The Burning Carriage

"Would you like to come with me, Ironclad Rhinoceros?"

Feeling the joy in Ironclad Rhinoceros's heart, Aiven took the opportunity to invite it.

Hearing Aiven's words, Ironclad Rhinoceros visibly froze and instinctively looked at Phyllis. Its body trembled almost imperceptibly.

In Ironclad Rhinoceros's eyes, Aiven saw fear—the kind of fear that came from deep within...

Watching this, he fell silent. It seemed Ironclad Rhinoceros had suffered plenty of abuse while being tamed, making it instinctively choose to obey its master.

There were many ways for a Monster to obey its master. It could be through acceptance, awe, or, of course, fear.

Beast Gear endlessly magnified that obedience in a Monster's mind, imprinting it there and thus allowing the Monster to be controlled.

In fact, the reason modern Poké Balls could control Pokémon was based on the same principle.

The mental bond between a Trainer and a Pokémon was truly amazing. Pokémon could even use moves or evolve through their close relationship with their Trainer!!

"Phyllis, give me the keys."

Aiven turned around and looked at Phyllis with a serious expression.

"Y-yes..."

Phyllis froze for a moment, then handed him the two keys, which were strung together.

One of the keys was for a regular copper lock.

The other was pitch-black, the same color as the Beast Gear. It was the key to the Beast Gear.

Aiven took the two keys and went over to Ironclad Rhinoceros. He inserted the copper key into the collar around its neck.

The collar opened with a turn of the key. Aiven took it off and tossed it to the ground, where it struck the stone with a loud crash.

After opening the collar, Aiven began removing the other weights from Ironclad Rhinoceros. He kept unfastening the harnesses from its body.

Petilil had rarely seen its Trainer look so serious. It, too, stayed silent and quietly helped Aiven undo the harnesses.

Ironclad Rhinoceros stared at Aiven in a daze, feeling the growing lightness of its body. Its huge eyes had grown moist.

"All right, Ironclad Rhinoceros. You're free."

After removing all the weights from Ironclad Rhinoceros, Aiven closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, a smile had returned to his face.

At Aiven's words, Ironclad Rhinoceros turned around and looked at him intently.

Nearby, Petilil heard those familiar words, and warmth filled its round eyes.

It hopped onto Ironclad Rhinoceros's head and began speaking with it in Pokémon language, telling it about its past and present.

Ironclad Rhinoceros listened closely to Petilil's story. Its eyes, too, filled with longing. Freedom... It wanted that freedom as well.

"Aiven, what are you doing...?"

Phyllis suddenly cried out in alarm, drawing the attention of the two Pokémon talking together.

Ironclad Rhinoceros turned around and saw a towering blaze come into view.

The carriage it had carried for so long was burning. In the flames, it was slowly turning to ash...

At that moment, Ironclad Rhinoceros was completely stunned. It stared blankly at the burning carriage, then at Aiven standing in front of it, his figure illuminated by the flames.

I... am free...

Ironclad Rhinoceros repeated the words in its heart, its eyes completely brimming with tears.

In that instant, Phyllis felt something stir in her heart. She parted her lips, but in the end, remained silent.

"Ironclad Rhinoceros, let's go."

Aiven patted Ironclad Rhinoceros on the back, picked up Petilil, and headed outside.

This time, Ironclad Rhinoceros followed without the slightest hesitation. Its steps were firm. Anything that stood in its way would be kicked aside without a second thought!

Phyllis looked more helpless than anything else. She said nothing and followed them out of the courtyard where the Monsters were kept.

After leading Ironclad Rhinoceros out of the courtyard, Aiven didn't leave the Viscount's estate right away. Instead, he headed for Sir Enzo's room.

"Sorry for the trouble, Apothecary Aiven."

Sir Enzo emerged from his room, his body weary. He glanced at Ironclad Rhinoceros in the courtyard and smiled warmly.

"I'll check on Luxray's condition." Aiven glanced at the unusually warm Sir Enzo in surprise, then went inside.

As soon as Aiven had entered, Sir Enzo went to his sister's side and asked in a low voice, "Sister, when can we let him see Father?"

Phyllis looked at her impatient younger brother and shook her head. "It's not the right time yet. No matter what, we have to wait a while."

Hearing his sister's words, Sir Enzo lowered his head in disappointment and nodded to show that he understood.

Inside the room, Aiven examined Luxray's body. When the siblings came in, he nodded to let them know everything was fine.

His friend, Apothecary Haren, had already examined Luxray, but hearing Aiven say the same thing finally put Sir Enzo at ease.

"Mr. Aiven, let's go to the public security court now and complete the transfer."

Phyllis spoke up. After Viscount Daly fell ill, she had taken over many of the family's affairs as its eldest daughter, including the management of Monsters.

Aiven glanced at the purple-haired woman before him and nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you, Miss Phyllis."

At the public security court,

with Phyllis's cooperation, the transfer went smoothly.

"Aiven, I'm truly sorry about what happened with Petilil."

After everything had been taken care of, Phyllis gave Aiven a sincere apology before leaving.

They had never spoken openly about it before. Phyllis's actions this time put an end to the matter.

Faced with such an honest purple-haired beauty, Aiven didn't know what to say. He waved his hand to show that he didn't hold it against her.

One Ironclad Rhinoceros and a set of Beast Gear were enough to make up for his losses.

"Enzo only did it for his father. Please don't hold it against him." Phyllis let out a sigh of relief.

So she wanted me to treat her father... Aiven's thoughts stirred, but his expression didn't change. He could forgive them, but he would never take the initiative to offer help.

After speaking, Phyllis watched Aiven's reaction. When he said nothing, she felt a little disappointed.

"Then I'll be on my way. Please take good care of Ironclad Rhinoceros."

She lifted the hem of her purple skirt and curtsied, then left with her servants, heading back to the Viscount's estate. Her figure gradually disappeared around the corner.

A clever woman... Aiven's lips curled slightly. That purple-haired lady would surely come looking for him again after some time. He just didn't know what she would offer.