At this moment, Lord Azelf was surely still locked in fierce combat with the enemy. The only thing they could do was buy him as much time as possible. Ruize had to hold the frontline fortress—no matter what.
"But…" The scribe's face changed.
"You, too! Hurry and leave with the civilians!"
The scribe instinctively shook his head. If the Earl refused to go, then he would stay behind as well.
Earl Ruize's expression hardened. "That is an order from your lord. Do you intend to disobey?"
The scribe's face went pale, changing several times before he finally dropped to one knee and saluted respectfully. "I understand, my lord. Please, take care of yourself!"
"Go. Protect my people well." Earl Ruize patted the scribe's shoulder, then turned decisively and strode toward the battlefield.
Outside the fortress walls, the knights were retreating toward the city as the corrupted Pokémon pushed forward, breaching the outer defenses. They had to hurry back and provide support!
…
A chilling laugh echoed through the air.
From the battlefield, Gengar let out a ghastly laugh as it saw the ghost Pokémon flooding into the fortress. Its figure melted into the shadows, vanishing entirely.
When it reappeared, it was already atop the battlements, hurling Shadow Balls one after another—each explosion sending knights and their Pokémon flying backward.
With Gengar clearing the way, the spectral Pokémon surged straight into the fortress, unstoppable.
Their gray-fog-shrouded forms drifted through the air, ghostly eyes glowing crimson as they moved deeper into the city.
In the distance, they could sense a powerful source of life and soul energy radiating from the northern sky, something irresistible to them.
Without hesitation, drawn by that energy, the ghost Pokémon ignored the humans before them and began floating swiftly northward!
"The ghost Pokémon are moving north…"
The knight lieutenant lowered his head slightly, gazing in that direction with a look of pain and helplessness.
That was where the serfs had fled—their path deliberately chosen to act as bait, drawing the Pokémons toward the Aspiration Mountains.
By luring them away, they would greatly ease the pressure on the fortress's defenses. But it also meant those serfs' fates were already sealed the moment they left the north gate.
Though it pained them, there was no other choice. Behind the frontlines lay the entire city of Aspiration—if the fortress fell, the whole domain could be lost.
Most of the northeastern's remaining citizens had already gathered at the fortress to lure the ghost Pokémon here and prevent them from reaching Aspiration City.
The serfs were the bait… but were these knights any different? They too stood as shields, holding the line to protect their home—none of them retreating even a single step.
"Captain Bloodhowl," Earl Ruize called over the din of battle, "never thought we'd one day fight side by side."
The frontline knights had fallen back into the fortress, and Earl Ruize was now fighting with sword in hand, commanding his forces.
Beside him stood the former Ironblood Knight Captain, his armor drenched in blood. Seeing him, Earl Ruize's face softened with emotion—he could feel how much the man had changed.
"Ah, indeed, I never thought this day would come!" Bloodhowl grinned, his tone rough but bright. "But remember, I'm a knight of the Pokémon Domain now—don't get that wrong."
He laughed heartily, unable to hide his joy at the mention of the Pokémon Domain.
He would never forget those days—a simple, peaceful life filled with a sense of fulfillment he'd never experienced before.
As he spoke, he suddenly reached into his breastplate and pulled out a folded letter. Stroking it gently, he solemnly handed it to Earl Ruize.
"This… is your will?" Earl Ruize asked, startled.
"Bah! What will? Don't jinx it! I'm not planning to die here!" Bloodhowl snorted, then his tone softened. "This is a letter from Lord Aven."
"When you see Lord Aven again, give this to him. Tell him… not to forget his promise."
"From the moment we stepped onto this battlefield, all our sins were wiped clean. From now on… we are all knights of the Pokémon Domain."
A genuine smile spread across Bloodhowl's face as he spoke those words. He would never forget the tears on his comrades' faces when they first heard that message read aloud.
With that, they had taken up their weapons and marched to this doomed battlefield, ready to fight—and die as knights of the Pokémon Domain, defending Aspiration City with honor!
"Knights of the Pokémon Domain…" Earl Ruize closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them again, his gaze was firm and resolute. "I will deliver this letter and your words to Earl Aven myself."
"And if I fall in battle, I'll entrust it to someone I can trust to carry on your will. That is my promise to you!"
Bloodhowl grinned wide, saying nothing more. He raised his longsword and strode off toward his comrades, mounting the lead Rhyhorn.
"Knights of the Pokémon Domain—charge!"
His voice thundered across the fortress as their Rhyhorns roared and charged forward, the earth trembling beneath their feet.
All eyes turned to the gallant knights, their retreating figures blurring through tears.
In the distance, the corrupted ghost Pokémon sensed the pulsing life and soul energy from the charging knights and rushed to meet them.
Against the endless tide of gray fog, the knights' formation looked pitifully small but still, they plunged fearlessly into the mist.
"You are the true knights…" Earl Ruize whispered hoarsely.
He shut his eyes in pain, but before his emotions could settle, startled cries broke out around him.
He opened his eyes sharply—and froze.
High above the battlefield, a shadowed figure had appeared within the thick fog. And as it emerged, the gray mist below began to surge upward toward it, dragging all the ghost Pokémon along into the air!
In an instant, the eastern quarter of the fortress, once engulfed in darkness was suddenly clear. The corrupted Pokémon were rising, forming thick clouds in the sky like a massive storm front.
"What's happening? Why are they flying upward?" the knights shouted, bewildered.
No one knew—but if the Pokémon were leaving, that could only be a good thing.
