[Due to the overwhelming difference in power, the battle between Zoroark and Golem could only be described as one-sided slaughter.]
[Though Golem's body was encased in heavy rock armor, its sheer bulk also meant it was agonizingly slow.]
[The only thing it could boast—its defense—crumbled like paper under Zoroark's claws.]
[She didn't even need to use illusions. Ordinary moves alone were more than enough to secure victory.]
BOOM—!
As Golem hit the ground with a thunderous crash, the entire battlefield fell silent. Not a soul among the three gathered forces dared to speak.
The Galaxy Team members had expected their commander to once again dominate the fight.
They hadn't expected... utter defeat.
Staring at the ghost-like silhouette in white, everyone swallowed hard.
Their minds flashed back to the night before, when shadowy figures had raided their camp.
But it was painfully obvious now—this Zoroark was far stronger than any of those.
Across from them, the Pearl and Diamond Clans said nothing—not out of smugness, but out of fear of provoking the already rattled Galaxy Team.
Even they had been surprised by how thoroughly the battle had ended.
"That Zoroark… isn't it even stronger than before?"
"So this is what they call a 'feral beast'? That's terrifying..."
"Still calling it a beast? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
But this time, no one dared speak ill of Zoroark.
The Pokémon that had single-handedly defended their clan's pride now commanded quiet reverence from them all.
On the other hand, Kamado's expression was the picture of humiliation.
He had lost.
That alone was something he hadn't even considered as a possibility.
He wasn't someone who couldn't accept defeat.
But...
His arrogance had now cost the Galaxy Team any hope of establishing itself in Hisui.
Feeling the sting of his subordinates' silent blame, Kamado's samurai pride crumbled.
"Take the Galaxy Team—and leave Hisui."
Elias spoke calmly, running his fingers through Zoroark's fur as she returned to his side.
Through Cynthia, he already knew what the Galaxy Team would one day become—a menace to this land.
Now was the time to drive them out.
"Leave Hisui?"
"That's impossible!"
Kamado, still breathless from defeat, barked out a refusal without hesitation.
The members of the Galaxy Team had traveled here from all over. They had crossed the sea together in search of a new land.
To return now would be a public admission of failure.
He wasn't the only one who would resist. The others wouldn't agree either.
More importantly... they no longer had the strength or resources to find another continent.
"I only promised to stop forcing the clans to submit. The Galaxy Team will not leave."
Kamado said, voice firm as steel.
As he spoke, he reached for the Poké Balls on his belt.
Aside from Golem, who had already fainted, he still had four more Pokémon—each no weaker than the last.
If they all fought at once, he was certain they wouldn't be much worse than that fox.
That thought gave him renewed courage.
Sensing the rising morale among his people, he hardened his tone.
"Besides—winning with a deceitful demon fox like that shouldn't even count."
"If you're a warrior, then fight honorably with proper Pokémon!"
With that final cry, Kamado tossed four more Poké Balls into the air.
BANG—!
Four bursts of white light erupted as his remaining Pokémon landed in formation.
Elias looked at the scene with a kind of stunned disbelief.
This man's logic is truly next level.
His expression cooled as he cast a lazy glance over the opposing team.
Heracross. Probopass. Ursaluna. Snorlax.
Four fully prepped, "honorable" Pokémon, apparently.
Still, if Kamado wanted another round, Elias had no objections.
In fact, he started to smile.
Not far away, Cyllene—one of the Galaxy Team's commanders—looked from her own leader to Elias and let out a quiet sigh.
They're doomed.
As a Galaxy Team captain, she could see the difference in strength with painful clarity.
Unfortunately, their commander remained as oblivious as ever, unable to comprehend the kind of power gap they were facing.
This wasn't something numbers could overcome.
Rubbing her temples, she began to question whether joining the Galaxy Team had been the right choice in the first place.
"You think Elias is going to win too, right?"
A soft voice sounded beside her.
Turning, Cyllene found herself face-to-face with a golden-haired girl.
"…And you are?" she asked, uncertain.
"Cynthia. Nice to meet you."
Cynthia extended her hand with a pleasant smile, her eyes resting on the woman who looked all too much like Cyrus's ancestor.
---
[The outcome didn't change one bit.]
[Even with Normal-types like Ursaluna and Snorlax carrying a type advantage against Zoroark, battle is never decided by typing alone.]
[All four of Kamado's Pokémon now lay in a pitiful heap in the center of the battlefield.]
[As for Kamado himself—he had taken a direct hit from Zoroark's Aerial Ace, which had "accidentally" sent him flying.]
[He now lay on the ground, unconscious and badly injured.]
"Someone carry your commander out of here."
"And you have three days to evacuate from Hisui."
Elias's voice cut through the stunned silence as he pointed at the groaning mass of bloodied armor and bruised flesh that had once been Kamado.
Several Galaxy Team members hesitated—but his tone left no room for discussion.
As for the hatred in their eyes?
Elias didn't spare it a thought.
Of course they despised him. After what had just happened to their leader, how could they not?
Zoroark, beside him, looked only mildly disappointed.
Too lenient. I should've hit him harder. Better yet, finished him off.
Still, judging from the damage, the man would be bedridden for at least half a year.
"Elias, I did good, right?"
Zoroark licked his cheek with her soft, pink tongue and looked up at him with wide, expectant eyes.
"You were amazing."
Elias smiled, patting her affectionately.
To knock out five Pokémon at near-Elite Four level in a row—Zoroark's strength was beyond question.
"Mr. Elias."
Suddenly, a voice called from behind him.
He turned to find a serious-looking woman approaching—Cyllene.
Beside her stood Cynthia, looking distinctly unamused.
"I'd like to make a deal," Cyllene said, pulling out a Poké Ball and holding it out to him.
Elias accepted it instinctively and gave it a once-over.
The Poké Ball was matte black, heavier than usual, with a more solid feel in his grip.
Something told him this wasn't like the standard models he'd seen or crafted himself.
At the same time, Zoroark's gaze was also drawn to the mysterious Poké Ball in his hand.