Chapter 695 - 692

To think Akari had defeated Irida in a single push…

Irida was not considered a particularly skilled battler within the Pearl Clan, and among the three leaders, she was basically the beginner boss. Even so, she had received guidance from the Lightning Swordsman and learned all kinds of battle techniques.

Unfortunately, she had been defeated before she could use any of them.

Akari had employed type advantages with effortless skill. Water and Ice were matched somewhat in Water’s favor, but the move Oshawott had just used was clearly…

A Fighting-type move!

After picking up Glaceon, Irida closed her eyes, her emotions a complicated mess.

Was this still beyond her abilities…?

As someone born and raised in Hisui, she would have to work even harder to understand and improve at Pokémon battles. There was still so much she needed to learn. Without the assistance of a noble Pokémon, she was unable to display truly formidable strength.

Now she understood Hikaru’s choice.

It was also Almighty Sinnoh’s choice.

Akari had been chosen instead of her. That was the reason.

“I see… You can command Pokémon in battle with such effortless precision. You’re exactly like Hikaru. You truly are someone entrusted with a mission, unlike the people who belong to this world and its space.”

“I’ve felt your conviction. Your heart reached me through Aura… Though in that regard, you and I are both still only apprentices.”

“You possess the power to quell the nobles and bring an end to the chaos consuming Hisui… I understand the fearlessness within your heart! That faint and insignificant power will be acknowledged from this moment onward. It will slowly grow, granting you greater abilities until you become stronger and stronger…!”

“With strength like yours, there will be no problem! During the journey ahead, I will become one of your claws!”

Among those watching, Adaman also wore a solemn expression.

“That was incredible! You defeated Irida with a single slash. I can hardly believe it!”

He had never seen that move before. Then he turned toward Kamado and discovered that even the Galarian commander appeared shaken.

“Commander, Galar’s stories speak of both humans and Pokémon who wield swords, don’t they?” Adaman asked.

“Could it possibly be…?” Kamado muttered.

The legendary heroes of his homeland had never appeared to save him. The so-called Children of Sword and Shield were nothing more than absurd fairy tales.

And yet, the slash he had just witnessed involuntarily reminded him of the stories he had heard as a child.

Adaman stepped forward, his expression dignified and solemn.

“Since you’ve shown us your conviction, it’s time to entrust you with something important. Hikaru told me that if I wanted the Diamond Clan to take its place on the stage as well, I would have to express my sincere desire for all of us to work together.”

With that, he handed the white flute to Akari.

“Is this the Celestica Flute?” Akari asked.

“So you already know what it is!”

“Mr. Hikaru said the Diamond Clan would give me a flute because Wyrdeer asked for it. He also said… you apparently can’t play it.”

“…You didn’t have to be quite so blunt.”

Irida covered her mouth and giggled.

“Hehe.”

Adaman stared at them in exasperation.

“Fine! I admit I have absolutely no talent for playing the flute. That’s how it is, so laugh all you want!”

“Even the honorable Wyrdeer thinks my playing is terrible. But perhaps it is precisely because I lack that talent that I must give this flute to the right person! That is my mission.”

“If Irida was guided to meet Hikaru because she could play the flute, then perhaps my inability to play has nothing to do with a lack of talent. Maybe this, too, was guided by Almighty Sinnoh’s flow of time!”

It sounded very much like a forced excuse. Even Kamado and Cyllene gave him peculiar looks.

“Almighty Sinnoh may truly exist, but isn’t that taking the blame-shifting a little too far…?”

“Playing an instrument should depend entirely on the individual’s talent,” Cyllene said. “Does it really have anything to do with a god…?”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Adaman hurriedly changed the subject and looked solemnly at Akari.

“The nobles have already acknowledged you. Sneasler is one thing, but Wyrdeer has also been waiting for the moment when you receive this flute!”

“With the exception of Sneasler, every other noble and Ride Pokémon may fall into a frenzy. Time waits for no one… We must now teach you something important: the melody played upon the Celestica Flute.”

“Though I suppose you’ve already learned it ahead of time. You’ve even met Wyrdeer! Once you summon and mount the honorable Wyrdeer, you can race across Hisui’s vast and ancient fields. In a mere instant, it can carry you to any place in the fieldlands!”

“With this power granted by Almighty Sinnoh, the people of the Diamond Clan can travel freely through the harsh wilderness, even when the land is in chaos!”

