Chapter 129

Qiao Ran and his group did not stay at the Aether Foundation for long. After Lillie calmed down a bit, they prepared to leave.

If they're gone for too long, Phoebe in the Real World might notice something. As for Lusamine, Mei said she'd put in a good word for her, and Qiao Ran and the others can just leave.

"Mei, please think about what we discussed with you before. It's okay to give us an answer later."

Qiao Ran looked into Mei's eyes, appearing very sincere.

"That matter" wasn't something Qiao Ran came up with on a whim; Lillie had already mentioned it to Qiao Ran on the way here.

This suggestion was made.

She wanted Mei to leave.

Mei is a powerful Trainer with unlimited potential. She shouldn't be trapped in the lifeless and hopeless Aether Foundation. She deserves a much bigger stage.

"... Um.

Mei responded, as she did indeed have some questions about "that matter."

Her gaze swept over Lillie and Mei.

"So... Lillie has already been... and Mei too, right?"

"By... by what? No, no, no, no, no."

Mei Yawn yawning and dozing off nearby, was suddenly startled by Mei's words. She quickly blushed and shook her head. However, when she realized from the expressions of the people around her that they were not talking about what she was thinking, her face seemed to turn even redder.

"... Anyway, let me think about it."

Mei has gradually come to understand everything. She Covet for the outside world more than anyone else, but the price she needs to pay to leave this place is also extraordinary.

--To become this man's... Pokémon?

At this point, it's probably no different from a lifetime... right?

Lifetime...

If it were the original her, she would never have imagined that outstanding people like Lillie and Mei would agree to such illogical conditions. However, after gradually getting to know Qiao Ran and considering her current situation, she might have come to understand something.

... Under normal circumstances, she might also be attracted to this man. After all, he has gained the recognition of so many Legendary Pokémon, is very skilled in Pokémon battles, and more importantly... he has a considerate personality and the determination to take on everything in crucial moments.

Perhaps it's not about becoming Pokémon... but something else... that doesn't seem so unacceptable?

Even now, she can't forget the battle to save the Aether Foundation. It was this man's appearance that reversed everything, rescued Lillie who was being parasitized, and completely turned the tide of the battle.

... Lillie told me that he also went to other worlds and helped solve problems in other places.

That's great... I'd like to see it if I have the chance.

So what kind of battles and adventures will it be?

Who did he meet?

What Pokémon did he use?

What skills did he use?

Did he... become a hero?

"Goodbye."

Mei smiled and waved goodbye to Qiao Ran and the other two, but in the end, she still couldn't make a decision right now.

With her other hand on her chest, she was now starting to feel a pang of jealousy towards Lillie and Qiao Ran's close relationship.

"Why... Hmph... If you don't let me see those things..."

After the three left, she involuntarily closed her eyes, but the image of Qiao Ran and Lillie snuggling together was still vivid in her mind's eye—she had been subjected to this kind of public displays of affection countless times since their first meeting.

She told herself not to mind, but... the facts that Qiao Ran and the others revealed today made her start to have all sorts of wild thoughts.

"If it weren't for what I did back then..."

If she had been nicer to Qiao Ran back then... would she have been just like Lillie and the others, foolishly agreeing to such conditions?

Mei's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to several months ago.

When she met Qiao Ran, Lillie was still unconscious.

Section 250, Chapter 246 [Fate]

Nothing more was said that night.

Time quickly passed to the next day.

Just like before Qiao Ran Galar region, Qiao Ran, Lillie, and others dined with Phoebe in the Western-style Mansion's Restaurant. The Western-style Mansion's owner asked Qiao Ran several questions at the table.

She naturally attached great importance to the intelligence that Qiao Ran brought back. Based on the existing information, she urgently needed more concrete evidence to confirm her conjecture.

"... You can take this sword with you for now. If the Pokémon League questions you, just mention my name. However, as a condition, if you obtain any noteworthy information, remember to report it immediately."

"Also, remember that although I vouch for you, this sword was unearthed by the Pokémon League's archaeological team, and nominally belongs to the Pokémon League —you must take good care of it."

Phoebe isn't a rigid person; she values practicality more. To achieve her goals, she's willing to slightly trample on the Pokémon League's Rules.

"Rest assured."

Qiao Ran couldn't help but roll his eyes at her. Could he possibly lose this thing? If he lost Zacian, could he just replace it with another sword to bite?

Breakfast time passed quickly, and Qiao Ran did not linger after the meal, but left the table directly.

"... Are you leaving?"

Phoebe watched his retreating figure, a flicker of something seeming to cross her eyes.

"Hmm." Qiao Ran paused, then responded softly.

--This period of stay is coming to an end; as a trainer, he cannot stay in one place for too long.

Moreover, he initially came here only because he received a temporary mission, as a participant in a connection with Mei, this Otherworlder.

They were involved in the incident.

However... in retrospect, he underestimated this mission.

This girl... no, this old woman... has actually made a name for herself in his heart in such a short time?

"... I'll come back next time if I have the chance."

Qiao Ran took a deep breath. He knew he was destined to experience such a scene, both now and in the future; he would definitely have to go through countless separations.

Even so, he still had to move forward; this was his Fate in life.

"..."

Phoebe leaned against the dining table, propping her cheek up with her hand, her gaze fixed on Qiao Ran's receding figure.

"Whatever you want..."

For her, time seemed to have become less important. Over the long years, the only ones who could stay with her were the Ghost Pokémon. Even her best friend, whom she met after her last awakening—the former Maid of this Western-style Mansion —had long since grown old.

