At the lumberyard, the workers swung their axes in a steady rhythm, chopping down the surrounding trees.
Tall trunks toppled with resounding thuds, sending sawdust and splinters flying through the air.
Watching this, the two Machoke standing guard finally dared to step forward. They hefted the fallen logs with practiced ease and carried them toward the back, stacking them neatly atop the growing pile of timber.
Once the job was done, they turned right back around and started again, carrying, stacking, returning, in an endless loop.
Time passed quickly, and soon, the sun reached its peak.
The lumberjacks wiped the sweat from their foreheads and began packing up to head home for lunch.
But the two Machoke kept working.
Though their strength and stamina were immense, the long hours had begun to wear them down.
Even so, they didn't dare stop, not even to catch their breath.In the Royal City, any pause would have brought the crack of a whip across their backs.
Some of the workers nearby noticed and exchanged uneasy looks.
One of them finally stepped forward and called out, "Hey, you two! Take a break already!"
The Machoke had been at it since morning without a single pause.
They might look sturdy, but even they had limits.
Hearing the man's voice, both Machoke glanced over, but their arms didn't stop moving.
To them, these humans were simply fellow laborers. They didn't dare rest until the true master gave the order.
Seeing this, the workers grew more confused.
And then, suddenly, one of the Machoke's knees buckled. With a heavy thud, he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
Even so, the other Machoke kept working.
"This isn't right!"
"What should we do?"
The workers exchanged panicked glances.
"Leave it to me."
A calm, steady voice rang out from behind them.
Everyone turned and froze.
"It's His Highness Lucien!"
"Prince Lucien is here!"
Lucien nodded to them and said, "You all can rest. I'll handle this."
He walked over to the exhausted Machoke, knelt beside him, and carefully examined his condition. Then he lifted his head and looked toward the other Machoke still working.
"Stop, Machoke."
At the sound of that voice, calm yet commanding, the Pokémon froze.
When the Machoke turned and saw the young man's steady gaze, he immediately recognized him.
This human… was their master.
They dared not disobey. The Machoke gently set down the log he was carrying.
"Carry him," Lucien ordered softly, "and follow me."
The Machoke quickly stepped forward, carefully lifting his fallen companion into his arms.
Following behind his new master, he carried the other Pokémon out of the lumberyard and through the quiet settlement, until they arrived at a small wooden house with a courtyard overlooking the riverbank.
Lucien knocked on the door. A moment later, it swung open to reveal Lila, who looked surprised to see him.
"Your Highness Lucien?" she asked.
"Help me check on this monster," Lucien said, motioning for the Machoke behind him to bring his companion inside.
The obedient Pokémon stepped in and, under Lila's direction, gently placed the injured Machoke onto a soft wooden bed.
Lila hurried forward and examined the Pokémon's condition carefully. "What happened to him, Your Highness?"
"He's just exhausted," Lucien explained. "They've been working since morning without taking a single break."
"What?" Lila's eyes widened in disbelief. "That can't be right... Oh no." She frowned deeply as she inspected him more closely. "His muscles are severely fatigued, some fibers are even starting to dissolve from overwork. And these scars…"
She traced one of the faded marks along Machoke's arm, her voice trembling. "Why are there so many scars on his body?"
Lucien sighed quietly. "They must have come from his time in the Royal City."
Lila's expression darkened. She knew that the Royal City often captured monsters and forced them into labor under harsh conditions.
She hadn't thought much of it before, but after living here, seeing these Pokémon as individuals, that cruelty now felt unbearable.
"How pitiful," she whispered.
"Can he be treated?" Lucien asked softly.
"I think so. I recently developed a new potion," Lila replied. She turned to her shelf and picked up a small bottle filled with pale green liquid.
It was a mixture of standard healing medicine and leaves from a Petilil, designed not only to mend wounds and restore strength but also to ease fatigue and replenish stamina.
"This monster must have collapsed from accumulated injuries and overwork," she explained, uncorking the vial. "After drinking this, he'll need plenty of rest, but he should recover in time."
She carefully fed the potion to the unconscious Machoke.
Watching anxiously, the other Machoke let out a low sigh of relief.
Moments later, color returned to his companion's face, and the Machoke slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Lucien, and instinctively, terror flashed in his gaze.
"Don't be afraid, Machoke," Lucien said gently, his tone calm and reassuring. "This is no longer the Royal City. No one will hurt you here."
"Choke…"
The two Pokémon froze, their bodies trembling slightly.
Years of oppression had carved fear deep into their bones. Even now, in freedom, they could not bring themselves to believe it.
Though they possessed tremendous strength, they had long forgotten how to stand tall.
Now, when their new master spoke kind words instead of commands, their first reaction wasn't joy, only confusion.
Seeing this, Lucien's heart ached.
He reached out, intending to comfort them.
But as soon as they saw his hand move, both Machoke flinched back, their eyes wide with instinctive dread.
Yet the pain they feared never came.
Instead, they felt a warm, gentle touch upon their heads.
The two Pokémon froze completely, startled by the unfamiliar sensation.
"Choke…"
Lucien's voice softened even more. "Don't be afraid. Listen to me carefully."
The Machoke raised their heads, attention fixed on him.
"This is my territory," Lucien continued. "Those days are over. No one will hurt you here, and I won't either. Not even if your work isn't finished on time."
"If you ever feel tired, stop and rest. You won't be punished for it. Everything we're building here, this land, these homes, is for all of us. You're part of that too."
The two Machoke stared at him blankly, as if unable to comprehend what he had just said.
Or perhaps, more accurately… they didn't dare to believe it.
...
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