Chapter 130

"Qiao Ran."

Where have you been?

She didn't say much, but looked directly at Qiao Ran, and then her gaze lingered on Lillie and Mei beside Qiao Ran.

"Who... are they?"

"They are... I'll explain later, I want to talk to you about some things."

Qiao Ran paused, then gestured to the girl in front of him with his eyes that he had something serious to say, things they couldn't possibly discuss in the street.

Although most of the townspeople in Spikemuth were on their side, after learning from the example of "Chairman Rose," Qiao Ran became cautious in these places, especially in Galar, where he had to be extra careful. Since Rose had a "parallel" from Otherworld, then... what about the others?

Could some people have already...?

Qiao Ran didn't want to think about it in this direction, but as the thought gradually spread, she couldn't suppress it anymore.

"Thank you for lending me your Charge bank last time, Marnie."

"Hmm? Do you still want it?"

Although she didn't know why Qiao Ran suddenly asked this question, Marnie still gave an answer.

"Hmm... take a look at it for me later."

"Marnie! Why are you running so fast!"

In the dark alley, another short-haired girl ran up, interrupting their conversation. She came to Marnie's side, who had black hair in pigtails, and started panting.

However, after she saw what was happening on Qiao Ran's side, she didn't even have time to catch her breath. She pointed directly at Qiao Ran's nose and shouted.

"Well, you've already done it again after just one day!"

However, halfway through her speech, her voice suddenly stopped; she seemed to have noticed something strange.

"Wait, did they come from a nearby town to seek refuge in Spikemuth? Or...?"

The girl's gaze lingered on Lillie and Mei, not Mei Lillie clothes were strange, but because... their clothes were just too neat and clean.

They simply didn't seem like people who lived in Galar —in this hellish, apocalyptic Galar of today.

Ordinary people in Galar

It would be impossible for them to maintain their former elegance in such a harsh environment.

"Gloria, don't ask yet."

Marnie, who was standing nearby, took her hand and instantly calmed her agitated emotions, which made her want to continue asking questions. When she received Qiao Ran's hint, Marnie understood that she should do something.

She Frisk what Qiao Ran meant.

Although she is still a novice, she is also a town manager, and her personality, which does not easily show her emotions, is indeed suitable for these tasks.

"Everyone, please follow me."

"Um."

Marnie and Gloria turned and left, followed by Qiao Ran. Lillie and Mei exchanged a glance and also chased after them.

Although the meeting was brief and they hadn't introduced themselves, Lillie and Mei, who had been somewhat nervous, relaxed a little.

This town is not normal, but they did not sense any malice from the two girls who suddenly appeared. Moreover, not only Lillie, but even Mei felt an instant connection with them.

Especially the short-haired girl who appeared later; if it weren't for the slight difference in appearance, Lillie would have almost mistaken her for Mei.

"I remember... Mei seems to have moved from the Kanto Region... Are Kanto people and Galar people really that similar?"

Section 252, page 248 [Experience]

Galar region.

Spikemuth.

At Marnie's house.

"My name is Marnie, and I'm the acting Gym Leader of Spikemuth Gym."

"My name is Gloria, and I'm currently the Assault Captain in Spikemuth. My main job is handling resource gathering..."

"I am Mei, Trainer from the Unova Region."

"Hello everyone, my name is Lillie, and... I'm a researcher from the Alola Region."

It was an ordinary little house. Qiao Ran and the others sat down on the sofa. After introducing themselves, everyone's eyes were on Qiao Ran.

"So, they're all your former companions? One's from the Alola Region, and the other's from Unova. There's no way they'd choose to travel to Galar at a time like this, is there?"

Gloria raised an eyebrow. No outsiders had approached the Galar region for a long time; after all, the skies and seas of this region were far more terrifying than the land.

In the sky, enormous Sky Predators hunt everything around them; human airplanes are merely tiny toys in their eyes. In the ocean, the Wailord, as large as a super island, can capsize a giant ship with a slight opening of its mouth.

