Elf: Re-employment of retired champion of Padiya

Chapter 828 I Seem to Smell the Breath of Life Theory
Mallow and the other Mallows: "."

They glanced instinctively at their kin who had been injured by the speed dogs, which had used them as a speed bump, and a hint of fear and barely concealed dread flashed in their eyes.

These cunning hunters looked at each other, but none of them dared to be the first to step forward.

joke!

Their leader, Weavile, was also caught in the blast radius of Victini's "V-Flame" and hasn't gotten up yet.

Add to that the three imposing, intimidating creatures that looked like they were not to be trifled with, and whose attributes even countered theirs, and even with their numerical advantage, they wouldn't dare to attack.

Actually, these Weavile creatures are quite wronged.

Their hunts often failed because of Zoroark, and the hatred accumulated over generations until now, when they finally saw that they could take revenge.

As a result, due to the test given by the "God of Knowledge" Kexi, Luo Mu became involved in the matter.

If they knew the reason, they would probably cry out that they had nowhere to turn for justice.

Luo Mu was aware of this, but just as he had said, no matter what, he would protect Zoroark and Zoroark behind him.

This has nothing to do with fairness, not to mention that Xicui is now a dog-eat-dog world.

finally.

Knowing that even if they attacked together, they would probably be no match for the Azure Flame Blade Demons behind Luo Mu, the Mavira decided to retreat after weighing the pros and cons.

After all, most wild Pokémon rarely engage in hunting activities that put their own safety at risk.

It is the norm to be prudent and self-protective, and to act only when you are confident.

Watching the group of Weavile and its companions lift up their groaning companions lying on the ground and quickly evacuate the area.

While Bictini was clearing the way, he remained silent, but now Shaymi has inexplicably jumped out with an arrogant air.

"They ran away already? Mimi said she was going to show off her might, how boring!"

"Hmph, then Mimi will be merciful and let you go this time."

Luo Mu: "."

They're still showing off their power here.

Once you transform into your sky form, all those Mynahs and Mynahs will unleash a "Shard of Ice" attack, and you'll be going to meet Arceus.

Being four times stronger is indeed a symbol of strength, but this certainly doesn't include Kusabi.

Suddenly, a soft thud of a body hitting the ground echoed through the ice cave.

A gasp of surprise rang out from the pearl shells.

"Ah! That monster Zoroark has fallen!"

As she watched Zoroark, who was barely holding on, collapse as the Mavila and the others retreated, a look of anxiety inevitably crept onto her face.

On the way here, with Luo Mu's simple explanation and everything she had seen with her own eyes, Zhu Bei had roughly figured out something.

This kind of maternal love that protects parents and children always moves people.

Binlian watched with a frown, but ultimately didn't adopt a wary posture.

After all, whether it's Zhuqing Village, the Vajra Team, or the Pearl Team, when they discover traces of the fox demon, they usually mobilize all their members to be on guard against possible attacks.

Even though this Zoroark looks almost completely exhausted, we cannot rule out the possibility that it is an illusion created by it.

"Whoosh—"

Unlike the other two, Zoroark rushed straight to him the moment he saw Zoroark fall.

Placing its tiny black paws on Zoroark's withered fur, Zoroark looked at it with teary eyes, its soft whimpers seeming to beg Zoroark to stand up and hug it again.

However, Zoroark, lying on the ground and rapidly losing its life force, didn't even have the strength to respond, let alone raise its paw to touch it.

Seeing this, Luo Mu's expression also became complicated.

He could certainly tell what kind of situation this Zoroark was.

This also touches upon a concept he has never explicitly stated, but which does not mean it does not exist—lifespan.

The lifespan of Pokémon is rarely mentioned in the anime, or it is only described indirectly.

But this concept does exist.

Whether it's the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town, Kanto, Mt. Dew in Hoenn, Lost Tower in Sinnoh, or Paradise Tower in Unova, they are all places where departed Pokémon rest in peace.

Pokémon do have a limited lifespan, and this varies depending on the species and individual Pokémon.

Among ordinary Pokémon, there are sayings of long lifespans such as a thousand-year-old Ninetales and a ten-thousand-year-old Wartortle, and there are also many Ghost-type Pokémon with long lifespans.

