The Pokémon Egg Hatches-Arceus

Cynthia had finished treating Charizard and Greninja with Potions.

Xu Mu recalled them both into their Poké Balls and said, "Thanks for the effort!"

"Gren!"

[It was no trouble. To brave any danger for the Xu family, generation after generation, is my honor!]

"Roar!"

[That fight was frustrating. I'm still not strong enough. I need to be more careful from now on!]

The two answered Xu Mu from inside their Poké Balls, and he smiled faintly.

Well, they seem to be in good spirits.

Seriously, thank you both for what you did back there!

Extra food for you tonight!

Xu Mu clipped the Poké Balls to his belt and took Cynthia's hand as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Thanks."

Cynthia shook her head.

"I didn't do much. I couldn't help you, so you don't need to thank me."

Xu Mu shook his head too.

"You stayed. That was the best help you could have given me."

His words left Cynthia confused. She wasn't quite sure what he meant.

But since he had said it, she didn't argue. She let him hold her hand while he gazed lovingly at her beautiful face.

Just then, perhaps sensing the sheer force of their affection, the Pokémon Egg in Xu Mu's arms began to shake violently.

A dazzling white light burst from it!

Whoosh!

A white Pokémon resembling an alpaca appeared in Xu Mu's arms.

"Holy shit, Arceus?"

Xu Mu was stunned. The curse slipped out before he could stop it.

Was Entei playing a joke on me?

Since when did Arceus hatch from a Pokémon Egg?

Just like that, I've hatched a Creator God?

I saved you, and you turn around and stab me in the back?

The Creator God is so precious, and you just handed him over to me?

Are you repaying me or trying to ruin me?

"Xu Mu, what kind of Pokémon is he? He's so cute!"

Cynthia didn't recognize Arceus, but she found the little one adorably sweet.

"Ahem!"

Xu Mu coughed awkwardly, unsure how to explain.

Am I supposed to tell Cynthia he's the Creator God and can create an entire world?

Or tell her he's the king of gods, number one among all Legendary Pokémon?

Xu Mu looked at the little creature in his arms. Arceus hadn't even opened his eyes yet, and he seemed utterly bewildered. For a moment, Xu Mu wanted to toss him away.

This is serious trouble!

If Arceus really stays with me, will I ever know a peaceful day again?

[Da... Daddy, please don't throw me away...]

Perhaps sensing Xu Mu's thoughts, Arceus's babyish voice sounded in his mind.

Telepathy!

"Don't call me Daddy. Call me Xu Mu."

Xu Mu spoke sternly. I'm not even married, and suddenly I'm a father? No way!

Call me anything else. Just not Daddy!

Then Xu Mu noticed Cynthia's cheeks had turned pink. She seemed embarrassed.

Not knowing why, he asked,

"What's wrong?"

Cynthia lowered her head and answered shyly, "He called me Mommy..."

Of course...

Xu Mu slapped his forehead. He's got the right idea!

Good boy. I'll acknowledge you as my son. Keep calling her that!

Though he was ecstatic inside, Xu Mu put on a helpless expression and told Cynthia,

"Just go along with it for now. He's little and doesn't understand how things work for adults. It'll be fine when he's older."

Cynthia nodded blankly, unaware that Xu Mu had led her straight into a trap.

As for why a newborn Pokémon could use Telepathy, Cynthia had completely forgotten to wonder.

One "Mommy" had wiped out every other thought in her head.

Looking at Arceus in his arms, Xu Mu suddenly thought of the Damn System.

Come on, let's see how you screw me over this time. You just want me to be a Trainer, right?

Now I've got the Creator God himself. Let's see what else you can throw at me!

Xu Mu opened the system panel and found that it had already registered Arceus as his Pokémon and assigned him a slot.

[Pokémon: Arceus]

[Type: Normal]

[Strength: Early Elite Four level (newborn)]

[Ability: Multitype (Arceus can change to any type using Plates)]

[Moves: Punishment, Judgment]

[Check-in mission: Please wait for the system to upgrade. The Arceus Plate retrieval mission series will unlock afterward!]

Xu Mu grinned. That's the Creator God for you!

Elite Four level from birth!

He even forced the Damn System to upgrade!

Not bad, little guy!

Not bad at all!

"You've never seen him before?"

Xu Mu looked at Cynthia in surprise.

According to the original story, Arceus was a Legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh Region, and Cynthia had long studied him.

But in this world, Cynthia apparently didn't know Arceus.

"No. I've never seen any record of him."

Cynthia said she had never seen a Pokémon like this alpaca before.

Xu Mu nodded to himself. If even someone from a prominent family like Cynthia's didn't know Arceus, perhaps this world truly had no legends about him.

"His name is Arceus. He's an extremely rare Pokémon."

Xu Mu gave Cynthia a brief introduction.

Then, feeling that he had recovered some strength, he forced himself to his feet.

"Let's go. It's getting dark. We should leave the Secret Realm."

Cynthia nodded obediently and followed Xu Mu toward the exit.

"Oh, where are you staying in Stone City?"

Xu Mu thought about where they would stay once they left the Secret Realm and asked her.

Cynthia had no idea what he was thinking and answered earnestly.

"I'm staying at a villa. It belongs to a high-ranking figure from Western Europe."

Her answer instantly reminded Xu Mu that rich people really did live differently.

Big shots are big shots. Even when they travel, they stay in villas!

Luckily, I'm a big shot now too. As a top-tier heir, a hotel's beneath me.

I want to stay in a villa too!

"I'm staying at a hotel in the city, but Charizard and Greninja are injured, and the room's too small..."

Xu Mu put on a troubled expression.

This time, Cynthia caught on at once.

"Then come stay with me. I can't use a house that big by myself, and it'll give those two somewhere to recover."

"Wouldn't that be a bit much?"

"It's fine. We're friends, aren't we? Friends help each other."

"Really, I shouldn't. We've only just met..."

"It's really fine. The house is far too big for me alone..."

"Well, all right."

Xu Mu reluctantly accepted Cynthia's invitation.

Since you've invited me so sincerely, I'll be polite for a moment and then sincerely accept.

See? I told you a hotel was beneath someone of my standing—a second-generation elite.

Now I'm a man who stays in a villa!

That's how a master lecher carries himself.