"This is white paper," Lucien told the scholars and craftsmen gathered around him. "It's a new papermaking technique I designed, based on the principles of parchment."
"White paper…"
A scholar carefully held the sheet, running his fingers across the smooth surface. His mind raced.
If books could be made from something like this…
Excitement filled his eyes.
"More importantly," Lucien added with a smile, "the materials are inexpensive. All we need is bark and certain plants."
"What?!"
Several scholars gasped.
"Your Highness, is that truly possible?"
"Of course," Lucien replied.
Every scholar present instantly understood the implications.
This paper could be produced cheaply and in mass quantities. Books would no longer be luxury items.
Knowledge would no longer belong only to nobles.
Even commoners and former slaves would be able to read and write.
They remembered Lucien's words about universal education, about opening schools to all children regardless of class.
Suddenly, his entire plan became clear.
Cheap paper. Books for everyone. Education for all.
Their eyes widened. The realization horrified them.
Their prince was challenging the foundation of noble privilege.
A scholar stammered, "Your Highness… isn't this progressing too quickly?"
"Oh? Why do you think so?" Lucien asked calmly.
"This… I…" The scholar struggled for words.
Howard, who had been rigid and resistant since the beginning, finally spoke up.
"Your Highness, the lords and noble families across the kingdom will see you as their common enemy. You are threatening their interests."
Lucien smiled.
He turned his wrist slightly. In the next moment, Kyurem's towering, icy form materialized behind him.
A wave of ancient, overwhelming cold swept through the workshop.
The scholars froze where they stood, their legs trembling.Lucien's figure seemed to merge with Kyurem's shadow as he leaned casually against the dragon's chest.
"Then let them try," he said softly.
No one could stop him.
He had hoped development would progress naturally, but that didn't mean he feared opposition.
His refusal to slaughter nobles did not mean he lacked the strength to confront them.
If they dared obstruct him, he would not hesitate to visit their keeps with Kyurem at his side.
"I want everyone in this land to have the chance to learn, to understand right and wrong," Lucien said, his voice steady. "This is the direction the world must take. It is the only correct path."
The scholars stood speechless.
Even Kyurem nodded faintly, its cold eyes filled with a rare hint of approval.
Lucien turned to Howard. "If you don't wish to teach, then you can manage the books of the territory. I intend to print them in large quantities, and I will need people to oversee that."
Howard lowered his head. For the first time, he understood the scope of what Lucien was trying to achieve.
It was not recklessness. It was vision.
His own rigid beliefs suddenly felt small and meaningless in comparison.
He closed his eyes, took a long breath, and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
Lucien nodded.
Printing would come next. He didn't need the system for that.He remembered enough from his own world: carving individual characters in reverse, arranging them into plates, heating, printing, then disassembling and reusing them.
Clay, wood, bronze, porcelain, any of them could be used for movable type.
And beyond text, they could carve images of Pokémon as well.Illustrations would help students understand their partners better.
This would be the first true textbook in the history of this world.
There happened to be a skilled painter living in the territory, Christina, a former court painter who had once helped Lucien study the Pokémon ecology around the region.
Lucien instructed Elif to recruit Christina into the Royal Workshop so she could help illustrate the new books.
After settling everything, Lucien left the Royal Workshop. He recalled Kyurem into its Poké Ball and, rather than returning to the town hall immediately, walked slowly through the territory to observe its daily life.
Children played together in the plaza, running hand-in-hand with their Pokémon partners.
Along the streets, women gathered in small circles chatting and laughing.
In the barracks, knights were training intensively alongside their Pokémon.
At the hospital, the two Nurse Joys, who had once been seen as unlucky, now worked tirelessly to treat injuries. Here, they were no longer feared. People respected them as healers and trusted them deeply.
Inside the Friendship Shop, children picked out Poké Balls and medicine for their Pokémon.
The Friendship Shop, officially named the Human-Pokémon Friendship Shop, specialized in selling Poké Balls and Pokémon medicine. Lucien had considered many names when establishing it, but ultimately chose this one, inspired by the concept of bonds between humans and Pokémon. Both the Poké Balls and the medicines symbolized that bond.
Outside the Friendship Shop was the liveliest market in the entire territory.
Merchants came and went throughout the day. Aside from Zack's group, many other traveling traders were now attracted to the city.
They bought Lucien City's specialities—Mareep wool carpets, sweets, tree sap, and more, and sold them for high prices in distant towns.
When Lucien arrived, many of the townsfolk immediately recognized him.
Their faces lit up with joy, and they gathered around him.
"Your Highness Lucien! It's His Highness Lucien!"
"Your Highness, these fruits are from my garden. Please try some!"
"Your Highness, this is fresh bread. Please have some!"
"Your Highness, thank you for letting my child attend school. Here are some deerskin boots I made. Please accept them!"
Lucien raised his hands slightly, smiling. "Everyone, there is no need for that. I only came to see how everyone is doing."
His words only made the people talk even more excitedly.
"We are doing very well!"
"We have food, warmth, and magical beast to help us!"
"It's safe to work outside now."
"And it is all thanks to you, Your Highness!"
They surrounded him again with small handmade gifts. Lucien hesitated, but in the end he accepted them. They were simple things, but full of sincerity.
Looking at the happiness on his people's faces, Lucien felt even more certain that the path he had chosen was the right one.