Aaron had indeed seen it.
The people here lived and fought alongside magical beasts.
They were like close friends, partners, or even family members.
At the very least, Aaron had never seen such a scene anywhere else.
However, his visit to Eindoak this time was not for that reason.
Aaron composed himself and said calmly,
"I heard that war had broken out in Eindoak, and Queen Lynn was very worried about your safety. Thus, she dispatched me to check on the situation. Now that I see you are safe and sound, I can return to Oldalun City and report back to Queen Lynn."
At the mention of Queen Lynn, the Old King showed a look of nostalgia.
"How has Queen Lynn been lately?" he asked.
"Recently, countries surrounding Oldalun City have been repeatedly provocative, and Queen Lynn is troubled by this matter," Aaron replied.
"I see..." Hearing this, the Old King couldn't help but let out a sigh. "Sigh, if you encounter problems that cannot be solved, you can seek help from my son Draconis. Perhaps he will find a way for you."
The continent where Oldalun City was located was far from being as peaceful and stable as Eindoak.
After the previous War of the Three Dragons, the strength displayed by Draconis and the Divine Dragon had intimidated everyone. The other small kingdoms on this land had almost unhesitatingly chosen to submit in the face of Eindoak's powerful national strength.
It could be said that Eindoak had now achieved a great unification on this land.
People received the same education, ate the same food, spoke the same language, and used the same script... Meanwhile, Oldalun City, ruled by Queen Lynn, was still unstable. Many large and small kingdoms and empires were located there, dividing that land into several pieces and constantly warring with each other.
It had finally stabilized a bit in recent years, but from what Aaron said, war there would likely break out again soon.
"Thank you for your kindness."
Though he said this, Aaron knew very well in his heart that the distance between the two countries was vast, separated by a boundless ocean. Wanting to extend a help to the other was no different from a fantasy.
Eindoak's army would likely be partially swallowed by that vast sea before even reaching Oldalun City.
The Old King looked helpless. He thought for a moment and added, "No rush. Before returning to Oldalun City, perhaps you can visit the capital of the Eindoak Kingdom, Nimbasa City. Maybe you can gain something from it."
For example, learning to harness and utilize the power of Pokémon and applying it to the military and daily life, thereby improving the overall national strength.
Aaron originally wanted to refuse, but the Old King, as if seeing through his thoughts, said with a smile,
"It won't take long. By taking a pokémon flying taxi, you can reach Nimbasa City in only two hours."
Aaron thought about it and didn't decline further, instead bowing and saying,
"Thank you. Before leaving, Lucario and I will head to Nimbasa City together."
"Give my regards to Queen Lynn," said the Old King.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Aaron nodded slightly and then took his leave with Lucario.
They did not linger there. After leaving the Castle of the Sword of the Earth, they boarded a pokémon flying taxi once again and set off on their journey to Nimbasa City.
—
What does it feel like to raise a Pokémon?
For Koharu and Derick, it was a very magical feeling.
Pokémon were like humans; they would eat, sleep, and experience various emotional changes like joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.
As soon as she adopted her Patrat, Koharu couldn't wait to pack her bags and head into the wild with it.
This was a dense forest and also the necessary path to Striaton City.
However, Koharu didn't plan on heading to Striaton City to challenge a Gym just yet.
Coming to the wild today was because she wanted to give Patrat some special training and see if she could catch a new partner along the way.
Many wild Pokémon inhabited the forest.
Koharu kept Patrat by her side, observing those Pokémon while flipping through her pokédex to compare them with the images.
"Nidoran♀, Nidoran♂, Purrloin, Pidgey, Zigzagoon... Wow, Patrat, the variety of Pokémon living here is so rich!"
Koharu's eyes lit up, her heart filled with pleasant surprise.
Next, which Pokémon should she catch?
"Patrat!" Patrat seemed to feel the enthusiasm from its Trainer, and its spirit seemed to be affected as well, as it clenched its small fists and looked at those Pokémon.
