Chapter 104

She was simply overwhelmed with joy—any researcher would be unable to contain their excitement when they see the results of their research presented to them.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault. I should have been more restrained... I'm sorry for making you all see how embarrassing I am."

Sonia patted her cheeks, perking herself up again.

She had Qiao Ran and Bea sit down, and she sat opposite them. By this time, Sonia had mostly calmed down, and although her expression still made Qiao Ran's mind wander, she was much better than the infatuated woman she had been just moments before.

In that brief moment, Qiao Ran even saw Yveltal's shadow, saw himself being humiliated and beaten to the ground, and saw Death waving at him with a lewd grin.

Recalling what happened that day, Qiao Ran felt like she had been having a long Nightmare.

Before that, he had only encountered gentle and sweet girls like Dianxi and Vulpix. Even if they lost their minds, they wouldn't be like that...

"Qiao Ran... Qiao Ran?"

Noticing that Qiao Ran seemed a bit distracted, Qiao Ran Bea called out to him a few times, and Qiao Ran slowly came back to his senses.

Sorry, I was thinking about something.

Qiao Ran shook his head, banishing the thoughts from his mind. He had been too tired lately, which made him think of his past life.

He can't go back to the Real World or to the Wild Area. Even Rotom has fallen back into a coma after waking up yesterday. Her condition is not good and she will probably need to be recuperated.

"Okay, may I ask you some simple questions?"

Seeing that Qiao Ran had withdrawn his attention, Sonia also took out a pen and paper, preparing to record some important information.

While the discovery of the Sword Hero was astonishing, she still needed to verify it scientifically in the spirit of seeking truth from facts.

"Yes, if I can answer that."

Qiao Ran didn't refuse; rather, he came here with this purpose in mind.

If this doctor could help him take the sword down, he wouldn't be in so much trouble now.

Moreover, his next actions will also require the support of the Pokémon League; it would be very difficult for him to achieve his goals alone.

"My first question is..."

Sonia nodded, her pen already on her notebook, ready to take notes at any moment.

Where did you get this sword?

"This..."

Qiao Ran was stunned for a moment.

This was only the first question, and he already felt it was somewhat tricky. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer it.

"It's... in a somewhat mysterious Ruins at the bottom of a lake, filled with countless traps..."

As Qiao Ran narrated, his thoughts drifted back to a time when he and a group of people were preparing to explore the Ruins and uncover their secrets.

Everything feels like it was just yesterday.

How are they doing now...?

Mei, Lillie, Mei... even Phoebe, Iron Maiden, Eve, Long Jiangxue...

Do they feel sad when they hear they're Disappearance?

He really, really wants to go back as soon as possible...

Section 197, Page 194 [Pokémon League: Plans]

Qiao Ran and Sonia's conversation lasted a long time. She asked Qiao Ran many detailed questions, and Qiao Ran answered them in return. However, he didn't mention anything about the other world, or about him and Sonia.

Their relationship hadn't reached the point where they could reveal these things, and Qiao Ran wasn't sure if it was the right choice to tell anyone.

However, when Sonia heard that Qiao Ran could command Legendary Pokémon and had Bea's testimony, the professor, who had finally calmed down, jumped up from her chair again and almost pinned Qiao Ran and the chair to the ground.

Fortunately, Bea reacted quickly and intercepted it in mid-air.

"You... you really have Legendary Pokémon? Um... could you let me..."

Sonia's eyes gleamed with an eerie light. For any Pokémon researcher, meeting Legendary Pokémon was an unimaginable opportunity, let alone being able to study it directly...

"No, you can't, stop talking."

However, faced with the "enthusiastic" Sonia, Qiao Ran could only use the "rejection three times in a row." He knew without even thinking what she was going to say, but he would definitely not agree to hand over his Pokémon to such an unreliable person for research.

"Eh..."

Sonia's shoulders slumped, clearly showing her immense disappointment, her eyes gleaming with a pitiful light.

"Looking at me like that won't do any good."

Qiao Ran ignored the girl's "feigned pitifulness." Her previous infatuated appearance was so deeply ingrained in people's minds that even now, thinking about it still made Qiao Ran feel a little uneasy.

Galar... he's absolutely terrifying.

