Hearing that they could finally rest, Erika could not help feeling relieved.
Despite her relaxed expression, she had actually been pushing herself all along. Even though she was a powerful Pokémon Trainer with strong willpower, her body was still that of an ordinary human woman, and the long journey had left her exhausted in both body and mind.
Once Charizard landed, Xia You jumped down first, then helped Erika down.
Their hands touched briefly. Xia You could feel how delicate her fingers were, her skin exceptionally smooth, fair, and soft. For a moment, his mind went blank, and he unconsciously gave her hand a firm squeeze.
Erika, however, noticed nothing unusual. Her expression unchanged, she simply thanked him with easy grace.
A breeze brushed her cheeks. Whether it was an illusion brought on by fatigue, Erika did not know, but she felt as though even the air here carried the fragrance of fresh grass!
After sitting on Charizard for so long, her legs felt a little weak when she set foot on the ground again. She sat on a rock and gently pounded them a few times. Only when her fatigue had eased a little did she feel like looking around.
In the last rays of sunlight before sunset, she saw a vast forest behind them. Ahead stood several connected hills, none particularly high, covered in thick grass.
So it wasn't an illusion. There really was a grassy scent!
The sight lifted her spirits considerably after the weariness of the journey.
After all, around Celadon City, excessive human development had filled the area with towering buildings, with exhaust fumes and wastewater discharged everywhere. Such lush grasslands were no longer to be seen there, and for someone who loved plants, this was undoubtedly a refreshing sight!
Beside her, Xia You took