Crackle, pop~~
Branches in the campfire occasionally sparked loudly. Ten minutes passed quickly.
Neither Sieg nor Luna by the campfire spoke, but the air gradually filled with an ambiguous atmosphere.
Luna used her peripheral vision to secretly observe the young man who had rescued her.
Sieg's pupils are black as ink, radiating rational intelligence. His handsome features combined with a gentle, refined temperament naturally inspired favorable feelings.
Lost in these thoughts, Luna felt somewhat shy and hurriedly used her hands to arrange her hair, concealing her emotions.
However, this brief romantic tension was quickly broken by a brownish streak of light from the horizon.
It was a Pokémon resembling a prehistoric pterosaur.
Aerodactyl!
Aerodactyl's body was gray with blue pupils, and its head had two horns extending backward. The insides of its wings were purple, with two sharp claws on each wing. Its teeth were serrated, and parts of its body appeared stone-like.
Aerodactyl's speed was incredible, landing on the ground in an instant and stirring up clouds of dust and fallen leaves.
On Aerodactyl's back stood a tall, thin man wearing glasses, appearing to be in his thirties.
He wore a green explorer's outfit, his hair disheveled like a bird's nest, looking quite unkempt from long periods without grooming.
The scruffy tall man frowned with a face full of anxiety, but seeing Luna safe and sound, his expression gradually relaxed.
"Daddy~~"
Luna's face lit up as she ran into the man's arms.
"Wah wah wah~~"
"Daddy, you finally came! I thought I'd never see you again!!"
Luna cried pitifully, appearing extremely aggrieved.
The disheveled man's eyes flashed with loving indulgence as he gently comforted her: "There, there, Luna, don't cry. You're not allowed to sneak out like this again, understand? Now tell Daddy quickly, how did you escape those criminals?"
Gerald Solance was extremely fond of his daughter. Learning that she had faced danger, he was greatly alarmed and hurriedly ended his half-completed experiment.
He simultaneously released his ace Pokémon, Aerodactyl, this Pokémon was the first fossil Pokémon successfully revived through fossil experiments by their family and the Devon Corporation!
With a massive base Speed stat of 130, combined with speed-boosting moves like Rock Polish and Agility.
Truly lightning-fast!
Therefore, he had rushed here at breakneck speed the entire way.
If something had actually happened to his precious daughter, Gerald would have no way to explain it to his wife.
Luna looked completely aggrieved, grasping her father's hand and beginning to clutch it while recounting everything that had happened along the way.
When describing being hunted, her face showed lingering fear.
When telling of escaping one danger only to face another, she looked completely tense.
But when describing how Sieg had heroically intervened to save her, she showed a shy expression and secretly glanced back at him.
After hearing the complete story, Gerald's expression finally relaxed. After looking at Sieg, he spoke: "Don't worry, Luna. I'll properly thank this young man for you."
"As for those who hunted you, when we return, the family will conduct a thorough investigation based on their descriptions. The family won't let you suffer this injustice in vain!"
The scruffy man's initial words were extremely gentle, but his tone later became cold as frost, carrying a hint of killing intent.
Obviously, if those men had friends or family, they were likely in for trouble and would definitely face consequences.
"Daddy, you must properly thank Sieg! If not for him, I would have been in real danger this time!" Luna vigorously shook her father's arm, beginning to act spoiled.
Gerald nodded indulgently, then said to Sieg: "Please come over, young man."
Hearing the summons, Sieg dared not delay.
He sensed strong energy fluctuations from the Aerodactyl, almost as powerful as the Elite Four-level Pokémon battle he'd encountered in Rustboro Cave.
"Greetings, sir. I am Sieg, a League Trainer currently on my journey." Sieg's tone was neither humble nor arrogant, very calm.
"No need for such formality, young friend. You saved my daughter, you're a lifesaver. Just call me Gerald."
Gerald nodded, his words showing a hint of appreciation.
"League Trainers should naturally look out for each other. I merely happened to encounter Miss Luna in danger and helped. I hardly deserve to be called a lifesaver."
Sieg's words were perfectly crafted, displaying the art of language.
The Solance family's influence was considerable. If Sieg could establish some connection, it would lay a solid foundation for his future development.
Seeing this young man so sensible, Gerald nodded with increasing satisfaction: "While that may be so, you saved my daughter, and gratitude is necessary."
"Speak up, do you want Pokédollars, League Points, rare Pokémon hatchlings, or precious items? As long as it's not excessive, I can do my best to fulfill it."
After speaking, he looked at Sieg meaningfully, seemingly wanting to see how this mature young man would respond.
"League Trainers should naturally help each other! I... truly dare not seek a reward for this favor."
Sieg spoke with a sincere tone.
If he actively requested compensation, his motives would be too obvious. While Luna, that naive girl, might not notice anything, Gerald, who had possibly reached Elite Four level, would definitely see through his ulterior motives at a glance.
Moreover, rather than requesting an immediate reward, it was better to let this favor continue, to be used as a connection and escape route when encountering danger in the future.
After all, he truly lacked nothing at present.
He could earn training resources himself, and still had an abundance of Pokédollars remaining.
As for precious high-potential Pokémon hatchlings, he currently had five Pokémon in his team that he couldn't fully train, he simply couldn't spare attention for adding new Pokémon.
Gerald extended one arm, letting his daughter hold it while slightly narrowing his eyes to observe Sieg.
"Interesting. This young man doesn't seem to be short-sighted."
While his heart increasingly appreciated Sieg's selfless and far-sighted thinking, he mentally wanted to quickly settle this debt.
After pondering briefly, Gerald said: "No need for more words. You saved my daughter, thanking you is appropriate."
Using an unquestionable tone, he said: "You should know about the League's clearance system, right? I can raise your League clearance to Level 2."
As soon as he finished speaking, Luna beside him rapidly nodded her little head while constantly signaling Sieg to quickly agree.
As someone from a prominent family background, she clearly understood what this meant.
It meant officially entering the League leadership's attention, officially entering the League's core circle.
Undoubtedly, Level 2 clearance couldn't even be obtained even by spending tens of millions of Pokédollars.
After all, those who could help ordinary League members advance to Level 2 clearance were either Gym Leaders, League Professors, or other high-ranking officials.
Or they were powerful Elite Four members.
It could be said that behind every Level 2 clearance was some connection to these people.
Sieg's expression became somewhat strange as he scratched his head and said embarrassedly: "Um... Sir, I already have a Level 2 clearance."