Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World

Flames rose within the forge, the scorching charcoal spewing out embers.

Scrap iron and ore were gradually melted and hammered. Neither the previous owner nor Hikaru had any knowledge of blacksmithing; it was completely unfamiliar territory.

Fortunately, acquiring the craftsmanship also imparted the proper production process. Moreover, Hikaru had previously obtained some insights into blacksmithing from the Rocky Mountain Ruins—though the method of acquiring them had been somewhat mysterious, it proved incredibly useful!

With both factors combined, even a complete novice in forging could craft items comparable to those of a skilled artisan.

The rising flames symbolized power, something that could easily shake the worldview of weaker beings. The boiling firelight, the forceful hammer, the solid anvil—each strike carried a raw and intense impact!

Before long, Hikaru had forged a pair of iron gloves. After stitching them together with leather, the first forged tool was completed.

『Crafting completed!』

『Crafted Item: Destruction Gloves.』

『Description: A tool crafted using Pokémon materials and scrap iron, forged with special flames and processing techniques. It enhances Steel-type energy.』

『Item Effect: Rapid Digging—Increases excavation speed by 20% and grants a unique usage of "Dig."』

"Dig? Is this a move?"

"Its crafting materials include the spikes and claws of Sandslash. However, due to the fire-based forging process, it only enhances Fire, Steel, and Psychic-type energy, making it incapable of boosting Ground-type power."

"Whoo—" Hikaru wiped the sweat off his forehead, took a short break, and looked at the steel gloves in his hands with amazement.

At some point, two Pokémon had wandered into the forge. They gathered around the special gloves, exchanging thoughts, seemingly sharing their own opinions.

However, upon hearing Doublade's words, Hikaru immediately shook his head.

This guy was still preaching its whole "king" spiel!

Time to check out the newly obtained materials instead!

[Material: Spark Scales.]

[Acquisition Locations: Ancient Castle (Unova) – Volcarona, Great Crater (Paldea) – Volcarona, or obtained from a Larvesta evolving into Volcarona.]

[Corresponding Craft: Ancient Kiln Technique (Can be used to create the Ancient Pot).]

"Ancient kiln firing? Good stuff! Can Volcarona's scales be bought online?"

"Probably not."

"Well, since I'll be heading to Unova at some point, I'll just save this craft for a few months later."

Doublade: Forging, huh? Back in the day, my (x2) body was forged as well. At that time, I wasn't even a Pokémon! Anything the new king forges is bound to have incredible powers!

Petilil (poking the gloves): You weren't a Pokémon before? Then what were you, Doublade-senpai?

Doublade: Have you ever heard the tale of the ancient sword's awakening?

Doublade swayed both of its ribbon-like arms.

An ancient sword, weathered from countless battles, becomes inhabited by the soul of the dead and transforms into a Pokémon—that's me! But there's a misconception—I wasn't a human soul. I naturally became a Pokémon through the mystical energies of the world. Many Ghost-type Pokémon are born this way!

Petilil (clenching tiny fists): Then you must have been an amazing sword before!

Doublade: No, to be honest, it's embarrassing… After becoming a Pokémon, I was captured by a wandering sorcerer with strange magic and presented as a tribute to a king. Later, I was chosen by a knight to be his Pokémon. I learned some underhanded… I mean, truly practical battle techniques from that knight! But for some reason, I was eventually left to gather dust in a warehouse. By the time I woke up, the kingdom had already fallen.

Petilil (shocked): Eh?! That's so unlucky!

Doublade (resolute): Exactly! That's why my dream now is to support a powerful leader and help him become the new king!

Doublade: Right now, the kingdom is still in its infancy. If you join in earnest, you could be among the founding ministers!

Petilil (ears twitching): No, senpai, I don't understand… What's so great about being a minister? If I'm following Hikaru, aren't I already with him?

Doublade (stunned): Eh? The benefits, right, the benefits… What are they? Oh! You get to command other Pokémon!

Petilil (confused): But I don't want to command other Pokémon. I'm just me. Why should I order others around?

Doublade: Ugh…

Doublade: Wait… Oh no! I don't have a post-establishment plan for my kingdom!

Doublade fell into deep contemplation.

None of the Pokémon were interested in its grand nation-building scheme.

Petilil only cared about the gloves Hikaru had crafted and her own work!

"If forged items have special abilities, they could be quite useful in daily life. The initial intent behind crafting these tools was, of course, to make work easier."

"Also, should I forge some protective gear for Petilil?"

After so many days of training, Petilil had grown significantly stronger. Combined with her own knowledge and experience, she would no longer be as helpless in battle as before!

However, Hikaru still wanted to prepare some defensive measures for her.

He searched his mind for special items that could enhance Grass-type Pokémon.

