When Zack finished speaking, fear instantly filled the eyes of the Machoke, Gurdurr, and Timburr standing nearby.
They looked up at the human before them, already understanding what was happening.
They were being sold.
From this day forward, this man would be their new master.
Their bodies trembled at the memory of how their previous owners had treated them, whips, hunger, exhaustion, and the endless cycle of orders followed by pain.
But even so, not one dared resist.
Because they all knew: resistance only ever led to worse punishment.
Lucien stood silently for a long time, his expression calm, unreadable.
Then he turned slightly and nodded to Elif.
"Pay the merchant," he said quietly.
Elif understood immediately. He stepped forward, his tone polite but firm.
"Please, come with me."
"Of course," Zack replied with a grin.
Led by Elif, Zack returned to the Town Hall, where he received the balance payment.
"Everything seems in order," Elif said with a courteous smile. "If you're not in a hurry, you may rest at one of our inns. We've prepared clean lodging for travelers."
That sounded good to Zack, he was indeed exhausted from the road.
But there was something else on his mind.
"By the way, sir," Zack asked casually, "when I was last here, I noticed several empty shops in town. Would it be possible to purchase one?"
He smiled thinly, already thinking ahead.
This town, new as it was, had something unique: it could raise magical beasts, even work alongside them.
If he could open a shop here that specialized in buying rare magical beasts products, like Combee honey or Mareep wool, and resell them to other cities, he could make a fortune.
Hearing this, Elif's eyes brightened immediately.
"Of course! As long as you can pay the proper fee, His Highness welcomes merchants who wish to invest here," Elif said warmly.
Indeed, the city was still developing and needed merchants to help build a functioning economy.
Zack let out a relieved laugh and quickly paid a hefty sum to purchase a prime storefront along the main street.
Just as the transaction ended, Elif spoke again, his tone shifting to something more serious.
"There's one more thing, Master Zack," he said evenly.
"Oh? What is it?"
"In Prince Lucien's territory, harming or eating magical beasts is strictly forbidden. Anyone who violates this law will face severe punishment."
The merchant blinked in surprise.
"You mean… they're protected?"
Elif didn't elaborate. He simply smiled faintly, offered a polite bow, and took his leave.
Later, he returned to the Town Hall to report the matter to Lucien.
Lucien merely nodded when he heard.
He wasn't surprised in the least.
Over the past few months, the people within his territory had already grown used to living alongside Pokémon.
But for outsiders, it was still unthinkable, humans and magical beasts coexisting, working together, sharing food and homes.
To most, such a thing bordered on heresy.
Still, Lucien welcomed the arrival of merchants like Zack.
They would bring goods from distant cities, meet the daily needs of his people, and, most importantly, breathe new life into the economy of the fledgling Lucien City.
Elif could handle the logistics. Lucien trusted him completely.
Lucien put all other thoughts aside and turned his full attention to the group of Pokémon before him.
"Geralt," he said after a moment of thought, "go and bring over the two Machoke from the construction team."
"At once, Your Highness." Geralt bowed and hurried away.
Lucien then walked toward the bound Pokémon, a Machoke, a Gurdurr, and a Timburr, their eyes full of fear and confusion.
He slowly knelt, unlocked their chains one by one, and spoke in a gentle tone.
"Machoke, Timburr, Gurdurr, don't be afraid. Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Lucien, and I am the lord of this territory."
"I know you've suffered before you came here… You've met cruel people who treated you as tools rather than living beings."
Lucien's voice was calm, yet warm.
"But here, things are different. I will never treat you like they did."
He gestured around him.
"Look around. This city isn't just home to humans, it's shared by many Pokémon. And as you've seen, none of them were forced to stay here. They chose to live here, because they love this place."
The three Pokémon stood in silence, their eyes uncertain.
Deep inside, disbelief warred with a fragile hope.
Yet what Lucien said was true.
On their way here, they had indeed seen Pokémon walking freely through the streets, helping humans, playing with children, smiling under the sun.
No chains. No fear.
"Relax," Lucien said softly. "No one here will harm you."
Just then, footsteps echoed from the courtyard.
Geralt returned, and behind him were two Machoke who had long since adapted to life in the territory.
Months of proper food and care had changed them completely. Their scars had faded, and their once-hollow frames had become powerful and healthy again.
Seeing Lucien, both Machoke's eyes lit up instantly.
"Maa-choke!"
Lucien smiled.
"Long time no see, my friends. How have you been?"
"Choke! Maa-choke!" They nodded rapidly, excitedly.
They had been doing well, happier than ever. The people here were kind, and for the first time in their lives, they had a home of their own.
During the recent housing assignments, the two Machoke had been given a small brick house to share. Inside, there was a soft bed, a warm fireplace, and a window that kept out the rain.
A fruit tree grew in the yard, and the two of them often napped beneath it.
They were deeply grateful to Lucien, not as servants to a master, but as friends to someone who had given them freedom.
Lucien smiled at their enthusiasm.
"Good. I'm glad to hear that."
He then gestured toward the newcomers.
"I asked you here for a reason. These Pokémon have had experiences similar to yours. I'd like you to help them settle in, show them around, let them see what life here is truly like."
The two Machoke turned curiously toward the nervous trio in the clearing.
''Choke."
"Choke."
Whoa?
Lucien smiled faintly as the two Machoke began chatting with their new companions. He didn't understand what they were saying, their cheerful "Kuri! Kuri!" calls sounded like nothing more than playful chatter, but the look in their eyes told him everything he needed to know.
His choice had been the right one.
The once-enslaved Pokémon hesitated for a moment, then slowly stood. Confused but curious, they followed the two resident Machoke, who motioned encouragingly toward the streets outside.
Watching them go, Elif, who had been standing nearby, frowned slightly.
"Your Highness Lucien, are you certain this is wise? What if something goes wrong?"
Lucien's expression remained calm, his tone light.
"There's no need to worry."
He looked toward the direction the group had gone, the corners of his mouth lifting in quiet confidence.
Timburr and Gurdurr are Pokémon that love to build. It's in their nature. In the wild, they often wander into construction sites just to lend a hand. Some even get annoyed when work stops because of bad weather, especially the Machoke.
'Gurdurr can mix and shape concrete stronger than anything we humans can make. Concrete is the foundation of every structure we build, homes, bridges, even city walls. With their help, we'll complete the rest of Lucien City's construction in no time.'
He turned to the window, sunlight spilling across his desk. Beyond the glass, he could already see the silhouettes of Pokémon and humans moving together — builders shouting directions, Gurdurr lifting beams with ease, Timburr scurrying across scaffolds, Machoke laughing as they carried loads that would have taken ten men to move.
Lucien's gaze softened.
"No whips. No chains. Just cooperation," he murmured. "This is how it should be."
Ave followed his gaze and, for the first time, said nothing.
The rhythmic clang of hammers echoed from the distance, not the sound of oppression, but of a city being reborn.
...
stones PLzz
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