Pokémon from Galar

Although it's not fresh, after Pokémon's special processing, the taste isn't that much different, but the convenience has been greatly improved, making it very popular among travelers.

Not long after Marie started, a faint aroma of food spread, and the Pokémon gradually gathered together.

Sis-chan even pulled out an apron, put it on, and walked over to Mary to help her skillfully.

……

Although camping dinners are delicious, after a while, I sometimes miss the meals my parents cook at home.

Most of the time when I travel, it's like this: nothing much happens, just ordinary days.

Mary poured the rice directly into the soup, stirred it, and then sat down next to it with the steaming bowl in her hands.

"call……"

He exhaled, dispersing the mist, and an appetizing aroma filled the area.

Yuri followed suit, pouring her rice into the mixture, then giggled and squeezed next to Mary. She began to eat in small bites.

“Yuri…”

"Ok?"

"what about the taste?"

"It's delicious!"

"That's good."

Mary took a small sip of soup, feeling the warmth rising from her stomach. She looked up at everyone gathered around the campfire and then said:

"About what happened at noon—"

"Huh? Can I say that?"

"It should be fine, since President Rose said so. As long as you don't tell anyone, Yuri, it'll be fine."

"Okay! I understand!"

Yuri nodded as she ate her rice soup, obediently waiting for Mary to continue.

"Didn't I tell you before what I encountered in Hammerlocke City?"

"Uh-huh."

"That was actually an experimental project that Chairman Loz established around the culprit that caused the Dark Night phenomenon in the past."

Wow~

"You don't seem particularly surprised?"

Mary turned her head with a hint of curiosity, only to meet Yuri's clear, smiling gaze.

"Well—I already guessed it would be something important, so when I heard this, I just naturally thought it was amazing."

"And that Pokémon is still alive, and I even got to talk to it."

"Hmm—Hmm?!"

Seeing Yuri's increasingly incredulous expression, Mari smiled contentedly.

"The reason why Chairman Rose came to find me is that, so far, I am the only one who has established a connection with that Pokémon. It is also because of this that I was targeted by people with ill intentions in the Forest of Light."

"Huh—is that Pokémon really that bad?"

"Is it bad? I'm not sure, but for now it should be believable."

"What?"

“Because of the light I told you about last time, He was severely injured and did not recover for three thousand years, but then He saw hope in me.”

"..."

Seeing Yuri visibly sink into dejection, Mari couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek, continuing:

"Don't get so down so quickly. I can tell what you're thinking right away. What do you think I'm working so hard to improve my strength for?"

"...To become the champion?"

Hearing Yuri's tentative answer, Mary shook her head, then looked directly into her eyes and said seriously:

"It's because of you, Yuri. So that I won't be left behind by you in the future."

"Huh? What's going on? No matter how you look at it, I'm the one who got dumped, right?"

"Do you remember when we first met, what you told me about your encounter in the Misty Forest, that Mirage Pokémon?"

"I remember... but what does that have to do with what you're saying?"

"In the legends of Galar, two saviors wielded a sword and a shield to end the calamity brought by the darkness. Now, it has been confirmed that the sword and shield are not weapons, but two Pokémon. You should remember what they looked like."

"It's an incredibly cool dog-shaped Pokémon... No way?!"

"That's exactly what you think."

“But something doesn’t look right. The sculptures in Suchuan Town clearly have armor, swords and shields.”

"Props, props, one of them is biting the sword hilt, right? You don't actually think that thing is stuck in your mouth and can't be put down, do you?"

"That's...undeniable."

"So now you understand why I said I didn't want to be left behind by you, right?"

"...No, but why suddenly—nothing has happened yet, so why were Hop and I chosen?!"

"Perhaps it's because you foresaw what might happen in the future, or perhaps it's because you and Hep's personalities just happen to be compatible?"

"Be serious!"

