Heading to the Giant's Cave to seek out Kyurem was no small matter.
The journey was fraught with danger, and merely approaching Kyurem posed an enormous risk.
As a legendary Pokémon, Kyurem possessed overwhelming power, it could freeze half of the entire Unova region in an instant.
If they accidentally angered it while drawing near, the consequences could be catastrophic.
"The only good news," Lucien thought to himself, "is that according to the anime, legendary Pokémon can communicate with humans, and their intelligence far surpasses that of ordinary Pokémon."
But reaching Kyurem was only the first step, persuading it was a completely different problem.
To win the acknowledgment of a legendary Pokémon, a trainer usually had to display substantial strength. A battle was the most direct way to prove oneself.
But Lucien knew full well that even after months of rigorous training, his team was still far too weak to challenge Kyurem head-on.
Even so, he had no choice.
With Victini accompanying him, even if they could not defeat Kyurem, they should still be able to retreat safely using Victini's psychic abilities.
"Forget everything else for now. First, I need to make contact with Kyurem!" Lucien decided.
"Elif, that will be all for today," he said gently.
The old steward's face reflected deep worry. "Your Highness, no matter what happens, we are all behind you, every last person and magical beasts in this territory. I believe this with all my heart."
The commoners, the freed slaves, the magical beasts who had once been abused.
None of them wished to return to that life ever again.
Lucien felt a warm surge in his chest.
The smiling faces of the people and Pokémon living in Lucien City flashed before his eyes, giving him unshakeable resolve.
If, in the beginning, he had been driven forward solely by necessity and the brutal environment…Now, he had a purpose worth fighting for.
Before leaving, however, he had to arrange everything within the territory.
After Elif departed, Lucien sat alone at his desk, deep in thought.
He took a sheet of parchment, dipped his quill in ink, and began writing down the long-term plans and development priorities for Lucien City, one by one.
First: The Army.
As the force responsible for defending the territory, their training must continue without pause. During his absence, Geralt and the other knights needed to push forward with daily drills, strengthening both their own skills and the abilities of their partnered Pokémon.
Second: A Hospital.
The territory still lacked a proper medical facility. Soldiers, civilians, and Pokémon frequently fell ill or suffered injuries.Lucien hoped Lila, Celina and Lena Joy, and the other doctors could take on this responsibility and build a functioning hospital as soon as possible.
Third: Food Reserves.
Besides meeting daily needs, a massive stockpile of food was essential for any potential war.
They needed to expand farmland, cultivate more crops, raise additional Pokémon, and develop cooperative human-Pokémon agriculture.
Fourth: Commerce.
Strengthen relationships with the merchant caravans, expand commercial activity in the city, and open trade routes via river ships to other towns.
A wealthy city would have greater resilience.
Fifth: An Academy.
All children aged seven to twelve must receive formal education, literacy, understanding of magical beasts, agriculture, basic construction, and civic knowledge.
A thriving territory needed knowledge, not just strength.
Sixth: City Walls.
A full defensive perimeter must be built around the territory to prepare for future wars.
Seventh: A Breeding Center.
Within the nature reserve, a facility dedicated to caring for Pokémon should be constructed, rescuing injured Pokémon, supplying food, nurturing eggs, and offering habitat support.
The next morning, Lucien summoned Geralt, Ryan, Anna, Elif, and the others, laying out each development plan he had written the night before and emphasizing the important details they must not overlook.
Only after giving every instruction, military training, food reserves, the academy, the hospital, the walls, the breeding center, and commercial expansion, did Lucien finally feel at ease.
He did not depart immediately.
Instead, he stayed in Lucien City for three more days, quietly observing the town's operations, confirming that every system, agriculture, security, construction, Pokémon handling, medicine, was running smoothly without him.
Only then, on a quiet afternoon, Lucien finally departed, watched by Elif, Geralt, Anna, and the others as he set off for the distant Giant's Cave to find Kyurem.
"Your Highness, please allow me and Haxorus to accompany you!" Geralt pleaded, worry clouding his eyes.
Lucien shook his head gently.
"Geralt, the soldiers need you. The army must be trained every single day. I'll be fine, with Victini and Dragonair, I won't be traveling alone."
"Nini!" Victini raised its tiny paw, full of confidence. It would protect Lucien no matter what!
"Your Highness…" Elif hesitated briefly, then bowed deeply."Please… be careful."
Lucien smiled. "I will."
"Teacher…" Anna's voice trembled with emotion. Her Zoroark stood behind her, holding her second Pokémon, a Hoothoot, the tufted owl Pokémon she had recently caught.
Lucien's expression softened.
"Anna, I left you the full training manual for Hoothoot. Until I return, you must raise it well and become stronger.
Understood?"
"Yes!" Anna nodded vigorously. "I will protect the territory, I promise!"
Lucien smiled warmly.
The sun dipped low in the west.
Lucien mounted the Bouffalant, its afro-like mane swaying with each breath. He looked back at everyone one last time.
Geralt, Elif, Ryan, Anna… all stood with determination in their eyes.
Lucien waved, turned his mount, and rode away, Victini fluttering at his shoulder, Dragonair gliding overhead.
His figure slowly shrank into the horizon.
Geralt and Elif exchanged glances.
Unlike Anna, they both understood the deeper meaning behind Lucien's departure.
The prince had made his decision.
He no longer placed any hope in the First Prince or the Second Prince.
He intended to fight, not only for his rightful place, but for the entire Unova region.
Not just for humans.
But for every magical beast who had suffered. For a nation where humans and Pokémon could coexist.
No more abuse. No more slavery. A land where both species supported one another.
Geralt closed his eyes, scenes flashing in his mind:
Knights training alongside Aron and Swablu. Farmers cultivating crops with Diglett, Dugtrio, and Sandshrew.
Children laughing with wild Pokémon in the gardens.
A peaceful city, Lucien City, built by humans and Pokémon together.
His heart ignited.
As a knight, he and his Haxorus would protect Lucien's ideals… even at the cost of their lives.
Elif's feelings were far more turbulent.
His prince… had truly grown up.
But the First Prince and Second Prince commanded massive armies.
Could Lucien really stand against them?
His heart was filled with worry, but mixed with pride.
Anna, meanwhile, felt nothing but fire.
Merchants passing through had whispered the news:
"The war is coming."
If it reached Lucien City…
Everything could be lost.
Anna clenched her fists tightly.
She refused to return to her old life. She wanted to stay right here, with her mother, with Zoroark, with Hoothoot.
Even if Lucien didn't want her on the battlefield…
She had made up her mind.
No matter what happened, she and Zoroark would defend this home with their lives.
...
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