Kingdom Year 149, mid-July. Summer heat swept across the land, and the temperature rose higher with each passing day.
Inside the mansion, Lucien and his Pokémon huddled comfortably around Kyurem, enjoying the refreshing chill that radiated from the dragon. With Kyurem present, the entire living room felt as cool as if an air conditioner were running.
Kyurem was momentarily speechless about Lucien and Dragonite using him as a cooling machine to escape the heat.
The massive ice dragon crouched in the middle of the room like a brooding hen, quietly exhaling cold mist through its nostrils.
Just then, Lucien arrived carrying a large peeled watermelon. He set down a porcelain plate specially crafted for Kyurem and placed the watermelon on top of it.
"Kyurem, you should taste this too. Watermelon is perfect for summer," Lucien said with a smile.
Kyurem lowered its head and swallowed the entire melon in one bite. The cool, sweet flavor surprised it. In all its long life, it had never eaten anything quite like this.
Still, even if it enjoyed the treat, Kyurem maintained its pride. It would never voluntarily offer food back to Lucien.
Lucien didn't notice Kyurem's subtle reaction because a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Lucien called.
Elif entered with his usual respectful posture. "Your Highness Lucien, I have brought the person you asked for."
Lucien looked toward the doorway and smiled. "It has been a while, Christina."
Christina hurried forward, startled yet honored that Lucien remembered her. She bowed quickly. "Your Highness, may I ask why you summoned me?"
Lucien nodded lightly. "I would like to appoint you as the editor-in-chief of the Royal Gazette."
"Royal Gazette? Editor-in-chief?" Christina blinked, not quite understanding.
Lucien continued.
With the successful creation of white paper, many new plans could finally begin. Under Lucien's guidance and with the craftsmen's skills, movable-type printing had advanced rapidly. Small-scale book printing was already underway.
The academy scholars now divided their time between teaching the students and rewriting fragile old texts at the Royal Workshop, reproducing them with movable type.
But that was only part of Lucien's intention. His real goal was to publish newspapers.
In an age without phones or the internet, information spread slowly, and common people had little access to news from distant towns.
Schools and newspapers together would change that. His people would no longer be ignorant of the world around them.
Newspapers could also teach Pokémon knowledge: ecology, behavior, safety guidelines.
And perhaps most importantly, newspapers could shape public opinion.
War was unavoidable. As the old king said, it was a tide that could not be held back. Only by witnessing its horrors would humans and Pokémon begin to cherish peace, paving the way for the true unification of Unova.
Lucien needed time. Through newspapers, he could highlight the territory's growth, attract newcomers, and gather talent.
When the kingdom's towns grew weary of war and resentment rose, public opinion would naturally turn to the one man capable of ending it.
At that point, even nobles would be powerless to resist the tide of popular support.
Before that day arrived, however, Lucien needed to save as many displaced people and Pokémon as possible and strengthen his own territory.
With Kyurem guarding the land, no one dared attack lightly. Kyurem, Zekrom, and Reshiram were like nuclear deterrents. They might never be used, but having them changed everything.
Even if his two brothers discovered his location, they would hesitate.
Lucien pushed aside his thoughts and patiently explained to Christina the process of printing, distributing, and selling the newspaper.
As she listened, Christina's eyes began to shine with excitement.
Good news spread quickly. With newspapers, everyone in the territory would finally learn more about Pokémon. They could understand their habits, how to work with them, and how to stay safe if they ran into wild ones. Even Christina's eyes sparkled the more she listened.
Lucien smiled. "So? Would you like to take the role of editor-in-chief?"
Christina's talent with a brush had always been exceptional, and this position suited her perfectly.
"Yes! I definitely won't disappoint you, Your Highness!" she answered, her voice trembling with excitement. She had long wondered what meaningful role she could serve. Now, Lucien had given her a path, and a purpose.
"In that case, the position is yours," Lucien said.
With the newspaper established, new jobs would appear throughout the territory as well, like newsboys delivering papers to households every morning.
"I'll work hard!" Christina promised sincerely.
Lucien nodded. "Specialists will handle printing and distribution. I'll provide the daily magical beasts knowledge columns, and you'll focus on illustrating them. Also, you may report major events that happen in the territory so everyone stays informed."
"For example, since it's summer and extremely hot, you can publish information about Ice-type magical beasts. Let people know that they can help keep homes cool."
There were many Ice-types in the region, especially near the great snow-capped mountains where Articuno lived.
"I understand!" Christina said, inspiration already overflowing.
"Then go prepare," Lucien said.
"Yes, Your Highness." She left with full determination.
Lucien let out a slow breath. Another task completed.
Elif approached with a cheerful expression. "Your Highness Lucien, the berry orchards and fruit fields all had a good harvest this summer."
"Is there any watermelon left?" Lucien asked. He had noticed that several Pokémon had developed a fondness for them.
"Of course. I'll have some delivered immediately." Elif bowed and left the room.
A short while later, a cart piled high with large watermelons was brought inside. The maids carried them in, and Lucien sliced a few, sharing with Dragonite and Kyurem. He then stacked the rest beside Kyurem.
Kyurem: "?"
"Watermelon tastes even better when chilled. It's more refreshing," Lucien explained with a gentle grin.
Kyurem stared silently. For a moment, it said nothing. Then it exhaled a cold breath, and a thin layer of frost spread across all the watermelons almost instantly.
The giant ice dragon slowly turned its head and fixed its golden eyes on Lucien.
Lucien couldn't help but think: having an Ice-type Pokémon in summer was incredibly convenient.
But… would Kyurem get mad if it realized Lucien was basically using it as a refrigerator and air conditioner?
He wondered if his older brothers used Reshiram to grill meat, bake bread, and fire bricks… or if Zekrom powered their entire estates like a living lightning generator.
Lucien, of course, kept those thoughts firmly inside.
Kyurem, however, had lived for thousands of years, and it was no naïve hatchling. It knew exactly what Lucien was doing.
Yet not only did Kyurem not get angry, it seemed… pleased.
Because this was exactly how Lucien wished to change the world, to let humans and Pokémon live better lives together.
And besides, Kyurem wasn't losing anything. Quite the opposite.
The ice dragon glanced down at the frosted watermelons piled beside it.
They tasted delicious.
...
Bonus @300
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