“But before any of that, we must calm Wyrdeer, whose power has run out of control. Come on! Our first destination is its arena at Deertrack Heights!”

“The storm is still raging!” Akari exclaimed. “Everything in the distance is so blurry that I can’t see anything. There’s also powerful energy everywhere. I can sense the Pokémon’s energy… No, I can feel their breathing.”

“Quelling the nobles in weather this severe will be rather difficult!” Professor Laventon said.

The number of frenzied Pokémon was different from established history.

In the original course of events, large numbers of Alpha Pokémon had gathered in places outside their natural habitats. The Diamond and Pearl Clans regarded this phenomenon as a gift from Almighty Sinnoh.

The Galaxy Team’s researchers called any phenomenon in which large numbers of Pokémon gathered a mass outbreak. When even Alpha Pokémon began appearing in succession, it became a massive mass outbreak.

Different people held different theories about the phenomenon’s cause.

Arezu believed the Pokémon were holding a “festival” in the storm. Melli thought they had gathered to praise all the hard work he had done.

Irida believed massive mass outbreaks were caused by Palkia altering space.

The name itself had been coined by Cyllene.

Professor Laventon theorized that residual energy from the space-time rift attracted the Pokémon and caused them to gather.

Adaman, meanwhile, believed these were trials bestowed by Dialga and Palkia, challenges issued by nature itself. Anyone confident enough could attempt them, after which he would provide enough crafting materials to make one hundred Sticky Globs.

Cogita’s explanation, based on the many legends she knew, was that the appearance of the space-time rift had drawn out Pokémon that ordinarily remained hidden. They had emerged to investigate what was happening.

In other words, her theory matched Professor Laventon’s and was nearly identical to Irida’s.

Space-time energy was responsible.

“If so many Alpha Pokémon gather in one place, even the nobles will struggle against them…!” Adaman said. “But if Mai feeds an Aguav Berry to her Munchlax, it can identify the species and locations of all the gathered Pokémon and Alphas. How does that work?!”

Near Deertrack Heights, Mai and Munchlax were already waiting on the far side of the bridge.

The storm had engulfed the highlands and was gradually spreading across the entire Obsidian Fieldlands. That meant the number of Pokémon and Alphas throughout the region was increasing at an unbelievable rate.

While everyone considered whether they should charge straight through, Munchlax suddenly reacted.

It stared at Hikaru’s backpack, apparently hoping to eat something. Once Hikaru handed it the precious Aguav Berry, Akari’s Arc Phone immediately responded!

Looking at Adaman’s baffled expression, Hikaru smiled and explained.

“Munchlax holds an important place in Hisui’s history. It is neither descended from a noble bloodline nor a Legendary Pokémon. However, in distant lands, it serves as the embodiment of rural folklore and a spiritual symbol of harmony between humanity and nature.”

“It appears wherever the wind blows…”

This was because Munchlax’s design had been inspired by both bear cubs and Totoro, two figures with special significance in real and fictional cultures.

The Ainu regarded bear cubs as children of the gods. They thanked the gods for descending in the form of bears and providing humanity with food and fur.

That was why some wardens and leaders of both the Diamond and Pearl Clans had bear-like Pokémon as their partners.

Munchlax was also one of the most difficult Pokémon to encounter in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. A Trainer first had to slather Honey onto a Honey Tree to attract one.

In Almia, another region introduced during the fourth generation, Munchlax was also one of the three possible first partner Pokémon. It appeared at Nabiki Beach, near Vientown.

The name of the nearby town came from the Spanish word for wind, which was also a word from Paldea’s language. It evoked both trade winds and things bending beneath the wind.

Munchlax also played an important role in the Sinnoh chapters of Pokémon Adventures. Not only was it an important partner of the Pokédex holder Diamond, but it also repeatedly helped Platinum defeat powerful enemies. Its fur could even store vast quantities of Berries, almost like a built-in four-dimensional pocket.

Furthermore, it had been hatched by Gold. It was also one of the rare Pokémon that had not inherited any of Gold’s bad habits.

“Munchlax is a messenger of nature,” Hikaru continued. “If it trusts someone, it will even share a bite of its food with them. It has a remarkably strong stomach and devotes itself completely to eating and drinking. It can happily devour even rotten food. It also has a habit of hiding food beneath its long, fluffy fur so it can carry it around.”

