???
After hearing Steven's request, Qingyu's first reaction was:
That's a Champion's information network for you. He's already gotten to the bottom of something even most locals in Paldea don't know about.
Of course, Qingyu knew about the "Pokémon from the past" Steven had mentioned.
The Paldea League had no official records containing specific information about them. In fact, it had deliberately suppressed the news to avoid causing panic.
But the truth couldn't stay hidden forever. The incident in Area Zero and its subsequent lockdown had given rise to an urban legend about "monsters from Area Zero" in cities all across Paldea.
Most of those stories were sheer nonsense with no truth to them whatsoever, nothing more than attention-grabbing "Journalism Magic Moments" that weren't even worth debunking.
But one particular story was true, and the sightings kept piling up-
A monster had recently appeared in the Asado Desert near Porto Marinada. It looked very much like a Donphan, but was terrifyingly large. People trying to cross the desert occasionally spotted it from afar.
Of course, no ordinary person would approach a behemoth like that, so all that circulated among the locals in Paldea were a few blurry photographs.
But Qingyu, who knew more of the details, was well aware that the "monsters from Area Zero" really existed.
"How much do you know?"
Rather than giving an immediate answer, Qingyu turned the question back on Steven.
"Not too much. I've just heard a few rumors lately."
Steven promptly stood up, a smile of triumph appearing on his face as he spoke.
"But judging by your reaction, Teacher Yu, I take it my guess was right?"
"..."
Well, damn. So he was bluffing just now?
*You really got me, Steven. You look so honest and upright, but you've got quite the bag