And they, too, needed these slabs in order to find the road back home.
Adaman quickly accepted this explanation: "So that's how it is. No wonder you place so much importance on these slabs."
"Since these slabs are connected to the Venerable Sinnoh, I'll also do my best to help you investigate the whereabouts of the others." Irida thought of the Kings and Mount Pokemon in the Hisui Region.
At present, there were Kings in all five areas.
Even though the New King of the Cobalt Coastlands had yet to be chosen, the slabs guarded by Kings of past generations could not just vanish into thin air.
Besides that, Wyrdeer and the other Mount Pokemon who had received the power of the Venerable Sinnoh might also be guarding similar slabs.
Counting it up that way, the number of slabs would be quite considerable.
"Since you're planning to head to the Crimson Mirelands, you can go meet Xipu first." Irida quickly remembered something. "Xipu is the Warden of our Pearl Clan in the Crimson Mirelands."
"The one she looks after isn't the Queen there, but a Mount Pokemon called Ursaluna."
"Ursaluna?" Ash was immediately intrigued.
He had never heard this Pokemon's name before. Even when the big shots in the group were teaching him, they had never mentioned information about this Pokemon.
"Ursaluna is the evolved form of Ursaring. It likewise inherited the power granted by the Venerable Sinnoh, and is the most important Mount Pokemon in the Crimson Mirelands."
As Irida explained, she reminded the two of them about the differences between the Crimson Mirelands and the Obsidian Fieldlands.
"The deeper you go into the various areas of Hisui, the stronger the Pokemon that live there usually are."
"The Crimson Mirelands lie beyond the Obsidian Fieldlands. The Pokemon living there will be tougher to deal with than here, and if you rely on walking, it'll take a long time to get there."
"And Ursaluna has also been acting strange recently."
Ash's expression immediately grew serious.
"Was Ursaluna struck by the Golden Thunderbolt as well?"
"That's the strange part." Irida shook her head. "There's no golden glow on Ursaluna's body like Kleavor had."
"It just suddenly became extremely irritable and started refusing to listen to Xipu's commands."
"Fortunately, Ursaluna is a bit weaker than Kleavor is now, so it hasn't caused too many casualties yet."
"So I suggest you find Xipu first and resolve Ursaluna's abnormal state. As long as you gain Ursaluna's recognition, it may allow you to use the White Jade Flute to summon it."
Cynthia took out the pure white, jade-like flute from her person: "You mean this White Jade Flute?"
"That's right." Irida nodded. "In Hisui, this flute has another name: the Celestica Flute."
"It's said that it wasn't made by ordinary humans, but was bestowed upon the first Warden by the Venerable Sinnoh."
Adaman added from the side: "All Mount Pokemon that have received the Venerable Sinnoh's recognition can hear the sound of the Celestica Flute."
"However, different Mount Pokemon correspond to different melodies. The melody you've mastered right now can only summon Wyrdeer."
"If you want to summon Ursaluna, you must first earn its recognition, then learn a new melody from Xipu."
Ash looked at the White Jade Flute in Cynthia's hand. Before this, they only knew that this flute could summon Wyrdeer; they hadn't expected it to also have the ability to summon other Mount Pokemon.
If they could gain Ursaluna's help, their operations in the Crimson Mirelands would become much more convenient.
"Then let's go find Ursaluna first." Ash quickly made up his mind. "After we solve Ursaluna's problem, we'll go and govern the Queen of the Crimson Mirelands."
"There's no rush right now."
Adaman glanced at Typhlosion and Samurott, who had just been through a battle.
"You've been completing missions and battling nonstop today. Your Pokemon need rest as well."
"Xipu lives very far from here, and I also have to notify the Crimson Mirelands to make preparations. Once everything is arranged, I'll personally come to Jubilife Village to find you."
Once the matter was decided, everyone prepared to leave the Grandtree Arena, while Lian took the initiative to stay behind.
Kleavor had only just regained its senses, and its injuries still needed to be monitored.
Irida was preparing to return to the Pearl Clan and inform all the members that the King had returned to normal.
