The dust settled

Kanon glanced in the direction of the Sword of Royal Authority and could no longer sit still.

Because somehow, Laika had climbed onto the stone tablet and was holding a green, Doll -shaped Pokémon.

But that wasn't what mattered to him; what mattered was the golden Poké Ball that the Petilil was holding!

Damn it!

Kanon's eyes darkened. "The Cofagrigus, Ominous Wind!"

Bang!

As soon as he finished speaking, the black whirlwind blasted the Petilil, which was about to touch the Sword of Royal Authority, away. Even Laika, who was standing on the stone tablet, was blasted away as well.

"Houndoom!"

After shouting, Kanon immediately ran towards the stone tablet; he couldn't wait for the Cofagrigus to complete its Mind-Control Curse.

Because Laika had gotten back up, bit her finger, and started drawing something on the stone tablet.

The Cofagrigus on it merely flickered its eyes, making no other move.

"Hmph, as expected, they can't be relied on."

Kanon certainly saw that the Cofagrigus was only going through the motions, but he was also helpless.

Now is not the time for reckoning; obtaining the Sword of Royal Authority is the most important thing.

He only had a superficial understanding of the Napolant Royal Family's methods, and there was too much uncertainty. He decided to focus on securing the Sword of Royal Authority first.

"Low-altitude Drill!"

Belia's voice came from within the purple mist. He covered his mouth and quickly ran out of the purple mist, then shouted a command.

"Roar!"

The purple mist churned violently, and a metallic figure spun rapidly through the air, arriving almost instantly in front of Houndoom, who was covering Kanon.

"Howl!"

Houndoom didn't dodge at all, or rather, it couldn't dodge. Its whole body was flashing Red Light, and it actually leaped up and charged towards Rhydon instead.

Bang!!!

A huge explosion rang out, Houndoom was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the wall before sliding down.

However, a terrifying red beam immediately shot out from its body, striking the panting armored Rhydon and sending it flying against the wall.

Both sides suffer heavy losses!

However, from a strategic perspective, it was a victory for Kanon, because he had pushed Laika aside and stood before the Sword of Royal Authority.

"Come back, Rhydon."

Belia frowned, sighed, took out Poké Ball, and recalled the Rhydon. "Laika, step back."

At this moment, the purple mist began to gradually dissipate.

"Sword of Royal Authority, you ultimately belong to our Cross!"

Kanon's eyes glazed over for a moment, as if he had finally achieved some long-cherished wish, and he slowly placed his hand on the outstretched hand.

He ignored Laika, who had retreated.

"Finally! Finally!"

Just as Kanon was about to touch the Sword of Royal Authority, the stone tablet suddenly emitted Red Light.

A Red Light wrapped around his arm, and another Red Light wrapped around the Sword of Royal Authority.

"This is?"

He had barely uttered a single sentence when he collapsed to his knees, as he felt something vital deep within his body rapidly draining away—no, being swallowed up—as the Red Light connected him.

Tomoya swallowed hard, because Kanon was aging before his very eyes, his hair turning white from the roots and wrinkles quickly appearing on his skin.

For him, simply looking at all these things evoked an indescribable terror.

"When the ancestor Lester used the Sword of Royal Authority to destroy the Napolant Stone, the Sword of Royal Authority was severely wounded and even fell into a deep slumber, but its body instinctively and frantically Absorb Life Energy to recover itself."

Laika said indifferently, "This stone platform was originally set up to suppress the rampant instincts of the Sword of Royal Authority and to restore its power."

What I just inscribed was Sacrificial Curse that only the Napolant Royal Family could use, which restores their sanity by using their own Life Energy to establish a pact with the Sword of Royal Authority.

However, without the bloodline of the Napolant Royal Family, you would be completely drained. You are truly courting death, Kanon the Priest."

"Howl!"

Houndoom had been lying on the ground, suddenly stood up and rammed into Kanon, rescuing him from exhaustion.

"Houndoom..."

Kanon leaned against the wall, trying to reach out and touch Houndoom, but he couldn't lift his hand.

He gave a wry smile. "It's a victory for you, but don't get too excited."

Kanon took a breath and said meaningfully, "Take a good look around."

"Aww..."

Houndoom snuggled up to Kanon, nuzzling his hand.

"Around?"

Belia, Laika, and Tomoya then noticed the dangerous powder Levitate around them. This wasn't due to a lack of vigilance, but rather because of the previous concealment by the purple mist and the presence of something even more stimulating.

"Stun Spore... Sleep Powder, hallucinogens, some kind of toxin!"

Belia actually caught a bit of the powder in the air and tasted it. His expression immediately changed. Looking at the strange wind around him, he finally realized that the real Hunter was lurking right beside him!

His face darkened. "Who?!"

Belia and Laika exchanged a glance, then turned their gaze to Tomoya, who was hiding to the side.

However, Laika quickly shook her head. "It can't be him. The fact that this person was able to hide here without us noticing means he must have a deep understanding of Napolant."

As for extremely powerful Trainer, she had considered it, but if they were truly that powerful, there would be no need to conceal their identities; they could simply use their abilities to wipe them out in one fell swoop. Why go through all this trouble and resort to such methods?

Laika and Belia exchanged another glance, realizing that this was likely the work of the mysterious figure who had gotten there first.

She took a deep breath and quickly took out the Paralyze Heal, Antidote, and Healing Crystal from her backpack and took them. Belia did the same.

"No, my body is starting to feel numb. It seems I inhaled it for too long."

Belia tried to move his hand and found that his body was already somewhat numb, but this was not the worst of it.

He took a deep breath and found his throat burning hot. This was the result of the latent poison clashing with the Antidote, and the situation was not Ideals; the Antidote was only weakly effective.

He and Laika exchanged a glance, both understanding each other's meaning: this was no longer a place to linger.

Belia took out Poké Ball. "Rhydon, I need your help with something!"

"Roar!"

The ferocious steel body reappeared, its wounds still visible, but its formidable power remained undiminished.

"Laika, go and take the Sword of Royal Authority. We need to get out of here quickly. I'll cover you!"

He cautiously looked around. Even Kanon, who seemed to be on his last legs, was on edge. So many people had stumbled at this final moment and lost everything.