Time passed quickly, and the harshest part of winter had finally come to an end.
With the combined efforts of the various lords, all traces of the sorcerers' influence within the City of Aspiration had been completely eradicated.
At the same time, after several investigations carried out by the forces stationed at the frontline fortress, it was confirmed that the Ghost World spatial rift within the Abyssal Cavern had finally closed.
This meant that even if a rift to the Ghost World were to open again, the ghost-type Pokémon would no longer be able to pass through the spatial fissure into the real world.
Thus, the threat looming over the frontline fortress was completely eliminated. And because of the construction of the Pokémon Breeding Zone this year, the usual winter beast tide never broke out.
The civilians who had been evacuated to the fortress began returning to their own lands one after another. By the time spring arrived, they would be able to reclaim their farmland and resume life as usual.
The several knight regiments that had gathered at the fortress also began their return journeys to their own territories. The losses from this campaign were severe—handling the aftermath alone was enough to make the lords' heads ache.
The former Ironblood Knights, now free of their old shackles, were also on their way back to the Pokémon Domain. Behind them trailed a large number of ghost-type Pokémon—these were the very same ones that Aven had subdued earlier.
In this most recent battle, these ghost-types had been of tremendous help, holding off large portions of the enemy assault and reducing the burden on the knights.
After the fighting ended, some of those ghost-types returned to the Ghost World, while others chose to remain, accompanying the knights back to the Pokémon Domain.
"Sir Bloodhowl, once we're back, we'll finally be free citizens of the Pokémon Domain. Have you thought about what you want to do next?" one of the knight lieutenants asked, his tone carrying a rare note of hope.
The surrounding knights all wore faint smiles, their expressions a mixture of relief and uncertainty. Talk of the future made them both eager and uneasy.
"What to do next, huh?" Darius frowned slightly.
He glanced down at the Rhyhorn beneath him. If he wasn't a knight anymore… what else could he possibly do?
Though their crimes had been pardoned, continuing on as knights under the same title was no longer realistic. For the first time, Darius found himself at a loss.
"I think… maybe we can start over," one knight suggested. "According to the laws of the Pokémon Domain, any free citizen can become a Pokémon trainer."
"With our strength, becoming trainers and joining the patrol units wouldn't be too hard. If we perform well enough, step by step, we might even earn the right to become knights again!"
His tone carried excitement. The story of that former serf named Buck—who became a symbol of the Pokémon Domain's reform had long since spread among them, serving as living proof that even commoners could rise again.
"I, for one, think being a teacher isn't so bad either," another knight said thoughtfully. "There are quite a few literate civilians in the schools now. The pay's decent too."
Many nodded in agreement. After so many battles, some of them had grown weary of fighting. Living peacefully as teachers or mentors now seemed like a blessing in itself.
Darius was one of those people. As he gazed at the sky in the distance, his thoughts drifted to his family—especially his daughter, Lulu.
Lulu had already been accepted into one of the local schools. It had been a long time since he'd had the chance to be with her. He couldn't help wondering if she was behaving well in class, if she was making friends, if she missed him.
Now that he was officially a free citizen, he no longer had to live within the academy.
The shackles tied to the title Bloodhowl, a blood thirsty knight sworn to Marquis Ironblood, had finally been lifted. With his contract dissolved and his service obligations formally wiped clean after the war, he was no longer bound by duty, by command, or by that title.
He could simply be Darius again.
And with that freedom, he could finally go home—to live as a father and a husband once more.
Just imagining walking home from school with Lulu every afternoon filled him with warmth. At home, his family who had sacrificed everything to move to Fruitvale Village for his sake—would be waiting for him.
With that hopeful thought in mind, the knights quickened their pace, their march cutting swiftly across the eastern region toward the southernmost lands—the Pokémon Domain.
Wherever they passed, they carried the banner of the Pokémon Domain. Every person who saw them showed deep respect, parting the roads to let them through.
At that time, Aven had just returned to the Pokémon Domain from Marina City when he received the report that the knights had arrived home.
"The threat to the frontline fortress has been completely resolved?" Aven asked with a faint smile.
