In just half a day, peace had returned to Keystone Town.
Within the city, the magical beast merchants, grassroots officials, and ordinary residents who had been watching from the sidelines all breathed a sigh of relief.
But only two hours later, a piece of news broke out that left everyone utterly stunned.
It turned out that the war between Fruitvale Village and Keystone Town had all originated from the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild.
In retaliation for Fruitvale Village's public execution of a magical beast hunter, the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild had stolen a baby Nidoking to lure the Nidoking tribe into attacking Fruitvale Village!
And Fruitvale Village's assault on Keystone Town was actually to stop the next phase of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild's sinister plans. Keystone Town, shockingly, had been completely unaware of any of this!
It wasn't until Fruitvale Village successfully captured Keystone Town that the misunderstandings were cleared up. Viscount Kilton was released on the spot, and together they brought down the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild!
Afterward, Viscount Kilton even directly put the eastern branch president of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild, Reagan, on trial and successfully secured conclusive evidence of the association's crimes!
As soon as this news spread, everyone fell silent. Deep down, they all sensed that this matter wasn't as simple as it seemed.
It wasn't until the two magical beast hunters responsible for stealing the Nidoking baby were paraded from the south gate to the Lord's Castle, under heavy guard, that people began to believe the story.
"The evidence is solid. It really does seem like it was the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild who instigated this."
A group of magical beast merchants gathered to discuss the matter. They knew very well that the guild was capable of such retaliation against Fruitvale Village.
But even they hadn't expected such a flawless plan to fail. Fruitvale Village had not only held off the Nidoking tribe's assault but had also captured the two hunters on the spot!
That explained why Fruitvale Village dared to launch a direct attack on Keystone Town. With such a critical piece of leverage in hand, their military action was entirely justifiable. Even if it went to the Court of Public Order, they could still defend their actions.
"Exactly. Otherwise, Fruitvale Village wouldn't have dared to act so boldly."
"And the Nidoking tribe—they probably weren't under Fruitvale Village's control. It was likely their own act of revenge against the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild."
"These powerful beasts may not be as intelligent as humans, but they're not stupid. When it comes to the real culprit, they'll stop at nothing to take revenge!"
The merchants found this explanation much easier to accept. Even if Fruitvale Village hadn't been there, the Nidoking tribe would likely have attacked anyway!
"But as for the role Keystone Town played in all of this—"
Another merchant muttered thoughtfully but immediately fell silent, realizing he'd said something he shouldn't have.
Seeing this, the others also remained quiet. As magical beast merchants themselves, they knew better than anyone about the ties between Viscount Kilton and the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild.
They simply couldn't believe Keystone Town had nothing to do with this. It was clear that Viscount Kilton, under pressure, had chosen self-preservation by placing all the blame on the association.
"A pity. Looks like magical beast trade in the eastern territory is over."
The magical beast hunters sighed deeply.
By making this decision, Viscount Kilton had effectively placed himself in direct opposition to the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild. From now on, it was impossible for Keystone Town to do any further business with them.
And considering how they all knew the Earl of the Southeastern Territory viewed magical beast trading, it was likely that no one in the Eastern Territory would dare dabble in the magical beast business anymore.
"They're executing them publicly."
"Keystone Town is holding a public execution of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild in the central plaza!"
At that moment, a civilian shouted through the streets, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Public execution? So soon?!" The magical beast merchants' pupils constricted in shock.
If that was the case, then Viscount Kilton truly had no path of return left. He might even be placed on the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild's kill list!
In the central plaza, Viscount Kilton stood with a complex expression on his face as more and more townsfolk gathered.
The plaza was completely surrounded by a ring of walking grass Pokémon, keeping all civilians blocked outside the square.
Above, the constant buzzing of Yanma wings filled the air, flying back and forth to ensure not even a fly could enter.
At the center of the plaza stood a massive gallows, stained with blood, a grim monument where many criminals had met their end over the years—an expression of the lord's authority.
Today, the gallows once again awaited new criminals—this time, all high-ranking members of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild, once people of untouchable power.
"Mm-mm-mm-mm!"
Hands and feet bound, mouths stuffed with cloth, the once-mighty figures now grimaced in agony, struggling fiercely.
Never in their wildest dreams did they expect to meet their end in a public execution right here in Keystone Town's plaza!
Though gagged, their hatred, despair, and resentment were still plain to see in their eyes.
'Mm-mm-mm! Kilton, you will regret this!'
President Reagan's eyes nearly popped from his head, silently screaming curses in his heart.
He understood Viscount Kilton's decision very well, but after today, everyone here should prepare for the marquis's retaliation!
The Ironblood Fortress never tolerated anyone who dared provoke it. Anyone who stood in its way would be utterly destroyed!
"So, it really is President Reagan... and the Vice President too..."
The magical beast merchants outside the square wore equally complex expressions. These were once figures far beyond their reach.
"Now, I will personally conduct the trial of the Eastern Branch of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild..."
Viscount Kilton's voice was weary as he mechanically read the prepared list of charges.
As the trial dragged on, he became increasingly numb. At this point, he just wanted the whole ordeal to be over with.
"Damn it, Viscount Kilton has betrayed us!"
Among the crowd, a civilian in coarse clothing gritted his teeth and squeezed his way out, hurrying toward the residential district.
In a nearby house, many others had already gathered. Upon seeing their comrade return, they quickly opened the door, checked their surroundings, and shut it tightly.
"What's the situation?"
Upon hearing that President Reagan was about to be publicly executed, everyone's expressions changed.
"We must inform the Ironblood Knight Regiment about Viscount Kilton's betrayal as soon as possible."
"Otherwise, when the Ironblood Knights arrive, they'll be surrounded by Fruitvale Village and Keystone Town's forces."
"They're entrenched behind the walls. Even for the Ironblood Knights, this won't be an easy siege!"
These were all hidden agents from Ironblood Fortress, scattered throughout Keystone Town. Each territory had sent its own spies.
"Alright, we'll split up and deliver the message."
"If the Ironblood Knights come unaware, they might fall into Fruitvale Village and Keystone Town's ambush."
"Especially since Fruitvale Village has preserved its forces well. They're clearly prepared for a confrontation with the Ironblood Knights!"
After a brief exchange, the agents quickly dispersed across Keystone Town, each using their own methods to send the message out.
Soon after, in the town's northern district, several Starlys shot into the sky, flying rapidly north.
The spy who released them remained tense until the Pokémon vanished beyond the horizon. Only then did he exhale in relief.
On the northern wall, Jorah stood leaning against the battlements. Suddenly sensing something, he looked up and spotted a Starly flying across the sky.
"A spy from Ironblood Fortress?"
"Now that they know Viscount Kilton has turned, of course they'll try to get the word out."
Jorah nodded slightly, recalling Lord Aven's instructions. So he simply watched the Starly leave without attempting to stop it.
However, he then turned his gaze toward the northern district—while they weren't stopping the messages from being sent, they still needed to flush out the spies!
(End of Chapter)