Pokémon from Galar

"President Lotz?!"

Sitting next to Mary, Yuri held a sandwich in her hand, her eyes wide. She couldn't understand why President Rose would be here alone at this time.

May I sit here?

President Lorze pointed to a stone stool next to him, and without caring about his clean suit, sat down after Mary nodded.

Mary took a bite of her sandwich, pointed to the lunchbox beside her, then looked at President Rose and asked:

Would you like some?

"Thank you very much. I rushed over and didn't even have time for lunch."

President Loz smiled, reached out and took a sandwich, then opened his mouth wide and took a third of it in one bite. He seemed completely unconcerned about his image.

The three of them ate quietly for a short while. Seeing that President Rose had finished his sandwich in just a few bites, and before Mary could offer him another, President Rose waved his hand and started a conversation.

"Actually, I came here today to meet contestant Mary."

"Is it because of what I did in Alora?"

"Of course, but that's just the reason. It's mainly about your brother and the city of Kensei."

Yuri, who was biting into her sandwich, paused for a moment. She had naturally heard a lot from Mari, although some key details hadn't been told to her, but she could still guess that there was definitely some very important secret in Hammerlocke City.

"Um...would it be better if I excuse myself?"

Aren't you curious?

Instead of answering whether or not, President Rose turned to Yuri and threw the question back at her.

"I'm curious, but if Mary hasn't told me, I think it's better not to know."

"Well... since it concerns the safety of contestant Mary, if contestant Mary has no objection, it's fine not to avoid it."

"...I'm sorry, I'll talk to Yuri about it later."

"It's okay~"

Seeing Yuri get up and run to the Pokémon, Marie turned her gaze to Chairman Rose.

Why would you say something like that on purpose?

"Haha~ Sorry, I just think it's okay even if Yuri knows now."

Hearing this, Mary frowned slightly; she didn't like this veiled way of speaking.

"...Are you testing me?"

"Um—because I wasn't sure if letting Mukita continue to contact you would have some negative consequences. I'm sorry."

"Fine, it doesn't matter, but aren't you afraid of being overheard if you tell me this now?"

"He can't hear me yet, for now."

Mary raised an eyebrow and said in a flash of realization:

"Is it the experiment that Cibaner mentioned?"

President Loz nodded, then rested his right elbow on his knee, made a fist to support his cheek, and said with a smile:

"Yes, Mary, what do you think of Galar right now?"

"It's pretty good, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's great, and all of this is thanks to Dynamax Energy. The efficient energy output has freed up a lot of productivity, which is why more people are passionate about Pokémon. However, this is all temporary."

President Loz abruptly changed the subject, his gaze fixed intently on Mary.

"The energy will run out, right? The energy left by Aeontana has been naturally consumed for three thousand years, and with the ever-increasing amount of mining and the speed of Galilee's development, the time it takes to run out will only get shorter and shorter."

“You are indeed very clever, Marie. Galar needs a Mutana with reins in place, and Marie—I hope that the one holding the reins is you.”

"..."

Mary's eyelids twitched. President Rose really dared to say that. Where did he get the confidence to think he could subdue beings of this level?

"Isn't Dan Di good enough?"

"I originally thought Dan was more suitable, but who knew that you, Mary, would appear in front of me."

"..."

Mary fell silent, raising her hand to unconsciously touch the pendant on her chest. Wuji Tai would never agree to this. The reason why gods occasionally take the initiative to temporarily subdue humans is because the short lifespan of humans, less than a hundred years, is too short for gods.

But both Mugentana and Mari knew that Mari would not die in the future, and would even have a very long life, forever serving as a servant.

How could someone with that kind of power possibly agree to such a thing?

And to put it another way...

Can't we really hear Mujita now?

Although Mary's strength did not increase dramatically after coming into contact with the Radiant God, her horizons were greatly broadened.

A jewel, equivalent to a video call, would allow Eterna to understand the light of the Radiant God.

Mary just saw through it but didn't say anything.

If Chairman Rose took action in Motogakure to block Mutatsuna, then this conversation would probably be heard in its entirety.

"Okay, maybe my statement was a bit too radical. I just hope that Marie can build a good relationship with Mugentana. As for whether she can get into the goal, it doesn't really matter."

