Chapter 91

It must be said that Marnie is indeed a very beautiful girl. Although she has very few facial expressions and doesn't know how to smile, she can actually smile after all.

"Cough."

A voice suddenly broke through Qiao Ran's thoughts from the other side of the dining table.

"It's called Sacred Sword, but its authenticity hasn't been verified at all yet. It might just be a fake, a scam."

Gloria, standing to the side, could no longer hold back. This man had not only interrupted her time alone with her idol, Marnie, but also... why?

The atmosphere is still so nice!

If this continues, if this continues... the thing she feared most might actually happen!

She was willing to put herself in danger to protect Marnie.

She had to take action.

"After dinner, let's settle this with a duel! I'll Defeat you with my strength!"

"...!"

Gloria suddenly stood up, and what she said drew everyone's attention to her.

However—after saying those words, not only did everyone else stare, but even Gloria herself froze on the spot. She thought of Qiao Ran's two Legendary Pokémon, and suddenly—she felt like she was walking right into someone else's trap.

Is she confident she can Defeat Legendary Pokémon?

No... no, she really didn't have that confidence.

She needed to come up with a way, at least one, to prevent this man from using those two Pokémon.

Under everyone's gaze, a green light bulb suddenly appeared above Gloria's head.

"According to Team Yell's rules, to resolve our dispute, we can only use Dark type Pokémon for a one-on-one battle, and whoever wins is considered right."

Gloria looked at Qiao Ran in front of her with Taunt gaze, this time she was much more confident.

"How about it? Do you dare to have a match with me? Hmph... you definitely don't dare, do you?"

Section 173, page 170 [evil: evil]

Gloria's thinking was very simple, and she didn't think there was anything wrong with her thinking. After all, she had seen Qiao Ran's battle before. Under such circumstances, most people would definitely send out their elite forces and dare not be careless.

--In other words, Dianxi and Suicune from before were very likely the strongest Pokémon this man in front of him.

Moreover, even if she overlooked something, she didn't believe that after ruling out these two Legendary Pokémon, this man had any other Legendary Pokémon, and even if he did, they couldn't be Dark type.

Legendary Pokémon of the Dark type are extremely rare, and in some regions, Pokémon don't even exist at all.

"How about it? Do you dare to have a match with me? Hmph... you definitely don't dare, do you?"

It was with this reflection that Gloria's confidence soared like never before. What did she have to fear, as long as it wasn't Legendary Pokémon?

She's a super Elite Trainer has challenged countless Gym and is just one step away from challenging the Pokémon League; she's a true genius.

Every year, countless Trainer receive their Starter Pokémon and embark on their Pokémon Journeys with great enthusiasm. However, many, many more are eliminated along the way. Not to mention that the Galar Gym Challenge are "recommended," meaning only selected Trainer are eligible to challenge the Gym.

In this special region, every Gym Battle involves a spectacular Gigantamax, which is broadcast on television, with countless people cheering and supporting the trainers on-site. The stronger the Trainer, the more famous they are in Galar.

Even though she's temporarily a member of the Team Yell, her skills have never diminished.

She... is currently the most dazzling rising star Trainer in Galar!

As long as she seals away that man's two Legendary Pokémon, she can't possibly lose!

"You... want to fight me?"

Seeing the fighting spirit in Gloria's eyes, Qiao Ran's right hand, which was forking noodles, suddenly stopped.

"And... you can only use Dark type Pokémon?"

Qiao Ran's expression was a little strange; it was the first time he had ever heard someone make such a strange request of him.

Thinking about it carefully, it seems like he only has one Dark type Pokémon he can currently use?

Seeing the strange expression on Qiao Ran's face, Gloria felt more and more that her choice was correct.

This man must be feeling guilty, right?

"You're scared? As Trainer, you're afraid of battle? Are you a coward?"

Gloria once again unleashed her legendary three-part taunt, and sure enough, after taking the hit, Qiao Ran's expression was as if he had swallowed a fly.

After this period of travel, Qiao Ran had almost forgotten his original, extremely foul-mouthed self. However, the female lead in front of him seemed afraid that he would forget, constantly jumping around in front of him.

"Ha... Sword Hero, is that all? That's all?"

"..."

A tic-tac-toe mark appeared on Qiao Ran's forehead.

"Qiao Ran..." Marnie stood up, sensing that the atmosphere was starting to turn sour, and subconsciously wanted to stop the dispute.

However—at this moment, Qiao Ran had already raised his head.

Although he had many questions for Marnie, he didn't see any conflict between this and educating the Zu'an Heroine in front of him.

"Fine, you want to fight, right? Whoever wins is right, isn't that right... You'll listen to me then, won't you?"

Looking into Qiao Ran's determined and earnest eyes, which seemed to carry a hint of mockery, Gloria's heart skipped a beat. However, she didn't show any panic and simply nodded.

"Certainly."

"If I win, you have to listen to my advice!"

Gloria was going all out; this kind of competition between the Team Yell was originally...

It was originally intended to resolve some minor internal conflicts, but as the two people kept escalating their efforts, it seemed to take on a different meaning.

"..."

Marnie looked at Qiao Ran, then at Gloria, and finally lowered her outstretched hand.

She wanted to mediate; one of the two people in front of her was her friend, and the other was a legendary Hero. Of course, she hoped they could maintain a good relationship, but... as a Trainer, she also understood.

When two Trainer lock eyes like that, there's nothing anyone can do to stop their battle.

