"Luxio, you did great."
"Keep focusing on Electro Ball—I'll prepare a new training plan for you."
Aven praised Luxio with a smile.
If Luxio was to master Electro Ball, it would need to focus on Special Attack training.
Aven already had an idea—perhaps using the move Charge could help enhance Luxio's electric energy.
But that would require stronger electrical sources for Luxio to absorb.
"Maybe I can use those captured Luxray from Marina City's knight squad."
"The Luxray line's electricity is very unique and through the current transfusion, Luxio can completely absorb their electricity."
"But first, I'll need a way to store that electricity so Luxio can absorb it safely."
Aven leaned against a tree, holding Luxio's training notebook and deep in thought.
For a Pokémon Breeder, adjusting and creating tailored training plans based on each Pokémon's current situation was a necessary skill.
The Luxray left behind during the retreat of the Marina City Knight Order had all been captured by his forces during the battle.
Among them was even an advanced-tier Luxray.
These Pokémon were brought back and imprisoned in the basement, watched over by a group of Gloom.
Even with the strength of advanced-tier magical beasts, they could barely resist under Gloom's continuous use of Absorb, Sleep Powder and Stun Spore.
Weakened by the sleepiness and paralysis, their strength waned even further as their energy was steadily drained—making them remarkably easy to guard.
In fact, some of the Gloom who had participated in the guarding duty had grown significantly stronger, having absorbed so much life energy over time.
It was a win-win situation.
Originally, Aven had hoped he could tame these Luxray, just like he had done with the Bibarel.
After all, an advanced-tier Luxray would be an immensely valuable asset to him.
But these Luxray displayed extreme loyalty.
Unlike the Bibarel, who had grown disillusioned with the Marina City Knights and formed a bond with their new companions, the Luxray remained unshakably faithful to their previous team—giving Aven a headache.
….
"Looks like these Luxray are impossible to tame."
"In that case, let's just treat them as living batteries for Luxio."
"Maybe one day, when Luxio becomes strong enough to defeat them all with ease… they might be willing to submit."
Aven made his decision.
Though he always held goodwill toward Pokémon, he was still clear about right and wrong.
These Luxray belonged to the Marina City Knight Order, and if they refused to yield, then they could at least contribute their power in another way.
"As for storing the electricity… that can be handled by the Rhyhorns with their Lightning Rod ability."
"Rhyhorn's can absorb electricity using Lightning Rod, and they also have a natural talent for mastering Electric-type moves."
"Moves like Shock Wave, Thunderbolt, and Thunder—they can all be learned smoothly, and with Lightning Rod, it's even easier."
Supporting his chin with one hand, Aven continued to consider various strategies to enhance Luxio's electric output, drawing from all the resources he currently had access to.
Soon, a comprehensive training plan had formed in his mind.
The Rhyhorn herd had already grown quite strong under the training of Rhydon, and if he carried out some targeted nurturing, a few of them might even evolve successfully.
With the plan finalized, Aven got to work right away—there were a lot of tasks awaiting him in the coming days.
…
Meanwhile, Matthew, having heard rumors from the other hunters, was finally learning about Aven.
When he learned that Aven had risen from a mere commoner to a Earl in just one year—and had even defeated the Marina City Knight Order—his expression turned to one of utter shock.
Scenes of that endless grassland filled with magical beasts flashed through his mind.
'Did that Lord really gather so many powerful creatures in just a year?'
He then went on to inquire about Aven in more detail.
The man assigned to guard them, Simon, turned out to be quite a talkative fellow.
From Simon, Matthew learned about some of the territorial laws Aven had implemented—chief among them being the prohibition of magical beasts and humans attacking each other within the domain.
He also heard that Aven had completely fallen out with the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild, which made Matthew's eyes light up in interest.
…
While Matthew was asking about Aven, Simon had also been asking him questions—and found Matthew to be quite an interesting character.
Matthew, for his part, found his guard very odd.
He learned that Simon had once been a simple berry farmer, constantly worried about magical beast invasions.
But now, just six months later, Simon had changed completely.
He didn't even show a trace of fear when speaking of the Ironblood Marquis, not even bothering with the usual respectful terms.
It was as if he had no idea who the Ironblood Marquis was.
If they were in Ironblood Fortress, someone like him would've been dragged away by the knights and executed on the spot for disrespecting a noble.
But it wasn't just his words—it was his eyes.
