In early April of the 150th year of the Kingdom Calendar, winter finally gave way to spring.
The snow melted, the earth thawed, and all things came back to life.
The Kingdom of Eindoak welcomed a new year.
And this year was destined to be one of sweeping change.
After ascending the throne, His Majesty Lucien immediately launched a series of bold reforms.
He issued decrees abolishing the privatization of farmland, nationalizing all land within the kingdom and redistributing it fairly among the common people.
At the same time, he formally abolished slavery, declaring equality for all, universal education, and strictly forbidding the enslavement or oppression of humans or Pokémon under any pretext.
This decision sent shockwaves throughout the kingdom.
Countless nobles protested and demonstrated, but the unrest was swiftly suppressed by the army.
In their place rose the voices of the common people and the lower classes, voices filled with gratitude, hope, and fervent support.
The Kingdom of Eindoak had undergone a fundamental transformation.
With the cooperation of local mayors, facilities known as Pokémon Centers began appearing across the land, in cities, towns, and even select villages.
Friendship Shops, academies, Trainer Associations, police stations, and other public institutions sprang up one after another.
Meanwhile, the king dispatched envoys throughout the realm to promote the idea of peaceful coexistence between humans and Pokémon, teaching people how to interact with Pokémon, understand them, and use their abilities to improve everyday life.
In the central square of Karakus Town, a large crowd had gathered.
Their gazes were filled with curiosity, respect, and cautious excitement as they focused on the figure standing at the center of the square.
There, a handsome young man with a gentle smile addressed the people in a calm, steady voice.
"In the past," he said, "we humans often enslaved Pokémon through violence, forcing them to work for us."
"But that was wrong."
"This behavior filled Pokémon with fear and hatred toward humans. Those emotions spread among them, so when wild Pokémon saw us, they felt only hostility and aggression."
"And we humans, harmed by Pokémon attacks, grew ever more afraid in return, treating them as enemies."
The man paused, frowning slightly, before turning his gaze toward a Pokémon standing beside him.
It was Electivire.
A terrifying Pokémon capable of unleashing devastating lightning, strong enough to reduce a person to ashes in an instant.
Yet now, it stood quietly at the man's side, docile and obedient.
When it noticed the man looking at it, Electivire even scratched the back of its head shyly, wearing the same gentle smile.
As if agreeing with his words, it nodded.
"That way of thinking is wrong," the man continued.
"Pokémon, like humans, are part of this land."
"They are intelligent. They have emotions. They understand kindness, and they know how to repay it."
"Why, then, can we not live together on this land?"
His words struck deeply into the hearts of the onlookers.
Among the crowd, a small boy tugged nervously at his mother's sleeve.
He looked about five years old.
"Mommy…" he asked softly,
"Can we live with Seedless too?"
Seedless was a Pokémon the boy had found injured near the forest seven days earlier.
It had been lying weakly by the roadside, so he brought it home and cared for it until it recovered.
He wanted to stay with Seedless forever.
But his mother had told him that Pokémon were still "monsters," and that it would be better to release it back into the forest.
Yet in all those days together, Seedless had never hurt him, not even once.
Now, hearing the words of the man from the royal city, a flicker of hope ignited in the boy's eyes.
The mother hesitated, uncertain how to respond.
At that moment, the speaker's voice rang out once more.
"Pokémon live everywhere on this land," he said.
"Some breathe fire. Some command water. Some possess tremendous strength."
"But His Majesty Lucien has shown us, long ago, that humans and Pokémon can live side by side."
"In Lucien City, the most prosperous city in the kingdom," the envoy continued, "humans and Pokémon already live together in harmony."
"There, Fire-type Pokémon help everyone keep warm by lighting fires."
"Water-type Pokémon assist in extinguishing fires and irrigating farmland."
"Powerful Pokémon help transport heavy goods and construct houses."
"And many Pokémon that live in the grasslands possess abilities that nurture crops, helping them grow faster and yield better harvests."
"Humans gain a better life thanks to Pokémon."
"And Pokémon, by living alongside humans, gain food, shelter from wind and rain, and opportunities to grow stronger."
"In short, this is a win-win future for both sides."
These words quietly took root in the hearts of the residents of Karakus.
"So Pokémon really have abilities like that…?"
"Living together with Pokémon sounds incredible!"
"I wish I had a Fire-type Pokémon, cooking in winter would be so much easier!"
Excited voices rose and overlapped as the crowd buzzed with discussion.
But soon, a new concern surfaced.
A girl in the crowd raised her hand hesitantly.
"My lord… how exactly can we live with Pokémon?"
Humans might wish to live alongside Pokémon, but Pokémon were not human.
They were powerful, and if mishandled, they could still attack people.
"That concern has already been addressed," the envoy replied with a reassuring smile.
"After I leave, trained professionals from the capital will arrive. They will teach you how to safely interact with Pokémon, how to catch them, and how to live together with them."
"They are called Trainers, bridges between humans and Pokémon."
"Furthermore, His Majesty Lucien has decreed that any child aged fifteen or older, in any town or city, who wishes to grow closer to Pokémon may apply to the Pokémon Trainer Association, where dedicated instructors will guide them."
"Of course, becoming a trainer is not easy," he added."You must learn Pokémon knowledge, battle principles, and responsibility."
"That is why all children over the age of seven may attend school, where professional teachers will provide this education."
"Wow! Mom, I can go to school too?" a child exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes," the woman replied softly, stroking her son's head.
"This is His Majesty Lucien's blessing."
His Majesty had not only ended the war, since ascending the throne, he had enacted countless laws to protect ordinary people like them.
From this day forward, they could live freely and with dignity on this land.
"I will!" the boy declared earnestly, standing in the sunlight and patting his chest.
