Splash—!
Waves churned as the group surged forward. Tentacruel's speed was astonishing, and its body emitted faint ripples of energy that intimidated potential attackers lurking nearby.
Under Aven's training, Tentacruel had grown rapidly, evolving successfully and nearing the advanced level in power.
(TN: See here, author finally remembered it. Or did I really forgot it?)
Among nearshore Water Pokémon, such strength was rare. Most powerful Water-types lived far deeper beneath the sea.
It was just like the Black Forest on land—the stronger Pokémon resided deeper within, where resources were richer and competition fiercer.
"Biii~!"
The Bibarel leader swam alongside Tentacruel's flank, easily keeping pace.
It was a genuine advanced-level Pokémon, strong even among its tier. With its immense power and the support of its numerous kin, this Bibarel tribe could rival almost any Water-type tribes in these waters.
"Lilli~"
Lilligant, relying on her sensitivity to life energy, sensed multiple Pokémon approaching from afar—but upon detecting Aven's group's overwhelming numbers and power, those Water-types chose to observe from a distance instead of attacking.
Watching the massive group glide peacefully along the coast, the wild Pokémon eventually withdrew, letting the strangers pass unchallenged.
Their journey, therefore, was smooth and uneventful.
By the time the sun began to sink below the horizon, painting the waves in golden light, Aven and his forces finally reached the Black Coast.
They had completely bypassed the Coastal Mountains. Once they crossed the beach and passed through the Black Coast Forest, they would be back within the Pokémon Domain's designated Safari Zone.
From departure to arrival, the entire trip had taken barely half a day—far faster than crossing the coastal mountain range.
"If the Water-types could swim a bit faster," Aven mused, "we could cut that time down even more."
He turned to look at the cliffs and the endless sea behind him.
"It seems," Aven said softly, "that establishing a proper water route is absolutely necessary."
The greatest obstacle on this journey had been the concentration of wild Water Pokémon in this area, making it impossible for ordinary people to traverse safely.
If every passage required a full escort of Water-types, the cost would be enormous—far beyond what common travelers could afford.
The best solution, then, was to pacify and befriend those Water-type Pokémon tribes, bringing them under the Pokémon Domain's protection.
If he could extend the Safari Zone or establish a new breeding zone for water types within the ocean itself, that would be ideal.
Not only would it guarantee the safety of sea routes, but it would also allow Pokémon Trainers to come and catch Water-types for themselves—constantly improving their strength and battle skills in the open sea.
In this way, both humans and Pokémon would grow together, and the Pokémon Domain's reach would one day extend from the mountains to the deep blue ocean.
Not only would this resolve the issue of maritime safety, but it would also allow Trainers to capture and train Water-type Pokémon, thereby steadily enhancing their combat capabilities at sea.
In the future, these Trainers who specialize in Water-type Pokémon would also be capable of working as sailors. In time, they could even take on roles as captains and crew members, effectively nurturing a pool of talent for future oceanic expeditions ahead of time.
However, establishing a Pokémon Breeding Zone in the ocean would undoubtedly be far more difficult than doing so on land. After all, this was the vast sea—home to an unimaginably large number of Water-type Pokémon.
Even a King-level Pokémon, when facing a massive group of Water-type Pokémon in the ocean, might not necessarily gain the upper hand.
Furthermore, Water-type Pokémon were far too agile within their natural environment. The endless ocean was their domain, allowing them to swim freely in all directions. It was almost impossible to confine them to a single area; if they wanted to flee, escape was effortless.
If Aven intended to rely solely on the Bibarel tribes to subdue these ocean-dwelling Water-type Pokémon, that would not be very realistic either. Against powerful foes, those Water Pokémon could easily just retreat into the depths.
Moreover, unlike on land, the sea didn't present as many dangers to these Pokémon. It would be difficult for Aven to even come into contact with them, let alone cultivate bonds and train them.
"It seems I'll have to start from the lakes on land," Aven murmured thoughtfully.
"Now that the Pokémon League has been established, many Water-type Pokémon are already able to live freely in the lakes."
"Once the restriction on Lake Valor is lifted, large numbers of Water-type Pokémon will surely enter the rivers and lakes throughout Aspiration City."
"At that point, I can begin by nurturing a few Water-type Pokémon within these lakes. Once a sufficiently powerful Water-type population has been established, they can then be introduced to the sea."
"When these Water-types occupy the nearshore regions, the initial framework for an aquatic Pokémon Breeding Zone will take shape. Then, as their numbers and strength gradually increase, the Breeding Zone will eventually be fully formed."
Standing atop Tentacruel's back, Aven pondered how best to establish this Water Pokémon Breeding Zone. If he followed his plan, it would undoubtedly require a long period of careful management and operation—it was not something that could be accomplished overnight.
Splash, splash...
Tentacruel and the Bibarel tribes continued swimming steadily through the sea.
Upon reaching the Black Coast, Aven did not intend to go ashore immediately. Instead, he chose to continue sailing along the coastline, familiarizing himself with the surrounding environment.
After completing his survey, he could return to Fairhaven Town via the estuary where the Fair River met the Southern Sea. This waterway would serve as the main route connecting the mainland and the ocean, stimulating the development of Fairhaven Town's foreign trade.
Splash, splash...
Tentacruel parted the waters as they advanced.
As they neared the Black Coast, Aven gazed toward the shoreline and could faintly see a dense forest stretching in the distance.
Eventually, they arrived at the mouth of the Fair River. Perhaps due to the Poison-type Pokémon that once inhabited its banks, the water had long been polluted, leaving the estuary sparsely populated with Pokémon.
However, since all those Poison-types had been relocated to Drapion's poison swamp territory, the water quality had now greatly improved.
Aven believed it wouldn't be long before large numbers of Water-type Pokémon would return to this estuary area. Through the Fair River, they would be able to travel upstream, reaching the lakes within Aspiration City.
"The water has already been purified quite well."
"The next step is to continue expanding the Bibarel Lake and further enhance the Water-type energy contained within it."
Satisfied, Aven nodded. Upon arrival, he instructed the Bibarel leader to wait with its tribe while he quickly disembarked.
From the shore, he could see a tall, lighthouse-like structure standing in the distance—this was the outpost belonging to the Pokémon Knight Order of the Pokémon Domain.
That encampment had originally been built to guard against potential attacks from the Knights of Marina City, as well as to watch for any threats that might emerge from the sea.
After all, the Fair River served as a vital waterway connecting Fairhaven Town and the ocean. Should any enemy infiltrate the sea through it, Fairhaven Town would face an enormous risk.
Aside from this site, another knightly camp had also been established at the intersection of the Black Forest, the Coastal Mountains, and the Black Coast—primarily as another defense again, against the knights of Marina City if they chose to attack from this direction.
However, after the war with Marina City ended, that encampment was relocated to the estuary. Since the region was now protected by Drapion and numerous Poison-type Pokémon, it had become part of the Safari Zone's defensive perimeter.
Within the Safari Zone itself, rangers maintained the area's stability, so there was no longer any need for the knights to serve as its primary guardians.
After coming ashore and ordering Tentacruel to wait in the sea, Aven summoned his Luxray.
But before he could even approach the camp, a large group of knights could already be seen running toward him from afar—they had clearly noticed the sudden appearance of countless Bibarel at the estuary.
And indeed, the number of knights that arrived was substantial. Faced with such a massive herd of Bibarel, it was no surprise that they had mobilized nearly their entire force.
(End of Chapter)