"I've been thinking," Lucien said as he slowly paced before the assembled knights and their Pokémon. His voice, calm yet solemn, carried easily through the clearing.
"What is the meaning of our existence… as humans and as magical beasts?"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the faces of men and creatures alike.
"For countless years, wars between humans, and between humans and magical beasts, have never ceased. Blood has been spilled, tears have fallen. Families have been torn apart. Beasts have perished on battlefields drenched in smoke and fire."
Lucien's tone softened.
"I don't believe either side truly wishes for this suffering."
He stopped walking, straightening his posture as a faint wind brushed past the gathering.
"And now, I think I've finally found the answer."
He raised his voice slightly, conviction resonating with every word:
"Humans and magical beasts have never been enemies. We are both children of this same world. Even if conflicts arise now and then… they will always fade, and peace will follow."
Lucien gestured with one hand.
"Imagine this, when winter comes and firewood runs short, a fire-type beast steps forward to light your hearth."
"Or for you beasts, when the snow piles high, when your bellies grow empty and you find no food… there will be humans who share their bread with you, who help you survive the bitter cold."
"Humans and magical beasts are not enemies."
"This bond between us should not be one of exploitation, enslavement, or dominance. It should be one of companionship, of mutual care, of trust, of family."
The knights below listened intently, and even the Pokémon beside them seemed to understand.
They turned to look at their partners, at the steel-armored Aron beside them, at the fluffy Swablu perched on their shoulders.
Memories surfaced, training together, patrolling side by side, sharing fruit at dusk. The beasts keeping watch through the night while their human partners slept.
It had only been a short time since they'd met, but the warmth they shared felt as if it had been there forever.
The Aron remembered how the humans had scoured the mines to find them better, tastier ores.
The Swablu recalled being gently brushed, its soft feathers groomed with care, allowed to rest upon a knight's head like a crown of clouds.
They loved this place. They loved these humans.
But then, Lucien's tone changed.
He looked toward the horizon, his expression grave.
"A war that will engulf the entire Unova region is drawing near," he said quietly. "Sooner or later, its flames will reach even this land. When that day comes, the Kingdom's armies will trample the homes we've built together, burn the orchards we've planted, and enslave both humans and magical beasts alike, locking us away in darkness where no sunlight reaches."
A low murmur spread among the crowd; anger and fear flashed in every pair of eyes.
"Chirp!" A Swablu cried out indignantly, fluttering its wings in protest.
Lucien smiled faintly but continued, his voice now resolute and powerful:
"That is why, to protect our home, to ensure our children and their children can live freely and peacefully on this land, I ask all of you to train harder, to become stronger, and to fight for the future we share!"
"Protect our homeland!" one knight shouted.
"Protect our homeland!"
Soon, the entire clearing echoed with the chant.
"Protect our homeland! Protect our homeland!"
Even the Pokémon joined in, "Chirp! Chirp!", their voices blending with the humans', creating a single, roaring vow that rose into the sky.
Not far away, the old butler Elif stood silently, watching the scene. His hands trembled slightly as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Your Majesty," he whispered under his breath, "if only you could see this… His Highness has truly grown."
...
Twenty Aron and fifty Swablu, such a number of Pokémon demanded an enormous amount of resources every single day.
Swablu were manageable; their diet consisted mostly of berries, fruit, and the occasional loaf of bread.
Aron, however, were another matter entirely.
Although they could eat berries if necessary, they much preferred metal.
To forge an invincible Pokémon army, Lucien would have to pour a great deal of resources into his military forces.
But there was no helping it, these were not peaceful times. Without sufficient strength, they wouldn't survive the coming clash between reality and ideals.
As he pondered the problem, Lucien picked up his pen and began recording detailed information about Aron and Swablu, their habitats, temperaments, and training methods, on a sheet of parchment.
Aron, being Steel- and Rock-type Pokémon, loved feeding on iron ore. They could absorb the metallic elements and convert them into nutrients, reinforcing their armor-like bodies and making their steel shells even harder.
They possessed extraordinary strength and defense, so their training regimen needed to emphasize power and endurance.
Lucien listed several ideas: weighted runs, waterfall resistance training, striking wooden pillars one hundred times daily, move practice, and controlled combat exercises.
Altaria, the evolved form of Swablu, were naturally gifted in special defense and mobility. They could master wide-area attacks like Draco Meteor and even carry a human rider, making them the perfect fast-response aerial units.
Therefore, Swablu training would focus on stamina, coordination with their riders, and precision in executing moves.
Combining fragments of the original Lucien's memories with modern training principles from his past life, he soon outlined two specialized Pokémon training programs, one for ground units, one for aerial forces.
But there was another matter to address: Poké Balls.
Their invention marked a monumental step forward in the relationship between humans and Pokémon.
From a military standpoint, they were an invaluable strategic resource, allowing soldiers to carry multiple large Pokémon with ease and unleash them instantly in battle.
Lucien could vividly imagine it: two armies clashing on the field, and then one side suddenly throwing dozens of Poké Balls into the air. In a flash of light, entire squadrons of Pokémon appeared, their attacks raining devastation on the enemy lines.
That, he thought, would change the course of any war.
Once he finished writing, Lucien handed the parchment to Geralt.
"From now on," he said, "you'll be responsible for overseeing the army's training."
Geralt bowed. The knight was loyal, disciplined to the point of rigidity, his unwavering dedication made him one of Lucien's most trusted subordinates.
Lucien was still immersed in his thoughts when Elif, the old steward, entered the hall and bowed.
"Your Highness, our territory is gradually taking shape," the butler said. "Should we not officially give it a name?"
Lucien paused. "A name?"
Indeed, that was something that needed to be decided.
Merchants had already begun referring to their settlement as 'that territory' when traveling between towns. They couldn't go on like that forever.
But… what should it be called?
Elif cleared his throat. "Your Highness, perhaps you might name it Lucien Territory. Once the town is complete, it could become Lucien Town, and when the castle rises, Lucien City!"
Lucien: "…"
He could already picture it, a thousand years later, people still calling this place Lucien City.
Although, come to think of it, wasn't there a Lucien Town in Unova's ancient records? He wasn't entirely sure if there was a connection, but the coincidence made him chuckle inwardly.
Still… naming it after himself felt a bit too self-indulgent.
"We'll decide later," Lucien said after a moment's thought. "The town isn't even complete yet."