Summer clapped his hands together, glancing at the old butler. Judging by the man's expression, it was clear he had no intention of sharing any further secrets. "That should be enough," he said. "Now it's time for me to fulfill my end of the deal."
"You actually believe in that ridiculous story?" Sordward frowned, swinging his arm in frustration. If what Summer implied was true, then perhaps he needed to reevaluate House Howard.
"No," Summer replied with a light smile. "I just think it's an interesting tale. Whether it's true or not… does it really matter? In another hundred, five hundred, or even three thousand years, it'll probably be a completely different story anyway."
Sordward clenched his fists. "You don't know what the future holds," he declared. "But I do know one thing for certain—no matter how much time passes, House Cavendish will always stand to protect Galar!"
Black snorted, crossing his arms. "Big words, kid. And what will you do when Kalos's weapon turns its sights on Galar's capital?"
Summer's breath caught. Kalos's weapon…? The Ultimate Weapon? That war… it had happened three thousand years ago. Wait. Three thousand years…? That number felt oddly familiar.
"You—!" Sordward gritted his teeth but couldn't find a retort. Even he had no idea how to counter that kind of power. The old butler's expression darkened. If not for Summer's presence, he might have already challenged Black to a duel for his insolence.
"Father," Hilder suddenly spoke, his voice calm but firm. "I don't think it's right to mock someone's ideals. Especially when that ideal is about protecting others."
Black turned toward his son with a raised brow. Hilder continued, eyes determined. "I really liked that story about the young man—not because he slayed a dragon, but because he protected this land."
Unlike Sordward, he had no ambitions of defending an entire kingdom. But if he could be strong enough to protect the weak… protect those in need… protect the people beside him… that would be enough.
"Tch. Whatever," Black muttered. "It's got nothing to do with me anyway. You nobles can waste your time worrying about that stuff."
Summer chuckled. "Alright, let's get back on track. Instead of me deciding what to teach you, why don't you tell me what you actually want to improve?"
Sordward straightened immediately. "Then I'll be direct. I want to know how to evolve my Honedge."
"Me too! Me too!" Hilder quickly added, waving his hands. "I want to help Sirfetch'd evolve! No matter how much we train, we just can't figure it out!"
Sirfetch'd—his Galarian Farfetch'd—lowered its head slightly, its expression unreadable. Did… it lack the potential to evolve?
"Evolution, huh?" Summer mused. "Let's start with Honedge. Its evolution is simple. Train it enough, and it will evolve naturally."
Sordward's face twisted in disbelief. "What? You mean… I haven't trained it enough?"
That was impossible! He trained with Honedge every day—sparring against knights, honing his swordsmanship.
"That's exactly what I mean," Summer said bluntly. "You're the one training—not your Pokémon. Honedge hasn't gained any battle experience itself."
"But knights are meant to fight alongside their Pokémon!" Sordward protested.
"That's fine. But if your Pokémon never trains on its own, how do you expect it to grow stronger?"
Sordward fell silent.
Summer continued. "When Honedge evolves into Doublade, it becomes two swords instead of one. It fights using perfect coordination, overwhelming its opponent with relentless strikes. Even the best swordsmen would struggle to counter its attacks."
Sordward's confidence wavered. Had he really been training Honedge wrong this entire time?
"And here's something else," Summer added. "If you want Doublade to evolve again, you'll need a Dusk Stone. It'll become Aegislash."
"Aegislash…!" Sordward's breath hitched. The Galarian Emperor's trusted Pokémon was Aegislash. And he always demanded black gemstones be sent to the palace.
So that was the reason. He was hoarding Dusk Stones to prevent anyone else from evolving their Doublade.
"You don't believe me?" Summer smirked, reaching into his coat. When he opened his palm, a deep black stone rested in the center, shimmering with an eerie glow.
Sordward swallowed hard, staring at it with undisguised hunger.
With this… he could finally—
"Summer," he said slowly, voice steady but urgent. "Would you be willing to part with this stone? I am prepared to pay handsomely for it."
"Lord Sordward!" Fowler protested, eyes sharp with disapproval.
Sordward raised a hand. "Fowler, the Emperor never forbade others from having Aegislash. We simply happened to come across this stone. Do you understand?"
The butler hesitated… then bowed his head slightly. "…Understood."
Sordward turned back to Summer. "That said… can you prove to me that evolution stones truly work?"
Summer chuckled. "I thought you'd ask that. We can test it on Growlithe."
Black's brows furrowed. "That's my Pokémon. You sure about this?"
Summer simply reached into his coat again, pulling out a Fire Stone—a bright yellow gemstone that flickered like living flames.
The group stared in awe.
"Man, you really came prepared," Black muttered, shaking his head.
"So?" Summer said casually. "I'll give this to Growlithe as payment for forging my sword and shield. Sound fair?"
Sordward's expression didn't change, but inwardly, he smirked.
Perfect.
Now he could confirm whether Summer's words were true.
Black hesitated. "I don't know…"
"Father!" Hilder cut in, eyes shining. "If Growlithe evolves, its flames will be even hotter! That means your smithing will be even better!"
That was the final push Black needed.
"…Alright. Fine. Let's do it." He turned to his Growlithe. "Come here, buddy."
Growlithe trotted over, wagging its tail excitedly. It didn't understand what was happening—but the stone in Summer's hand called to it.
Summer knelt down, pressing the Fire Stone gently against its forehead. The instant they made contact, Growlithe's entire body began to glow.
"It's happening," Sordward murmured, his eyes locked onto the transformation.
Hilder grinned in excitement, imagining the day when Sirfetch'd would evolve, too.
The light faded.
Standing where Growlithe once was… was now a massive Arcanine.
Its orange fur was richer, its black stripes bolder, and its entire body radiated raw strength and majesty.
Black's eyes burned with emotion. He threw his arms around Arcanine's thick neck, unable to contain his joy.
Arcanine rumbled happily, nuzzling against him.
Fowler stole a glance at Summer, his expression unreadable.
This man… His unmatched strength, vast knowledge, calm confidence, and mysterious collection of rare artifacts…
There was no way he was just some wandering traveler.
Who are you really, Summer?