Chapter 148: The Pokémon Smuggling Syndicate

Chapter 148: Chapter 148: The Pokémon Smuggling Syndicate

As for whether she could trust them—

That wasn’t really an issue.

The Pokémon League had stood strong for so many years. At the very least, its public representatives had reputations beyond reproach.

Diantha, in particular, had participated in countless charitable and public welfare projects throughout Kalos.

Emma herself had benefited from some of those initiatives.

She knew that the Champion was genuinely a good person.

So she told Diantha everything.

From what had happened to her, to all the clues she’d uncovered during her investigation.

She left out nothing.

Sora listened quietly from the side.

At last, he understood the full story.

"This kid is pretty incredible."

For the sake of her Espurr, she’d chased the trail all the way from Lumiose City to Shalour City.

Sora didn’t even dare imagine how much hardship she’d endured along the way.

Especially considering she hadn’t even had a Pokémon accompanying her.

Crossing half of Kalos alone was no small feat.

Honestly, he truly admired her courage.

"Those damned smugglers!"

After learning the whole story, Diantha was furious.

"Don’t worry, little Emma."

"I absolutely won’t let those criminals get away with this!"

With that, she stood up from her seat.

"Mr. Sora."

"Hm? Need my help? I’d be happy to assist."

"No, there’s no need to trouble you."

As Champion, this was her responsibility.

She had a duty to uphold justice.

Sora, on the other hand, was an outsider.

There was no reason for him to put himself in danger.

"Oh, right."

"Please help me look after this child."

Diantha entrusted Emma to Sora before turning to the girl.

"This is Mr. Sora."

"A very powerful Trainer."

"His strength is absolutely not inferior to mine."

After spending time around Sora’s Pokémon, Diantha had developed a deep appreciation for just how terrifying they were.

To be honest—

In a true wild battle without restrictions...

She felt that Sora wouldn’t even need his entire team.

Volcanion.

Magearna.

Ogerpon.

Those three alone could probably sweep her entire lineup.

Of course, official Pokémon battles had rules.

Under tournament regulations, Diantha still believed she could hold her own.

If nothing else, the restriction of only four moves per Pokémon would make things very uncomfortable for Sora.

"Not weaker than a Champion?"

Emma stared at Sora in shock.

She’d only thought he was a handsome older brother.

She never imagined he was that strong.

"No problem."

Sora readily agreed.

"As long as I’m here, no one will harm this child."

Emma couldn’t be allowed out of their sight.

While she’d told them her story, it was still only one side of the narrative.

Until the truth was fully verified, she needed to stay here.

More importantly—

She was just too young.

Diantha couldn’t feel at ease otherwise.

"Then I’ll leave her in your care."

"It’s nothing."

Sora replied seriously.

"Besides, I hate poachers and smugglers too."

"If I actually had law-enforcement authority, I’d want to deal with them personally."

This wasn’t the wilderness.

Attacking people within League-governed territory was illegal.

It was moments like this that reminded him how troublesome it could be to lack an official identity.

"Unfortunately," Diantha said with a smile, "that’s my job as Kalos Champion."

Then she prepared to leave.

"Eh?"

"I want to—"

Emma looked as though she wanted to follow.

She was far too worried about her Espurr.

"Don’t be stubborn, little Emma."

Diantha’s expression turned serious, displaying the dignity of a Champion.

"I’m the Champion."

"If I can’t handle something like this, what right do I have to protect Kalos?"

With those words spoken, Emma naturally couldn’t insist on accompanying her.

Though young, she was remarkably mature for her age.

"I... I understand."

"Good."

Diantha gently patted her head.

"Stay here and wait."

"I’ll bring your Espurr back."

And so, Diantha departed.

Gardevoir went with her.

Though they were merely a group of petty smugglers, one should still give full effort even when hunting rabbits.

Diantha had no intention of letting carelessness create bigger problems.

"Espurr..."

Emma sat on the sofa with her head lowered.

Her thoughts were entirely occupied by worry for her Espurr.

"Eat something."

Seeing this, Sora placed a slice of cake in front of her.

Then he joked:

"Remember me? The guy whose ticket you piggybacked on."

"I’m sorry!"

Emma immediately stood up and bowed deeply.

"I caused you trouble."

"It’s fine."

"You did it for your Espurr."

Sora smiled.

"Actually, I’m pretty impressed."

"Traveling all the way here from so far away isn’t easy."

"Among all the people I’ve met, your courage and determination are definitely top-tier."

"Thank you."

Emma truly was hungry.

She accepted the cake and immediately began eating.

From time to time, she’d pause to apologize again for sneaking aboard using his ticket.

She’s a good kid.

Sora could tell that Emma wasn’t bad at heart.

Her difficult upbringing had simply made her cautious of the world.

And honestly—

That wasn’t a bad thing.

For ordinary people without powerful backgrounds, being careful was often the key to survival.

"My name is Sora."

"I’m a traveler who has settled in Kalos."

"I... I’m Emma."

The girl still seemed somewhat nervous.

She kept glancing around at the surrounding Pokémon.

Many of them were species she’d never seen before.

Sora gave Buneary a meaningful look.

As the most sociable Pokémon on the team aside from Victini, Buneary immediately understood.

She hopped over and began chatting with Emma, helping her relax.

Gradually, under Buneary’s companionship, the tension in the girl’s body eased.

Eventually, she drifted into a deep sleep.

Time passed quickly.

Two hours later, Sora was still waiting inside the cabin.

Then—

Click.

The door opened.

Diantha entered alongside Gardevoir.

Her expression wasn’t good.

Clearly, she hadn’t managed to fulfill her promise to Emma.

"Did things not go well?"

"Something’s wrong."

Diantha didn’t hide anything.

She immediately shared the results of her investigation.

After leaving the cabin, the first thing she’d done was find the captain and request that the ship’s departure be delayed while Officer Jenny’s team conducted a search.

"He refused."

That single incident alone had alerted Diantha that something was off.

The captain hadn’t spoken harshly.

Nor had he acted suspiciously on the surface.

But the reasons he provided were so reasonable that even Diantha couldn’t easily refute them.

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