Yes, this Western-style Mansion wasn't actually Phoebe's sole residence. On odd-numbered days of the week, someone would come to help her with the chores at the Western-style Mansion. However, at some point, that person stopped coming.

"That guy... said he went back to his hometown to recuperate?"

Phoebe waved, and a Rotom Phone Levitate over. On the screen was a photo of an old man smiling in front of a building. Judging from the building's shape, it was the Jugu Gym that Qiao Ran had challenged before coming here.

"She was just a little girl back then."

Looking at the latest photo, Phoebe felt inexplicably irritated. She waved her hand to dismiss the Ghost Pokémon around her.

Looking at the photo, she couldn't help but think of Qiao Ran.

No one can defy time.

No matter how skilled he is in Pokémon battles, or how outstanding his current potential is, he'll probably end up like that guy.

"Seriously... what am I expecting?"

Phoebe slumped into the large chair; this should never have started in the first place.

In the Real World, Qiao Ran has already decided on his next move. He needs to go to the next city to challenge a new Gym. Although many things have happened during this journey, challenging the Gym should be his original intention.

"Um... I probably won't be able to travel with you guys from now on."

Upon hearing Qiao Ran reveal his plans, Mei showed a very regretful expression.

Although she also wanted to continue traveling with Qiao Ran, she had her own identity in this world—she was Dr. Lilia's Assistant, and Dr. Lilia was also her benefactor. No matter how much she wanted to go with Qiao Ran, she would have to go back and say hello and explain things properly.

"There's nothing we can do about it."

Qiao Ran shrugged. He could understand Mei's reasons, but deep down he still breathed a sigh of relief. Although Mei and Lillie were both good girls, taking both of them on the road... Qiao Ran felt a very strange feeling no matter how he thought about it.

For some inexplicable reason, he seemed to hallucinate a character from the Pokémon World known as "Mao Gongzi," who drove a convertible sports car and challenged Gym.

Qiao Ran can swear that this was definitely not what she thought at the beginning.

He just wanted to travel with his Pokémon!

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I need to do before I leave."

The peaceful time allowed Qiao Ran's previously tense nerves to completely relax, so much so that he only now remembered that he still needed to go to the Galar region to see Marnie and the others one more time.

Because he needed to get back to the Real World in time, Qiao Ran left in a hurry without waiting for Marnie and Gloria to wake up or to give them any further explanation.

Qiao Ran only left a note to let them know she had left, and they probably don't know what Qiao Ran current situation is.

"Mei, would you like to come with me to see another world before we leave?"

Qiao Ran looked at the girl in front of him. Although he already knew her answer, he couldn't help but smile when he asked the question and saw her expression gradually become happy and excited.

"Of course! I'm definitely going!" Mei answered without hesitation.

"And... what about me?" Lillie pointed to herself.

"Of course you're coming too." Qiao Ran had been concerned about something, but he hadn't discussed it in detail with anyone else during this time.

Taking advantage of this trip back to the Galar region, he might need to thoroughly review the recent events.

For example, another world, another Chairman Rose, or the Celesteela that guy used to use...

The crisis is far from over.

These are not questions he can figure out on his own; these girls might give him even more insights.

Section 251, page 247 [Galar]

"This is... the Galar region?"

"How terrifying..."

When Qiao Ran arrived in another world, although Lillie and Mei had prepared themselves mentally, they still couldn't help but gape in surprise when they actually arrived.

The place where they appeared was the very spot where Qiao Ran had left Galar —a hillside outside Spikemuth. From here, one could see an overview of most of Spikemuth, and not far away, one could vaguely see many huge footprints, which, even after a considerable amount of time, still exuded a fearsome aura.

Besides, Spikemuth's dilapidated and dark appearance made Lillie and Mei a little nervous. Although this was largely due to Spikemuth's small population and years of disrepair, the main reason was that almost all the residents were fans of Dark Type Pokémon. Living in this dark place that looked like a villain's den actually made them feel very comfortable.

"... Qiao Ran... the person you want to see... is in here?"

Lillie couldn't help but take a deep breath. As the young lady of the Aether Foundation, she had been exposed to mostly cute Fairy Type Pokémon since childhood, which was also her mother Lusamine's hobby. Among most of the Pokémon owned by Lusamine, almost all of them had beautiful and attractive appearances.

For example, Minas Picosi.

Therefore, everything here felt incongruous with Lillie —and, as soon as Qiao Ran entered Spikemuth, a few scattered people squatting by the roadside, looking like villainous henchmen, Qiao Ran and greeted him. These people had brightly colored hair, strangely painted faces, and wore dangerous-looking clothing with several spikes sticking out unexpectedly. Every now and then, a few would suddenly stand up and run quickly in one direction, like small fry going to report a message.

"This is a normal town, isn't it? It's not some villain's stronghold, is it?"

Mei, standing to the side, also had a completely blank expression. If Qiao Ran hadn't brought her here, she definitely would have released her Pokémon to stay by her side.

She had never seen anything like this in her Unova Region —although she had tracked down some traces of a villainous organization back in her homeland, just as she was about to take further action, the event that had led her to other worlds had already occurred.

"No, no, don't worry, these people just look a little strange."

Qiao Ran's lips twitched slightly. Perhaps it was because he had lived here for a while, but he didn't find the place strange at all. Or perhaps... his aesthetic sense here had been skewed?

"Who's strange?"

Suddenly, just as Qiao Ran and the others were still talking, a soft girl's voice came from the depths of the dark alley.

With the crisp sound of footsteps, a petite girl with an unusual appearance emerged from the shadows.

She wore a black jacket, a pink Dress, and had her hair tied in devil horn-like pigtails, but what was most distinctive was her jagged forehead hair.

Her appearance instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.