Lance's Dragonite Was Such a Drama Queen~

The two chatted for a while longer about nothing of substance.

Cynthia clearly did not want Heiduo to know too much about the gray-clad people. He guessed the matter ran too deep, and knowing too much would do him no good.

Heiduo himself had no desire to involve himself in the dispute between the Dragon People, Tatara Industries, and the Pokémon Association. Since Cynthia was unwilling to tell him, he let it go.

The two parted ways, and Heiduo finished his nightly training at the secret venue.

The next day.

The final day of the Dragon King Tournament proceeded as usual, but something unexpected happened.

—Aster and Cynthia had forfeited.

This was the first time something like this had happened on the eve of the Dragon King Tournament finals. There had been forfeitures before, but two people forfeiting in succession during the semifinals, just before a winner was chosen, was practically an affront to the Dragon God himself. Still, everything that had happened yesterday had also been unprecedented.

The incident caused a huge stir among the Dragon People, though it only spread within a limited circle. Clair and Cynthia were no fools; they had surely discussed it beforehand.

Heiduo had no idea what was going on with Aster, but he guessed she had gone after the Rayquaza that had flown away yesterday afternoon.

Ever since Higan's death, Aster had regarded saving the world as her mission. She had most likely come to Blackthorn City for the Dragon King Festival to pursue Rayquaza's trail, and after seeing Rayquaza yesterday, she had probably rushed after it.

Six became four, and the rules changed to two-on-two.

The first match was Winona versus Clair. Winona was clearly distracted and not very invested in the match, so she was defeated before long.

Of course, the