The sky was already faintly bright, and dawn was slowly breaking.
In the distance, the morning sun rose beyond the horizon, its light spreading across the ravaged land.
That same sunlight bathed everyone present, warming them to their very souls and reminding them that they were still alive.
"Did we… win?"
One of the knights muttered blankly, his gaze fixed on the figure in white standing far away.
That silhouette looked like the first light piercing through endless darkness—a beacon of hope that had rescued them all from despair.
"Yes, we've won." Richard stood at the front of the formation, his voice steady yet filled with emotion.
At that moment, his expression was deeply complicated, his mind still replaying the image of Aven fighting alongside Azelf.
Even now, he found it hard to believe. Could it be that Lord Aven had truly gained Azelf's recognition?
It must be so. Whether it was the aura of Azelf's power radiating from Aven's body or how he had commanded Azelf in battle so perfectly—there could be no doubt.
Realizing this, Richard let out a slow sigh. If that was the case… then Lord Aven had likely gained the right to be chosen as the King's Candidate!
"The battle is over." Aven said with a faint smile.
He slipped the Poké Ball in his hand back into his pocket and looked toward the silver-haired noblewoman not far away.
Mira sat weakly on the ground, her face pale as snow. But when Aven's gaze met hers, she forced a small smile despite the pain.
"Lady Mira, are you alright?" Aven hurried over to her side.
Mira shook her head. "I'm fine… just a little tired."
"Are you really fine? You don't look well." Aven frowned slightly.
A trace of blood still stained the corner of her lips, and tears clung stubbornly to her lashes. She looked fragile—too fragile.
Hearing his words, Mira's expression faltered for a moment. Now that the tension had faded, memories from that earlier illusion began flooding back uncontrollably—
The World Tree, the little white-haired girl who looked just like her younger self, and the villagers of her tribe turned to stone by the encroaching black mist.
Vaguely, she felt that all of it was connected to the childhood memories she had lost. The place where that World Tree stood—she was certain she would find it one day, and uncover the truth buried in her heart.
Her eyes firmed with resolve as she stood, wiping away the blood from her lips. "Don't worry, I'm really fine."
Seeing the subtle but unmistakable change in her demeanor, Aven nodded softly before turning to the Lilligant beside him. "Lilligant, please help Lady Mira heal her injuries."
"Li~ lily~!"
Lilligant stayed still briefly before gathering a bright aura of healing energy around itself. Warm green light flowed from its body, gently enveloping Mira.
Ever since its evolution, Lilligant's healing abilities had grown stronger. Under its care, Mira's wounds closed rapidly, color slowly returning to her cheeks.
"Thank you… Aven, for helping Azelf defeat Darkrai."
When Mira closed her eyes, she could still see that white-clad figure standing before her in the darkest of times. That image, she would never forget it for as long as she lived.
"Lady Mira, it was only what I should do." Aven smiled faintly. "If you wish to thank someone, then thank the knights and Pokémon who fought bravely."
"It's the unyielding will of humans and Pokémon together that gave us the power to overcome the darkness."
Mira looked at him seriously and nodded. "Yes… a world where humans and Pokémon live in harmony. I'll do my best to make Aspiration City become that kind of place!"
Her gaze softened as she looked at Aven. She knew—this had always been his dream. And it was because of his efforts that today's victory had been achieved.
…
At the northern frontline fortress, the knights huddled together. The blood on their armor had long dried.
They lay sprawled across the ground, gazing at the sun rising over the distant hills and the clear blue sky above. On their faces was a serene satisfaction.
The gray mist had dispersed. The sorcerers' conspiracy was crushed.
After days of relentless fighting, today their battle had finally come to an end. Every drop of sweat, every wound—it had all been worth it.
"Phew… I can't believe we actually survived." Bloodhowl spat to the side, grinning wide.
He looked around at his comrades. They met his gaze—and suddenly everyone burst into laughter, feeling a strange, uplifting sense of transcendence.
