Construction of the Pokémon Ranch progressed at a remarkable pace.
Boats carried loads of timber across the river, where skilled workers processed the wood into sturdy planks and posts. Within days, a wide stretch of land was fenced off with a simple wooden enclosure.
The next step was the rancher's house, a humble dwelling for the caretaker and their Pokémon. It didn't need to be grand. Most Pokémon preferred the open air to confined rooms, so the hut simply had to keep out the wind and rain.
Under Lucien's personal supervision, the ranch was completed in just a few days.
Soon after, in the Lord's Hall, Lucien sat at his desk with Elif and several others, discussing who should manage this special new ranch.
There were two important requirements for the role:
First, the candidate must not fear Pokémon.
Second, they needed to be careful, patient, and kind, able to care for creatures that required both trust and understanding.
Lucien flipped through several reports detailing the citizens of his domain, his brow furrowed in thought.
Elif, watching him, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Your Highness. Once this ranch succeeds, others will soon follow the example."
Lucien nodded slightly. He wasn't worried about that part, he knew his people. Once they saw the benefits of living alongside Pokémon, more would be eager to try.
"Then who," he asked, "would be most suitable to run the ranch?"
Elif paused for a moment before replying. "Your Highness, what about Riku?"
"Riku?" Lucien repeated.
Elif nodded. "The man who's been raising chickens within the territory."
Ah, Lucien remembered now.
When the knights discovered wild pheasants nearby, Riku had taken the initiative to domesticate them. He'd shown skill and responsibility, but…
Lucien frowned slightly. "Raising chickens isn't quite the same as caring for monsters."
Elif understood his hesitation at once. "In that case," he said thoughtfully, "what about Megan? You entrusted her with the Magikarp some time ago. She's taken excellent care of them, and unlike most, she's not afraid of Magical Beasts."
Lucien's eyes brightened. "A good suggestion. Send someone to fetch her."
A maid bowed and hurried off. Moments later, she returned with Megan in tow.
Megan looked nervous as she entered the hall. Surrounded by Lucien, Elif, and the others, she fidgeted with her hands.
Elif gave her a kind smile. "Don't be nervous, Megan. His Highness just wishes to ask if you would like to take charge of the ranch."
"R–run the ranch?" Megan blinked, startled, and pointed at herself. "Me? You mean me?"
Lucien smiled softly but did not answer right away. Instead, he asked, "How are the Magikarp doing?"
At the mention of her Pokémon, Megan's face brightened instantly. "They're doing great, Your Highness! They're so well-behaved, such obedient creatures."
Lucien nodded, pleased. "It seems you've built a good relationship with them. And remember, Megan, not just Magikarp, but many monsters are like that. Treat them with kindness and care, and they'll always respond in kind."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone warm but firm. "I believe in you. If you can raise Magikarp with such patience, I have no doubt you can care for the monsters on the ranch as well."
"But…" Megan hesitated, lowering her gaze. "I'm not sure if I can… I'm just an ordinary woman. I don't have any special skills."
"You must believe in yourself, Megan," Lucien said gently, his tone steady but encouraging. "Why don't you give it a try first? You won't be alone, the six Magikarp you've raised so well will move with you to the ranch. Together, you'll care for the other monsters there."
Megan hesitated, her fingers tightening around the hem of her dress.
After a long pause, she finally nodded. "I… understand. I'll do my best, Your Highness."
Lucien smiled faintly. "Good. Here, take this."
He handed her a small booklet filled with neat handwriting. "It's a guide I compiled on the care of monsters, feeding habits, temperaments, and preferred environments. Read it carefully when you have time. And if anything confuses you, don't hesitate to ask."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Megan accepted it with both hands, bowing slightly. Her palms were slick with nervous sweat, but there was a hint of determination in her eyes now.
Lucien tilted his head slightly. "You live with your brother, don't you?"
"Yes," Megan replied quickly, startled that he remembered.
"Then how about this," Lucien said. "You and your brother can both move to the ranch. I recall he's been tending to the bull monsters, hasn't he? His experience should come in handy."
Megan nodded again, this time with more confidence. "Yes, Your Highness!"
Lucien's expression softened. "Good. You can return home for now. I'll have someone deliver suitable monster to you once everything's ready."
"Yes, Your Highness." She bowed once more before leaving the hall, clutching the booklet to her chest.
Lucien watched her go, her figure disappearing beyond the doorway.
Stretching slightly, he turned to leave, planning to begin another training session with Dratini and Snivy.
But before he could step outside, a lively voice called from the courtyard.
"Teacher! I've brought the Combee back!"
Lucien blinked. "Combee…?"
A moment later, Anna burst through the door, beaming, a large bucket of golden honey clutched in her arms. The rich, sweet scent filled the entire hall.
Behind her fluttered a small procession of magical beasts,
a Vespiquen, elegant and regal, followed by dozens of buzzing Combee, their honey-colored wings glinting in the light.
Lucien's eyes widened in brief astonishment before a knowing smile crept across his face.
"Well done, Anna," he said warmly.
"Hehe!" Anna grinned, scratching her cheek in embarrassment. "Actually… it was Zorua who convinced Vespiquen and her hive to come!"
"Thank you for your hard work, Zorua," Lucien said, turning his gaze toward the fox Pokémon standing proudly beside Anna.
"Zoru!"
Zorua puffed out its chest, clearly satisfied with itself.
Lucien's attention then shifted to the Vespiquen and the buzzing swarm of Combee that followed Anna into the hall.
The hive's queen regarded him with calm, steady eyes, neither hostile nor fearful, while the Combee hovered in a protective circle around her.
As the ruler of the hive, Vespiquen understood what it meant to lead. She had already weighed her decision carefully before coming here.
"Bee," she spoke first, her tone dignified and measured.
Lucien couldn't understand her exact words, but the fact that she had come at all was proof enough of her willingness to cooperate.
After a thoughtful pause, he smiled faintly and addressed her with respect.
"Welcome, Vespiquen, and you, faithful Combee. I am Lucien, the lord of this territory."
"Bee."
Vespiquen inclined her head gracefully, wings humming like silk in the air.
"I imagine Anna has already explained our intentions," Lucien continued.
"We hope to work together. The honey you and your hive produce is vital, not only as food but as an ingredient for medicine and trade."
He met her gaze with solemn sincerity. "In return, I will grant your colony a vast flower field, rich with nectar and safe from harm, where you may gather freely and brew your honey in peace."
The Combee buzzed softly among themselves; even Vespiquen's stern expression softened slightly.
"In addition," Lucien went on, "we will see to your safety. No wild monsters will be allowed to harm you or steal your honey. And when winter comes, when the flowers wither and nectar grows scarce, my people will share our own stores of honey with your hive, so that none of you will starve through the cold."