Workers bustled about the construction site, their voices mixing with the rhythmic clang of tools.
Beside them, Machoke and Darmanitan cooperated seamlessly, hauling stacks of red bricks fresh from the kiln, balancing heavy timber beams across their shoulders, and carrying them to the foundations.
Other laborers spread mortar, laying each brick carefully to form solid, sturdy walls.
Lucien surveyed the scene with satisfaction. According to Elena's blueprints, the town's layout was already about one-fifth complete.
It was now April, and at the current pace, the entire town would be finished by October.
Watching the two Machoke move effortlessly across the worksite, Lucien couldn't help but think,
'If only I had a few more Machoke like them…'
The construction would progress twice as fast.
Unfortunately, Machoke weren't native to this region, and none had been spotted near his territory.
Just as he was mulling over how to recruit more, Elif came running up, slightly out of breath.
"Your Highness Lucien, traveling merchants have arrived!"
"Traveling merchants?" Lucien raised an eyebrow, then straightened. "Take me to them."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Led by Elif, Lucien soon reached the open square near the edge of the settlement, where a small caravan had set up camp.
To call them simple "traveling merchants" would have been an understatement.
It was a full caravan, about ten people strong, with sturdy Bouffalant pulling the heavy wagons loaded with goods. Crates and barrels filled the carts, some covered with cloth, others open to reveal their wares.
Already, curious townsfolk had gathered around, coins clutched tightly in their hands as they bartered for items rarely seen here.
Lucien's sharp gaze swept over the assortment: salt, handkerchiefs, seeds, tools, and even several types of Berries, small luxuries in a frontier town.
But among the crowd, many stood back, empty-handed, former slaves who still had no money to spend. They could only watch with longing eyes.
Then, movement caught Lucien's attention.
Chris, Megan's older brother, was walking toward the merchants, carrying a large jar of honey.
Lucien watched as Chris spoke with one of the traders. The man examined the jar, nodded approvingly, and handed Chris a few silver coins in exchange.
Moments later, Chris happily picked out two sets of ceramic tableware from the merchant's cart.
The bystanders murmured, eyes filled with envy, then curiosity.
If Chris could trade honey for silver, perhaps they could do the same?
If we raised beasts like Megan and Chris…
If we could harvest honey, wool, or berries… we could trade too!
Hope flickered across the faces of the townsfolk.
For the first time, they saw a way to earn money with their own hands.
Of course, none of them realized that Lucien's mind was already running far ahead of theirs.
"Elif," he said quietly, "arrange to purchase some necessities from the merchants. And bring their leader to the Lord's Hall."
"At once, Your Highness."
Back in the hall, Lucien took his seat just as Elif entered again, this time leading a bearded middle-aged man in a travel-worn coat.
The man bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, my lord. I am the leader of this caravan."
Lucien nodded. "Welcome to my territory. I am Lucien. May I ask where your group hails from?"
"We come from Sanyao Town, south of the kingdom," the man replied. "We've been traveling across the realm, trading and selling goods gathered from other lands."
His name, as Lucien soon learned, was Zack.
He explained that his group hadn't known there was even a territory out here.
It wasn't until they passed through a small riverside village that they overheard rumors of a hidden settlement upstream, led by someone connected to the royal capital.
Curious and opportunistic, they'd decided to investigate.
After Zack's brief account, Lucien nodded. "I see."
Zack tilted his head slightly. "May I ask, my lord, what business you have with us?"
Lucien smiled faintly, amused that the man had already guessed his intent.
"Why, to trade, of course," he said easily. "Judging from your caravan, you must have traveled to quite a few places, haven't you?"
"Of course!" Zack said with pride, his beard twitching as he spoke. "We've traveled through the Cloud Territory, Standing Surge Territory, and even the Seven Treasures Domain. We've visited the royal capital countless times!"
Then, his expression darkened.
"It's just a pity… I've heard troubling news from the capital lately."
Lucien frowned slightly. "What kind of news?"
"I heard from some noble contacts," Zack said in a low voice, "that the eldest and second princes have both left the royal city, each now holding the north and south of the kingdom. Soldiers are being recruited everywhere. It feels as if… war could break out at any moment."
His tone carried both worry and fatigue. "If it comes to that, I just hope they won't close the borders. Once that happens, caravans like ours will be the first to suffer."
Lucien froze, his thoughts spinning.
His brothers… already moving to seize territory?
A civil war between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Unova?
He clenched his jaw. The situation was worse than he'd expected.
They weren't ready for this, not yet. His town, his people, his Pokémon, all still in the early stages of growth.
The only small comfort was their isolation.
This frontier lay on the far border of the kingdom, remote, surrounded by wilderness. Even if war erupted, it wouldn't reach them immediately.
There was still time to develop. To prepare.
Lucien's eyes refocused on the merchant standing before him. "Zack," he said calmly, "are you interested in making a deal?"
Zack blinked. "A… deal?"
"That's right." Lucien leaned back slightly. "My territory needs a large supply of livestock and poultry, chickens, cattle, sand heep. In addition," he continued, "I want you to procure two specific monster species for me: Machamp and Conkeldurr. If you can bring them here, I'll pay you handsomely."
At a gesture from Lucien, Elif stepped forward and opened a nearby chest.
The moment the lid rose, a dazzling glow filled the room.
Gold coins, silver bars, and polished gemstones shimmered under the torchlight, piled high enough to make even the seasoned merchant's eyes widen.
Zack's mouth went dry. He had traded for years, but never in his life had he seen so much wealth gathered in one place.
"So?" Lucien said lightly, resting a hand on the armrest. "Are you willing to take this commission?"
Zack's merchant instincts stirred.
Ordinary livestock were easy enough to buy from villages along the southern plains. As for the monsters, Machamp and Conkeldurr, he had seen both used as labor or guards in larger cities. With enough coin, obtaining a few would be no problem at all.
"That's simple enough," Zack replied, a confident smile spreading across his face. "Consider it done."
Lucien nodded, entrusting the details to Elif. "Coordinate the quantities and prices with him. You'll be compensated fairly upon delivery."
As Zack turned to leave, Lucien paused, his tone suddenly more casual.
"Oh, one more thing," he said. "Have you ever heard the name Lacunosa?"
"Lacunosa?" Zack repeated, thinking for a moment. "No person by that name… but we did pass through a small settlement called Lacunosa Village."
Lucien's pulse quickened. "Lacunosa Village? Where is it?"
"Not far," Zack answered. "If you keep heading northeast along the river, it's about a week's journey. Maybe less, if the roads are clear."
...
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