Was the Ancient Almia King not a ruler of extraordinary vision and ability?
Under his rule, the Almia Kingdom had reached the height of its power, dominating everything in the Almia Region, while the Royal Family's overwhelming strength kept the entire nation in submission.
If a king's worth lay in expanding his realm and bringing it prosperity, then he was indeed a True King of extraordinary vision and ability.
Yet human power always had its limits, even for someone as wise and resourceful as the Ancient Almia King.
Not one of his descendants satisfied him.
The Eldest Prince was kind and honest. Just like the Lucario who never left his side, he treated others well and held himself to standards of loyalty and discipline—a paragon of generosity.
To sum him up in a single phrase, he was a king suited to preserving what he inherited.
Yet in the Ancient Almia King's eyes, the Almia Kingdom was like oil boiling over a raging fire, an arrow already drawn on the bowstring. It had no choice but to act.
Human desire was endless, so the stronger the Almia Kingdom became, the more it needed to expand outward. Otherwise, the blades of its own armies would sooner or later turn back upon it.
Thus, the Ancient Almia King banished the Eldest Prince, whose loyalty was as blind as Lucario's.
The Second Prince was foolish and reckless. Like his Heatran, he was nothing but a brute, possessing strength without wisdom. Naturally, he was neither a suitable choice nor easy to support.
Unless the Ancient Almia King was willing to slaughter every exceptionally intelligent subject to clear the way for this foolish king.
But doing so would have been the height of stupidity.
As for the Third Prince, he was far too naive...
Only when