"So, it's this question again. Honestly, do none of you have anything new to say?"
"The evil organization Team Rocket—is that what you think of us, Miss Caitlin?"
At her words, Lucas's lips curled into a mocking smile. He had heard this question far too many times.
Just a few days ago, Raihan and Oleana had asked him the exact same thing, and now Caitlin was repeating it again.
And that's not even mentioning the others Lucas had encountered before.
"Isn't that what it is?" Caitlin frowned even more deeply. After all, wasn't it common knowledge that Team Rocket was an evil organization?
"Of course, from the standpoint of people like you who proudly call yourselves righteous—that's exactly what it is."
"But as for me, I don't care about that at all."
"Team Rocket provides me with a much more practical life. I can do whatever I want. I can take off the hypocritical mask I used to wear. Anything I like, I can pursue with my own strength."
Lucas's grin widened. Yes—this was the reality he enjoyed the most.
He could do whatever he wanted—because he had the power.
He didn't need to worry about being shackled by morality or the judgment of society—because he was a member of an evil organization.
No matter how outrageous, appalling, or insane his actions were, no one would be surprised—he was a villain.
Would a villain really go around helping the elderly or rescuing stray Pokémon?
"But that's not right," Caitlin said. "You're so powerful. You could use that strength to do something far more meaningful."
"If everyone were like you, then this world would be completely without order!"
Her voice wavered slightly, but she responded instinctively.
Only then did Caitlin realize—Lucas wasn't some ambitious villain in the traditional sense.
He was simply someone pursuing a completely unrestrained life.
And understanding that made Caitlin feel a chill in her heart—because in a certain sense, people like him were the scariest of all.
It was precisely because he possessed overwhelming strength—and acted solely according to his own will without limits—that he was truly terrifying.
"And what does that have to do with me?" Lucas sneered.
"Also, it seems Miss Caitlin assumes that the Pokémon League represents justice?"
"What are you trying to say? No matter what the League is like, it's still better than Team Rocket."
Caitlin didn't answer him directly. As the daughter of a prestigious family, she wasn't naïve.
"Is that really true?" Lucas's crimson eyes glinted with sarcasm.
"If I remember correctly, Miss Caitlin is planning to leave Sinnoh for some travel and training, right? Then I'd recommend you go to Kanto instead."
"As it happens, the Kanto Elite Four has an open spot. With your talent, Miss Caitlin, it shouldn't be difficult to fill it."
"And then, maybe you'll get a good look at what the Pokémon League's headquarters in Kanto is really like."
The Kanto Elite Four, led by Lance, was completely different from any other region's Elite Four.
Caitlin—once you understand that, who knows what you'll think?
"I don't quite understand what you mean."
Caitlin pursed her lips and replied softly. She genuinely didn't understand why Lucas would say such a thing.
Everyone knew that the massive Pokémon League had its headquarters in Kanto.
Likewise, the Kanto Elite Four led by Lance was widely regarded as the strongest.
Even though there was currently a vacancy among the Four, Lance himself was not only the Champion of Kanto but also still counted as the fourth Elite member.
So even with one missing, the Kanto Elite Four were still considered the most powerful.
Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, and Lance—every one of them was a monster in their own right.
"You don't need to understand right now. Just go there and see for yourself. Kanto will be getting exciting very soon."
Lucas chuckled softly, turned, and walked away. He had said everything he needed to say.
Outsiders wouldn't understand—those Kanto Elite Four members, once revered as the people's pride and defenders, had already begun to change.
Especially Lance and Lorelei—they were the most affected.
Yes, both of them truly loved Pokémon. Their affection for Pokémon was beyond compare.
And precisely because of this, they hated Team Rocket even more—since Team Rocket had long been secretly conducting genetic experiments on Pokémon.
But after witnessing more and more of these horrifying experiments, after striving for so long yet failing to eliminate these crimes, Lance and Lorelei's hearts had begun to twist.
No matter how pure the original passion was—once it became excessive, it would always turn into something warped and pathological.
Add to that the corruption of certain League officials and the greedy merchants in society who, driven by desire, recklessly destroyed Pokémon habitats for profit…
When you're in a position of power, the things you see become clearer than ever.
The darkness of the human heart—it's always been there, everywhere.
"It's only a matter of time. They'll fall into the abyss sooner or later."
Lucas wore a mocking smile.
When the very ones who were supposed to be guardians—the Elite Four, the pinnacle of strength that people looked up to—became the most terrifying threat…
What kind of expression would those old fossils at the Kanto League make?
The greatest enemy of the Kanto League?
Team Rocket?
What a ridiculous mistake.
The Kanto Pokémon League hadn't even begun to recognize who their real enemy was—yet they kept targeting Team Rocket.
Utterly, hopelessly foolish.
