The inspection here was quite thorough. They even asked Chen Shi to let Swampert out of the Poké Ball for examination.
Chen Shi did not refuse and let them take a little blood from each of them.
He had no idea what methods they used, but the results came back very quickly.
"Mr. Steven, this gentleman and his companions are all normal humans and Pokémon."
"There is no Dark Matter in their blood."
"All right, I understand. You can go now." Steven fell silent for a moment, then waved them away.
The staff immediately packed up their equipment and left.
"Everyone, that should prove my innocence, shouldn't it?" Chen Shi said calmly.
"Of course. Welcome aboard, Baba!" Steven bowed slightly, a polite yet warm smile on his face. Every gesture radiated gentlemanly grace.
"The honor is mine."
Behind his mask, the corners of Chen Shi's mouth lifted slightly, a hint of amusement in his voice.
He really wanted to see Steven's expression when he learned what the name Chen Shi had chosen actually meant.
Lorelei asked with a grave expression, "Sir, may I ask exactly how you brought us inside earlier?"
Steven did not stop Lorelei from asking. He turned his questioning gaze toward Chen Shi.
Clearly, he wanted to know the answer too.
It was simply too important to them.
They had always firmly believed that the Shelter was an impregnable fortress.
That confidence came from the countless times they had successfully repelled attacks by Shadow Pokémon.
Yet Chen Shi had used nothing more than a single Dragapult to effortlessly breach the Shelter's supposedly impenetrable gates and stroll right inside.
That fact sent shock waves through their hearts.
If the Shadow Pokémon lurking outside learned the same trick, could they still live safely in the Shelter?
The answer was