"A mayor, huh." Silas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I can recommend a senior for Diancie. She's currently the mayor of Pokémon Town and has plenty of experience."
Grabbing onto his sleeve and swaying slightly, her gem-like eyes sparkling with little stars, her voice softened as she spoke, "Silas… then when are we going to go?"
Diancie's coquettish tone stunned the Carbink nearby, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets. None of them had ever imagined that their dignified princess could show such a side.
So cute!
Princess Diancie is the best!
"We can have Dragonite take you to find Magearna later, how about that? Learn well and build Diamond Town properly, alright?"
"Mm!" Diancie nodded vigorously, her gaze more serious than ever before. "I won't let down Silas and Carbink Minister. I will definitely build Diamond Town well."
Diamond Town was a comprehensive test arranged by Carbink Minister to evaluate Diancie's past learning.
As the only princess of the Diamond Domain, Diancie would one day be responsible for managing this vast kingdom primarily inhabited by Carbink.
"Having motivation is a good thing." Placing a hand on Diancie's head, Silas shifted back to the main topic. "Before we leave, won't you show us around Diamond Town?"
Diancie flushed shyly, then performed a standard royal courtesy. "Please follow me."
Diamond Town was quite different from Pokémon Town. It consisted of interconnected caves, forming a structure that was almost like a maze.
Inside, glowing stones embedded in the cave walls provided illumination, creating an environment that felt both wild and refined at the same time.
After making a full round, Silas nodded in approval. "Very nice. The planning is excellent."
Diancie shook her head modestly. "It's all thanks to the Carbink. I didn't do much."
"Carbink! Carbink!"
The Carbink behind her immediately protested, each of them speaking excitedly. Princess Diancie had come every day to deliver food and water. The creation of Diamond Town was everyone's achievement.
Seeing their reaction, Silas smiled warmly. "It seems Diancie is deeply loved by the Carbink. What about the other Pokémon living underground? Do you have confidence in earning their approval as well?"
Diancie bit her lip lightly, then lifted her head. Her gem-like eyes shone brightly, her voice clear and resolute. "I have confidence. I will manage Diamond Town well and earn everyone's trust."
…
A week later.
The ranch had not changed much. The last batch of crops could still be harvested in small amounts.
In the berry orchard, the special berries had reached a bountiful harvest. The branches were bent under the weight of the fruit.
To ensure proper nutrient distribution, Silas had no choice but to harvest part of the crop to reduce the burden on the trees.
Otherwise, the berries would compete for nutrients, and none of them would grow properly, wasting everyone's efforts.
Since it was his first time planting, Silas had only cultivated three types of special berries: the sweet yet slightly bitter Nanab Berry, the sour and bitter Wepear Berry, and the bitter-skinned, spicy-fleshed Pinap Berry.
As for how he knew their taste…
Well, he had personally tested them.
They all shared one common trait. They could be used to create even more delicious poffins.
Using such rare berries significantly increased the chance of producing extremely high-quality poffins.
Although the trees looked full of fruit, once processed, they might only yield three full boxes of poffins. Producing five or six premium-grade ones would already be considered a great success.
"Applin, I'll be away for a few days. I'll have to leave the orchard to you. Listen to Indeedee, alright?"
He poked at the Applin in front, knocking one over.
Immediately, the Applin toppled one after another like dominoes, their round bodies bumping into each other as they played happily.
Watching them, Silas could not help but smile. The Applin had always gotten along very well.
Before leaving the orchard, Silas also said goodbye to Meganium and its family.
The small Chikorita clung to him tearfully, refusing to let him go and insisting on coming along.
Only after repeated reassurances, along with the help of the larger Chikorita, did Silas manage to free himself.
Back at the ranch house, Cyclizar was already fully prepared, carrying a spatial satchel that held all their luggage.
Seeing Silas, it lowered its body and invited him aboard.
Silas did not refuse. He mounted it and signaled that they could depart.
Everything that needed to be arranged had already been taken care of. They would be gone for two to three days at least, or four to five days at most.
"Cyc!"
Cyclizar cried out excitedly as it burst into motion.
In an instant, its speed reached the limit.
With a bolt of lightning descending from the sky, the leaping Cyclizar transformed into Miraidon.
Electronic wings unfolded from both sides of its head, while purple-yellow energy flames burst from its feet. Carrying Silas, it pierced through the air currents and soared above the clouds in a flash.
The glowing patterns on Miraidon's forehead shimmered faintly. As its wings spread, ripples of energy traced elegant paths through the air.
It clearly enjoyed flying at full speed. Without needing instructions, Miraidon already knew the route to Paldea. It had lived there for a long time in the past.
Holding onto Miraidon's back, the cool metallic body beneath him gave Silas a strong sense of security.
This was the Violet deity, the Iron Serpent. There was no need to question its strength.
At full speed, Miraidon moved incredibly fast. Before long, a continent appeared below them.
As its outline became clearer, the iconic Great Crater of Paldea came into view.
This world wonder lay at the center of the Paldea region, as if the entire landmass existed around it. Its origin remained a mystery, though it was said to have formed over a million years ago.
Towering cliffs surrounded the crater, rising nearly vertically and isolating the inside from the outside.
Only in the direction of Mesagoza were the cliffs slightly lower, where the Paldea League had established the Zero Gate.
Their destination, however, was not the Great Crater.
Shifting his gaze, Silas looked toward the forest between Glaseado Mountain and Casseroya Lake.
This place was known as Tagtree Thicket, a humid forest that served as an ideal habitat for Toedscool.
Having confirmed the target, Silas gently tapped Miraidon's neck. "Head that way. We'll land near the side of Casseroya Lake close to Medali."
"Rai~"
Miraidon responded with a low hum, gradually folding its photon wings. No longer maintaining level flight, its body tilted downward and began a rapid dive.
Despite descending, its speed did not decrease at all.
From a distance, it looked like a meteor breaking through the clouds, its blue-purple form leaving streaking afterimages as it accelerated further with the momentum of its dive.
Meanwhile, in the Zero Lab within the Great Crater of Paldea…
Most of the laboratory was enveloped by massive glowing crystals. Inside, the environment was chaotic and disordered, except for a small corner that remained relatively neat.
There stood a simple bed, and on the wall above it, a photo was pinned to a whiteboard.
The background showed a typical Paldean watchtower. A family of three, along with a Pokémon, stood in front of it.
Suddenly, a red alarm flashed throughout the laboratory.
"It appeared again. The mysterious dragon meteor."
"Where is it located?"
"It disappeared near Casseroya Lake."
Two figures in white lab coats quickly moved toward the control console, their conversation efficient and without wasted words.
This meteor, faintly connected to Paradox Pokémon, had been under strict observation since its first appearance.
They had rushed to its disappearance sites multiple times before, but each time only managed to detect faint residual traces, never obtaining anything substantial.
Previously, the meteor had appeared far from Paldea, but this time, it had emerged directly above the region.
The couple exchanged a glance and slowed their steps.
About Arven… how should they explain this to him…
(End of Chapter)