The Nidoking tribe was still rampaging through the eastern district.
The eastern district had originally been home to a large number of magical beast merchants and magical beast hunting parties. However, shortly after the district fell, they swiftly evacuated.
To their relief, the Nidoking tribe didn't pursue them, but instead charged straight towards the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild.
"The Nidoking tribe is truly terrifying," one magical beast merchant said with lingering fear.
Yet, a trace of excitement flickered in his eyes. If he could capture even a single Nidoking, he'd definitely make a fortune.
"But it seems like these Nidokings are specifically targeting the Merchant Guild," another merchant chimed in. If the Nidokings had pursued them instead, very few magical beast hunters would have made it out alive today.
"There's nothing strange about that. You all know what happened between Fruitvale Village and the magical beast hunters," a third merchant interjected.
At his words, everyone present fell into silence. At the mention of Fruitvale Village, unease clouded their expressions.
"Do you really think Fruitvale Village can subdue the entire Nidoking tribe?" another merchant asked skeptically.
They had witnessed the power of the Nidoking tribe firsthand—especially that Nidoking leader. It was hard to imagine how Fruitvale Village could have possibly tamed them.
Unless the village had a King-ranked magical beast, there was no way they could defeat that quasi-King Nidoking leader!
"You all really believe it was Fruitvale Village that tamed the tribe?" someone questioned. "What if it was actually the Merchant Guild that captured one of the Nidokings, provoking the rest to retaliate and attack Keystone Town?"
That theory seemed more plausible to him. The idea of taming the entire Nidoking tribe felt impossible.
"There's definitely a possibility," someone else agreed.
"Maybe this was Fruitvale Village's plan from the beginning. They learned in advance that the Nidokings would attack Keystone Town and took this chance to launch an offensive."
"Their goal was likely to destroy the Merchant Guild by using the Nidoking tribe as a weapon."
"Now, after the Nidokings destroy the Merchant Guild, they can just blame everything on the Nidokings."
One merchant's eyes lit up with sudden realization, while others fell silent again. Could this matter really be so easily brushed off?
Tap tap tap tap…
While the merchants were still gathered, whispering cautiously, the sound of rumbling came from the southern district.
Soon after, they saw Viscount Kilton leading his Knight Order as they headed toward the eastern district—it was obvious they were planning to confront the Nidoking tribe.
As they passed the gathered merchants, Viscount Kilton halted and strode over with his knights.
"By the authority as the Lord of Keystone Town, I hereby requisition your guards!"
The merchants opened their mouths in protest, but after seeing the armed knights at the viscount's side, they couldn't utter a single word of refusal.
Along the way, Viscount Kilton continued to conscript nearby merchant guards and magical beast hunters into the battle. He even requisitioned magical beasts from various shops!
This time, Viscount Kilton was going all in. He was determined to hold out until the Ironblood Knight Regiment arrived!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the eastern district, the Nidoking tribe continued their rampage.
The Nidoking leader's armor was already soaked in blood, yet he kept attacking relentlessly.
His eyes were bloodshot, filled with a destructive fury. As he charged, he suddenly opened his mouth and began gathering energy.
An orange-yellow energy sphere formed at the edge of his mouth before launching into a beam of light. The building in front of him was instantly blasted into rubble.
"Roar!"
The Nidoking leader continued to roar, sending out another energy beam from his mouth!
At this point, he had turned into nothing more than a monster of destruction, determined to obliterate everything in sight.
"What terrifying power… That must be the quasi-King Nidoking leader!" exclaimed one of the knights who had just arrived.
The Knight Order quickly spotted the rampaging Nidoking leader, and their expressions grew grim.
From a distance, the Nidoking leader also noticed the knights. Without hesitation, he launched an attack!
Boom!
The powerful orange-yellow beam blasted through, instantly sending several knights flying!
"Don't be afraid! That Nidoking leader can't last much longer—take it down!" shouted the knight captain.
There were no other magical beasts around the Nidoking leader, making this the perfect opportunity to take him out.
If they could defeat the quasi-King Nidoking leader, the tribe's strength would be significantly weakened.
Meanwhile, in the southern district—
The Grass-type tribe had completely breached the south gate.
Compared to the Nidoking tribe, the Grass-types used much gentler tactics.
Using large quantities of stun powder and sleep powder, they quickly rendered the defending soldiers and peasants powerless.
Then, the Oddish moved the incapacitated defenders to safer areas and began advancing steadily toward the eastern district.
Aven, protected by a group of knights, entered the city.
Froslass had revealed herself, emitting a constant chill. If danger appeared, she would not hesitate to freeze enemies solid. Under her protection, Aven would never come to harm.
"Meowr!"
Luxio rushed to the front of the formation upon entering the city.
Using its electromagnetic sensing abilities, it could detect hidden enemies and prevent ambushes.
Now that they had successfully entered the city, victory was already halfway in their grasp. However, the enemy clearly wasn't ready to surrender. Danger still lurked.
Just like now—Luxio first picked up the foul scent of burning oil, then sensed several human figures hiding in the shadows.
Without hesitation, it dashed forward and electrocuted them all unconscious.