“The Aguav Berry is also extremely important. It grows small flowers and does not require sunlight to develop. In Hisui, it is considered a particularly rare fruit. When thrown, it attracts nearby Pokémon for a period of time. Striking a Pokémon with one makes that Pokémon more likely to notice humans. If a Pokémon dislikes bitter flavors, eating one will tire and confuse it.”

“Most importantly, it is also associated with the guava.”

“What’s so important about guavas?” Adaman asked.

“Well… Everyone knows the legendary hero had hair like the sun,” Hikaru said. “His portrait still hangs inside the homes of both your settlements. His descendants are supposedly named after the guava plant, just like the Aguav Berry.”

“What?!” Irida exclaimed. “There’s a legend like that? If so, the Aguav Berry must possess tremendous symbolic importance… It truly is a fruit connected to the gods!”

The guava belonged to the Myrtaceae family. It was also known in Chinese as a bālè.

Mentioning guavas naturally brought Benga to mind. He was Alder’s grandson, and his Japanese name, Banjirō, came from the fruit. Alder’s own Japanese name referred to a related plant in the same family, while his French name, Goyah, came directly from guava.

“In other words, a hero of ancient Sinnoh is guiding you,” Hikaru said. “That is probably the explanation. Now, here we are at Deertrack Heights. There’s a stone monument ahead of us, correct? It bears some seemingly incomprehensible pictographs.”

“The god symbol represents [completeness or everything]. The bear represents [digging or searching]. The fish represents [souls or companions]. The pearl represents [the heart and its location]. Electrode represents [a specific place]…”

“[The heroes and their Pokémon joined their hearts and found the location of a fragment of the complete god.] That fragment refers to a unique Plate engraved with an inscription.”

“At the birth of the universe, a certain giant was defeated by a god. The scattered fragments of space and time became Origin Ore and the many Plates… The Plates themselves are divided into three different levels.”

“The source of life, inscribed Plates, and uninscribed slabs. Each kind possesses completely different significance and power.”

Adaman and Irida exchanged glances.

“As expected of someone who understands the legends,” Adaman said. “The subjects appear completely unrelated on the surface, but careful analysis reveals the hidden message. As for the hero’s descendants, both the Diamond and Pearl Clans supposedly have people who inherited the great hero’s blood. However…”

“There does not seem to be anyone in either clan named after that fruit,” Irida continued. “Why would that be? Could it be related to the sun’s departure in the ancient verses…? In other words, when our people crossed the sea and returned, the hero’s true descendants did not return with them. They remained behind somewhere else?”

That theory might have seemed disrespectful to their ancestors, but whether the hero had truly left direct descendants was unknown.

The Diamond and Pearl Clans merely claimed that they possessed the blood of the great hero. Neither had ever claimed to be his direct descendants.

But now, things were different.

Hikaru equipped Akari with an assortment of gear. Seeing that she could still move freely despite being armed from head to toe, he smiled and nodded.

“Carrying so much equipment certainly makes you look dependable, even if your power level is still below five.”

Akari immediately pulled her classic displeased expression.

“It is not! My power level passed five ages ago! I have an E-Bullet Gun, balms, Ripple, a shield, and Oración. My power level is at least ten! Just watch, and I’ll show you how dependable I can be!”

“I might have trouble using this much equipment at once, but I’m already a thoroughly trained warrior!”

“The professor also gave me the other two first partner Pokémon. Now I have three dependable partners. Three whole partners! With Sneasler supporting me from the sidelines, that makes four.”

She was determined to demonstrate her abilities before the Swordsman from the sacred capital. They had both received identical phones, so she could not afford to embarrass herself!

Professor Laventon looked puzzled.

“Are you planning to fire soil from your homeland to create a [formation]? I’m afraid that might not work. It could help calm ordinary Alpha Pokémon, but the nobles remain in their own arenas. This is their homeland, so how could soil from their homeland affect them?”

Akari shook her head.

“No, I’m going to use it to fire Balls of Mud. Don’t you think [firing soil from one’s homeland] and [throwing Balls of Mud] work on the same principle, Professor?”

“I learned some crafting. This E-Bullet Gun can rapidly produce small earthen projectiles. It was originally meant to create a [formation], but I think directly firing at the opponent’s Pokémon should have the same effect as a Ball of Mud.”

“Those Balls of Mud appear to contain the power of Pokémon or the local land. That must be why they have a calming effect. Many wild Pokémon in Hisui leave Balls of Mud behind, whereas soil from my homeland doesn’t appear to possess that kind of power.”

