"Whinny~" Spectrier whinnied loudly, then turned and galloped into the snow, vanishing as swiftly as it appeared.
Ryuga could have had Dragonair stop it, but he chose not to.
Stealing Calyrex's steed would be like inviting a royal vendetta.
Besides, Spectrier's presence confirmed they were near the Crown Shrine.
"Ryuga?" Marnie looked at Ryuga, puzzled.
"Let's keep moving. It's allowed us to proceed." Ryuga said with a chuckle.
Spectrier must have been watching them from the start
He'd only just sensed it.
"Oh…" Marnie blinked, still confused but trusting Ryuga's lead.
"Spectrier is a solitary Pokémon that cherishes silence." Ryuga explained, seeing her puzzlement.
"It avoids disturbing others but guards the Crown Shrine fiercely, as it's Calyrex's steed."
"So, seeing Spectrier here means we're very close to the Crown Shrine." Marnie said, understanding dawning.
"Exactly. Spectrier doesn't approach others lightly, but it didn't attack us, which suggests it sees no threat."
Ryuga nodded, though he wondered if Spectrier had sensed Eternatus's aura on him and chosen to withdraw.
Or perhaps it overheard their respect for Calyrex and deemed them worthy.
Either way, it was gone, and they could press on.
Marnie glanced at Ryuga, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
She'd always known he was strong and knowledgeable, but his grasp of Galar's history and legends—details even she, a native, didn't know—left her feeling like a novice.
The two continued along the path.
After some distance, an ancient building loomed in the distance—the Crown Shrine.
But then, the sound of galloping hooves echoed, and a white shadow charged toward them.
"Dragonair, Dragon Rush!" Ryuga ordered, raising an eyebrow.
"Woo~" Dragonair soared, green light condensing into a ferocious draconic aura. It charged the approaching figure.
Dragon Rush vs. Double-Edge!
*Boom!*
A powerful shockwave rippled outward, snow blasted away by the clash.
Energy surged as the two forces locked in a stalemate.
Finally, Dragonair was repelled, its slender body retreating before stabilizing. Its gem-like eyes fixed on the foe with solemnity.
"Dragonair…" Marnie gasped, shocked.
It was the first time she'd seen Ryuga's Dragonair overpowered in a direct clash.
Snow dust clouded the air, but a tall shadow emerged.
Heavy hooves thudded against the ground.
*Tap~ Tap~ Tap~*
A snow-white horse stepped into view—Glastrier!
(Pic Here)
And on its back rode a slender, delicate creature.
(Pic Here)
"Ice Rider Calyrex!" Ryuga's eyes narrowed, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Are you the ones who invaded my territory?" Calyrex's serene yet commanding telepathic voice echoed in their minds, carrying the weight of a king's authority.
...
Calyrex held the Reins of Unity with both hands. Although its figure was not tall, and its voice was not loud and deep, its tone was filled with an indescribable majesty, making a heavy sense of awe rise in one's heart.
That was the King's majesty!
Once the King of Bountiful Harvests of the Galar region, Calyrex was a true monarch!
"This is… the legendary King!"
The air was filled with an indescribable heaviness, making Marnie's chest feel weighed down, and she could barely breathe.
She tightly pursed her lips, not even daring to look directly at the King riding the white horse.
But in her heart, Marnie was incredibly shocked.
Eternatus had already been captured by Ryuga, so she hadn't directly experienced the divine power of a high-level legendary.
Even though Eternatus was the legendary disaster that nearly destroyed the Galar region, Marnie inevitably lost her fear of Eternatus.
And Galarian Moltres and Spectrier were, after all, just ordinary legends.
Their pressure simply couldn't compare to a true deity.
But Calyrex was different.
Calyrex was the legendary King of Galar, and it was impossible to discern whether he was friend or foe.
Calyrex's heavy majesty made Marnie feel reverence for a legend for the first time.
"It is a great honor to meet you for the first time, King of Bountiful Harvests."
Seemingly sensing Marnie's pressure, Ryuga stepped forward, blocking her, and bowed slightly to Calyrex, smiling.
As expected of the King Pokémon.
Ryuga straightened up and met Calyrex's gaze, his heart filled with admiration.
Calyrex's size was by no means large among high-level legends.
In fact, he could be described as 'petite'.
Because Calyrex's overall height was only a little over one meter.
On his head was a large green bud, similar to a crown, and his neck was adorned with regularly arranged round beads, like pearls.
He had a pair of wings, and his overall appearance didn't seem particularly special.
But that kingly majesty was completely enough to make one forget his physical appearance.
"Oh? You know me?"
