Led by Meloetta, Lorze set foot in the mysterious village within Pinwheel Forest and was brought before the elder by Ridley.
The elder first asked Lorze some inconsequential questions. Considering they might know nothing about the outside world, Lorze also answered selectively. During this time, he maintained a polite attitude throughout. His natural, graceful demeanor and conversation actually made the elder appreciate him somewhat.
Facing the first outsider brought into the village by Meloetta, the elder pondered for a long time, and still decided to tell him the past events between their tribe and Meloetta.
"Although our tribe has guarded Lord Meloetta for generations, honestly speaking, we also don't know when Lord Meloetta was born. Her existence definitely precedes ours. As for why we could become Lord Meloetta's guardians, it's because we possess the ability to perceive her. This is perhaps the will of the gods..."
Lorze nodded thoughtfully, but in his heart he thought this might very well be the handiwork of the Llama (Arceus).
"Is it because I also possess the ability to perceive Meloetta that Elder is willing to share this past history?"
Stroking his beard, he said: "Naturally there is also consideration in this aspect. Perhaps both you and we are people chosen by the gods? Alright, let's continue... Actually, in the very beginning, our tribe and Lord Meloetta lived at the bottom of the sea, in order to protect a certain something... But it's inconvenient to disclose what it is. I can only say it's a very important object."
Even if the elder didn't say, Lorze knew very well. That is the Abyssal Ruins and the Reveal Glass—capable of making the three Incarnate Forme Forces of Nature transform into Therian Forme, releasing their original power. If the fourth Force of Nature from Galar could be found, it would be equally applicable.
But Lorze focused on another matter: "Life at the bottom of the sea... what was it like?"
The elder shook his head. After all, he hadn't personally experienced it either, and could only glean fragments from ancient texts passed down through generations.
So to a certain extent... Lorze might know more details than the elder, perhaps even Team Rocket did too.
Life beneath the sea is truly hard to imagine. But to actually be able to build a settlement underwater, the super-ancient civilization of Unova... is undoubtedly astonishing.
"There were many people who wanted to steal that precious thing, and we defended against foreign enemies together with Lord Meloetta. Over time, our tribe also couldn't bear the constant harassment, so we sealed it, and then came to live on land with Lord Meloetta. After many twists and turns... we settled here. As long as there isn't Lord Meloetta's power, the seal cannot be broken. Therefore, Lord Meloetta's safety... is of utmost importance."
Lorze turned his head to look at the little songstress beside him. At this moment, she was blinking her sparkling, bling-bling large eyes, looking at Lorze innocently, giving him a strong impulse to stroke the cute little songstress's head.
But both Ridley and the elder were present. If he did such a thing right in front of them, it would be considered highly disrespectful and drive them crazy. Lorze still restrained himself.
Finally, he introduced Ridley again—the strongest warrior in the tribe, who also currently shoulders the most important responsibility of protecting Meloetta.
Ridley on the side, upon receiving the elder's affirmation, also very proudly puffed out his chest. He must have felt he was incredibly handsome and amazing.
This time it was Lorze's turn to put on a business-like smile. He stiffly curled the corners of his mouth and nodded, but in his heart he criticized Ridley for being somewhat weak: I wouldn't extravagantly ask him to have Champion-level strength like Alder, but I'm afraid his strength is even inferior to the Elite Four and Gym Leaders of various regions.
His ace is undoubtedly Golurk. But this tribe relies entirely too much on Golurk. Those are things from who knows how many years ago. Society is bound to progress, whether it's the strength of Pokémon, the level of Trainers, tactics, and so on.
What's more... such a narrow and peaceful place makes it hard to temper truly powerful warriors. They presumably wouldn't object to this point.
If the combat power of this village was even slightly stronger, could Meloetta have been abducted by Team Rocket in the anime?
Fortunately, I came early. Now there's completely no need to worry about Team Rocket's matters, haha~
But just as Lorze was thinking this, his right eyelid suddenly twitched twice: Wait, what does this mean!?
Lorze only took it as his eyes being a bit tired because he didn't rest well last night. Then... it couldn't possibly really be Team Rocket coming, right?
It definitely isn't, better not let my imagination run wild...
"Then... let's leave it at that. There's also a campfire party in the village tonight. I hope Your Excellency Lorze and Lord Meloetta can also participate. No need to worry about the clansmen's prejudices. Ridley, you must properly entertain Your Excellency Lorze."
"Yes, I understand..."
Ridley seemed reluctant. Perhaps he still harbored grudges about Lorze and Meloetta being on good terms, but he still helplessly agreed. This conversely made Lorze feel refreshed watching.
