Inside the castle, Aven was quietly listening to Fessen as he gave his report on the current state of the territory.
After this period of steady development, Fairhaven Town had finally entered the right track of growth.
The four districts Aven had carefully divided and planned out were now all completed, and many merchants and commoners had already moved into the new town.
In particular, the Trainer District had rapidly become the heart of the entire town.
Every single day, large numbers of freedmen from other territories flocked into Fairhaven Town, and without exception, their goal was always centered on becoming trainers themselves.
Only in Fairhaven Town could they break free from the shackles of their current commoner status and pursue the chance of advancing toward knighthood. Because of this, in the eyes of these people, Fairhaven Town had also earned the new title of "The City of Knights."
Aside from that, there was also the Workshop District and the Commercial District. Many specialties and rare products from the Pokémon Domain could only be purchased here, and at the same time, goods from other territories were continuously flowing into Fairhaven Town as well.
With this constant exchange of trade, the prosperity of Fairhaven Town had reached a level that could now be ranked among the most flourishing places in the entire Aspiration City domain.
Some merchants had even begun to call Fairhaven Town the new commercial hub, whereas the previous hub had been the Ironblood Fortress.
But ever since the disappearance of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild, the trade of magical beasts had suffered a devastating blow. The Ironblood Fortress, having lost its primary lifeline, could no longer recover its former prosperity.
Meanwhile, in the Workshop District, brand-new factories for processing Pokémon food and producing fertilizers had already been established, providing an enormous number of job opportunities for the common folk.
In addition, blacksmith forges and artisan workshops had also been set up. With the aid of Pokémon, the efficiency of these workshops had become many times higher than before.
Because of this, the demand for population in Fairhaven Town had grown tremendously. Even though large numbers of freedmen were pouring in every day, the town was able to absorb them with ease, without experiencing any overwhelming strain.
A faint outline of a light industrial system was already taking shape in Fairhaven Town. As long as the stream of population continued to flow in steadily, this early light industry would continue to grow and flourish.
And with the continuous arrival of freedmen, Aven's earlier efforts in regulating the real estate industry had also paid off. The real estate market was now booming, generating a substantial amount of tax revenue for the territory.
Of course, speaking of financial revenue, the most profitable sectors were still the Pokémon Breeding House, the Pokémon Center, and the Pokémon Battle Arena.
The breeding house required little explanation—its value was already clear. The battle arena, however, had quickly become the favorite pastime of Fairhaven Town's commoners. Whether trainers or ordinary civilians, everyone could take part in its excitement.
For trainers, the Pokémon battles were a chance to hone their combat experience, raise the levels of their Pokémon, and sharpen their skills. And if they won, there was even a cash prize waiting for them.
For the commoners, they could buy inexpensive tickets to enter the arena as spectators, enjoying the thrill of live matches. Even though the ticket price was modest, over time the accumulated revenue from spectatorship became astonishingly high.
Most importantly, the battle arena served as a way to promote the trainer profession to the masses, giving the people a deeper and clearer understanding of what trainers truly were.
Now, it was not only the citizens of Fairhaven Town who came to watch. Free men from surrounding territories, and even from Aspiration City itself, traveled all the way to Fairhaven Town just for the matches.
Compared to the bloody and cruel magical beast arenas, these exhilarating yet relatively lighthearted Pokémon battles were far more attractive to ordinary civilians. Different trainers, with their own different Pokémon, clashed again and again, creating an immersive and highly engaging spectacle.
And because Pokémon Centers existed in town, the trainers could battle without restraint, unafraid of their partners sustaining lasting harm, allowing them to display their full strength without reservation.
Through repeated combat, many trainers gradually developed their own distinct battle styles and strategies, making the matches increasingly entertaining and unique to watch.
It was clear that in the near future, by hosting occasional large-scale tournaments, the battle arena could easily attract massive crowds of spectators.
Already, word had spread that in half a month's time, the arena would be holding a Knight Selection Tournament. This news immediately drew a surge of commoners from other territories, who began to flock restlessly toward Fairhaven Town.
It could be said without exaggeration that Fairhaven Town was now forming a complete industrial chain revolving entirely around trainers and Pokémon, generating an endless stream of wealth for the town.
