Not long after Natsuhiko defeated Nidoking, Lance also successfully defeated Nidoqueen.
But after defeating these two Pokémon, neither of them showed any joy, nor did they speak.
Silence emerged between the two.
Natsuhiko's words just now, and the relief of the two Pokémon at their deaths, placed a heavy burden on their hearts, a weight they were not quite accustomed to.
It was hard to breathe.
"Natsuhiko..."
Finally.
Lance broke the silence, his slightly deep voice sounded.
Natsuhiko did not speak, just looked at him.
A smile appeared on Lance's face, one that even he did not realize looked so unpleasant.
"The Alliance... should never have used it."
Natsuhiko remained silent.
Yes.
It has not been used.
So what are they seeing now?
But Natsuhiko still silently nodded.
Indeed, just as Lance said, the Alliance hadn't used it yet.
It had adhered to the final line.
Natsuhiko remained silent.
It's not that he couldn't accept the Alliance's genetic research, nor does it mean he couldn't accept the Alliance's hypocritical actions.
To be honest.
If he were in power, he might have done it more thoroughly.
What frustrated him was.
Since it was invented, why wasn't it well-guarded?
Even though it was known that the gene bank's administrator was recommended by Tom Rokicki, even if they had little contact afterward, why was there no precaution?
Invented but not valued enough, this is what Natsuhiko truly found speechless.
Who knows how much that person took out this time, and what kind of harm it will cause?
"Let's continue, find that person."
After a long while, Natsuhiko finally spoke, saying.
"Okay."
Lance secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he knew Natsuhiko was not an extremist, he was still really worried that Natsuhiko would lose faith in the Alliance.
Natsuhiko: I never had any faith, where could it be lost?
As someone who climbed up from the bottom, he is well aware of the problems with the Alliance's policies.
So he never had any faith in the Alliance.
He's still the same person he was.
Standing in the drizzling rain of late autumn, contemplating which of the two ladders in front of him was closer, which one was sturdier, which one he could climb faster as an ordinary citizen.
The two resumed their search.
Compared to before, after the incidents with Nidoking and Nidoqueen, there was a lot less talk.
However, the events with Nidoking and Nidoqueen also made them more certain that their direction was correct.
If it wasn't the direction in which that person fled and hid, why would he arrange for these two Pokémon to be there?
As they approached Severe Mountain.
The surrounding temperature rose steadily.
The gray volcanic ash grew thicker and thicker.
This brought them some trouble.
Because of the volcanic ash, traces of the other party's activities were somewhat covered, increasing the difficulty of tracking.
Fortunately.
As a veteran Alliance Investigator, Lance possessed special techniques belonging to an investigator and managed to find traces amidst the volcanic ash.
"Togekiss, Air Slash."
"Chako-wee~~"
With Togekiss using "Air Slash" to knock down a suddenly appearing Camerupt, Lance, who was squatting nearby staring at the rocks on the ground, slowly stood up.
He nodded toward Natsuhiko, "We're getting closer."
As expected of Lance.
His skills are indeed strong.
Natsuhiko adjusted his hat and looked up at the sky.
Over the dense volcanic ash drifting out continuously, the night sky was already blanketing above.
The bright moonlight penetrated layer upon layer of volcanic ash, casting mottled white spots beneath their feet, and as the ash moved, the spots also moved.
From day to night.
They had been tracking for a whole day.
"Should we take a break?"
Lance couldn't help but ask when he saw Natsuhiko gazing at the night sky.
"No need, I'm not that delicate," Natsuhiko chuckled.
With that chuckle, the somewhat heavy atmosphere that had hung between the two was greatly eased.
"Then let's go, let's try to complete the task today."
"Mm."
Walking along the rugged rocks of Severe Mountain.
At this point.
The surrounding vegetation became sparse, as it was challenging for any plants to survive in this environment.
The area was mostly filled with dark red rocks.
These rocks are rich in minerals and trace elements, a favorite food of many Rock-type Pokémon.
Additionally, the temperature near the volcano is also favored by many Fire-type Pokémon.
So the Pokémon here are mostly of the Fire and Rock types.
Severe Mountain wasn't very high.
But the bare surface was not as smooth as it looked, not only having lots of large and small exposed rocks but also numerous caves of varying depths.
One of them was likely that person's hiding place.
"It should be here."
After an unknown length of time, Lance led Natsuhiko to the entrance of a cave.
Looking at the dark inside and the hot airflow blowing from the cave entrance, Lance was confident in his judgment.
Natsuhiko looked at the size of the cave entrance and slowly furrowed his brow.
"What's wrong?"
"In such a tunnel, your Pokémon will find it difficult to fully stretch out," Natsuhiko said.
He himself would be fine; Beedrill and Togekiss weren't large and were quite flexible, not requiring much space.
But Lance's Dragonite, Charizard, and Aerodactyl were not small, and in such a narrow space, it was sometimes hard to utilize their full strength.
"It's okay." Lance carelessly waved his hand.
Showing a bright white smile.
"It's enough."
Since he said so, Natsuhiko didn't say anything more.
The two entered the cave.
The dim tunnel stirred with hot winds.
Thud, thud——
Alakazam's two spoons knocked lightly against each other, and bright light burst from the spoons.
Flash!
As Alakazam used its psychic powers to send one of the spoons overhead, the dark tunnel immediately lit up.
Flash was something Alakazam learned during this period.
Not a particularly difficult technique.
But in some cases, it was very useful.
Lance's Charizard quietly retracted its tail.
"Be careful."
Although Lance appeared rough around the edges, it was just an appearance; his confidence was rooted in having enough capability.
The two continued deeper into the cave.
As the temperature escalated, they drew nearer to the central region of Severe Mountain.
Because of the high temperatures, Alakazam had to use its psychic power to protect Natsuhiko and Lance.
During this time, they encountered attacks from some wild Pokémon living in the tunnel, but Natsuhiko and Lance easily defeated them.
Finally.
A dark red light shone from another part of the tunnel, illuminating it.
They had reached the central area!
The two raised their vigilance again, cautiously approaching.
However.
Just as they reached the tunnel's end and could vaguely see the magma inside, Alakazam issued a warning.
Then they saw.
An orange, thick "cannon" barrel appeared at the tunnel entrance.
The orange shell appeared to be covered in a layer of golden flames.
Inside the black "cannon" barrel, sparks rapidly gathered, and the surrounding air seemed to be sucked in.
Natsuhiko and Lance's expressions changed abruptly.
Both of them sensed a great threat from this "cannon" barrel.
Clearly, it had been waiting for them here all along.
About to unleash a "blast"?!
But now the problem was.
The tunnel was so narrow that it didn't allow the Pokémon to stand side by side, and the "blast" in front of them was already poised to fire.
"Charizard!"
"Alakazam!"
Natsuhiko and Lance reacted almost simultaneously.
——————
The sixth update! 15,000 words, please vote for the monthly ticket~~