In Virbank City, a hub of commerce and trade, many merchants found themselves facing the same difficult choice.
They gathered together, voices low but tense, to discuss what they should do.
Some merchants were openly skeptical of the new paper currency, which appeared to hold no intrinsic value at all.
"This thing is just a single sheet of white paper," one of them scoffed. "It's not even worth a copper coin. And now we're supposed to trade the gold in our hands for this? Is His Majesty joking?!"
A wave of agreement rippled through the room.
Everyone stared at the hundred-denomination banknote lying on the table, unsure what to make of it.
If they exchanged their coins, it felt like a loss.
But if they refused, and somehow offended His Majesty, people as insignificant as them wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.
At that moment, an elderly merchant standing among them glanced around with a thoughtful smile.
"I actually find this paper currency rather interesting," he said slowly.
The room fell silent as all eyes turned toward him.
The old merchant continued, unhurried. "In the past, small transactions were manageable. But whenever we handled large orders, the sheer amount of gold we had to carry took up enormous space."
He gestured lightly as he spoke.
"Metal currency is heavy. It's inconvenient to transport, especially in bulk. On the road, it makes us easy targets. If bandits appear, protecting that kind of wealth is nearly impossible."
He paused, then said meaningfully, "But if it's replaced with light, easy-to-carry paper currency, both storage and transport become far simpler."
Murmurs began to spread.
"More importantly," the old merchant added, "we can deposit our money in a bank beforehand. Once we reach our destination, we withdraw it again from a local branch."
He smiled.
"Doing business in the future would be far easier."
Then he looked at everyone present and said calmly, "His Majesty Lucien is a king chosen by the Divine Dragon. Since the Central Bank and this new currency were created by him, I believe he will surely provide us with guarantees. As his subjects, we should place our trust in him."
Those words struck home.
Everyone suddenly realized something they had overlooked.
The king of this nation was no ordinary ruler. His actions over the past few years had proven time and again that he was worthy of trust.
Since the Central Bank and the new currency bore His Majesty Lucien's will, then he, together with the Divine Dragon Kyurem, would undoubtedly safeguard their property.
The currency reform soon became a raging torrent, sweeping across the entire Unova Kingdom.
Commoners and merchants alike, those who trusted Lucien and the kingdom, flocked to their local Lucien City bank branches, exchanging their metal coins for crisp paper banknotes.
"Your Majesty, just as you predicted, residents everywhere have begun exchanging their gold coins for the new currency!"
Inside Lucien City's castle, Elif rushed in with an excited expression as she reported the news.
Lucien showed little surprise.
He merely nodded, gazing out the window at the bustling city below, a quiet understanding settling in his heart.
"Elif," he said softly, "don't you understand yet? People can feel everything we do. If we treat them well, they will trust us in return, and they will willingly help maintain the kingdom's operation."
"Only in this way can a nation truly grow prosperous."
"Your Majesty is wise," Elif said with deep emotion.
Over these past few years, His Majesty Lucien had truly grown into a great ruler.
To have him leading this land was a blessing not only for the people, but for the kingdom itself.
Lucien gently stroked the head of the Dragonite beside him and closed his eyes, silently contemplating the future.
The currency reform had drastically reduced the cost of transporting goods. From this point onward, the Unova Kingdom's economy was bound to advance even further.
Steam trains had already entered service. Though they had not yet spread throughout the entire nation, that was only a matter of time.
Factories were rising everywhere, recruiting workers and expanding production.
And before long, once the steam-powered giant vessel was fully realized, goods produced in those factories could be transported to distant regions for trade.
Combined with the presence of the Forces of Nature, who infused the land with vitality, enriching the soil and promising bountiful harvests, Unova now possessed a solid material foundation for growth.
The Unova Kingdom would surely take the lead over all other regions.
Kingdom Calendar, Year 151, Late June.
The first giant steam-powered ship in the history of the Unova Kingdom was officially completed through the collective efforts of the entire nation.
At the port of Castelia City, Lucien, having learned that the research project had reached its final stage, arrived from Lucien City atop his Dragonite.
Countless citizens had already gathered at the harbor.
They stared in awe and disbelief at the steel behemoth resting upon the deep blue sea.
The current mayor of Castelia City, Garp, personally welcomed Lucien's arrival and respectfully guided him aboard the massive vessel.
When the people on shore caught sight of Lucien, their eyes lit up with excitement.
"It's His Majesty Lucien!"
"His Majesty has come to Castelia City!"
"Long live His Majesty!"
Cheers echoed across the harbor.
Watching this scene, Garp felt momentarily dazed.
At this moment, he was profoundly grateful for the decision he had made back then, to relinquish power and pledge loyalty to this great king.
