"Odd!"
Just as Aven was lost in thought, an Oddish came running up to him.
After a brief exchange, Aven learned that a guest had arrived at the castle and was currently waiting outside.
"So… they've come already?" Aven's eyes narrowed slightly.
Putting Empoleon's Poké Ball back into his pocket, Aven brought Froslass with him and made his way toward the castle.
Passing through the corridors of the castle and arriving at the grand gate, he soon saw Lord Kale being personally escorted by a knight.
"Earl Aven, I've brought the man to you," the knight said in greeting.
"Much obliged. I'll make sure to keep Lord Kale under strict watch," Aven replied with a smile and a nod.
"Mm. Since I've delivered him, I'll be on my way."
The knight paused briefly, then reminded him, "Right now, Aspiration City is actively preparing for war. I hope Lord Aven will also make the necessary preparations."
With those words, the knight mounted his Rhyhorn and departed, leaving Kale standing there alone.
"Lord Kale, we meet again," Aven said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Just yesterday, when Princess Mira had asked him what kind of reward he desired, he had named Kale directly, wanting to personally oversee his custody.
Now, early this very morning, after further investigation had been completed in Aspiration City, Kale was sent directly to him and placed under his watch.
Kale nodded slightly, his gaze locked firmly onto Aven. After a brief moment of silence, he spoke in a low and steady voice:
"What must I do in order to see Empoleon?!"
"Come along. I can let you see him right now."
With that, Aven turned toward the rear courtyard. Kale was momentarily stunned, but then quickly followed after him.
When they entered the courtyard, the Pokémon who had been training all stopped what they were doing. Every gaze shifted toward Aven, and then further behind him—to Kale, who trailed closely at his heels.
"And here he is—Empoleon!"
Aven pulled a Poké Ball from his pocket and released it.
A surge of dazzling white light erupted, swirling and condensing until it took form—the proud figure of Empoleon slowly materialized in the center of the yard.
At this moment, Empoleon's body was still covered in scars. He opened his weary eyes, scanning his surroundings with a dazed and unsteady gaze.
Suddenly, his eyes fixed upon Kale. At once, Empoleon grew restless, forcing himself upright with great effort. Yet, only moments later, his exhausted body gave way and he collapsed back down onto the ground.
Though still heavily wounded, the recovery ability of a King-level Pokémon was indeed formidable. During his time within the Poké Ball, he had already recovered significantly.
"Empoleon!" Kale cried out, rushing forward, his voice full of emotion.
Trainer and Pokémon, who had braved life and death together, were finally reunited at this very moment.
Standing quietly off to the side, Aven watched the heartfelt scene unfold. Seeing the deep bond between Kale and Empoleon, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
From the way Kale treated his Pokémon, it was clear—he truly could be called an excellent Trainer. This was precisely why Aven had been willing to give both Kale and Empoleon another chance.
Gradually, Kale and Empoleon settled their emotions and began to communicate with one another. They had been through so much together, and now, simply knowing that both were still alive and well was already enough.
"Alright. For now, this is as much as I can allow—you can only see each other briefly."
After a pause, Aven spoke again. With a press of a button, a beam of red light shot from the Poké Ball in his hand, enveloping Empoleon and swiftly pulling him back inside.
Seeing this, Kale's expression faltered. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, a faint gloom crossing his face. Finally, after drawing in a deep breath, he asked,
"What will it take for you to undo the seal on Empoleon?"
Not knowing the true nature of Poké Balls, he had mistaken them for some kind of sealing device. As the lord of a city, Kale was at least somewhat knowledgeable about special powers of this kind.
"This matter… I cannot give you an answer just yet," Aven said evenly.
"For now, just stay here in peace. You know well—I cannot trust you until the troubles of Marina City are truly resolved."
Sliding Empoleon's Poké Ball back into his pocket, Aven turned away and walked toward his desk. He still had not decided how he ought to handle this situation.
As Aven left, the surrounding Pokémon that had gathered quickly dispersed, resuming their training. Only the Bibarel remained behind.
