The Burning Carriage

"Ironclad Rhinoceros, will you come with me?"

Sensing the Ironclad Rhinoceros's joy, Aiven followed up with an invitation.

Upon hearing Aiven's words, the Ironclad Rhinoceros clearly froze. It instinctively looked towards Phyllis, its body trembling almost imperceptibly.

From the Ironclad Rhinoceros's eyes, Aiven saw fear, a fear that came from the depths of its heart...

Watching this scene, he fell silent for a moment. It seemed the Ironclad Rhinoceros had suffered considerable harm during its taming process, causing it to instinctively choose obedience to its master.

There were many ways Magical Beasts could obey their masters: through recognition, through awe, or, of course, through fear.

Through Beast Gear, this obedience would be amplified infinitely in the Magical Beast's mind, forming a spiritual imprint and thus achieving control over the Magical Beast.

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

The spiritual connection between a Trainer and a Pokémon was truly magical. Pokémon could even use their close relationship with their Trainer to unleash moves or achieve evolution!!

"Phyllis, give me the keys."

Aiven turned his head, looking at Phyllis with a serious expression.

"O-okay."

Phyllis was taken aback and handed over the two keys strung together in her hand.

One of these keys was for a normal brass lock.

The other was the same color as the Beast Gear, entirely black. This was the key to the Beast Gear.

Aiven took the two keys and walked to the Ironclad Rhinoceros's side, inserting the brass key into the collar around its neck.

With a turn of the key, the collar opened. Aiven directly threw it onto the ground, where it clattered against the stone, making a loud noise.

After unlocking the collar, Aiven began to remove the other weights from the Ironclad Rhinoceros's body. Ropes were continuously unfastened from it.

The Petilil rarely saw its Trainer wear such a serious expression. It also remained silent, quietly helping Aiven remove the ropes.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros stared blankly at Aiven, feeling the increasing lightness on its body. Its large eyes were already glistening with tears.

"Alright, Ironclad Rhinoceros, you are free."

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

Hearing Aiven's words, the Ironclad Rhinoceros turned around and looked at Aiven intently.

Meanwhile, the Petilil, hearing these somewhat familiar words, had a gentle expression in its round, big eyes.

It hopped onto the Ironclad Rhinoceros's head and began to communicate with it in the language of Pokémon, sharing its past and present.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros listened attentively to the Petilil's story, its eyes also showing a longing for freedom... this was the freedom it also desired.

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

Suddenly, Phyllis's urgent voice rang out, drawing the attention of the two communicating Pokémon.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros turned its head and saw a pillar of fire rising into the sky.

Burning was the carriage it had always carried. Now, it was slowly turning to ash in the flames...

At that moment, the Ironclad Rhinoceros was completely stunned. It stared blankly at the burning carriage and at Aiven, who stood before it, silhouetted by the flames.

I... am free...

The Ironclad Rhinoceros repeated this in its heart, its eyes completely filled with tears.

In that instant, Phyllis felt something stir within her. She opened her mouth but ultimately remained silent.

"Ironclad Rhinoceros, let's go."

Patting the Ironclad Rhinoceros's back, Aiven held the Petilil in his arms and walked outside.

This time, the Ironclad Rhinoceros followed without hesitation. Its steps were firm; anything that stood in its way now would be kicked aside without mercy!

Phyllis's face now held more helplessness. She said nothing more and followed them out of the courtyard where the Magical Beasts were kept.

After leading the Ironclad Rhinoceros out of the Magical Beast courtyard, Aiven did not immediately leave the Viscount's estate but headed towards Sir Enzo's room.

"Thank you for your trouble, Apothecary Aiven."

Sir Enzo, dragging his tired body, walked out of the room. He glanced at the Ironclad Rhinoceros in the courtyard and said with a warm smile.

"Let me check on the Luxray's condition." Aiven looked at the enthusiastic Sir Enzo with some surprise and entered the house.

Seeing Aiven go inside, Sir Enzo immediately walked to his sister's side and whispered, "Sister, when can we let him see Father?"

Glancing at her eager brother, Phyllis directly shook her head, reminding him, "It's not time yet. No matter what, we need to wait a while."

Hearing his sister's words, Sir Enzo nodded dejectedly, indicating he understood.

Inside the room, Aiven examined the Luxray's body. He nodded to the brother and sister who entered the room, indicating there were no problems.

Although his friend Apothecary Haren had already examined it, hearing Aiven say the same thing finally put Sir Enzo's mind at ease.

"Mr. Aiven, we'll go to the Magistrate's Court now to complete the handover procedures."

Phyllis spoke. After Viscount Daly fell ill, as the eldest daughter of the family, she had taken over many family affairs, including the management of Magical Beasts.

Aiven glanced at the purple-haired woman before him and nodded. "Then I'll trouble you with this, Miss Phyllis."

Magistrate's Court.

With Phyllis's cooperation, the handover procedures were completed smoothly.

"Aiven, I'm truly sorry about the Petilil."

After everything was successfully concluded, Phyllis apologized sincerely to Aiven before leaving.

They hadn't explicitly discussed it before, but Phyllis's actions this time served to put the matter to rest.

Facing such a candid purple-haired beauty, Aiven didn't know what else to say and waved his hand, indicating he wasn't bothered by it.

An Ironclad Rhinoceros and Beast Gear were enough to cover his losses.

"Enzo was also doing it for his father, please don't blame him," Phyllis said with a sigh of relief.

Is she asking me to heal his father... Aiven's heart stirred, but his face remained expressionless. He could choose to forgive, but he would never choose to offer help proactively.

Phyllis observed Aiven's reaction after speaking. Seeing that he said nothing, she felt a slight sense of disappointment.

"Then I'll be going now. Please take good care of the Ironclad Rhinoceros."

Lifting the hem of her purple skirt, Phyllis curtsied and, with her attendant, headed towards the Viscount's manor, her figure slowly disappearing around the corner.

A clever woman... Aiven's lips curved slightly. In some time, this purple-haired lady would surely seek him out again, though he wondered what conditions she would offer.