Professor Laventon struck his palm with his fist.

“Oh, I see! Even without creating a formation, repeatedly firing soil at high speed could stun a target so long as you use soil from Hisui. Then you could follow up with the prepared balms, combining thrown projectiles with sustained ranged fire… Such a fighting style actually exists?!”

Rapid-fire Balls of Mud.

Cool, composed, and excellent…

Professor Laventon gave her an enthusiastic double thumbs-up.

People who fell from the sky were just so… so cool!

“The power of science is amazing!”

Even Professor Laventon could not stop himself from making that familiar remark.

“Wrrr!”

Golden light surged beneath the darkened sky.

Numerous Alpha Pokémon appeared near Deertrack Heights amid the violent wind and rain. Seemingly drawn together by the energy, they poured onto the mountain path in great numbers!

“It seems the Arc Phone helped us avoid most of the areas where Alpha Pokémon have gathered,” Mai said. “But some of them are still blocking the mountain path. This is where we need…”

“Precisely!” Kamado declared. “The support fighter has come for this very purpose!”

In the original course of history, Kamado had exiled Akari and remained hostile and suspicious toward the “visitor from the heavens.”

As commander of the Galaxy Team and an ancestor of Professor Rowan, he carried unimaginable psychological pressure.

Every time a Pokémon attacked or entered the village, he remembered the destruction of his homeland. The scene returned to him whenever he awakened from a nightmare.

“There is one thing I wanted to confirm again…” Kamado said.

“Confirm?” Cyllene asked. “What is left to confirm at a time like this?”

“If all of this ends and we still do not see Almighty Sinnoh, what should we do? What if these storms and the energy transcending space and time continue to affect the land? Even if she… continues acting according to the prophecy, what if all her efforts ultimately prove futile?”

“Jubilife Village may truly perish. Can she really accomplish all of this?”

He stepped forward and handed the Plate he had kept hidden to a visibly saddened Akari.

“My heart is still filled with doubts… But this is no longer the time to dwell on them! You have joined the Galaxy Team, and I was once given something as well. This is the moment to entrust it to you!”

“I believe this is the Plate engraved with the inscription!”

[Akari obtained the Fist Plate!]

“Prelude Beach…” Kamado murmured. “It truly was the beginning of many things! I may have no right or standing to say this, but right now… without you, we would be defeated here.”

“Even if we overcame the nobles, when the god’s final judgment arrived, we would still lose our land, our future, and perhaps even our lives.”

“That’s right. We are outsiders… Compared to you, perhaps we are the ones who possess no connection whatsoever to the land of Hisui. You, on the other hand… may have very deep ties to this place!”

Hikaru glanced at Kamado.

“You remembered Galar’s legend, didn’t you? The ominous black sky of the Darkest Day. There was a reason Galar’s Pokémon went berserk as well. Although the cause was completely different from Hisui’s crisis, they were similarly influenced by a form of energy.”

“The inscription on the Fist Plate told you everything long ago. The final answer has always been right before your eyes, yet you never realized it.”

“[When the reverse side of the world falls into chaos, a rift in space and time will appear.]”

“What…?!” Kamado exclaimed. “Is that truly what it says?”

The heavens had revealed the entire truth from the moment he first arrived in Hisui!

Yet only now…

“Because of your doubts and suspicions, you never told anyone other than Beni that this Plate existed,” Hikaru said.

“Unfortunately, Beni could not understand the inscription either. Because you refused to share the information, you never disclosed it to the Ginkgo Guild, the people of the Ancient Retreat, the Diamond or Pearl Clans, or even the people of Michina.”

Adaman stared at Kamado in shock.

“Commander Kamado, the answer from Almighty Sinnoh was written on that Plate all along? Does that mean we were warned two years ago that something like this would happen?”

Irida seemed to understand everything.

“If that is true, then the guidance began when the Galaxy Team first arrived. It continued until the Lightning Swordsman reached Hisui and finally revealed the truth. I was also guided here so that I could welcome home both the returning person and the god.”

Hikaru looked toward the silent Kamado.

“You named your pioneer organization the Galaxy Team, did you not? Your understanding of astronomy may not be particularly deep, but you should at least know something about the universe. Many Pokémon exist in the distant celestial reaches of space. Countless abnormalities and phenomena in this world are caused by influences from beyond the planet.”

