In Virbank City, a place with highly developed commerce and trade, many merchants were facing a similar choice.
They gathered together to discuss a solution.
Some merchants were extremely skeptical of this paper currency, which held no intrinsic value of its own.
"This thing is printed on a single sheet of white paper; it's not even worth a copper coin. Yet now we're expected to exchange the gold coins in our hands for these things? Is His Majesty joking?!"
Many people expressed their agreement with these words.
They stared at the 100-denomination banknote on the table, unsure for a moment how to handle it.
If they exchanged it, they felt they would lose out; if they didn't, and His Majesty took offense, small fries like them wouldn't be able to withstand the consequences.
At that moment, an old merchant in the crowd looked around at everyone with great interest.
He slowly spoke up, "I actually think this paper currency is quite interesting."
Hearing this, the surrounding people all turned their gazes toward him.
The old merchant continued slowly, "In the past, when we did business, small deals were fine. But when we encountered transactions with massive orders, just the amount of gold coins we had to carry at all times took up a huge amount of space."
Metal currency is heavy, inconvenient to carry and transport, especially for large transactions. On the road, it's very easy to be targeted by those with ill intentions. If one encountered bandits, it would be impossible to protect such wealth.
But if it were replaced with light, easy-to-carry paper currency... both storage and transport would become much more convenient.
More importantly, they could deposit this money into a bank in advance and, upon reaching their destination, withdraw the money again from a local bank.
Doing business in the future would become much easier for them.
The old merchant looked at everyone and said with a smile:
"His Majesty Draconis is a king chosen by the Divine Dragon. Since the Central Bank and the new currency were created by him, then I believe His Majesty will surely provide us with guarantees. As his subjects, we should trust him."
Hearing these words, everyone suddenly had a realization.
They had almost forgotten one thing.
The king of this country was no ordinary person. His actions over the past few years were worthy of their trust!
Since the Central Bank and the new currency were created by His Majesty Draconis, then he, together with the Divine Dragon Kyurem, would surely guarantee the safety of their property!
The currency reform was like a torrent, sweeping through the entire Unova Kingdom in a short period of time.
Commoners and merchants from all over who trusted Draconis and the Kingdom flocked to their local Nimbasa City branches to exchange the metal currency in their hands for paper currency.
"Your Majesty, everything is as you predicted. Residents everywhere have begun exchanging their gold coins for paper currency!"
In the castle of Nimbasa City, Alfred arrived with a face full of excitement to report to Draconis.
Draconis was not too surprised by this.
He just nodded calmly, looking out the window at the prosperous city, feeling something in his heart.
"Alfred, don't you understand yet? People can feel everything we do. If we treat them well, they will trust us in return and spontaneously maintain the operation of the kingdom. Only in this way can a country become increasingly prosperous and wealthy."
"Your Majesty is wise!" Alfred was filled with emotion. In these few years, His Majesty Draconis had truly grown so much.
Having him here was truly a great blessing for the people of this land and for this kingdom!
Draconis stroked the head of the Dragonite beside him. He closed his eyes, silently contemplating various matters for the future.
The currency reform greatly reduced the transport costs of trading goods. After this, the economy of the Unova Kingdom would surely achieve further development.
The steam train had already begun to be put into use. Although it hadn't spread across the entire country yet, that was only a matter of time.
As of now, factories were being built everywhere, recruiting workers and expanding production.
And before long, once the steam giant vessel was successfully born, they would be able to transport the goods produced by the factories to other regions for trade.
Added to that, the presence of the Forces of Nature brought more vigorous vitality to the land of the Unova region; the soil became more fertile, and crops would see a great harvest.
All of this would provide a sufficient material foundation for the development of the Unova Kingdom.
Their Unova Kingdom would surely take the lead over all other regions!
*
kingdom calendar Year 151, late June.
The first giant steam-powered ship in the history of the Unova Kingdom was officially developed successfully with the efforts of the entire nation.
At the port of Castelia City, Draconis, having learned that the research on the steam giant vessel had reached its end, arrived here from Nimbasa City riding his Dragonite.
At this time, countless citizens were gathered at the port, their faces filled with either excitement or shock as they gazed at the steel beast standing upon the azure sea.
The current mayor of Castelia City, Gross, welcomed Draconis's arrival.
He respectfully led Draconis to board the giant vessel.
When the people on the shore saw Draconis, their eyes burst with surprised and excited light.
"It's His Majesty Draconis!"
"His Majesty Draconis has come to our Castelia City!"
"His Majesty Draconis!"
The people were cheering and shouting.
Watching that scene, Gross felt dazed.
At this moment, he was incredibly grateful that he had honestly handed over his power back then and chosen to obey this great king.
