Aaron had indeed seen it.
The people of Eindoak lived and fought alongside Pokémon.
They were not tools or weapons, but companions, partners, and in many cases, family.
At the very least, Aaron had never witnessed anything like this anywhere else.
However, that was not the purpose of his visit.
Aaron composed himself and spoke calmly.
"I heard that war had broken out in Eindoak. Queen Rin was deeply concerned for your safety, so she sent me to confirm the situation. Now that I see you are safe, I will return to Rota City and report back to her."
At the mention of Queen Rin, a trace of nostalgia appeared on the former king's face.
"How has Queen Rin been lately?" he asked.
"Recently, the nations surrounding Rota City have been provoking her repeatedly," Aaron replied. "She is greatly troubled by the situation."
"I see…" The old king sighed softly. "If you encounter matters that cannot be resolved, you may seek help from my son Lucien. Perhaps he will find a solution."
The continent where Rota City lay was far less peaceful than Eindoak.
After the War of the Three Dragons, the power displayed by Lucien and the Divine Dragon Kyurem had shaken every ruler on this land. One after another, the smaller kingdoms had chosen submission rather than resistance.
Eindoak had effectively achieved a great unification.
Its people shared the same education, language, script, and food.
By contrast, Rota remained unstable. Numerous kingdoms and empires crowded that continent, constantly clashing and fragmenting the land.
Although things had stabilized somewhat in recent years, from Aaron's account, war there would likely erupt again before long.
"Thank you for your kindness," Aaron said.
Yet in his heart, he knew the truth.
The distance between the two lands was vast, separated by an endless ocean. Offering meaningful aid across such a distance was little more than a fantasy.
Eindoak's army would likely be swallowed by the sea long before reaching Rota City.
The former king looked thoughtful, then spoke again.
"There is no need to rush. Before you return, perhaps you should visit the capital of Eindoak, Lucien City. You may gain something from seeing it for yourself."
For example, learning how Pokémon power was integrated into both military and daily life.
Aaron hesitated at first, but the former king seemed to anticipate his thoughts and smiled.
"It will not take long. By Pokémon flying taxi, Lucien City is only two hours away."
After a moment of consideration, Aaron bowed.
"Thank you. Before returning to Rota City, Lucario and I will visit Lucien City together."
"Please give my regards to Queen Rin," the former king said.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Aaron replied respectfully.
He and Lucario did not linger.
After leaving the Great Earth Sword Castle, they boarded a Pokémon flying taxi once more and set off toward Lucien City.
...
What did it feel like to raise a Pokémon?
For Freya, it felt almost magical.
Pokémon were much like humans. They ate, slept, and experienced emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and happiness.
The moment Freya officially partnered with Patrat, she could hardly contain herself.
She packed her belongings and headed straight into the wild.
This forest lay on the route to Striaton City.
However, Freya had no intention of challenging a Gym yet.
She had come today to train Patrat and see whether she could catch another partner along the way.
The forest was home to many wild Pokémon.
Keeping Patrat close, Freya carefully observed them, flipping through her Pokédex and comparing entries.
"Nidoran female, Nidoran male, Purrloin, Pidgey, Zigzagoon…" Freya's eyes sparkled. "Patrat, there are so many Pokémon living here!"
Her heart swelled with excitement.
Which Pokémon should she try to catch next?
"Patrat!"
Sensing his Trainer's enthusiasm, Patrat clenched its small fists and stared determinedly at the surrounding Pokémon.
Soon, Freya spotted a lone Pidgey.
She and Patrat burst out of the tall grass.
"Pidgey, I choose you!" Freya pointed forward. "Patrat, use Tackle!"
Patrat immediately charged, throwing its small body toward the Pidgey.
But the Pidgey reacted instantly. It flapped its wings and soared into the air.
Anger flashed in its eyes.
With a sharp beat of its wings, a gust of wind surged toward them.
"Patrat!"
The force of the wind sent Patrat tumbling backward. Freya shut her eyes instinctively as the blast hit.
"W what is this? Its power is so strong!"
Freya was shocked, but as the wind faded, her gaze toward the Pidgey only grew more intense.
Just then, heavy footsteps suddenly thundered through the forest.
Boom. Boom.
The ground itself seemed to shake.
Sensing danger, the Pidgey fled without hesitation.
A massive figure emerged from the trees.
It was Nidoqueen, the final evolution of Nidoran female.
That was power far beyond what they could handle.
Freya's face drained of color. She scooped up Patrat and ran without a second thought.
But the Nidoqueen locked onto them, pursuing relentlessly.
Boom.
A Hyper Beam blasted into the ground behind her.
Fear seized Freya's heart, but she managed to reach Accumula Town just in time.
The knight-lords stationed there rushed forward, blocking the Nidoqueen at the town's boundary.
Only then did Freya notice others around her.
Several Trainers stood nearby, their faces just as pale as her own.
"Did you run into dangerous Pokémon too?"
"Yeah. I ran into a whole flock of Pidgeotto. I barely made it back."
"Seriously… the wild is just too terrifying."
Some people could not help but feel the urge to give up.
They all understood one thing very clearly. If they had not managed to run back to town in time, the outcome would have been unimaginable.
They might never have come back at all.
Compared to their own lives, becoming a Trainer suddenly did not seem so important anymore.
