Manor Lord of the Elf World

Chapter 199 Plans for Next Year

After the owner of the dojo was chosen, the next step was to select a location for the dojo.

The Unova region has many cities, ranging from bustling metropolises like Flying Cloud City with a large population to smaller, remote villages like Kagome Town.

When choosing a location for a dojo, one should not only consider the size and scale of the city, but also its geographical location and suitability.

Eriff laid a map of the Kingdom of Eindooc on a long wooden table. The map clearly depicted the various towns in the Unova region.

"Your Majesty, these are all the towns in the kingdom. Apart from some small villages scattered in the wilderness, the other major towns have been marked for you."

“I see.” Raven nodded slightly, his gaze slowly sweeping over the various towns.

Flying Cloud City, Black City, Twin Dragons City, Seven Treasures City...

Raven began to ponder what route he would devise that would be more convenient if he were a trainer from Deer Town.

Or perhaps he is a trainer from Kagome Town; which direction should he choose to come from?

"Yes, the locations of the gyms should not be too concentrated. They should be evenly distributed in the north and south, surrounding the entire kingdom. This way, it will be more convenient for trainers. If a reasonable route is planned, they can avoid taking some detours."

With that thought in mind, Raven had already made his decision.

The Water-type Gym in Suicune City, the Normal-type Gym in Septian City, the Rock-type Gym in Shippo City...

Raven used a quill to mark the various towns and the names of the eight gym leaders to be chosen.

everything's ready.

Raven handed the map to Elif and said to him, "Notify the trainer associations in these areas and tell them to prepare gyms as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Elif hurriedly left.

Then, Raven had Christina from the Royal Newspaper summoned over.

The promotional work has been underway in various places for some time now, and the people of the kingdom have gained some understanding of the existence of Pokémon and Trainers.

They may not be ready to live with Pokémon yet, but given enough time, Raven believes they will definitely feel the power of Pokémon.

“Christina, I need you to start a column in newspapers distributed around the world to promote our upcoming plans,” Raven said in a deep voice.

"Huh?!" Christina exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty, what should I do?"

Raven: "Starting next year, the royal capital Raven City will hold a national Pokémon battle extravaganza at the end of each year. The strongest person to win will become the kingdom's champion, and I will personally present him with the honor."

Upon hearing this, Christina opened her mouth, and she quickly understood Raven's intention.

His Majesty Raven personally bestowed the championship award, which for those trainers was not just an honor, but also a way to gain fame, wealth, and even status!

At that time, countless people with dreams will surely come here.

“But Your Majesty…” Christina opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but didn’t know how to begin.

Raven understood what she meant and said with a smile, "Don't worry, this is just a very direct way to promote the product."

Here, there are no class distinctions or social status. As long as you are strong enough, even a slave who once had nothing can rise to the top.

In time, becoming a trainer will inevitably become something that people living on this land will pursue.

This will also accelerate the integration of humans and Pokémon.

“Yes, Your Majesty Raven!” Christina replied.

Raven smiled and continued, "In addition, next spring, when the snow melts, boys who are fifteen years old or older can go to the nearest Trainer Association to register as trainers and receive their starter Pokémon partner and Poké Ball."

"Gyms in various locations will also officially open for business at that time. Trainers can choose a gym, and when they defeat the gym leader, they can obtain a gym badge. Only trainers who collect all eight badges will be eligible to participate in the final battle event."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Christina kept these words in mind.

The moment she left the castle and returned to the newspaper office, she truthfully wrote down what His Majesty Raven had just said and printed it in the next issue of the newspaper.

The Royal Workshop's printing plant worked through the night to print the newspapers, and by the next morning, they were being transported throughout the kingdom by Pokémon flying taxis.

Feiyun City, Feiyun Tavern.

Long ago, men would gather here every day, drinking barley beer and chatting and bragging.

Since the war ended and the kingdom was unified, a new activity has been added to the tavern every day.

—Reading the newspaper.

The tavern owner would buy the latest issue of the newspaper every day and read its contents to the customers.

Many of the patrons at the tavern were illiterate and had never been to school. Even if they had money to buy newspapers, they couldn't understand the contents because they couldn't read.

So these customers simply came to the tavern at a fixed time every day, ordered a beer, and listened to someone read the news from the newspaper to them.

Just like today.

The tavern owner had bought the latest newspaper early in the morning, and seeing that most of the guests had arrived, he asked one of his literate waiters to read the newspaper to them.

The waiter was a young-looking boy, thin in build, but with very bright eyes, especially when he saw the contents of the newspaper, his eyes gleamed with an unusual light.

This is……!
"Derek, what are you daydreaming about? Everyone's waiting for you!" a bearded guest urged.

"Oh, yes, I understand!"

As usual, Derek began reading the news articles in the newspaper.

"Not long ago, the legendary Pokémon Landorus, Tornado, and Thundurus, which bring bountiful harvests to the land, officially set off from the kingdom. They will travel throughout the kingdom in the coming days, bestowing power upon the land, making the soil fertile, and ensuring a bountiful harvest!"

"A legendary Pokémon? Landorus? That sounds amazing!"

"It's unbelievable that these magical beasts possess such power." Some people still prefer the previous name to Pokémon.

"Doesn't this mean that those fields will have a bumper harvest next year?"

"Hehe, this is great! At least I don't have to worry about going hungry anymore!"

"Our new king is truly amazing! He can even command such magical beasts!"

