The sunset gradually sinks toward the sea.
After riding Wyrdeer along the Cobalt Coastlands for some distance, Ash and his companion decided not to continue heading towards Jubilife Village but instead stopped on a hillside not too far from Ginkgo Landing.
"Let's stop here for today!"
Ash leapt off Wyrdeer's back and stretched his slightly sore shoulders.
Since morning, tracking the missing Growlithe, then crossing the sea to Firespit Island, encountering Miss Fortunes and the sudden rampaging New King, only when the sun was about to set did they finally settle down.
Even though the main force in battles most of the time was the Pokemon, the mental fatigue from a whole day of running back and forth was unavoidable.
Pikachu yawned long and wide from Ash's shoulder.
"Pika..."
Today, Teacher Dapi needs to recharge.
"You call that recharging?" Ash glanced at him, "You're clearly just planning to eat dinner and go straight to sleep."
"Pika."
Pretty much.
Cynthia looked at this hillside with a direct view of the sea and was clearly satisfied.
"Let's stay here tonight."
"Tomorrow, we're not in a hurry to return to Jubilife Village. Since we've decided to rest, why not stay another day along the Cobalt Coastlands."
Ash immediately raised his hand.
"I agree!"
The two quickly began preparing to camp.
Ash took tents and other camping gear from the Space Backpack, and once the camp was mostly set up, he also released Typhlosion and Goomy.
Cynthia likewise released Samurott, Garchomp, and Eevee; Ash then handed over the Modern Pokeball he had been keeping for her.
Stretching its body, Garchomp lifted its head to feel the cool breeze blowing from the sea, a look of comfort appeared on its face.
It hadn't enjoyed the natural cool breeze for a long time.
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu also perked up, leaping off Ash's shoulder and running to Garchomp's side.
"Aow."
The two Pokemon quickly started chatting.
Typhlosion and Samurott each found a comfortable spot to sit, while Goomy slowly crawled to Ash's side, eventually being picked up and placed on his lap.
Eevee looked around, naturally snuggling up to Cynthia.
"Bui~"
As night gradually enveloped the coast, a campfire also lit up on the hillside.
After dinner, Ash and Cynthia sat together slightly away from the campfire, facing the endless night and sea.
The weather was great today, swathes of starlight fell on the sea, stretching and shattering with the rising and falling waves.
Ash looked at the sky for a while, then suddenly turned his head.
"Sis."
"Hmm?"
"What were you like as a child?"
Cynthia looked at him a little surprised.
"Why are you suddenly asking this?"
"I just suddenly thought of it, we've traveled together for quite some time, and I rarely hear you talk about the past."
Ash spoke with some curiosity: "When people got to know you, you were already that very strong Sinnoh Champion, and I'm quite curious about what the Champion did as a kid."
Cynthia contemplated for a moment.
"Honestly, it wasn't as special as you might think..."
Being a family heiress was ordinary, getting a Quasi-God Gible was ordinary, becoming Sinnoh's youngest Elite, and even youngest Champion, was ordinary.
Yes, these journeys that seemed quite legendary to others, to Cynthia, were like plain and ordinary experiences.
She preferred exploring ruins over being a Champion; the champion role was more like work, exploring ruins was her true interest.
In this sense, she seemed to have inherited her ancestors' will and thoughts!
After all, Volo was also quite fond of exploring ruins and had a strong interest in ancient history.
It's known as — a Mythological Historian!
Ash was silent for a few seconds.
"You don't find that special?"
"Compared to you, it certainly isn't."
Cynthia glanced at Pikachu, who was chatting with Garchomp, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Your journey is the one where things keep happening everywhere you go."
Ash scratched his face, realizing he couldn't really dispute this.
In the past, he sometimes just intended to travel peacefully, only to end up unexpectedly stumbling upon significant newsworthy events.
"What does being a Champion mean to you?"
Ash asked another question, this time Cynthia paused for a bit longer.
"Responsibility, I guess."
She hugged her knees, looking at the endless waves of the sea.
"I enjoy Pokemon battles, and I love facing strong Trainers, but if we're talking about my real passion, it's actually researching Sinnoh history and exploring those previously uncharted ruins."
"There's a lot of work as a Champion, and sometimes as soon as one thing is dealt with, another appears right after."
Speaking this, Cynthia sighed lightly but then smiled again.
"So occasionally, I wish I could just forget everything and spend all my time visiting ancient ruins."
Ash was momentarily taken aback.
Being Sinnoh Champion is a height countless Trainers dream of reaching.
Yet for Cynthia at that position, being a Champion also meant having many responsibilities only she could handle.
Just like now.
Despite being in the Hisui Region a thousand years ago, where ruins and history long gone in future surrounds them, under normal circumstances, Cynthia's personality likely thirsted to explore every ruin for research.