After being asked many questions by Sonia, Qiao Ran also raised his own questions. He wanted to know more about the "Legend of Galar," and most importantly, whether the doctor had any way to remove the sword from his hand.

"I'm sorry, regarding your request to take the sword away... I'm actually not sure either."

After observing the Long Sword in Qiao Ran's hand for a long time, Sonia finally came to this regrettable conclusion. Although she sympathized with Qiao Ran 'Qiao Ran plight after hearing his story, she still had to admit that there were things she couldn't do.

"So you were carrying this burden all along... I'm sorry, I used to think you were deliberately not taking it off... I never imagined it was for this reason..."

On the other side, Bea also cast a look of admiration and sympathy at Qiao Ran. Knowing about this did not make her prejudice against Qiao Ran. On the contrary, she felt that this was probably what made "Hero" different, the weight that "Hero" had to bear.

Qiao Ran was becoming more and more to her liking.

"All right."

Receiving this somewhat disappointing result, Qiao Ran could only wave his hand helplessly. It seemed that getting this item would depend on his own efforts.

Although he met the young doctor, Galar, the information Qiao Ran obtained was quite limited, consisting mainly of legends passed down through generations and things he already knew.

"That's all for today. We'll start our operation tomorrow... You've probably heard about it from Bea, right? Qiao Ran, will you be coming with us?"

Sonia put down her notebook, ending the conversation, and then asked the "Sword Hero" a question.

Although she is currently just a Pokémon researcher, Sonia's strength as a trainer has never been weak. Before becoming a researcher, she was a formidable rival to the Champion and one of the Trainer.

"Of course, I've already made a promise with Bea, I'll definitely participate in this mission."

Qiao Ran would not give up at this time; for whatever reason, he would continue on.

After meeting Sonia, Qiao Ran was placed in a room. Due to limited space, only researchers like Sonia had individual accommodations; everyone else lived in a dormitory.

To save space, Qiao Ran and Bea moved in together again. According to Bea, she felt she should stay by Qiao Ran's side to protect his safety; if anything happened to the Sword Hero, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

"Thanks."

Qiao Ran thanked him and quickly went to bed to rest.

Nothing happened that night. Bea wasn't a talkative person. The next day arrived, and it was time to set off on a mission.

Qiao Ran was woken up early by Bea. A large group of people had already gathered in the open space outside. These people were warriors gathered by the Pokémon League. Some of them were originally employees of the Pokémon League, while others were probably just ordinary Trainer.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Galar region has fallen into a great crisis. This time, we are not only saving our compatriots, but also ourselves!"

The Pokémon League leader began mobilizing for the operation. Their task was to do everything possible to get the supplies transported from the rear into Hammerlocke. Since there were also Gigantamax Pokémon in the sky, they had to choose the most primitive method.

Even though Qiao Ran had already dealt with the most troublesome Gigantamax Corviknight, other Gigantamax Pokémon could still pose significant problems for them.

Especially when using man-made flying vehicles—the opponent can cause the aircraft to crash with just a slight flap of its wings.

"Bea Gym Leader Pokémon, so we can drive into Hammerlocke. Although there's a possibility that new Stone Blocks might block the road, it's not a problem."

Listening to the team leader's words, Qiao Ran secretly glanced at Bea. This was the reason he had met Bea. She was in Hammerlocke to use her Fighting-type abilities to clear a path so that they could complete their mission.

"If there are no further questions, our plan will officially begin in one hour. Please assemble in half an hour. You can go and prepare. Dismissed!"

The group disbanded, and people began their final preparations. Qiao Ran also shouldered his backpack, sat on the Stone Blocks outside, and leaned on his Long Sword with his left hand.

This time, everything is finally about to begin.

Whether for his own sake or for Galar's, he had to seize this opportunity, and he was willing to use special powers for it.

Gigantamax...

Qiao Ran looked at the wristband in his right hand, a flame burning in his eyes. The power that Gloria had given him was about to Illuminate...

Spiritomb

Section 198, 195 [Convoy: Charge!]

The dilapidated Hammerlocke was filled with horrifying ruins. Qiao Ran had only left this place a day ago, and even with such a small time difference, he felt that the place had become even more terrifying and desolate.