“The Plates are no different.”

“Vast stretches of space and time contain countless mysteries. If we refuse to investigate or understand them, we will remain ignorant forever.”

“Whenever history undergoes a great transformation, a young person often stands at the heart of the turmoil and guides its course. Yet only when wise people like Professor Laventon participate, joined by everyone else’s combined efforts, can humanity be led toward a bright future.”

“Do you know what Galar’s oldest king, the one who calmed the darkened sky, was called?”

“An ancient king…?” Kamado asked. “That is only a fairy tale, and the story never gave him a name. What are you trying to say?”

“The Hero of Sword and Shield… Let us leave it at that for now. In any case, the hero who ultimately became king was the one who carried the shield. He became known as the [King of All].”

“If people wish to survive in this world, then everyone must unite with the heroes. People will not risk their lives for strangers unless they are exceptionally kind and expect nothing in return. Do you truly believe such precious qualities can be found in just anyone?”

“Most people fight because they have something they wish to protect.”

“You understand, don’t you? If you do not wish to lose your land or watch Jubilife Village perish, then regardless of the final outcome, you must show your conviction now.”

“In other words, you must risk your life.”

“That black armor given to you by someone from Kalos cannot exist merely for decoration.”

“Go, Kamado. For the people of Jubilife Village and for the heroes, cast aside your fear and put your life on the line!”

“You are the one who needs to earn everyone’s trust now. The hermit at the Ancient Retreat once said, [When emotions escape our control, they make people behave strangely.] Once a seed of suspicion is planted, it will inevitably sprout and grow. That applies equally to the people who live here and to everyone else.”

“Allow me to take your position and repeat your thoughts and concerns from another perspective…”

“[If we trust you too easily and something happens, we will be unable to answer to the other clans or to Almighty Sinnoh.] The people here have lived in Hisui for centuries. Even with traitors like those in the Michina Wilds, no space-time rift ever appeared.”

“Then the Galaxy Team arrived. Within two years, a space-time rift appeared and the Pokémon began growing furious.”

“If we interpret events through myth and follow the doubts and suspicions in your heart, could that not be seen as Almighty Sinnoh rejecting you outsiders?”

“You came here believing that [every Pokémon hostile to humanity must be driven away]. Perhaps that attitude is what caused all these problems.”

“The Diamond and Pearl Clans simply never considered the situation from that perspective. That does not mean their leaders are young or na?ve. Even under these circumstances, they never entertained the possibility that the Galaxy Team had caused the disaster.”

“What difference is there between someone who fell from the sky and someone who crossed the ocean? You know the story of the blackened sky, and your homeland was destroyed by frenzied Pokémon. Could you not be carrying some kind of curse?”

“You masquerade as the commander of the Galaxy Team and the leader of a pioneer corps. You claim that your goal is to create a new land without conflict, yet secretly you intend to drive away every Pokémon that opposes humanity.”

“What are you truly planning?”

“How can the descendants of the Celestica people, or even the people of Michina, know that you are innocent?”

“It would not matter who defended you. If the Diamond and Pearl Clans had adopted such thinking and ordered the Ten Nobles to attack Jubilife Village, your settlement would have been destroyed long ago.”

“They could even have justified it by saying, [Destroying the outsiders’ village is our sacred duty as guardians of Hisui!]”

“They could have gone even further and demanded, [You must prove your innocence and resign from the Galaxy Team. Otherwise, you outsiders and your organization will be banished from this land.]”

“If you refused to leave, the Ten Nobles could have hunted you without end until you finally departed. The fighting would never cease!”

Hikaru’s pointed questions and accusations left Kamado speechless.

In fact, those questions were precisely the ones Kamado had considered but never spoken aloud.

“[If you lose your life, it’s all over!] That is your motto, isn’t it?” Hikaru continued. “Yet this storm is forcing the man who values life most and fears death above all else to challenge death itself.”

“Your hesitation is a fact. Examine yourself. Understand yourself calmly. Only then can you lead an organization.”

“When you choose to fight for the village, Akari will no longer be the only one bearing a mission. If you die, Cyllene will inherit your work and complete your mission. If Cyllene dies as well, then another successor will be found.”

“If you wish to receive blessings and assistance, and if you wish to survive because of a hero’s efforts, then you must contribute something yourself.”