"Captain Bloodhowl, does this mean… it's finally over?" one knight asked hopefully.
"Ha! Of course it does!" Bloodhowl barked a laugh. "Once Lord Aven returns, we'll swear our allegiance to him formally!"
"Hmph, we're the heroes who defended Aspiration City! We don't need rewards or glory—just let Lord Aven accept our loyalty!"
Bloodhowl rose to his feet, gripping the banner of the Pokémon Domain Knight Order tightly in his hand. It was the very banner that Lord Kale had personally entrusted to him when they departed.
And now, the flag remained intact. They had not shamed the honor of the Pokémon Domain. Their next duty was clear—to return this banner and plant it once more in their homeland's soil!
…
On the crumbling fortress wall, Earl Ruize gazed toward the distant hills. In his mind replayed the sight of Aven shrouded in a brilliant rainbow light before vanishing in an instant.
That seven-colored radiance—he knew it well. He had once seen its true owner in battle. That was the power of Aspiration City's guardian deity, Azelf!
So, Aven had been personally transported away by Azelf. He didn't know what the situation in Aspiration City was now, but… as long as Aven was there, things would be fine.
He knew all too well how small mortal strength was before divine power—but remembering how Aven had saved the fortress single-handedly, a quiet, unshakable confidence filled his heart.
His gaze swept over the fortress below. With the battle over, the knights had begun clearing the battlefield. Wounded soldiers were being carried inside, the place buzzing with life and motion.
And it wasn't only knights—their Pokémon companions along with the wild ones were being carried in by the dozens. In this defense of the frontline fortress, the wild Pokémon also had played a tremendous role.
Knights rushed through the fortress square, carrying injured Pokémon on stretchers. After fighting side by side, they no longer saw these creatures as mere magical beasts—but as comrades, as Pokémon.
At the center of the square, a Chansey was busily at work, emitting waves of soft pink light that gently healed the wounded.
This Chansey was one of the Pokémon Aven had left behind at the fortress. Its miraculous healing powers could restore humans and Pokémon alike with remarkable speed.
Further beyond, the nearby buildings had been converted into makeshift Pokémon Centers. The Pokémon Domain's knights bustled about, tending to the wounded. They had come well-prepared—with enough potions and medical supplies to last for weeks.
"Lord Ruize! Captain Kevin of the Aspiration City Knight Order has arrived!" a knight reported urgently.
Hearing this, Ruize drew in a deep breath. "Good. Summon the Guardian Knights. Once we rendezvous with Captain Kevin, we march for Aspiration City immediately!"
Mounting his Staraptor, he took off swiftly toward the north. Below him, he saw the townsfolk and serfs who had fled the battlefield returning home once more.
When he reached the northern gate, a battered group of knights was gathered there led by none other than the bloodstained Captain Kevin himself.
"Earl Ruize, I'm relieved to see the fortress still stands," Kevin exhaled in relief.
His unit had rushed to the rescue after receiving the distress signal, but midway they had been ambushed by monsters from the Aspiration Mountains.
"Indeed. It was all thanks to Lord Aven's timely intervention," Ruize nodded and explained what had happened.
When Kevin heard that Aven had repelled four king-level Pokémon single-handedly, he was stunned. He recalled the young commoner he had once met and could scarcely believe the transformation.
Four king-level Pokémon—that was the kind of strength that could turn the tide of an entire war!
"Wait… you said Aven was enveloped in rainbow light?" Kevin's eyes widened.
As Mira's chief knight, he was very familiar with Azelf's power, and immediately recognized its source.
But he couldn't help wondering—why had Azelf summoned Aven to the battlefield? And what was happening in Aspiration City right now?
"Whatever the reason, we must reach Aspiration City as soon as possible."
The two men exchanged a look, then turned their eyes northward—toward the city where the fate of all would soon be decided.
(End of Chapter)