Chi Hong looked at Gu Yuena and smiled.
"Once I've collected all seventeen Plates, the legendary Pokémon I have will regain their God King-level power. When the time comes to face the Divine Realm, I'll be enough on my own."
Gu Yuena's violet eyes flickered. This human was making an enormous claim. She would have to weigh it carefully.
After a long silence, she spoke.
"I have two of the Plates you need."
Her voice was calm.
"But how can I trust you? You're human, after all. Even if you favor Soul Beasts now, will you still stand with us after you become a god and face the human God Kings of the Divine Realm?"
Chi Hong smiled. "You're overthinking it."
He raised a hand and pointed to an ordinary Poké Ball hanging from his wrist.
"This is called a Poké Ball. It's my Martial Soul. It lets Soul Beasts form contracts with me and become my Soul Rings without being hunted down. If I spread it far and wide, human Soul Masters won't need to hunt Soul Beasts to grow stronger. That's what I can do."
He added,
"And you may not know this, but I've declared war on every human faction on the continent. Over the next five years, I'll seek them out one by one and defeat them all."
Gu Yuena raised an eyebrow. That was tempting.
Chi Hong turned toward the Ice Empress, who stood nearby.
Smiling, he reached out and casually stroked her head. Then his hand slid down and settled around her waist.
The Ice Empress went rigid.
Her first instinct was to look up at Gu Yuena, only to meet her knowing gaze.
The Ice Empress's face flushed bright red.
Being treated like this in front of her sovereign left her mind in