"I'll thank His Majesty Lucien properly!"
Scenes like this unfolded again and again across the kingdom.
Meanwhile, in Lucien City, inside the castle.
"Your Majesty," the elderly butler Elif reported, "the Pokémon Centers, Trainer Associations, police stations, and Friendship Shops throughout the kingdom have all been completed according to your instructions. They will soon begin full operation."
Lucien nodded calmly.
These institutions were the foundation of his entire plan.
Schools would educate children about Pokémon.
Pokémon Centers would provide medical care for traveling trainers.
Friendship Shops would supply medicines and essential tools.And the Trainer Association would oversee and coordinate all trainers across the kingdom.
In the end, everything would converge.
All trainers would gather in the Grand Arena, where battles would continue until the strongest trainer was finally crowned.
However, the kingdom was still in the midst of reconstruction, and education had yet to be fully popularized.
At present, nearly ninety percent of the common people were illiterate. They knew nothing about Pokémon types, moves, or type matchups.
It was still too early.
At the very least, they would need to wait another year or two.
Fortunately, Lucien had time.
With that thought in mind, he raised his head and asked,
"How are the nobles doing now?"
"Your Majesty," Elif replied, "after the initial suppression, they appear to have calmed down."
After all, the number of nobles was insignificant compared to the vast population of commoners. With the absolute power of the royal army and the wholehearted support of the people, the nobles had gradually been forced into compliance.
Lucien wasn't surprised.
This was the inevitable trend of history.
Once the era of Trainers truly arrived, those nobles would eventually begin interacting with Pokémon themselves.
Perhaps… this was the origin of the dragon-clans behind Lance in the legends, or even the family that would later produce Cattleya.
As long as they did not resist change and were willing to adapt to the times, Lucien had no intention of targeting them.
After all, far more important matters now demanded his attention.
Lucien closed his eyes, quietly sorting through his thoughts.
At present, most of the soldiers stationed in Lucien City had already been dispatched throughout the kingdom, serving in various roles.
Police officers, trainers, Pokémon instructors…
Unfortunately, aside from the Nurse Joy sisters, Lucien had yet to encounter many members of the Nurse Joy or Officer Jenny families. As a result, it was currently impossible to fully staff Pokémon Centers across the entire kingdom.
"It seems I'll have to wait a bit longer," Lucien murmured.
He paused, then asked,
"How is the construction of the factories outside the city progressing?"
Elif replied promptly, "Your Majesty, all factories have been completed. Some raw materials have already been stockpiled. They can begin operations at any time."
Hearing this, Lucien let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Excellent.
At last, the employment crisis among Lucien City's unemployed civilians could be resolved.
"Starting tomorrow," Lucien ordered, "publish recruitment notices for the factories in the newspapers. Also, accelerate the refinement of labor protection laws."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Elif responded immediately.
Lucien was about to continue when an excited voice suddenly rang out from outside.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! We've successfully built the steam engine you ordered!"
"Oh?" Lucien's eyes lit up.
Inside the Royal Workshop, as he gazed at the massive new machine, its pistons pumping rhythmically, steam billowing as it rumbled into motion, the unmistakable symbol of the Industrial Revolution.
Lucien felt an overwhelming surge of excitement.
"Your Majesty," Elif asked, staring at the unfamiliar contraption with visible confusion, "what exactly is this machine used for?"
Lucien smiled faintly.
"The uses of the steam engine are countless."
It can power spinning and weaving machines, vastly expanding textile production. It can drive large-scale steel smelting.
Furthermore, it can power trains and ships, dramatically increasing their speed, range, and efficiency.
It will connect regions that were once isolated, promote trade, and accelerate the movement of people.
'If the kingdom lacks manpower, then we will simply show the world our strength.'
'A stable society. Fair treatment. A future with promise.'
'In this age of chaos and war, such a place will be nothing short of paradise to commoners and former slaves.'
People will come, of their own accord.
Countless people.
"You'll understand soon enough," Lucien concluded.
Elif recalled His Majesty's past actions, and a quiet thrill rose in his chest.
For the first time, he truly began to look forward to the potential of this machine known as the steam engine.
The next morning, as pale light crept over the city and the haze of dawn slowly dispersed, Lucien City stirred awake.
Famas stepped out of his house, pulling his coat tighter as he headed toward the streets, hoping to find work.
He had lost his parents during the war and fled to Lucien City as a refugee.
After several days, his remaining money was nearly gone.
If he couldn't find work soon, starvation awaited.
He could endure hunger himself.
But his wife and children could not.
A man who allows his family to starve is neither a good husband nor a good father.
Yet reality was cruel.
Lucien City was now severely overpopulated.
More than half the city's residents were unemployed, all desperately searching for work. Suitable jobs were almost impossible to find.
The streets were already crowded, groups of two or three standing together, faces drawn and anxious.
Like him, they were all from the city's lower strata, struggling merely to survive.
Looking at the familiar despair etched on their faces, Famas let out a heavy sigh, his chest tight with helplessness.
Then, a joyful shout suddenly cut through the crowd.
"Everyone! Come quick, look at this!"
A middle-aged man with a scruffy beard and weather-worn features was holding a newspaper high in the air.
It was the latest issue of Lucien City's daily paper, freshly printed that morning.
It usually contained news, Pokémon information, and the occasional announcement.
Famas barely spared it a glance.
What use was a newspaper when you were starving?
Then the man shouted.
"The factories outside the city are hiring! Eight hours a day, two days off a week, and ten silver coins a month!"
'What?'
Famas froze.
So did everyone else.
Dozens of men snapped their heads up at once, eyes wide with disbelief.
Had they… heard that correctly?
...
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