A hint of interest rose in Calyrex's blue eyes as he carefully scanned Ryuga.
He was once a King, but that was in the past.
He himself couldn't remember how many years he had been hidden in this King's Crown Shrine, yet someone could recognize him at a glance and even speak his former kingly name.
"This junior naturally knows of the King of Bountiful Harvests' existence, and the reason I came here is to seek out the King's legend."
Ryuga replied with a faint smile, neither humble nor arrogant.
He indeed held respect for this legendary King in his heart.
Because he was inherently an extremely benevolent King, and Calyrex's deeds were truly worthy of his title, King of Bountiful Harvests.
For such true legends or humans with good intentions, even if they were opponents, Ryuga would give them a measure of respect.
"Are you truly merely here to verify my legend? Human, though you show respect for me, you lack devotion to me. Your lie is not very subtle."
Calyrex's wise and majestic eyes gazed at Ryuga.
He did not believe Ryuga was merely there to seek his existence.
Ryuga raised an eyebrow, looking at Calyrex in surprise.
"You have gained Eternatus's approval, which truly surprises me, but Eternatus's power is not so easily retained."
"You sought me out, or rather, you lured Zacian into my territory to provoke a conflict between me and Zacian, correct? What a cunning human."
Calyrex's clear telepathy showed little displeasure.
Instead, it was filled with the wisdom of someone who held the situation in his grasp.
Spectrier had just found him and informed him that two humans had entered the King's Crown Shrine area.
Originally, Calyrex hadn't paid much attention, as he had, after all, been secluded for too long.
Even within the Galar region, his legend was rarely circulated anymore.
Let alone anyone knowing his location.
So Calyrex thought they were just two adventurers who had accidentally stumbled into the King's Crown Shrine.
But Spectrier told him that Eternatus was residing within that human!
Then everything became interesting.
"It is said that Calyrex possesses unparalleled wisdom, and it truly lives up to its reputation."
Ryuga's amber eyes sparkled with admiration, because what Calyrex said was indeed his exact thought.
Eternatus had already absorbed too many energy points from the Crown Tundra.
In Ryuga's opinion, Zacian would undoubtedly track Eternatus's aura.
And currently, the battle between Eternatus and Zacian was undoubtedly unequal.
Eternatus was at a great disadvantage.
Perhaps from a long distance, it would be fine.
As long as Eternatus entered a Poké Ball and concealed its aura, Zacian wouldn't find it.
But if they were both within the Crown Tundra area, with Zacian wandering around at his speed, what if a romantic 'encounter' occurred?
So… he thought of Calyrex, who resided in the King's Crown Shrine!
"Zacian is a true natural enemy to Eternatus. We have no intention of becoming enemies with Zacian."
"However, Zacian's prejudice against Eternatus is too deep. I believe Calyrex is not so unreasonable, correct?"
Ryuga did not panic.
His amber eyes met Calyrex's, and his tone was extremely calm.
In this situation, he could only lay his cards on the table with Calyrex.
If it really didn't work, he would just abandon the remaining energy points and leave the Crown Tundra.
...
"Understand reason? Human, you seem to have misunderstood something."
Calyrex shook his head upon hearing this, his eyes gazing at Ryuga, devoid of joy or sorrow, deep and serene.
"Although I did not participate in the events of three thousand years ago, I am aware of some details."
"Eternatus brought it upon itself. Zacian and Zamazenta did nothing wrong."
Calyrex spoke calmly.
The 'Darkest Day' event three thousand years ago had almost enveloped the entire Galar region, and even he, hidden in the Crown Tundra, had learned some things.
Because of the Darkest Day, many wild Pokémon in the Crown Tundra were also forcibly Dynamaxed, causing destruction.
Calyrex was a benevolent and kind King, so he naturally had no good feelings for Eternatus, who caused all this.
And in his opinion, it was only reasonable that Eternatus was crushed and hunted by the Zacian siblings.
It was purely self-inflicted.
"But that was three thousand years ago, and Eternatus has already paid the price for the impact it caused. Its body was shattered, benefiting all of Galar."
Upon hearing this, Ryuga retorted.
In reality, his words were somewhat specious.
Eternatus, who caused the Darkest Day, was directly blown apart by the Zacian siblings, and its body fragments scattered to various corners of Galar.
These energy-filled body fragments indeed brought much benefit to Galar.
Even the current so-called Dynamax form was brought about by Eternatus.
However, all of that was not Eternatus's conscious intention…
Eternatus would rather reclaim all that energy.
"And now Eternatus has reawakened, but Zacian is preparing to forcefully eliminate Eternatus. Eternatus has not actively caused any further wrongdoing, has it?"
