Pokemon: The Breeder's Farming Journey to Modernizing an Ancient World

Far southeast corner of the Sinnoh Continent.

The sea breeze swept across Marina City, brushing over this barren land.

Inside the lord's castle, Kale wore a grave expression as he listened to his subordinates report the current situation.

Ever since the news came back that Aspiration City had repelled the Abyssal Beasts, his furrowed brows had never relaxed.

According to the spies' reports, Aspiration City's knight order was almost completely intact, with barely any losses.

This news completely ruined Marina City's plans to invade, which naturally left the ambitious lord deeply unwilling to give up.

Marina City had prepared for so long—there was no way he could just abandon everything now.

With a heavy heart, Kale couldn't help but glance at the robed Sorcerer sitting beside him with eyes closed in meditation.

"Master Sorcerer, what do you think we should do next?"

The Sorcerer opened his eyes upon hearing Kale's question. He shook his head beneath his black hood.

"I can only help you deal with Azelf."

"Of course, that's only if you manage to weaken Aspiration City's power and break their will. Only then can Azelf's strength be diminished. Otherwise, I can't help you."

The Sorcerer's words were as good as saying nothing, which frustrated Kale even more. His gaze dropped to the map spread out before him.

According to the map, Marina City's army was currently stationed within the Coastal Mountain Range, and they had carved out a passage that could reach deep into the Black Forest.

(TN: Coastal Mountain Range is probably route 222 and Turnback cave combined)

However, that part of the forest was occupied by a colony of Drapion—dangerous scorpions with deadly poison.

The colony also contained several Advanced-level magical beasts, and the leader of the colony was rumored to have strength close to that of a king-class creature.

The combination of the colony's numbers and their lethal venom had even forced the knight order's captain—who possessed his own Advanced-level magical beasts—to retreat.

At this point, unless Kale personally led his king-class magical beast into the Black Forest, the knight order had no chance of passing through it.

"Hill, come take a look at this map."

"You've personally been to Aspiration City and know a bit about the surrounding lands."

"I'm thinking about having the knight order bypass the Drapion colony. See if you can find a good breakthrough point."

Kale placed both hands on the table, eyes fixed on the map, addressing Hill, who stood beside him.

At that moment, Hill's eyes remained distant, his thoughts trapped in memories of that harrowing battle.

His high-level Pokémon, Staraptor and Sneasel, had both died there—cut down by a king-class monster.

He still hadn't come to terms with it.

If not for the Mightyena shielding him, along with the Sorcerer's protection, he might have died in that forest too.

What exactly was that terrifying Froslass that could exhale gray mist?

Not even the learned Sorcerer had an answer.

"Hill!"

Hearing no response, Kale raised his voice.

"Yes—yes, Your Highness," Hill snapped out of his thoughts and quickly bowed.

Seeing his most capable subordinate like this, Kale sighed and repeated his question.

"If we're taking a detour…"

Hill approached the map, scanning it with his eyes.

He instinctively looked toward the northeast corner of Aspiration City, but his brow twitched and shifted his gaze downward.

The road they had carved currently stretched across the southeast corner, the shortest route into Aspiration City's domain.

To avoid that route, there were only two options—head north or south—both requiring significantly longer detours.

"Lord Kale."

"I recommend going south, following the Coastal Mountains directly to the Black Coast."

"From there, we can cross the Black Forest and reach the southern territory of Aspiration City. It's safer than going north, although the distance is greater."

Hill pondered for a moment and gave his suggestion. This was a route he had considered long ago.

"Reopen a new path?"

"Hill, ever since you returned from Aspiration City, you've become much more timid."

"While it might be safer to cross the forest here, the journey is far longer—and distance brings danger!"

"After all, Aspiration City's forces aren't fools. The longer our route, the higher the chance we'll be exposed. We might be safer within the forest instead."

Another official spoke up in opposition. They had already debated this route before and deemed it unfeasible.

"But that was during winter."

"And now it's spring. We could cross by sea instead."

"It's much safer in spring compared to winter. We can ensure the safe passage of our forces."

Hill defended his point. He admitted he had become more cautious since returning, but this route was something he had carefully considered.

"But we've already opened half the current path."

"Starting a new one now would waste all our previous efforts."

Another official raised objections—he was the city's treasurer. The knight order's exploration and military campaigns placed heavy financial strain on the territory.

Prolonged warfare could drag the entire region into ruin—an outcome they had to consider.

"Furthermore, invading the heart of Aspiration City alone is extremely dangerous."

"If Aspiration City catches on and redeploys knights to the southeast border, we'll be caught in a pincer attack."

The room soon descended into a heated debate. In truth, these arguments had already been made many times behind closed doors.

Knock, knock, knock—

At that moment, a knock came at the door, followed by the voice of a servant requesting an audience.

"What is it?"

Upon hearing Kale's voice, the servant handed over a letter.

"News from our spy in Aspiration City."

Kale's eyes lit up. He took the letter and began reading. His brow furrowed at first, then relaxed, followed by a cold chuckle.

"Your Highness, what is it?" the officials asked eagerly. Even the usually indifferent Sorcerer looked over.

"Aspiration City has granted its southeastern territory to a commoner named Aven."

"He's apparently an apothecary who created the antidote for the gray mist."

"So the city lord has named him the Border Earl of the southeast!"

Kale sneered. Border Earl? They were using a civilian apothecary to counter him?

"An antidote for the gray mist?" the Sorcerer's eyes narrowed.

He had some knowledge of the gray mist. He didn't expect someone could actually concoct a remedy.

In that case, this Aven had, in effect, ended the Abyssal War on his own. No wonder he had been given a noble title.

"Besides that, there's more good news."

"This newly appointed Earl has poor relations with the other nobles of Aspiration City."

"Even the knight captain's son—he once blatantly detained those nobles in Fruitvale Village."

Upon hearing this, the officials' eyes lit up.

"Your Highness, he's just a commoner apothecary. Even with a title, he can't have much military strength."

"If we plan to attack Aspiration City, this is the perfect opportunity. Defeat this earl, and the land is ours!"

A newly minted border earl with no noble backing—an ideal target.

Compared to fighting the knight order, this was much easier.

"Hmph, those cowardly nobles."

"I wouldn't be surprised if appointing that commoner was part of their plan to use us against one of their own."

"Being a Border Earl is no easy task!"

"Exactly. With Azelf's protection, those nobles have grown complacent."

"They don't realize we now have a way to deal with Azelf. Their arrogance will be their downfall!"

The officials continued exchanging ideas, their confidence growing.

If they could seize the southeastern territory, they would gain a critical foothold.

"Now, let's return to the matter of crossing the Black Forest."

"From what I understand, this Aven is currently based in Fruitvale Village."

"By entering the forest through the Black Coast, we can reach it quickly!"

Kale traced a path on the map. Fruitvale Village sat right on the edge of the Black Forest—an obvious target.

"In that case, I support the Black Coast route!"

"Agreed. If we capture the earl's base, the whole southeast corner will be ours!"

The officials exchanged glances and voiced their support. With aligned interests, they knew exactly what needed to be done.

(End of Chapter)