After leaving the tent, Ridley asked Lorze with great, feigned concern if he needed anything else, only to receive a reply that almost made him explode with anger—
"Thanks a lot! No need, because Meloetta said she wants to take me around to sightsee here. I won't trouble Lord Ridley!"
Ridley was visibly turning red from anger. But before he could confront him, Meloetta pulled Lorze's hand and ran off. And Ridley could only watch the intimate backs of the two, raging incompetently. He knew that joining them now would only be asking for a snub...
Under Meloetta's guidance, Lorze began to tour this village more carefully. There were both earthen houses on flat ground and treehouses built among the woods. Of course, compared to his own love nest, it was far inferior. Although primitive... it indeed possessed a natural, harmonious beauty perfectly blending with the environment.
"By the way, what is Lorze's home like?"
Meloetta's inquiry played right into Lorze's hands. He very proudly introduced the large house belonging to him and his wives to Meloetta, even using his PokéNav to share photos. This made Meloetta exclaim in amazement: "What a big and beautiful treehouse! It looks like it would be very comfortable to live inside too!"
"If there's an opportunity in the future, how about Meloetta also comes to my home as a guest?"
"Okay, Meloetta also wants to go see Lorze's home. Then it's a promise~"
Lorze smiled without saying a word: When the time comes, I'll directly abduct the little songstress to my home, definitely letting her stay to her heart's content!
Then it was lunchtime. Ridley also arranged their tribe's special delicacies for Lorze. But in Lorze's eyes... these things were truly a bit hard to swallow—This is way too primitive, the great Dao is extremely simple (minimalist to a fault).
Meloetta was also somewhat resistant to this crude food. After all, having previously eaten the fine delicacies personally made by Lorze, she had become much pickier and could never go back!
Lorze very sincerely proposed to Ridley to exchange some modern society delicacies—things that don't require precision machinery to make either. But he was rejected by Ridley, and even retorted with a long string of words. Lorze listened for a long time and only heard one meaning: The laws of the ancestors cannot be changed.
Tsk... This tribe is hopeless!
He thought resentfully while starting a separate meal with Meloetta. Lunch this noon was dry rations Lorze had cooked previously. Even if not as delicious as piping hot, fragrant rice, it was still tastier than the Ridley tribe's meager delicacies. Moreover, paired with fresh fruit juice and milk, this lunch was also very good.
But Meloetta, having eaten her fill and drank her fill, suddenly thought that if Lorze left the tribe, she wouldn't be able to eat such delicious things anymore, so she became a bit disappointed.
"Sigh, if only Lorze could stay in the tribe, it would be great. Meloetta really wants to be able to eat the delicious food Lorze makes every day..."
Lorze stroked Meloetta's head, comforting the little songstress, and hinted indirectly: "Actually, there is another way that can let Meloetta eat delicious food every day, isn't there? But... that way might require Meloetta to muster up enough courage..."
The intelligent little songstress was startled, but stopped talking, wearing a thoughtful appearance. The current Meloetta clearly couldn't manage to leave the tribe in Pinwheel Forest yet. But perhaps a seed had already quietly been planted in her heart?
But Meloetta didn't seem to dwell too much on this matter. At least enjoy the time spent with Lorze first. After lunch, they still aimlessly played together for the whole afternoon. During this period, it was nothing more than getting more familiar with each other; nothing special happened. After eating dinner, it was time for the campfire party in the village.
The sky gradually darkened, but the bright campfire in the village could be seen from afar. With the gentle, soft sunset as a background, Lorze proactively reached out his hand to Meloetta, very gentlemanly inviting her to go to the party together—
"Then, beautiful Miss Meloetta, I wonder if you are willing to participate in the party with me?"
A slow, clear breeze blew past, gently stirring Lorze's bangs and hair strands. The elegant, handsome young man made Meloetta freeze. The originally noisy environmental sounds also quieted down, as if time had frozen at this moment, with only Meloetta and Lorze... nothing else.
Meloetta felt her heart seem to be gently touched by something. The unspeakable emotion sprouting from this made her heart thump like a little deer. This was an anomaly that had never appeared in her life until now...
Her white jade face was dyed with a wondrous crimson. Obeying her inner desires, Meloetta's spherical hand was placed in Lorze's palm. Treasured by the young man in his hand, he led Meloetta and walked towards the direction of the campfire party.
But Meloetta couldn't calm down. What exactly did this emotion sprout for? Was it because Lorze was one of the few confidants who could resonate with her music, or a young girl's adoration for a handsome male?
But regardless, the interactions of this day had already made their relationship very close. Because Lorze and Meloetta got along very well, the tacitly understanding two both felt a sense of regretting not having met sooner.
