The changes in Fruitvale Village hadn't escaped Johnson's notice.
He observed the villagers striving desperately to earn the recognition of the magical beasts, and the many beasts—docile yet unarmed with any magical beast equipment—wandering among them.
As long as one could gain a magical beast's recognition, they could become an apprentice trainer, and even join the patrol team.
Gradually, more and more villagers could be seen accompanied by magical beasts—a sight unimaginable in Aspiration City: a group of magical beasts without any beast equipment.
"Is Aven planning to form a knight order with these people?" Johnson frowned in contemplation.
"Knight order?"
"Hmph, that's a disgrace to the name of knights!"
The knight beside him couldn't help but scoff.
Villagers—none of whom had undergone any knightly training. How could they possibly compare to real knights like them?
"But this is the domain of the Border Earl. He has the authority to grant knighthood." Johnson glanced at the knight beside him, whose face had flushed red with indignation.
"And besides, don't underestimate those Oddish and Gloom. Have you already forgotten how the knight regiment was defeated?"
The knight opened his mouth, only to fall silent in the end. Just thinking about the terrifying power of those Glooms, the glowing green light and drifting powders, made his scalp tingle.
How in the world had those Glooms been trained? Even a fully equipped knight order could barely break through their defenses!
Knock knock knock — At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
A knight reported, "Lord Johnson, the Aspiration City Knight Regiment has arrived at Fruitvale Village."
"They're finally here. Prepare yourselves—we're heading back to Aspiration City."
Johnson took a deep breath, stepped out of the building, and walked toward the village outskirts.
…
In the study, Fessen was reporting to Aven on the village's recent developments.
Over this period, more and more villagers had been recognized by magical beasts and had become apprentice trainers.
However, among these apprentice trainers, few were truly qualified to become patrol team members.
"What's the ratio of people from other villages among the apprentice trainers?" Aven asked.
Fessen thought for a moment and replied, "More than half."
"Your method has been extremely effective. Now, those from other villages feel a strong sense of belonging to Fruitvale Village. Many have even decided to settle here."
At this point, a look of confusion appeared on Fessen's face.
He couldn't understand why Aven hadn't simply announced his upcoming appointment as the Border Earl.
Once Aven officially became the Border Earl, the entire southeastern region would become his domain, and those villagers would naturally become his subjects.
Yet now, not only were out-of-village people given the chance to earn recognition from magical beasts and join the patrol team, but they also received perks like housing allocations.
Aven's intent was obvious: he wanted to retain these people in Fruitvale Village.
"Fessen, where do you think we should build our future lord's castle?"
Suddenly, Aven asked a question that pulled Fessen's attention back.
As the soon-to-be lord of a territory, it was only natural for him to build a castle befitting his noble status.
Hearing the question, Fessen perked up—he hadn't expected Aven to ask for his opinion.
After thinking it through, he said, "Normally, a noble's castle is built in the center of their territory. That way, governance is more convenient."
"However, the southeastern territory near Aspiration City is a bit special. Being close to the Black Forest poses a certain threat, so building closer to Aspiration City might be safer."
Fessen's response was clearly well-considered. He and Sutter had often discussed territorial matters recently.
He knew Aven wasn't the type to cling to tradition and welcomed his advisors' input. So, he laid out his honest view, though the final decision would, of course, be Aven's.
"Closer to Aspiration City, in the central part of the territory?"
Aven muttered as he studied the map of the southeastern territory granted to him by His Highness.
From the map, it was clear that Fruitvale Village sat right on the border. East and southeast of it was all his land.
If he followed Fessen's suggestion, the ideal site for the lord's castle would be the area between Fruitvale Village and Eastgate Village—a central location.
That area boasted vast tracts of land, perfect for constructing a castle. A small town could be built around it, forming the heart of the domain.
"That's an excellent suggestion." Aven smiled and praised him. But then his tone suddenly shifted. "However, I want to build the lord's castle closer to the Black Forest."
Fessen was momentarily stunned, his expression shifting.
In his mind, the Black Forest meant danger. If the castle were built near it, that danger would increase exponentially!
He couldn't understand his lord's reasoning.
Sure, Fruitvale Village was well-protected by many magical beasts, and the villagers shared a great bond with them.
But the Black Forest was different. The beasts there weren't the tame kind that roamed near the village. Every winter, hordes of magical beasts emerged from it and attacked their lands.
If they built the castle near the Black Forest, it would be the first to face these winter beast tides!
"My lord, I urge you to reconsider."
"While I have the utmost faith in your strength, that is still the Black Forest."
Fessen was direct. Unlike political flatterers, the knight-turned-clerk always said what he truly thought.
"I'm well aware of the winter beast tides," Aven said calmly.
"But that's exactly why I want to build near the Black Forest."
"We can set up a defensive line in front of the castle, just like during the Battle of the Abyssal Caverns. If we can stop the beasts there, my people will be safe."
Aven's eyes narrowed. Although he spoke of building a lord's castle, what he truly intended to build was a Pokémon Breeding Facility.
Of course, he genuinely wanted to protect his people too. His ultimate goal was to end the winter beast tides once and for all.
If he had to deal with this devastation every winter, how could his territory ever prosper? No matter what, the winter beast tide had to be resolved permanently!
Fessen fell silent.
He still felt building the castle near the Black Forest was unwise—but he could no longer argue.
Because Aven had always been that kind of man—someone willing to put the safety of his people above even his own.
"Aven might now be a noble earl… but he's still the same man we've always known," Fessen thought with a sigh, a strange feeling stirring in his heart.
If the people heard about their lord's decision, they would surely be deeply moved and love him even more.
He truly was a lord worthy of their devotion.
"Actually, I think the most ideal location for the castle is Stonefall Village."
"There are already plenty of farms and orchards there. The land is perfect for building a breeding—uh, a lord's castle."
"And it's the closest village to the Black Forest. Located right at the pass, we could easily construct a defensive line to block winter beasts."
Seeing that Fessen no longer opposed his decision, Aven relaxed and shared his previously chosen site.
Fessen looked toward the spot Aven indicated and nodded slightly.
As a former patrol knight stationed in southeastern Aspiration City, he was very familiar with the area.
He remembered Stonefall Village well—it was always on the path of the winter beast attacks. Their patrol base wasn't far from it.
Geographically, the place could almost be called the beasts' main passage. It was indeed perfect for setting up a defensive line.
If they wanted to build one there, Fessen believed it could be done.
But the thought of building the lord's castle there still left him conflicted.
"Well then, if you think it's a good site too, let's tentatively decide on this place," Aven said with a smile.
He had thought long and hard before settling on this spot—it met all the requirements he had imagined for a Pokémon Breeding House.
"Tentatively?" Fessen was puzzled, unsure what else Aven needed to consider.
"Yes, we can only tentatively decide for now."
"This area still belongs to Stonefall Fruit Village. I need to see if the villagers are willing to relocate."
"If they don't want to leave, we'll have to think of another solution."
A helpless expression appeared on Aven's face.
"Relocation willingness?" Fessen was again confused.
He was getting used to the strange words his lord often used—but the last sentence he had understood clearly enough.
He spoke in a rather subtle way, but the meaning was clear—within the territory, all the land belongs to the lord. The people only have the right to rent, not own.
If one day the lord decides to reclaim the land, the people will lose their homes. This situation was not uncommon.
It was especially true when valuable resources like mineral veins were discovered; lords would often quickly evacuate the area.
(End of Chapter)