Everyone in the audience below had their own thoughts. Some dismissed it, some were swayed and questioned their families, and some actually released their Pokémon.
After Ghetsis finished speaking onstage, he left with the people beside him in a strange formation.
Our own wishful thinking? Maybe Pokémon weren't happy? Freedom?
Ruoling stared blankly at the floor, her mind filled with what Ghetsis had just said. His words felt familiar, as though someone had once told her something similar.
"Ling?" Shixue gave Ruoling a shake, puzzled by her friend's daze. Had she actually been persuaded? "Hey, snap out of it. You don't really believe what that man said, do you?"
"No." Ruoling came back to her senses and denied it with a wry smile. "Not everyone in the world exploits Pokémon. I was just thinking about that."
She had lied. That was something she knew without having to think about it.
"You two over there. Your Pokémon just spoke, didn't they?" The person Ruoling had noticed earlier approached them and spoke, pausing briefly when he saw her.
"Spoke?" Shixue looked questioningly at the green-haired man who had approached them. Although she didn't understand what he meant by "spoke," she knew it definitely wasn't as simple as it sounded.
Ruoling said nothing, merely looking at him with her blue eyes as her internal commentary kicked into gear.
Damn, this guy is so tall! Don't bully people with your height! Aaaaaah!
The man assumed their reactions meant they thought he was saying something strange. Deciding Ruoling was no different from everyone else, he said, "Ah, so you can't hear them either... How pitiful."
Huh? She was baffled and tried hard to understand his words. Can't hear what? Isn't being deaf the only reason you wouldn't hear them?
Well, apparently little Ruoling had equated