The location of the party was in the central square of the village. The villagers arrived one after another and sat in a concentric circle arrangement. Lorze and Meloetta also sat side-by-side among the crowd.
I don't know if it's because a day's time gave the villagers a certain buffer, or because of the elder's expectations? Anyway, regardless of men, women, old, or young, the people of the Ridley tribe didn't seem as resistant to Lorze anymore, shifting to an attitude dominated by curiosity. Lorze also didn't expect them to actually accept him in such a short time.
What's more, some young girls whose hearts were stirring with spring (feelings of love) took the initiative to strike up conversations and chat with Lorze. Among them were both cute lolis with unshed childishness and well-developed mature older sisters. Mainly asking him about things in the outside world, various kinds of things. Some questions were unconstrained and imaginative, Lorze didn't even know how to answer.
Besides that, there were also a few bold girls trying to flirt with Lorze—After all, his face is handsome and his temperament elegant. It's not strange that he's endearing once the colored glasses (prejudices) are put down. Especially those young girls in their prime youth craving a passionate love...
But when those girls approached him, especially when behaving somewhat frivolously in terms of male-female relationships, Meloetta on the side showed some signs of something being amiss.
Every time a girl came to strike up a conversation, Meloetta would reluctantly turn her head away, pouting her small mouth, seemingly revealing a jealous expression.
Although the light of the campfire didn't allow every detail to be clearly seen in the eyes, the meticulous Lorze still discovered it: His keen eyes could see Meloetta's face perfectly clearly.
The little songstress's possessiveness is very strong, or perhaps... she cares very much about this confidant of hers?
Regardless, her performance made Lorze very joyful: Sorry older and younger sisters, I have a girl I truly want to coax well, I have no way to pay attention to you guys anymore!
When facing the girls showing attentiveness again, Lorze behaved quite coldly. Gradually, no one came to hit on him anymore. Instead, when the campfire party officially began and the first act started performing, Lorze very proactively held Meloetta's hand to watch together. Without a word, he picked up Meloetta and let her sit on his shoulders—
Because Lorze's figure is very tall, although everyone was sitting on the ground, Meloetta sitting on Lorze's shoulders could undoubtedly obtain a very excellent and broad field of vision. The performance could also be seen perfectly clearly!
"L-Lorze?"
Lorze heard the joy in Meloetta's trembling voice line. Grinning, he raised a finger and placed it on his lips: "Shh~ The performance is starting, let's just properly enjoy each other's company, okay?"
"Mhm❤!"
Lorze had already used actions to tell Meloetta who he cared about more compared to those human girls. This made Meloetta both surprised and happy. She particularly enjoyed and cherished Lorze's favor. She even shifted her tight little butt to get closer to Lorze, proactively resting against Lorze's head. Such intimate behavior seemed unable to be described merely as simple friends anymore.
The current relationship is probably more than friends, but not quite lovers yet. There's still a thin layer of window paper (a small barrier) between them that hasn't been pierced. It seems he's just one final push away from taking down Meloetta. Lorze waited very patiently.
As the acts passed one by one, people's spirits seemed to be fully mobilized. Right at this time, Lorze proposed letting Meloetta also perform her singing voice. Presumably, it could push the atmosphere of this campfire party to a climax.
But for Meloetta, she currently seemed to care more about Lorze. Sitting on Lorze's solid shoulders this whole evening, her mind was full of thoughts about the man snuggling beside her. Touching his hair, smelling his body scent, it was as if only Lorze was left in her world.
"Big Brother Lorze wants to hear Meloetta's singing voice?"
The little songstress looked at Lorze. In her beautiful eyes like whole notes, there was only Lorze's opinion. As if at this moment, Lorze was her everything.
Lorze also gently lifted Meloetta's soft hair strands. Such ambiguous behavior didn't arouse Meloetta's disgust, but instead made her small hand grasp his hand.
"Mhm! I want to hear Meloetta's singing voice, so I hope... Meloetta can sing a song for me! Is that okay?"
Meloetta smiled. She also didn't want to fail Lorze's expectations, willing to sing for Lorze to hear. So, after the current act's performance ended, she left Lorze and floated towards the stage—that was the innermost side of the concentric circles, quite close to the campfire.
Seeing Meloetta was also going to perform, the clansmen erupted into a burst of enthusiastic cheers. No one could refuse Meloetta's performance, right?
Meloetta first politely bowed to the audience. At this time, the clansmen already held their breath and concentrated, not daring to pant heavily, deeply afraid of disturbing Meloetta's performance.
And after a burst of brewing, the first line of the song drifted from Meloetta's mouth. After that, the pleasant-sounding melody continuously flowed out of her mouth like a stream...