Victini slept for a very long time.
When it finally woke up, the sun was already dipping toward the horizon, its golden light spilling gently into the room.
Victini rubbed its sleepy eyes and blinked in confusion. This wasn't the royal castle it remembered, everything looked new and unfamiliar.
"Nini?"
It hovered in midair for a moment, puzzled, until its gaze fell upon a familiar figure nearby. The sight of Lucien instantly made it relax.
"Nini!"
Victini squeaked happily and started to fly toward him, but then it froze. It suddenly sensed several pairs of curious eyes watching it closely.
"You're awake?"
Hearing Victini's cheerful cry, Lucien, who was seated at his desk reviewing official reports, turned around.
He smiled at the small Pokémon and gestured toward the others in the room. "These are Dragonair, Servine, Larvesta, and Minccino, my companions here."
"Wooo~" Dragonair greeted Victini with a friendly hum, its long body coiling gracefully beside the window.
"Servine," Servine responded curtly, turning its head away with its usual proud air.
Larvesta, on the other hand, was staring intensely at Victini, an uneasy feeling flickering in its tiny heart. 'Was this newcomer here to steal Lucien's attention?'
"Nini~"
Victini blinked innocently, then cheerfully twirled in the air, greeting everyone with a happy chirp.
Lucien couldn't help but laugh softly. Things around him were becoming more lively with each passing day.
"Dinner will be ready soon," Lucien said. "In the meantime, Victini, explore the place and get familiar with it. This is our new home. We'll be living here for a while."
"Nini!"
Victini, ever curious and energetic, adapted almost instantly. Before long, it was playing chase with Minccino while Dragonair looked on with gentle amusement. Even the aloof Servine eventually joined in, pretending not to care.
Lucien smiled faintly at the sight, then turned back to his work.
He still had many things to handle, settling the new civilians, establishing a nature reserve for wild Pokémon, and organizing the military.
The most pressing task was implementing the Pokémon Army Reform.
This new system was fascinating.
So far, two Pokémon species, Aron and Swablu, had been incorporated into the army. With this reform, they could now undergo structured training using modernized methods. The system even included refined move-training techniques that allowed Pokémon to master advanced combat skills more efficiently.
These methods were far more detailed and effective than the training plans Lucien had previously developed for the knights.
It wasn't just useful for the army either. Lucien could also apply these principles when teaching Dragonair how to use Draco Meteor.
The key was focusing and condensing Dragon-type energy within the mouth, then releasing it skyward. When the volatile energy reached a certain altitude, it would explode, transforming into a rain of blazing meteors that crashed down in a spectacular storm.
"Excellent," Lucien murmured to himself. "Dragonair can begin training for this move tomorrow."
It was a pity that Servine couldn't learn Draco Meteor; with its unique ability, it could have absorbed the reaction force and turned it into additional power.
Still, the thought of fifty Altaria unleashing Draco Meteor together on a battlefield sent a thrill down his spine.
Suddenly, a firm knock echoed at the door.
"Come in," Lucien said.
Elif entered and bowed. "Your Highness Lucien, the new settlers have been arranged properly. However, the new city is still under construction, so some have been temporarily moved into the wooden huts we'll finish later."
Lucien nodded. "That's fine for now. Once the main district is complete, move them into proper housing. The pace will improve with our increased manpower."
He paused thoughtfully, then added, "Also, make sure the magical beasts are settled as well. Have someone mark out the boundaries for a nature reserve outside the city and plant enough fruit trees there for them to feed on."
Hearing this, Elif was slightly taken aback. "Your Highness, what do you mean?"
Lucien looked up from his desk. "From what I've observed, not all magical beasts enjoy living within towns. While we build homes for people, we should also leave the magical beasts a place to live freely."
"I see," Elif said, suddenly understanding. "I understand, Your Highness. I will make the arrangements. There is one more thing to report, the fruit grove you ordered planted has already begun to bear fruit."
"Oh? That fast?" Lucien raised an eyebrow in surprise, then smiled faintly.
Of course it would grow quickly. Servine had been nurturing those trees every day with Grass-type energy. Their growth rate was only natural.
Lucien closed his eyes in thought.
In the past few weeks, several farmers in the territory had begun experimenting with berry trees as well. Inspired by Lucien's own example, they too had learned to collaborate with their Grass-type Pokémon to accelerate growth.
These miraculous berries, which ripened every few days, were truly a divine gift for both humans and Pokémon alike.
To Lucien, there was no doubt that the influence of Arceus, the creator of this world, was behind such miracles.
He had created these berries to sustain wild Pokémon and preserve the balance between species.
"In that case," Lucien said after a moment, "let's designate that entire area as a nature reserve."
He glanced toward Minccino and Servine, who were nearby.
"This is what I promised them, a new home for the magical beast of the forest. A fruit orchard full of berries, where no one will harm them."
"Yes, Your Highness," Elif said with a small smile and nodded respectfully.
Lucien leaned back in his chair. "Also, there seem to be two people in the territory who look exactly alike. Have them come see me tomorrow."
Elif blinked in mild surprise before realizing who Lucien meant.
"Your Highness must be referring to the two young women with the surname Joy," Elif said. "They truly look identical, as if they were reflections of each other."
Lucien nodded. "That's right. There's nothing wrong with them, I've simply never met two people who look so completely alike before. I'd like to ask them a few things."
Elif chuckled softly. "It is indeed unusual, but not unheard of. In fact, Your Highness, there's another family in Eindoak with the same phenomenon. They're called the Jennys. Every woman in that family looks exactly alike as well."
Lucien raised his brows. "Is that so?"
"Yes," Elif replied. "It's said that even the children born to anyone who marries into their family also share the same appearance. Because of this, the Jennys, much like the Joys, are believed to be cursed and unlucky."
Elif's tone turned a little wistful. "They're often shunned wherever they go. From what I know, most of them live quietly in seclusion, far from the cities."
Lucien frowned slightly, his expression softening. "So even they are forced to live that way…"
Elif sighed. "Yes. Those children have had difficult lives."
...
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