Beyond detection

Mirazu Kingdom, the Royal Palace.

Led by an attendant, Dian arrived at a guest room that looked modest yet exuded luxury.

Modest meant that the room was decorated much like an ordinary inn, but the prices of its contents were worlds apart. The chair he was sitting on, for example, was made entirely of solid wood. Judging by the grain on its surface, it was probably no ordinary timber, but heartwood honeytree, the wood that Heracross loved most. No wonder he had caught a delicate fragrance the moment he entered.

He then looked at the large bed, designed to be exceptionally comfortable whether sitting or lying down, and realized it had been made with ergonomics in mind.

"Phew—"

He lay back on the spacious bed, enjoying a rare moment of rest. At this point, his mission was effectively over.

Princess Sarah had returned safely to the Royal Palace, bringing back a Togepi that had lifted spirits throughout the Kingdom. A photograph of the princess with Togepi would probably appear in the national newspaper tomorrow.

The only question was whether Togepi would cooperate obediently from the start or only after being disciplined. Dian figured it would be the former. Judging by that Togepi's personality, it probably would not put up a pointless fight, but would endure in silence until the day it could rise up in rebellion.

After lying there for a while, he resolutely resisted the lure of sleep and sat up, resuming his examination of the sleeping Pupitar and collecting more data.

"Whoosh!!"

Pupitar was still asleep, but seemed much calmer than before, as evidenced by the red streams of sand it kept exhaling.

Still, he could sense a deeply buried savagery within its red shell, the result of its Dark-type power continuing to develop.

After gently applying another