"Seventh Elder, you should know my character by now."
Feng Che's voice was calm, but a cold, sharp smile played on his lips. "When I make a move, there's a purpose behind every thread. Don't worry. Closing the Flowery Gardens is actually the most effective way to strip away the prejudices the people of Sinnoh have toward the Gardenia family."
The transition was swift. Within days, the League and the Temple opened their own official supply points in major cities, selling "affordable" berries. However, these sales ca with strict rationing and purchase limits.
The Grumbles of the Common Folk
"Did you hear? The Gardenias have completely cut off the supply of grain and dicine," an elderly woman sighed while waiting in a long line. "What if my Pokémon gets sick? The prices are swinging wildly every day."
"You've got it easy," another whispered. "The neighbor's Munchlax just evolved into a Snorlax. Poor kid cried himself to sleep—he can't afford to feed it anymore. The 'affordable' stock at the Temple runs out in an hour."
For years, Sinnoh's prices had been rock-solid. This sudden volatility left the lower-class citizens suffocating. The relief efforts from the Temple and League were re band-aids on a gaping wound.
Ironically, the public began to realize that the Gardenia family had actually been a "conscientious" rchant for decades. Of course, since the policy change was attributed to the "black-hearted" Yuan Xiong, his na beca the most cursed—and most famous—in the region.
"I heard the Gardenias are recruiting," a middle-aged man interrupted the group. "They've launched sothing called a 'rit Point' system. Anyone can sign up for tasks—finding lost items, escorting travelers, even basic labor."
"rit Points? What can you do with those?"
"Everything! You can trade them for grain, high-quality berries, or even a Turtwig, the family's signature starter. And the exchange rate? It makes the Temple's 'discounted' prices look like a highway robbery."
The news spread like wildfire. A simple task worth five rit Points could effectively buy a week's worth of premium supplies. Furthermore, the Flowery Gardens, now closed to the general public, were offered as a free dical service to anyone currently performing a Gardenia contract.
In an instant, the Gardenia recruitnt centers were swamped. By contrast, the prestige of the League and the Temple plumted. The Bertha (Kikuno) family, who had tried to gouge the market with their stockpiles, were branded as "profiteers," and their overall business revenue shrank by a staggering twenty percent.
The Old Fox's Rage
In the Bertha estate, the elderly Elite Four mber, Bertha, smashed her favorite porcelain teapot against a wall.
"A brilliant sche... the Gardenias played us all!"
She had been the "hunter" who waited for the "goose," only to have the goose peck out her eyes. Her biggest mistake had been exposing her stockpiles too early; now, the public saw her family as villains.
"Lady Bertha, representatives from the Temple and the League are here," a butler announced.
"Hmph. Are they here to laugh at ? I won't see them!"
"It's High Priest Red Star and Chairman Bordeaux himself, milady," the butler whispered.
Bertha let out a jagged breath. "Fine. Take them to the side parlor."
When she t them, her face was a mask of polite warmth. "Chairman, High Priest... to what do I owe the honor?"
"Lady Bertha, the reputation of the Temple and the League is being dragged through the mud by the Gardenias' rit system," Bordeaux said, his face grim. "The Pope suggests we form a three-way alliance to launch our own competing rit system."
"And what's in it for the Bertha clan?" she asked, sipping her tea slowly. "We are naturally at odds with the Temple. Why should I help you reclaim the Gardenias' territory?"
Old fox, Red Star cursed inwardly. He knew the Temple's word wasn't enough. "I have the authority to waive your family's tribute to the Temple for the next three years."
"I am rely a law-abiding citizen of Sinnoh," Bertha replied, unmoving.
"The League will also grant the Bertha family a three-year tax exemption," Bordeaux added, showing his hand.
Yet, Bertha remained stoic. "As I said, Chairman... I only wish to be a quiet, law-abiding citizen." She didn't give them an inch of face, waiting for a much bigger piece of the pie.
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