Due to this reason, Palina had no choice but to find another stronger Growlithe for training.
Cynthia nodded knowingly; no wonder there's no king in Cobalt Coastlands, turns out it's a lack of succession!
"So, Miss Irida wants to ask us for help?"
"One of the Growlithes being trained as a king... was kidnapped!"
"Kidnapped?!"
The relaxed look on Ash's face vanished instantly, and Pikachu, on his shoulder, perked up its ears.
A moment ago, it was just an issue of the new king being unable to succeed.
The next moment, the nature of the situation had completely changed.
"When did this happen?"
Cynthia also did not dwell on the issue of the throne succession but directly asked the most pressing matter.
"Just yesterday."
Irida gently rubbed her temples: "After Palina discovered it, she immediately led people out in pursuit, but the Cobalt Coastlands area is too vast, and the adversary left no apparent traces. The Pearl Clan has yet to find out where the Growlithe was taken to."
"Who did it?"
"I don't know."
Irida shook her head: "Palina only found some unfamiliar footprints nearby, but these footprints completely disappeared once they entered the rocky area."
Who are they? Why take Growlithe? And where are they hiding now?
These questions have no answers from the Pearl Clan as of yet.
Given the vastness of Cobalt Coastlands, simply relying on manpower to search is very difficult to find a Growlithe deliberately hidden in a short time.
So, after returning to Jubilife Village today, Irida's first thought was Ash and Cynthia.
To be precise... it's Ursaluna, who has already acknowledged them!
"Palina still has the fur that Growlithe usually sheds."
Irida looked at the two: "Ursaluna has a keen sense of smell; if we let him memorize Growlithe's scent first and then start the search from the disappearance location, it should be much more effective than our hit-or-miss methods."
Ash's eyes lit up instantly.
"That's right!"
Although Ursaluna's treasure-hunting ability cannot specify exactly what to find, what they truly need is Ursaluna's exceptionally outstanding sense of smell and tracking ability.
As long as Growlithe left enough clear scent along the way, Ursaluna has a chance to follow those residual trails all the way.
Cynthia quickly understood why Irida specifically came back to find them.
"Actually, Grandma Calaba is also able to summon Ursaluna, but she's already ninety-nine years old."
"That's true."
Irida helplessly nodded: "If it's just letting Ursaluna find something near the Crimson Mirelands, of course, there's no problem. But this time, no one knows where we'll need to follow ultimately, let alone what might happen along the way."
"I can't let a ninety-nine-year-old woman sit on Ursaluna's back and follow him, running across mountains and fields in Cobalt Coastlands all day, can I?"
Ash slightly imagined that scene in his mind.
…
It's better not to.
No matter how robust Grandma Calaba is, she's still ninety-nine!
If Growlithe hasn't been found yet, and the Pearl Clan suddenly has an elderly needing care, that would really be a big joke.
In contrast, Ash and Cynthia have no such problem here.
Ursaluna has already acknowledged the two.
Cynthia has also mastered the melody needed to summon Ursaluna.
Plus, with both of their abilities, as long as Ursaluna can find where Growlithe is, they have the ability to handle whatever situation they might encounter afterwards.
"Leave this matter to us."
Ash didn't hesitate much: "Since someone has taken Growlithe away, then he's definitely got to be found quickly."
Although until now, they still don't know which specific Growlithe was taken, Ash has no reason to stand idly by, regardless of which one it is.
Cynthia similarly nodded.
Moreover, Cobalt Coastlands is precisely where they need to go next.
The last king of Cobalt Coastlands may have already passed away, but the plate inherited along with the throne won't just disappear into thin air.
According to the intelligence they currently have, that plate may still be in the Cobalt Coastlands or temporarily held by someone responsible for the throne inheritance.
Besides, there's a Mount Pokemon in Cobalt Coastlands that has gained the Venerable Sinnoh's power.
The Mount Pokemon holds clues related to the plate as well.
