Froslass was completely destroyed under the combined assault of Magcargo's Flamethrower and Mismagius's Mystical Fire.
After its death, a translucent crystalline object dropped from the flames and landed inside Matsuba I's coffin.
With Froslass's demise, the mist throughout the chamber began to dissipate.
Only then did Tetsuya remember what those four had shouted earlier in a panic. He immediately asked, "You! What were you saying about something being alive?"
"You can see for yourself. We're not looking again!"
Still carrying their doubts, Raine, his father, grandfather, and Tetsuya approached Matsuba's coffin step by step.
Inside, Matsuba I's body was perfectly preserved. His skin looked almost indistinguishable from that of a living person.
The sight made all four of them recoil instinctively.
"Otousan… how could this be possible…?"
"Hmmm… could it be connected to that Froslass just now? I noticed during the battle it never once left the coffin's side. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had a chance to defeat it."
Tetsuya was only guessing. This was the first time he had encountered something so strange.
"But now, all that's left of Froslass is this thing."
Raine pointed at the bizarre-looking crystal inside the coffin.
Raine's grandfather nodded. "Perhaps… this thing is the key!"
He reached out and picked up the crystal.
And immediately began to tremble.
""What's wrong!?"" Raine and his father quickly rushed to support him.
Raine's grandfather held the crystal in his palm and instinctively curled up slightly. "It's nothing. Just… this crystal is bone-chillingly cold."
"Look."
Tetsuya pointed into the coffin.
Matsuba I's body, which moments ago looked like that of a living person, had suddenly turned into a dried corpse.
"This…"
"Incredible!"
All four of them exclaimed in astonishment.
"Could it really be because of this crystal?" Raine asked.
""Eternal Ice.""
Tetsuya and Raine's grandfather spoke the name at the same time.
Raine's grandfather looked at Tetsuya with surprise. "I didn't expect someone your age to know about Eternal Ice."
Tetsuya scoffed. "I read a lot."
""What's Eternal Ice?"" Raine and his father asked in unison.
Raine's grandfather replied, "You've heard of Never-Melt Ice, haven't you?"
They both nodded.
"Never-Melt Ice is the essence of ice drawn from extremely frigid places. It won't melt even under blazing heat. When held by an Ice-type Pokémon, it helps them attune to Ice-type energy. Even Never-Melt Ice is incredibly rare; it's found only deep in glaciers that have been frozen for centuries, and mining it is extremely difficult.
That's why Never-Melt Ice is one of the most expensive held items a Pokémon can carry. But Eternal Ice… that's something from legend. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes today, I would never have believed it truly existed. It's said to be the essence of ice sealed for ten thousand years!
Not only does it vastly enhance the abilities of Ice-type Pokémon, it can also preserve a human body from decay!
…I came to this conclusion based on the power of Froslass's Ice-type moves and Matsuba's preserved corpse."
"So… that means this Eternal Ice must be worth a fortune," Raine's father said.
Hearing such a vulgar remark, Tetsuya couldn't help but let out two cold laughs.
Raine's grandfather burst into loud laughter and said, "Calling this thing valuable doesn't even begin to describe it. It's a priceless treasure! Even people like us who know nothing about Ice-type Pokémon, if we had Eternal Ice, becoming an Ice-type Gym Leader wouldn't be out of reach."
"…An Ice-type Gym Leader? Just from a little chunk of ice?" Raine and his father could hardly believe such a claim.
Having just witnessed Froslass's power, Tetsuya agreed with Raine's grandfather.
In fact, that Froslass hadn't even been very high-leveled, it had likely just been a vessel for the Eternal Ice.
Yet it hadn't moved at all during the battle, and even in that state, it had instantly killed two Mightyena. If that Froslass had received just a bit of proper training, and if Tetsuya hadn't brought out Pryce's Swinub, they would probably all be dead.
Raine's grandfather stored away the Eternal Ice.
"Otousan, now that the manuscript is destroyed… what should we do?"
Raine's grandfather, whose mood had briefly lifted from obtaining the Eternal Ice, instantly darkened again when reminded of the destroyed manuscript; it hit right where it hurt!
The main reason for coming here was to acquire the ancestral manuscript on Ghost-type Pokémon training/breeding. Most of his own Pokémon were Ghost-types. Though they'd gained some unexpected treasures, the primary goal had still ended in failure.
Raine's grandfather's fury surged as his eyes locked onto the four remaining Matsuba branch members.
Sensing his anger, the four looked around. They had only six Pokémon left between them, and none were in top shape.
The Magcargo had already exhausted themselves in the last fight. They were no match for Raine and his father. All they could do now was beg. "Leader-sama, please… we didn't mean it! It was a thoughtless mistake! Please forgive us… we're still part of the same family!"
Raine's grandfather snorted coldly, eyes glinting with murderous intent.
"Otousan, look, there's another passage over there!"
Raine's father pointed to a narrow, shadowy tunnel, then gave his father a meaningful glance. Looking at the four kneeling men, he added, "Otousan, we're all family. Once we leave this place, they'll be allies supporting us. Maybe we should let them go."
The old fox immediately understood. If there was another passage ahead, there could still be more valuable things inside. These four could still be of use…
The four, hearing someone speak on their behalf, scrambled to pledge their loyalty.
"Leader-sama, we will absolutely support you in seizing Ecruteak Gym and becoming the new Gym Leader!"
"Pah! With your strength, you could be one of the Elite Four!"
"No… Champion!"
Tetsuya couldn't bear to watch such a nauseating display. He turned his head away with a scoff, silently cursing the four fools. 'If they had fought to the death instead, maybe they'd have had a better shot at survival.'
Raine's grandfather, face still dark, said, "From now on… no one moves unless I give the order!"
""""Yes, yes! Absolutely!""""
Raine's grandfather then commanded, "There's another passage over there. You four go first!"
""""For your great cause, we will gladly lead the way!""""
After flattering him again, the four released all the Pokémon they had left and turned on their flashlights to proceed into the passage.
This tunnel was far narrower than the last, and much darker.
Everyone advanced cautiously. None of them had the strength left to endure another ordeal.
They made it through the tunnel without encountering danger. At the end, the path opened up, revealing two stone doors.
Carved above them were the words: [None of our kin may enter.]