After half a month of supposed vacation and training, discussions about the two in Jubilife Village slowly began to change.
At first, most people were just curious about when Ash and Cynthia would head to the Coronet Highlands to deal with the fourth King.
As a few days passed, some voices gradually turned into complaints about why they hadn't acted yet since the Electrode was still rampaging.
By the time it was close to half a month, some even started whispering when Ash and Cynthia passed by, wondering if the King of the Coronet Highlands was too strong, so even the so-called Hisui heroes dared not to go easily.
This kind of person was in the minority.
But when Ash heard it, he still felt an inexplicable discomfort.
When they pacified the first three areas, the people in Jubilife Village could hardly help much.
Now, after just half a month of rest, it seemed some people thought continuing to resolve the remaining Kings was a matter of course for the two.
Ash suddenly had a bit of understanding why Cynthia previously said that fame coming too quickly isn't necessarily all good.
Some people are just like that.
When someone does a hundred good deeds consecutively, people gradually take these things for granted.
But when he stops one day, someone might start to think that the person has changed.
Conversely, when someone who never does good suddenly helps others once, the praise can be exaggerated sometimes.
Ash never felt much about the so-called Hisui heroes' title, and now he was entirely uninterested.
However, this time setting off again had nothing much to do with how the villagers discussed.
They had already witnessed with their own eyes what was happening in the Coronet Highlands.
The issue with the Electrode indeed couldn't be postponed any longer.
Early the next morning, the two packed up what they needed to take with them.
Before setting off, they sent a letter to Irida via the flying communication Pokemon of Jubilife Village, telling her that they were ready to head to the Coronet Highlands officially to start solving the Electrode problem.
Irida quickly replied.
Besides reminding them that the wild Pokemon in the Coronet Highlands were quite abnormal recently, the letter especially mentioned a person.
Ingo.
The Warden responsible for Mount Pokemon in the Coronet Highlands.
Irida suggested that after reaching the Heights Camp, the two should find Ingo, since to deeply venture into those steep peaks, especially to the Moonview Arena where the Electrode resides, Sneasler's help is indispensable.
When Cynthia saw that name, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
Ingo?
She never imagined seeing this name on the list from the Hisui Region a thousand years ago.
Ash, however, had no reaction and just asked from the side, "Sis, have you heard of him?"
"Yes, met someone with the same name in the Unova Region."
Cynthia didn't explain further.
Initially, she just thought it was a name coincidence and didn't mean anything.
Not until the two actually reached the Coronet Highlands did she realize that things were far from simple.
After leaving Jubilife Village, they walked to a place where they wouldn't be noticed and used the Arceus Phone to teleport to the Obsidian Fieldlands point, then summoned the Wyrdeer to head north.
As they continued north from the Obsidian Fieldlands, the surrounding scenery changed quite noticeably.
The vast open grasslands gradually decreased, and one mountain after another began to dominate the view. On both sides of the road, bare cliffs could be seen everywhere, and the terrain became increasingly rugged as they moved towards the Coronet Highlands.
When the two actually entered the Heights Camp, following the location provided by Irida, they soon found Ingo waiting there.
At the moment Cynthia got a clear look at him, her steps paused noticeably.
It really was him.
The man's face was much older than Cynthia remembered, with a tuft of white beard grown by his mouth.
But that almost expressionless face and the familiar feeling from the entire person were enough for Cynthia to confirm the identity.
One of the heads of the battle subway in the Unova Region.
Ingo.
Cynthia had met him before in the Unova Region, more than once.
But the Ingo she remembered should have been managing the battle subway with his younger brother, and he was far less aged than he appeared now.
Now here Ingo stood alone, in the Hisui Region from a thousand years ago, visibly touched by the passage of time.
This contrast left even Cynthia unable to decide where to begin her comments for a moment.
Ash knew none of this.
He only compared Irida's description, confirmed it quickly, and stepped forward to speak.
"Are you Warden Ingo?"
Ingo turned around, his face still almost unchanged.
"I am."
"You must be Ash and Cynthia, Miss Irida has sent the message over."
"That's right, we plan to head to the Moonview Arena today, so we came to you first to understand the situation."
Ingo nodded slightly.
"The Coronet Highlands have been very dangerous lately; it's good for the people here that you're willing to come deal with the Electrode at this time. But before truly venturing into the depths, some things must be clarified first."
Cynthia stood by, listening all along.
Ingo's manner of speaking, and that tone which bore little expression yet wasn't truly cold, was almost indistinguishable from the person in her memory.