Therefore, other regions had long since cut off aid to Galar, and due to the damage to various facilities, Galar gradually lost contact with other regions.

What's the outside world like?

"I brought them all here... and you should be mentally prepared, what I'm about to tell you is all true."

Qiao Ran plans to tell Gloria and Marnie about Lillie and Mei's experiences. They are among the few people Qiao Ran can trust. Whether it's their private interactions or his understanding of the original work, Qiao Ran has no reason to hide anything from them.

"The region they live in has also suffered a huge crisis."

"The Alola Region has been invaded by an otherworldly species called 'Ultra Beast,' and most areas have lost their ability to resist."

"As for the Unova..."

Qiao Ran glanced at Mei and considered how to describe it.

"The situation in Unova is probably not good either. Mei experienced a battle that nearly destroyed the entire continent before being transported to the world I was in by some force. And... she has lost her memory."

Although information about the Unova Region is still very scarce, judging from Mei's strength, Qiao Ran can already guess just how terrifying the battle must have been.

Mei now... possesses genuine, Elite Four-level strength.

An Elite Four was defeated and forced to retreat, losing his memory and even being transported to another world by some force. Putting aside what that force capable of traversing worlds actually is, the fact that it could Defeat Mei, and even Defeat many powerful Trainer in the Unova Region, is already a terrifying thing.

--Unova is not a sparsely populated region like Alola.

Has the outside world also suffered such terrible destruction?

"..."

After hearing Qiao Ran's story, Marnie and Gloria's expressions turned pale. Before this, most of the people in Galar had an unrealistic fantasy—to restart the energy system of Hammerlocke, send distress signals to other regions, and have people from other regions form a united army to save them from their predicament. This idea was even more deeply rooted in everyone's heart as life became increasingly difficult, which was one of the reasons why the Pokémon League continued to send supplies to Hammerlocke.

However, the news Qiao Ran brought completely shattered their illusions.

--No one else will come to save them.

"As for some things that happened to me before..."

Qiao Ran didn't give them much time to process the news; he suddenly changed the subject.

He then began to recount the events that had occurred after he arrived in Hammerlocke.

Qiao Ran's expression grew increasingly serious. Even Lillie and Mei looked over at him intently, as it was the first time they had heard Qiao Ran recount this story.

Qiao Ran still can't forget that Torn World.

I can't forget the sky dyed red by the crimson light, nor can I forget the battlefield built of iron and fire.

That terrifying man, the Chairman Rose of that Otherworld, completely abandoned everything. When he was at his wit's end, he even tried his best to perish together with Qiao Ran. That was not a battle between Trainer at all, but the most primitive and bloody real battlefield.

It's either you die or I die.

Without moral constraints or Rules, all of Pokémon's attacks are aimed at killing its opponent.

If Qiao Ran hadn't finally seized upon that man's weakness and used "the inheritance of his will" as a threat, this matter probably wouldn't have ended so simply.

Moreover, Zacian's appearance also played a role in turning the tide of the battle. It was the will of the Sword Hero passed down from Galar that gave Qiao Ran hope for survival.

Although Qiao Ran tricked them a little at the very end, breaking his promise before leaving and having Yveltal bombard the two guys with Oblivion Wing — Qiao Ran didn't feel there was any need to hold back against people who posed a real threat to the entire world and his own life.

Although he broke his promise, he never considered himself a great and righteous person; all he wanted to do was what he believed to be right.

What he had to do then was protect his own world, the Pokémon World, and everything he cared about.

Moreover, if they were in each other's shoes, he felt the other person would do the same thing, or even worse.

However, even if Yveltal's Oblivion Wing hits them directly in the end, Qiao Ran cannot guarantee that they are dead. Although Yveltal's Oblivion Wing is extremely powerful and can take lives very efficiently, it is still such a terrifying opponent. Qiao Ran does not know if the opponent has any way to deal with it, so it is always better to be cautious.

Qiao Ran's narration went on for a long time, and the various strange things he mentioned made the girls stare in astonishment.

