Chapter 54: The Task of Translation

I must admit that the world of Pokémon is still immensely fascinating. In just this short while, Zhao Fang has already spotted all kinds of shops. Furthermore, Pokémon shops in reality are far more numerous than those in the video games. As Zhao Fang walks along, he can see quite a few stores operating Pokémon supplies or hanging signs related to Pokémon.

Zhao Fang plans to find a place to grab a bite. Although the boat ride was reasonably steady, he still had some trouble getting used to the rocking sensation on board, which ruined his appetite somewhat. But now that he has disembarked, he feels much better.

Naturally, Sootopolis City also features a wide variety of restaurants. Among them, Zhao Fang notices some selling Western cuisine, alongside others hanging izakaya signs. This makes him curious about what gourmet food in the Pokémon world is actually like. Based on his experience of transmigrating into this world, Chinese cuisine seemingly does not exist here; many dish names he frequently heard in his past life are entirely absent in this realm.

"Is this... selling takoyaki?" Soon, Zhao Fang notices a street food stall, though what makes his expression somewhat strange is the chef inside the takoyaki shop.

An Octillery, a pure Water-type Pokémon, evolved from Remoraid.

The mechanics of evolution in the Pokémon world have always been a point of great curiosity for Zhao Fang. If Caterpie eventually forming a cocoon and transforming into a butterfly can be explained scientifically through complete metamorphosis in the real world, then Remoraid evolving into Octillery strikes Zhao Fang as quite unbelievable. Clearly, fish and octopuses still have distinct differences, yet Remoraid can somehow genuinely evolve into Octillery, to say nothing of other Pokémon with extremely unique evolution conditions.

Zhao Fang recalls that when he once bought his 3DS, he encountered a Pokémon called Inkay. The evolution method for this Pokémon surprisingly required flipping the 3DS upside down upon reaching the required level, leaving Zhao Fang with no words to express his inner disbelief at the time.

"Would you like an order of takoyaki as well? A large portion is thirty League Dollars, a small portion fifteen League Dollars." Looking at Zhao Fang standing before it, the Octillery skillfully raises a tentacle and presses a button in front of it. Immediately, a sweet and lovely girl's voice emanates from a speaker placed on the stall.

"Um... please give me a large portion." Zhao Fang fishes thirty League Dollars from his pocket and drops them into the coin jar.

The Octillery nods, then wraps its tentacles around the cooking utensils to start making the takoyaki for Zhao Fang. I must say, the Octillery is extremely proficient in its preparation. Whether squeezing the batter or adding the small octopus tentacles, it is evident that this is an experienced master chef. Moreover, the entire process is impeccably clean, and the Octillery does not use its tentacles to directly touch the ingredients.

To Zhao Fang's relief, this Octillery did not use a kitchen knife to slice off its own tentacles and stuff them into the takoyaki to make a Pokémon-themed version for him.

"It tastes pretty good." Eating the takoyaki grilled by the Octillery, Zhao Fang nods in satisfaction. Taking advantage of the moment, Dragapult reveals its form and stealthily eats a piece of takoyaki.

Zhao Fang chuckles helplessly and rubs Dragapult's head. This little fellow is simply too gluttonous. But upon closer thought, if Dragapult weren't a foodie, it wouldn't be his Dragapult.

Originally, Zhao Fang planned to head straight to the Sootopolis Gym to take a look. After all, since he is already here, it would feel a bit of a pity not to visit the Gym. Besides, Zhao Fang is also quite curious about what kind of Gym trial Wallace has set up. He suspects it is very likely asking trainers to participate in Pokémon Contests, considering Wallace himself is a top-tier Coordinator.

However, a piece of news immediately catches Zhao Fang's attention.

[Calling Trainers who know Ancient Lono Script!]
[Task Issuer: Sven the Fourth]
[Task Description: Seeking trainers who know Ancient Lono Script to help translate ancient texts.]
[Required Pokémon: None]
[Task Reward: Dependent on the translation results; translating a single complete book grants one million League Dollars.]

This news instantly excites Zhao Fang. That is a cool million League Dollars! Moreover, the most crucial point is that the ancient language Zhao Fang has been studying happens to be Ancient Lono Script. Although his proficiency isn't very polished yet, even if he cannot translate an entire book of ancient texts, translating just a single page should still yield a considerable reward.

Therefore, Zhao Fang decisively accepts the task. He urgently needs to make more money right now. Although he previously acquired some funds by selling the research rights for Gyarados, his Pokémon have voracious appetites. Furthermore, to continuously increase the strength of Charmander and the others, the consumption of Berries is also a massive expense. These recent expenditures have made Zhao Fang's wallet hurt, so facing this moneymaking opportunity, he hesitates not at all and signs up.

After registering, Zhao Fang receives a slip of paper bearing an address, which should be the residence of this so-called Sven the Fourth. However, what makes Zhao Fang somewhat curious is the name Sven the Fourth; it sounds precisely like the heritage of ancient nobility, leading him to wonder if he might run into that white-haired man he encountered on the boat.

Harboring this apprehensive mood, Zhao Fang hurries to the location recorded on the address. Just as he anticipated, it is a magnificent and expansive estate. In a relatively compact place like Sootopolis City, being able to claim such a vast manor surely means this Sven the Fourth is a person of immense wealth.

After submitting his credentials, Zhao Fang follows a butler into the estate. Two people are already inside the manor, frowning deeply as they stare at a screen, while a remarkably frivolous-looking man stands nearby.

"Oh? Another new trainer has accepted the commission... So young?" Sven the Fourth turns his head to glance at Zhao Fang, pausing for a moment in surprise. Immediately afterward, however, he wears a perfectly measured smile and invites Zhao Fang over to examine the ancient text needing translation.

Zhao Fang looks at Sven the Fourth before him with some surprise. The other party was undoubtedly perplexed by his youth just moments ago. Yet, being able to suppress his emotions so swiftly and treat others with such a genial attitude suggests this is indeed a nobleman with quite commendable upbringing.

Without standing on ceremony, Zhao Fang walks straight up to the screen and begins examining the ancient text in front of him. The ancient text displayed on the screen consists of only a single page, with the number four marked at the bottom. Zhao Fang cannot help casting a glance at the two trainers beside him; these two possess genuine talent, having already translated three pages.