Chapter 175: Setting Out for the Crown Shrine

Chapter 175: Chapter 175: Setting Out for the Crown Shrine

Especially once a deity surpassed Level 95, they would truly possess the power to destroy worlds and reshape creation itself.

Of course, since this level system had been created by Sora, Level 100 was by no means its limit.

Reality wasn’t like the games.

A Pokémon wouldn’t simply stop growing stronger upon reaching Level 100.

Pokémon possessed limitless potential.

At least...

That was what Sora believed.

The only problem was that he had never encountered a Pokémon beyond Level 100.

Without a reference point, he had no way to define an even higher realm.

"Eternamax Eternatus..."

"Its complete form possessed power roughly equal to Mine at My peak."

Calyrex wasn’t incapable of defeating Eternatus.

The reason He entrusted His power to the Sword and Shield heroes was because He had to protect the people living under His rule.

...Well.

Another important reason was that Calyrex lacked a Trainer’s command and wasn’t particularly adept at fighting.

Sora was convinced that if he could travel back to the Darkest Day...

With him commanding Calyrex at His peak...

They would absolutely teach Eternatus a proper lesson.

"Your classification gives Me a much clearer understanding of power."

Calyrex nodded slightly.

As expected of the Trainer I chose.

He truly is extraordinary.

"Though..."

"It’s still somewhat incomplete."

Sora explained,

"A Pokémon’s level only represents the stage it’s reached."

"But victory..."

"Has never been determined solely by raw power."

Take Ogerpon and Volcanion, for example.

With Quadruple Terastallization, Sora believed Ogerpon wouldn’t lose even against gods above Level 90.

That overwhelming power capable of casually shattering the earth and reshaping the landscape...

Far exceeded what an eighty-something-level Ogerpon should normally possess.

Not to mention...

Volcanion’s Hydrogen Cloud.

Even Calyrex had been startled when He first heard the concept behind it.

"The same applies to you, Calyrex."

Sora looked at Him seriously.

"I’ll help you fully master your own abilities."

"And together..."

"We’ll discover even more possibilities."

In Sora’s eyes...

Pokémon were still far too primitive.

What was the point of endlessly exchanging beams of energy?

There were countless ways to become stronger.

Why limit themselves to that alone?

Sooner or later...

He would show them that the times had changed.

"Is that so..."

Calyrex smiled.

This feeling...

Was something He had never experienced before.

Kings were lonely beings.

They were worshipped.

Placed high above everyone else.

Yet in doing so...

They gradually drifted farther and farther away from their subjects.

Sometimes...

Calyrex had dreamed of living the life of an ordinary citizen.

Unfortunately...

He had neither friends...

Nor family.

"Of course."

Sora gently patted Calyrex’s oversized head and smiled.

"We’re already partners."

"Helping you become stronger is only natural."

"...Partners."

Calyrex didn’t mind Sora’s familiar gesture in the slightest.

If anything...

It felt warm.

"I shall do My utmost..."

"To become part of your family as soon as possible."

Floating leisurely through the air...

Calyrex followed Sora into the kitchen.

He intended to learn how to turn carrots into proper dishes.

If He wanted to integrate into the group...

He should begin with the little things.

After all...

No one understood making friends better than He did.

"...Bi?"

A certain Victory Pokémon suddenly felt that her title as the group’s social butterfly was under serious threat.

Before long...

Morning arrived.

Rather than checking out of the cabin...

Sora and the others first paid another visit to the village elder, explaining that they wished to head deeper into the mountains.

The old village chief opposed the idea immediately.

"It’s far too dangerous."

"This time of year..."

"The mountains can be swallowed by blizzards that last for days."

He genuinely meant well.

The snowstorm that had hit the village these past few days...

Was nothing compared to what awaited higher up the mountain.

"Don’t worry, Grandpa."

Korrina smiled brightly.

"My Master is an incredibly strong Trainer."

"We’ll be fine."

"..."

The elder remained worried.

Unfortunately...

He couldn’t persuade them otherwise.

In the end, he returned inside and brought out a detailed map of the Crown Tundra.

"I hope this helps."

The people of Freezington had always liked visiting travelers.

The last thing they wanted...

Was to see them come to harm.

Unfortunately...

Trainers were the sort of people who charged straight toward danger.

Trying to stop them was hopeless.

"Please don’t push yourselves."

"If anything happens..."

"Come back down immediately."

The elder pointed at several locations marked on the map.

"These caves were discovered by villagers."

"If the blizzard becomes too severe..."

"Take shelter there."

"Some still contain emergency supplies left behind years ago."

The villagers truly were considerate.

The old man spent quite some time explaining every precaution in detail.

Neither Sora nor the girls interrupted him.

Instead...

They listened patiently from beginning to end.

Kindness deserved respect.

The more Sora listened...

The more he disliked Kitakami Village.

Just look at this.

This is what honest, genuine people are supposed to be like.

Compared to Freezington...

What on earth was wrong with Kitakami?

"We’re heading out now, Grandpa."

"And Grandma too."

"Don’t worry."

"We’ll come back safely."

Korrina waved enthusiastically to the elderly couple and the gathered villagers.

Although she had only been here a few days...

Her cheerful personality had already won over much of the village.

Thus...

Sora’s group officially departed Freezington.

"Come on out, everyone."

He didn’t release every Pokémon.

Some simply weren’t suited to this environment.

Sylveon.

Buneary.

Lilligant.

And little Ralts...

All remained comfortably inside their Poké Balls.

Sora had no intention of letting his Pokémon suffer unnecessarily.

Ogerpon, however...

Despite hating the cold...

Firmly insisted on staying by Sora’s side.

Fortunately...

They had Volcanion.

Powerful waves of heat surged from its body.

Wherever it walked...

Ice and snow melted away...

Revealing the earth and stone beneath.

Even Magearna, who wasn’t well suited for such harsh weather...

Could comfortably ride on Volcanion’s back while admiring the snowy scenery.

"Bi~"

Perched upon Sora’s shoulder...

Victini sat with her eyes closed.

Powerful psychic energy spread continuously from her body...

Forming a protective barrier that blocked the wind and snow around the group.

For Victini...

This was training.

Resisting a natural disaster through sheer endless energy...

Was much like a swordsman practicing against crashing ocean waves.

"Victini’s power has indeed grown."

Floating beside Sora...

Calyrex carefully observed the fluctuations in Victini’s energy.

"You were right, Sora."

"Constantly enduring pressure like this..."

"Is indeed the finest method for Victini to grow stronger."

"...A pity."

"When I am not riding My steeds..."

"My abilities are rather limited."

"I cannot shelter all of you in weather such as this."

Calyrex sounded somewhat disappointed.

During this expedition...

His primary responsibility was acting as Sora’s guide.

Unfortunately...

After sleeping for over three thousand years...

Even if the terrain of the Crown Tundra itself hadn’t changed...

He could no longer remember the exact route leading to the Crown Shrine.

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