Chapter 196: I Cannot Read
The Unova Region.
A region of diverse peoples and cultures, a truly incredible place.
Because of the anime, most people think that the Pokémon and trainers of the Unova region aren't that great. But that's a bit unfair. Just because Ash used a "baby team" in Unova doesn't mean there aren't any excellent Pokémon there. Excadrill, Chandelure, Amoonguss... these were all Pokémon that had their shining moments in the games. And in terms of popularity, Unova's Serperior, the Tao trio, Hydreigon, and Victini are all heavy hitters.
All in all, just because the anime adaptation wasn't the best, you can't just assume the entire Unova region is lacking.
...
Nimbasa City. A city whose main industry is entertainment. It's located in the central part of Unova, and its population is the third largest in the Pokémon world, surpassed only by Lumiose City in Kalos and Wyndon in Galar.
It had been nearly half a year since they had left Laverre City. Will, in order to deliver Nico's last will and amulet, had led Meowscarada here.
But Nimbasa City was so vast. Where was he supposed to find Nico's father? Come to think of it, Nico had never even told him his father's name. And to put it bluntly, after more than twenty years, who knew if his father was even still alive?
Walking on a quiet street.
"Meow," Meowscarada tugged on the leaves on his arm and pointed to a nearby alley.
"What is it? Hm?"
Will looked over. At first glance, he didn't see anything. But on the second look, he did. He walked over to see.
On the wall of the alley were two missing person posters.
One was for "Nico," who was 16 years old at the time of his disappearance and would be 38 today.
The other was for a "Cofagrigus," which had four jade rings, one on each of its index fingers.
"Meow-meow?" Meowscarada tilted her head. Will had told her about Nico, but she remembered that the Cofagrigus they had seen wasn't wearing any rings.
"He probably pawned them for money to buy books. Remember that bedroom we were in? The bookshelf was full. Nico had nothing to do all day but read," Will guessed.
But in any case, they wouldn't have to waste much time in Nimbasa City. They just had to go to the address on the poster.
"Go and take those two down," Will said.
"Meow," Meowscarada nodded and tore the two posters off the wall.
Next, they made their way by asking for directions, walking from the south side of Nimbasa all the way to the "Jewel Street" on the northwest side. By the time they arrived at their destination, it was already dawn.
It was a jewelry store called "Cofagrigus Jade." At the entrance stood two Cofagrigus statues. Although they looked frightening, in the ancient Unova region, they were a symbol of royalty.
"This must be the place," Will said, glancing at the two statues and leading Meowscarada inside.
The moment they entered, a portly, wealthy-looking auntie came to greet them. "Oh my! Isn't this the famous Sceptile and Meowscarada from the Kalos region?" she asked, covering her mouth in surprise.
Will and Meowscarada weren't surprised. They had been recognized countless times on their journey. Will's four-meter-tall, bag-carrying Sceptile form was just too conspicuous.
"Meow!" Meowscarada didn't waste any time and held up the two missing person posters.
"This... you've seen them?! Good heavens! Please wait a moment!" The auntie was shocked. She hurried behind the counter and picked up the telephone. Will could hear her say the words "Master" and "Young Master" and knew that Nico's family had survived their economic crisis. His father now seemed to be doing well, the owner of a jewelry store, and didn't even need to be at the shop himself.
A moment later, the auntie came running out, led them to a carriage, and they set off for the outskirts of Nimbasa.
...
They arrived, not at a luxurious villa as expected, but at an ordinary, three-story house. An old, white-haired man sat in a wheelchair at the entrance, attended by a middle-aged butler, peering frequently down the road.
"Meow?"
"That's probably Nico's father," Will murmured. He was fifty-something at most, but he looked even older than the phantom of Liz.
"You... you've seen Nico and Cofagrigus?" the man, Niven, asked, his voice trembling as he stared at the two Pokémon. He then seemed to realize his rudeness. "I am Niven, Nico's father."
"Yes. We're here to deliver this," Will said, nodding. He opened his backpack and took out the letter and the jade amulet.
"Yes! Yes! This amulet was a gift from his mother! You've really seen them!" Niven was extremely emotional. He tried to push himself up from his wheelchair, but his legs seemed to have no feeling, and he fell back down. The butler hurried forward, took the items from Will's hand, and gave them to him.
"I knew he was still alive! I knew it! Hahaha!" Niven's wrinkled face bloomed with a radiant smile.
Will and Meowscarada remained silent. They didn't know how to tell him the truth. They couldn't speak his language. They could only wait. He would understand when he read the letter.
"This is Nico's writing," Niven said, opening the envelope. The butler and the auntie, who had leaned in to look, froze on the spot. But Niven didn't seem to notice.
"My son's handwriting is so beautiful. What did he write? Read it to me. I... I can't read," Niven's question made the suddenly quiet scene even more awkward.
Niven was no fool. He immediately realized what was happening.
"...I see," he said, looking down at the amulet, his mind seemingly blank. "After twenty-two years and seven months... I receive my son's last letter. And I can't even read it. I really thought... he was coming home. Hehe..."
"Master..." the auntie said, sighing and wiping her eyes.
"It's fine," Niven shook his head, letting out a long, heavy breath. "I've... I've suspected it for a long time. I was prepared for this. So... it's fine. I can accept it."
His eyelids drooped, his rough fingers gently tracing the letters on the page.
Will, seeing him like this, took Meowscarada's hand, intending to leave quietly.
"Wait," a weak voice called out. Will turned.
"It's late. Please, stay the night. Thank you... for bringing these to me. Thank you... At least now I know. I can die... without this regret," Niven's voice was very soft.
Will and Meowscarada looked at him with concern. They decided to stay, just for one night. In his current state, he looked very fragile.
"Please... show our guests to their rooms."
"Yes, sir," the butler bowed and led them inside.
In the living room, Will's attention was immediately drawn to a framed group photo on the wall. Or more accurately, to a specific man in the photo. The man looked to be in his forties, while Niven, in the photo, was just a teenager. The reason Will had noticed him was because the man was holding a glass frame, proudly showing off the pressed flower specimen inside.
The flower... it was identical to the one in his own backpack.
~~~
Get early access to 30+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
~~~
Every 5 new reviews = 1 extra chapters
Every 150 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter