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Chapter 201 - Pokémon: Breeding Simulator [201]

A bold idea surfaced in Zoroark's mind—only to be quickly smothered in frustration.

The reason was simple: the ores needed refining.

According to Irida, legend had it that [Origin Ore] must undergo a complicated process before it could be used to suppress Pokémon.

And that legend was swiftly validated in Zoroark's own experience.

Even in her hands, the raw [Origin Ore] only made her feel a slight sluggishness.

Its weakening effect was minimal—barely offsetting the power boost from the [Light Stone], let alone meeting her original hope of using it to suppress or even control Giratina.

Besides, Irida had only said it was a legend.

Zoroark wasn't quite ready to gamble on its truth just yet…

With a quiet sigh, she obediently returned the [Origin Ore] to Elias.

Watching the unusually glum Zoroark, Elias couldn't help but feel concerned.

Lately, the big fox had been moping around for no apparent reason, which worried him.

"Zoroark, are you feeling unwell?"

He frowned, speaking gently.

Realizing she was being too obvious, Zoroark quickly shook her head.

Then, eyes flicking sideways, she pointed toward Lucario, who was still fiddling with the Evolution Stones.

"He ate the berries I picked."

Zoroark declared, full of righteous indignation.

Lucario: ?

---

[Though it was obvious Zoroark was just deflecting, Lucario still returned with a hundred berries—his face thunderous.]

[It's said the berry trees at the foot of the Alabaster Icelands were nearly stripped bare that day.]

"Lucario, both major clans are about to mass-produce Poké Balls—they'll need a huge amount of berries."

"If you sell those berries, you might be able to trade them for a good haul of fine bones."

Seeing that Lucario looked about ready to brawl with Zoroark, Elias quickly offered a strategic suggestion.

Lucario eyed him, skeptical.

But after considering the feasibility, his expression brightened.

So-called fine bones were a rare cooking ingredient that, when carefully stewed, gave off a rich, pleasant aroma.

Lucario happened to love them.

---

[Following your advice, Lucario indeed returned with a large sack of fine bones—and even received a commendation from the Pearl Clan Chief.]

[You breathed a sigh of relief; at least the tension between your two Pokémon was temporarily defused.]

[After staying a few more days, you, Cogita, and Cynthia finally prepared to return home.]

[Before leaving, of course, you packed up the pile of gifts given by Regigigas—precious treasures, whether they were immediately useful or not.]

[Back home, life slowly returned to normal.]

[Aside from training your two Pokémon, you'd occasionally accompany Cynthia to explore ruins or join Cogita for tea and conversation.]

"Elias, do you think you'll grow old someday?"

Cogita asked softly, idly toying with her teacup.

The question made Elias freeze.

After a moment, he looked at her with a helpless smile.

"You're asking something strange again. Everyone grows old someday, don't they?"

He'd long since grown used to Cogita's unpredictable way of thinking.

But this time, she didn't call him boring or change the subject like she usually would.

Instead, she looked at him quite seriously.

Then, lips curling into a faint smile, she said:

"Not necessarily."

She was smiling, yet Elias could feel that her mood was anything but light.

Something about her words stirred a strange sense of unreality in him.

Because… ever since he could remember, Cogita hadn't changed at all.

All this time—even the Pearl Clan Chief and others from the clan had aged, their faces subtly altered with the years.

But Cogita… it was as if her age had frozen in place.

"Cogita, you…"

Before he could finish, her long fingers pressed gently to his lips.

"Just enjoy your fleeting few decades."

"As for everything else… don't be too curious."

She spoke with playful ease.

Then she took another sip of her tea.

The steam wafted across her face, and for some reason, she felt inexplicably restless.

Watching Elias grow up day by day at her side left her both satisfied and uneasy.

His excellence was, in part, thanks to her.

But at the same time… the years he had left in this world were ticking away.

Humans—and most Pokémon—rarely lived beyond a hundred years.

To someone like her, that was almost pitiable.

If she could, she'd freeze Elias in an ice sculpture, only thawing him once every ten years, just so he could keep her company for one.

But… she couldn't bring herself to do it.

---

[Your conversation with Cogita ended there, but her words remained etched in your heart.]

[You didn't understand what was troubling her so deeply, but that didn't stop you from wanting to find something that might make her happy.]

[After much thought, you resolved to go out and catch the legendary Pokémon she'd once mentioned. You were strong enough now to try.]

[Of course, Regigigas was excluded from that list.]

[But before you could put your plan into action, the Pearl Clan Chief summoned you for a private audience.]

"Outsiders… from an unknown region?"

Elias blinked in surprise after hearing the Chief's explanation.

The reason he'd been summoned was straightforward: a group of foreigners had arrived in Hisui.

They claimed to be from the Galaxy Team—and had all come by ship.

If that were all, the Chief wouldn't have been particularly concerned.

After all, explorers passed through Hisui from time to time, and the Pearl Clan usually welcomed them warmly.

But this time, the Galaxy Team wasn't merely passing through.

They planned to settle in Hisui.

Worse, they had formally issued statements to both the Pearl and Diamond Clans, demanding they submit and join forces to build a new village—Jubilife Village.

"This lot must be dreaming!"

"We've been butting heads with the Diamond Clan for over a decade without resolution—why would we bow down to them?"

Just thinking about their self-important, sword-wielding leader made the Chief bristle.

The way that man strutted about, you'd think he was the rightful native of Hisui.

"Their... strength?"

Elias frowned. "How strong are they?"

"They're no slouches," the Chief admitted.

"And it's not just the people themselves—they're backed by strong Pokémon."

Angry though he was, the Chief didn't conceal the critical information.

That leader, Kamado, had every reason to be confident. The Galaxy Team's members came well-armed—with powerful Pokémon in large numbers.

And that was what made them so dangerous.

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