Manor Lord of the Elf World

Chapter 248 Peaceful Evolution
The snowstorm in Galar stopped quietly the moment the peace agreement was reached.

The blade of Parthia IV's sword, still gleaming with a lingering cold light, was sheathed, yet the air in the square was no longer tense.

Raven stood in the center of the water stains left by the melting ice crystals, the frost on his robes slowly dissipating with each breath, his expression calm.

Having reached a preliminary "cooperation" agreement with the Galatian royal family, the next step is to discuss the specifics.

Patis IV accompanied the King of the Commonwealth to the council chamber of the castle.

The minister brought out a map of Galar and placed it in front of Raven.

Raven's gaze swept across the map, finally settling on a small town in the southwest near the sea.

“I think the best location for the treaty port is Weimei City,” Raven broke the silence, tapping his fingertip on the sheepskin map he carried with him.

Although it was called a trade coast, it was actually more like a "concession".

The city of Misty is located on the west coast of Galar and can be used as a vital transportation hub connecting the United States and Galar.

This place has a former fishing port, is backed by the Misty Forest where Cangxiang and Zamrante live, and is located to the south of the Crown Snowfield, the territory of the Crown King. Its geographical location is very advantageous.

More importantly, they can use this place to search for the legendary Pokémon of the Galar region.

Patis IV followed Raven's finger and looked in the direction he was pointing. He was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

The city of Weimei is located in a remote and isolated area, and the royal family has always neglected its management. Handing it over to the United States is the safest option at present, as it will not harm Galar's core interests and can also relieve the pressure of years of accumulated grain reserves.

"The jurisdiction over Weimei City will last for five years," Patis IV added, his tone still retaining the dignity of royalty. "After five years, we will need to discuss subsequent matters based on the results of trade between the two sides."

“Deal.” Raven readily agreed, his gaze sweeping over the shivering Steel Raven Legion and the frozen soldiers in the square. “As for casualties and losses, the United Federation will cover all medical expenses for the wounded, and the frozen warships and crew will be thawed and restored within three days.”

Upon hearing this, the wariness in Patis IV's eyes lessened somewhat.

He had thought Raven would take the opportunity to ask for an exorbitant price, but he didn't expect the other party to be so considerate of the overall situation.

Minister Galle had already prepared the documents, and Raven and Patis IV each put their hands on their signatures. The two seals, symbolizing the power of the two countries, fell heavily onto the parchment.

The two discussed some specific matters together, and at dinner time, Patis IV invited Raven to dine with him.

Raven readily accepted.

During the banquet, he inquired with great interest about the King of Galar.

"Has Your Excellency Partis ever heard of the name of the Lacecrown King?"

“The Lacecrown King?” Patis IV was slightly taken aback, then recalled some things and nodded, “It seems to be a magical beast. I have heard that it rides a white horse across the land, and some people of the Galar Kingdom have also received its favor.”

Unlike other magical beasts, the Calycerin King was quite friendly to humans and full of goodwill.

King Patis IV was somewhat surprised that even Raven, far away in Unova, had heard of this magical beast's name.

"Oh? Have you ever seen Him with your own eyes?" Raven's eyes lit up.

“No.” Patis IV shook his head. “As far as I know, that magical beast rarely comes to large cities where humans gather; it is mostly active around small villages.”

"I see..." Raven felt a little regretful, but this was also in line with the personality of the Queen of the Raven.

He thought for a moment, then asked, "What about Cangxiang and Zangmarante?"

"What is that? Is it also a magical beast?" Patis IV was very surprised.

“Yes, I’ve heard traveling bards mention their names, and I’ve heard they’re quite powerful magical beasts,” Raven said.

"I have not heard of it."

"Then, what about Mugentina?" Raven asked about something else that was more important.

As far as he knew, Ephemera arrived in the Galar region about 20000 years ago, accompanied by the fall of a meteorite.

Three thousand years before the formation of the modern Pokémon League, Eternatus awoke and attempted to sustain its life by absorbing Galar's energy, causing a red glow to appear.

This led to the Dark Night phenomenon, causing nearby Pokémon to enter Dynamax and Gigantamax states, becoming almost insane and nearly destroying the Galar region.

It wasn't until Zacian and Zamazent appeared and successfully drove away the Dark Night with the legendary sword and shield, saving the Galar region, that the legend of Galar was passed down.

"I don't know," Parthia IV said, looking bewildered.