"Youth is wonderful..."

"Yes, it's wonderful to be young."

Marnie's parents, unfazed by the situation, chatted amongst themselves; as experienced Trainer, they understood the feeling.

Do you need me to lend you Pokémon?

Marnie was worried that Qiao Ran didn't have a suitable Pokémon to use in battle, so she specifically asked, "Not everyone likes Dark type Pokémon, and most of them are quite rebellious, so many Trainer are unwilling to train Dark Type Pokémon."

"No need, I happen to have a Dark type one... She'd really like to fight."

Qiao Ran declined Marnie's offer. Just as he said, he happened to have a Dark Type Pokémon that he really wanted to use in the battle. Ever since the last Gym challenge, she had been talking to Qiao Ran about using it in the battle.

"Well... alright." Marnie withdrew her gaze, and after hesitating for a moment, she still offered her blessings to Qiao Ran.

"Keep going! It's okay if you lose, don't worry."

"Thank you." Qiao Ran chuckled wryly. This blessing... it sounded a little strange...

Nighttime, in the largest square of Spikemuth.

The moonlight illuminated the surrounding low houses, casting a silvery glow over the graffiti and signature-covered Battle Court.

When the previous Gym Leader, Marnie's Older Brother, was still alive, this place had always been the Battle Court for Gym Battle. Of course, besides Gym Battle, it would sometimes also become a live concert venue, making it lively and bustling every day.

However, tonight, the atmosphere here is more somber and tense.

"Hey, did you hear?"

"You mean that...? Our Special Attack Captain is going to settle things with that man through combat?"

"Yeah, with the Special Attack Captain's strength, there's no way that man could win, right?"

"Hehehe... Winning is definitely out of the question, but aren't you curious why our Captain is fighting a man like this?"

"Why...?"

"Of course it's hey...! &@...!"

Before the night's battle even began, a large circle of Team Yell members, who had eaten their fill of dinner but had nothing else to do, had already gathered around the Battle Court. In a small place like Spikemuth, the slightest disturbance would trigger a collective outcry from everyone.

Especially these kinds of romantic disputes, Pokémon battles, and the like, can attract everyone's attention.

Shh—it sounds like the Captain and the others are here.

"Really? Marnie, it's Marnie!"

The appearance of Marnie and Gloria elicited cheers from everyone present, who shouted like enthusiastic fans at a star-studded event.

Marnie waved and greeted them.

This black-haired girl truly seemed like a princess in this place, as if everyone was drawn to her.

"Alright, let's fight!"

Gloria, standing next to Marnie, stepped forward and stood at one end of the Battle Court.

Since Spikemuth doesn't have Gigantamax Energy, the size of the Battle Court here is no different from other places, and it's not exaggerated to the extent of a large football stadium.

Following the direction Marnie pointed out, Qiao Ran also stood at the other end of the Battle Court —only when he actually stood on the Battle Court did he truly feel the attitude of everyone present towards him.

The members of the Team Yell were all booing him.

It was obvious that these guys didn't like Qiao Ran, who had suddenly appeared and was getting close to Little Marnie.

Moreover, they did not believe that Qiao Ran had the ability to Defeat their Special Attack Captain.

That's a woman who's even stronger than Marnie in terms of Pokémon.

"Since I initiated this battle, I'll send out my own Pokémon first."

Gloria straightened her green hat and took a Poké Ball out of her skirt pocket.

"Come out! Obstagoon!"

As she shouted, a black and white, upright weasel-like Pokémon appeared before everyone. This Pokémon had a malicious look in its eyes, a large X-shaped scar on its arm, and a long tongue sticking out of its mouth, making it look like a terrifying and ruthless character.

Moreover, this is also a unique evolutionary form of the Galar region. Due to the harsh living environment and fierce competition, the Galar's Linoone evolved through constant fighting, and the endpoint of this evolution was the upright-walking Obstagoon!

The Linoone stood up!

"It's Obstagoon... the same one as Gym Leader Piers's ace!"

"They've trained him so well... I feel like I'm on par with Boss Piers."

Those two should be about the same strength, right?...

Gloria's Pokémon once again sparked whispers among those around her. The entire Spikemuth had a particular fondness for Dark type Pokémon, so when they saw this Galar- specific Obstagoon, they couldn't help but share their opinions.

In contrast to Gloria, the expectations of those around Qiao Ran were also dwindling. Even though this man was very strong, could he really bring out a powerful Dark type Pokémon and defeat their Special Attack Captain?

Impossible.

This is simply impossible.

"Alright, shouldn't you send out your Pokémon now? Or have you decided to admit defeat?"

The atmosphere around her made Gloria feel very good, and she reached out her hand, once again Taunt Qiao Ran.

"If you admit defeat now, I might be able to give you some pointers."

"... Oh."

Qiao Ran a deep breath and resisted the urge to immediately engage in intimate moments with her.

He was determined to win the next battle as well. With such a great opportunity to gain experience delivered to his doorstep, he was determined to seize it.

"You still want to fight? Fine, send out your Pokémon and let me see just how strong you really are."

Gloria chuckled softly, and as she spoke, the surrounding Team Yell erupted in laughter.

Qiao Ran's inhalation was completely misinterpreted as fear and cowardice.

"I would have sent them even without you saying so."

Qiao Ran shook his head, his mindset unaffected by the other person's actions. Instead, he took out a black Poké Ball and summoned his Pokémon.

Suddenly... perhaps in an instant, or perhaps after a long time.