With the Arceus Phone, they saved a long journey from Jubilife Village to this place. The remaining distance was naturally not a problem for Wyrdeer.
After racing all the way, the familiar wetland environment around them gradually changed.
The muddy ground became less and less, and the scent of the wetlands in the air was slowly replaced by a more prominent sea breeze.
When Wyrdeer leaped onto a high slope, a scene completely different from the Obsidian Fieldlands and Crimson Mirelands finally appeared before Ash and Cynthia.
"Is this the Cobalt Coastlands?"
Ash's eyes widened slightly.
In the distance was a vast blue sea stretching almost beyond sight, with sunlight casting countless sparkling points over the undulating waves.
Closer to the inland lay large expanses of grasslands and forests, with uneven slopes stretching towards the coastline.
The area combined water, grasslands, forests, and large coastal rocks, concentrating almost all types of environments in one region.
"The environment here is richer than I imagined."
Sitting on Wyrdeer's back, Cynthia looked into the distance, "If developed a little in modern times, it could become a great tourist area."
"I'm just not sure what part of modern Sinnoh this corresponds to."
Ash also surveyed the surroundings.
A thousand years is long enough for the landscape to change dramatically. Lacking accurate information to compare with modern geography made it difficult to determine from just this coastal scene.
"Pika~"
Pikachu, on the other hand, wasn't thinking about it as much. He squinted comfortably as the sea breeze blew over him.
Compared to the muddy Crimson Mirelands, this place was clearly much nicer!
Ash's gaze continued into the depths of the sea.
Soon, an island starkly different from the surrounding scenery came into view.
On the island, large exposed rocks were visible, and deeper in stood a tall volcano. Even from afar, one could vaguely see smoke rising near its summit.
"Is that Firespit Island?"
"It should be."
Cynthia nodded.
Irida had already informed them yesterday that Firespit Island was located in the sea of the Cobalt Coastlands and was where the previous King of Cobalt Coastlands lived.
But following the death of the previous king, and with the new king yet to succeed, few ventured to that island now.
The two Growlithe under Palina's care were being trained for the next royal succession.
However, the child left by the previous king was extremely afraid of the sea.
Having witnessed his father die in the sea protecting him, such a shadow could not be easily dispelled by others urging him to be brave.
The Growlithe was frightened even to approach the shore, let alone willingly cross the sea to Firespit Island, where his father once lived.
"Sis, let's go find Miss Palina first."
"Mm, Irida said that Palina often takes Growlithe to a place where they can see Firespit Island in the morning, hoping that child will slowly get used to facing the sea."
Cynthia recalled for a moment, "Let's check near Ginkgo Landing first."
Ash took out the Arceus Phone to check the map.
Although they couldn't directly teleport in the Cobalt Coastlands, the map was still functional.
"Found it, not far from where we are now."
At Wyrdeer's speed, it would not take long at all.
A few minutes later, the sound of waves that had been distant was now crystal clear, and a vast sandy beach came into view before the three.
As Wyrdeer stopped, Ash saw a few round Spheals lying near the water's edge.
In the shallower waters farther out, Mantykes occasionally leaped from the surface.
"Pika!"
Pikachu's eyes lit up, and he jumped off Ash's shoulder.
Several Spheals heard the commotion and turned their gaze towards the trio but showed no obvious hostility.
"Want some?"
Ash took out a few berries from his Space Backpack.
"Plop~"
One of the Spheals immediately rolled over.
Yes, it rolled!
Its round body turned continuously on the sand, eventually stopping at Ash's feet.
Ash: "..."
Even though he knew Spheals were round, seeing it roll all the way over was still quite amusing!
"Pika Pika~"
Pikachu squatted nearby, laughing so much his eyes squinted.
The Spheal didn't mind at all; why walk when you can roll?
Ash distributed the berries to the nearby Pokemon, while Cynthia fed some to the Mantykes near the shallow waters.
However, they didn't forget their main task.
The three searched throughout Ginkgo Landing.
And then... they didn't find Palina, nor the Growlithe. Not even a single strand of Growlithe fur did Ash see.
"Sis."
Ash stopped, looking somewhat uncertainly at Cynthia, "Did we search the wrong place?"
Cynthia didn't immediately answer.
She first glanced at the waves crashing onto the beach, then raised her head to look at a high place not far from the coast.
Soon, she realized something.
"We must have misunderstood. Irida only said Palina would bring Growlithe to look at Firespit Island but didn't say she would stand directly on Ginkgo Landing."
Cynthia pointed to a slope not far away, "If the previous king's child is so afraid of the sea, bringing him right next to the waves every day wouldn't help him adapt; it would just keep frightening him."
Ash followed the direction of her finger and saw that the high ground was still a fair distance from the sea.