The population-expansion plan in Lucien City progressed remarkably smoothly.
In just two months, the city's population nearly doubled, reaching three thousand. Once the Pokémon living within the city were included, the total population even reached five thousand.
Most of the newcomers were scholars who had migrated from other cities after hearing about the opening of the Grand Library. They brought their families, parents, siblings, fiancées, and after a period of adjustment, they fully integrated into life in Lucien City.
Under Lucien's personal invitation, many of these scholars became teachers in the city's schools.
Lucien even took time to return to Eindoak and nearly emptied the Royal Library's entire collection, transporting the books back to his territory, reprinting them, and placing them inside the Grand Library.
For a time, Lucien City earned the title City of Knowledge.
Two months was enough to change many things.
To accommodate the surging population, the city underwent major expansion, more residential zones, wider commercial districts, and, in the past two months, the taverns, public bathhouses, and other entertainment facilities Lucien had planned were now mostly complete.
Workers who labored all day could relax in the public baths, eat a hot meal, then head to the taverns to drink barley beer and chat.
All of this caused Lucien's satisfaction value to skyrocket.
Lucien City now presented a picture of prosperity everywhere.
Looking at the satisfaction meter rising past fifty thousand, Lucien nodded in approval.
Just as expected, more entertainment and leisure made the people happier.
And happier people generated more satisfaction.
Only halfway to the one-hundred-thousand goal.
"Unfortunately, population growth is still too slow," Lucien muttered.
But realistically, this era was still primitive. Ordinary civilians rarely traveled long distances.
Without trains, planes, or ships, migration was extremely difficult.
However, this was a Pokémon world.
Some Pokémon could replace modern transportation.
For example, in Galar, Corviknight acted as flying taxis. After special training, they carried passenger carriages suspended beneath their claws.
Unova didn't have Corviknight, but Braviary could serve as a substitute.
But the various Unova territories were currently independent and barely communicated, and with war looming, establishing flying taxi stations across the region was currently impossible.
Lucien sighed and decided that the flying-taxi company idea would have to wait.
Rubbing his temples from long hours of work, he stepped away from his desk and walked onto the terrace, gazing over the town below.
It was mid-October of Year 149.
The air had grown cold, and yellow leaves drifted down from the trees.
"Nini?"
Victini floated up beside him, looking down at the scenery with him.
Lucien exhaled deeply.
"We left the royal city around this time last year… I can't believe a year has already passed."
Victini blinked in surprise. Lucien really had changed, so much more mature than before.
Behind them, Dragonite, Larvesta, Serperior, Golett and the Minccino also stepped out to join him, all gazing out at Lucien City.
"Alright, that's enough rest for today. Time for special training," Lucien said.
Even with Kyurem now providing overwhelming protection, their training could not be neglected.
And training was far easier than before.
With Kyurem as a sparring partner, Serperior, Dragonite, and Larvesta all improved at astonishing speed.
"At this pace, Larvesta should evolve into Volcarona next year," Lucien thought.
As for Golett, it still wasn't fully accustomed to living with humans. Its movements were slow, intelligence delayed, clumsy and stiff.
Probably because its Ghost-type energy was insufficient.
Lucien didn't push it.
He planned to seek out some Ghost-type Pokémon later to replenish Golett's spectral energy.
"If only I could find Arceus's Ghost Plate," Lucien murmured.
Speaking of which… at this point in history, had Arceus already collided with the meteorite?
In the movie Arceus and the Jewel of Life, Michina was nearly destroyed by a meteorite. Arceus shattered it, exhausted himself, and collapsed. The Jewel of Life, his life source, scattered to the corners of the world and was later found by a man named Damos.
To repay Damos, Arceus had once used five elemental plates, Ground, Water, Grass, Electric, and Dragon, to forge the Jewel of Life and lend it to him.
If that event hadn't happened yet, Lucien wondered whether he could involve himself, make contact with Arceus, and perhaps borrow the Spooky Plate.
"When the time comes, I should visit Michina in the Sinnoh region," Lucien thought.
Just then, Elif's anxious voice sounded from outside the door.
"Your Highness Lucien, urgent news!"
"Come in."
Lucien turned as Elif hurried inside, his expression unusually grim.
"What happened? Did something occur in the territory?" Lucien asked.
But Elif's next sentence made him freeze.
"Your Highness, the war has begun. We received reports this morning that three days ago, Prince Lando's army and Prince Lance's army officially clashed on the River Plain in northern territory."
Northern Castelia Territory — River Plain
A lone Pidove flew southward in search of warmer lands for the winter. Passing over the plains, it looked down and saw two enormous armies facing each other across the open field.
