When he returned to Fruitvale Village, the first person he called for was Fessen.
"Lord Aven," came the voice.
Fessen bowed respectfully, then turned his gaze toward the cart being pulled by the Bibarel leader.
Inside the cart, he saw the unconscious forms of the magical beast hunters and their Mightyena, and frowned.
"Are these magical beast hunters?"
"That's right. I encountered them in the northern Black Forest," Aven replied.
After Aven briefly explained the situation, Fessen's expression turned furious upon learning that the magical beast hunters had even dared to attack Aven.
"Those damned magical beast hunters must be sent to the gallows!" he growled.
He stepped over to inspect the unconscious hunters, only to suddenly let out a surprised sound.
"These people... they're from the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild!"
"The Gilded Fang Merchant Guild?" Aven raised an eyebrow.
The Gilded Fang Merchant Guild was the largest magical beast trading organization in Aspiration City.
The immense profits from the magical beast trade had given rise to a large number of magical beast merchants, and this guild specialized in facilitating those trades.
The magical beast market Aven had visited in Aspiration City earlier had belonged to this very guild.
Beyond magical beast trading, the guild also operated many other ventures, such as magical beast hunting and combat arenas.
Its headquarters was located in the northern part of Aspiration City, which happened to be the territory of Marquis Hormay, who also happened to be the real power behind the guild.
"Lord Aven, if it's the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild, this could get complicated..." Fessen hesitated.
Although Marquis Hormay was the de facto leader of the guild, many other nobles in Aspiration City were also involved with it.
Fessen's own father, Baron Cass, was part of the guild and oversaw many of its magical beast transactions.
Even those lords who weren't members still regularly sold magical beasts from their territories to the guild.
After all, eliminating magical beasts from their lands cost a great deal of manpower and money. Selling captured magical beasts to the guild helped offset those expenses.
This arrangement allowed lords to both remove threats and profit, leading to widespread cooperation with the guild.
"The close ties between small lords and the guild... it's something to watch closely," Aven said, closing his eyes in thought.
Seeing this, Fessen sighed. He knew Aven detested magical beast merchants, but he also understood their presence was an inevitable product of the era.
"It doesn't have to be so complicated."
"Eliminating the magical beast merchants isn't my goal. I just want to change the way we do business."
Aven opened his eyes, as if something had just become clear to him.
If one were being honest, the future Pokémon Breeding facilities, centers or houses weren't that different from magical beast merchants.
The main difference was that Pokémon Breeding Facilities and the Trainer System were rooted in cooperation and care, unlike the guild's forceful capture-and-trade methods.
"What we need to do is continue pushing the Pokémon Breeding Facilities and the Trainer Program," Aven said decisively.
"Additionally, I plan to officially establish a Pokémon Safari Zone and begin mass training of apprentice trainers."
Fessen was momentarily stunned. He had heard his lord mention the idea of a Pokémon Safari before.
In it, many semi-tamed Pokémon would be released.
All members of the Pokémon Breeding House could apply for access to this zone and attempt to capture Pokémon.
Anyone who successfully caught a Pokémon inside would be eligible to register as an apprentice trainer—and could do so for free with their first Pokémon.
However, once registered, they would be required to abide by the Trainer's Code.
If they broke the rules, they would face consequences.
"Lord Aven, do you plan to begin this program immediately?" Fessen asked with hesitation.
"With the territory's current finances, this may strain our resources. The castle and town are still under construction... I don't think the funds should be diverted just yet."
"Don't worry. The Safari Zone and the Breeding facility are closely tied. If the plan succeeds, the expenses will be covered by the facility's profits," Aven said with a shake of his head.
"Also, the new apothecary shop in Aspiration City has opened. We'll soon see our first income from there."
Though he agreed the Pokémon Safari Zone plan was somewhat premature, now was the peak season for magical beast trading, and Aven couldn't afford to miss the opportunity.
"Lord Aven, are you really planning to open the Safari Zone to people outside the territory as well?" Fessen asked, still clearly concerned.
"Don't worry. Trainers will become a crucial part of the facility's operations."
"Just like knights, trainers will become common in Aspiration City. And every trainer will rely on the facility."
Noticing Fessen's hesitation, Aven gave a confident smile.
In the future League system, the control over trainers came from items like potions, move-learning methods, and Poké Balls—all of which would be tied to the breeding facilities he will build.
"Yes, Lord Aven," Fessen said, hesitating for a moment before bowing his head in full agreement.
"Good. Then start preparations right away."
"I'll personally oversee the construction of the Safari Zone. You'll be in charge of the promotions."
After Fessen left to begin work, Aven sat at his desk and clenched his fist tightly—this was the first major step forward.
Taking a deep breath, he walked out to the grassy farm, where a large number of Pokémon had already gathered.
Petilil, Rhydon, Froslass, Vileplume, Mightyena, Tangrowth, Torterra, Bibarel, Cherrim, Starly, Luxio, Combee, Skuntank, Raticate, and Yanma.
The Skuntank, once the guardian of the White Apricorn tree, now stood among them nervously, intimidated by the powerful auras surrounding it.
Raticate and Yanma were similarly tense. They had barely interacted with Aven before and were overwhelmed by the pressure in the crowd.
"Everyone's here."
"I gathered you all today because I have something important to discuss."
Hearing Aven's voice, all the Pokémon became solemn.
Even the newly participating Skuntank, Raticate, and Yanma sensed the weight of the moment and straightened up.
"It's simple."
"I've designated a part of the territory as your habitat. Soon, all of you and your tribes will move there."
"I also want each of you to serve as the leaders of your species, managing and guiding your respective groups."
"In time, more of your kind will appear in those habitats. Your job will be to take them in and help manage them."
For Bibarel, Vileplume, Mightyena, and Torterra, this didn't come as a surprise—they were already handling similar tasks.
But for Skuntank, Raticate, and Yanma, this came as a shock.
While they were already leaders of small tribes, Aven's plan was to consolidate all those small groups into one large unified tribe under their leadership.
They felt both excited and anxious—Raticate, in particular, was daunted by the sheer size of its potential tribe.
"Don't worry. If you agree, I'll personally train you."
Aven's gaze was firm. These Pokémon—especially Skuntank, Raticate, and Yanma—were the most promising individuals he had chosen from their tribes.
Hearing this, the three Pokémon excitedly nodded.
They, too, shared a desire to become stronger.
"Alright then. From today onward, you are my Pokémon. I will train you to become the strongest in your entire tribe."
(End of Chapter)