Chapter 271

Chapter 271: Chapter 271

With the main research arrangements settled, Mike turned his attention toward preparing dinner.

Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, after all.

He worked together with Gengar and his other Pokémon to prepare a large outdoor hot pot feast.

Before long, enormous pots of steaming broth were bubbling away beneath the cold mountain sky.

The rich aroma of spices spread through the campsite.

Professor Oak approached one of the pots and examined its bright red broth.

He leaned forward and took a cautious sniff.

Immediately, the pungent aroma made his nose tingle.

"Goodness, that smells spicy."

"Spicy is good!"

Professor Kukui looked positively delighted.

"In weather this cold, a little spicy food is exactly what we need to warm ourselves up!"

"Don’t worry, Professor Oak."

Mike smiled reassuringly.

"I’ve prepared a Charmander-level spicy broth especially for you and Professor Rowan."

He gestured toward one of the milder pots.

"I’ve been learning a little about medicinal cooking recently. A moderate amount of spice can be beneficial, and I’ve also added some herbs to the broth. I figured it would be good for the older members of our group."

Professor Oak slowly turned toward him.

"..."

His eyes narrowed.

"You little brat."

Mike blinked innocently.

"Yes, Professor?"

"Are you implying I’m old?! That I can’t handle spicy food anymore?!"

Mike considered the question.

Then he smiled.

"Well, if that’s the case, would you and Professor Rowan prefer to join us for the Moltres-level spicy broth?"

Professor Oak: "..."

There was a moment of silence.

Then the elderly professor clasped his hands behind his back and shook his head.

"...On second thought, Rowan and I won’t interfere with you youngsters enjoying yourselves."

"Hahahaha!"

The others burst into laughter.

Most of the people participating in the expedition had spent considerable time working alongside Professor Oak and Professor Rowan.

They knew one another well enough that the atmosphere was relaxed, and nobody felt the need to behave too formally.

The research assistants gathered around one table.

Mike, Cynthia, Lorelei, and the others occupied another.

Meanwhile, Professor Oak, Professor Rowan, and several people who preferred milder food sat together near the less spicy hot pot.

Mike looked around at everyone waiting eagerly for the meal to begin.

Then he clapped his hands.

"All right, everyone!"

He smiled broadly.

"To celebrate discovering an entirely new method of reviving Hisuian Pokémon, let’s enjoy ourselves!"

"WHOOO!"

Professor Kukui was the first to respond.

He immediately reached into the bubbling hot pot with his chopsticks, grabbed a meatball, and popped it into his mouth.

A moment later, his expression changed.

"WHOOO—!"

He began moving around frantically.

"SO HOT! SO SPICY!"

But even as he struggled with the heat, he couldn’t stop grinning.

"BUT IT’S SO GOOD!"

Kukui practically danced in place, desperately trying to cool his mouth while continuing to enjoy the food.

Aside from Kukui and Gengar, everyone at Mike’s table managed to eat with considerably more composure.

As for Mike himself...

He wasn’t actually sitting down yet.

Instead, he walked toward Articuno, which was resting a short distance away.

He reached out and tugged the Legendary Pokémon down.

"Come on. Time to eat."

Mike looked at it curiously.

"What’s gotten into you today? Normally, you’re the first one running over whenever food’s ready. Why are you taking so long this time?"

Articuno didn’t answer.

It simply followed him back toward the tables and began eating the meal Mike had prepared for it.

Meanwhile, the other guests were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

"So spicy..."

Even Lorelei, who normally maintained a cool and composed expression, had parted her lips and was fanning her mouth with one hand.

Then she took another bite.

"But it really is delicious."

Beside her, Cynthia didn’t say anything.

She was far too busy eating the food in her bowl.

In fact, Mike’s cooking was one of the reasons she’d remained at Mount Coronet instead of returning to League headquarters immediately.

Protecting Professor Oak, Professor Rowan, and the research team was certainly important.

But the thought of missing Mike’s meals?

That was rather difficult to accept.

Mike looked around at the gathered researchers and Pokémon.