Adaman also had to contact the Warden from the Diamond Clan in the Crimson Mirelands and have them get ready to receive Ash and Cynthia.
Before leaving, Ash turned back to look at Kleavor, which had returned to its original size.
Kleavor raised its massive stone axes and gave him a small wave.
"Get some good rest. I'll come visit you again if I get the chance."
"Roar-roar!!" Kleavor let out a reply.
After getting Kleavor's response, Ash finally turned around and followed Cynthia, heading back to Jubilife Village along the road they had come by.
By the time they returned to the village, the sky had already gone completely dark.
Ash and Cynthia first went to the Team Galactic Headquarters and reported the process of governing Kleavor to Leader Cyllene. When she learned that Kleavor had returned to normal, the taut expression on Cyllene's face noticeably relaxed quite a bit.
"You did very well. Now that this matter is settled, the Obsidian Fieldlands can return to how they were. Professor Laventon has already recorded the battle process and the method of governing. I'll compile it into a formal report and submit it to Captain Kamado."
Cyllene paused for a moment, then looked at Ash: "As for those two special powers in your hands, Team Galactic won't pursue the matter. As long as we can be sure that these powers won't pose a danger to Jubilife Village, that's enough."
Hearing this, a bit more of a smile appeared on Ash's face.
"Thanks, Leader Cyllene."
After finishing their report to the Survey Corps, the two of them headed to Captain Kamado's office.
Kamado was not surprised by the news that Kleavor had returned to normal.
From the moment he decided to let Ash and Cynthia take the mission, he had already judged that the two of them had the potential to complete it.
"You've proven your capability." Kamado placed both hands on the desk and looked at them seriously. "Team Galactic will record this achievement according to the highest Level of commission standards."
"As for the specific rewards, I'll have Cyllene confirm them with you later."
"Also, the situation in the Crimson Mirelands is more complicated. Before Adaman finishes his preparations, you should first remain in Jubilife Village and rest up."
Kamado's words were still as concise as ever. Aside from a few words of praise and noting the mission, he didn't produce any rewards on the spot.
Ash wouldn't ask for payment just because he helped others, but seeing Kamado handle it in such a strictly by-the-book manner still left him feeling a bit dissatisfied.
After they finished their report, Professor Laventon chased after them again to ask about many details.
Ash and Cynthia gave a brief explanation of what they could, then left Team Galactic Headquarters on the grounds that their Pokemon needed rest.
After returning to their small house, Ash sat straight down on the floor and flopped onto his back.
"We can finally rest!"
Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder, lay down beside him, and let out a long sigh as well.
"Pika pi~" Clearly it hadn't done much, yet it still looked very tired.
As for Ash and Cynthia, they had first battled Irida earlier that day, then hurried to the Grandtree Arena to govern Kleavor.
Even though Ash's Physical Strength far exceeded that of an ordinary person, he still felt somewhat exhausted. Cynthia brushed the dust off her clothes and sat down by the wall.
She still wore her usual gentle expression, but that stunning face now held a hint of weariness.
"You've worked hard, Ash."
"You've worked hard too, sis." Ash sat up, complaining a bit unhappily, "But Captain Kamado and Leader Cyllene's reactions were way too cold."
"We solved such a huge problem in the Obsidian Fieldlands, and all we got were a few words of praise."
"Leader Cyllene has already done her best." Cynthia let out a soft laugh. "She's just the leader of the Survey Corps, and the resources she can mobilize are limited."
"Besides, Leader Cyllene already agreed to record this mission according to the highest standard. The one who actually decides the rewards is still Captain Kamado."
"So the problem really is Captain Kamado." Ash pouted in dissatisfaction.
He didn't dislike Kamado, but there was indeed a clear difference between the way they interacted and their approaches to doing things.
Kamado's first consideration was the interests of Team Galactic and Jubilife Village.
As long as it allowed the organization to continue developing, he would choose the most suitable method.
This approach was very realistic, and made it hard for Ash to truly grow close to him.