Following the townspeople's directions, the Joy sisters arrived at a townhouse.
Entering the yard, they were greeted by a brilliantly blooming flower field, carefully maintained and full of color. Beside it was a lush herb garden where several Pokémon were lazily sunbathing.
Seeing the identical-looking Pokémon basking in the sun, Lena couldn't help recalling what Prince Lucien had just told them.
"Big sis… we really aren't cursed, right?"
But Celina still wasn't sure either.
"There's no point thinking about that now. Since His Highness Lucien has accepted us, what we should do is learn a proper skill and repay him," Celina said gently.
Lena paused for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, big sis…"
Celina stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
Soon, footsteps approached from inside. The door opened, revealing a young woman.
"Excuse me, is this Miss Lyra's home?" Celina asked.
"I am," Lyra replied. She looked at the two identical girls with surprise and couldn't help asking, "And who might you two be?"
"His Highness Lucien sent us."
Celina handed over the letter of introduction.
Lyra opened it, quickly read the contents, and then smiled warmly.
"Come in."
Celina quietly let out a breath of relief.
Lyra seemed kind and gentle. As she led them inside, she explained:
"Welcome to Lucien City. Don't worry, His Highness already told me about you two. From now on, you'll stay here and learn from me. I'll teach you how to become physicians."
"Physicians?" Lena blinked in surprise.
"That's right!" Lyra nodded. "His Highness said the two of you are well-suited for this job. It seems he places high hopes on you."
Both sisters felt a bit overwhelmed.
How could that be?
They had only just met him!
"His Highness wouldn't arrange something without reason," Lyra added softly. "Since he entrusted you to me, I will teach you everything I know. And don't be afraid, His Highness is a wise and kind ruler."
"You probably don't know, right? Seven months ago this place was a wasteland. Under Prince Lucien's leadership, this entire city was built in only seven months!"
"Seven months?!" Lena gasped.
"Of course, it wasn't just humans, magical beasts helped greatly too!" Lyra said with a smile.
magical beasts...
The sisters exchanged a look. Yes, the city was full of Pokémon unlike any other place they'd lived.
Lyra noticed their surprise and laughed lightly.
"Don't worry, magical beasts aren't as scary as people think. Look, they're adorable."
She reached out and patted a Petilil on the head.
Lena gulped unconsciously.
"All right, back to the topic." Lyra continued, "Since His Highness entrusted you to me, I'll pass on all my medical knowledge to you. I hope you both study hard and don't disappoint him."
"Yes!" the sisters answered at once.
"To be a proper physician isn't easy. You need to learn how to prepare medicine, identify herbs, judge injuries, and treat them, not only for humans, but for magical beasts as well."
The sisters listened with full attention. To repay Prince Lucien and live up to his expectations, they vowed to give their best.
Sunlight shone outside the window, and a breeze made the Petilil sway gently.
At that moment, Celina and Lena Joy made up their minds.
To express their gratitude to Prince Lucien for accepting them, and to live up to His Highness's expectations, they were determined to study hard!
...
"Elif, how is the settlement of the civilians His Majesty sent over?"
Late at night, the old butler slowly reported the current state of the territory to Lucien.
"Under Lord Geralt's command, the two hundred knights who came from the royal capital have now officially joined our army. As per your instructions, Lord Geralt plans to head outside the city tomorrow to find suitable magical beasts to partner with them."
"As for the farmers, physicians, miners, blacksmiths, and carpenters, they have all gone to their respective posts. They're refining ore, crafting furniture, and supporting the city's daily needs."
"Their families have also moved into town and are gradually integrating into life here."
"In addition, Zack's caravan has settled into our city as well. Their shops have begun selling specialties from other cities to our people."
Hearing this, Lucien nodded.
Good, everything was progressing exactly as he planned.
Except;
Lucien suddenly remembered the group of Pokémon the old king had sent from the royal capital, the ones who had formerly been slaves.
"How are those magical beasts doing?" he asked.
"As you instructed, we designated a nature reserve outside the city. A portion of the beasts has already gone there to live. Some, like Skitty, who cannot survive alone in the wild, have been adopted by civilians inside the city. The rest, mainly the Gurdurr and Machoke, have joined the 'Machoke House,' and under the leadership of the two Machoke from before, they've now entered the construction team to work with us."
"Huh?" Lucien was a little surprised.
"So far," Elif continued, "the construction team has a total of forty Machoke, six Machop, thirty-two Gurdurr, and eight Timburr. And there is something else that shocked me even more."
"What is it?"
Elif's face showed clear astonishment.
"This group of magical beasts… completed two weeks' worth of work in just one day. At this rate, our entire town will be completely finished by next week at the latest."
Even Lucien couldn't help but be stunned.
These Pokémon… were ridiculously capable!
But then again, with the addition of the Machoke and Machop, the number of Pokémon in the construction team had already reached nearly ninety.
"Can the Machoke House even fit that many?" Lucien wondered aloud.
Sensing Lucien's concern, Elif quickly explained:
"The Machoke House can no longer hold them, but there's no need to worry, Your Highness. These Machoke have already earned the workers' trust. Many workers invited some of the Machoke and other magical beasts to stay in their own homes and live with them."
Only then did Lucien breathe a sigh of relief.
"You've worked hard, Elif."
This loyal old butler had diligently carried out every one of his decisions. Without him, Lucien could never have managed all this alone.
"To serve you is no hardship, Your Highness."
Elif looked at the prince before him, a young man who had undergone a complete transformation, and couldn't help but sigh emotionally.
"If His Majesty could see you now, he would be utterly stunned."
Seven months ago, the prince had been nothing more than a naive boy who had just left the royal city.
Now, the qualities of a true king were beginning to show in him.
His Highness… has grown up.
Lucien didn't know how to respond, so he could only shift the topic.
"It's getting late, Elif. You should go back and rest."
Elif bowed and slowly retreated.
"Yes, Your Highness. You should rest early as well."
...
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