Luo Mu had no idea how many years the Zoroark before him, being a Ghost-type Pokémon, had actually lived.

But its current appearance clearly indicates that its lifespan is nearing its end.

It should have lasted a while longer before finally dying of old age.

However, it had clearly burned a large amount of its life force in an attempt to break through the encirclement, thus shortening its final period of life.

—Zoroak is about to die.

Perhaps because Zoroark's cries were too pitiful, Luo Mu opened his mouth, and after thinking for a moment, he chose to come to the fallen Zoroark, surrounded by Azure Flame Blade Demon and the others.

What he didn't expect was that his actions seemed to provoke the dying Zoroark. After a struggle, Zoroark stood up again, shielded Zoroark behind him, and roared threateningly at Luo Mu.

"."

Seeing this, Luo Mu couldn't help but fall silent.

Is this what is meant by the potential inherent in life and will?

The Moltres behind Luo Mu also subconsciously restrained its aura, seemingly resonating with Zoroark's actions.

What touching maternal love this is!

Even Cangyan Blade Demon, who had no interest in honing his sword skills or anything else besides Luo Mu, had such thoughts.

No, that's not right—

The swaying azure flames on the flaming greatsword paused slightly. Looking at this Zoroark, a look of astonishment suddenly appeared on the face of the Azure Flame Blade Demon, which had been expressionless for thousands of years.

This Zoroark appears to be male?

In other words, should it be called fatherly love?

Before Luo Mu could take any action, Zoroark's already chaotic brain forced itself to start functioning again after its initial instinctive protective reaction.

It glanced at Luo Mu, then at the Pokémon behind Luo Mu, and then at Zoroya behind itself.

The next moment, Zoroark made a move that surprised everyone.

Covered in wounds, with dry and tangled fur, it slowly but firmly lifted Zoroya with a strength that seemed to come from nowhere, and carefully placed it in front of Luo Mu.

Soroark's slightly cloudy yellow eyes stared directly at Luo Mu.

Although Zoroark's wisdom tells it that humans should not be trusted, it now has no other choice.

It's gambling.

Lomu, who helped him and Zoroya drive away the Mavills, would take good care of Zoroya, who was not yet capable of surviving on his own.

Luo Mu immediately understood what Zoroark was trying to say. It was—entrusting its orphan to someone.

"Shall we treat its injuries first?"

From behind, Zhu Bei spoke weakly, holding in her hand the remaining potion that Luo Mu had given her to treat the injured dream demons.

As soon as Luo Mu speaks, she immediately pours it onto Zoroark's body.

Without needing Luo Mu's reply, Bin Lian, with a complicated expression, stepped forward, placed his large hand on Zhu Bei's right shoulder, shook his head, and whispered beside her, "No need."

"Master Bin"

Zhu Bei looked up at Bin Lian, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Just like Luo Mu, the experienced Bin Lian could certainly see what state Zoroark was in right now.

To put it bluntly...

For Zoroark, which had one foot in the grave, treating its injuries was merely a way to make its departure more dignified.

Given Zoroark's current condition, even the miraculous medicine that brought the island king back from the brink of death is probably powerless to reverse it.

"how so."

Upon learning this, Zhu Bei covered her mouth.

Since his lifespan was nearing its end, any treatment would be futile.

Pearls are not unfamiliar with such things.

Deep in her memory, she had once watched her mother's life slowly fade away, just like Zoroya has now, and she could no longer even remember what her mother looked like.

Are we really at a loss?
Zhu Bei subconsciously looked at Luo Mu, and even she herself didn't know that at this moment she actually had a fleeting thought that Luo Mu might have a way to break the shackles of lifespan.

Luo Mu and Bin Lian's judgments were consistent.

But after taking the trembling, odd-colored Zoroark from Zoroark's hands, and seeing Zoroark standing there calmly awaiting death, seemingly relieved of its burden, I realized that Zoroark was a different beast.

After a moment of contemplation, Luo Mu suddenly gave a command to the firebird behind him.

"Holy Fire."

Moltres, unsuspecting, opened its beak and spewed colorful flames onto Zoroark.

Even though she had witnessed Luo Mu using the Firebird to heal the Island King, Zhu Bei's heart still jumped into her throat at this moment.