"Bii?"
At this moment, Bibarel seemed just as lost and confused.
Of course, it knew the man standing before it very well—this was none other than the lord of Marina City.
Back when Bibarel had followed Captain Paul, it had often seen this very man.
Not only that, but it had even been personally instructed by him, and had sparred under Empoleon's guidance to hone its battle skills.
Half a year had passed since their last encounter. Never would Bibarel have imagined meeting Lord Kale again here of all places.
"You… could you be Paul's Bibarel?" Kale's eyes now rested firmly on the creature.
In truth, the very moment he saw Bibarel, Kale had already harbored suspicions. He knew Bibarel did not live within the territory of Aspiration City. Such magical beast were unique to Marina City.
So, when he saw this Bibarel, the thought immediately struck him—this must be one of those Bibarel that had been captured at Fruitvale Village. Moreover, this one was clearly stronger and more imposing than the others, which made him all the more certain.
"Bii Bii Biii…"
The instant Paul's name was spoken, Bibarel's whole body trembled. After a long silence, it slowly nodded.
"It really is true!" Kale's eyes widened.
But then doubt filled his mind—why was Paul's Bibarel here of all places?!
And stranger still, wasn't this supposed to be Aven's castle? Weren't all the Pokémon here supposed to be Aven's captures?
Could it be… Paul's Bibarel had already been subdued by Aven?
As he arrived at that conclusion, Kale's face stiffened slightly.
Meanwhile, Bibarel gazed at Kale with hesitation in its eyes. It wanted so badly to ask about Paul, to know what had become of him.
And so, the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy. Both Kale and Bibarel stared at one another in silence, neither speaking a word.
Gradually, the other Pokémon began to notice something was off. One by one, they gathered around, curiously sizing up both Bibarel and Kale.
'I nearly forgot—of course Bibarel would recognize Kale.'
Aven's eyes narrowed as a thought surfaced in his mind. Perhaps he could start by working through these Bibarel.
With that in mind, he rose to his feet and stepped up beside Kale. "Lord Kale, I imagine you must be very familiar with these Bibarel."
"Now, these Bibarel have found a new home within my territory. Why don't you come with me to see them? I think, upon seeing you, they too will feel quite delighted."
Hearing this, Kale glanced at the Bibarel leader before shifting his gaze toward the distant courtyard gate. Faintly, he could already hear the sound of a flowing river.
"…Very well."
Aven said no more, leading the way toward the back.
As the gate to the rear courtyard opened, the Fair River flowing alongside the castle came into view.
Directly opposite the gate was a wooden bridge. Crossing it led straight into the Pokémon breeding grounds.
Not far from the Fair River lay Bibarel Lake. A dedicated stream diverted river water into the lake, before another stream guided it back into the main flow.
At this time, the lake was filled with numerous Bibarel and Bidoof, happily frolicking and playing in carefree bliss.
When they spotted Aven approaching, all the Bibarel and Bidoof rushed over excitedly, leaping up and down in joy, expressing their affection for him.
"These… these are all… the Bibarel and Bidoof that the Marina City Knight Order once brought to Fruitvale Village?" Kale's eyes went wide.
He remembered—back then, only half of the knights had returned to Marina City, and not a single Bibarel or Bidoof had been brought back with them.
He had assumed every last one of them had perished in Fruitvale Village. But now, it seemed his assumptions had been completely wrong.
Not only had they not perished, they were living better than ever—just as Aven had said, they had truly found a new home here.
"This is… wonderful. Truly… wonderful." Realization hit him, and his nose stung as his eyes grew misty.
Back then, upon hearing the news that all the Bibarel and Bidoof had been wiped out, he had felt as though he had aged years in an instant, wracked with regret for his choices.
After all, those Bibarel had been carefully handpicked by him to serve as the mounts of the Knight Order. That entire knightly force had been established under his personal guidance and effort, and he had invested enormous energy into it.
Now, knowing the Bibarel and Bidoof were safe, it felt as though a heavy stone had finally been lifted from his chest. His heart felt unexpectedly lighter.