Everyone was enjoying the food he’d prepared.

Seeing their satisfied expressions filled him with an extraordinary sense of accomplishment.

’Ahhh...’

’This is the good stuff.’

Only someone who genuinely enjoyed cooking could fully appreciate the satisfaction of watching other people happily eat their food.

Mike ate a little himself before taking out his phone.

There was one more matter he wanted to handle while he had the chance.

He opened his conversation with Manryo and briefly explained their plans for developing a new Link Trade system capable of reproducing Mount Coronet’s unusual magnetic field.

The response came almost immediately.

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: Wait! You’ve already succeeded in reviving Hisuian Avalugg?!]

Mike grinned.

Then he sent a picture.

[Mike: [Bulldozer.jpg]]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: Incredible! I’ll have my secretary contact your assistant to discuss the details.]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: If the project succeeds, just remember to include my company’s name!]

Mike’s grin widened.

[Mike: Manryo, you’re too generous man! Don’t worry! From now on, if you tell me to go east, I absolutely WON’T go east!]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: ???]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: GET LOST! (×`囚′)]

Mike chuckled and put away his phone.

His mood had improved even further.

’Hehehe...’

’And just like that, we’ve got an investor!’

He returned to his seat.

Oleana was sitting nearby, concentrating on her food.

Mike leaned toward her.

"Hey, Oleana."

She looked up.

"Yes, Boss?"

"I’ve secured the funding."

He smiled.

"When the time comes, you can discuss the details directly with Manryo’s secretary."

Oleana set down her chopsticks.

She took a moment to breathe out the heat lingering in her mouth before nodding.

"Understood."

Mike continued, "And don’t worry. Once everything we’re currently working on is finished, I’ll give you a proper extended vacation."

Oleana blinked.

"An extended vacation?"

"Yep!"

Mike nodded.

"You can go wherever you like. All your travel expenses will be covered by the research institute."

Oleana’s expression immediately became serious.

"I’ll work hard!"

Mike nodded with satisfaction.

’Ahhh...’

’Where else am I going to find an assistant who’s this good at handling administrative work AND conducting research?’

The more he thought about it, the more pleased he became.

’I’ve seriously hit the jackpot with this one!’

Satisfied with his excellent recruitment decision, Mike lowered his head and continued eating.

...

As the meal went on, Gengar managed to grab the very last meatball from the hot pot.

"Gengar~!"

He looked at the meatball between his chopsticks.

Then he turned toward Mike’s bowl.

He was planning to give it to his Trainer.

After all, Mike had worked hard preparing the entire feast.

Surely he deserved the last meatball.

Unfortunately, when Gengar raised his head... Mike was gone.

"Gengar?"

The Ghost-type blinked.

He looked left.

Then right.

Finally, after searching around the tables for a while, he spotted Mike sitting with Professor Oak and Professor Rowan.

Gengar: ’???’

’When did he get over there?’

"Bee."

Beedrill, who was sitting nearby, gave a short cry.

[He’s a lightweight. He can’t handle spicy food.]

As he spoke, Beedrill casually flicked his head.

The meatball perched between Gengar’s chopsticks vanished.

Gengar blinked.

’Ohhh...’

’So that’s why Mike went over there.’

He nodded thoughtfully.

’Well, if Mike can’t handle spicy food, I guess I’ll just have to eat the last meatball myse—’

’Wait.’

’WHERE’S MY MEATBALL?!’

Gengar looked down at his empty chopsticks.

Then he slowly turned toward Beedrill.

The Bug-type’s mouth was moving!

Chew. Chew. Chew.

Gengar narrowed his eyes.

Beedrill looked back at him.

Then he blinked innocently.

Gengar: "..."

Without another word, the Ghost-type reached for the slender bamboo stick lying beside him.

He raised it dramatically.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAR!"

[YOU WRETCHED MONSTER! TASTE THE WRATH OF GENGAR’S STAFF!]

Beedrill immediately moved out of range.

Gengar charged after him.

And just like that, another ridiculous chase began.

...

Meanwhile, at the milder hot pot table, Professor Oak was staring at Mike with an expression of profound exasperation.

