After a quick lunch, Icarus arrived at the city gate with Weepinbell and Pidgeotto, planning to head to the plantation ahead of time.
"You've got guts, kid! Both your Pokémon evolved?!"
"Yeah, hiding it from us all this time!"
As soon as he showed up, the two on-duty guards surrounded him, clearly surprised.
"Hey! That Weepinbell—it's mid-tier Normal level!"
"Unbelievable… I've been training for years and still not there!"
Hearing their reactions, Icarus felt a quiet sense of satisfaction—but kept a modest expression.
"No, no, I'm just mid-tier. I'm definitely not as strong as you two."
"As expected of someone backed by Captain Sam!"
"Yeah," Icarus nodded naturally, steering the topic. "Uncle Sam helped me a lot."
At the mention of Sam, the guards' expressions shifted—envy mixed with admiration.
"Elite trainers really are on another level…"
"You've got a real shot at reaching that level too."
Icarus smiled lightly, then glanced toward the rest area where more guards were beginning to stir.
"I've got a task to handle outside the city, so I'll head out first…"
"Right, right—don't keep us when you've got work!"
"Remember us when you make it big, haha!"
With a few friendly pats on the shoulder, they let him pass.
---
Once outside the gate, Icarus headed straight toward the plantation.
Holding his Pokédex, he followed the map navigation.
"This thing really is convenient… the map's incredibly detailed."
After walking for a while, a tall wall came into view, with a three-story building inside.
That was the plantation's administrative center—run by the town's Agriculture Department.
---
Because towns couldn't grow enough crops within their limits, large plantations like this were built on the outskirts.
Security wasn't as tight as inside the city, though—especially near harvest season.
Wild Pokémon and thieves often caused trouble, which is why missions were frequently posted at the Pokémon Center.
Hiring full-time trainers year-round wasn't practical. Most of the workload came in short bursts, so temporary trainers were far more efficient.
---
That's exactly why this place works for me, Icarus thought.
There were plenty of missions here—and plenty of trainers coming and going.
If something happened to Takashima later… it wouldn't attract much attention.
After all, he was just a low-tier trainer. No one was going to launch a serious investigation for someone like that.
---
At the entrance, Icarus presented his mission credentials.
The guards checked them carefully, even scanning him with automated detection systems before letting him in.
"Tight security… makes sense," he muttered. "This place feeds the whole town."
---
Inside, the plantation felt almost like a small village.
Farmers worked across wide fields—wheat, corn, watermelons stretching in all directions.
There were people everywhere, but most were ordinary workers. Along the way, Icarus only spotted a handful of trainers.
So the real protection is limited…
---
As he walked, he noticed something missing.
No high-energy crops.
No Berries.
Curious, he asked a few farmers nearby.
"The Berries?" one of them said. "Those are grown in the central orchard."
"Only experienced agronomists work there—and it's guarded by official trainers year-round."
---
Curiosity got the better of him.
Icarus headed toward the center.
---
But before he could get close—
"STOP!"
A sharp voice rang out.
"This is a restricted area! Unauthorized personnel are not allowed!"
A trainer stood ahead, his Sandslash beside him.
"Shing!"
The Sandslash slashed the ground with its claws, leaving deep gouges instantly.
---
Icarus stopped immediately.
"Wait—misunderstanding! I was just curious, that's all. I didn't know this area was restricted."
"I'm leaving now."
Without hesitation, he turned and walked away.
---
Behind him, the guard scoffed.
"Another temporary trainer… they show up every year."
"Acting like they've never seen anything before."
The Sandslash let out a low sound in agreement.
---
Icarus kept walking, his expression neutral.
Arrogant bastard…
Just because you're an official trainer…
Still, he didn't push it.
That Sandslash was at least high-tier Normal level—and likely not the only guard there.
Curiosity wasn't worth getting himself killed.
---
He adjusted his direction.
No need to take unnecessary risks.
Stick to the plan.
---
(End of Chapter 128)