Aven's figure hovered quietly in midair, gazing down upon the endless forest beneath him.
With the arrival of winter, yet another year's Winter Beast Tide was about to begin, and he had to ensure the safety of the Safari Zone.
This place would become the very frontline in resisting the Pokémon tide across his entire Pokémon Domain. As long as the tide could be held back outside the ranger defense line, then everything behind would remain safe.
Out on the vast plains, even the Torterra, who were usually slow and lazy, were now patrolling the perimeter with large groups of Grass-type Pokémon.
Their expressions were solemn and cautious. For them, the memories of how they survived each past winter were etched deep into their hearts. Winter was their darkest and harshest season.
But this time, things were different. This winter, they had sufficient food and a safe place to shelter in. There was no way they would allow their hard-won home to be destroyed.
The Bibarel tribe too, as one of the main defensive forces of the Safari Zone, had resolved that they would not hesitate to step onto the battlefield once again if it meant protecting their homeland.
At this moment, every Pokémon within the Safari Zone had already prepared themselves fully to defend their home.
Beyond them, even in the depths of the Black Forest, the Nidoking tribe had begun to stir. In the past, they had always only guarded their own territory, never interfering in the outside world.
But this time, they were willing to stand up and defend not only their dens, but also the forest and all the tribe that dwelled within it. Their price? A steady supply of food for the entire winter.
"Lord Aven," Matthew's voice sounded from nearby as he flew in the sky with his Crobat carrying him on its back. "I've already delivered the winter rations to the different Pokémon tribes."
Even as he spoke, hesitation colored his tone. "But… are we really going to use the strength of the entire domain to feed all of these Pokémon tribes? And those invading Pokémon as well… I fear they may not even last until winter ends."
"That's exactly why I encouraged those apprentice trainers to enter the Safari Zone and capture Pokémon," Aven sighed softly. "With their help, the burden here will be greatly reduced."
His gaze drifted downward. Coincidentally, a few apprentice trainers were traversing the prairie below with their own Pokémon, searching for companions that they felt drawn to.
Within the Safari Zone now, a special section had been deliberately designated: a place where Pokémon who wished to seek out partners among the apprentice trainers could gather.
The bond between Pokémon and trainers was mutual. Just as a trainer could choose a Pokémon, a Pokémon also had the right to choose its trainer.
As those trainers walked across the grasslands, small Pokémon occasionally peeked their heads out, studying the humans before them with curious eyes.
At that very moment, the group halted. Their eyes locked on a pair of Nidoran—male and female—standing before them. It was clear that these were the ones the trainers had set their sights on.
But rather than retreat, the Nidoran braced themselves, assuming battle stances. They were determined to test these trainers with combat, to judge whether they were truly worthy.
Under the teachings of the Nidoking leader, the primary condition for choosing a trainer was strength. Only by defeating them would the trainers earn the right to become their partners.
Soon, battle broke out between them. Yet Aven did not pay much attention—lately, the number of apprentice trainers entering the Safari Zone had increased dramatically.
"Do not worry, Matthew. The issue of food for the Pokémon is one we can solve. Trust me." Aven gave him a reassuring smile.
In recent weeks, since they had succeeded in reclaiming land from the Black Forest, the number of Tangela in the territory had already exceeded three hundred. They could continuously provide raw ingredients for Pokémon feed.
Moreover, after steady training, a few of the Tangela had even learned the move Ancient Power and successfully evolved into Tangrowth. With their racial mastery of Growth, they could stimulate the production of even more vines.
Of course, this was only one part of the solution. During their reclamation efforts in the Black Forest, they had also discovered a wild strain of bramble. These thorny plants could also be processed into Pokémon food.
Though food made from ordinary brambles were far less effective compared to other ingredients, they were still perfectly viable as a food source.
And with the brambles' rapid growth speed, combined with fertilizer, Growth, and Grassy Terrain, entire fields of brambles could mature within just a few days.
Now, in the reclaimed Black Coast Forest, vast stretches of brambles had already been planted, and all of their yields were being processed into Pokémon food—enough to supply even the Pokémon of the Black Forest.
Ironically, the greatest issue had shifted not to resources, but to manpower. The shortage of workers skilled in producing Pokémon food was now the main bottleneck. Without enough laborers, the brambles could not be turned into rations at all.
"It seems I still need to attract more commoners to settle in Fairhaven Town," Aven thought to himself.
Only with a sufficient population could light industry advance more rapidly. Even in an age where Pokémon were the primary productive force, human labor was still indispensable.
Although Fairhaven Town had already begun doing its utmost to absorb the free citizens of surrounding territories, it would still be difficult to make up for the population shortfall in the short term. This was the true measure of a territory's foundation.
Bzzzz—
As Aven was mulling over the labor issue, a Mothim suddenly flew in from afar.
In its grasp was a sealed letter. Aven took it and unfolded it at once. His eyes narrowed sharply after scanning its contents.
"Kirlia, take us back to the castle!"
At his command, their figures vanished from the sky, reappearing instantly within the castle halls.
In the castle's rear courtyard, Kale was pacing anxiously. Ever since returning from the Abyssal Caverns, he had rushed back without a moment's rest.
He had been waiting nervously when a ripple of space suddenly stirred. Aven stepped out of the void, holding a Petilil carefully in his arms.
"Lord Aven, gray mist has appeared once again within the Abyssal Caverns," Kale reported immediately upon seeing him.
"The gray mist… in the Abyssal Caverns?" Aven's pupils contracted.
Anyone who had personally experienced the gray mist understood its horror. For all living creatures, it was nothing short of a calamity.
Taking a deep breath, he moved to the desk and sat down, gesturing for Kale to do the same. "Tell me everything in detail. What exactly happened?"
"Yes, Lord Aven. At first, I was attacked by a group of Sableye in the Black Forest…"
Kale then recounted how he had found the Sableye and pursued it all the way into the Abyssal Caverns.
"So, it was a Ghost-type Pokémon… that means yet another rift to the Ghost World must have opened," Aven muttered in thought.
A Sableye lived off minerals, and normally only dwelled deep within caves. It was never something one would expect to find in a forest.
But the fact that it had been able to locate the Abyssal Caverns so swiftly surprised him somewhat.
"So, you followed it inside, then?"
Seeing Kale hesitate, Aven's voice grew low. He had specifically instructed him not to recklessly enter the Abyssal Caverns.
"Yes, Lord Aven," Kale bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me… in the end, I still chased it inside."
"Not only because I wanted to understand why the Sableye would enter the Abyssal Caverns, but also… because I hoped to see whether I could find any trace of the sorcerers there."
At the mention of the sorcerers, Kale's expression grew stern. "Relying on Luxio's ability to sense electromagnetic waves, we pursued the Sableye deep into the cave."
"In the end, we arrived at a grand hall. Inside were three stone pillars carved with strange runes and figures, and a massive stone wall."
At the description of the hall, Aven unconsciously straightened up in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "The carvings—do you remember what they were?"
"Yes, Lord Aven," Kale nodded.
"I thought you might find them important, so I copied them down at once."
He produced several sheets of parchment, covered in sketches of the runes and images he had recorded from the stone pillars and wall.
Aven took the first sheet. The runes drawn across it were intricate and uncanny, making his brows furrow. But when his eyes fell upon the image, he froze.
He quickly shuffled through the rest of the parchments, separating three of them to the side. His heart quivered in astonishment.
Those three figures—dragon-like creatures—he recognized instantly. They were none other than the Creation Trio of legend. Anyone who had read Sinnoh's history would know the tale.
(End of Chapter)