"Alright then, I'll leave these berries to you."
"When the berries finally bear fruit, we can begin the final stage of accelerated growth."
Aven nodded excitedly, uncertain what kind of new berry variants he might obtain this time after the previous mutations.
With more berries in hand, he would be able to formulate a wider variety of potions—some of which he had long desired to create, but had previously lacked the necessary ingredients for.
Furthermore, upon acquiring new types of berries, he could immediately begin mass cultivation, then trigger further mutations among them to obtain even rarer varieties.
After inspecting the experimental fields, Aven left the farm and headed toward the gathering area for serfs outside Fruitvale Village.
It was breakfast time, and on the grassy field, officials were seen directing apprentices as they distributed food. Before the serfs officially began their work, the domain was still responsible for their meals and shelter.
Though the serfs' faces remained numb with apathy, their eyes lit up slightly at the sight of food. For them, mere survival had become the ultimate pursuit.
And when they saw Aven arrive, recognizing him as their master, the serfs immediately and instinctively dropped to their knees. Years of harsh treatment had conditioned them to respond this way, for any act of defiance against a lord would be met with merciless whippings.
"Everyone, stand up. Eat well for now. I have something to announce later," Aven said, glancing over the kneeling serfs as he walked toward the food-distributing officials.
Seeing Aven approach, both the officials and the serfs bowed in alarm, unsure why their lord had suddenly appeared.
"No need for formalities," Aven smiled. "Continue distributing the food."
Then he began inspecting the site, his gaze sweeping across the anxious and fearful eyes of the serfs.
These serfs had only recently arrived on the territory and were clearly still filled with fear of the unknown. Even the food provided by Fruitvale Village failed to fully ease their worries.
"Lord Aven..."
Having received word of Aven's visit, Fessen arrived belatedly, along with Uncle Mike.
The two of them had been responsible for managing the serfs recently, but even after two days, they had yet to fully settle everything.
"Hmm. Gather all the serfs—I have an announcement to make."
Aven nodded and walked toward a nearby hill.
Soon, all the serfs outside the village were assembled. Heads bowed in fear, they waited for their lord's orders.
"I am Aven, Earl of the southeastern border of Aspiration City—and the master of this land."
"I've gathered you here to tell you that arriving in this land marks a brand-new beginning for you."
"This land is still largely undeveloped. I hope you will help me reclaim these wild lands and turn them into fertile fields."
"And in return, I will offer you the chance to cast off your status as serfs and become free citizens, able to live freely upon this land."
Standing atop the hill, Aven announced the promotion system he had designed to the more than a thousand serfs before him. As his words settled into the air, a strange silence fell over the field.
Then came a surge of astonishment—the serfs all looked up in unison, their eyes filled with disbelief as they stared at Aven, at this lord who was willing to give them a chance.
They knew all too well what it meant to become a free citizen. It meant no longer being slaves to their masters, no longer suffering beatings and endless toil. It meant being able to control their own lives.
And their children—those born into their new status—would no longer be born as serfs, but as free people, able to face the world with open eyes.
Seeing the complex mix of emotion—excitement, confusion, doubt—on the serfs' faces, Aven continued, "Starting tomorrow, each family will be allocated a fixed plot of land based on its size."
"You are no strangers to land reclamation. I want you to transform this wilderness into farmland, to grow crops and be responsible for their cultivation and harvest."
"Based on the amount you harvest, the domain will calculate your contribution points. Once you accumulate enough, you and your entire family will be freed from servitude."
"After becoming free citizens, you may continue renting land for farming. The domain will buy your crops at a standardized rate—or, if you prefer, you may pursue other livelihoods."
As Aven thoroughly explained his newly established system to abolish serfdom, a wave of sharp inhalations echoed through the crowd. Slowly, disbelief turned into elation in the serfs' eyes.
Though a sliver of doubt still lingered in their hearts, Aven's detailed and clearly implemented system convinced them that this was no mere verbal promise—it was a real institution.
"The lord is merciful! Long live the lord!"
After a brief silence, a resounding cheer erupted. All the serfs fell to their knees, chanting praises fervently.
Among them, Fessen, Mike, and the other officials stood dumbfounded. None of them had expected Aven to make such a decree.
But upon closer thought, it wasn't all that surprising. After all, their lord had always been this merciful.
…
Buck, a serf, had just experienced the most unbelievable day of his life.
Their new lord, Aven, had issued a new system: if serfs worked diligently, they could become free citizens.
Now, Buck felt an overwhelming surge of energy. He could hardly wait to begin working his allotted land, planting enough crops to earn contribution points toward freedom!
This day at the serf gathering site was anything but ordinary—everyone quietly awaited the dawn of a new beginning.
When the first rays of sunlight appeared the next day, Uncle Mike arrived at the gathering point to divide the regions.
Using his strong physique, Buck squeezed to the front of the posted division chart and quickly located the area assigned for wheat planting.
He and a hundred other serfs came from there. According to the posted map, the initial division was based on where each serf came from. Once they arrived in their general area, the land would be subdivided.
When Buck returned to the gathering point, he saw a Fruitvale Village official holding a list and calling out names. This official would manage the people from wheat field going forward.
The headcount was quickly completed, and the official led them swiftly to their designated region.
The land was flat and clearly very suitable for growing wheat, which happened to be the task assigned to them.
Once they arrived, the official immediately directed everyone to begin building wooden shelters so they could settle in.
They would be staying here for quite some time, and gradually this area would become a new village called Goldfield Town.
At the same time, the farmland assigned to them was finalized. In the future, contribution points would be calculated based on the harvest from this land. Yields from other areas would not be counted, reducing the risk of people stealing harvests to boost their numbers.
