Happy New Year! Wishing you all the absolute best in 2026! 🥂
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The newspaper was printed on both sides, each side divided neatly into several sections.
Sharon's eyes were naturally drawn to the largest headline.
It described an event that had apparently taken place in this mysterious "Lucien City."
[July 20th, Year 149 of the Kingdom Calendar]
Celebrating the Establishment of the Royal NewspaperA Message from His Highness Lucien
"My dear subjects, thank you for your hard work this past year. Because of your efforts, Lucien City has become what it is today. Through this newspaper, I express my sincere gratitude. Let us continue working together to make Lucien City prosperous and strong."
Lucien?
Sharon narrowed his eyes.
The name was unmistakable.
Someone, within his kingdom, actually dared to call himself "His Highness Lucien."
Someone claiming a royal title without permission, openly publishing speeches to the public.
And all this while the entire kingdom stood on the brink of collapse.
To the south, Prince Landon had gathered a vast human army and a legion of enslaved Pokémon.
To the north, Prince Lance had raised his own forces, supported by countless free Pokémon who voluntarily joined his cause.
The kingdom was split. War was inevitable.
And now…
A third force had appeared.
A lord with a new city, using the royal surname.
A lord bold enough to speak publicly as if he were already a ruler.
Sharon frowned.
'Could this Lucien be the Lucien I know?'
But he held back the conclusion. There were others in the kingdom who shared that name.
He continued reading.
[Monster Trivia – Issue 1]
Mareep, an Electric-type magical beast, produces excellent wool for clothing and carpets. However, when Mareep evolves into Flaaffy, and Flaaffy evolves into Ampharos, they no longer grow wool.
But the orb at the tip of Ampharos's tail emits a bright light at night, far brighter than a kerosene lamp. With it, we will never fear the dark again.
Beneath the text was a vivid illustration of Ampharos radiating light like a living beacon.
Sharon glanced at the bundle of wool Kran had bought earlier.
So that was Mareep wool, and this lord uses magical beast for production?
The honey, the wool, the juices, all of them must have come from a magical beast.
How?
How had this unknown lord managed that?
Sharon's brows furrowed.
He agreed with Prince Lance on one thing: Humans and magical beast should not enslave each other. Both sides were intelligent, dangerous, and prone to conflict.
Yet this Lucien City seemed to be cooperating with the magical beast, peacefully.
He kept reading.
Then he froze.
[On the Abolition of Serfdom and Redistribution of Land]
Prince Lucien announces: From this day forward, Lucien City shall have no slaves. Everyone shall live by their own effort!
Sharon shot upright.
"This man… this man has lost his mind!"
Kran blinked in confusion.
"What's wrong, my lord?"
"Look...look at this!" Sharon shoved the paper into his hands.
Kran read it, and his expression shifted from surprise to alarm.
Abolishing serfdom? Redistributing land?
This wasn't reform. This was rebellion.
"My lord," Kran whispered, "should we send word to Prince Lance?"
Sharon shook his head.
"Not yet. Prepare my horse."
He clenched the newspaper tightly. "I'm going to meet this Lucien myself."
"Yes, my lord!"
...
[Lord: Lucien]
[Territory: Lucien City (Town)]
[Population – Humans: 1,386]
[Population – Pokémon: 425]
[Popularity: 95 (Thriving)]
[Satisfaction: 15,680]
[Technologies Unlocked: Animal Husbandry, Fishing, Pottery, Clay Figurines, Papermaking, …]
His gaze shifted to the technology tree.
The final technology of the Agricultural Era, Textile Industry, had just unlocked.
A soft chime rang in his head.
A moment later, the long-awaited Industrial Era requirements appeared:
[Industrial Age – Era Transition]
Upon activation, the Agricultural Age will end, and the territory will officially enter the Industrial Age.
New technologies unlocked: Steam Engine, Factory, Energy Development, Steam Train
Requirements: 100,000 Satisfaction, Territory population ≥ 50,000, Public Morale ≥ 90
"Huh?" Lucien stared at the glowing panel, speechless for a full three seconds.
No one had told him the era transition demanded that many conditions.
He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. After a moment, he steadied his thoughts.
"Well… it makes sense. An Industrial Age without population is meaningless," he murmured.
Steam engines, factories, railways…This world was about to enter an age of explosive growth.
But growth needed people, lots of them.
Factories would need workers, Railways would need builders, Cities would need craftsmen, merchants, teachers, soldiers…
"Looks like I need to adjust the plan," Lucien thought, closing the panel.
He had originally intended to develop slowly, step by step.Now? That wasn't possible.
He needed people.
Commoners, nobles seeking refuge, exiles, even escaped slaves, anyone longing for a better life.
And the newspaper he had just created…
Perfect for attracting them.
It was time to start pulling population from every corner of the kingdom.
Meanwhile…
Outside Lucien City, after days of travel, Lord Sharon and his steward Kran finally saw the silhouette of the town rising from the plains.
"My lord, that should be Lucien City up ahead," Kran said, shielding his eyes from the sun.
Sharon narrowed his gaze.
He would admit, some of this so-called Lucien's inventions were impressive.
The blank white paper had delighted his scholarly uncle. The honey had become Sharon's new nightly indulgence; he even had a maid prepare honey tea every evening.
But admiration was one thing. Impersonating a royal prince? Publishing public speeches under the royal surname?
Claiming authority and abolishing serfdom?
That was another matter entirely.
Sharon gripped the reins of his horse.
"Today," he muttered, "I will see exactly who this man is… and why he dares call himself Lucien."
...
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