Thus, Koharu found a lone Pidgey and jumped out of the grass with Patrat.
"Pidgey, I choose you!" Koharu pointed at the Pidgey. "Patrat, use Tackle!"
Hearing this, Patrat immediately used its small body to crash toward that Pidgey.
But that Pidgey was very sharp. The moment it sensed an enemy attack, it immediately flapped its wings and flew up.
It looked at Patrat and Koharu with some anger, then flapped its wings, whipping up a gust of wind that swept toward the two of them.
"Patrat!"
Patrat's small body was immediately sent flying backward, and Koharu's eyes were also forced shut by the wind.
"W-what's going on? This Pidgey's strength is so great!"
Koharu was somewhat shocked, but as the wind dissipated, her gaze toward Pidgey became increasingly fervent.
But just then, a series of loud footsteps suddenly came from the forest.
Boom! Boom!
It was as if the ground itself was vibrating along with them.
Pidgey sensed something was wrong and immediately turned to flee without hesitation.
And then, a massive figure stepped out of the forest.
That was... the final evolution of Nidoran♀, Nidoqueen!
The strength of that Pokémon was definitely not something they could handle right now!
Koharu's face changed, and she picked up Patrat without hesitation and turned to run.
But that Nidoqueen seemed to have used Lock-On on them, chasing after them relentlessly.
Boom!
A Hyper Beam blasted behind Koharu.
Koharu was terrified, but fortunately, she managed to run back to Accumula Town in time.
The knight lords from the royal city stationed in Accumula Town blocked the Nidoqueen outside the town.
It was only then that Koharu discovered there were quite a few Trainers around her with equally pale faces.
"Did you also encounter dangerous Pokémon?"
"Yeah, I ran into a flock of Pidgeotto... I almost didn't make it back."
"Phew—the wild is just too terrifying!"
Some people couldn't help but feel the urge to quit.
Because they were very clear about one thing: what would have happened if they hadn't run back to the town in time?
They probably would never have come back.
Compared to their own lives, being a Trainer... didn't seem so important anymore.
"What should we do, Patrat?" Recalling that terrifying Nidoqueen just now, Koharu couldn't help but feel conflicted.
Hearing about dangerous wild Pokémon from others and experiencing them personally were completely different feelings.
If she had been a step slower just now, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Patrat..." Patrat didn't know what to do either.
The human and the Pokémon couldn't help but fall into a state of confusion.
Compared to Koharu and Patrat, Derick, who was in Castelia City, had gradually adapted to living with Riolu.
He was in no hurry to head into the wild. Instead, he stayed in the city and used the knowledge he learned at the Pokémon School to train Riolu.
Training speed and endurance through running, building strength through weightlifting, and improving proficiency by practicing moves... Not just Riolu, even he, as the Trainer, had to undergo special training together.
Only with a strong physique could one greatly increase their chances of survival when traveling in the wild.
And after training every day, Derick would also use the meager savings he had to buy food that Riolu liked from the market.
Riolu wasn't as tall as him and didn't weigh as much; it looked like a child who hadn't grown up yet.
Because of this, the naturally mature Derick had subconsciously taken caring for Riolu as his own responsibility.
And Riolu saw all of this.
After several days of being together, it increasingly approved of its Trainer in its heart.
Due to its personality, Riolu didn't act overly affectionate with its Trainer like other Pokémon. Instead, it silently put everything into action, training even harder according to Derick's methods.
—
After a two-hour flight, Aaron and Lucario finally saw a bustling city beneath a high and majestic snow-capped mountain ahead.
Although the city looked massive in scale, the layout between the urban areas appeared remarkably orderly.
Rows of houses were neatly arranged, situated on both sides of a wide river.
On the plains outside the city, there were ranches and fields. The fields were a lush green, and one could tell at a glance how well the crops were growing.
The flying taxi slowly descended.