This was clearly deceiving Calyrex again.
If Oleana and Raihan were present, they would definitely tremble and point at Ryuga, asking, "You lie without even blinking?"
The destroyed buildings in Hammerlocke would be very pleased.
Moreover, Ryuga also played a little trick, stating that Eternatus had not actively caused any wrongdoing.
This way, even if Calyrex later learned about the Hammerlocke incident, Ryuga could righteously say that Zacian was aggressive, attacking Eternatus as soon as it appeared, and Eternatus was forced to resist, with their battle leading to the destruction of Hammerlocke.
Marnie's eyelids twitched wildly, but she wisely lowered her head and remained silent.
"Emmmm…"
Calyrex tilted his head slightly and fell into thought.
Although it was said that he possessed the power to see through the past, present, and future, this was merely a phrase praising Calyrex's great existence.
Calyrex was the King of Bountiful Harvests, but he was not the King of Time.
Even the Time Dragon Dialga, although possessing the power to travel through time, could not directly see the past and future, let alone Calyrex.
"Regardless, this matter has nothing to do with me, human. You should leave."
After a moment of contemplation, Calyrex still shook his head and issued an order for Ryuga to leave.
Although he was quite interested in Ryuga, the human who had captured Eternatus, he did not want to get involved in this messy situation.
He was no longer the King of Galar.
Now, he was merely Calyrex, hidden in the King's Crown Shrine, unconcerned with worldly affairs.
This matter involved the conflict between Eternatus and the Zacian siblings, and Calyrex did not want to interfere.
Strictly speaking, he even did not oppose the Zacian siblings eliminating Eternatus.
Although he was a benevolent King, he was also a wise King.
"If you truly care for Eternatus, I suggest you leave this land. Zacian… he is not so easily persuaded."
Calyrex advised Ryuga.
Rather than being difficult to persuade, it was more like he was stubborn.
It would be too difficult to make Zacian abandon his hostility towards Eternatus merely through words.
Eternatus had, after all, once nearly destroyed the Galar region, and he was also an outsider.
Does it need further description which side the benevolent Calyrex would stand on?
But just as Ryuga said, Eternatus had already paid the price for his mistakes three thousand years ago.
If Eternatus truly reformed, Calyrex felt he should perhaps be given a chance.
But this was merely his thought.
Zacian would not be as easy to talk to as he was.
This matter was difficult to handle because no one was wrong.
It was merely a difference in stance, which was why Calyrex did not want to get involved.
"Thank you for your advice, Calyrex. I will consider it carefully, but…"
Ryuga nodded, then hesitated, looking somewhat troubled.
"Zacian has likely already tracked us to the Crown Tundra."
Ryuga said helplessly to Calyrex.
Upon hearing this, even the former King, Calyrex, had his eyelids twitch.
This cunning human!
He wasn't just preparing to drag him into this.
He had already tricked him!
"He really arrived."
Calyrex closed his eyes, and an incredibly powerful Psychic energy invisibly overflowed, instantly sweeping across the entire Crown Tundra.
And under his Psychic power, Zacian, wandering in a certain area of the Crown Tundra, shone as brightly as a light bulb in his Psychic perception.
Calyrex: "…"
This muddy water, it seemed, was impossible to avoid?
The atmosphere was silent for a moment, Calyrex's eyes constantly flickering.
No one knew what this legendary King was thinking.
But the next moment.
"Blizzard."
Calyrex tightened the Reins of Unity and calmly called out to the Glastrier beneath him.
Glastrier instantly let out an excited neigh, its two front hooves rearing high, and an incredibly dense cold aura spread out.
The rough and belligerent Glastrier had endured for too long!
And almost simultaneously, above Ryuga, Marnie, and Dragonair, dozens of incredibly sharp ice pillars condensed and plummeted downwards.
Ice-type Icicle Crash!
Ice Rider Calyrex has challenged you!
"Hoo-roo-roo-roo~"
An excited neigh echoed loudly, and accompanying Glastrier's neigh, huge ice pillars formed above Ryuga and Marnie and began to fall.
"Dragonair!"
Sensing this immediately, Ryuga instantly shouted at Dragonair and quickly retreated, pulling Marnie, whose expression had changed slightly.
Ice Rider Calyrex's sudden attack came too abruptly!
It was so sudden that they were completely caught off guard.
Dragonair swayed its slender body, its tail glowing with a faint blue light as it powerfully struck the ice pillars.
Crack!
The ice pillars were directly shattered by Dragonair's Dragon Tail.
Broken ice fragments from the shattered pillars continuously fell, and the crisis had been averted, but the atmosphere had become completely solemn.
....
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