Chapter 198

Deep in the ancient spiritual peak, the Snow Valley.

In the cabin of the God City Ruins.

Cynthia, with long yellow hair and wearing a black coat, looked suspiciously at "someone" in the cabin who looked extremely similar to her!

"This is the God City Ruins... the end of the legendary land in Sinnoh, the place where the people of the God City finally arrived."

"Hello everyone, let me introduce myself. I am Cynthia, a mythologist from the Sinnoh region. I came here to investigate the God City Ruins and find a mysterious craftsman. I heard he lives near here, but for some reason, I am sure I haven't seen his tracks."

Cynthia was also quite troubled.

In fact, she had already looked around, but for some reason, she couldn't see the workshop. She also went to the village outside the mountains to consult. Although she got an answer, when she went to the designated location... there was always a strange sense of distortion.

It wouldn't be some kind of different space.

After this thought popped up, Cynthia really thought about it carefully.

This is the legendary "God City."

Even if there really is a special different space, it shouldn't be strange!

Research around the world shows that some different spaces exist widely in this world, and some Pokémon even live in them.

Such secret realms also exist on the Sinnoh land.

So Cynthia sent some messages to Guangtai, but the latter hadn't replied to her yet. Simply, taking advantage of this gap, she came directly to the God City Ruins. Anyway, this ruin wouldn't run away.

Mentioning content related to myths, the fire in Cynthia's heart ignited, her heart moved, and she couldn't wait to uncover those ancient secrets.

The mountain cabin was inhabited by an old man and a merchant, as well as an Abra. When Cynthia knocked on the door and entered, the two were eating radish stew.

"This time it's an archaeologist from the Sinnoh region." The merchant with yellow hair and a small hat smiled, squinting his eyes, snapping his chopsticks, holding a small bowl and chewing radish. The mountain old man and Abra were on the side, both looking leisurely, directly writing the word "comfortable" on their faces.

Volo (chewing radish): "I know you. You are a well-known figure in the archaeological world, the Champion of the Sinnoh region, right?"

"Nice to meet you, I am Volo, an inconspicuous merchant who loves history and myths. Because I am chasing ancient knowledge, I came here. Now I am temporarily serving as a guide for mountaineering and ruin exploration here. I am also a seeker of myths."

"If it's about investigating ruins, I can answer for you. However, this ruin is still too mysterious, and there are many places that are still unknown."

"By the way, look, we are eating. Do you want some?"

"This is stewed with beach radishes, added with Royal Leaf. It's soft, rotten, fresh, and fragrant. This radish is a specialty of Snowpoint City, right! Sinnoh people just like this bite, they have to eat it. I am also a Sinnoh person!"

Cynthia was helpless: "Thank you for your invitation, but I'm not hungry for now. Hmm, so you are also a Sinnoh person..."

No wonder the hairstyle is a bit similar to mine, Cynthia whispered quietly.

It wouldn't be from Celestic Town.

"I came to investigate the ruins, and also to investigate this statue." Cynthia took out Arceus's statue:

"Mr. Volo, do you know about this image? This ruin seems to be related to this Pokémon."

And the moment Volo saw that statue, his gaze suddenly froze.

"Oh my~! That image... where did you get this statue?"

Volo's expression became slightly excited. He looked at Cynthia, his "great-great-granddaughter," and Cynthia also found that the merchant's emotions had undergone a significant change. She originally intended to tell the truth about the mysterious craftsman and ask where he lived, but stopped in time.

Feeling, something is wrong?

"What's wrong? Do you know about this statue?"

Cynthia didn't mention the source of the statue, just asked Volo if he knew the name of the statue, and Volo seemed to have thought of something.

That seemed to be intuition. For some reason, the face of a familiar young man always floated in his mind.

That's right, although the "great-great-granddaughter" in front of him came from afar, this statue must be the work of Guangtai. Volo had a sense of familiarity with Guangtai from the beginning, but no matter what, he couldn't remember it, and that young man's attitude toward the God City Ruins was also ambiguous.

On the surface, he didn't know anything, but Volo always felt that Guangtai knew something deeper.

And now, Volo confirmed that Guangtai really knew something, which was why he returned here!

"Ah... that goes without saying! Of course I know this Pokémon!" Volo's smile became more and more strange. He had been chasing this Pokémon for over a hundred years, how could he not know it!

Look at my hairstyle! It's all imitated from the head shape of the Great Sinnoh One!

"Hehe, I probably know who made that statue. Actually hiding it from me... could it be that my intentions were seen through by him?"

"Now that the missing person has arrived, so it was you... are you chasing this Pokémon? What a coincidence, I am also chasing it."

Volo stared at Cynthia, put down his bowl and chopsticks, indicated to the mountain old man that he was full, and smiled as he took out a Poké Ball.

"Although it's a bit abrupt... but can you have a Pokémon battle with me? Right in front of this God City Ruins."

"Also, please bring this statue and ask it to witness our duel, how about that?"

After saying that, it seemed that he was worried that Cynthia wouldn't be willing to battle, and it also seemed to be out of a desire to "guide" his great-great-granddaughter, Volo opened his mouth provocatively:

"Actually, a long time ago, I had some words I wanted to say to you."

"I've seen your live broadcast on TV. You have overwhelming strength when facing challengers. Your Garchomp is well-trained. However, if we talk about whether you have fully exerted its power..."

"【Champion】 should refer to a master with extraordinary strength. Your level is an insurmountable mountain for ordinary people, but in my opinion, it doesn't seem to be very strong."

The Poké Ball shook slightly, and Cynthia's Garchomp expressed its dissatisfaction!

"Hmm," Cynthia raised her eyebrows slightly: "The provocation technique is not very clever, but you are really looking for trouble for no reason! Have I done anything to make you hold a grudge?"

"No, no." Volo waved his small hand, revealing that weird smile: "I just hope that the Pokémon tamers in this land can become stronger."

"I'll just say it straight. As a Champion, your training method is not desperate enough."

"The Pokémon battle in this era is ultimately just a competition. It can't compare to people and Pokémon who have walked through life and death in harsh environments. Pokémon that have overcome life and death and undergone hard training will become the sharp claws and fangs of humans. Only by reaching this step can it be called a true bond."

"Have you heard of the two fighting methods 'Strong' and 'Swift'? Don't worry, I will demonstrate it to you immediately. Remember this fighting method, and then, walk on a stronger path."

Cynthia frowned slightly. Although this challenge came very strangely, as a trainer, she had to accept this battle.

What's more... could this battle trigger some phenomenon in the ruins? Cynthia had investigated many ruins and seen many trainers and ruin investigators. Many people who thought they knew a certain secret would often do some inexplicable things and actions in front of specific ruins.

The battle fanaticism suddenly shown by the merchant calling himself Volo was exactly the same as those people.

"Is that so... I don't seem to have a reason not to accept it. I'll say it in advance, I won't go easy on you!" Cynthia showed a confident smile. As the Champion of Sinnoh, she wouldn't lose to anyone!

Beep —

The sound of the Pokégear rang. Cynthia opened it and took a look.

【"Because of some special reasons, my workshop is now 'closed.' Are you at the God City Ruins? That's perfect, I'm heading to the God City Ruins now."】

【"I know you have some questions, let's talk in detail when we meet."】

(End of chapter)