"Mike, why on earth have you come over here to steal our food?"

He watched as Mike casually picked up another piece of meat from their pot.

Mike popped it into his mouth and grinned.

"Well, I was worried you and Professor Rowan might be lonely, so I thought I’d come over and keep you company."

Professor Rowan didn’t even bother pretending to believe him.

"If you can’t handle spicy food, just admit it."

He looked at Mike with complete disdain.

"Don’t pretend you’re doing us a favor. We’d be much happier if you stayed at your own table. At least then we’d have more food to ourselves."

Mike: "..."

The researchers sitting nearby immediately lowered their heads.

Their shoulders trembled as they desperately tried to suppress their laughter.

...

After the Jynx had finished eating, they gathered the Smoochum and began dancing around the campfire.

Holding hands, the Pokémon formed a cheerful circle.

Their beautiful singing drifted across the campsite, accompanied by the soft crackling of burning wood.

The atmosphere became wonderfully peaceful.

Everyone gradually quieted down, captivated by the music.

Even Articuno abandoned its usual dignified posture.

It lay down in the snow, closed its eyes, and listened to the singing with an expression of complete contentment.

Then, without warning—

"ARTICUNOOOO!"

A clear, powerful cry rang out across the sky.

Everyone looked up.

A magnificent crystalline-blue figure was descending toward the campsite.

Its enormous wings spread wide as it glided through the evening air.

The Articuno resting beside the campfire lifted its head.

It looked toward the approaching Pokémon.

Then, without making a sound, it rose to its feet.

And began quietly preparing to leave.

Mike noticed the descending figure.

"Huh?"

He turned toward Lorelei.

"Is your Articuno here to take you home?"

Lorelei looked puzzled.

"No. I’m not leaving until tomorrow."

She studied the approaching Legendary Pokémon.

"Besides, that isn’t the Articuno from Four Island."

Mike blinked.

"Wait, it’s not?"

He looked up again.

"Then don’t tell me we’ve somehow run into a THIRD Articuno..."

"ARTICUNO!"

The descending Legendary Pokémon called out again.

[What’s for dinner?! I want some too!]

Mike froze.

That voice... he recognized it.

His eyes widened.

’ARTICUNO?!’

’Wait a minute!’

’If THAT’S Articuno...’

’THEN WHO THE HELL IS THE ARTICUNO THAT’S BEEN HERE ALL EVENING?!’

Mike whipped his head around.

The Articuno that had been lying beside the campfire was now quietly sneaking away.

It had already moved some distance from the others and was preparing to spread its wings.

Mike stared.

Then, just as the suspicious Articuno began flapping its wings to take off, he reacted.

"DON’T LET THAT ONE GET AWAY!"

He pointed directly at the fleeing Pokémon.

Everyone immediately followed his gesture.

The suspicious Articuno realized its cover had been blown.

Without hesitation, it spread its enormous wings and launched itself into the air, desperately trying to escape.

Unfortunately, Cynthia was already moving.

"Garchomp!"

Her eyes sharpened.

The command was barely above a whisper.

WHOOSH!

A powerful figure flashed through the air.

Garchomp appeared directly in front of the fleeing Articuno.

Before it could change direction, the Dragon-type raised one arm.

Dragon Claw!

BOOOOM!

The attack struck the suspicious Articuno and knocked it straight out of the sky.

It crashed onto the snowy ground.

Lorelei and Lucian immediately released their Pokémon, surrounding the fallen Articuno and cutting off every possible escape route.

Mike rose from his seat.

He was just about to demand an explanation when something extraordinary happened.

The fallen Articuno’s body began flickering.

Its magnificent blue feathers wavered, and its enormous wings gradually lost their shape.

Then, before everyone’s astonished eyes, the massive Legendary Pokémon transformed into a small, white figure.

Mike stared at the little creature standing where Articuno had been.

His expression turned to utter disbelief.

"No..."

He could hardly believe what he was seeing.

"Don’t tell me it’s actually that much of a coincidence?!"

Everyone else: "???"