"Bii Bii Biii…?"
Gradually, the Bibarel and Bidoof who had first rushed to Aven began to notice Kale as well.
They froze for a moment, recognition dawning. Faces changed one after another.
"Bii Bii Bii!!"
All at once, one Bibarel let out a cry. And in the next moment, the rest followed suit—the entire group abruptly grew tense and wary.
Their bodies crouched low, battle stances assumed, as they bared their teeth toward Kale. From their throats came deep, hostile growls, brimming with menace!
Aven's face shifted at the sight. Quickly, he stepped forward, placing himself between Kale and the hostile Bibarel and Bidoof to prevent them from charging.
"Bibarel… Bidoof…"
Kale stood frozen, stunned beyond words. Never had he expected that after all this time, upon meeting again, the very same Bibarel and Bidoof would now regard him with such hostility.
He was completely at a loss, unable to even think of how to respond.
"Ralts, Ralts~"
Ralts drifted to Aven's side.
Extending its psychic power outward, it opened telepathy to communicate with the Bibarel and Bidoof.
After a moment, Ralts nodded gently, then shared what it had learned with Aven.
"So that's it… hatred of war… and a desire not to lose their current peaceful lives," Aven murmured, exhaling softly.
Kale trembled at those words. Staring at the Bibarel and Bidoof now growling at him, he was shocked at the answer.
His body shook faintly. His gaze swept the lake, the Bibarel and Bidoof now gathering in greater numbers.
In his mind surfaced memories of the Knight Order, charging upon Bibarel mounts to invade Fruitvale Village. Then, the contrasting image of these same Bibarel joyfully greeting Aven.
Hatred of war… and unwillingness to lose their present happiness.
The words echoed in his mind. With pained eyes, he shut them tight. Was he truly so despised all along?
Aven glanced back at Kale, who stood trapped in his own guilt and silence. With a sigh and a faint smile, he turned to the Bibarel and Bidoof, speaking softly to reassure them:
"Do not worry. With me here, you are safe."
"This place is your home. Unless you wish to leave on your own, no one can take you away. I give you my word."
Hearing Aven's promise, the Bibarel and Bidoof finally began to relax. They nodded firmly, glanced once more at Kale, and then retreated slowly back into the lake.
"Lord Kale, let us leave here for now," Aven said gently as he returned to his side.
Today's events had turned out quite differently than he expected. Judging by Kale's shaken state, he had clearly suffered a heavy blow. Still… perhaps this was not entirely a bad thing.
Even Aven himself had not expected the Bibarel and Bidoof to form such strong bonds of belonging with his territory—that they would rather defy Kale than risk being forced away.
A warmth rose in his heart. His efforts had not been in vain. The Bibarel and Bidoof had felt his sincerity and had chosen to trust him unreservedly.
"Would you tell me… about these Bibarel and Bidoof?"
Kale broke the silence on their way back to the castle.
"Of course." Aven nodded and recounted the story of that battle, and how he had rescued and taken in the Bibarel and Bidoof afterward.
The Bibarel leader followed at Aven's side, listening quietly. As it heard the tale, a soft, gentle look came into its eyes.
If not for Aven back then, it had no idea how it and its kind could have survived, let alone enjoyed the happy lives they had now. At this moment, it felt truly blessed.
The haze of confusion in its eyes faded away, replaced with firm resolve. All it wanted now was to remain by its kin's side—and by Lord Aven's side.
Kale, too, noticed the change in the Bibarel leader's expression. Recalling Aven's words, and reflecting on all that had happened, he sighed heavily. Yes… it truly was he who had wronged the Bibarel and Bidoof.
Their admiration for Aven was natural and well deserved. After all, it was Aven who had saved them and given them a new home.
"Bibarel… I'm sorry." Kale turned to the leader. "Rest assured, I will not try to destroy the home you've found here."
The Bibarel leader looked at him, then nodded seriously, before turning and running swiftly toward Bibarel Lake. In times like this, it felt it had to stay together with its kin!
(End of Chapter)