Chapter 376

"Since you've been to Sister Olivia's house, why don't you come to my house for dinner? Since you're already planning to leave tomorrow, we should treat you to a proper meal."

Mallow once again invited Qiao Ran and the others to her family's Restaurant for dinner. As someone who aspires to become Super Chef, cooking is not a difficult task for her. On the contrary, being able to invite such a group of people to her home for dinner might be an opportunity for her family.

If possible, the kind that can be framed later.

For example, a slogan like "Our shop owner, Mallow, has made dishes that even Sinnoh Champion raved about."

While it may be a bit exaggerated, it's also a reflection of reality, isn't it?

Mallow and Lana were excitedly talking about what would happen next, but upon hearing their words, Tapu Lele, floating in the air, lowered her head somewhat dejectedly.

"Tete..."

Are they leaving tomorrow?

This might be the first time Tapu Lele has been so interested in a human, not just because the human helped her when she was most desperate, but also because the human's performance in that world refreshed her understanding of what a human is capable of.

Most importantly, she witnessed the cooperation and affection between him and the pink stone, not to mention that he seemed to possess a certain aura that she found very appealing.

Tapu Lele's affection was purely liking; she didn't hide her feelings. However, when it was time to leave, she couldn't help but feel sad.

As the land goddess, she does indeed have her own tasks to complete, while the other party needs to go to more places; on other islands, there are still Tapu who need help.

All of this is something she cannot change at this stage.

Before dinner, Qiao Ran and the others arrived at Olivia's house. Her house was actually a three- or four-story building, with shops on the ground floor and residences on the upper floor. However, as soon as Olivia saw Qiao Ran and the others, she was immediately drawn to Dianxi. As a Rock Type expert and Gem enthusiast, this was indeed a very professional match.

Even in the Pokémon World, this person is probably one of the top Dianxi fans.

"Wow, that's amazing! You can make diamonds with your bare hands! My goodness... that's incredible!"

Watching Dianxi conjure pink diamond-shaped items with a mere flick of her wrist, Olivia completely forgot to introduce her Gem craftwork, utterly absorbed in Dianxi's world.

This ability would be the envy of many; almost every Gem craftsman would probably dream of possessing it.

"... It's said that the principle utilizes the carbon element in the air, but I don't really understand the specifics."

Qiao Ran offered a brief explanation, but he couldn't explain the specifics. Although Dianxi understood the process of her power's operation and could describe it to Qiao Ran, Dianxi's "way of understanding" was very much Pokémon way of understanding. If he wanted to convert it into a scientific theory that humans could understand, it was probably beyond the capabilities of Pokémon Trainer like him.

If he could understand even a tiny bit, he might become a pioneering Leading Scientific Authority in the Pokémon World, leading humanity into the era of cultivation.

"Wow, that's amazing... it really is a diamond, it's Illuminate!"

"Uh-huh."

Mallow and Lana were also drawn to Dianxi, their eyes sparkling.

Although their hobbies differed, as ordinary young women, how could they resist the allure of these diamonds? Unlike naturally formed Gem, the diamonds made by Dianxi seemed to possess a more special "feel," a unique and mysterious beauty.

"So beautiful..."

However, just as everyone was looking at the Diamond Flower in Dianxi's hand, the pink flower suddenly shattered, turning into specks of light and disappearing into the air.

A look of surprise flashed across everyone's faces, even Tapu Lele, who was watching from the side, was startled.

She really liked that thing... how come it's gone?

"... Diamonds made by Dianxi cannot last forever, unless they are Eternal Diamond."

Qiao Ran explained briefly, clearing up everyone's doubts. Under normal circumstances, Dianxi's ability to create diamonds cannot permanently change the properties of objects. Although it is possible to create stones that can last a long time by expending more power, the Eternal Diamond has special significance for both Dianxi and Qiao Ran. Normally, Dianxi would not show these to others.

The only people she will gift with Eternal Diamond item are her long-term partners.

"Eternal Diamond..."

"... That sounds amazing."

Mallow and Lana were even more excited; the combination of diamonds and the word "eternity" made it even more incredibly powerful.

Seeing the expectant looks in their eyes, as if they were about to pounce on her, Dianxi was at a loss. In the end, Qiao Ran pretended to take something out of his bag and pulled out one of Dianxi's old practice items, which finally managed to get away with it.

Even if it's not given as a gift, there's still no problem with admiring it.

"The Eternal Diamond... Is this it? This is the Eternal Diamond."

Not only were Lana and Mallow watching intently, but even Olivia rushed up, her expression incredibly excited, her breathing so heavy it sounded like she'd just run a marathon.

"... The condition... is absolutely top-notch, no, in the Real World, it's impossible for something naturally formed to reach this level."

"Most importantly, only Dianxi can produce this Mineral!"

The phrase "having a price but no market" probably best describes something like this.

Generally speaking, items created by Legendary Pokémon are extremely rare "hard currency" in the human world. Moltres's fire is considered the Sacred Fire of the Pokémon League, and Ho-Oh's feathers are supreme treasures. These items are special products that can only be created by a single Legendary Pokémon. In this world centered around Pokémon, these are true "treasures."

"..."

Faced with this situation, Dianxi could only watch helplessly. Even she herself didn't know that she was so popular in the Pokémon World.

However, this feeling is actually quite nice.

"Thank you for helping our island, thank you for saving Tapu Lele."

"Yes, yes, these are some of our Present... just things we can take with us to eat on the road."

At dinner time, Mallow's parents Older Brother not only prepared dinner for Qiao Ran and the others, but also made some "Rations" that could be carried around, which seemed to have taken them quite a bit of time.

Qiao Ran did not refuse and accepted them all. He did need food, and with Tapu Lele on Akala Island, there was no way there would be a food shortage.