Seeing this, Raven knew the answer: it seemed that the disaster had not yet occurred.

He didn't say much. After the banquet, Raven wrote a letter in the name of the king and ordered Dragonite to send it back to Raven City and hand it over to Elif.

He planned to travel to Silent Town the next day to await the arrival of the Unitarians.
*
Half a month later, at the port of Weimei City, the giant steamship of the Union slowly sailed into the harbor.

The ship's hull bore the emblem of the Unicron Kingdom—a Kyurem, its icy blue markings gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

The common people living in Weimei City had heard several days ago that they had been ceded to the United Kingdom as "reparations for defeat."

This city has now changed hands.

This filled these civilians with immense fear. Countless people couldn't help but imagine how the enemy's army would treat them—would they all be enslaved, or would they be conscripted as laborers?
Therefore, when the United States' steamships entered the port, the people of Galar spontaneously gathered and watched from a distance, their eyes filled with vigilance.

The crowd remained silent. These commoners, dressed in coarse linen clothes, with rough skin and thin builds, were typical of the lower class.

This scene reminded Raven of when he had just transmigrated.

"Your Majesty Raven, I am Chelsea, the general of Flying Cloud City. I have come here specifically to report to you after receiving my appointment!"

At this moment, a tall male general walked up to Raven and saluted.

Raven nodded, then asked, "Did you bring everything?"

Chelsea nodded: "Everything you ordered has been prepared, Your Majesty. Everyone is very excited about the opportunity to go to other continents and open up new territories. Many people have come on their own initiative!"

Raven: "..."

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Let's begin!"

"Yes!"

At Chelsea's command, the giant steamships docked in the harbor began to move.

Countless artisans, farmers, soldiers, and Pokémon disembarked from the ship, their eyes filled with excitement as they looked at this unfamiliar land.

More and more Galar citizens approached the port, watching the artisans of the Union build the trading post and watching one magical beast after another obediently help carry the goods.

Jigglypuff hummed a song to soothe everyone's fatigue, strong men carried goods from the ship to the dock, and even the originally ferocious Gyarados calmly dredged the harbor's waters under their command.

This scene left Galar, who lived in the city, completely dumbfounded.

What exactly is going on with these people?

The initial commotion in the crowd subsided into low gasps of surprise the moment everyone landed.

The people of Galar, who had been huddled behind the dock railing, trembling with fear, almost instinctively took a half-step forward. They had been mentally prepared for the burning, killing, and looting, but the scene before them was completely different from the "enemy country" they had imagined.

The soldiers of the Union stood in neat formation, their steps steady, their swords sheathed, and not one of them dared to touch the people's property.

Instead, they were methodically moving wooden crates—made of sturdy paulownia wood and marked with wheat ears and gears, clearly intended for carrying supplies and tools.

What shocked the people even more were the Pokémon. A burly Machamp was steadily carrying an entire ship of steel components with its strong body, each step precise and light, as if afraid of damaging the stone slabs of the dock.

The digging rabbit rolled slowly on the ground, and wherever it rolled, the originally uneven dirt road was instantly flattened and compacted.

A gentle-looking doll stands nearby, preparing clean water and food to quench people's thirst.

"This...this is a magical beast?" an old fisherman asked tremulously, his fishing net nearly slipping from his grasp.

In his mind, magical beasts were all ferocious and bloodthirsty monsters that he would avoid at all costs. But these magical beasts in front of him were clearly working for humans!

Raven stood on the makeshift platform, his black royal robes fluttering in the sea breeze.

Instead of immediately asserting his dominance, he gestured for Chelsea to open the first wooden crate.

The box contained not swords and weapons, but neatly arranged high-quality wheat seeds.

"Gentlemen."

Raven's voice wasn't loud, but it had a strange penetrating power, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"From this day forward, Weimei City will be under the jurisdiction of the United States. But you need not worry, we, the United States, are a peace-loving nation and will never harm you."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed to the boundless wilderness behind him:

"This place was originally a barren fishing port, and I'm sure you all had trouble even getting enough to eat. In the next month, the United Federation will bring seeds and farming tools and mobilize all able-bodied people to cultivate thousands of acres of fertile land on this wasteland."

"All the people of Galilee who voluntarily participate in the reclamation will be allocated land according to the size of their families after the reclamation is completed. From now on, each of you will be able to own your own land!"

