With the help of the Pokémon, buildings began rising one after another, and the town center gradually took shape.
There was now a council hall, a warehouse, the Kirlia Shop, the Hippopotas Construction Team headquarters, the Amaura Ski Lodge, the Starly Post Office, and the Swablu Clothing Store.
At present, these were the only buildings completed. Many other Pokémon had not yet discovered what they truly enjoyed doing, so their shops and facilities would have to wait.
Even so, after Silas eventually left, the construction team led by Hippopotas would still be able to help the other Pokémon build their homes. Gulpin and Drilbur had been studying the construction process very seriously, carefully learning every step so they could help in the future.
Magearna led Silas around the town for a full tour while introducing everything along the way.
In front of each shop, Pokémon such as Kirlia and Amaura stood there with excited expressions, all of them eagerly preparing for their grand opening.
"Not bad at all," Silas said with a small nod.
To achieve this level of progress in only a few days was already very impressive.
After finishing the tour, they arrived at the town square in the center of the settlement.
"It can begin now," Silas said.
Volcanion glanced at him before raising its arms toward the sky and firing a massive firework.
With a loud booming explosion, the Pokémon Town officially opened a brand new chapter.
The firework burst open within the morning mist, scattering countless golden red sparks across the sky, reflecting brilliantly in the eyes of the Pokémon below.
Swablu flew overhead carrying colorful ribbons in their beaks. As they glided across the sky, they released the ribbons, letting them flutter down across the plaza in a shower of bright colors.
Meanwhile, the little workers from the Starly Post Office carried small leaf flyers in their beaks and handed them out to every Pokémon present. On each leaf was a simple drawing showing the town layout along with the symbols of the various shops.
"Cin Cin!" (I am going skating first!)
Cinccino ran at the very front of the crowd, clutching a one hundred denomination league coin in its paw.
That was right. The currency used in Pokémon Town was directly connected to the Pokémon League system.
By using League coins, the Pokémon here could trade with the League itself, exchanging them for supplies or other resources they might need in the future.
After this trip, when Silas returned to the League, he planned to request that a Chansey and a Growlithe or an Arcanine be stationed here. One would handle Pokémon medical care while the other would help establish a small police station to maintain order within the town.
Pokémon ran happily along both sides of the plaza, enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Diantha had also taken Gardevoir out to join the fun.
After scanning the lively square for a moment, Silas's gaze eventually landed on several Pokémon sitting quietly in the corner.
They were Litleo, Scraggy, and Stunky.
"They still haven't figured out what they want to do yet?" Silas asked Volcanion.
"No," Volcanion replied while shaking its head.
Silas slowly walked over toward the three Pokémon and crouched beside them. From his bag he took out several pieces of Poké Puff and handed them over.
"Here, come eat."
Only after the three Pokémon had finished eating the treats did Silas finally get a different answer from them.
"So the reason is that you feel like there is nothing you can really do to help everyone in the town?"
"Leo Leo."
Litleo nodded while Scraggy and Stunky both agreed.
"But didn't you always get along well with everyone before? You also used to bring back lots of useful things from outside."
Halfway through his sentence, Silas suddenly paused.
Then he reached out and vigorously rubbed Litleo's head and mane with both hands. Under the puzzled gazes of the three Pokémon, he began explaining his idea.
"You three can form an exploration team."
"You could explore areas beyond the Nebel Plateau, and at the same time accept requests from other Pokémon. By completing their tasks, you could earn rewards."
"Leo?"
Litleo tilted its head slightly. Its reddish brown hair swayed gently while curiosity flickered in its eyes.
Scraggy scratched its head while Stunky leaned closer, sniffing curiously. None of them fully understood yet.
Silas squatted down and patiently began explaining the concept while drawing in the dirt of the plaza with a stick.
"Look here. This spot represents the Nebel Plateau, and this is our town."
"Around the town there are many areas still covered in unknown territory. You might find berries, medicinal plants, or many other valuable things in those places. The purpose of an exploration team is to clear those unknown areas and bring useful discoveries back to town."
He paused briefly before drawing a small symbol representing a request form.
"If other Pokémon need something, they can ask for your help. For example, Watchog might want new seeds, or Amaura might need a smoother ice stone for its skiing area. They could ask your team to find those items."
"After completing the request, they would pay you with League coins. Then you can use those coins to enjoy the services provided by other Pokémon in the town."
The three Pokémon slowly began to understand.
Judging from their excited expressions, they seemed very interested in the idea.
This kind of work was perfect for them.
They had already traveled across nearly every corner of the Nebel Plateau, but the outside world was still completely unexplored.
"So you all agree?" Silas asked. "In that case, I will build an Exploration Team Headquarters near the edge of the town. It will provide free lodging for exploration teams and also serve as a place where Pokémon can post requests."
Silas discussed the plan with Diantha and Volcanion. After receiving unanimous approval, he invited the Hippopotas Construction Team to build the headquarters.
"Hippoo~!" Hippopotas raised its head proudly, signaling for Silas to leave the job to them. This would be the very first official business contract for their construction team.
At the same time, Silas himself did not remain idle.
Since he could not stay in Pokémon Town forever, the Exploration Team Headquarters would require staff members to manage the daily operations.
"Cin!"
Cinccino quickly recommended a Pokémon it knew.
"An Espurr with Psychic powers? That is a very good choice."
In addition to Espurr, they also recruited a Chesnaught to help manage the task board and handle request postings.
Ideally they should have recruited a Diglett to guard the entrance as well, but unfortunately there were none living nearby, so that plan had to be abandoned for now.
After some brief training, the two Pokémon officially began working the very next day once the Exploration Team Headquarters was completed.
Thus, the very first exploration team in the Pokémon world was officially established.
Its members were Litleo, Scraggy, and Stunky.
Soon afterward, their very first request appeared.
It was posted by Kirlia.
"Oh? Kirlia's shop is lacking rare and unusual items. It wants to commission you to search for things that cannot be found on the Nebel Plateau. Do you feel confident about completing this request?"
Led by Litleo, the three Pokémon nodded seriously.
For their first mission, they were determined to complete it beautifully.
"Confidence is good," Silas said, smiling, "but always put your safety first."
After encouraging them, Silas hung a small waist pouch onto Litleo.
"Inside are healing potions and full heal that I prepared for you guys."
With everything ready, Litleo and its teammates left the town under the watchful eyes of the others, stepping forward confidently as they departed on their first exploration mission.
"Volcanion, Magearna, I will leave the town in your care," Silas said.
"Mage Mage~!"
"Magearna says it will take good care of everyone, so you can relax," Volcanion translated before adding bluntly, "but do not brag too much. In the end you will still need to rely on me."
"Mage Mage~!"
Magearna immediately began pounding Volcanion with a flurry of tiny punches, clearly annoyed by the teasing.
"With both of you here, I feel very reassured," Silas said. "If something happens that you cannot handle, I left an address where you can contact me immediately. Do not hesitate to send a message."
Then he pointed to the badge on his chest.
"After all, I am still your honorary mayor."
"Cin Cin!"
Cinccino puffed out its chest proudly from Silas's shoulder, indicating that it held the same title.
Diantha also wore one on her chest.
Cyclizar, Kangaskhan, and the others had them as well.
Everyone here was an honorary mayor of Pokémon Town.
(End of Chapter)