While Aven and Mira were talking, a sudden flash of multicolored light erupted from the island.
In the next moment, Kirlia appeared before Aven, her form shimmering with psychic energy. Floating beside her was a Poké Ball.
"Kirl~ lia~"
Kirlia tilted her head and let out a soft sigh, shaking it gently.
Azelf had tried channeling its willpower to awaken Darkrai—but it had failed.
"Good work, Kirlia." Aven took the Poké Ball from her and carefully placed it into his backpack. For now, he would have to find another way.
"Kiri~ lia!"
Kirlia cried out cheerfully, her eyes full of resolve, as the faint glimmer of seven-colored light continued to shimmer across the surface of Lake Valor.
Through her contact with Azelf, Kirlia felt that it had gained a tremendous amount of insight and strength.
The "will energy" that Azelf commanded was, in essence, quite similar to the emotional energy Kirlia had always been attuned to—but much more profound and refined.
Moreover, the air within Azelf's dimensional space had been thick with spatial energy, far denser than anything it had ever felt before.
Azelf had offered it great guidance and help. Once Kirlia returned and had the time to fully digest and internalize these new gains, its power would surely make a huge leap forward.
Now, Lilligant had already evolved and stepped into the ranks of King-level Pokémon, while Froslass had obtained that mysterious yellow crystal. Kirlia couldn't afford to slack off—it had to work even harder, or else it would only fall further and further behind.
"Lady Mira, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading back first," Aven said softly.
"There are still many matters waiting for me in the Pokémon Domain. And besides, I also need to take care of some things in Marina City."
Hearing this, Mira nodded reluctantly, a trace of sadness flickering in her pale eyes. "Mm, go ahead then. When you have time, do come visit Lake Valor more often."
After waving goodbye to the lady lord, Aven immediately set off for the Pokémon Domain without delay.
At that moment, the Pokémon Domain was in full motion. Massive quantities of supplies were being transported and gathered toward the eastern side of Fairhaven Town.
These supplies were to be sent across the domain to Marina City to help its citizens survive this bitterly cold winter.
Along the riverside, many Bibarel and Bidoof were assembled, while nearby workers were busy fastening bundles of goods securely onto their sturdy backs.
Because the Pokémon Domain and Marina City were separated by the vast Coastal Mountain Range, regular carriages couldn't traverse the path. The only option was to rely on Bibarel and Bidoof to carry the supplies over themselves.
The moment they learned they would be returning to Marina City, the Bibarel and Bidoof grew visibly excited.
Although they had long since grown fond of life in the Pokémon Domain and already treated it as their new home, Marina City was still their birthplace—the place that had raised them. Many of their family and friends still lived there.
This time, their journey to Marina City had another purpose as well—to bring their families and companions back to live with them in the Pokémon Domain.
As for staying in Marina City… the thought never even crossed their minds. They had already fallen in love with the Pokémon Domain—its land, its people, their new partners, and especially that peaceful lake where all the Bibarel gathered.
Thanks to Aven's many expeditions and battles, he had collected an impressive number of Water Stones. Now, that Bibarel Lake contained countless Water Stones buried beneath its surface. Any Water-type Pokémon would find it impossible to leave such a place.
"Lord Aven, all supplies are ready!"
Kale ran up to Aven, his voice filled with excitement, though he tried hard to suppress it.
He had always known he would return to Marina City someday, but he never imagined that day would come so soon—and under such circumstances.
And this time, they weren't going there to fight, but to help the citizens! That thought alone filled him with joy and relief.
"Alright, then let's move out!" Aven nodded, climbing onto his Luxray.
"Lilli~!"
Lilligant immediately leaped up, landing gracefully on Luxray's back.
Luxray's body dipped slightly under the added weight but quickly steadied itself.
It glanced back in surprise at its passenger—Lilligant was much heavier than her previous form, Petilil, and it took Luxray a second to adjust.
Seeing this, Aven chuckled and quickly wrapped his arms around Lilligant, holding her close. A faint, embarrassed smile tugged at his lips.
Lilligant now stood at over a meter tall, and holding her felt completely different than before… though, to be honest, it wasn't unpleasant.
"Kir~ lia~"
Not wanting to be left out, Kirlia floated up behind him, gently wrapped her small arms around Aven's waist, and nestled her head against his back.
Just like old times.
Luxray, sensing that Aven was securely seated, let out a soft growl and darted forward, its lightning-striped body weaving swiftly through the snow as they raced toward the distant Black Forest. Froslass's graceful silhouette followed silently behind them.
"Now… we're going home," Kale murmured, patting his Luxray he rode upon.
"Meowr—!"
Luxray growled in response and bounded after Aven, with Empoleon gliding alongside.
The Bibarel and Bidoof carrying supplies followed close behind, forming a massive, organized procession.
Meanwhile, at the foot of the Coastal Mountains, the Marina City Knights were already assembled and waiting.
They stood gazing toward the dark forest, their expressions a mix of complexity and emotion. None of them had ever imagined things would end this way.
Fortunately, the outcome had been a good one—the city's greatest traitor had been punished, and now Marina City was about to receive aid from the Pokémon Domain.
Yet when they thought of Aven, that remarkable young lord, all of them sighed quietly. Even their own lord, Kale, had sworn allegiance to him. From now on, Marina City might as well be considered part of the Pokémon Domain.