"I'm being very serious. What do you think a few decades of human lifespan means to a Pokémon that can sleep for three thousand years?"

"..."

Yuri remained silent for a while, probably processing the news. After thinking about it for a bit, Yuri noticed something was amiss.

"Wait a minute—then why didn't Dante and Sonia know about this before? And if President Rose has already established a laboratory, what is Sonia investigating?"

"That's to keep it from you, of course. As for Sonia, that's probably a test or trial Dr. Mulan gave her. It's best you keep these things to yourself and don't tell Hop and Sonia yet."

"I know, I know... No wonder you didn't want to tell me before. To be honest, I feel a bit cocky right now."

"That's normal, but I'll make sure you stay calm. If you get too cocky, you might disappoint the sword and shield."

"Oh... Mary-chan, do you think I have a chance to become the champion?"

"...Do you want to show swords and shields to everyone? You know that won't work."

"Yes—"

"So your current task is to focus on improving your strength. I'm telling you this because I don't want you to become depressed because of being with me, understand?"

"I see."

Yuri nodded, then lowered her head, ate a spoonful of rice, swallowed it, and then glared at Mary in a way that was both complaining and coquettish:

"Moooooo—It's all Mary's fault! I'm so scared I'm stuffed!"

"If they don't want it there, give it to Balu or Xiaochu."

"No way! I'll be able to eat soon, okay!"

Chapter 283 Hot Spring

The next day, Mary and Yuri arrived at Battle Town before nightfall.

Light snow was still falling from the sky. Although there was no wind, it was still very cold for the two people who had just come from Hammerlocke City.

“kon~”

Only Liuwei seemed particularly excited in this environment, stomping around in the snow by the roadside and occasionally sniffing at the snow-eating insects lying by the roadside.

"Little Six-Tail, don't go too far, we're heading into the city."

Yuri turned her head and called out to the little six-tailed fox that was almost melting into the snow. Watching him hop back, she then shrank back and officially stepped into the territory of Battleground Town with Mary.

Although both Mary and Yuri wanted to quickly go to the hotel they had booked and soak in the hot springs, they patiently went to the Pokémon Center first.

After handing the Pokémon over to Nurse Joy, Marie and Yuri bought two cups of hot milk tea and sat down, their breath steaming in the hot tea.

"It's much more comfortable indoors!"

Yuri carefully warmed her hands with the milk tea, looking at Mary sitting opposite her, who was also dressed very warmly.

"Yeah, it really does snow here all the time..."

"Shall we go play in the snow tomorrow?"

Seeing Yuri's enthusiastic expression, Mary opened her mouth, but the words of rebuttal turned into taste.

"Yuri probably hasn't seen much snow, so let's go and have some fun when we have time."

"Yes... It rarely snows where I live, and even when it does, it doesn't pile up at all."

Yuri acts very childish at times like this, but she's only in her early teens, and it wouldn't be good if everyone acted like Mary.

"There seems to be a ski resort around here, let's go check it out."

"Eh—! Really?! I want to go! Does Mary know how to ski?"

"No way, I've never played it before."

"Hehehe~ Let's learn together then."

"Okay, let's learn together."

Mary smiled and took a sip of her slightly hot milk tea. The heating in the Pokémon Center was on full blast, and after sitting there for a while, Mary felt warm enough.

Mary raised her hand and unzipped her cotton-padded coat. She leaned back in her chair, looked up at the ceiling, and let out a long sigh.

Yuri took out her phone, sipped her milk tea, checked the news, and casually took some everyday photos of Mary.

The Pokémon's check-up and recovery didn't take too long, since nothing unexpected had happened along the way except for the fatigue from training and a few minor injuries.

Before the two of them had even finished their milk tea, Nurse Joy had already taken out their Poké Balls and called out Mary and Yuri's names.

They each retrieved their Poké Balls, put on their clothes and hats, and then left the Pokémon Center.

"Ouch—it's so cold, which way is that inn?"