Loaded Dice + Bullet Seed?

But Loaded Dice seemed to be a mechanical item, described as a die that always rolls favorable numbers. Hikaru didn't have much knowledge of mechanics yet.

Forging protective gear seemed like the more practical option.

Before long, Hikaru had completed some protective gear, and to his surprise, his thoughts led to an unexpected result:

『Crafting completed!』

『Crafted Item: Small Protective Armor (Steel).』

『Description: Prevents the usual effects from contact-based attacks. Enhances Steel-type energy and move power.』

『Negates: HP loss from Rocky Helmet; Poison from Baneful Bunker; HP loss from Spiky Shield; damage from Rough Skin, Iron Barbs, and Aftermath; and secondary effects of Flame Body, Static, Cute Charm, and Perish Body.』

『Item Effect: Rebound—Increases Defense by 15% and reflects incoming impact force.』

『Note: Excessive damage may cause the armor to break instantly.』

"Oh?" Hikaru's eyes lit up before handing the small protective armor to Petilil.

"Try it on!"

Petilil curiously took the armor, though her tiny hands made it difficult to equip, so Hikaru helped her put it on.

Once fully equipped, the hem of her small dress was reinforced with iron plates, and a tiny helmet adorned her head, with three leaves extending from holes at the top.

"Wow-wow!"

It felt slightly heavy! Petilil swayed from side to side, gradually adapting to her new armor.

At the same time, she felt as though she had acquired a new ability—though it wasn't the same feeling as learning a move!

"Petil?" Petilil looked at Doublade.

"Pet!"

Doublade-senpai, can you battle with me?

"Yowoo…"

Doublade snapped out of its deep thought (x2), adjusted its stance, then pointed at Petilil while glancing at Hikaru.

"No problem. This is the perfect time to test the equipment. Doublade, use Shadow Sneak!"

Doublade let out a murmuring sound. Its blades glowed with a purple-white aura, and both swords shot forward, striking Petilil directly!

At that moment, Petilil instinctively activated the new ability granted by her armor. The steel-type energy in the armor gathered the surrounding ambient energy—

Rebound!

Doublade was suddenly hit by the force of its own attack!

"Pet! Wow-wow~!"

Petilil bounced happily. Seeing Doublade get knocked back by her own counterattack filled her with joy!

In her excitement, she leapt onto Hikaru's shoulder, rubbing her face against his.

"Wow-wow!"

Thank you, Hikaru!

Meanwhile, Doublade, now wide-eyed (x2), stared at Hikaru with longing.

Shouldn't I get one too?!

Hikaru sighed, patting Petilil while glancing at Doublade, who looked somewhat dejected. Seeing this, he reassured it:

"Alright, alright. Next time, I'll find a way to craft something similar for you. If modifying your sheath is out of the question, I'll just have to enhance your crossguard and hilt."

"That would actually be a good thing—it would help distinguish you from other Pokémon of the same kind… though, to be honest, there aren't any other Pokémon like you in this region anyway."

"Now that I think about it, various tools seem to have different applications. Some are related to Pokémon moves, while others aren't. I suppose the tool's function has to match a move for it to work."

"Yowoo~!" Doublade nodded eagerly, clearly stating—it wanted the most stylish crossguard ever!

As for the effects it could have… if he was lucky enough to forge a tool imbued with the power of a Pokémon move… what if he could?

Doublade recalled hearing about a certain move before—"Behemoth Blade"—a move where a sword was swung with overwhelming power. Maybe Hikaru could try forging something like that?

"Pffft—" Hikaru nearly spat out his drink.

"You—you know about Behemoth Blade?! Were you brought here from Galar?" Hikaru suddenly realized that, while Doublade had been a prized "treasure" from ages past, it had never mentioned where it originally came from. It seemed even Doublade itself had no idea.

Which meant… back in the age of kingdoms, there were no regional classifications.

"Yopu?"

Sure enough, Doublade looked completely clueless. It had only heard of the move from the mysterious traveler who had captured it as a treasure.

"That move can't be replicated on a weapon… Wait—actually, maybe it can."

Hikaru had been about to reject the idea, but then it hit him—if he could obtain Zacian's fur, along with the "Rusty Sword" containing ancient, decayed iron… maybe he really could forge a unique tool imbued with Behemoth Blade!

Zacian (Crowned Sword) + Rusty Sword + Iron Head = The King's Blade + Behemoth Blade!

The formula was already set!

If he truly managed to gather these materials and craft a crossguard infused with Behemoth Blade's power—or even attach it to a lumber axe—would that mean...

He could use Behemoth Blade to chop down trees?!

"Oh… this actually sounds really interesting!"

(End of Chapter)

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