After sending everyone off, Lucien sat alone in the Lord's Hall, lost in thought about the road ahead.
Time was short, and the burden heavy.
Though the war had yet to break out, the north–south conflict brewing across the Unova region was already beginning to stir.
Before the flames of war could sweep across his land, his territory had to grow stronger, fast.
The Knights of the order, under Geralt's command, now numbered nearly seventy. Each one was a trained warrior, but Lucien knew that wasn't enough.
He planned to reform them, to reshape the Knights into a true fighting force that could survive the coming storm.
The ground troops, led by Aggron units, would form the backbone of the army. But to rule the skies, he needed something more.
They needed an air corps.
In Unova, the Rufflet, known as the "Arrogant Chick," and its evolved form, Braviary, the "Warrior of the Sky," were prime candidates.
There were also Altaria and Skarmory, both capable of high-altitude attacks and swift reconnaissance.
Flying-type Pokémon would give them eyes in the sky, able to scout the battlefield, relay movements, and rain destruction upon enemies from above.
Fortunately, near this territory, early-stage Pokémon like Pidove and Swablu were quite common. With patience and care, he could tame them easily.
But raising them… that would be another story.
Resources were already stretched thin. Aggron alone devoured a shocking amount of iron ore every day.
Feeding and training more Pokémon would push their reserves to the brink.
Lucien sighed. "In the end, everything depends on how quickly this territory develops."
For now, he could only hope that Zack's caravan would soon return, with livestock, supplies, and a few Machoke to help with construction.
As for himself, he couldn't afford to rest either.
Traveling to Lacunosa Village to seek Kyurem would be anything but simple.
Kyurem's true strength, Lucien knew, far surpassed what the games portrayed.
In the games, Glaciate might only deal "65 power," but in reality, it could freeze half of Unova in an instant.
A Legendary Pokémon wasn't just a battle companion; it was a force of nature.
And Kyurem, unlike gentle Xerneas, was a being of isolation and cold wrath.
One mistake in front of it could mean instant death.
He clenched his fist. 'Before I face it, I must become stronger.'
"The training for Dratini and Snivy… I'll have to step it up," he muttered.
He rose from his seat, ready to begin the day's drills, when he caught sight of a small figure lingering by the door.
Anna.
The girl froze under his gaze, clutching her hands nervously.
Their eyes met. She swallowed hard, then blurted out, "P-Prince Lucien… is it true? Is another war about to begin?"
Lucien blinked, caught off guard.
Anna quickly waved her hands. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop! I came to report about Zorua's training, but I… overheard a little by accident!"
Lucien sighed and rubbed his temples. "This isn't something a child should worry about."
Anna was only ten, far too young to bear the weight of war. Even if she had Zorua by her side, he could never send her into battle.
War wasn't like the stories or the games, people didn't just faint. They died.
But Anna shook her head fiercely. "No! Zorua and I can fight too! Teacher, we want to protect our home, the one everyone built together!"
Lucien looked at her in surprise.
Anna's voice trembled at first, but grew stronger with every word. "You're the best king in the world, Your Highness. I don't understand politics, but I know this much, you gave us food when we were starving, medicine when we were sick, and hope when we had none. You taught us to live alongside the magical beasts. You gave us a home."
Her small fists tightened. Beside her, Zorua's eyes glowed with the same fiery determination.
"So please, let us fight! If Zorua and I can defeat you, then promise you'll let us join the Knights! Even if it costs my life, I'll protect you, and everyone else!"
"Zorua!" The little Pokémon barked, echoing her resolve.
Lucien stood silently for a long moment.
Then, at last, he asked softly, "Does your mother know about this?"
Anna nodded without hesitation. "She'll support us! She believes in Zorua and me!"
Lucien exhaled slowly, his expression complicated.
"Very well. I'll give you a chance."
Anna's eyes lit up instantly.
The two finally chose the riverbank, the same one where Dratini often trained, as their battleground.
Behind them stretched the growing territory: half-built houses, bustling workers, and flourishing farmland swaying in the wind.
Since Larvesta had only just hatched, Lucien's available team consisted of just Dratini and Servine, but that was more than enough to face an ordinary Zorua.
For this match, Lucien decided to lead with Dratini.
"Anna," he said with a calm smile, "show us your strength."
There were no formal rules for Pokémon battles in this era. The moment Lucien's words fell, Anna acted without hesitation.
"Zorua, use Extrasensory!"
"Zoruaaa!"
With a sharp cry, psychic energy swirled in Zorua's mouth, condensing into a nearly invisible sphere of mental force before shooting straight toward Dratini.
But as Anna's teacher, Lucien knew her battle habits better than anyone, he could practically predict her commands.
"Dratini, evade."
Having shed its skin three times already, Dratini's movements were smooth and lightning-fast. It twisted its serpentine body and slid aside, the psychic blast skimming harmlessly past.
"Huh?!" Anna gasped, eyes wide.
Lucien chuckled lightly. "Focus, Anna. Daydreaming in battle will only get you hurt. Dratini, Thunder Wave, then follow with Dragon Tail!"
"Wha?!"
Before Anna could react, a thin arc of yellow electricity shot from Dratini's body, striking Zorua dead-on.
"Zzzzt!"
The jolt sent sparks dancing across Zorua's fur. Its body froze, paralyzed!
"Zorua!" Anna cried.
Lucien's expression hardened. "Now!"
Dratini's tail shimmered with roaring draconic energy. It coiled and leapt, slamming its glowing tail across Zorua's small frame, sending it tumbling backward into the grass.
"It's over," Lucien said simply.
But then… he noticed something strange.
Anna was smiling.
"Hehe~ Teacher," she said proudly, "we've already figured out your battle style with Dratini!"
The world around them began to distort.
The fallen "Zorua" shimmered like a mirage before fading into mist. From behind Lucien, another Zorua stepped out of the shadows, completely unscathed, its eyes gleaming with mischievous purple light.
Lucien blinked, then let out a soft laugh. "So that's how it is… Illusion, huh?"
Zorua's innate ability, capable of deceiving sight and perception. Anna had tricked him flawlessly.
"I didn't expect you two to pull that off," Lucien admitted, smiling wryly. "But your Illusion has worn off. You won't be able to use it again for a while. So tell me, what will you do now?"
He knew the move was mentally exhausting for a young Zorua; it couldn't maintain two illusions in succession.
Anna simply grinned, her confidence unshaken.
"Then we'll just fight head-on!" she declared. "Zorua, show our teacher what we've got!"
"Zorua!"
Zorua's form flickered, and then multiplied.
One became two. Two became four. Then eight.
Within seconds, the battlefield was surrounded by a dozen shadowy silhouettes, each baring sharp little teeth.
Lucien narrowed his eyes. "Double Team... impressive."