The moment Sharon's gaze met the other's, an inexplicable tension gripped him.
Staring at the face that resembled Prince Lance, he became absolutely certain, the person seated on the throne was none other than Prince Lucien, the Third Prince of the Kingdom of Eindooc.
But why?
Shouldn't Prince Lucien be in the royal capital right now? Why was he here, establishing a territory of his own?
More importantly, as a member of the royal family, he actually intended to abolish slavery. Wasn't this openly defying the will of his ancestors?
What shook Sharon even more was the sight behind Lucien:
Just like Lando and Lance, Lucien had also subdued a dragon.
Didn't that mean Prince Lucien intended to participate in the upcoming war as well?
For a moment, Sharon's thoughts spiraled, horrified by each new realization.
Eindoak was about to change.
Just then, the young man on the throne spoke.
"Twin Dragon Territory's lord?"
Sharon's tension snapped. He subconsciously nodded.
"Your Highness, that is indeed me!"
"What brings you here?" Lucien asked.
"Because.."
Sharon originally wanted to accuse him of impersonating Prince Lucien, but at the last moment, he changed his words:
"Because the newspapers and paper Your Highness created have already reached my Twin Dragon Territory."
Lucien nodded lightly.
In that case, his two older brothers would soon receive the news as well.
Although he already had Kyurem, enough to stand against either one, in other areas he was still far inferior to his brothers.
But his biggest problem was population.
Progress was stalling.
War was inevitable, but to him, that war was also a chance to drastically increase his population.
He could take in refugees, shelter Pokémon who were forced into conscription, and send out his own Pokémon forces to disrupt the monster legions enslaved by human lords.
Lucien's thoughts raced.
As someone who had studied history in his past life, he knew a simple truth:
"He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world."
When the war reached its peak, he could raise the banner of "For the People and the Pokémon" and step in to stop it.
At that moment, public sentiment would surge overwhelmingly toward him, drowning out any nobles who opposed him.
The new era would be ushered in naturally.
When Lucien looked at the throne beneath him, he sighed inwardly.
Even now, his own subjects were constantly pressuring him to ascend the throne.
"You've already seen everything," Lucien said, looking down at Sharon.
Sharon thought, 'Yes… I've seen a newborn world.'
This territory, under Prince Lucien's rule, was thriving. Small for now, but its future was blindingly bright.
But "bright future" was not the frightening part.
The terrifying part was this:
He had already chosen a side in the war, Prince Lance's side.
And now, he had unexpectedly walked straight into the domain of Prince Lucien. Currently, Lucien's overall strength was far inferior to Lance's.
Under such conditions, no one would want to be discovered.
Thinking that he might not leave alive, Sharon silently regretted coming in person.
But then, Lucien casually said:
"Since you've finished looking, you may leave."
Sharon froze.
"Your… Your Highness?"
"Is there anything else?" Lucien asked.
"No, nothing!" Sharon shook his head rapidly.
Without hesitation, he bowed and left the castle with Kran, hurrying out of Lucien's territory.
Outside the hall, Elif spoke anxiously:
"Your Highness, are we truly letting him go? What if Prince Lance learns that you're here..."
"No need to worry," Lucien replied calmly.
"My presence can't remain hidden forever. As the territory grows, the news will reach my brothers sooner or later."
Then, with a faint smile:
"Besides, I also want to meet them."
He wanted to see what kind of people were chosen by Reshiram and Zekrom in this era.
Elif paused, then nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Lucien thought Lance would receive the news much later , but he had not expected the other party to arrive so soon.
Half a month later, just as Lucien was inspecting the soldiers' special training of Aron and Swablu, a guard rushed in to report:
"A man who calls himself Lance has come to see Your Highness!"
Lucien immediately went out.
Ahead stood a young man with long white hair, pale skin, and a gentle, handsome face.
Behind him towered a pure white dragon, its body covered in soft, feather-like fur, its wolf-like face serene and beautiful, its enormous wings raised gracefully.
This was Reshiram, the legendary Pokémon capable of burning the world to ashes, the True Dragon that aids those who pursue truth and reality.
At this moment, Reshiram lowered its head, its bright blue eyes calmly observing Lucien.
Just then, as if sensing something from this human, the white dragon seemed to hesitate ever so slightly.
Not only Reshiram, Lucien also sensed a faint tremor from Kyurem inside its Poké Ball.
Kyurem wanted to absorb Reshiram's truth flame, fill the hollow in its own body, and become White Kyurem.
But after a brief moment, the ancient dragon restrained itself.
Its nature was upright, dignified, and loyal. Stealing power this way would disgrace its honor.
Kyurem wished to face Reshiram fairly, to fight alongside Lucien, defeat the truth-bearing human before them, and only then reclaim that lost power in an honorable battle.
With this resolve, Kyurem conveyed its intentions into Lucien's mind.
Lucien nodded slightly.
Meanwhile, Lance was quietly examining his third brother.
After a long moment, a warm smile appeared on his gentle face, and he stepped forward.
"Third brother, it's been a long time! You've grown so much. A few years ago, you were only this tall, always following me and our eldest brother around, pestering us with questions about the outside world."
Lance gestured the height he remembered, his expression full of nostalgia.
He looked exactly like an older brother simply visiting home.
Lucien was taken aback by the familiar warmth, momentarily speechless.
After a brief pause, he said quietly, "Come sit for a while. It's almost noon, share lunch with me?"
He led Lance back to his mansion and asked a maid to prepare the meal.
Lance looked around with curiosity, then his eyes widened as he noticed the magical beasts inside:
Dragonite, Serperior, Larvesta, Golett, Victini, Minccino.
When he saw Victini, even Lance's always-gentle expression shifted in surprise.