Feeling the slight vibration of the device in his pocket, President Rose, having received his answer, noticed Mary's hesitation and took a step back, giving both of them a way out.

"I understand. If that's the case, I'll try my best."

"I believe in contestant Mary, and then it's about Nie Zi."

After President Lorz finished speaking, he immediately changed the subject, but the whole atmosphere seemed to have changed quite a bit, which made Mary look at him with some surprise.

"Did my brother run into some trouble? He said he would go to Alora with me, but when it was time to leave he said he couldn't go, and I still can't get in touch with him."

"Haha~ Then I really should apologize. Your brother has been investigating those two foreign bounty hunters lately and hasn't been able to get away from it."

"...Could it be that a problem has really been found?"

“Yes, there are external forces interfering in Galar. If it weren’t for what happened to you, Mary, we would probably still be in the dark. Nie Zi took the initiative to take on this investigation task.”

"Is my brother alright?"

"There are people arranged for Nie Zi, but keep a close eye on Mary. Your relationship with Nie Zi is no secret, and you often wander around in the wild."

"What exactly is this so-called foreign force? It can't be Team Rocket, can it?"

"Congratulations, Mary, you guessed right."

"Ah, this..."

President Rose smiled at Mary's surprised expression.

"Don't worry too much. The leaders are all under Nie Zi's surveillance. As for the rest, with Mary's strength, it would be easy for them to escape. Just stay vigilant and get to town as soon as possible."

"I understand... I'll be careful."

Mary nodded in agreement. She actually hoped that the Rockets could send a few players over to feed the enemy team. After the incident with the Radiant God, her strength had increased very rapidly recently.

……

Having said what he needed to say, President Rose didn't linger any longer, rose to take his leave.

After walking a short distance away and being out of sight of each other, Chairman Rose took out the device he had been keeping in his pocket, glanced at the readings on the screen, and nodded knowingly.

The plan definitely needs to be modified slightly.

Galar doesn't need a god who might go mad at any moment, but it does need an energy production device.

Chapter 282 Yuri is startled

"Ha... I'm starting to feel cold."

In the evening, Yuri sat by the campfire with Eevee in her arms, shrinking her neck.

They had already changed into thick thermal clothes, but the temperature was dropping rapidly as they got closer to Zhanjing Town.

"How about we make a pot of thick soup today?"

Mary took a blanket out of her backpack and draped it over the two of them.

"Hmm~"

Yuri leaned against Mary's shoulder and hummed twice.

"what happened?"

"Want to soak in a hot spring——"

"Well, how about we have Xiao Qiu take us directly to Battle Town?"

"That's a bit..."

Yuri pouted. Going directly to Battle Town doesn't seem quite right.

"Then just bear with it. We can soak in the hot springs tomorrow night. The road will be much easier after we get out of these ruins."

"But I want to soak in a hot spring~"

"Haha~ Are you being cute?"

Mary couldn't help but laugh, and quietly reached out to hold Yuri's hand, while also ruffling Eevee's soft fur.

"No way!"

"Hi—Hi—"

Reaching out, Mary scooped up the white fluffy thing that was floating by and held it in her arms. She lowered her head, rested her chin on the soft cotton ball, and breathed a sigh of relief.

After resting wrapped in the blanket for a while, Mary reluctantly stood up, as it was almost time to prepare dinner.

Not far away, Ichigo was sparring with Onion Yuushi, while Suzu was teaching Hime-chan how to use Fairy-type moves. As a result, Pazu had to leave the area and come to Mari's side to help make dinner.

Apple Wrap Dragon folded its wings and disguised itself as an apple, standing aside and dozing off with Little Six-Tail. Thousand-Faced Avoid leaned against a wall, quietly training its energy control abilities with Trembling Salamander.

Everyone was doing their own thing; some were practicing extra, while others were resting.

Mary took out various ingredients and seasonings from her backpack, while Balu had already set up the big pot and called to the Thousand-Faced Beastman to put some water into it.

Watching Palu and the Thousand-Faced Avoid interact, Mari smiled but ignored them. She placed a small gas stove and frying pan on the table. Many of the ingredients Mari bought had already undergone preliminary processing and packaging.