On the grassy plains of Nidoking Valley.
A large number of Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, Nidorino, and Nidorina were all gathered together, listening attentively to Aven's lecture.
Now that Aven had successfully subdued the Nidoking leader, the entire Nidoking tribe had officially joined the Safari Zone.
"Truly remarkable, Lord Aven. With the addition of the Nidoking tribe, the strength of the territory has risen to another level." Enel's eyes burned with excitement.
Since the Nidoking tribe had now become part of the territory, this meant they could also finally capture one of the Nidoran♂ or Nidoran♀ they had long set their eyes on.
The other rangers nodded eagerly as well, their faces full of anticipation. After all, wasn't this the main reason they had come here in the first place? For these very Nidorans.
"Nidoking, so what's your opinion?"
"Allowing your tribesmen to follow trainers and gain experience through real battles is one of the fastest ways to grow stronger."
"You can set a time limit—perhaps one year, maybe two. Once the period of training is complete, they can still return to the tribe."
Hearing Aven's suggestion, the Nidoking leader felt somewhat moved. It turned its gaze toward its tribesmen in the distance, who were happily feasting on the Pokémon food provided.
So long as its tribesmen were willing, there was no harm in trying. After all, Pokémon and trainers were meant to be partners, and they could return to the tribe whenever they wished.
"Nido~ Nido~ Nido!"
With that thought, the Nidoking leader returned to its people to discuss the matter.
The moment the young Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ heard that they could become stronger through such training, many of their eyes lit up, their faces filled with eagerness, itching to try.
Seeing this, the Nidoking leader nodded firmly, then returned to Aven's side, signifying its agreement.
"Lord Aven, does this mean it has agreed?" The rangers immediately crowded around, their faces brimming with anticipation.
Looking at their nervous yet expectant expressions, Aven grinned. "Yes, the Nidoking leader has agreed."
"However, to capture a Nidoran♂ or Nidoran♀, you'll need to rely on your own strength. When you choose them, remember—they are also choosing you!"
The rangers grew even more excited, nodding quickly in agreement, before hurrying toward the Nidoran they had been in contact with for so long.
"Nidorino, are you willing to fight by my side?" Enel approached a Nidorino.
"Nido! Nido!"
Nidorino glanced at its companions, and its eyes suddenly sharpened.
Then, under Enel's expectant gaze, the Nidorino stepped out from the group—but instead of stopping before him, it walked past him and headed straight for the open clearing.
Enel's expression froze. He could only watch as Nidorino planted itself firmly on the field, adopting a battle stance.
"So, your meaning is… if I wish to capture you, I must first defeat you?" Enel's earlier disappointment vanished, his eyes flashing with expectation.
"Nido!"
Nidorino nodded heavily, its gaze locking on to the Weepinbell standing beside Enel.
"I understand." Enel nodded back firmly, turning to his partner. "Weepinbell, it's our turn!"
The battle erupted at once. After participating in the Knight Selection Tournament last time, Enel's command ability had improved significantly.
However, Nidorino still possessed superior physical attributes in nearly every aspect, and in the end, it was Nidorino who claimed victory.
"I lost…" Enel's face revealed a fleeting trace of disappointment.
But almost immediately, he clenched his fist and said to Nidorino, "Please, give me another chance! Next time, I swear I'll defeat you!"
Nidorino merely shrugged indifferently before turning back toward the tribe. If Enel wished to earn its recognition, he would have to truly defeat it.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Before long, more battles broke out across the field.
One after another, the Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ began challenging the rangers, testing their strength through combat.
Of course, some completely ignored the rangers' invitations to battle. In fact, simply agreeing to fight was already a sign of acknowledgment—meaning the ranger only needed to take one more step to earn their bond.
"That's fine too. Now then… is there any Pokémon here willing to fight me?"
Matthew stepped forward, his Mightyena and Crobat flanking him, both radiating overwhelming energy.
The Nidoking tribe immediately grew restless. They naturally recognized Matthew and were all too aware of how powerful this human was.
Many turned their gazes toward the Nidoking and Nidoqueen within the group, for among them only a few were capable of withstanding Matthew's strength.
