Advanced-level Pokémon in this world were equivalent to Gym-level Pokémon in the future world. So, when the time finally came to establish Pokémon Gyms, Aven hoped that powerful trainers with such strength could serve as their guardians.
After all, these Pokémon Gyms would eventually be distributed throughout various towns, and there needed to be a certain amount of distance between each town to better encourage trainers to embark on journeys, thereby rapidly improving their strength.
In addition to managing the Pokémon Gyms, Gym Trainers were not only responsible for managing the Pokémon Gyms, but also bore the responsibility of protecting the town they were stationed in. Without sufficient strength, it would be nearly impossible for them to fulfill such duties.
And as things stood now within his territory, if he didn't count himself, then only Matthew—the current Pokémon Ranger—possessed two advanced-level Pokémon.
That meant that, at least in the short term, this plan would be very difficult to implement. Of course, this goal was something that Aven was determined to realize over time. Only by doing so could he truly begin to construct the framework of the Pokémon League.
"Lord Aven, there are no issues at all with the development of the Pokémon Breeding House," Link reported seriously. "However, there seems to be a problem on Miss Phyllis's side. The trade between territories doesn't appear to be going very smoothly."
After giving his report on the Breeding House, Link brought up the trade situation between territories—partly because it affected the external business operations of the Pokémon Breeding House as well.
"Inter-territory trade?" Aven murmured thoughtfully. "I understand. I'll think of a way to resolve it."
Aven nodded lightly, not particularly surprised by the news—after all, he was quite certain that the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild was behind this.
The last time he had taken the initiative to attack Keystone Town, he had directly destroyed the Eastern Branch of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild, forcing Viscount Kilton to shift all the blame onto that branch.
On the surface, that incident seemed to have concluded, but they all knew that the Ironblood Fortress and the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild would definitely not let the matter go so easily.
Now, with various territories and merchant caravans being pressured not to engage in trade with Fruitvale Village, it was very obvious that the Ironblood Fortress and the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild were working in the shadows to sabotage them. Their goal was clear—to strike Fruitvale Village at its financial lifeline and bring it down through economic warfare.
Phyllis had been feeling a considerable amount of stress lately.
Initially, by leveraging the Daly family's network, she had managed to establish trade agreements with several merchant associations. After all, the potions produced in Fruitvale Village were remarkably effective, and for these merchant guilds, as long as they could purchase them at a low price and sell them elsewhere, they could make a significant profit.
In addition, Fruitvale Village had a huge demand for berries. Even rotten or partially spoiled berries could be purchased in large quantities by the village. Based on these two needs—potions and berries—Phyllis had already signed agreements with multiple merchant guilds. She was preparing to make a big move during the berry harvesting season and show her true value through impressive trade numbers.
But just when she was ready to go all in, some merchant guilds quietly approached her, asking to cancel their cooperation agreements.
From the reasons they gave, it was clear that they didn't actually want to end their cooperation with Fruitvale Village. Rather, they were being forced to do so by pressure from the Ironblood Fortress and the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild.
After all, the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild had been operating in Aspiration City for many years and had virtually monopolized all magical beast-related industries. These merchants had extensive dealings with the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild. If they continued to cooperate with Fruitvale Village, their other business interests would certainly suffer.
Moreover, the threat from the Ironblood Fortress was not something they could ignore. These were small merchant guilds with limited power—they simply could not afford to withstand that kind of pressure.
As for the other territorial lords, the situation was even clearer—they would not risk offending the Ironblood Fortress just for the sake of Fruitvale Village. Thus, they would never publicly engage in any form of trade with the village.
With both the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild and the Ironblood Fortress working to sever all trade between Fruitvale Village and other merchant guilds or territories, the village's economy was being effectively strangled. This posed a major threat to its overall development.
Even more critical than the external potion trade was the fact that Fruitvale Village was now finding it extremely difficult to purchase food and other essential supplies from other territories and merchant guilds. Compared to the potion business, this was a far more urgent and life-threatening issue.
"This is getting troublesome," Phyllis muttered, gritting her teeth in frustration.
Even though she had worked tirelessly to persuade the merchants and lords involved, most of them were still unwilling to take the risk.
If Lord Aven were here, what would he do?
She couldn't help but imagine Aven's face in her mind, twirling a strand of her purple hair between her fingers as she fell into deep thought.
Her gaze then fell on the half-written letter on the desk. Since Aven had been staying in the Safari Zone lately, the only way she could report the situation to him was by writing letters.
Knock knock knock.
Just then, Phyllis suddenly heard a knocking sound from downstairs.
As the head financial officer of Fruitvale Village, she had long since moved into a home of her own. But in moments like this, she couldn't help but feel a certain nostalgia for earlier, simpler times.
"Who could it be?" she murmured, standing up and picking up her Shinx on the table before walking downstairs.
When she arrived on the first floor, she saw that Gloom had already reached the front door. Upon seeing Phyllis come down, it let out a cheerful cry.
"Gloom, I'll get the door," she said, patting it affectionately before quickly opening the door.
And then she froze.
She had just been thinking about this very person—and now, here he was standing at her doorstep.
"Phyllis, long time no see," Aven greeted her with a faint smile.
This was actually his first time visiting Phyllis's house. The small garden by the door and the charming little cottage gave off quite an inviting atmosphere.
"Yes… it really has been a while," Phyllis smiled in return and stepped aside to welcome Aven inside.
The first floor was a bit messy at the moment, with various ledgers and account books scattered all over the dining table. Phyllis's face flushed red as she quickly began to tidy things up in a flustered manner.
"I heard there's been some trouble with inter-territory trade?" Aven picked up one of the books and asked casually.
"Ah?" Phyllis blinked and then nodded hastily. "Yes… there have been some issues. I was just about to write a report to inform you, Lord Aven."
She quickly ran upstairs and brought down the half-finished letter she had been working on. The letter already detailed most of the current situation clearly.
"Thank you for managing the village's finances during this time," Aven said as he took the letter and read through it.
Its contents were basically what he had expected—it was indeed the work of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild.
"A trade war, huh…" Aven exhaled deeply. He never expected to encounter something like a trade war in ancient times.
"Lord Aven, what should we do now?" Phyllis asked nervously. "So far, several merchant guilds have already backed out of their agreements with us due to pressure from the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild."
"Pressure from the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild?" Aven narrowed his eyes. "Don't they fear pressure from Fruitvale Village?"
"Go tell those merchant guilds —if they're unwilling to cooperate with Fruitvale Village, then we will never do business with them again, ever."
Phyllis was visibly stunned by his words. She clearly hadn't expected Aven to respond with such force. This was practically forcing the merchants to choose a side!
Between the Ironblood Fortress and Fruitvale Village, they would have to make a decision. And in doing so, they would inevitably offend the other side.
"Yes, spread the word," Aven said firmly. "Since the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild has declared economic war on us, we must show them our stance as well!"
"Any merchant guilds that chooses to work with the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild—regardless of whether they still want to cooperate with us or not—we'll take the initiative to cut off all ties with them!"
Aven nodded again, reinforcing his message.
If the enemy wanted a commercial war, then he was more than willing to accept the challenge.
"Understood, Lord Aven!" Phyllis replied, determination rising in her eyes.
(End of Chapter)