Moments later, the mass of gray clouds began drifting eastward toward the direction of the Abyssal Cavern.
As the fog moved away, the night sky brightened. The snow had stopped, and a silver moon hung overhead, spilling soft light over the battlefield.
"They're really gone? The gray mist and the ghost Pokémon?" the knights exclaimed in joy. "Could it be… the Abyssal Beast Tide has ended?"
From a nearby hill, the sorcerers, too, stared in shock and disbelief at the retreating fog. None of them understood what had just happened.
"What's going on? Why would the ghost Pokémon suddenly leave?" Frostghost snarled, his expression twisted in frustration. (TN: The one with the Froslass.)
They'd been so close to taking the fortress—to ceasing the will of Aspiration City and now their prize had slipped away?
"Boss Ghostshade, what should we do?" Ghostfire asked, frowning.
He could sense that something or someone was controlling the mist.
But that was impossible. The gray fog came from the within the Ghost World passage itself—even Grand Sorcerer's Darkrai couldn't control it. What could?
"Forget the mist," Ghostshade finally said after a pause. "The fortress is on its last legs anyway."
"With the four King-level magic beasts under our command, it's enough to crush what's left."
He glanced once more at the fading fog, unease flickering briefly in his eyes. If they interfered now, something unpredictable might happen.
Their plan was already in motion. Wisdom City, Heart City, and even the Grand Sorcerer himself had all begun their assaults.
All they needed to do was finish the job—take the fortress and slaughter everyone inside. Then their mission would be complete.
"Understood," Frostghost and Ghostfire said, exchanging a look. Black mist poured from their bodies as they closed their eyes, communicating with Froslass and Chandelure.
Moments later, the three King-level Pokémon—Gengar, Froslass, and Chandelure glided forward, their forms surrounded by swirling black fog.
They dove toward the fortress, attacking in unison.
Inside the fortress, the Pokémon Domain knights stared blankly. Had their enemies… left?
But before relief could settle in, three towering King-level Pokémon appeared before them.
Though the gray fog had vanished, the danger was far from over. The three Pokémon radiated such power that despair washed over the defenders once more.
Still—what of it? They were knights of the Pokémon Domain. There was no room for fear.
"Knights of the Pokémon Domain—charge!"
Bloodhowl's roar rang out again as the knights set their sights on the three King-level enemies.
But just as they were about to charge, ripples spread through the air—space itself trembling.
And then, out of the distortion, a figure in white appeared high above the battlefield, surrounded by floating berries that glowed faintly in the moonlight.
"Lord Aven… Lord Aven!"
The knights gasped in astonishment, eyes wide with disbelief and relief.
"You've all done well," Aven said softly, turning to them with a reassuring smile. "From here on… leave the rest to me."
As he spoke, Poké Balls opened around him in a burst of white light, revealing one Pokémon after another.
"Those… those are Lord Aven's Pokémon!"
"Thank Arceus—Lord Aven's safe! He's really here!"
Hope ignited once more in their hearts.
"Lord Aven…" Bloodhowl looked up, his vision blurring with tears. Aven had always been like this—his very presence could restore faith to the hopeless.
After a long, steady look at his lord, Bloodhowl slowly led the knights backward, leaving the battlefield to him.
In the fortress below, soldiers and knights alike broke into cheers.
They had feared that Lord Aven had perished within the Abyssal Caverns—but seeing him alive brought overwhelming relief.
"Could it be… Lord Aven was the one who dispersed the gray fog?" someone murmured.
It made sense—Aven had entered the Abyssal Cavern to eliminate the gray mist itself, and now both the fog and the beasts were gone.
"It must have been him!" others agreed, eyes shining with admiration.
"With Lord Aven here, everything will be fine," someone whispered.
Earl Ruize exhaled, the tension in his chest easing slightly—but his eyes remained serious. "Perhaps… but we must not lower our guard yet."
"The evacuation must continue. Now that the fog and the ghosts are gone, this is our best chance."
Even as hope returned, he could not ignore the three King-class Pokémons still hovering before Aven. Could the Earl really face all three at once?
From the hill, the enemy sorcerers watched intently.
"So that's the Earl Aven?" Frostghost murmured, intrigued. "I've heard he commands a King-level Froslass himself…"
But as he scanned the battlefield, he saw no sign of her.
"Is that Garchomp the same one from before?" Ghostfire asked, clicking his tongue. "What a shame—such a magnificent magic beast, now bound to that man."
"Finish him quickly," Ghostshade ordered. "Our mission must not fail."
Beside him, Dusknoir floated silently, its single eye flickering as it scanned the area. It sensed something—a faint trace of another King-class aura, hidden somewhere close.
"So… the Froslass is here, just concealed," Ghostshade muttered, narrowing his eyes.
He could feel it—a venomous presence lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.
Still, with Dusknoir guarding them, their safety was assured. And on the battlefield, three King-level beasts would be more than enough.
Down below, Aven had landed. Beside him floated Kirlia, and on his shoulder perched Cherubi.
Petilil immediately unleashed Grassy Terrain. The broken, scorched earth was soon covered in lush green grass, radiating healing energy throughout the field.
Within the emerald glow, Torterra, Vileplume, and Tangrowth absorbed the natural energy, their bodies shimmering with light.
At the front of the formation stood Garchomp behind it, Nidoking, Rhydon, and Drapion—all four radiating immense power, their auras clashing fiercely against the three King-level Pokémon ahead.
(End of Chapter)