Joseph Stone's body tensed slightly, and he gave an awkward smile.
Edward saw this and immediately understood—just as he suspected, that attack earlier had been launched by his father.
Edward was a little helpless. He had seen plenty of people get tricked by their own dads, but a father sabotaging his own son? That was a new one.
Still, he embraced his father anyway. The old man had rushed all the way from Hoenn—it must have been exhausting. Edward could feel the genuine care in that effort, and he was quietly moved.
However, as he looked at the massive crater left by the explosion of the Time Gem, his expression grew somber.
"Shizuka…"
He thought of the girl who had thrown herself in front of him just before the explosion.
Edward didn't actually have many strong memories of Shizuka. They were childhood friends, but after his transmigration into this world, he'd always played the role of an older brother to her—sometimes teasing her now and then. But who could have imagined… that at the critical moment, Shizuka would step in without hesitation and shield him with her body?
It would be cold-hearted to say he wasn't moved.
But what could he do?
Even Dialga couldn't save her—what hope did he have?
"Right, where's Zoroark?"
He suddenly remembered his secretary—also named Shizuka. He looked around and soon spotted her—awake now, and transformed once more into her familiar human form.
But this time…
Edward noticed something different.
The girl Zoroark had transformed into had snow-white hair.
As the space-time barrier dissolved, the League's main forces flooded into Twinleaf Town. The remnants and officers of Team Galactic were all swiftly arrested, and Edward was inevitably invited in for questioning.
After all, he was a firsthand witness.
The League had many things to ask him.
"Mr. Edward, thank you very much."
By the time the debriefing ended, it was already dark. Edward sat wearily on a sofa, rubbing his temples.
"Shizuka… was she the undercover agent you stationed inside Team Galactic?"
Edward looked at Officer Jenny and asked solemnly.
This mattered to him.
It was about clearing Shizuka's name.
"Yes… It was originally a top-level classified mission but…"
Officer Jenny's face turned grim.
Edward understood what she meant.
With Shizuka's death, there was no longer any reason to keep it secret.
She deserved a clean name—to be remembered not as a high-ranking Team Galactic executive, but as a hero who gave her life.
Edward nodded silently and left the League's headquarters.
"Oh, Mr. Edward, there's something for you."
Just as he was about to step outside, another Officer Jenny stopped him, holding out a small object.
"This is Miss Shizuka's personal belonging. She stated it should be given to you after her death."
The Jenny's eyes were red.
Edward quietly accepted it.
"Thank you."
It was a slightly yellowed photograph.
In it, a white-haired girl was smiling while hugging a younger Edward.
Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
Edward was momentarily dazed.
He remembered now—this was the photo taken right before Shizuka moved away.
After the photo, she cried.
Edward comforted her for a long time, and they even promised to keep in touch before she stopped crying.
He carefully put the photo away…
But just as he was about to slip it into his wallet, he noticed some writing on the back.
[When I grow up, I want to marry Edward.]
Edward fell silent.
He took a deep breath and tucked the photo away.
Now that Primal Groudon had been returned away, the harsh sunlight covering the Sinnoh region had also disappeared.
Sinnoh's weather had returned to normal.
Edward sat in the luxurious Champion Suite, looking up at the moonlit sky.
"Boss."
Zoroark, now back with her white hair, walked in and handed Edward a steaming cup of Moomoo Milk.
"Shizuka… are you okay?"
Edward looked at her.
She had done her best—fighting valiantly, even against the legendary Lake Trio—but in the end, she still fainted.
Thinking about her name stirred a mix of emotions in Edward's heart.
"I'm fine," Zoroark replied with a bright smile, a small dimple forming on her cheek.
Edward was quiet for a moment.
"Have you… remembered anything?"
He asked cautiously.
Something about this Shizuka and that Shizuka felt interconnected, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"No."
Zoroark shook her head.
Edward looked disappointed.
That's right—if this Shizuka really were that Shizuka, she probably would have remembered something by now.
Zoroark went back to rest.
Edward transferred ten million to her bank account, as he had promised.
She had helped him with everything she had, and ten million was nothing to Edward now.
"Tomorrow… I'll visit the last ruin. Then I'll head back."
He stretched lazily.
Though Sinnoh had just experienced a great catastrophe, life in Hoenn was proceeding steadily.
Even the filming of his variety show was progressing smoothly.
…
The next morning, Edward got up early—or rather, he hadn't really slept well at all.
In his dreams, he kept seeing Shizuka, right before the explosion.
What had she said?
He didn't know.
And that not knowing… made him all the more uneasy.
Stepping out of the hotel, he brought Zoroark with him to visit the ruins near Mt. Coronet.
It was one of the largest and most complete ruins ever discovered in Sinnoh, recommended to him by Cynthia herself.
Normally, the site was restricted to the public—it was still being excavated.
But Edward was different.
Not only was he the heir to Devon Corporation, but after what he did yesterday, he had been awarded the League's Medal of Valor.
Once the award ceremony took place, he'd officially become a decorated hero.
The Medal of Valor granted access to many restricted places.
"This is the largest and most well-preserved ruin we've found in Sinnoh so far.
According to our estimates, this area once belonged to a massive ancient tribe.
But eventually… a bloody massacre took place here…"
The League's official guide excitedly explained to Edward as they entered.
Edward nodded silently.
Would something be here…?
His thoughts drifted to the ancient tomes he had read before.
"Hmm…"
Zoroark looked completely lost upon entering the ruins.
The deeper they went, the stranger her behavior became.
"Shizuka? What's wrong?"
Edward frowned and turned to look at her.
She ignored him—then suddenly rushed forward and slapped her hand against the wall.
"Sir your Pokémon! Please don't let it touch things at random!"
The guide shrieked like a panicked Diglett.
But the next second—a hidden door creaked open.
(End of Chapter)