If that power can also work on the King...
Mai took a deep breath and then solemnly bowed to Ash.
"Ash, I'd like to ask you for a favor, please help us calm the King!"
Seeing this, Ash was immediately a little flustered and quickly reached out to help Mai up.
"Miss Mai, what are you doing? Even if you didn't say it, as long as I can do it, I will definitely try my best!"
"But right now, we know too little about the King. If we act rashly, it might make things even more troublesome. At least we should investigate a bit first!"
Mai stood up with Ash's support, looking at him with a more serious expression than before.
"Don't worry, I'll organize the information about the King and give it to you later."
"In the meantime, please accept this first."
As she spoke, Mai took out the Mystical Slab and handed it to Ash.
This was one of the rewards they had previously agreed upon.
Ash took the Slab, and at the same time, the white phone in his backpack vibrated slightly.
Seeing this, Ash's eyes and hand trembled slightly; it seemed this Slab was indeed related to Arceus.
However, he didn't show any signs of surprise in front of Mai, just put the Slab into his backpack.
Mai also took out a piece of paper and handed it to Ash.
"And this too."
Ash took the paper and found it written with ten thousand coins, along with the location for collection and Diamond Clan's insignia below.
Without asking, it was easy to see that this should be a voucher, similar to a modern certificate of deposit.
In the Hisui Region, paper money likely wasn't commonly used at this time, with Copper Coins and Silver Coins, and some hard currencies for trading, being more prevalent.
In order not to reveal they weren't from this era, both Ash and Cynthia didn't ask how exactly to use the paper.
Ash just quietly put it back in his backpack.
"Then you should head back to Jubilife Village for now," Mai said, looking toward the direction of Jubilife Village. "I will continue to investigate matters concerning the King, and once I have more information, I will get it to you as soon as possible."
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Mai clapped her hands lightly.
"Oh! One more thing, our Diamond Clan's captain and the Pearl Clan's captain seem to have gone to Jubilife Village."
"Not only that, Captain Kamado from Team Galactic seems to be returning as well."
"You can go back and join Team Galactic and get to know the three of them."
Upon hearing this, Cynthia's eyes narrowed slightly.
The three captains heading to Jubilife Village at this time was certainly no coincidence.
The news of defeating Boss Kricketune shouldn't have reached back so quickly, but being reported by Team Galactic about falling from a space-time rift probably already happened.
The three captains likely gathered because of them.
The return trip might not be as easy-going as before.
But it wasn't a big deal.
They already resolved the Boss Kricketune incident; next, as long as Professor Laventon and Rei reported it, they would have enough value in the eyes of the three captains.
Even if those captains had suspicions about their origin, they wouldn't trouble them easily.
Especially since the Diamond Clan and Pearl Clan were troubled with the King's matter, and Team Galactic also needed strong personnel to solve problems in the wild.
Ash and Cynthia's appearance was not a bad thing for the three factions.
"Then we'll be heading back now." Ash waved at Mai, "We'll leave things here to you, Miss Mai!"
With that, Ash was about to return with Cynthia, following Professor Laventon and Rei, to Jubilife Village.
But Mai suddenly stopped them: "Wait a moment."
Ash turned around.
"What's up?"
Mai took out a flute, jade-like in appearance, from her person.
The flute was entirely white, with a gentle luster on its surface, carved with ancient patterns.
This was the flute Mai used earlier to summon Wyrdeer.
Seeing this flute, Cynthia showed a hint of confusion on her face.
"Miss Mai, this is..."
The flute looked incredibly precious no matter how one viewed it.
After all, it was an instrument that could summon the legendary Mount Pokemon with just a sound.
Mai and their acquaintance wasn't even that long.
Could she really be intending to give them this flute?
"This flute is for you," Mai glanced at the nearby Wyrdeer. "It seems Wyrdeer likes you guys."
"Once you join Team Galactic, you might receive even more important tasks."
"With Wyrdeer's help, moving around in the Obsidian Fieldlands will be much easier; consider this my contribution."
Ash immediately waved his hands.
"But Miss Mai, this thing seems very valuable."
"Take it."
Mai directly pushed the flute into Ash's arms.
"I'll be asking for your help later too, so think of this as an advance payment."
Ash held the flute, showing a slightly complex expression.
He hesitated to speak.
In the end, he honestly said, "But we don't know how to play the flute, or know the melody to summon Wyrdeer."
Mai: "..."
The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.
Mai had thought Ash wanted to refuse.
It turned out the thing troubling this kid was not knowing how to play the flute, which was a bit awkward.
If they didn't know how to use the flute, then it was really pointless to have it.
"Pfft."
Cynthia couldn't help but laugh at Mai's startled expression.
"Ash, were you teasing Miss Mai just now?"
Ash scratched his head.
"I was speaking the truth."
Cynthia chuckled and shook her head, then looked at Mai.
"As for the flute, I have some knowledge. Miss Mai only needs to teach me the melody to summon Wyrdeer."
"Uh... alright."
Mai snapped back to reality and nodded with a wry smile.
She was momentarily at a loss for how to respond to Ash's earlier remark.
Mai took the White Jade Flute, bringing it to her lips.
Melodious notes quickly echoed over Deertrack Heights.
The melody wasn't complex, yet it carried a bright feel. Soon, as the flute played, a white silhouette darted out from the woods.
Wyrdeer once again appeared before everyone.
Upon seeing Ash and Cynthia, Wyrdeer immediately stepped closer, lowering its noble head to nuzzle Ash's palm.
As for Professor Laventon beside them.
Wyrdeer just glanced at him and naturally looked away.
Professor Laventon: "..."
Why! He hadn't even done anything this time!
Rei, standing by Professor Laventon, was also seemingly glossed over by Wyrdeer.
He whispered, "Professor Laventon, it seems it doesn't quite like us."
Professor Laventon was filled with sorrow.
"Rei, that's the sort of thing best left unsaid."
Mai watched this scene, softly twitching the corners of her mouth.
Wyrdeer's closeness to Ash and Cynthia remained cozily excessive.
Its indifferent attitude toward Professor Laventon and Rei remained heartbreakingly real.
Following that, Mai played the melody once more.
Cynthia listened attentively and then took the White Jade Flute.
She placed it against her lips, attempting to play the same tune.
The first attempt was a bit raw, but the second was much smoother.
In less than five minutes, the melody Cynthia played was nearly identical to the one Mai demonstrated.
Wyrdeer lifted its head, ears twitching slightly.
It apparently recognized the melody.
Mai looked at Cynthia, her expression turning complex again.
"You learned that so quickly."
Cynthia set down the White Jade Flute, smiling, "I've studied some instruments before."
Mai was silent for a moment.
Some? She had taken a full three days to learn that melody originally.
Yet Cynthia picked it up in less than five minutes.
Goodness, these siblings not only had absurdly strong abilities, but they also learned things exceptionally fast.
Mai suddenly felt fortunate that these two weren't enemies.
Otherwise, whether it be the Diamond Clan or the Pearl Clan, they would likely have a headache for a very long time.