"Mm, you've all done very well." After listening to Fessen's report, Aven nodded with great satisfaction.
After thinking for a moment, he asked, "How is the construction of the Pokémon Gym progressing?"
The town's basic infrastructure was already more or less complete, and it was time to proceed to the next stage of development.
"Lord Aven, we've already begun urgent construction on the Gym," Fessen replied with a nod. "The only issue is that the instructor you asked me to select still hasn't been decided upon."
"Good. It has been hard on you. But the Gym is extremely important for the territory's future," Aven acknowledged with another nod. Then his tone shifted as he asked, "Have there been any updates on Lord Kale?"
"Yes, I was just about to report on that. Lord Kale has already left Fairhaven Town and headed toward Fruitvale Village."
Hearing this, Aven nodded thoughtfully. After a brief pause, he pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to an attendant. "Give this to Sutter. He will know what to do."
…
Kale returned to Fairhaven Town with Bibarel.
His spirit was still somewhat dazed, his eyes clouded with confusion and faint struggle.
After arriving back at the castle, guided by Bibarel, he walked straight to the backyard, where his gaze landed on Aven, who was seated at a desk writing notes.
"Lord Kale, you're back already?" Aven lifted his head and looked toward him with a calm smile. "How is it? Are you feeling any better?"
Opening his mouth, Kale suddenly took a deep breath. "Fairhaven Town… it truly is a prosperous city."
Then, after a brief pause, he asked, "I also want to know—how was it possible for wheat to mature within just two months and bring such a bountiful harvest?"
Aven's expression shifted slightly, surprised that the first thing Kale asked was not about trainers, but rather about wheat cultivation.
"You may not be fully aware of Marina City's situation," Kale continued.
"The land there is extremely barren, and coupled with the harsh climate, very few crops can be grown at all."
"As a result, every winter is a time of extreme hardship for the people of Marina City. But if it were possible to harvest wheat in just two months…"
Kale's gaze was firm as he stared at Aven. "That is why I want to obtain this method of wheat cultivation from you."
"For this, I am willing to pay any price. As long as it is within my power, I will agree to your conditions!"
Having spoken, Kale slowly closed his eyes. In his heart, he had already prepared himself—even if Aven were to demand the entire Marina City as the price, he was willing to hand it over.
"The method of cultivating wheat?" Aven repeated softly.
"In truth, it is nothing mysterious. It is entirely dependent on the power of Pokémon."
He looked at the earnest expression on Kale's face, then stood up and headed directly toward the Safari Zone.
Seeing his actions, Kale hesitated for a moment, glancing uncertainly in that direction. But in the end, his deep yearning overcame hesitation, and he followed along.
They opened the back gates of the castle courtyard, crossed the wooden bridge, and stepped into the Safari Zone.
This time, instead of leading him to the Bibarel Lake, Aven walked further toward the distant sections of the area.
After walking for some distance, Kale suddenly froze in astonishment.
In front of him stretched a golden wheat field, swaying gently in the breeze.
He had long known that many wild Pokémon lived freely within the Safari Zone, but he had never imagined that a field of golden wheat would also exist here.
"These were all planted by Bibarel and Gloom," Aven said with a smile, glancing back at him.
Kale blinked in shock. Bibarel and Gloom? Could Pokémon truly grow wheat?
"Glooo~!"
As though responding to Aven's words, the wheat field rustled with movement.
A moment later, a Gloom popped out from within the golden stalks, its expression bright and joyful.
It quickly spotted Aven at the edge of the field, and with clear delight, hurried over, pointing eagerly at the wheat as though proudly presenting its hard-earned results.
"You've done wonderfully, Gloom," Aven said warmly, crouching down to pat it affectionately.
"Biii Biiii~!"
Again, sounds came from the field—this time, it was Bibarel that emerged.
Upon seeing Aven, Bibarel was equally overjoyed, though when it caught sight of Kale, its steps faltered slightly.
"This land here was once nothing more than barren wasteland," Aven explained, hugging Bibarel into his arms.
"It was entirely thanks to Bibarel's power that life was restored here and this land was revitalized."
Kale's eyes widened, his mind a blur. He knew Bibarel far too well, yet when had it gained such incredible abilities?
(End of Chapter)