“Go, Kamado. Recognize the darkness and betrayal within yourself. Then fight for Almighty Sinnoh and wash away your disgrace!”

“Do not disappoint a certain… descendant of yours!”

The group continued toward Deertrack Heights.

Mist obscured everything.

Amid the storm, Kamado stood motionless in his black armor. Cyllene looked back at him.

“Commander, you…”

“…”

Rain struck the armor with a constant metallic patter. The others disappeared farther into the mist, leaving only Kamado and Cyllene behind.

“Forget fear. Cast aside my life. The King of All. The Fist Plate… The truth at the beginning.”

“Under my leadership, Jubilife Village has survived upon this land in constant fear for two years. We cautiously cooperated and traded with the people already living here, yet it still came to this.”

“If I had asked them honestly from the beginning, we could have understood the cause of the space-time rift long ago. The injuries people suffered, the panic caused by wild Pokémon attacks, and the damage done to the village are all my sins!”

“Yes… Perhaps I truly am cursed. My homeland was destroyed, and its curse followed me to Hisui.”

“Conflict, betrayal, and distrust exist everywhere… Even the hero who once transformed a wasteland into fertile country was surrounded by jealousy, hatred, and fear before eventually being betrayed. And now, there is no one beside me either.”

“How lonely… It was because one person’s strength was so insignificant that I founded an organization. I remember what one of our supporters said when we first established the Galaxy Team… Do you remember?”

“That supporter said, [Like a galaxy],” Cyllene replied. “Perhaps to accommodate their suggestion, you said that people’s talents were like the stars in the sky. That was why you named our organization the Galaxy Team.”

“I wasn’t merely accommodating them. I also thought it was a fine name.”

“To earn everyone’s trust, I must demonstrate my justice through action. I will risk my life to break this curse… and ensure that our village survives here!”

“We are surrounded now. Go, Cyllene. Proceed to the noble’s arena. More than twenty Alpha Pokémon have gathered here!”

“If the Ten Nobles truly attacked Jubilife Village without end, even a much stronger settlement could never withstand them. The nobles received divine lightning and power from Almighty Sinnoh. Ordinary Pokémon cannot compete with them!”

“If we are to survive upon this land, we must receive Almighty Sinnoh’s guidance.”

“I may have no right to say this… but all of us, whether it is you and me, Adaman, Irida, or Akari, have been guided by Almighty Sinnoh.”

“Hmm. Perhaps this land should no longer be called the Hisui region. Perhaps it should be called the Sinnoh region.”

“I bear an inescapable responsibility. I have committed a terrible mistake. If word spreads throughout the Galaxy Team, I will be too ashamed to face anyone. But… I have already cast my pride aside. It seems that was preparation for this moment.”

“Everything has been guided by an unseen hand. My work is probably finished. All that remains is for me to fulfill my duty as a warrior.”

“So go. Leave this place to me. And…”

“I have made my decision.”

“Beginning tomorrow, Cyllene, you will be the commander of the Galaxy Team!”

“I have nothing else to say!”

The Pokémon emerging from the storm were naturally the “ferocious” species commonly seen throughout the Obsidian Fieldlands.

There was an Alpha Parasect capable of spraying all kinds of poison, an Alpha Luxray that remained vicious no matter how many times it was beaten, a Chansey that could heal other Pokémon, and an Onix that frequented the rocky hills near the tunnel…

Twenty Pokémon.

Twenty pairs of crimson eyes appeared in the pouring rain.

While Onix concealed itself underground, producing thunderous rumblings as it waited for an opportunity to strike, the other Pokémon began to howl!

They were excited and restless, unable to contain themselves. It was as though they were holding a festival in the storm!

Hearing the distant howls and sounds of battle, the others knew that Kamado had begun fulfilling his role and destiny as their support fighter.

Cyllene’s feelings were incredibly complicated. She had never imagined she would be promoted from captain to commander as rapidly as though she had ridden a rocket.

Still, there must have been something else she had failed to say…

As she considered it, Hikaru’s voice reached her.

“If you wish to say something, then say it, whether to Kamado or someone else. You have been listening to those Pokémon stories for so long that both you and Kamado must have considered this possibility.”

“[The name of the Galaxy Team will eventually disappear. Once life here becomes stable, the Galaxy Team’s mission will be complete. If the organization is no longer necessary, disbanding it will only be natural.]”

“What matters is living alongside Pokémon throughout this vast land. A name is of no real importance.”