"Team One, you go and create a disturbance to attract the attention of the Pokémon! Team Two, you scout the surrounding area and check the situation! Teams Three and Four, stay with the transport team and stand by! Bea Gym Leader Doctor Sonia, and you... Hero, stay with the convoy as well."

The Pokémon League's commander was a middle-aged man who looked somewhat old. According to Bea, he was a senior member of the Pokémon League who was not only good at commanding Pokémon battles, but also at leading teams and assigning tasks. He had a very high reputation in the Pokémon League.

Under his command, Qiao Ran, Bea, Sonia, and others stayed in the convoy transporting supplies, constantly observing the surrounding situation to prevent possible attacks. In particular, when Gigantamax Pokémon approached, it was necessary to pull people out of the convoy to Flash Fire.

"Boom!!!"

As the convoy moved forward, the rumbling of the surrounding earth became more frequent. The most dangerous group used themselves as bait, attracting the attention of many Gigantamax Pokémon, but some still managed to slip through and begin to approach the convoy.

"Report! Gigantamax Jynx is approaching from the South!"

"Report! A Gigantamax Grimmsnarl is located to the due north...!"

The radio comms kept ringing with intelligence from the reconnaissance team. The Pokémon League commander clenched his fist and gritted his teeth as he issued the order.

"Teams three and four, split up! Draw away the Pokémon that appear! Two people per team are enough!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, members of Teams Three and Four immediately dispatched several members who, with the help of the Pokémon, jumped off the transport truck. Their actions were swift and decisive; from the very beginning, they understood that their participation carried immense risk.

As the convoy moved forward, more and more people left the trucks, and the atmosphere inside grew increasingly heavy. Qiao Ran didn't say a word, just quietly watched everything. Bea and Sonia were also silent; they knew very well that some of these people might not be able to return.

Soon, only four people remained in the car.

Qiao Ran, Commander, Bea, and Sonia.

"... Is this the end?"

Qiao Ran spoke in a calm voice. Although he couldn't see what was happening outside, judging from everything that had happened before, the situation was starting to get out of control.

"No... there's still a little distance left, about one-fifth..."

The commander looked up at Qiao Ran. His expression remained calm as always, but the beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his true feelings.

Most of the usable team members on board have already left, leaving only a minimal number of people to clear the way and the driver... These people are unlikely to go out and attract Pokémon.

If another one comes along... then everything will be over.

Everyone present understood this principle, and the atmosphere fell silent once again. However, this silence was soon broken by a voice coming from the Walkie-Talkie.

"Report! A Gigantamax has appeared in the northeast direction..."

"...!" Everyone raised their heads, their eyes showing serious expressions.

They had all anticipated this, but the voice that came through the Walkie-Talkie next still shocked them once again.

"... Oh my god! It's Gigantamax!... Gigantamax Dragonite!"

"Dragonite...???"

The Pokémon League Commander's composed face betrayed undisguised panic. There are differences between Pokémon, and even between Gigantamax Pokémon Pokémon. Pokémon like Dragonite is already far superior to some ordinary Gigantamax Pokémon Pokémon.

Gigantamax Pokémon are going to be even more powerful.

The sudden appearance of this Pokémon —is it trying to ruin their plans?

"There's no other way, Doctor Sonia. You'll take command of this team from now on. I'll go and stop that Dragonite. This batch of life-saving supplies must be delivered to Hammerlocke! Hammerlocke... it can't fall!"

The commander handed the Walkie-Talkie to Sonia, while he himself prepared to jump out of the vehicle and join the battle. Hammerlocke was his hometown, and he had no regrets about fighting for this land.

However, just before he was about to leave, a figure suddenly blocked his way.

"No, let me go this time. I'll join you after this is over."

The commander stared blankly, only to find that the person blocking his way was none other than Qiao Ran. At this moment, Qiao Ran was standing at the exit behind the truck, his body supported by Long Sword. There was a hint of fatigue in his expression, but his overall demeanor was as firm as a drawn sword.

"The supplies must be delivered, absolutely."

After saying that, Qiao Ran threw out a Poké Ball, then leaped onto the giant bird-shaped Pokémon and left the truck.

Sometimes, Qiao Ran himself didn't understand his own choices. He could have stayed until the end, let others distract the Pokémon, and simply enjoyed the process of entering Hammerlocke. He had come here to complete his mission.