That means this trip to Cobalt Coastlands isn't just about looking for Growlithe; it also relates to their plan to continue searching for plates afterward.
"Thank you."
Irida visibly relaxed: "With you and Ursaluna there, I can indeed be much more at ease."
"We'll go back to prepare now and can set off soon."
Ash spoke as he was ready to get up.
But just as he stood up, Irida raised her hand to stop him.
"No need to rush."
"Huh?"
Ash was visibly stunned.
Growlithe was only abducted yesterday; isn't it urgent now?
Seeing his expression, Irida could tell Ash misunderstood.
"I didn't mean Growlithe's matter isn't urgent."
Irida explained: "People over at Cobalt Coastlands are still searching; Palina will continuously keep an eye on possible new clues, and you will also need quite some time to head over."
"By the time you actually reach Cobalt Coastlands, it's likely already nighttime. Instead of tracking all around during the night on your first entrance into that area, it's better to get yourself prepared today and officially head over tomorrow morning."
Ash and Cynthia exchanged glances; this reason was indeed logical.
Cobalt Coastlands differs from Obsidian Fieldlands and Crimson Mirelands.
They have never truly entered that area before; no matter how strong they are, there's no need to choose the worst visibility of night for their first entrance into unknown territory.
Moreover, after handling Kleavor, things indeed have been occurring one after another for the past few days.
Kleavor… Ursaluna… Miss Lilligant, and now it's Cobalt Coastlands' Growlithe.
Can't this Hisui Region let people have a couple of peaceful days?
"Then let's follow Captain Irida's suggestion."
Cynthia decided promptly: "We'll officially leave for Cobalt Coastlands tomorrow morning."
"That's for the best."
Irida's face regained a smile: "You two solving problems is one thing; you shouldn't really treat yourselves as machines that never tire."
Actually, Ash still felt quite energetic.
However... It's rare for someone to actively persuade them to rest, so why not rest!
Having discussed everything already, Ash and Cynthia soon took Pikachu and left Team Galactic Headquarters.
Once they stepped out of the building, the two momentarily didn't know where to go.
The task has been accepted, yet the action starts tomorrow officially.
The feeling of suddenly gaining a whole day of leisure time was genuinely a bit unfamiliar to them.
"Sis, what should we do today?"
"Of course, rest."
"How do we rest?"
Cynthia: "..."
This question puzzled her.
How to rest?
When busy, you always think if you could spare a day doing nothing, it would certainly be very comfortable.
But now that they've really got free time... they don't know what to do!
Ash and Pikachu both looked at Cynthia.
Cynthia was silent for a few seconds, and her eyes suddenly landed on the gradually bustling streets of Jubilife Village ahead.
"Shopping!"
"Huh?"
"Anyway, we're not short on money now."
Cynthia's face regained a smile: "We've been here for quite a while but haven't truly enjoyed a task-free day just shopping around Jubilife Village properly."
Ash thought for a moment.
Seems like a good idea!
Returning to Jubilife Village used to mean either submitting tasks or purchasing supplies, but days like today, where the sole purpose is to eat and play, indeed haven't happened frequently.
Especially considering they just received two hundred taels of gold recently, maintaining a normal life wouldn't exhaust that anytime soon.
"Let's go then!"
"Pika Pika!"
The three quickly dived into the busiest market in Jubilife Village.
By the morning, quite a few villagers had gathered on the streets; stores selling berries and clothes were all open, and numerous snack stalls lining the street hadn't been carefully examined while preoccupied executing tasks previously.
Initially, Cynthia was cheerfully observing everything until she stopped in front of a dessert stall.
Ash followed her gaze.
Round outer skin, filled with different flavored fillings.
"Dorayaki?"
This food remains common even in modern times, but the variety available at the stall was quite extensive.
Red bean paste, chestnut, sweet berry, and honey...
Cynthia's gaze shifted back and forth among the flavors, and her beautiful golden eyes gradually lost focus.
Ash: "..."
Oh no.
She's got decision paralysis!