The patrons in the tavern were engaged in a lively discussion. Only after everyone had finished talking did Derek continue reading the following content.

Some of these are everyday trivia, such as a Pokémon encountering a human, and how their power brings help to the human.

For example, a chef encounters a Tepig in the wild. Tepig is a Pokémon that can breathe fire. With Tepig around, the chef no longer needs to start a fire when cooking, as Tepig uses its flames to help with the cooking every day.

Although these are very ordinary things, people still listen with great interest.

Some people even started imagining what it would be like to have a teddy pig.

"Hey, Derek, keep going!" a customer called out.

Derek nodded, his gaze falling on a newly appeared column in the newspaper. As he read the contents, a surge of excitement welled up within him.

"Starting next year, Raven City will hold a nationwide Pokémon battle extravaganza at the end of the year in November. The strongest winner will become the Kingdom's Champion, and His Majesty Raven will personally bestow the honor upon him!"

"Champion, the strongest person in the Kingdom of Eindooc. No matter what your previous identity was, no matter what kind of person you are, as long as you can achieve the final victory, you will enjoy the highest honor below the king. Of course, becoming a champion is not just about strength, but also requires you to have a heart that truly loves Pokémon and wants to become stronger together with them!"

Derek read the contents of the newspaper aloud with great excitement.

After hearing this, all the guests in the tavern couldn't help but widen their eyes.

"What? The champion?"

"That sounds pretty impressive!"

"Are they the Pokémon and Trainers that the messenger promoted before?"

"Damn it, if I become the champion, doesn't that mean I'll be the number one person under His Majesty?"

Status, honor, fame and fortune...

Everyone's eyes were hot.

Nowadays, the social hierarchy in the Kingdom of Eindooc is almost solidified. Although His Majesty Raven abolished slavery, these commoners and ordinary people are still fundamentally different from those nobles.

If... if they could win this championship and receive the honor personally bestowed by His Majesty Raven, wouldn't that mean they would be even more powerful than those nobles?

At this moment, people's hearts began to stir with excitement.

"Derrick, how can I participate in this competition?" a guest couldn't help but ask.

Derek replied, "The newspaper says that to participate in the competition, you have to become a trainer first."

"Trainer?" The man was taken aback. He remembered what the messenger had said during the promotion.

A Pokémon trainer is someone who trains Pokémon, grows stronger alongside them, and lives with them.

"Does that mean we have to catch a Pokémon first if we want to participate in that competition?" someone else asked.

“No… that’s not enough.” Derek shook his head and explained, “We need to collect eight more gym badges. These gyms are located in major cities throughout the kingdom. Trainers need to go there and defeat the gym leaders to obtain the badges from them.”

"Only by collecting all eight badges can one qualify to participate in that grand battle event."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened immediately.

"That sounds way too difficult!"

They are all workers and laborers who have to work to earn money to support their families. They don't have time to run around, and they can't beat wild Pokémon, let alone catch them.

Seeing this, Derek smiled and said, "The newspaper also said that next spring, in March, people aged 15 to under 20 can go to the nearest Trainer Association to register as Trainers and receive their starter Pokémon partner there."

"Not only that, the association will also give trainers six Poké Balls and a map for free. Moreover, with trainer status, you can enjoy all the services of the Pokémon Center for free when you're out!"

"What?" Someone's eyes widened. There's an age limit?
Does that mean they have no chance at all?

But a glint still appeared in the eyes of some, and their tone sounded quite excited.

"My brat will be fifteen next year! I'm making him go to the Pokémon Trainer Association next March to get a free Pokémon!"

Although he is too old to be a champion, his child might be!

What if? What if his brat becomes the champion? Wouldn't their whole family be set for life?

They can't miss out on something this good!
Derek was also very interested in it.

He is sixteen years old and attends the Pokémon School in Flying Cloud City. However, due to his family's poverty, he can only work part-time for his family to earn money to support them.

If... if he could be like those big shots, receive his own starter Pokémon, and become a trainer, wouldn't he be able to earn more money?
only……

Derek looked at the following words and reminded everyone, "Please don't get excited, there's one more thing to say."

"what?"

Everyone looked over.

"The newspaper says that traveling in the wild is not safe. There are many places outside the town that humans have never set foot in, and there may be countless powerful and dangerous Pokémon living there."

"Even your Pokémon might not be able to protect you from them. Before you go out, please make sure you are well prepared and determined. At the same time, you should train your Pokémon partners to make them stronger. Only in this way can you protect yourselves."

Upon hearing these words, the excited crowd quickly calmed down.

As the newspaper reported, although some Pokémon have begun to live with humans, countless dangerous wild Pokémon still exist in the wild.

They attack humans, and the chances of dying at their hands are not zero.

"Well, it seems safer to stay in the city," someone sighed. At least that way they wouldn't lose their lives.

Most of the patrons in the tavern were middle-aged men in their thirties who had lived in the city for almost half their lives and were used to this stable life, so they were almost unwilling to change.

Even though some people were tempted, they gave up the idea after weighing the pros and cons.

Unlike the others, Derek secretly made up his mind.

He must work hard to become a trainer, earn more money, and give his mother a better life!
"Hey, Derek, you're not thinking of becoming a trainer, are you?" a customer asked curiously.

Derek remained noncommittal: "As long as you prepare before you go out and take the main roads instead of side roads, you probably won't encounter too much danger."

Moreover, he will definitely give his Pokémon partners a thorough training session before venturing out, ensuring they have a certain level of self-defense capabilities.

(End of this chapter)