The driver in front opened the cabin door and said to Aaron,
"Nimbasa City is here! Have a pleasant journey, you two!"
"Thank you, sir," Aaron said softly.
He got out of the vehicle with Lucario and walked along a spacious road, calmly observing the surroundings.
Just like in Castelia City, in this Nimbasa City, all kinds of magical beasts—no, all kinds of Pokémon—could be seen everywhere.
They lived and played here with humans, looking so happy and fortunate.
Even Lucario by Aaron's side couldn't help but feel a sliver of an emotion called envy upon seeing this scene.
If... if it and Lord Aaron could also live in such a place, how wonderful would that be?
"Lucario, do you like it here?" Aaron keenly sensed the change in Aura from Lucario.
"Reporting to Lord Aaron, I just feel that it's very beautiful here. There is no war, and no humans would harm magical beasts..." Lucario hesitated for a moment before conveying its thoughts to Aaron through the power of Aura.
Hearing this, Aaron was slightly taken aback and then agreed, "Indeed!"
No war, no oppression—what a beautiful place. It was just that this was not their home.
"However, Lucario, you really don't need to address me so respectfully," Aaron said quite helplessly.
He and Lucario had known each other for a long time. Because he had mastered the power of Aura since childhood and practiced it, it could be said that no one understood Aura better than him.
When he first met Lucario, it was still a tiny Riolu.
Attracted by the power of Aura on him, Riolu began to follow him until it evolved into Lucario.
In a sense, Lucario was also his apprentice.
During their long training life, his relationship with Lucario had become close like friends.
But for some reason, Lucario felt that they only had a master-servant relationship.
"Lord Aaron..." Lucario was slightly startled, then nodded. "Yes, Lord Aaron!"
Aaron was quite helpless. Oh well, Lucario would slowly understand in the future.
"Let's go, Lucario. Let us meet His Majesty Draconis," Aaron said softly.
Lucario nodded.
The human and the Pokémon did not stay on the street for long; instead, they headed directly toward the majestic and grand castle standing above Nimbasa City.
Aaron showed his identification to the guard stationed in front of the castle.
The guard took it and told Aaron to wait here for a moment, while he turned to go into the castle to request instructions from His Majesty Draconis.
Draconis was handling official business in his study when he suddenly saw a guard approaching.
"Your Majesty Draconis, there is an envoy outside claiming to be from Oldalun City seeking an audience. He says his name is Aaron, and that person also has a Pokémon with him!"
Hearing this, Draconis was momentarily stunned.
"Aaron?"
"That's what the person said. This is a token from Queen Lynn of the Olwyr Kingdom!" The guard handed over an item.
It was a piece of parchment.
Draconis took it and saw the words 'Queen Lynn' written clearly on it.
"Let him in!" Draconis said.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guard turned and went back to the front of the castle to say to Aaron, "Sir, please follow me!"
Aaron nodded gently and then entered the castle behind the guard along with Lucario.
As soon as the two arrived at the throne room, their eyes were drawn to the figure seated upon the throne.
What kind of man was he?
His face was so handsome, yet that young face carried a hint of irresistible majesty. He was dressed in an elegant and luxurious royal robe.
The moment he saw the other person, Aaron froze in place.
He hadn't expected that the new king of the Eindoak Kingdom would be so... young?
"Your Majesty Draconis, my name is Aaron, and I come from Oldalun City in the Kanto Continent." Aaron performed a knight's salute and then said, "I am here by order of Queen Lynn to visit Your Majesty the King of the Eindoak Kingdom."
The king did not speak, and Lucario beside Aaron couldn't help but feel a bit nervous because it felt many extremely powerful and thick Auras from that person's side.
That Aura far exceeded the combined total of its and Lord Aaron's!
Lucario couldn't help but use Aura to investigate the situation.
It saw that the king seated upon the throne was sizing it and Lord Aaron up with a gaze filled with a hint of curiosity.
What... what was going on?
....
Power Stones PlZZZZ
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