For the second question in the Book of Answers, Caleb asked for Lance's contact information.
Among the current Elite Four members of Johto and Kanto, he was only somewhat familiar with Lance.
In this world, Lance was an upright and highly righteous person. He was a good official of the League and a role model for the people.
Although Officer Jenny was puzzled, she still brought Caleb to a video phone. As a suspicious individual with an unknown identity, his call needed to be monitored the entire time.
Caleb silently glanced at Officer Jenny before starting to input the number.
As he typed, he thought to himself that he should memorize both Lance and Cynthia's contact numbers before leaving this time, just in case he couldn't find them the next time he came.
The call was answered within minutes.
Caleb looked at the red-haired woman on the other end and greeted, "Hey, remember me?"
Lorelei froze for a moment before widening her eyes in shock: <..You haven't left this world yet?..>
Caleb: "??"
He looked at Lorelei with hesitation.
'How did she know? I don't think I ever mentioned it...'
To avoid being thrown into a punishment Instance again after leaving this time, Caleb quickly reviewed his experiences in this Instance in his mind.
He didn't recall ever meeting Lorelei apart from the first two Instances...
Lorelei pursed her lips, both exasperated and amused: <..You! You've nearly driven us crazy! Weren't you in Ecruteak City a few days ago? Lance and I specifically went there to look for you, but we searched all day without finding any trace of you!..>
Caleb asked, "Why were you looking for me?"
Lorelei replied: <..No reason. We just wanted to see you..>
Caleb was speechless.
Lorelei chuckled but didn't continue teasing him. Instead, she observed the environment behind Caleb.
It looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place it, so she asked: <..Where are you right now?..>
Caleb answered honestly, "The police station. I got arrested."
The nearby Officer Jenny, seeing this, immediately understood what was happening.
She might not recognize Caleb's face, but she certainly knew the face of the Ice-type Elite Four member, Lorelei.
Hearing Caleb's words, she quickly stepped into the frame and said solemnly, "My apologies, Miss Lorelei. I didn't realize you were acquainted with this gentleman."
Lorelei raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at Caleb.
Caleb didn't actually blame Officer Jenny... after all, she was just doing her job.
Moreover, he had originally planned to find a way to contact Lance, report the situation in Mahogany Town, and invite him and Lorelei to team up against the big boss, the Masked Man.
When Officer Jenny invited him to the station, he had simply gone along with it. If he hadn't wanted to come, ten Officer Jennys wouldn't have been able to force him.
Caleb coughed lightly and asked, "Where's Lance? I have some information that needs his immediate attention."
Lorelei replied: <..I've already notified him. He should be here soon..>
Officer Jenny caught on and tactfully excused herself, leaving Caleb and Lorelei to talk privately.
Lorelei glanced at the girl sitting on the sofa behind Caleb, sipping a cup of water, and asked: <..And who is this?..>
"My sister," Caleb said.
Lorelei: <..I don't recall you ever mentioning having a sister..>
"The one from Hoenn." Caleb reminded her. Since Lily was also involved in this incident, she knew a lot about Team Rocket's intelligence.
Lorelei suddenly remembered. She stared at Lily in surprise and asked: <..Are you sure?..>
Caleb: "It's related to what I'm about to tell you. You know about Celebi, right?"
Lorelei nodded. She tilted her head and studied Lily for a moment, forming a rough idea in her mind.
After chatting for a while, Lance hurried into the frame, his thick brows furrowed as he looked at Caleb and asked: <..Where are you?..>
Caleb: "Mahogany Town."
<..When are you leaving this time?..>
Lance asked next.
Caleb: "I don't know."
Most likely, he would have to leave after completing the quest.
Lance's brows, which had just begun to relax, furrowed again. He scrutinized Caleb and asked: <..Giovanni hasn't come after you this past year, has he?..>
It took Caleb a couple of seconds to understand what Lance meant.
The undercover mission felt like ancient history to him. As for Giovanni, he had no idea where he was now.
"No," he shook his head.
Hearing this, Lance let out a quiet sigh of relief and asked: <..Did you discover any new intel this time?..>
"Yes," Caleb's expression turned serious as he got to the main topic, "About Team Rocket in Johto."
Over the next few minutes, Caleb relayed all the information he had: that the Masked Man was actually Pryce, the Mahogany Gym Leader... That Karen, Will, and Koga were all members of Team Rocket, and the details of Team Rocket's plans.
Lance's expression grew increasingly grave as he listened. Then he said: <..I'll handle this. You've worked hard. You'll always be Kanto League's finest investigator!..>
Lance was really laying it on thick.
Caleb rolled his eyes internally, but reminded him, "Pryce has already fled. Now that he knows his identity is exposed, he'll likely make some preparations in advance. Be careful in case Karen, Will, and Koga get desperate."
<..Understood..>
Lance nodded solemnly.
Caleb: "Alright, I'll hang up now."
...
Lance seemed to want to say something else, but the video call screen displayed the 'call ended' prompt...
Lorelei looked at him amusedly and said, "He's alive and well. Now you can relax, right?"
Lance nodded, then added thoughtfully, "He really has been fighting for the League's peace all along, working in the shadows!"
Lorelei agreed wholeheartedly. Thinking of how Caleb had risked his life to battle the Masked Man alone, she said, "He's a great man."
....
Evening had arrived once again...
Caleb left the police station with Lily and went to a restaurant for dinner.
"Where are we going?" Lily asked.
Caleb took a bite of sushi and looked at the setting sun outside the window. Once today passes, only six days would remain on the quest countdown.
For him, completing the quest wasn't as important anymore. There were no penalties for failure anyway.
The only thing Caleb was worried about was Lily. She didn't belong to this era. Once he left in seven days, she would have nowhere to go.
Moreover, Caleb himself had no idea where, or when, he would end up the next time he came back. It could be the future, or it could be the past...
The orange hues of the sunset streamed through the glass, casting a mysterious glow on his already handsome profile.
Lily stared for a moment before asking, "Nii-san, what are you thinking about?"
Caleb snapped out of his thoughts and pondered, "I'll probably have to leave in a few days, and I don't know when I'll be back next. Before that, I need to find you a place to stay."
....
{T/N: Who else noticed that these time shenanigans are even confusing the author?}