Draconis didn't notice Gross's current mood. He boarded the giant vessel, looked around, and under the guidance of the crew, visited the bridge, the cabins, the deck, the crew's quarters, and other areas.
"Not bad!" Draconis nodded with great satisfaction. He praised the group of craftsmen, "You have done very well. Thank you for your hard work!"
The craftsmen all showed joy, "Your Majesty, this is what we should do!"
Draconis didn't say much else, just one word: Reward!
"Your Majesty, how do you plan to utilize this giant vessel in the future?" Gross, standing aside, couldn't help but ask.
Draconis smiled and then asked, "Gross, have you ever left this land beneath our feet to go to other continents?"
Gross was stunned, then shook his head, "No... no."
He was born in Castelia City and grew up in Castelia City; he had almost never left this place.
"Then do you know that beyond the land of Unova, there are many other lands?" Draconis asked with a smile.
Hearing this, Gross's eyes widened, and an unbelievable thought popped into his mind.
"Does Your Majesty intend to go and attack other lands, incorporating those places into our Unova Kingdom as well?"
Draconis: "...Naturally not."
Those places were too far away from them. With their current technology, even if they conquered them, it would be difficult to control them.
"Compared to attacking, communication is more important. We will transport the goods we produce to other places for trade, thereby making our citizens wealthier. Along the way, we can also introduce Pokémon, technology, and local specialties unique to other regions."
Gross showed a look of realization.
"More importantly, people's exploration of other lands has always been in a very ignorant stage. I need to assemble a fleet to start the Age of Discovery, to go out on my behalf and find out exactly how many continents exist in this world and their specific locations."
"Now, it might just be wars between nations, but perhaps in the near future, these regions will also face a situation where they are at war with each other."
"Before that day comes, we must make adequate preparations," Draconis said slowly.
Even though the Unova Kingdom had developed to such an extent.
He still didn't dare to be careless regarding the black technology of the Pokémon world.
One must know that the ultimate weapon developed by AZ in the Kalos region possessed the terrifying power to destroy an entire region.
If they were to fire a shot at their Unova region, it would probably take a very long time to recover.
Hearing this, Gross showed a look of admiration.
"Your Majesty truly has great foresight!"
Draconis smiled and didn't say anything further.
After finishing the tour, he disembarked from the giant vessel, thinking in his mind about when to start the Age of Discovery.
Before the giant vessel officially set out for exploration, in order to guarantee the safety of the sailors on board, they needed to make sufficient preparations.
For example, every sailor on the ship must be equipped with one Water-type and one Flying-type Pokémon.
In this way, even if the ship were wrecked due to natural disasters like storms or tsunamis, the sailors on board could use the power of the Pokémon to escape.
Such a method could maximize the safety of the sailors on board.
Just as Draconis was contemplating, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a very familiar Pokémon ahead.
It was small in size, with an appearance resembling a puppy.
That Pokémon was... Riolu?
Standing beside Riolu was a commoner youth with a determined face, wearing patched clothes.
That Riolu seemed to be his Pokémon.
"How is the progress of the Trainers here in Castelia City?" Draconis asked.
"Reporting to Your Majesty," Mayor Gross replied, "Long ago, we distributed starter Pokémon to children who met the criteria according to your instructions. According to intelligence sent from the Trainer Association, many children have already left the city and embarked on journeys."
"However, some children have remained in the city to train, seemingly preparing to obtain the castelia badge before heading to other cities to challenge Gyms."
Hearing this, Draconis nodded.
His gaze turned toward that Riolu once again.
Judging from the Riolu's mental state and physical condition, it had been raised very well by its Trainer.
It happened that Riolu's Trainer was also looking this way, so Draconis gave him a gentle nod as a sign of encouragement.
His Majesty Draconis... is nodding at him!
Seeing this scene, Derick's heart suddenly began to throb.
Watching His Majesty Draconis turn to leave, Derick subconsciously clenched his fists and murmured:
"Riolu, His Majesty Draconis saw us!"
Riolu was also looking in that direction; it sensed a very powerful aura from that human.
"I heard that at the end of the year, at that Battle Festival, His Majesty Draconis will be the one to present the rewards to the Champion..." A fire of fighting spirit immediately welled up in Derick's eyes. "Riolu, we must work hard, go to Nimbasa City, and see His Majesty Draconis on stage!"
As if sensing its Trainer's feelings, Riolu was also filled with fighting spirit from head to toe.
"Wan-woo!"
castelia Gym, here we come!
Derick clenched his fists. Over this period, he and Riolu had learned from their previous failed challenge and conducted targeted special training.
Furthermore, they had specifically gone into the wild and engaged in battle after battle with wild Pokémon, and had even caught a second Pokémon besides Riolu.
This time, they were determined to get the castelia badge!
....
Power Stones PlZZZZ
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