Still, when they recalled the news Kale had shared about that fertile land, of the Bibarel's ability to nourish the land while tilling it and the miraculous fertilizers that allow grains to grow faster—they couldn't help but silently accept it in their hearts.
If this change could truly bring prosperity to the people of Marina City, then becoming a vassal of the Pokémon Domain didn't seem so bad after all. Deep down, every knight there had already acknowledged Aven as their rightful master.
"The Pokémon Domain's convoy is coming!" a scout suddenly shouted.
At once, all the knights stood at attention, eyes fixed on the forest's edge.
Soon, two familiar figures of Aven and Kale emerged riding swiftly toward the Marina City knight's encampment.
Behind them came a troop of Bibarel and Bidoof, each carrying bundles of supplies.
The knights stared in disbelief.
"T-Those Bibarel…!" one of them gasped, his eyes widening.
His gaze locked onto the massive Bibarel at the front of the group. That sturdy frame—that familiar scar—they would never forget it for as long as they lived.
"That's Captain Paul's Bibarel!"
"And look—those Bibarel behind it! My god, they're alive! They're all alive!"
Emotions surged uncontrollably. Some knights began to tremble, biting their lips hard to keep from crying.
Most of the Marina City Knights had fought in the disastrous battle at the Fruitvale Village. They had fled back alive—but their loyal Bibarel had not.
The sight of their partners charging into battle and disappearing forever was carved deep into their hearts, a wound that had never healed.
They knew, deep down, that the Bibarel had never abandoned them—it was they who had abandoned their partners. They were the ones who had driven them away.
Afterward, they had lived with regret, believing their Bibarel and Bidoof had surely perished long ago, taking with them the forgiveness the knights would never be able to earn.
Yet now… here they were. Alive. Carrying supplies back to the city.
Tears broke free. Several knights stumbled to their feet and ran forward, tripping over themselves in their haste to reunite with their long-lost partners.
At the same time, the Bibarel in the distance had also spotted the knights. Their pace slowed, uncertainty filling their eyes.
Their feelings toward these knights were just as tangled. This was why so many of them had refused to fight on battlefields—they had feared encountering their old comrades and not knowing how to face them.
Now, that moment had come. Their steps grew hesitant. None of them knew what to do.
But before they could decide, the knights suddenly dropped to their knees, pressing their foreheads into the snow.
They were apologizing—with the only gesture they could muster—for all the guilt and remorse buried in their hearts.
And in that instant, the Bibarel could no longer hold back. With teary eyes and trembling bodies, they charged forward, each finding its own knight and crashing into their arms.
"Thank goodness… thank goodness…"
"I'm sorry, Bibarel. I'm so, so sorry!"
All around, knights and Bibarel embraced one another, their cries echoing across the snowy plain.
Those Bibarel who couldn't find their partners stood silently, lost and sorrowful. They gathered quietly around their leader, Paul's Bibarel.
"Bii…"
The leader's low cry trembled in the air.
In its mind, it saw Paul's face. It had avenged him—but Paul himself would never return.
With a heavy heart, it turned and ran to Aven, letting out a faint, sorrowful whine.
"If you want to cry… then cry," Aven murmured, kneeling down and wrapping his arms around the large Bibarel, gently stroking its soft fur.
Pokémon, he thought, were sometimes more emotional and sincere than humans. When you gave them your heart, they returned that love a hundredfold. Unlike humans, they were pure, simple, and true.
"Lord Aven," Kale said quietly, stepping forward and bowing deeply, "thank you—for giving my knights a chance at redemption."
Aven shook his head with a gentle smile. "There's no need to thank me. As long as they can find happiness again, it's all worth it."
"If they truly wish to return to their knights and fight by their side again, then let them. I'll respect whatever choice they make."
Kale trembled. Then, without hesitation, he lowered his head once more, his heart reaffirming what he already knew—this was the lord he would follow to the very end.
In the distance, the knights and their Bibarel finally calmed down. They rose to their feet and slowly walked forward together.
Then, in one motion, every knight knelt on one knee before Aven—the traditional gesture of fealty from knight to lord.
None of them knew how else to express their gratitude, their repentance, their awe.
They all knew that after their separation, it had been Aven who had saved their partners, who had given the Bibarel a new home and purpose.
No words were needed. Everything was clear as day.
And for a knight, there was only one way to express such devotion—by pledging absolute loyalty. Their swords, their lives, their souls—all would now belong to Aven.
Seeing this, Kale smiled faintly, stepped forward, and knelt beside them.
Farther behind, the rest of the Marina City Knights followed suit. Without hesitation, they too dropped to one knee, their armor gleaming beneath the cold light. They shared their comrades' feelings completely.
That day, the entire Marina City Knight Order knelt as one—swearing allegiance to their new master.
In their hearts, they all knew that Aven was the one truly worthy of leading them.
"Lord Aven," Kale said solemnly, "please accept the fealty of the Marina City Knight Order."
"From this day forth, we shall be your blade and your shield. Wherever your will points us, we shall march without fear or hesitation!"
Kale's voice rang with firm conviction. In that moment, he had completely and wholeheartedly entrusted Marina City to Aven's hands.
He believed with every fiber of his being—under Aven's leadership, Marina City would only grow stronger and more prosperous than ever before.
(End of Chapter)