However, during the attack, it unintentionally sparked a few embers, which caught on the oil. Flames burst up and quickly spread to nearby homes!
Clearly, the enemy had laid a fire trap within the city, waiting for the Grass-type tribe to walk into the inferno.
Fortunately, Luxio discovered the plot in time and neutralized the threat, allowing the Grass-type Pokémon to safely bypass the trap.
"It was never going to be that easy," Aven muttered, shaking his head.
Szzzzzt—
Just then, the Yanma descended from the sky.
Through telepathy with Ralts, Aven immediately understood what was happening in the eastern district.
The knights were currently surrounding the Nidoking leader—and they had the upper hand!
"A confusion status, huh?" Aven quickly analyzed the situation. Based on Yanma's description, the Nidoking's state was clearly abnormal.
….
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the battlefield, the Nidoking leader was surrounded by magical beasts.
He thrashed about in confusion, attacking wildly in all directions.
From a distance, the rest of the Nidoking tribe sensed something was wrong and tried to rush to their leader's side—only to be held back by knights and magical beast hunters.
"Roar!"
The other Nidokings and Nidoqueens roared in desperation.
They could clearly sense their leader's energy fading. If they couldn't get through soon, he might actually die!
The Nidoking leader's reactions had already begun to slow. After each attack, his body would freeze for a moment.
That brief pause gave surrounding magical beasts the perfect window to strike—Mightyenas lunged and bit down hard, causing the Nidoking leader to howl in pain.
"Roar!"
The tribe fought desperately to break through.
They knew—if they didn't help their leader now, he would fall.
"Good, very good. Just like that—kill the Nidoking leader!" roared Guild President Reagan.
Under his command, two advanced-level magical beasts served as the main attackers.
Boom!
The Skuntank charged forward, slamming into the Nidoking leader and sending him flying.
The surrounding magical beasts immediately pounced, burying him beneath a pile of attacks.
"Roar!"
The distant Nidokings and Nidoqueens let out cries of despair as they witnessed this.
"Excellent! Finish him off!" Reagan laughed savagely.
Just as he thought the battle was won, a sudden snowstorm swept through the area!
Wherever the blizzard passed, the ground froze instantly, engulfing the magical beasts in ice.
The beasts attacking the Nidoking leader were frozen mid-motion—turned into ice sculptures!
"What's going on?! What just happened?!" Reagan's face was filled with disbelief.
Victory had been within reach! Why had a snowstorm suddenly appeared—in the middle of summer no less?
Even in the dead of winter, such a powerful blizzard capable of freezing magical beasts wasn't normal!
Whoooo—
The cold winds howled, then gradually faded.
A massive green silhouette appeared in the middle of the battlefield, with a person standing on its back.
As the storm completely cleared, everyone could finally see the scene clearly—Torterra and Aven had arrived.
Aven held a very fatigued Ralts in his arms, the little one clearly exhausted.
On Torterra's head stood a Petilil and a Cherrim, one on each side, both alert and ready.
Froslass floated in midair—she had unleashed the devastating Blizzard move, catching everyone by surprise and freezing the attackers in one go!
"Looks like I made it in time," Aven exhaled, standing atop Torterra and glancing at the frozen battlefield.
Then, his gaze shifted.
From afar, a group of Nidokings and Nidoqueens had broken through the blockade and were rushing over.
Upon seeing Aven, they hesitated for a moment—then let out excited roars.
They ran up to the ice sculpture, shattering it with powerful punches, and pulled out the Nidoking leader.
The leader had already lost consciousness. Under the effects of confusion and heavy injuries from the siege, he was on the brink of death.
"Petilil, he's yours now," Aven said.
Petilil nodded and summoned natural life energy, channeling it into the Nidoking leader.
With her powerful healing ability, she quickly stabilized his condition. Though not fully healed, his life was no longer in danger.
"Earl Aven of the Southeastern Border!" Viscount Kilton growled from the distance.
He hadn't expected that, just as they were about to slay the Nidoking leader, this commoner noble would show up out of nowhere!
"My lord, the Grass-type beasts are attacking!" the knight captain reported with a grim expression.
They hadn't anticipated the magical beasts would arrive this fast—none of the obstacles along the way had stopped them!
"Earl Aven, do you really intend to ignore the laws of Aspiration City?" Viscount Kilton said coldly, finally speaking to Aven directly.
"I naturally intend to follow Aspiration City's laws," Aven replied calmly. "But did you forget? It was Keystone Town that first attacked my territory. I'm only defending myself."
"To prevent your next planned assault on Fruitvale Village, I had no choice but to strike first!"
Aven stood tall on Torterra's back, his face stern. "Now that I've already taken Keystone Town, don't you think it's a little late to be bringing this up?"
Viscount Kilton's chest heaved twice in anger, but he didn't know how to respond.
"If you think I wronged you, you can bring it before the Court of Public Order," Aven added with a cold smile. "And if you believe I broke L Asnpiration City's laws, I'll gladly await their fair judgment. But in the meantime, Viscount, I'd like to invite you to visit my domain."
(End of Chapter)