After all, Island King is a Pokémon that is particularly resistant to heat. As a Fire-type Pokémon, it's not unacceptable that flames can heal injuries.

Although the tips of its fur are bright red, it's clear at a glance that this Zoroark isn't a Fire-type Pokémon.

She understood Luo Mu's anxiety about the test, but was it really safe that nothing would go wrong?
Binlian, unaware of the effects of Moltres's Holy Fire, reacted much more strongly than Zhubei.

Even the look in his eyes when he looked at Luo Mu was filled with astonishment and disbelief.

No.

While Zoroark is indeed close to death, you don't need to be in such a hurry to cremate it, do you?
Are you afraid that Zoroark might change his mind and entrust Zoroark to you?

Compared to Zhubei and Binlian, who were outsiders, Zoroark, who was enveloped in the sacred fire, knew best the effects of this flame.

At first, it also thought that it had ultimately entrusted itself to the wrong person.

But instead of the expected burning pain, it was infused with a rich vitality.

Zoroark suddenly opened his eyes, which had been closed, and looked at Luo Mu with some surprise. He also saw Zoroark struggling in his arms, seemingly very worried about him.

only--

Zoroark shook his head slightly, the light of hope in his eyes quickly fading away.

The rich life force originating from the strange flames is constantly repairing the wounds left from its battle with the Mavills.

However, it cannot restore its vitality; it can only barely slow down the loss of vitality.

But this is for the best. At least it can see Zoroah a little longer and know that the human who entrusted Zoroah with his life is not only powerful but also capable of such a remarkable feat before it falls into that endless abyss.

It was satisfied.

The rate at which life force dissipated from Zoroark slowed down, but it continued to dissipate steadily.

Moltres, which was breathing "holy fire," also noticed this and looked slightly anxious.

What should I do? It seems that my "Holy Fire" alone won't be enough to bring Zoroark back.
How could Luo Mu not know that Moltres's "Holy Fire" alone could not reverse the tragedy?
It ultimately only inherited the spark, not the true master of the sacred fire.

Ho-Oh can revive the earth with its sacred fire and give new life to dead Pokémon, but Moltres cannot do the same.

Moltres's Holy Fire is simply powerful and possesses healing abilities.

But that’s okay.

Luo Mu never expected to solve the problem using only the Firebird's Holy Fire.

He made Moltres unleash the Holy Fire merely to slow down Zoroark's life loss and forcibly "extend its life."

Through Kexi's trials, that tragic future can be reversed—

To be honest, it wasn't difficult for Luo Mu to grasp the right balance.

The bond between Zoroark and Zoroark is truly touching, especially when Zoroark protects Zoroark; it would be hard for anyone not to be moved.

The only thing that bothers it is its seemingly light but incredibly heavy "lifespan".

Even without today's events, Zoroark, whose lifespan is nearing its end, would still have to say goodbye to Zoroark in the near future.

This is almost an unsolvable problem.

With Zoroark gone, it must be a tragic future for Zoroark, right?
Luo Mu wasn't sure if Youkexi had lost his mind, insisting that he use his "wisdom" to solve the lifespan problem—a problem that no one could solve in the future—in such a short time.

Or is it simply a matter of using one's own wisdom to change the fate of Zoroark and Zoroark?

In this current uncertain situation, Luo Mu's personality makes him more inclined to do better.

—Let bygones be bygones, at least in front of me.

After Moltres kept Zoroark alive, Luo Mu did not hesitate to activate his backup plan.

In no time.

Accompanied by a sudden distortion of space.

Even though she actively suppressed her power to avoid attracting the attention of the local gods, the figure of the Lady Crown King still quietly appeared, using her superpowers to simulate teleportation and arrive here in a short time.

It didn't waste any words, but quickly understood the situation. After glancing at the smooth, mirror-like ice walls around it, it looked up at Luo Mu and asked softly.

"Won't this affect your plans?"

Luo Mu grinned, "No, I'll be able to flip the table right away."

"it is good."

The Crested King nodded slightly, its imposing gaze fixed on Zoroark within the sacred fire, a dazzling green light emanating from its palm.

In an instant.

A surge of vitality, like a celestial river flowing backward, poured into Zoroark's body.

(End of this chapter)