unova region. The Grass-type Prawn has leaves growing on its head to relieve fatigue and can also use Grass-type energy to care for crops.

Sizzlingam, a Fire-type Pokémon, is adept at roasting berries with the flame on its head, which can reach temperatures above 300°C, making it ideal for firing bricks, cement, and charcoal.

As a water-type cold-water monkey, the water in the fur on its head is full of nutrients, and if it is used to water plants, they will grow vigorously.

Muk loves to eat garbage and can be used as a garbage disposal station for the territory.

Constructor is a Pokémon that can make concrete. With them, you can directly use concrete to build houses within your territory.

Lily Root Doll, this Pokémon has leaves growing on its head that can relieve fatigue and restore energy, and can be used to make refreshing tea.

In addition, there are three honeybees that can produce honey.

And pots that can help ferment and brew tree juice and wine.

Given their location in the Unova region, some Pokémon may not be present.

Therefore, Raven did not draw images of Milkcan, Chansey, Wooloo, or the Salt Giant on it.

(End of this chapter)