"Nido!"
At that moment, a Nidoking stepped out from the crowd, its eyes blazing as it locked onto Matthew.
"Heh, so it's you!"
"If you lose to me, then you'll be my partner!"
Matthew let out a hearty laugh, then his Mightyena lunged forward into the clearing, the battle about to explode at any second!
From a distance, Aven and the Nidoking leader quietly observed the scene. Exchanging a glance, both of their faces broke into a smile.
"NIDO!"
The Nidoking roared in reply, its expression clearly saying: I've long disliked you—come fight me!
The clash was immediate. Both sides were of advanced-level, their battle fierce and evenly matched.
Gradually, the two Pokémon began to lose themselves in the fight. The corners of their mouths curled upward—they were starting to enjoy it.
"Nidoking, because of your decision, Nidoking Valley will only continue to grow stronger," Aven sighed with admiration.
He could already envision the future: one day, Nidoking Valley might stand shoulder to shoulder with Charicific Valley, becoming one of the mightiest tribes.
At that time, not a single human on this continent would dare lay a hand on the Nidoking tribe. For beyond the tribe's own strength, the continent would also be filled with trainers with Nidokings and Nidoqueens raised in Nidoking Valley.
"Nido! Nido! Nido!"
The Nidoking leader nodded forcefully. Its gaze swept over the Nidorino and Nidorina nearby, eyes blazing with determination.
It had chosen to follow Aven precisely so it could grow stronger, to finally take that last step—transforming its tribe into a true King-level tribe, the strongest force in this entire Black Forest!
"Don't worry. I'll help you become stronger."
"But before that, I need to observe your current state carefully, so I can prepare the proper training plan."
"And soon, there's going to be a battle waiting for me. That battle will also serve as an excellent opportunity!"
Aven smiled faintly. He had already shared his plan with Nidoking. Upon hearing that their upcoming enemy was none other than the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild, the Nidoking leader's eyes gleamed coldly.
Unbidden, its mind drifted back to the time when its children had been captured by hunters. Had Lord Aven not saved them, it dared not imagine the fate that would have awaited them.
…
Half a day later, Aven left Nidoking Valley with his Pokémon.
Inside his satchel, the Nidoking leader quietly rested in its Poké Ball, alongside more than a dozen other Poké Balls.
Striding quickly through the forest, Aven once again chose to cut straight across the Safari Zone, moving east to west through the Black Coast Forest.
When he arrived at the place where he had once subdued the Raticate horde, he turned back toward Fruitvale Village.
By then, the afternoon sun was high. Knights stationed in the forest greeted Aven with respectful salutes, while the lumberjacks dropped their work and knelt together to welcome the return of their lord.
"Mado, I've already relocated the Raticate tribe into the Safari Zone."
"Now, you can organize the knights to continue pushing deeper into the forest. Try to open up the Black Coast Forest as quickly as possible."
After offering these instructions to the former knight-captain, Aven walked off toward Fruitvale Village, gradually disappearing into the distance under the admiring gazes of the knights.
"Lord Aven is truly incredible!" the scouts muttered among themselves.
According to their reports, that had been a Raticate horde led by a leader nearly at the level of an advanced-level Pokémon. Yet Lord Aven had managed to resolve the matter all on his own.
Over the following days, Aven remained quietly within the farm, seldom showing himself.
But information about Fruitvale Village continued to flow endlessly to him, carried by Froslass and the Oddish tribe.
"Hm, another merchant caravan has arrived?"
"It seems the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild has already begun moving, their manpower steadily gathering."
Through his telepathy, Aven could observe their every small movement as if he were present himself.
Yet, true to their reputation as the most elite force of the Guild, the assassins left behind no obvious traces.
Even so, Aven was certain of one thing—these assassins had already begun to infiltrate his territory. They could be disguised as merchants, as civilians, or even as serfs.
Recently, Fruitvale Village's trade had been extremely frequent. With large numbers of civilians and serfs supplementing the population, this had provided the perfect opportunity for the Guild's assassination teams to slip in.
"Perhaps… the attempt on my life will come within these next few days."
Aven drew in a deep breath.
(End of Chapter)