This would ensure fairness while still allowing mutual assistance between villagers.
With Aven's promises, the serfs were full of motivation. They quickly completed their shelters and eagerly rushed to inspect their designated plots, awaiting the time to start cultivation.
"The lord has ordered that everyone rest well today!"
"Tomorrow, farming tools will be delivered, and you'll begin working."
The official patrolled the camp with a Mightyena, and the serfs, seeing the fierce magical beast, swallowed nervously in fear.
Time passed quickly. On the second day, Buck rose early, eagerly waiting for the tools to be distributed so he could start working the land.
He had already examined the area assigned to him. It was huge—and if he could fully cultivate it and plant it with wheat, he believed he could earn enough contribution points within a year!
The thought of becoming a free citizen made his breath quicken. He clenched his fists—after all, growing wheat was his specialty!
He didn't have to wait long. Soon, he saw Rhyhorn pulling carts approaching slowly. Behind them were a group of Oddish—Pokémon very familiar to them.
"Alright, everyone, come pick up your tools."
"And these Oddish—going forward, they will be protecting Goldfield Village."
"I believe you've already seen the laws of Fruitvale Village. Within Lord Aven's domain, it is forbidden to harm Pokémon."
"Pokémon are what we call our magical beasts. They will not harm humans without cause and may even become valuable assistants to you."
After taking charge of the supplies, the official gathered all the serfs and began a motivational speech, distributing farming tools to everyone.
Buck soon received his set, then turned his gaze toward the Oddish.
He was well aware of the laws within Lord Aven's territory—and he knew that, if one could gain a Pokémon's recognition, one could even tame it.
Though it was just an Oddish before him, Buck didn't dare underestimate it. He had heard tales of how Lord Aven had conquered Keystone Town with an army of Oddish.
The overseer had said these Oddish might become their helpers. That must mean that if Buck could gain one's approval, he might be able to tame it.
With that thought, Buck made a silent vow—he had to find a way to bond with an Oddish. If he could earn its approval, not only could he become a free citizen, he might even gain a Pokémon.
Just then, a thunderous rumble echoed across the field.
As they reached the farmland, the serfs suddenly saw a Rhydon storming through the area, overturning the soil wherever it passed.
They stared, stunned, as barren land was instantly turn and plowed and transformed into arable fields.
"That's Lord Aven's Rhydon."
"It possesses the power to till the earth. Land plowed by it becomes ready for farming."
"Of course, this is only the preliminary stage. You'll still need to till it further and plant your wheat."
The official explained everything to the astonished serfs. "Lord Aven instructed us to tell you—learn to rely on Pokémon. They will become your best allies!"
These were Aven's exact words, and Aven had made it clear that the officials must pass this message to every serf under their charge.
This grand demonstration of Rhydon's power was no accident—it had been carefully arranged by Aven himself. Nothing left a deeper impression than witnessing it firsthand.
"The power to till the land!"
"This Rhydon is an incredible asset for farming!"
Buck was filled with admiration, then turned his gaze again to the Oddish beside him. He wondered if Oddish, too, possessed some hidden powers.
A new thought stirred within him. If Lord Aven sent them these Pokémon and urged them to work with them, then surely they must be special.
"I must tame one," he reminded himself. "As long as I gain its approval, I can claim it as my own."
"The power of Pokémon is far greater than you imagine."
"Once Rhydon finishes tilling this land, you'll begin farming. I'm sure you're all very familiar with wheat cultivation."
"Oh, and the Bibarel have already begun digging irrigation channels. Once they reach this area, you'll be able to work with them to lay out your water systems."
The official made further announcements. Promoting the role of Pokémon and helping serfs accept them was one of Aven's most important instructions.
As more tasks were assigned, the serfs began farming in earnest, eagerly reclaiming wild lands and transforming them into productive fields.
—
Inside the Pokémon Breeding House, Aven was reviewing its operations.
With the eastern branch of Gilded Fang Mechant Guild now dissolved, the region was in chaos.
This was the perfect opportunity for him to expand the reach of the Breeding House's services.
Thanks to it, they could attract knights looking to improve their strength. The Rhyhorn who had mastered Rock Slide served as a powerful advertisement—learning moves was hard, but the Breeding house had methods to make it easier.
Moreover, many commoners in Aspiration City dreamed of becoming knights, but the high cost of acquiring a magical beast always stood in their way.
Now that the Eastern Territory had no Gilded Fang Mechant Guild, their only options were to head north or visit the Breeding Center.
With the launch of a Pokémon adoption service, many commoners would be eager to try—planting the seeds for a future generation of Pokémon Trainers.
The population was large, and once these trainers matured, they could potentially rival the knight class and build a full training system.
Of course, allowing commoners to adopt Pokémon was only the first step. He would also find ways to keep them within his territory.
Through the Breeding House, they could grow stronger and eventually become the domain's strength, contributing to its development.
"The next step is to establish a Pokémon Trainer Association to oversee the trainers."
"We'll need to define the ranking system clearly, with promotion criteria that separate trainers by level."
"And education must be prioritized. Only by mastering proper trainer knowledge can one become a competent Pokémon Trainer!"
"After all, understanding move effects, type matchups, and Pokémon data can all turn the tide in battle!"
"It seems we must expedite the construction of a new town. It will need a town hall, Breeding Center, Pokémon Center, Battle Arena, Trainer Association, and Trainer Academy."
As Aven inspected the operations of the Breeding House, he simultaneously laid out targeted plans for the next stage of development—step by step recreating the system of the League from his previous life and planting the seeds of a modern town.
(End of Chapter)