Chapter 187: The Despicable Galarian Royal Family

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: The Despicable Galarian Royal Family

"Whew..."

The next morning, a dark silhouette sped across the distant sky.

It was a dragon-like Pokémon resembling a shark.

Riding on its back was a blonde beauty in a black trench coat. She gripped its dorsal fin without any protection whatsoever, streaking through the frigid upper atmosphere at astonishing speed.

"She’s here."

Sora stood waiting outside the Crown Inn with the two girls.

Only Ogerpon and Magearna were accompanying him.

The rest of his Pokémon remained inside the cabin to avoid standing out in the freezing wind.

As for Ogerpon and Magearna?

That couldn’t be helped.

Sora’s charm was simply too great—they wanted to stay by his side every moment they could.

Boom!

Moments later, Garchomp landed heavily before them.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Cynthia leapt gracefully off Garchomp’s back.

Despite flying through the sky for six or seven straight hours, the Sinnoh Champion showed not the slightest trace of fatigue.

An ordinary person would’ve had aching arms after hanging from a pull-up bar for ten minutes, let alone spending hours flying through the air.

As expected of someone from the mythical bloodline... Sora silently complained.

Walking over, he greeted both Cynthia and Garchomp.

"Big Sis Cynthia, you really didn’t have to rush this much. There was no need to work yourself so hard."

He then introduced Korrina and Emma.

The two girls had been so excited after hearing yesterday that Cynthia was coming that neither had slept well.

Especially Korrina.

The faint dark circles beneath her eyes made it obvious she’d spent the whole night tossing and turning.

"Hello, Emma."

Cynthia already knew about the girl’s situation from her frequent conversations with Sora.

"You can just call me Cynthia, or Big Sis Cynthia. It’s nice to meet you."

Then she turned to Korrina.

Although Korrina was still young and had never met Cynthia in person, Cynthia was well informed about the changes among the Kalos Gym Leaders.

"Korrina, Gym Leader of Shalour Gym."

"I’ve watched your battle videos online."

"They were excellent."

"M-Me?"

"It wasn’t that amazing..."

"Hehe..."

There were only a handful of Champions in the entire world.

Among them, there were only two women: Diantha and Cynthia.

As for Geeta?

Paldea hadn’t officially joined the Pokémon League yet.

Besides, being Chairwoman was Geeta’s real job.

Champion was practically her side hobby.

Cynthia was different.

Elegant.

Cool-headed.

Confident.

Overflowing with charisma.

She perfectly embodied the kind of woman Korrina dreamed of becoming someday.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Big Sis Cynthia!"

"Haha, there’s no need to be so formal."

Cynthia smiled as she gently patted Korrina’s head.

"Just treat me like an ordinary Trainer."

"Anyway, I’ll be relying on all of you during our travels together."

Cynthia’s arrival caused barely a ripple in Freezington.

Which wasn’t surprising.

The villagers simply didn’t recognize her.

Or rather...

Their own Champion, Leon, was so approachable that they’d long since lost any sense of awe toward Champions.

Naturally, Cynthia never introduced herself either.

To the villagers, she was simply another friend of Sora’s who had traveled a long way to join their group.

"Take a little rest first."

Sora stopped Cynthia, who was already eager to investigate the ancient ruins and the Crown Shrine.

"Later, I’ll have Calyrex take us there directly."

Since the purpose of this trip was historical research rather than training...

There was no reason to trek all the way through the mountains again.

Calyrex could simply teleport everyone there with its psychic powers.

"This one..."

"...is the legendary King of Bountiful Harvests?"

Looking at the Pokémon lounging on the sofa while watching television, Cynthia couldn’t help blurting out:

"...What an enormous head."

Crunch.

Already long accustomed to comments like that, Calyrex didn’t even turn around.

It simply continued calmly munching on its Frosted Carrots.

"I can feel it."

"It possesses an unbelievably powerful aura."

Cynthia’s perception was extremely sharp.

From this rabbit-like Pokémon with the oversized head...

She sensed an overwhelming pressure that she couldn’t possibly match.

Without question...

Only a true legendary deity could possess such power.

"Could you tell me..."

"...about the legend of the King of Bountiful Harvests?"

After her initial surprise, Cynthia quickly refocused.

Compared to strength...

She cared far more about history.

Stories.

Myths.

She wanted to reconstruct the true history surrounding the King of Bountiful Harvests through Sora’s knowledge and her own research.

For that...

She needed Sora’s help.

"Calyrex slept for far too long."

"Its memories are already rather fragmented."

Sora let Calyrex continue relaxing without disturbing it.

Whenever they needed transportation...

One wave of Calyrex’s psychic power could teleport everyone to the shrine.

Once Cynthia finished her research...

Sora only needed to offer a silent prayer in his heart, and Calyrex would bring them back.

Exceptionally convenient.

"So honestly..."

"I don’t know everything either."

Most of Sora’s knowledge came from the games.

"Big Sis Cynthia..."

"Have you heard the Hero Legend of Galar?"

"You mean..."

"...the Hero of Many Battles?"

Throughout Galar, an ancient legend was widely known.

It told of two heroes.

One wielded an invincible sword that cut down all enemies.

The other bore an indestructible shield and smashed through every obstacle.

Three thousand years ago...

When the calamity known as the Darkest Day descended upon Galar, plunging the region into darkness...

These two heroes used the legendary sword and shield to drive back the disaster and save the land.

"Are you saying..."

"...the King of Bountiful Harvests is connected to those heroes?"

"Exactly."

Sora didn’t keep her guessing.

"According to the modern version of the legend..."

"The sword and shield heroes were ancestors of Galar’s royal family."

"They were the ancient rulers of this land."

"The Sword King."

"And the Shield King."

"But..."

"As far as I know..."

"The Sword King and Shield King weren’t humans."

"They were actually two Pokémon."

"What?!"

Cynthia’s eyes widened in shock.

"Is that true?"

If it were...

Then the legend that had circulated throughout Galar for over three thousand years...

Was completely wrong.

Countless statues.

Innumerable paintings and sculptures depicting human heroes wielding sword and shield.

All of them...

Were false?

"I know nothing of any royal family."

At that moment, Calyrex’s voice echoed directly within both of their minds.

"The Sword Bearer..."

"And the Shield Bearer..."

"The heroes who fought beside me against the Darkest Day..."

"The warriors who defeated the invader from beyond the heavens..."

"Had nothing whatsoever to do with humanity."

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