"What should we do, Patrat?" Koharu asked softly, her mind replaying the image of the terrifying Nidoqueen.
Hearing stories about dangerous wild Pokémon and experiencing it firsthand were completely different matters.
If she had been even a moment slower, the consequences would have been beyond imagining.
"Patrat…" Patrat did not know what to do either.
Trainer and Pokémon both fell into silence, uncertainty weighing heavily on them.
Compared to Koharu and Patrat, Derick in Castelia City had gradually adapted to life with Riolu.
He did not rush into the wild.
Instead, he remained in the city, applying everything he had learned at the Pokémon School to train his partner.
He built speed and endurance through running, strengthened muscles through weight training, and improved technique through repeated practice of moves.
Training was not only for Riolu.
Derick trained himself just as hard.
He understood that only with a strong body could a Trainer survive long journeys in the wild.
After each day of training, Derick used his modest savings to buy food Riolu liked from the market.
Riolu was smaller and lighter than him, still resembling a child who had not yet grown.
Because of that, Derick instinctively took on the role of caretaker.
Riolu noticed everything.
After several days together, it quietly began to acknowledge its Trainer more and more.
Unlike some Pokémon, Riolu was not openly affectionate. Instead, it responded through action, training even harder and following Derick's methods with absolute seriousness.
...
After a two-hour flight, Aaron and Lucario finally saw a vast city spread out below them, nestled beside a towering snow-capped mountain.
Though massive in scale, the city's layout was remarkably orderly.
Neat rows of buildings lined both sides of a broad river that cut through the city.
Beyond the city limits stretched fields and ranches. The farmland was lush and green, and it was immediately obvious how well the crops were growing.
The flying taxi descended slowly.
The driver opened the cabin door and smiled.
"Lucien City has arrived. Have a pleasant journey."
"Thank you," Aaron replied.
He stepped out with Lucario and walked along the wide avenue, calmly taking in the surroundings.
Just like Castelia City, Pokémon could be seen everywhere in Lucien City.
They lived and played alongside humans, their expressions relaxed and content.
Even Lucario could not help but feel a trace of envy at the sight.
If it and Aaron could live in a place like this, how wonderful would that be?
"Lucario, do you like it here?" Aaron asked, sensing the subtle shift in Aura beside him.
Lucario hesitated briefly before conveying its thoughts through Aura.
"Lord Aaron, I feel that this place is very beautiful. There is no war, and humans do not harm Pokémon here."
Aaron was momentarily stunned, then nodded.
"Yes. No war and no oppression. It truly is beautiful."
Still, this place was not their home.
"Lucario," Aaron said with a helpless smile, "you really do not need to address me so formally."
He and Lucario had been together for many years.
Aaron had mastered Aura since childhood, and through constant practice, he understood it better than almost anyone.
When he first met Lucario, it had still been a small Riolu.
Drawn by Aaron's Aura, Riolu had followed him step by step, eventually evolving into Lucario.
In a sense, Lucario was also his apprentice.
Through years of training together, their relationship had grown close, more like companions than anything else.
Yet for some reason, Lucario still believed that the bond between them was one of master and servant.
"Lord Aaron…" Lucario paused slightly, then nodded firmly. "Yes, Lord Aaron."
Aaron could only sigh inwardly. Lucario would understand someday.
"Let's go," Aaron said gently. "Let us meet His Majesty Lucien."
Lucario nodded.
Man and Pokémon did not linger on the streets. Instead, they headed straight toward the towering and magnificent castle that rose above Lucien City.
At the castle gates, Aaron presented his identification to the guards on duty.
The guard accepted it and said, "Please wait here for a moment." He then turned and entered the castle to report to the king.
At that moment, Lucien was handling official affairs in his study when a guard hurried in.
"Your Majesty Lucien, there is an envoy outside claiming to be from Rota City. He says his name is Aaron, and he has brought a Pokémon with him."
Lucien paused.
"Aaron?"
"That is what he claims," the guard replied. "This is a token from Queen Rin."
He handed over a parchment.
Lucien took it and saw Queen Rin's name written clearly upon it.
"Let him in," Lucien said without hesitation.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The guard returned to the castle gates and gestured respectfully. "Sir, please follow me."
Aaron nodded and entered the castle alongside Lucario.
When they stepped into the throne room, both of them instinctively focused on the figure seated upon the throne.
What kind of man was he?
His features were strikingly handsome, yet that youthful face carried an undeniable sense of authority. Draped in elegant and luxurious royal robes, he sat calmly, radiating quiet majesty.
The instant Aaron saw him, he froze.
He had not expected the new king of the Eindoak Kingdom to be so young.
"Your Majesty Lucien," Aaron said, recovering himself. He performed a standard knight's salute and continued, "My name is Aaron. I come from Rota City on the Kanto Continent. I am here under the orders of Queen Rin to visit the King of the Eindoak Kingdom."
Lucien did not speak immediately.
Standing beside Aaron, Lucario felt its heart tighten.
From the man on the throne, it sensed an overwhelming presence. Thick, powerful Aura surged quietly, so vast that it far exceeded the combined Aura of both Lucario and Aaron.
Instinctively, Lucario extended its Aura senses to investigate.
It saw that the king was calmly observing them both, his gaze carrying a faint trace of curiosity.
Lucario's thoughts churned.
What was happening?
...
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