"Nah, nah~"
(Lord Chen Shi, welcome to our Diamond Kingdom.)
Led by the Carbink, the group reached the end of the passage.
The four of them looked up to find an enormous underground cavern before them.
Diamonds covered the ground, and special diamonds embedded in the surrounding walls gave off a faint glow, lighting up the entire cavern.
Carbink lived happily here.
Upon seeing them, the Carbink hurried over and happily gathered around their future princess.
"Nah, nah~"
(I'm fine. You don't need to worry. Where is the Diamond Elder? I've brought some guests.)
The Mutant Carbink spoke softly.
Only then did the other Carbink notice the humans following behind her.
At the sight of Chen Shi and the others, the Carbink first backed away in fear, then watched them curiously.
The Diamond Kingdom was isolated from the outside world, and most Carbink would never leave it in their lifetimes.
Now their future princess had gone out and actually brought back a few two-legged creatures.
They were immensely curious.
Steven raised an eyebrow and laughed. "They're looking at us like monkeys in a zoo."
Cynthia and Chen Shi said nothing, busy taking in their surroundings.
Diantha looked at the mutating Carbink. "Have you noticed? That Shiny Carbink seems to hold a pretty high position among them."
Even now, Diantha and Steven still believed that Carbink was merely a somewhat unusual Pokémon.
Just then, the crowd of Carbink parted to form a path, and a very elderly-looking Carbink approached.
He first gave the Mutant Carbink a slight nod, then addressed Chen Shi and the others:
"Young humans, welcome to our Diamond Kingdom!"
"Oh! You can actually talk." Steven looked at the elderly Carbink in surprise.
He had met a few talking Pokémon before, such as Chen Shi's Jirachi and Little Rayquaza.