Chapter 368: Lance and Bruno Got Married?

The video continued playing.

On the way down from Mount Lanakila, neither sister said a word.

It wasn’t until they were seated aboard the Sun-Moon Group’s private jet that Selene finally pulled the lollipop from her mouth.

"Big Sis, who would’ve thought Dad was actually someone who’s lived for thousands of years~?"

"And he’s maintained himself so well too..."

"Or maybe the Winter family genes naturally come with eternal youth?"

"If I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have spent so much time taking care of my skin."

"Selene."

Aurelia interrupted her.

"Don’t make claims when there’s no evidence."

"All right, all right."

Selene leaned back in her seat and crossed one leg over the other.

"Once I drop you off at League Headquarters, I’ll head home and take over Saffron Gym."

Aurelia frowned.

"You’re taking over the Gym?"

"Yep!"

Selene clasped her hands together.

"Mom and Dad worked so hard raising us."

"Now it’s finally time for us to repay them!"

"I, Selene, will become a filial daughter starting today and let Mom and Dad retire early to enjoy a peaceful life!"

Aurelia opened her mouth.

In the end, all she said was: "...Don’t go too far."

"Don’t worry."

"I know my limits."

Selene stretched lazily.

"Big Sis, just wait for the good news!"

The scene changed.

Saffron Gym.

Early the next morning.

Asher had just walked into the living room carrying a cup of coffee when he saw Selene standing at the entrance in a Gym uniform.

"Dad!"

Selene snapped off a salute.

"I’m back!"

"Starting today, I shall protect Saffron Gym!"

"You and Mom can go enjoy your romantic time together to your hearts’ content!"

Asher reached out and placed a hand against Selene’s forehead.

"No fever."

"Dad! I’m serious!"

Selene patted her chest.

"You and Mom worked so hard raising us."

"Now that I’m grown up, shouldn’t I let the two of you retire and enjoy life?"

Asher turned toward the kitchen.

"Wifey, do you believe that?"

A cold reply came from the kitchen.

"No."

"Mom! Dad!"

"You’re hurting my feelings!"

Selene stomped her foot.

Asher shrugged.

"Fine."

"If you want to take over Saffron Gym, I don’t mind."

"But you can’t use your own Pokémon."

"Why?"

"Because Gym battles don’t test only a Pokémon’s raw strength."

"They test overall ability."

Asher took out a Poké Ball.

"Here."

"I happen to have a Mudkip."

"You can use this."

Selene accepted Mudkip’s Poké Ball with both hands and immediately stood at attention.

"Yes, Dad!"

Asher waved dismissively.

"All right, all right."

"Go."

"Don’t be late."

"Mission guaranteed!"

The moment Selene left the house—

She turned into an alley and immediately shoved the Poké Ball into the hands of another "Selene."

Zoroark looked down at the Poké Ball.

"Boss, this is...?"

"Starting now, you’re Selene herself."

Selene pulled a pair of sunglasses from her pocket and placed them on Zoroark’s face.

"Remember."

"Do more."

"Talk less."

"And if you meet someone stubborn, just tell them, ’My Big Sis is the Champion.’"

"Understood!"

Wearing Selene’s face, Zoroark swaggered straight into Saffron Gym.

Selene then returned home and began stalking her father.

Although Selene’s hiding techniques were extremely primitive, Asher decided to tolerate them for the time being since she was his daughter.

Until that evening.

Asher finished showering and returned to the bedroom.

He pulled back the blanket—

"Good evening, Dad!"

Selene was lying right in the middle of the bed, hugging a pillow and smiling brilliantly.

Sabrina walked in at that moment wrapped in a bathrobe.

"Hubby, what’s wrong?"

"There’s a wild Selene in the bed."

"Oh."

Sabrina paused.

"Then turn her into a doll."

"MOM!"

"I’M YOUR BIOLOGICAL DAUGHTER!"

Even while Sabrina dragged her out of the bedroom with psychic power, Selene continued struggling.

"Wait!"

"Mom!"

"For the sake of me watching the Gym for you all day, can’t you give me one more chance?!"

"I was just about to mention that."

"I’ve already turned Zoroark into a doll."

"Tomorrow, you will stay inside the Gym all day."

"You are not allowed to leave."

"MOOOOOM—!!!"

"Good night."

Sabrina closed the door.

The screen went dark.

Five hours later.

After confirming that Sabrina’s breathing had become steady—Asher quietly climbed out of bed and put on his clothes.

Then he raised one hand and sliced through the air.

A golden fissure was forcibly torn open.

It expanded into a swirling Ultra Wormhole.

Asher stepped inside.

[VIP Chat Group]

[Diantha]: Five hours? I didn’t expect Sabrina to have such impressive stamina~ She’s almost caught up to me.

[Skyla]: !!! MASTER! PLEASE WATCH WHAT YOU SAY!

[Valerie]: T-This... Are we actually allowed to say things like that here? (////)

[Misty]: Diantha! There are minors in this livestream!

[Elesa]: This chat group’s boundaries have completely collapsed. I recommend the system ban Diantha directly.

[Diantha]: I only said stamina! I meant staying up late! What exactly were all of you thinking about?

[Lorelei]: Explaining it only makes you look guiltier.

[Viola]: And guiltier means it’s true.

[Elaria]: Um... Mom... Mom Sabrina’s emotions seem a little unstable right now.

[Diantha]: Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not home right now. She can’t find me.

[Sabrina]: !!! (Overheating.) (Target locked.)

[Diantha]: ??? Sabrina, where did you come from?! Wait! Calm down! We can talk this out!

[Cynthia]: Diantha, if Sabrina turns you into a doll with psychic power, I’ll take responsibility for looking after you.

The video continued playing.

Ultra Space.

"About time."

Asher tossed a Poké Ball upward.

"Come out."

Red light exploded.

A gigantic figure slowly emerged from the glow.

Ultra Necrozma lowered its head.

Its enormous eyes stared at Asher as its voice echoed through the Ultra Wormhole.

"You finally came."

"I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me."

"How could I forget?"

Asher kept both hands in his pockets.

"I made you a promise back then."

"I have to keep it."

"Satisfying my appetite won’t be that easy."

Asher’s tone remained calm.

"Don’t get too greedy."

"Otherwise, if I personally make a move, you won’t be able to stomach it."

Necrozma:

"...Are you threatening me?"

Asher: "Mm. I am."

Necrozma: "..."

The scene cut to Indigo Plateau, League Headquarters.

Aurelia had only just landed when she saw Lance sprawled across an office desk.

Three stacks of documents towered in front of him—each one taller than Aurelia herself.

Heavy black circles hung beneath both of his eyes.

Aurelia glanced at the attendance record beside him.

Continuous Work Time: 120 Hours

Impressive...

Even with psychic powers, I wouldn’t dare work overtime like this.

"Elite Four Lance?"

The pen slipped from Lance’s hand.

Then his entire body slowly slid downward until his forehead hit the desk with a dull thud.

Aurelia turned toward the secretary and Lorelei nearby.

"Um..."

"How long has he been like this?"

The secretary hurried over to explain.

"Champion Aurelia, Elite Four Lance has only slept for four hours over the past several days."

"So his mental state isn’t particularly good."

Lorelei spread her hands.

"And the day before yesterday..."

"He accidentally mistook a marriage registration form for Bruno’s vacation request and signed it."

"So legally speaking, the two of them are married now."

"Bruno’s been shouting all day that he wants a divorce from Lance."

"?"

Aurelia suddenly felt like she could no longer understand human language.

...

TL: Poor Lance