Lacunosa Town was very close to their territory!
No, strictly speaking, it was still just Village for now. For Lucien, that was undoubtedly good news.
Not only did they now know the exact location of Lacunosa Village, but this also meant they could pinpoint their own position within the Unova region.
Lacunosa lay in the far northeast of Unova on the map, so their current territory must also be somewhere in the northern reaches of the region.
"Sir, is there anything else you'd like to ask?" Zack inquired.
Lucien returned to his senses and shook his head. "Nothing for now. But if you happen to have a map of the kingdom, I'd like a copy."
"A map?" Zack grinned. "You're in luck, our caravan always carries one. We travel all across the land; we can't go anywhere without a map."
He left the hall and soon came back carrying a rolled-up parchment. Zack presented it respectfully, and Lucien took it, spreading it out across the desk.
It was a detailed parchment map showing the major routes and settlements across the Unova Kingdom. Minor trails branched off here and there, but most of the trade roads followed safer, well-maintained paths.
"Lacunosa Village…" Lucien traced the spot with his finger.Just as Zack had said, it was located on the northeastern border of the Kingdom of Eindooc.
Following the clues, Lucien's gaze drifted downward to a vast, open plain bordered by snow-covered mountains. A wide river snaked through the landscape, running south until it met the sea.
No towns were marked nearby, only untamed wilderness. That had to be where they were now.
To the west lay the main body of the Kingdom of Eindoak, perched along a mountainous spine shaped like a sleeping dragon.
That must be the legendary Dragon Vein.
"Consider this map a small gift from me," Zack said with a smile.
He'd already glanced around the territory before arriving.
Though still in its early stages, there were clear signs of progress, sturdy new buildings rising in the distance, workers and Pokémon laboring together.
This place had real potential, and Zack knew that if trade flourished here, there would be a fortune to make.
Lucien accepted the map without hesitation. The arrival of merchants would only help the territory grow; isolation could not last forever, and there were many materials they couldn't yet produce themselves.
"You may go," Lucien said.
"Then I'll take my leave." Zack bowed and exited the hall.
Left alone, Lucien studied the parchment, turning over Zack's words in his mind.
His two older brothers had already left Eindoak, one ruling the north, the other the south, and both were gathering armies.Was this the first sign of war?
Had they already awakened Zekrom and Reshiram?
According to legend, Pokémon were like living weapons of mass destruction, rarely unleashed, but impossible for any ruler to ignore.
"I need to go to Lacunosa Village and confirm Kyurem's exact location," Lucien thought.
But there was a problem.
Would Kyurem acknowledge him? Would it lend its strength to his domain?
Or would it demand a battle first, forcing him to defeat it to earn its respect?
Lucien considered his current power. A young Dratini, a promising but still-developing Larvesta, and a Servine, his only battle-ready partner, yet doubly weak to Ice.
They had no chance of victory against Kyurem as they were now.
"I'll have to approach differently," Lucien decided. "If strength won't work, I'll try diplomacy."
Perhaps he could offer to help Kyurem recover its missing essence, then, when the time was right, unite it with Reshiram or Zekrom to become White Kyurem or Black Kyurem.
But before any of that, there was something more immediate to handle.
Now that the territory had finally taken shape, it was time to form an army, not a conventional knightly order, but a new kind of force entirely, an army built upon the partnership between humans and Pokémon.
Lucien had already formed a rough plan in his mind.
He summoned his knights, those led by Geralt and Ryan, to the training grounds.
A row of armored knights stood neatly in formation. Geralt and Ryan stood at the front; Geralt's expression was calm as always, while Ryan looked puzzled by the sudden assembly.
Ryan was the first to speak. "Your Highness, do you have a new mission for us?"
"Ryan, mind your manners," Geralt chided.
Lucien raised a hand lightly. "It's fine."
He looked across the knights, his tone calm yet firm. "I called you all here today for one reason."
Everyone's attention focused on him.
Lucien's next words struck like a thunderclap:
"War is coming."
A wave of unease rippled through the gathered knights, shock, confusion, worry.
Geralt's brows furrowed; he already suspected what Lucien was about to say.
"My two elder brothers have left the capital," Lucien continued, his voice heavy.
"They've taken control of the north and south of the kingdom and begun recruiting soldiers across the land. If nothing changes, they'll soon plunge the realm into war."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"With our current strength, we can't hope to match their armies head-on. But I want to hear your thoughts."
The knights exchanged uneasy glances.
Ryan's face paled. War? Could the princes really be marching on their territory? What could they possibly do against royal armies?
But Geralt didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and placed his fist over his chest in a solemn knight's salute.
"I, Geralt, swear to follow Prince Lucien unto death!"
For a heartbeat, silence hung in the air, then every knight followed his lead. Armor clattered as they knelt, their voices ringing together:
"We swear to follow Prince Lucien to the death!"
Humility. Honesty. Compassion. Courage. Justice. Sacrifice. Honor. Soul.
These were the eight virtues upon which their knighthood was founded.
Lucien had led them through hunger and danger, had given them hope and purpose. To abandon him now, out of fear, would be to trample upon everything they stood for.
Better to die protecting their home than to live as cowards.
For a knight, a glorious death in service of one's lord was the highest honor.
...
Bonus @300 PS
Read upto 30 chapters ahead @keepsmiling 818 P@reon