Lucien, however, paid no attention to Garp's emotions.
Under the guidance of the crew, he boarded the steamship and began inspecting it, visiting the bridge, the cabins, the deck, the crew's quarters, and every other major section.
"Not bad," Lucien said with a satisfied nod. He looked at the craftsmen and praised them sincerely. "You've done excellent work. Thank you for your efforts."
The craftsmen's faces lit up with joy.
"Your Majesty, this is only our duty!"
Lucien said nothing more. He gave a single command:
"Reward them."
Standing to the side, Garp hesitated for a moment before asking, "Your Majesty… how do you plan to make use of this giant vessel in the future?"
Lucien smiled faintly and asked instead, "Garp, have you ever left this land beneath our feet and traveled to other continents?"
Garp froze, then shook his head. "No… I haven't."
Born in Castelia City and raised there, he had scarcely ever left its borders.
"Then do you know," Lucien continued gently, "that beyond Unova, there are many other lands?"
Garp's eyes widened as an almost unbelievable thought surfaced.
"Does Your Majesty intend to conquer other lands and bring them under the banner of the Unova Kingdom as well?"
"Of course not," Lucien replied calmly.
Those lands were far too distant. With their current level of technology, even if they managed to conquer them, ruling and maintaining control would be nearly impossible.
"Compared to conquest, communication is far more important," Lucien said. "We will transport the goods produced in Unova to other regions for trade, allowing our people to become wealthier. At the same time, we can bring back Pokémon, technologies, and unique local specialties from those lands."
Garp nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face.
"But more importantly," Lucien continued, his tone growing serious, "humanity's understanding of the world beyond our shores is still dangerously limited. I intend to assemble a fleet and usher in an Age of Discovery, to explore the seas on my behalf and learn exactly how many continents exist in this world, and where they are located."
"For now, conflicts are limited to wars between nations. But in the near future, it's possible that entire regions may be dragged into conflict with one another."
"Before that day arrives, we must be prepared."
Even with the Unova Kingdom's current level of development, Lucien did not dare grow complacent.
The Pokémon world harbored technologies that bordered on the incomprehensible.
Take, for instance, the ultimate weapon once created by AZ in the Kalos region, its power was enough to annihilate an entire region.
If such a weapon were ever fired at Unova, recovery would take an unimaginably long time.
Garp looked at Lucien with undisguised admiration.
"Your Majesty truly possesses extraordinary foresight."
Lucien simply smiled, saying nothing more.
After completing the inspection, he disembarked from the giant vessel, already considering when the Age of Discovery should officially begin.
Before the fleet set sail, however, extensive preparations would be necessary to ensure the sailors' safety.
For example, every crew member would need to be partnered with at least one Water-type and one Flying-type Pokémon.
That way, even if the ship were wrecked by natural disasters such as storms or tsunamis, the sailors could rely on their Pokémon to escape.
This approach would maximize survival.
As Lucien pondered these matters, something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye.
Ahead stood a Pokémon he recognized instantly.
Small in stature, with an appearance resembling a puppy.
Riolu?
Beside it stood a commoner youth dressed in patched clothing, his expression resolute. Riolu was clearly his partner.
"How is the progress of Trainers in Castelia City?" Lucien asked.
Garp replied promptly, "Your Majesty, as per your instructions, starter Pokémon were distributed long ago to children who met the criteria. According to reports from the Trainer Association, many have already left the city to begin their journeys."
"However, some have chosen to remain here, training further, likely intending to obtain the Castelia Gym Badge before traveling on to challenge other Gyms."
Lucien nodded thoughtfully.
His gaze returned to the Riolu.
Judging by its physical condition and mental state, it had been exceptionally well raised.
At that moment, Riolu's Trainer happened to look over as well.
Lucien gave him a small nod of encouragement.
His Majesty… nodded at him.
Derick's heart began pounding uncontrollably.
As he watched Lucien turn and leave, he clenched his fists without realizing it.
"Riolu… His Majesty Lucien noticed us," he whispered.
Riolu, too, stared in that direction. From that human, it had sensed an overwhelming aura.
"I heard that at the end of the year, during the Battle Festival, His Majesty Lucien himself will present the rewards to the Champion…"
A blazing fighting spirit ignited in Derick's eyes.
"Riolu, we have to work harder. We'll go to Lucien City, and stand on that stage!"
Riolu responded instantly, its entire body brimming with energy.
"Wwoo!" Castelia Gym, here we come!
Derick clenched his fists tightly.
After learning from their previous failed challenge, he and Riolu had undergone targeted training. They had ventured into the wild again and again, battling Pokémon nonstop, and had even captured a second partner.
This time, they were determined.
The Castelia Badge would be theirs.