“Is this why you’ve been spreading those stories and guiding people to participate in history’s transformation?” Cyllene asked.

“I understand now. After inadvertently hearing so many stories, I feel as though I’ve entered one myself. Then, at Prelude Beach, we met the Child of Prophecy who came from the heavens. Was that also destiny’s guidance?”

“If everything began at Prelude Beach, and the first guidance appeared two years ago… then perhaps we, people without a shared faith or customs who gathered here from every corner of the world, truly can learn to live peacefully with Pokémon through our own strength.”

“That must also be Almighty Sinnoh’s wish!”

“To calm the space-time distortions that transcend all things, everyone must give everything they have.”

“So I promise!”

“I will ensure the Galaxy Team’s name and achievements are passed down to our descendants!”

In the mist and pouring rain, the Pokémon shining before the noble’s arena finally appeared before them.

But it was not alone.

Other nearby Pokémon had been drawn in by the noble’s presence.

“Is that an Alpha Kricketune?” Akari exclaimed. “It’s enormous!”

“Delelele whoop!”

Being ganged up on without warning was simply part of the authentic Hisui experience.

However, even an Alpha Kricketune was nothing for Akari to fear.

Apparently, it was one of the Pokémon that frequently came to the arena to cause trouble. Now, however, it had become a henchman of Wyrdeer, whose body radiated an overwhelming aura.

It had finally become the legendary Kricketune Man!

“One slipped through…” Irida said. “We stopped all the nearby Alpha Pokémon from getting this far! In that case, we’ll deal with this one…”

“It’s fine!” Akari said. “Leave it to me!”

She charged straight ahead.

“That’s too reckless!” Irida cried. “The noble is watching from right behind it!”

Recklessness was another form of courage.

Or rather, Akari had always been reckless!

This time, however, things were different.

She raised the E-Bullet Gun. She needed to conserve the balms for Wyrdeer, so she would attack with a continuous barrage of Balls of Mud instead.

This was the perfect opportunity to [test] the weapon!

Besides, she had one more technique…

“Through move tutoring, even weak Pokémon can learn powerful moves.”

Listening to Hikaru’s voice, Akari recalled a fighting method she had learned while training in the wilderness.

It was particularly useful in the Hisui era, where Trainers also had to participate in battle.

She had heard that in a distant world, many Trainers used everything available on the battlefield to fight. They could wield [tools] as freely as their own arms, manipulating every item as though they had brought it to life.

Akari did not possess that kind of ability, but she had still learned one important trick!

“If Hisuian Poké Balls are made from wood and Tumblestone, then the space inside the ball can allow a Pokémon to fully [charge] its move! The Poké Ball may burst as a result, but we can use the instant of that explosion to…”

It was not easy for humans and Pokémon to move in perfect unison!

That was exactly why they needed to learn!

Using her natural throwing talent, Akari performed a tactical roll between bursts of mud projectiles and hurled the Poké Ball containing Rowlet at tremendous speed!

Traveling at more than 165 kilometers per hour, the Poké Ball smashed directly into Kricketune’s forehead.

The Apricorn shell exploded, and Rowlet flew out from within, beating its wings!

“Rowlet, prepare for battle!”

“Use Brave Bird!”

Command the Pokémon to charge its move inside the ball, smash the ball into the opposing Pokémon with tremendous force, and then instantly unleash a high-powered attack.

That vicious fighting style left Irida dazed for a moment.

The same thing had happened at the training grounds!

Oshawott had smashed its opponent over the head before using Sacred Sword!

Irida stared at Akari in disbelief. It was like seeing a second Hikaru.

“She’s exactly like you. It’s as though she was born knowing how to fight this way. Her chained attacks with her Pokémon are perfectly coordinated… It’s incredible!”

How could a frail Pokémon defeat a body trained through years of physical combat?

“I’ve heard that exceptional Trainers can calculate the exact number of seconds between throwing a Poké Ball, the Pokémon emerging, and its charged attack,” Hikaru said. “By controlling the timing with perfect accuracy, they can decide the entire battle within five seconds!”

That said, how that particular Trainer had managed to win despite a bad type matchup remained an unsolved mystery!

The unexpectedly frenzied Wyrdeer was quickly quelled, and news of the victory soon spread throughout the Obsidian Fieldlands!

The people of all three groups found it difficult to believe that one of the nobles, legendary Pokémon empowered by Almighty Sinnoh, had actually been subdued.