"Kanto…"
Caitlin stood still, watching as Lucas's figure disappeared into the shadowy woods.
Her crystal-clear eyes flickered slightly, and a trace of hesitation appeared on her flawless face.
Her original destination had been the Unova region.
But now… maybe she really should go to Kanto and see for herself.
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The next morning, Lucas woke up early as usual.
"Another beautiful day—let's hope it's a good one, too."
He stretched and glanced up at the clear blue sky. The weather was perfect.
"You really do wake up too early every day. My poor pillow is going to miss me."
Next to him, Marnie rubbed her eyes and pouted. Her petite and delicate face still looked sleepy and a bit annoyed.
She had a habit of sleeping in, but for the past few days, Lucas had been waking her up every single morning.
"Lack of sleep is the number one enemy of a pretty girl!"
Yep, that was Marnie's usual cheerful morning greeting—delivered with mock frustration.
"If you keep sleeping like a pig, how are you supposed to grow? Look at that flat figure of yours. A proper biological clock is the key to healthy development."
Lucas affectionately patted Marnie's head like she was a puppy, speaking in a tone full of mock-seriousness as he glanced meaningfully at a certain part of her chest.
Sure, legal lolis had their charm, but come on—who didn't prefer a little more "presence"?
"???" Marnie stared at him, full of confusion.
What the hell are you even saying?
If you've got a problem with it, then stop touching, you jerk!
You sure didn't seem to mind when you were sneakily feeling me up before!
Instantly, Marnie's expression turned cold and unreadable. She slapped Lucas's hand away and radiated an aura that screamed stay away from me.
Lucas shrugged. He was about to say something else when—
"If you keep treating women like this, Mr. Lucas, you'll never get a girlfriend, you know."
Cynthia and Caitlin approached from behind, their refined and elegant aura still as soothing as ever.
"Yeah, yeah. But I'm only doing it for her own good," Lucas replied, glancing at Caitlin—who had already returned to her usual elegant young-lady appearance—and shaking his head with a sigh.
"This is hard work, you know."
"Marnie just came of age, Mr. Lucas. There's no need to rush."
Cynthia glanced at Marnie's twitching expression and kindly advised Lucas.
She could tell these two were clearly like a young couple—they were just missing that final spark.
But if Lucas kept acting like this, Marnie might just chop him up one of these days.
"I get it. Actually… I have a pretty effective folk remedy. Miss Cynthia, Miss Caitlin—you two might want to try it, too."
Lucas nodded earnestly, then casually glanced at a certain part of both ladies' bodies and smiled.
They were both beautiful and elegant women—but wouldn't it be even more perfect if there were just… a little more volume?
Marnie froze.
Cynthia and Caitlin's expressions both stiffened.
"Ha… thank you for your kindness, Mr. Lucas, but we'll have to decline."
Even Cynthia couldn't help but laugh awkwardly, maintaining a polite smile that barely hid her discomfort.
What the heck did he mean by "supplementing"?
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, a group had already arrived at the ruins of Michina.
"If we can obtain Arceus's Jewel of Life…"
Leading the group was a stern, cold-eyed middle-aged man with short blue hair. He stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the ancient temple ahead.
Cyrus of Team Galactic!
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Cyrus!
The boss of Team Galactic—a man who dreamed of destroying the world and building a new one.
"Boss, are you sure Arceus's power is really here?"
Mars, red-haired Team Galactic commander hesitated before speaking.
"That person's intel came out of nowhere, and if this is some kind of trap…"
Mars was clearly uneasy. The information about the Jewel of Life had come from a mysterious source just the day before.
It claimed that five of Arceus's elemental plates were hidden within the Ruins of Michina Town.
And with that, Cyrus had led his Team Galactic officers here without hesitation.
"The world originated at Mt. Coronet. Atop that mountain, Arceus created Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. Only after that did time, space, and the Distortion World begin to stabilize."
"If we want to create a perfect world, we must rely on Dialga and Palkia. But, Commander, that path is far too long and uncertain."
Cyrus spoke with calm detachment, his tone devoid of emotion—his expression cold and still, like a machine.
And indeed, that was who he had become.
Cyrus believed emotions were a weakness—something humanity didn't need at all.
So he discarded both heart and feeling, turning himself into a man as cold and calculating as a machine.
"The Creation Plates of Arceus can help us much more effectively. Whoever that mysterious person was—if the intel is accurate, then it doesn't matter."
"And besides…"
Cyrus paused. He didn't know how that person had obtained his contact information—nor did he care.
If the information about the Jewel of Life was real—that was all that mattered.
As for being used or manipulated?
Cyrus wasn't some kind-hearted fool.
If someone wanted to use him—they'd better be prepared to pay the price.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Ahhhhhh, the chapters are hard and too long (XD), it takes me an hour to translate 3 chapters, I'm spoiled by Lord of Fear.