A cold, suffocating tension blanketed the plains. Startled, the Pidove flapped its wings and fled.
High in the air, Prince Landon sat astride Zekrom, crackling with electricity.
Below him, a disciplined army of one hundred thousand soldiers stood ready.
Their standard-bearer held a massive, pitch-black war banner.
Opposite them, Prince Lance rode Reshiram, glowing with pure white fire.
Another enormous army stood behind him, their banners the same white as Reshiram's wings.
Lance's usually gentle face held a rare sorrow.
"I never hoped this day would come. But now there is no turning back. We carry too many hopes on our shoulders. Landon, let us fight for our ideals."
Lando said nothing. His gaze was sharp and cold.
He lifted one arm.
A single command.
Zekrom roared. The black army surged forward.
"For our truth! Advance!"
Lance raised his arm.
"Fight! Fight for our ideal future!"
Reshiram responded with a deep, resonant cry, its white wings spreading wide.
The two armies collided.
Steel met steel.
Humans fought humans.
Pokémon fought Pokémon.
Blood splashed across the trampled earth.
Bodies fell one after another.
Those Pokémon who had joined Lance by free will fought ferociously even as they fell, showing no regret. They were fighting for the ideals they believed in.
Lance watched, voice soft but unshaken.
"War is cruel. But for the world we desire, for the people and magical beast who entrusted their future to us, we must keep going. Your sacrifices will not be meaningless."
Reshiram felt its trainer's conviction and let out a piercing roar.Its body shone brilliantly and it unleashed a rush of Blue-White Flame across the battlefield.
Landon's eyes narrowed.
He raised his hand again.
Zekrom's body surged with violent electric power, arcs of blue lightning dancing across its scales. With another mighty roar, Zekrom hurled itself straight into Reshiram's flames.
...
Lucien stood on the terrace, quietly listening to Elif's report.
"Prince Lando launched a surprise attack on Prince Lance from behind with a large legion of Magical Beasts. Prince Lance's army was caught in a pincer attack, suffered devastating losses, and was completely routed."
"Prince Lance broke through the encirclement with Reshiram's power and retreated with the remaining army to the rear city."
Elif looked at Lucien anxiously. "Your Highness, what should we do?"
Lucien shook his head. "Now is not the time for us to enter the war."
He sighed softly. "Begin winter preparations. Also issue an order that from today onward, Lucien City will officially provide aid to all refugees displaced by the war."
"And have Christina open a column in the newspaper. Lucien City will take in all civilians who lost their homes and all soldiers who do not wish to fight."
Elif was surprised but nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
"This winter will be very cold," Lucien said quietly.
Elif hurried off to carry out the orders.
Lucien stayed on the terrace, deep in thought.
A moment later, Elif suddenly returned, breathless.
"Prince Lucien, the Three Swords of Justice have returned."
It was Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion.
Before long, the three Legendary Pokémon arrived at the castle. Behind them were dozens of exhausted Pokémon covered in dust.
Oshawott, Audino , Gothita, Reuniclus, Amoonguss, Electabuzz… all looked worn and frightened.
"The war has begun," Cobalion said calmly.
"These Pokémon lost their homes in the fighting," Virizion said gently. "They had nowhere to go, so we brought them here."
Terrakion's cheerful nature was nowhere to be seen. Even he looked heavy-hearted. "Lucien, we ask you to help them."
"I understand." Lucien's heart softened at the sight of the frightened Pokémon. "Elif, prepare food and water for them."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The maids soon brought bread, berries, sap, and simple desserts.
The starving Pokémon rushed to eat, trembling with hunger. The sight made the humans watching ache inside.
"Eat slowly. There is plenty for everyone," a maid said gently.
Lucien glanced at the Swords of Justice. "You should all rest too. After they eat, Elif will arrange rooms for them."
The three Legendary Pokémon nodded. They trusted Lucien deeply. After traveling nonstop to protect these refugees, they were exhausted and fell asleep quickly.
Meanwhile, the rescued Pokémon followed Elif and Victini up the castle's wide spiral staircase. Elif intended to take them to a quiet room where they could rest.
As they passed a window, Oshawott suddenly froze.
"Water!" it cried in excitement.
Elif turned to look and realized what had caught its attention. Below was the expansive garden Lucien had built in the back of the castle.
Larvesta happily explained to Oshawott, "Larve, Larve." (That is the special garden Lucien made for us to play in.)
Oshawott's eyes sparkled. As a Water-type, the lake and fountains were irresistible.
Liligant, and the others also gazed longingly at the bright flowers and clean grass below.
Seeing this, Elif was slightly taken aback.
These magical beasts seemed quite interested in Prince Lucien's garden?
...
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