The next day.
Briar returned from her trip.
In a multimedia classroom, Baimu finally met the descendant of the great adventurer Heath.
"Long time no see, Briar!" he greeted her.
"You're too kind, Champion. I'm so sorry. I invited you here, then kept you waiting so long." The elegant, scholarly woman looked apologetic. Then she noticed the little creature on his shoulder. "Oh? Isn't that...?"
"Mo-mo!"
Pecharunt hid behind Baimu's head, eyeing the woman warily.
It was rather possessive. It liked only its Trainer and wanted its Trainer to like only it.
It was timid by nature, too, and strongly disliked strangers.
"That's right. Pecharunt, the 'ogre' of Kitakami legend." Baimu nodded.
Briar looked surprised. "I'd only heard you took Ogerpon with you. I didn't realize you'd brought Pecharunt along too. Impressive!"
What did she mean, "brought Pecharunt along"?
Something about her wording struck Baimu as odd.
After that, Briar paid Pecharunt no more attention. To her, a Mythical Pokémon was still just a Pokémon, not the object of her lifelong ambitions.
She took out a white letter bearing a crimson wax seal and said excitedly, "Look! I got permission to explore Area Zero and the Great Crater of Paldea!"
"Congratulations, Briar!" Carmine, who had brought Baimu here, smiled and clapped. As Briar's assistant, she knew how badly Briar wanted to vindicate her ancestor and unravel the many mysteries recorded in the Scarlet Book.
Above all, Briar had spent countless days dreaming of the Disk Pokémon at the heart of those mysteries.
Now Geeta had finally given her approval, and she could go see it for herself.
The Great Crater of Paldea?
Hadn't Nemona said there were no immediate plans for an expedition?
Baimu had reason to suspect Geeta had agreed because the Future Swords of Justice and the Ancient