"Furthermore, we will abolish the poll tax and grain tax imposed on commoners under the old Galerian system, and only levy a 10% commercial tax on merchants in Weimei City. People who voluntarily participate in reclaiming wasteland will be completely exempt from taxes for three years, and all the grain they grow will belong to them. Only 10% will be set aside as a public reserve for urban construction."

Upon hearing this, the faces of the civilians were filled with a stunned and incredulous expression.

Under the old system of the Galatian royal family, after a year of hard work, most of their harvest had to be handed over to the royal family, and they were lucky if they could fill their stomachs.

Where have you ever seen such a good deal where you "pay to win"?

"Excuse me, is this true?" a civilian asked in a trembling voice.

“Of course.” Raven nodded with a smile.

A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd, and the initial wariness and fear were completely dispelled by the desire to survive.

“Your Majesty! I am willing! I have three children at home, and I want to farm!” A burly man with a full beard broke through the fence and ran to Chelsea to register.

"I'll go too! I'm a carpenter, I can build houses!"

"I'm a fisherman, I know how to swim, and I can help repair the dock!"

People flocked to the scene, and their initial skepticism instantly transformed into enthusiastic participation.

The officials of the Union quickly established household registers and labor rosters, and the entire city of Misty was plunged into an unprecedented period of busyness and bustle.

Raven stood on high ground, watching this scene, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The will of the people may seem intangible, but it is more solid than any steel defense.

After some time, when the other civilians in the Galar region learn about the changes in Weimei City, will they not be tempted?
Farmers are the most simple and honest people. Their only wish is to fill their stomachs. They will recognize whoever can fill their stomachs.

Just like the Yellow Turban Rebellion recorded in history.

At that time, with the overwhelming support of public opinion, even if they do not want to rule Galar, the people living on this land will voluntarily push them onto the throne.

Raven called the plan "peaceful evolution".

That evening, the first "abundant communal meal" in Weimei City was served over a bonfire at the port.

The chefs from the Union Empire brought out ingredients transported from the Union Empire and cooked a pot of fragrant, rich soup.

When the first bowl of soup was handed to the burly man who had signed up the earliest, he trembled as he took a sip. The scalding soup slid down his throat, warming him to tears.

He knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily in the direction of the city lord's mansion.

This kneeling acted as if toppling dominoes, drawing more and more people to gather around, picking up the bowl of hot soup, their eyes sparkling with a long-lost light.

Raven stood on the high platform, looking at the harmonious scene before him, and touched the head of the Serpent Lord.

He knew this was just the beginning.

With anticipation for a new life, the common people of Weimei City welcomed their second day.

Early that morning, messengers from the Union were announcing His Majesty Raven's new policies to the common people in the city square.

Forced labor was abolished, and all people who participated in urban construction, port dredging, and forest restoration received their full amount of food and wages every day.

The cooks of the Union set up large pots at the port and cooked fragrant wheat porridge and dried meat, enough to fill you up.

The healthcare system has been improved, with trainers and doctors from United States providing medical care to the civilians living in the city.

All civilians can request healing Pokémon such as Chansey, Jigglypuff, and Bellossom to heal them for free, without paying any price.

As dawn broke through the thin mist on the western coast of Galar, the square of the city of Misty was already packed with people.

The messenger of the United States stood on a makeshift wooden platform, holding a scroll of government decrees, his voice booming throughout every corner.

Around the square, several Chansey eggs stood gently under the shade of the trees.

"Article 3 of the new policy: The Pokémon Mutual Aid System is officially in effect!" The messenger raised his voice and gestured for Chansey to step forward. "From this day forward, all civilians in the city can seek help from Chansey, Jigglypuff, Bellossom, and other healing Pokémon free of charge. Whether injured, sick, or exhausted, they can receive treatment!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion immediately broke out in the crowd.

An old woman clutching her stomach walked shakily to Chansey and tentatively reached out her hand.

Chansey immediately stepped forward, gently extended her hand, and released a burst of pink energy towards her.

A surge of warm energy instantly flowed into the old woman's body, and her originally hunched back straightened slightly.

"Amazing, wonderful..." The old woman was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes, and she repeatedly bowed to Chansey, saying, "Thank you, thank you so much, sir!"

This scene completely put aside the last concerns of the surrounding people.

The smoke from the chimneys of Weimei City rises gently in the sea breeze, intertwining with the golden waves of wheat to create a brand new picture of coexistence between humans and Pokémon.

(End of this chapter)