"It's finally over. I'll be taking Petilil now."

  At that moment, the sheriff standing beside Mr. Berlitz suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.

  Mr. Berlitz nodded silently without saying much. His Luxray gnced at its Trainer before stepping aside as well.

  "Chirp, chirp, chirp!"

  On the ground, the Starly let out a sharp cry upon hearing those words.

  No matter how much it struggled to rise, the searing pain and weakness coursing through its body prevented it from moving.

  Just as Starly colpsed to the ground again in another failed attempt, Petilil had already walked over to it from the distance.

  Petilil plucked a leaf from its own head, gently pcing it in front of Starly before reaching out to touch the injured Pokémon. Then, without hesitation, it turned and walked toward the sheriff.

  Starly became even more frantic, yet it was powerless, only able to watch as Petilil's figure gradually moved away.

  Petilil's expression remained calm. When it reached the boundary of the berry orchard, it hesitated for a brief moment before taking a determined step forward, crossing the threshold.

  For a split second, Samuel saw a look of relief and liberation on Petilil's face.

  "Come with me."

  The sheriff held up an iron cage, signaling for Petilil to enter.

  Mr. Berlitz remained expressionless throughout, silently watching as the sheriff locked Petilil inside and took it away.

  Samuel stood quietly, observing everything. He watched as Petilil pced its hands on the iron bars, taking in its surroundings as if trying to etch the scene into its memory.

  Only when the sheriff had left did Samuel finally step beside Mr. Berlitz and ask, "Mr. Berlitz, what exactly happened?"

  "It's nothing." Mr. Berlitz remained silent for a moment before sighing heavily, his expression burdened. "Baron Reiser has fallen unconscious for some unknown reason and has yet to wake up."

  Samuel froze upon hearing this. His first thought was of healing potions, but both Mr. Berlitz and Starly's reactions seemed… off.

  Wait a second… could it be—?

  Just as the realization dawned on Samuel, Mr. Berlitz continued:

  "The healing potions have had no effect on Baron Reiser's condition."

  "So, they intend to use Petilil to create a potent remedy. There are rumors that a potion made from Petilil can cure any injury or illness."

  As Mr. Berlitz's words fell, an eerie silence enveloped the entire farm.

  Samuel's eyes widened, and an overwhelming sense of absurdity flooded his mind. Using Petilil to create a healing potion?!

  At that moment, it felt as though his perception of reality had shattered. Two conflicting worldviews cshed in his mind, culminating in a deafening explosion within his thoughts.

  "No, I have to stop this!"

  A single thought echoed relentlessly in Samuel's head.

  His once-dazed eyes regained focus as he gnced at the now-dim sky.

  In the next instant, he bolted forward, dashing out of the orchard, through the slums, and toward the castle district.

  ...

  Castle District – Baron Reiser's Residence.

  Inside the grand hall, Sir Beryl, Baron Reiser's son, paced back and forth in frustration.

  They had already summoned the most renowned apothecaries from Ambition City, yet none had discovered a way to awaken his father.

  Just then, a sharp bird cry pierced the air. The sheriff descended from the sky atop a majestic Staraptor.

  Staraptor, the final evolution of Starly, stood as tall as a human when upright, capable of carrying people effortlessly through the skies.

  Sir Beryl immediately stepped forward. Upon seeing the iron cage in the sheriff's hands, containing Petilil, he let out a sigh of relief.

  "Hill, take it to the apothecaries immediately."

  "They've already begun preparing the enhanced remedy. The only ingredient missing is a Petilil."

  Sheriff Hill nodded at Sir Beryl's words and swiftly carried the iron cage toward the manor's apothecary chamber.

  ...

  Meanwhile, Mira continued listening to her chief knight's report on Baron Reiser's condition.

  Hearing that the baron had yet to wake, she furrowed her brows, resting two fingers against her chin as she wracked her mind for a possible solution.

  Baron Reiser wasn't just the financial officer of Ambition City—he had watched over her since childhood. As the city's ruler, he was one of her strongest supporters, and they shared a close bond.

  Now, knowing that he was in critical condition, she felt a deep sense of unease. She had already summoned every skilled apothecary in the city to aid him.

  "Your Highness, there's no need to worry. Hill has already retrieved a Petilil."

  "A potion crafted from Petilil is said to cure all wounds and ailments."

  Kevin, her chief knight, continued reassuringly. He knew his ruler appeared strong on the outside, but inside, she was more fragile than she let on.

  Using Petilil… Mira parted her lips slightly, hesitation flickering in her eyes. But when she thought of Uncle Reiser's condition, she pursed her lips and fell silent.

  Just then, a knight entered in haste, whispering something into Kevin's ear.

  Kevin nodded slightly. After the knight left, he turned to Mira and said, "Your Highness, a man ciming to be an apothecary has arrived. He insists he can wake the baron."

  "An apothecary?"

  "Then bring him in at once!"

  Mira urged immediately.

  Before long, the so-called apothecary was brought before her.

  He wore simple yet clean linen clothes, his feet cd in worn, backless shoes—a clear sign that he was from the slums.

  Is he a fraud…? Mira wondered internally, before speaking in a stern voice, "You cim to be an apothecary?"

  Samuel, meanwhile, was also sizing up the benevolent ruler before him. With silver hair cascading down her shoulders, she looked young, yet her solemn demeanor suggested wisdom beyond her years.

  Hearing her question, he answered without hesitation, "That's right. I am an apothecary."

  Internally, he added: Well… technically. I only studied the basics for emergencies during my travels. But that still counts, right?

  Fine, even if he seems unreliable, let's have him take a look first… Mira thought. The baron's estate was already filled with Ambition City's best apothecaries. If he was a fraud, they would recognize it instantly.

  "Very well. You will go now…" Mira paused for a moment, then added, "Wait. I'll go with you."

  Not long after, a carriage drawn by a Rhyhorn left the castle. Kevin sat silently atop Rhyhorn's back, occasionally gncing at the carriage with mild exasperation.

  Inside the carriage, Mira sat at the main seat while Samuel took a lower position. Both remained quiet.

  She seems easy to get along with… Samuel found himself surprised that he was allowed to ride in the same carriage as the city's ruler. Given his attire, his status was obvious, yet this ruler made no issue of it. His opinion of her improved slightly.

  His gaze then shifted to the Pokémon sitting beside Mira—a Prinplup.

  Prinplup, the evolved form of Piplup and one of Sinnoh's starter Pokémon, had a sleek, light-blue body with deep blue feathers adorning its wings.

  At that moment, the Pokémon crossed its flippers, a proud expression on its face. Strapped to its back was a Monster Restraint device, resembling a small backpack—a strangely adorable contrast to its haughty demeanor.

  -----

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