Though he was just a patrolman, Simon's eyes shone with pride and confidence.
He stood tall like a knight full of honor, even though he was a commoner.
And whenever he mentioned "Lord Aven," he would square his shoulders and speak with unshakable devotion—as if he were a true knight, ready to give everything for his lord.
This made Matthew wonder—
'What kind of man is this Aven, really?'
Just then, a patrolman entered the cellar and informed Simon:
"Lord Aven wishes to see these hunters."
The patrolman's words immediately drew the attention of all the captured hunters.
One by one, they stood up.
Under the escort of the patrolmen, all 23 magical beast hunters were brought out of the cellar and into the grove outside.
Seeing sunlight again after so long gave their spirits a jolt.
Some showed nervousness, others let out a sigh of relief—everyone's expression was different.
Now that they knew judgment was coming, their hearts grew even more tense.
When there had been no verdict, they had longed for this moment.
Now that it had arrived, they were struck with fear.
Standing in the grove, they finally saw the Earl born of common blood.
Unlike the domineering Ironblood Marquis, Aven looked gentle and calm.
He sat in a chair, cradling a Petilil in his arms.
In front of him was a wooden table, and seated on that table was a magical beast none of them had seen before.
It had a white body, blue hair, and piercing eyes that peeked out from beneath its bangs, constantly observing the group.
All around the grove stood patrolmen in matching leather armor, each accompanied by various Pokémon they had tamed.
Matthew glanced at Aven, then at the mysterious magical beast on the table, and lowered his head in thought.
…
"Ralts~"
At that moment, Ralts' red horn twitched slightly.
It could feel a wave of emotions flowing from the humans before it.
Closing its eyes, it began to carefully sense each one.
Aven had told it earlier why it had been brought along today.
He needed to use Ralts' abilities to sense emotions and detect lies, to determine the true nature of each person—and use that as a basis for judgment.
…
"You should all know why I've called you here."
Aven glanced around.
"Let's start with you."
His gaze landed on Morton—the very first magical beast hunter he had captured.
He remembered him vividly because, during that first battle, Morton had ordered his Mightyena to launch a lethal strike directly at Aven.
The memory was still sharp.
…
Hearing Aven's words, Morton stepped forward with chest out and head held high.
He was a man who had faced many storms and knew the key in moments like this was not to falter.
After all, he had the backing of both the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild and Ironblood Fortress.
He believed Aven wouldn't dare be too harsh with him.
Moreover, he was a knight of Ironblood Fortress.
According to noble customs, his liege lord had the right to ransom him back.
He was confident that his value exceeded any ransom.
…
"The judgment now begins."
Aven leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
The real interrogation wouldn't be handled by him personally.
Sutter, who had long been prepared, stepped forward.
Following the standard trial procedure he had learned as part of the knight order, he began the interrogation.
…
"Ralts~"
Ralts immediately activated its Telepathy and sensing abilities.
With its psychic power, it could easily detect whether someone was lying.
"He's lying. This human is a bad person."
Ralts reported its findings to Aven through telepathic communication as the trial proceeded.
…
"Lord Aven."
When the interrogation ended, Sutter looked over at Aven.
Even without Ralts' input, he could already tell that most of Morton's answers were lies.
Normally, at this point, the knight order would resort to torture to force a confession.
That's why he was waiting for Aven's decision.
…
"I understand. I shall now issue the judgment."
Aven's eyes suddenly opened, his tone calm.
…
Sutter was clearly caught off guard.
Morton, however, smiled.
Since the lord hadn't pressured him, it probably meant he had believed his story.
He figured Aven would simply sentence him for breaking a few territorial laws, then notify the Guild for ransom.
After all, this southeastern corner of the land was poor and barren.
A newly risen noble like Aven would surely need money to develop his territory.
Asking the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild for ransom would be the quickest way to get gold.
…
"According to the laws of this territory…"
"Morton harmed magical beasts within the domain without permission, and during his arrest, openly attacked the Lord."
"Take him away. Three days from now, he will be hanged in the public square outside Fruitvale Village!"
…
As Aven's voice fell, everyone froze, eyes widening in shock.
Morton's smile froze on his face.
He looked at Aven in disbelief.
He hadn't expected Aven to pronounce a death sentence—by hanging—without hesitation.
'Was this man really not going to show any respect to the Gilded Fang or the Ironblood Fortress?!'
(End of Chapter)