Lucien City was exceptionally lively today.
Countless nobles, travelers, and lords from every corner of the land had gathered here, not only to attend the coronation ceremony of the new king of the Kingdom of Eindoak, but also to witness with their own eyes the monarch who had ended the war.
At nine o'clock in the morning, an ocean of humans and Pokémon filled the plaza before the castle. Cheers rose endlessly as everyone waited for the new king to appear.
Among the crowd, members of the House of Machamp waved their massive arms enthusiastically, shouting until their voices grew hoarse.
Their time in Lucien City had been the happiest period of their lives.
If there could be only one king in this land, then the hundreds of Pokémon from the House of Machamp would vote for Lucien with both hands, and both feet.
Because of Lucien, they had been freed from slavery.
Because of Lucien, they no longer feared the whip of cruel masters. Because of Lucien, they had a home, a place where they could live among others and even work in professions they loved.
"Mom! Teacher Lucien is amazing!"
Anna exclaimed excitedly, gazing up at the magnificent castle.
"Yes," Ellie replied warmly, emotion filling her voice.
"With His Highness Lucien here, our lives will only get better."
A year ago, they had been struggling just to survive.
And now, only a year later, their prince was about to become king.
Though she was merely an ordinary woman, Ellie could feel it clearly:
With Lucien, Eindoak was about to enter a brand-new era.
Below the castle gates, Geralt and his knights stood guard, clad in gleaming new armor, weapons held firmly in hand.
Beside them were disciplined, powerful Pokémon.
A towering Aggron, its steel body radiating oppression. An elegant Altaria, wings gently shifting in the breeze.
This Pokémon legion was not to be underestimated.
More importantly, it was completely different from the forces once commanded by the First and Second Princes.
Several lords stared at the formation, their expressions darkening.
Lord Sharon of Twin Dragons City noticed their reactions and chuckled.
"You're not still thinking about betraying His Highness Lucien, are you?"
The lords remained silent, their dissatisfaction with the sudden rise of the Third Prince plainly visible.
Seeing this, Sharon accepted a cup of hot honey drink from his butler, Kran, and said leisurely,
"Careful now. His Highness might just ride a dragon to pay you a visit."
The lords: "..."
They hadn't witnessed the war themselves, but they had heard the stories.
How Prince Lucien, unable to bear more bloodshed, had ordered the dragons to freeze entire armies, preventing soldiers from slaughtering one another.
How he had personally defeated both elder princes and absorbed the power of the two legendary dragons.
Freezing hundreds of thousands of soldiers in an instant was far beyond anything they could comprehend.
"What's there to be afraid of?" Sharon scoffed.
"A bunch of old fogies…"
He had long since realized that Pokémon weren't terrifying at all.
In fact, they produced countless delicious, interesting, and useful things.
For example, the honey produced by Combee and Vespiquen.
Sharon now drank a cup of hot honey every day without fail.
Living alongside Pokémon was… surprisingly enjoyable.
Hearing this, several lords fell into thoughtful silence.
Some recalled their experiences in Lucien City over the past two days.
Food produced by Pokémon. Drinks brewed by Pokémon.
Houses built by Pokémon. Inn services provided by Pokémon.
The Pokémon of Lucien City were nothing like the ones they remembered.
They were friendly. Simple. Kind.
Slowly, many of them began to agree with Sharon.
Since resistance was impossible, accepting this new king didn't seem like such a bad choice after all.
"Sister! His Highness Lucien is coming out!"
Lena was so nervous it was as if she were about to be crowned.
Seeing her expression, Celina couldn't help but smile helplessly.
"Relax. There's no need to be that nervous."
Lena's eyes shone.
"Sister… do you think we'll be able to live in Lucien City like this forever?"
"Will no one ever call us a curse again?"
"Yes," Celina said softly, nodding. "His Highness Lucien promised us."
"That's wonderful!"
Lena hugged her sister tightly, cheering with unrestrained joy.
Inside the castle, Elif spoke respectfully.
"Your Highness Lucien, the coronation ceremony is about to begin."
"I know," Lucien replied with a small nod.
"Let's go."
After meeting with his two brothers, he ascended to the top floor of the castle.
The terrace was already filled with both humans and Pokémon.
Maids moved quietly through the crowd. Guards stood alert with weapons in hand.
A Dragonite with wide, curious eyes. A proud and elegant Serperior.
The majestic and awe-inspiring Kyurem. Clumsy Golett rolling about. And an overexcited Larvesta.
And standing solemnly apart, the three Sacred Swordsmen who had once sworn to protect Pokémon everywhere: Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion.
Under the combined gaze of humans and Pokémon alike, Lucien stepped forward.
He stopped at the edge of the terrace.
And looked down upon his people.
The moment he appeared, a thunderous wave of cheers erupted from the crowd below.
"Prince Lucien!"
"Prince Lucien!"
"Prince Lucien!"
The cries surged endlessly, echoing across the city like rolling thunder.
Lucien inclined his head slightly toward his people.
Nearby, the old king watched the scene with deep emotion. He then lifted the golden crown, its surface inlaid with brilliant gemstones, and slowly stepped forward to begin the coronation.
"Lucien," the old king said solemnly, his voice steady yet filled with pride, "you are my most outstanding child. I am truly proud of you."
"From this day onward, the Kingdom of Eindoak shall officially be placed under your rule."
"Rest assured, Father."
Lucien bowed slightly in response.
The old king raised the crown and, with his own hands, placed it upon his son's head.
Clad in a flowing crimson royal cloak, Lucien stood crowned, surrounded by Pokémon, with Kyurem at their head.
He looked down upon his people.
At long last, Eindoak had welcomed a new king.
Cheers and shouts filled the air, and in that moment, time itself seemed to stand still.
A painter standing among the crowd captured the coronation in oil upon canvas.
That painting was later acquired by a wealthy collector, carefully wrapped in black cloth, and preserved with great reverence.
Perhaps thousands of years in the future, it would reemerge.
Allowing people of a distant age to glimpse, through its faded colors, the splendor of the first king of the United Kingdom, and the moment a new era was born.