Time's footsteps hurried past.
In the blink of an eye, it was the 10th month of the 151st year of the kingdom calendar.
This was the fourth year since Draconis had arrived in this world.
The Unova region had already undergone earth-shaking changes.
Under the continuous efforts of Draconis and others, the ignorant, backward systems and populace were gradually changing.
Humans and Pokémon were beginning to gradually integrate.
Even though conflicts and struggles arose between them during this process, in the end, through the efforts of the human side, those wild Pokémon were also willing to set aside their differences and try to make contact with humans.
Over the course of a year, Draconis, mobilizing the entire nation's strength and with the cooperation of Mayors across the land, had promoted the construction of Pokémon Centers throughout the country.
Even the most remote small villages in the Unova region now possessed a classic-style building with a red roof and white walls.
"Next, we just wait for Trainers from all over to collect their Gym Badges and come to Nimbasa City for the final grand event," Draconis thought to himself.
If no accidents occurred during this period.
And come next spring, a new batch of youths would turn sixteen; they too would then receive their starter Pokémon from the Trainer Association and set off on their journeys.
It was just that he didn't know how those Trainers' progress was... Just as Draconis was deep in thought, Alfred suddenly walked in from outside.
"Your Majesty!"
Draconis turned and immediately saw the grave expression on Alfred's face.
His heart instantly sank; the bad premonition he'd always had almost reached its peak at this moment.
"What is it? Alfred."
"Reporting, Your Majesty. Messages have come in from the Trainer Associations across the regions. As of now, nearly a hundred Trainers traveling abroad have lost contact with us!" Alfred replied.
Hearing this, a feeling of 'I knew it' welled up in Draconis's heart.
So, had this day finally come?
Traveling in the wild was fraught with peril. Even in the peaceful, stable modern world thousands of years later, incidents of Trainers going missing in the wild frequently occurred.
Those who lost their lives were not few in number.
For example, encountering natural disasters, or being attacked by powerful wild Pokémon.
And they were currently at the very beginning of integration; this was simply unavoidable.
Draconis closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly asked:
"Have attempts been made to search for them?"
"According to messages from the Trainer Associations and local Police Stations, they have dispatched many personnel to the wild to search."
"While some lost Trainers were recovered, they also found the bodies of many Trainers who had lost vital signs... Among them were those who died protecting their Pokémon, and those who perished from attacks by wild Pokémon."
"According to the intelligence sent back, some Pokémon remained guarding their deceased Trainers' sides long after their deaths, unwilling to leave."
Alfred answered in a low voice.
Hearing these words, Draconis felt quite heavy-hearted.
If he were an ordinary person, such news might be heard and then pass.
But as the ruler of a nation, when encountering such matters, he must find a way to resolve them and give an answer to the people who trusted him.
"Your Majesty..." Seeing Draconis fall silent, Alfred hesitated for a moment before speaking: "You have already done very well. These things are unavoidable. You must know, even before you succeeded to the throne, large numbers of Commoners died in Pokémon attacks every year."
"And through your efforts, the casualty numbers over the past two years have decreased dramatically. Even now, only a small portion of those thousands of Trainers who set out on journeys have lost their lives."
"I know," Draconis said softly. "I'm just feeling somewhat saddened by the sacrifices of my people."
"Your Majesty..."
"But more important than grief, there are still more pressing matters awaiting us."
After a moment of contemplation, Draconis slowly spoke:
"From now on, we must reduce casualties as much as possible, make those Trainers stronger, and enhance their self-preservation abilities."
"Publish the names of the deceased in the newspaper. They are all warriors who sacrificed themselves for the kingdom."
"Additionally, send people to console their families. Draw a sum of funds from the National Treasury as a consolation payment to be given to their families."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Alfred nodded. "I will do so immediately!"
With that, Alfred turned and hurried away.
Instantly, only Draconis and a group of Pokémon remained in the Bedchamber.
"Aroo?"
Seeing Draconis's somber expression, Dragonite and Larvesta worriedly stepped forward, one on each side, comforting and accompanying him.
Serperior watched from afar. Though it did not approach, its calm eyes held a trace of concern.
Kyurem gazed at Draconis. It did not take any action, for it had already sensed Draconis's will through his heart and seen the actions he had taken.
Everything was understood without words.
"I'm alright," Draconis said with a smile, patting Dragonite and the others' heads. Then he turned his gaze to the sky outside, his words full of emotion and sighing.
"I was just thinking, what kind of feelings must those Pokémon have had when they witnessed their Trainers die before their eyes."
The Pokémon selected by the Trainer Association as starter partners to be given to novice Trainers were all gentle-natured Pokémon, easy to approach and build relationships with humans.
During the months of travel, these Pokémon must have developed very deep bonds with the Trainers they lived with day and night.
And now, their Trainers had died.
These Pokémon must be very sad, very sorrowful.
Where should they go?
As far as Draconis knew, Pokémon valued feelings deeply.
Some Pokémon would not forget their Trainer even thousands of years after their death. They would remain guarding the places their Trainer frequented in life, forever.
"Aroo..."
Hearing Draconis's words, Dragonite and Larvesta couldn't help but imagine that feeling.
However, just the thought of Draconis dying, of never seeing Draconis again, made Dragonite feel a pang of heartache.
It was very afraid that Draconis would die.
And Pokémon often expressed their feelings in very direct ways.
Dragonite hugged Draconis, holding him tightly.
Draconis could naturally sense what was in Dragonite's heart.
He sighed rather helplessly, then turned and hugged Dragonite back in a comforting manner.
"Don't be afraid, don't worry. Am I not always by your side?"
"Besides, with you all, and with Kyurem protecting me, how could I possibly die?"
"Aroo..."
Dragonite blinked. It thought carefully and realized that seemed to be true.
That's right! It was no longer the weak little Dratini from back then. It had now grown into a powerful Pokémon capable of summoning wind and rain at will.
It would definitely be able to protect Draconis!
....
Power Stones PlZZZZ
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