"This Pokémon... An ancient dragonfly?"
Hilona looked at the Yanmega summoned by Natsuhiko with a face full of astonishment and doubt in her eyes.
"Yes." Natsuhiko directly nodded, acknowledging it.
As Dr. Jiezilan's granddaughter, Hilona certainly has some understanding of ancient myths and ancient history. Recognizing Yanmega was not surprising at all to him.
And Natsuhiko summoning Yanmega in front of Hilona without hesitation was also part of his plan.
Both Yanmega and Tyrantrum are Pokémon from ancient times.
But to say that the Alliance has no understanding of them at all is impossible.
Natsuhiko captured it in Regigigas's alternate space. With so many alternate spaces the Alliance has, you're telling me they won't encounter one or two of them?
Perhaps due to certain reasons, these Pokémon were not announced, or it was inconvenient to announce them.
But Natsuhiko had no such hesitation. It was bound to be presented to everyone sooner or later.
Appealing to Dr. Jiezilan through Hilona's reputation was undoubtedly the best choice.
After all, he couldn't hide it for a lifetime.
"It's the first time seeing a live one." Hilona said hesitantly, taking a few steps forward.
Yanmega noticed Hilona approaching and quickly cast a glance at Natsuhiko.
'Should I take her out?'
Natsuhiko twitched at the corner of his eye, smiled awkwardly, and placed his hand on Yanmega's back, indicating it not to be impulsive.
This was for its own good.
Otherwise, in the end, who would take out whom would remain unknown.
"Can I touch it?" Hilona asked, her voice clear and bright.
"Of course."
Then Hilona's delicate jade-like hand gently rested on Yanmega's body, feeling its rough and hard shell and the full, powerful muscles beneath it.
"So energetic." Hilona's interest seemed to be instantly piqued.
"Yes."
Isn't it?
Since Yanmega followed Natsuhiko, although its treatment wasn't as high as Beedrill and Dragapult, it lived much more comfortably than in its Yanmega tribe.
Every day it didn't have to do much, just goofing off with Tyrantrum and Sharpedo, and it had an endless supply of Intermediate Energy Blocks to eat. It was completely comfortable.
All of Natsuhiko's failed "defective products" in making Advanced Energy Blocks became their feed.
In Natsuhiko's words, the internal activities of Yanmega after following him were probably "contented and forgetful of return."
Just being touched by Hilona, Yanmega didn't feel uncomfortable but looked at Natsuhiko again for confirmation.
'Boss, this guy is weak, not worth burying?'
Natsuhiko ignored its indication.
Bury?
It's not yet clear who would bury whom.
"Is it seeking your opinion on something?"
Natsuhiko didn't respond, but Hilona felt the change in Yanmega's gaze.
Natsuhiko: "..."
He slowly exhaled, "It's nothing, maybe it just ate too much and is a bit stuffed. Let's go."
Hilona withdrew her hand.
"Okay."
After a slight hesitation, she asked tentatively, "Um... Natsuhiko, can I borrow it for observation after we return?"
Looking at her slightly longing eyes, Natsuhiko naturally couldn't refuse.
"Sure."
Hilona smiled and nodded, took out a Pokeball, and summoned her Gabite again.
"Let's go."
In the red light, as Gabite appeared, Yanmega shivered, its expression rigid.
This Gabite gave it a sense of pressure even greater than that of Natsuhiko's Beedrill.
So strong.
It then showed relief of "narrow escape."
'Luckily, almost, almost...'
Natsuhiko patted it again and, under Yanmega's appreciative gaze, jumped onto its back.
Then, together with Hilona, who was riding Gabite, they flew directly into the sky, speeding towards the location of the Celestial Crown Mountain.
Initially, Yanmega couldn't match Gabite's speed, but as the flight continued, it gradually managed to keep up.
The Acceleration Trait was quite useful at this moment.
The sky was dim.
The round moon hung askew, and stars dotted the night sky.
A faint milky halo playfully spread over the earth.
Overlooking the Sinnoh Continent at night from above offered a unique feeling, especially with Celestial Crown Mountain in the scene, it appeared even more splendid.
Plus, Hilona stood there on Gabite not far in front, her golden hair fluttering in the wind.
One had to admit, the combination of these two images highlighted sheer beauty.
It had a narrative sense of "flying westward on a sword for a million miles" like in a cultivation novel.
Except, they were not riding swords but Pokémon.
The shark fins on Gabite's back helped Hilona to deflect the oncoming cold wind, so no matter how fast, it didn't affect her much, only making the temperature slightly lower.
That's also why Hilona always wore her slightly thick black long dress.
It didn't take too long.
As the towering heights of Celestial Crown Mountain broke through the clouds, Hilona signaled for Gabite to descend.
Following along the Celestial Crown Mountain Range, to the north fell incessant snowflakes.
Finally, they saw the location where Shenhe Town was situated.
Shenhe Town was nestled on a small platform on the Celestial Crown Mountain Range, not very large, with only a few dozen houses visible at a glance.
Most residents here were Hilona's relatives.
The special position of Shenhe Town, clearly on the backside of the Celestial Crown Mountain, yet the snowflakes from the top would flow down without a single one landing in Shenhe Town, all drifting towards the distant Snow Peak Mountain.
Unexpectedly, Shenhe Town's temperature under this current was quite mild.
Plop—
Hilona and Natsuhiko landed on the ground.
Looking at the lush surroundings, Natsuhiko couldn't help but sigh, "What a nice place."
Although not residing like the Meteor People in Meteor Village, Shenhe Town, with its long history, displayed its traces over time.
Because it was already night when they arrived, there weren't many people on the road.
Hilona led Natsuhiko through the small town.
Soon, they reached Hilona's home, a not-so-big but elegant and simple house, and entirely wooden.
"Come in."
Saying this, Hilona opened the door and walked in directly.
Natsuhiko hesitated slightly but still entered.
The interior space wasn't large either, but it was warmly decorated.
However, it seemed no one was currently living inside.
"Grandma should be at the research institute by Lake Acuity, feel free to sit, don't mind." While speaking, Hilona skillfully boiled water and washed the teacups.
Natsuhiko looked at the interior layout, stepped on the soft mat, and sat on the couch, where one could comfortably sink in.
He suddenly had a sensation.
He felt like it was time to find a place to settle down as well.
No matter whether he planned to travel or do something else in the future, after finishing, there would be a safe, warm, and comfortable place of his own to return to, a place where he could fully relax his spirit, unload his fatigue, without being heavily guarded.
A place called "home."
Like Hilona.
No matter what she was busy with outside, no matter how busy, there always was such a comfortable place waiting for her return.
Otherwise, Natsuhiko always felt like a rootless duckweed, drifting here and there, always needing to stay on guard and alert.
Short-term was fine, but for a long time, it felt like that taut nerve would become fragile.
It didn't have to be as quiet and serene as Shenhe Town, but at least there needed to be such a place.
"Tea or coffee?"
Hilona's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Either..." Natsuhiko responded casually.
Hilona looked at the two cups in front of her, along with a jar of tea and a jar of coffee.
Hmm...
Five minutes later.
Natsuhiko suddenly remembered something, turned to look, and saw Hilona still hesitating by the table.
He slapped his forehead.
"Well, coffee then."
"Alright."
Hilona quietly let out a breath of relief.
Natsuhiko helped her make the choice.
She brewed two cups of coffee and handed one to him.
"It's getting late today, how about staying the night and entering Celestial Crown Mountain tomorrow?" Hilona sat down, took a small sip of coffee, and said.
Natsuhiko just savoring the bitter aroma in his mouth suddenly heard Hilona's words.
Cough cough, stay a night?