During dinner, many nearby residents wanted to bring gifts for Qiao Ran and the others, but Qiao Ran refused, citing inconvenience in carrying them. Although their kindness was touching, they hadn't come to receive any Present.

Many more battles await them in the future.

"... At night, there will be some very beautiful things..."

Suddenly, during the meal, Lana began talking to herself.

"Um?"

Qiao Ran looked at the other person curiously, but she quickly turned her head away.

"... Nothing, I was just spacing out."

"...?"

Lana said she hadn't said anything and then went back to eating, but a question mark appeared above Qiao Ran's head.

What? What evening? What beautiful thing?? Why are you only saying half of what you mean??

Wait... could this be some new fishing technique???

This is my second night on Akala Island.

Unlike the Real World, Alola, located in the tropics, is almost summer all year round, while in the Real World it is already autumn, so the temperature difference between the two is quite obvious.

"..."

Just like yesterday, Qiao Ran and the others were still staying in the "temporary Inn" that had been arranged for them. Although Olivia had mobilized the city today, it would still take a considerable amount of time to restore Akala Island to its original state, so for now, Qiao Ran and the others would have to make do with what they had.

"... In that case, let's go to bed early."

Qiao Ran glanced at the moon and stars outside the window, then closed the window. He wondered if it was because Alola was relatively undeveloped, but the starry sky here was indeed very beautiful. No wonder Alola was able to attract investment from the Pokémon League and build Observatory even when it was relatively barren.

"Tete."

In the room, only Pokémon remained.

I downloaded Tapu Lele.

Qiao Ran's Pokémon all returned to the Wild Area to rest. Even Dianxi didn't stay behind. After such a fierce battle, she knew she should go to the Wild Area to recover her strength instead of stubbornly staying by Qiao Ran's side... Although this annoying pink canned Pokémon kept hovering around Qiao Ran, it would all be over tomorrow anyway.

"... I'm going to rest now, you need to Rest too, right?"

Although Qiao Ran couldn't understand what she was saying, and there was no Rotom to translate, judging from Tapu Lele's appearance, Qiao Ran had already guessed pretty much what she was saying.

This guy seemed to really like her; the closer it got to leaving, the sadder she became, her emotions were written all over her face.

"It's not like we'll never see each other again. I'll come find you again once you've finished what you've done."

Tapu Bulu had said something similar to Qiao Ran before, roughly meaning that it would lend a helping hand when Qiao Ran needed it.

"If you insist on traveling with me... by the way, is it possible for you to leave this place?"

"Tete."

Tapu Lele nodded seriously. Leaving the island was something she could certainly do.

Although she is the Island deity, there is no rule that Island deity must stay on the islands; the land god and the earthbound spirit are still different.

"If you're still willing to come with me then, then we'll go see a bigger world together."

When Qiao Ran emerged from that strange space, he also witnessed the past of the Life Ruins and watched the Tapu people guard this land for thousands of years. They may have developed a deep affection for this place, but compared to the larger world, this place was ultimately just a small island surrounded by the sea.

"..."

Tapu Lele looked into Qiao Ran's eyes and didn't object at all; she just kept nodding.

However, when she actually makes this decision, it will definitely be after she has cleaned up everything on the island. She simply cannot abandon all the Pokémon and humans and leave.

"That's good, I'm going to sleep now."

Qiao Ran smiled, then climbed into Rest to recover her strength.

However, before he could finish speaking, he heard a crisp click, and then something gleaming was placed on the windowsill that he hadn't closed properly.

"...?" Qiao Ran blinked, completely unaware of what had happened.

"...?" Tapu Lele was also suddenly interrupted by the voice, and tilted her head in confusion.

"What exactly is it?"

Qiao Ran, who had just lain down, sat up again and walked to the bedside to try to confirm. However, when he actually got to the window, he found that the thing's true form seemed to be beyond his expectations.

That curved shape, those sharp spikes, that metallic exterior... wait, is that Grappling Hook??... No, it's Fishing Hook??

Using the moonlight, Qiao Ran saw a shimmering silver thread outside the window, so he opened the window to see what was happening outside.

Has the people of Alola become this simple and honest?

However, when Qiao Ran carefully approached the window and saw the scene below through the glass, he couldn't help but be startled.

"... Lana?"

Standing downstairs was a girl with short blue hair. She seemed to be holding a long Fishing Rod in her hand, and the thing hooked onto Qiao Ran's window was her Fishing Rod.

"I'm on the second floor!"

And it's still nighttime, how could she possibly hit this spot directly?

Goodness, if this were actually a Grappling Hook, she might actually become Secret Agent or something.

Like Qiao Ran, Lana below also seemed to notice Qiao Ran at the window, so she waved at him, as if she wanted to say something.

Did she have something important to say? Or...?

"... Well, it seems like I really can't sleep now."

Qiao Ran smiled helplessly. Connecting this to what Lana had said at the dinner table earlier, which she hadn't finished, he guessed that she might have come specifically for that one sentence.

If he pretends not to have seen it this time, he'll probably be lying in bed with his mind filled with what Lana said afterwards... and so on.

When Tapu Lele saw that Qiao Ran suddenly had the idea of not sleeping again, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face, and she happily clapped her hands.

"Tete, tete!"

She also wanted to go out and have fun with Qiao Ran.

The longer we can spend together, the better, of course.

"Here, here."

When Qiao Ran got downstairs, he immediately spotted Lana waving at him furtively.

She was wearing her usual loose clothes and holding a long fishing rod in her hand, indicating that she had already retrieved the Fishing Hook that had been hooked on his windowsill.

"... What are you doing so late?"

Although there was absolutely no internet or other entertainment in Alola, Qiao Ran slept very well tonight.

It's earlier than usual, but usually by this time, no one comes looking for him, right?