For a moment, the trio was completely captivated by the diamonds around them—each one priceless in the outside world.
Though they had expected the Diamond Kingdom to contain vast riches, the sheer scale and brilliance of the gemstone formations still left them stunned.
Before they could recover from their awe, a group of Carbink—arranged like a unit of palace guards—suddenly surrounded them.
The atmosphere immediately grew tense. This was, after all, the Carbink's territory, and if conflict broke out, the advantage would clearly be on the locals' side.
Rex still hoped to meet Diancie and ask for her guidance regarding his own Carbink. A misunderstanding here could end everything.
Fortunately, the Carbink who had guided them stepped forward with Rex's Carbink and began speaking to an elderly, white-bearded Carbink—clearly a high-ranking figure, perhaps a minister or elder within the kingdom.
The elder Carbink initially berated the guide harshly. The smaller one bowed its head, ears drooping as it listened dutifully.
But then, it introduced Rex's Carbink, drawing special attention to the pink diamond embedded in its forehead.
The elder's expression changed. It studied Rex's Carbink closely, its stern glare giving way to surprise and eventually reverence.
Something about the pink gem had shifted the tone entirely.
With a barked command, the elder sent the surrounding guards into formation—lining up on either side as if in welcome. The sudden reversal in attitude left the humans momentarily speechless.
Of course, Rex understood. They were not the ones being welcomed—the honor was reserved for his Carbink. The humans were simply guests by association.
With that, the trio followed the elder deeper into the kingdom.
Even Korrina and Mai breathed a sigh of relief now. Moments earlier, the situation had felt dangerously close to a full-blown confrontation.
Had that happened, their journey to the Diamond Kingdom would have ended in failure. There was no way three humans could stand against an entire kingdom of Carbink—let alone the mythical Diancie herself.
Led by the elder, they soon arrived at a grand underground palace, its entrance guarded by another set of Carbink sentinels.
As they walked, Rex noticed how the kingdom was organized with remarkable structure—clearly modeled after a human monarchy, only populated entirely by Carbink.
"Welcome, travelers from afar."
The voice rang clearly in their minds as they stepped inside the palace. A pink figure sat upon a towering crystal throne, radiating elegance and light.
"So that's Diancie… she's stunning."
All three of them—Rex, Korrina, and Mai—stood mesmerized. Diancie's beauty wasn't just visual. It glowed from within, a dazzling, otherworldly presence that left them breathless.
"We're sorry to intrude. We hope our arrival hasn't caused any trouble," Rex said respectfully.
"Not at all," Diancie replied warmly. "You've brought us a kindred spirit—one very close to me in nature. That fills me with joy."
She was looking at Rex's Carbink. Her voice, though not spoken aloud, resonated through their minds via telepathy.
"In truth, the reason I've come here is to meet you, Princess Diancie," Rex said. "I was hoping you might offer guidance—or even a catalyst—for my Carbink to evolve into one like you."
He didn't hesitate. His intent was clear and genuine.
"That's something I would love to see as well," Diancie replied, her tone bright with hope. "There are many Carbink in our kingdom, but none have come so close to transcending. I, too, have long awaited the birth of another Diancie."
As the kingdom's solitary ruler, she had tried many times to help others evolve—but none had succeeded.
Rex's Carbink, however, was the closest she had ever seen.
"What is it still lacking?" Rex asked. "What does it need to become a Diancie?"
He had guided his Carbink toward producing diamonds, hoping that would trigger evolution—but even he wasn't sure if that was enough.
"It lacks essence," Diancie explained gently. "It's moving in the right direction—toward understanding essence—but this is a long and difficult path. Essence isn't something most Pokémon ever touch."
Rex understood. Essence—or power of origin—was what separated mythical Pokémon like Diancie from ordinary ones. Whether it was called essence, authority, or origin, it was a kind of divine energy.
He had hoped diamond creation might lead Carbink to that level—but Diancie's words made it clear he had underestimated the depth of that force.
Still, he had something to go on now.
"Thank you, Diancie," he said. "Even if the road is hard, we won't stop. Carbink and I have come this far by growing together—we'll keep going."
Rex looked down at his Carbink, who nodded back with fierce determination.
No matter how long it would take—
They would continue, step by step, toward becoming something more.