The Real and Fake Rose, A World Beyond Another World, Celesteela, Ultra Beast, The Purple-Faced Man, Another Shattered Galar...

This complex situation seems to have far exceeded their expectations.

They could even sense that a terrible crisis was about to strike them, so overwhelming that they could hardly breathe.

Section 253, page 249 [Legend]

"Ultra Beast... Is that the same world that Nihilego originally lived in?"

After listening to Qiao Ran's story, Lillie, who had been silent until now, suddenly asked a question.

She wouldn't normally be this agitated, but with the Aether Foundation's long-standing staff and her Disappearance Older Brother in the picture, she simply couldn't contain her emotions.

"Actually, I can't be sure about that. After all, I didn't see anything related to the Aether Foundation, or your Older Brother, over there."

Qiao Ran pursed his lips. After he was safe, he also asked Nihilego herself to confirm whether it was her original world. However, she also did not give a clear answer.

--The humanoid Nihilego Levitate in mid-air, its long Silver White hair gleaming translucently in the night light.

"It looks very similar... but I don't know."

Just like the Real World where Qiao Ran is and the Pokémon World, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the two worlds before a clear confirmation is obtained. Nihilego is not Legendary Pokémon of the space type. If it were Palkia, it might really be able to sense something in this short period of time.

"Okay... I understand."

Hearing Qiao Ran's answer, Lillie sat back down with a hint of helplessness. However, she secretly kept this in mind, and if Qiao Ran went there again next time, she would definitely ask him to take her with him.

--Maybe she really can discover something over there?

"Older Brother..."

Hearing Qiao Ran and Lillie's conversation, Marnie on the other side also suddenly stood up.

She was also very concerned about news about her Older Brother, especially since these things were included in what Qiao Ran had just mentioned.

"Qiao Ran, are you saying you didn't see my Older Brother in that city, and that other people said he went to other places on missions?"

"Hmm... that's what I heard."

Almost everyone he met in Hammerlocke who knew about Marnie's Older Brother gave him this answer.

Qiao Ran nodded, but immediately changed the subject, "However, this news seems to have been leaked by that fake Chairman Rose, so..."

He's Disappearance.

Marnie's previously expressionless face suddenly darkened. The information she had received did not match what Qiao Ran had brought back, and the very reason why that fake Rose wanted to pass on this message was quite intriguing.

"My Older Brother is ranked first in strength in Galar."

"This top-tier Trainer can battle giant Pokémon even without Gigantamax; he's the pride of Spikemuth. Plus, he's a famous singer in Galar. With his abilities, he could live a much better life in any city, but he chose to stay here."

Marnie's body trembled slightly as she sat down again.

"He wouldn't just leave without contacting us; something must have happened to him."

"... His affairs might be related to that fake chairman," Qiao Ran said, offering his opinion. "However, there's also the possibility that he might suddenly go on a mission elsewhere. The situation in Galar isn't optimistic right now, so a sudden change in plans is entirely possible, isn't it?"

"... Um."

Marnie took a deep breath and nodded slightly.

She certainly hoped the latter possibility was more likely; if her Older Brother had been involved in a conspiracy by villains spanning the world, he would probably be in grave danger.

"Also, regarding the fake president's identity and his purpose... judging from some of the things he said during the battle, what he wants to do seems to be related to his own world..."

Qiao Ran blinked and moved on to other topics. The discussion lasted for a long time, and they needed a clear conclusion about the next steps and coping strategies.

Fifty minutes later, the discussion was still ongoing, but most of those present understood that due to the current lack of information, they would inevitably be unable to reach a definitive conclusion.

"Furthermore, we don't know if the other side has someone who can replace us. Since there are 'other Rose's in this Otherworld, it's also possible that there are other versions of us. Therefore, we need a secret code to verify the other side's identity."

Qiao Ran didn't need to verify Lillie and Mei's identities; their connection with him would never be severed. However, Marnie and Gloria posed a constant threat to him.