"Nini?" Victini blinked nervously at him.
"Victini, long time no see," Lance said with a soft smile.
"Nini…" Victini tilted its head, uncertain, then timidly greeted back.
Lance looked around the room again, amazed.
Everything showed the traces of humans and Pokémon living together, sharing space, tasks, comfort.
"I never imagined you, Third Brother, would build a home like this…" he murmured.
"Victini is a magical beast too," Lucien reminded him. "I grew up with it since childhood."
"Mm."
Lance's gaze lingered on the little Minccino sweeping the floor with its fluffy tail.
Just then, food arrived.
Lucien gestured for Lance to sit. The two began eating quietly.
Neither spoke.
The silence was too familiar, too heavy.
Once… long ago… they had eaten like this.
Their father and mother were still alive.
The three brothers would crowd around the table, arguing over the last chicken leg.
Landon, being the eldest and strongest, always snatched it away, leaving his two younger brothers to fight over it.
But he never ate it. He just liked teasing them.
Lucien, back then, would sometimes cry out of frustration.
Their father would scold Landon sternly, saying older brothers must let their younger siblings eat first.
Their mother would smile softly, telling them not to fight,that they were brothers, and brothers should support each other.
But now…
Lance lowered his gaze, a faint sorrow crossing his expression.
Remembering all this, he let out a silent sigh.
After a long silence, Lance suddenly spoke.
"I thought you were with our eldest brother."
Back then, their father had sent Lucien to his fiefdom, a territory that was under Landon's control.
Lance had always assumed Lucien was being held there, forced to remain under their eldest brother's shadow.
Until a few days ago, when he received news from the lord of Twin Dragon Territory.
"Something happened," Lucien explained calmly. "We encountered a blizzard on the road. The caravan lost its way.After that, I led the remaining people and rebuilt a home here."
"You should have come to me," Lance sighed softly. "No matter what happens, I'm still your brother."
Lucien said nothing.
He was not the original owner of this body.
Affection between brothers was… a complicated thing.
Even in his previous world, history showed that brotherhood meant little in a struggle for the throne.
After a moment, Lucien asked:
"How are things with Big Brother?"
"I haven't seen him in a long time," Lance shook his head. "But I think we'll meet again soon."
"Isn't there any way to stop?" Lucien asked quietly.
Lance's gentle expression dimmed.
"Third brother… things have gone too far. Big Brother and I can't turn back anymore. Too many humans and too many magical beasts are depending on us. This is a clash of beliefs between him and me."
He paused, then added with a small smile:
"But don't worry, I won't imprison you like Big Brother did.I just hope you won't interfere. When everything is over, we can return to how we used to be. Wouldn't that be good?"
Lucien didn't answer. Instead, he asked:
"Second brother… what do you think of magical beasts?"
Magical beasts?
Lance spoke without hesitation:
"Humans have treated magical beasts far too cruelly. They have emotions and intelligence. Enslaving them like tools is an unforgivable cruelty."
"I want to liberate all enslaved magical beasts, return them to nature, and build a kingdom that belongs to humans alone."His voice was gentle, yet filled with conviction. This was his true belief.
Lucien fell silent for a moment, then asked:
"And what about human slaves? They are enslaved and oppressed as well, enslaved by other humans, by nobles."
"That's different," Lance replied instinctively.
And that instinct said everything.
Born a prince, raised by nobles, taught from birth that royal blood was inherently superior, of course he couldn't see it.
Lucien looked at his brother quietly.
It wasn't Lance's personal fault.
This was the burden of an ancient feudal world, the heavy mountain of class division that had oppressed humanity for generations.
"I'm sorry, Second Brother," Lucien said softly. "But I don't agree with your reality."
"In my eyes, there is no difference between humans and magical beasts."
Lance froze for a moment.
Then let out a long, helpless sigh.
"It seems… you've found your own path, Third Brother."
He knew Lucien well enough to see that persuasion was impossible now.
"Big Brother has gathered nearly two hundred thousand soldiers," Lance continued. "Including countless magical beast armies. His strength is overwhelming."
He looked at Lucien seriously.
"I hope we can avoid fighting for now. If I clash with you and weaken myself, Big Brother will seize the chance and mobilize his entire force."
"I promise you." Lucien nodded.
For now, it was true, getting involved too early would bring no benefit.
After lunch, Lance stood up. He seemed to sense something in the air and murmured:
"In ancient times, a divine dragon split into three… each choosing its own destiny. Now, the three of us brothers are also fighting for our own beliefs."
'That's not quite right,' Lucien thought silently.
Kyurem would not "fight" Zekrom and Reshiram.
As the empty shell, Kyurem was destined to devour the other two, to merge the trinity into one whole, encompassing all things.
Only then could the world return to balance.
Lance looked at him with a quiet, resolute expression.
"Third Brother… the next time we meet will probably be on the battlefield."
He paused, then added softly:
"Whoever the final victor is… please carry on that belief for them."
Lucien nodded. "Yes, Second Brother."
Lance did not linger. War was closing in on all sides, and the weight of an entire faction waited for him back at the castle.
He walked outside, Reshiram lowering itself so he could mount.
A clear, echoing dragon's cry pierced the sky.
Then, Reshiram lifted into the air, its flawless white form rising higher and higher, nearly blending into the clouds.
Civilians across Lucien's territory stopped what they were doing, gazing upward in awe.
Soon, the dragon's silhouette vanished into the distant horizon, and Lucien's city returned to its everyday calm.
But Lucien knew that this peace was nothing more than a thin shell, fragile, temporary, deceptive.
A storm was gathering over Unova. And when it finally broke, nothing would ever be the same again.
...
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