These men had truly done a great service—without them, the casualties would have been far worse.
He thought back to what Earl Ruize had told him earlier. Even though Darius and his knights had survived, Earl Ruize had relayed Darius' words in full.
To be honest, Aven had been deeply moved. It made him realize his decision back then had indeed been right. The knights, after teaching in the Pokémon Domain's schools, had undergone quiet but profound change.
Bringing his Pokémon along, Aven made his way to the knights' encampment. On the training field stood rows of disciplined men—those who had returned from the front lines, their armor still bearing battle scars.
"Lord Aven, we've returned," Darius said solemnly as he and the knights knelt on one knee in salute.
It was a perfect knight's salute. Perhaps sensing that this might be their last time performing it, every movement was carried out with utmost precision and reverence.
Aven stepped forward and helped Darius up, then looked at the men behind him. "Welcome back, my knights."
For a moment, silence hung in the air—then many of them felt their hearts tremble. Those words "my knights" were an open acknowledgment of their service, their courage, and their worth.
"To be able to serve Lord Aven is our greatest honor," Darius said sincerely, his voice filled with emotion.
"You've all done excellently," Aven said with a firm nod. "And as promised, from this day onward, you are all free citizens of the Pokémon Domain."
He paused for a moment, then added with a smile, "Welcome home, my people."
Those words landed softly, but they struck deeply. Many of the knights exchanged looks of disbelief and joy—their new lives had finally begun.
After leaving the camp, Aven made his way toward the cemetery.
Buried there were countless people and Pokémon who had perished in battle. As he looked over the rows of gravestones, the air seemed to grow colder, a faint chill seeping into his bones.
"Lass~"
From his shadow, the elegant figure of Froslass emerged.
Her crimson eyes glanced toward the graveyard as she let out a soft call, releasing faint waves of spiritual energy.
At once, a cold wind began to sweep through the cemetery. Moments later, spectral figures began to rise one by one from beneath the ground—ghost-type Pokémon taking form out of the darkness.
Leading them was Mismagius. Upon seeing Froslass, it floated forward respectfully to greet her.
Now that Froslass possessed the strength of a king-level Pokémon, to these ghost-types, she was practically their queen.
"Hehehehe~"
Low, eerie laughter echoed in the air as more and more Gastly appeared, led by a single Haunter.
These were the ghost-type Pokémon who had followed the knights back to the Pokémon Domain. They had all been settled here, in the cemetery—an ideal place for them, as the area's lingering deathly aura provided a perfect environment.
"Haunter, long time no see. How do you like it here?" Aven greeted with a smile.
Though ghost-types looked menacing, they were no different from other Pokémon at heart—there was no such thing as a truly evil Pokémon.
In the future, this cemetery would become a haven for ghost-type Pokémon. Trainers seeking to catch one could come here—provided they earned the Pokémon's approval.
To ensure safety, Aven also planned to establish special training programs for ghost-type trainers. After all, raising ghost-types required methods entirely different from normal Pokémon.
The Breeding House would need to adapt as well, developing food suitable for ghost-types.
Additionally, Aven intended to build a "Tower of Souls" here—a sanctuary for ghost-type Pokémon to rest, preventing them from wandering aimlessly while also concentrating ghost energy in one place.
"Hehehehe~"
Haunter floated beside Aven, nodding happily—it clearly loved this place.
It then turned toward Froslass with open admiration. It was she who had saved them before; their lives had been spared thanks to her.
Moreover, as Pokémon that had once been tainted by the grey fog, they were especially sensitive to the energy Froslass emitted—a natural aura of command and pressure.
"Froslass, I'm putting all the ghost-types under your care from now on. Is that alright?" Aven asked with a smile.
Froslass nodded gracefully, her body gliding into the air as she released waves of chilling, ghostly energy, instantly winning the respect of every spirit there.
"And aside from these ghost-types," Aven said, reaching into his coat, "the greatest prize of this entire operation… is this."
He drew out two Poké Balls. Inside them rested the Golurk and Dusknoir he had captured.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Guys, chatgpt tricked me, I thought Darius and Bloodhowl was the same person. Now they are the same person with the power of editing.