More astonishingly, the Lightning Swordsman had not been the one to do it.

It had been the Survey Corps’ newest recruit.

The girl possessed extraordinary talent and ability. Even the leaders of the other groups had come to respect her.

Stories like these began spreading throughout Hisui.

Soon, another rumor circulated everywhere.

[It seems the Galaxy Team truly is worthy of our trust.]

“Some people from the other groups are actually frightened that she could subdue a noble with such a deep connection to Almighty Sinnoh,” Arezu said. “But most people agree that the effects of this divine lightning have gone far beyond being a blessing.”

“There’s no sunlight during these storms. Blizzards have also struck the Alabaster Icelands, making it terribly cold. If the Swordsman hadn’t lent them Fire-type Pokémon, they might not have survived so easily.”

“The same goes for our Diamond Clan… Ghost-type Pokémon keep appearing throughout the Crimson Mirelands. Nighttime has become so dangerous that no one can casually go outside anymore.”

“This must be what people call the [witching hour].”

“Oh, right! I wanted to learn how the balms are made… I heard you’re an expert craftsman, Rei…”

Arezu was the warden who had come to the Galaxy Team seeking a way to quell the noble Pokémon.

As she chatted with Rei, she discreetly tried to learn how to make balms.

Previously, she had cared only about eating ramen and staring curiously at the Swordsman’s Lilligant. She had not even considered quelling a noble…

Unfortunately, she was quickly caught in the act!

“So you snuck in here to study,” Adaman said. “I caught you!”

Arezu jumped in surprise. Her gaze darted from side to side, and guilt was written all over her face.

“L-Leader! Why aren’t you out there helping with the fighting?!”

Adaman looked displeased.

“Arezu, you hid the fact that Lilligant and Ursaluna had gone berserk, even from me, your clan leader. Am I really that unreliable?”

“Ah, fine! I suppose I am unreliable. I can’t even play a flute, and I’ve never met Almighty Sinnoh! But now I’m preparing to show everyone my conviction!”

“Akari has successfully quelled Wyrdeer. Her next target is Kleavor, the Lord of the Woods. The Ten Nobles are distributed across Hisui’s regions, with two assigned to each area. Apart from the northeastern wilderness, the mountains directly to the south, and the lands of the far west, every part of Hisui falls within a noble’s territory.”

“However, Commander Kamado was badly wounded during the previous battle. Even someone as powerful as Akari did not win easily!”

“Do you truly believe this situation can be resolved with balms alone? I also know that Ursaluna’s frenzy is different from Lilligant’s! Ursaluna was driven berserk by Lilligant’s pollen.”

Arezu stared at him in shock.

“Leader! How did you know that? Several of the Ten Nobles have already begun going berserk… Was that a prophecy from the Lightning Swordsman? Did Hikaru tell you?”

“What prophecy?!” Adaman exclaimed. “The divine phenomenon took the form of [lightning], while Ursaluna is a [Ground-type]! It is immune to Electric-type attacks! That is something I learned from the Swordsman and Professor Laventon!”

“The ancient Bear King also received the power of lightning while it was still an Ursaring, allowing it to evolve into Ursaluna. In the end, if mysterious energy overflows in the form of lightning, then it is still lightning, isn’t it…?”

“Methods of fighting that transcend type matchups do exist, but Ursaluna can still withstand this. Its Ability is [Guts], which means a status condition will actually increase its Attack…”

Arezu looked as though Adaman were speaking an incomprehensible foreign language.

He repeatedly shook his head.

From now on, he would have to make the wardens study more about Pokémon. At the very least, they needed a basic understanding of the subject!

“Listen carefully, Arezu. We are entering this story as support fighters so that we can recreate the hero’s legend… Your current level of knowledge is nowhere near sufficient. Study Pokémon properly before you try to help!”

“Otherwise, you could be seriously injured when you attempt to hold back those Alpha Pokémon!”

“Remember this: [knowledge]. Knowledge is extremely important! It is one of the three great pillars of this world!”

“I’ll prepare several exam papers for you. You can join the others on the battlefield once you finish them. You are not allowed to leave until they are done, and if you score less than sixty points, you’ll have to take them again!”

Arezu went pale with horror.

“What?! A knowledge test?! I can’t do that! Adaman, what are you doing?!”

(End of Chapter)

“Zaelum”]