Chapter 269: The Promise of Battle

Zi Yu hugged Milcery and her trophy, carrying the empty incubator on her back. After the musical ended, the sky had turned completely dark. Zi Yu felt that today was very fulfilling, seeing many interesting things, and most importantly, everyone was very happy!

Elesa was discussing the music and costume design of the musical just now with Guang Tai. Undoubtedly, the previous performance was truly stunning. She was looking forward to seeing Guang Tai's new designs more and more, but Guang Tai's always hurried appearance made her very curious.

He wouldn't stay in one city for too long, and then he would head to the next city...

"So you were looking for Champion Alder... But that old gentleman's tracks are mysterious to begin with. If even the Elite Four don't know, then there's nothing to be done."

"So you even know the Champion... Eh? Do you also know Caitlin and Shauntal? Come to think of it, I previously got a strange doll from Caitlin..."

Elesa talked about the Calyrex doll. Upon learning that the creator was also the Guang Tai in front of her, she was first surprised, and then this emotion gradually turned into intense curiosity.

"Item craftsman... Truly incredible. Could it be that there is no item, or even artwork or music, that you don't know?"

"Genius artist, genius musician, what kind of power will you show next? I am becoming more and more curious about you. It's just like exploring unknown things; that kind of excitement and joy is hard to suppress..."

Calyrex... So, is it like Milcery, a Pokémon from the Galar region?

Although it is said to be a Legendary Pokémon, I have never heard of its legend.

Elesa's eyes were shining. Thinking of that funny big head, she couldn't help but burst into laughter. Although many people think of her as an ice beauty, in fact, Elesa will laugh on many occasions.

Guang Tai's evaluation was that she actually looked cold, but was a girl with a fiery heart, if she didn't tell those cold jokes...

"Ah! I thought of an interesting one."

"Want to be Champion? First get past Calyrex!"

Sure enough, Elesa seemed to connect Alder and Calyrex, and then naturally told a cold joke.

In Pokémon Masters, she also told many strange cold jokes, and the only ones who could be amused by Elesa's cold jokes were Skyla and Sabrina.

For example, that rich guy's face was red like a Scizor; Brycen has a Wailord! Swanna! If it doesn't take off, it's going to be delayed!

"Hahaha..."

As a result, only Zi Yu gave face and laughed out loud, and then the little girl looked at Guang Tai and N in confusion.

Laugh, why aren't you laughing?

"Sure enough, the joke just now wasn't very funny?"

Elesa began to ponder, and by the way explained: "Actually, in order to reverse some impressions people have of me, I originally planned to start from the aspect of jokes, but the only ones who laugh after hearing my jokes are Skyla..."

"The person most respected by the police officers is of course Lenora, because the boss in the police station is Lenora!"

Now Zi Yu couldn't laugh either.

N: "Um... how should I put it..."

Guang Tai: "A bit subtle..."

It's not because of teasing Lenora; Elesa and Lenora are acquaintances, so they can joke around. It's mainly because this joke really has no punchline.

Elesa was thoughtful: "... Sure enough, I'm not working hard enough. I have to think of some more interesting jokes."

Zi Yu: "I think Sister Elesa just needs to maintain the confidence she has when walking the runway and show more smiles. Jokes or whatever are completely unnecessary!"

Elesa looked at the serious Zi Yu and was slightly stunned, then laughed: "Ah... that's right. If I show more smiles when off stage, it should also let everyone understand that I'm not that cold and unapproachable person."

"Hmm, but I will still work hard to think of more interesting jokes."

"By the way, let's register as friends!"

Elesa took the initiative to send a friend invitation to Guang Tai and actively showed a group chat for artists.

Not only were there some artists who had appeared in the Castelia Gallery, but there were also many artists Guang Tai didn't know. However, for workers related to art, most of the time they are busy looking for inspiration and working, so this group chat looked quite... deserted.

However, there seemed to be familiar people in this group chat. Guang Tai saw Caitlin and Sabrina's accounts!

"This group chat is just for convenience to notify where there are art exhibitions. If someone wants to hold an art exhibition, they can know in advance through this work group. I also often pay attention to those art exhibitions because as a model, I must grasp fashion and popular trends at all times."

"Artists are people who lead fashion. Just like the clothes you designed, I believe that soon there will be many similar arts in the Unova region. Black and White, the legendary giant dragons, those stories about the founding legend will become another source of inspiration for artists' creations."

"Artists always exude a unique temperament. It is a charm that goes from the inside out, deep into the soul, making people instantly intoxicated. It's like a kind of magical spell."

"Just like what I said before." Elesa blinked: "I'm looking forward to your next work! I will definitely wear it well and show its charm."

The confident Elesa was indeed very shining.

And about the founding legend... N's gaze moved, and he raised the brim of his hat.

Inducing artists across Unova to explore the founding legend—is this the purpose of Guang Tai's art exhibition?

Or is there another hidden meaning? N felt there should be other content he hadn't noticed, but... he didn't want to explore those things now.

Let's put these contents aside for today, because the new information obtained and the unsolvable equations witnessed were already enough.

Seeing that the conversation between Elesa and Guang Tai didn't seem to have an end, N coughed lightly.

"Ah, sorry, Mr. N seems to have something to say to you. It seems I've taken up too much of your time."

Elesa was a bit apologetic. She just became more and more excited when talking about clothing and art, and today's various memories gathered in her mind like a tide, and there were many, many words and questions she wanted to confide and ask the person in front of her.

Ignoring others' feelings is not something a model should do, so Elesa immediately moved aside, but N also smiled and shook his head:

"It's okay, I was just preparing to say goodbye here."

"Do you remember this?"

N suddenly took out a pure white stone slab from his bosom.

"The thing you gave me at the beginning, the Stone of Gratitude. If you carry a true heart of gratitude and carve the name of the person you want to thank on it, then the heart of gratitude can be accurately conveyed to that person's heart."

"Originally, I only wanted to carve two names on it... those were the two sisters who raised me. I also considered carving the names of my childhood partners on it."

"But now, more names can finally be carved on this stone slab. I think, I now... finally understand what a true 'heart of gratitude' is."

"I will treat this stone slab as a treasure and carve precious memories on it."

"Then, just as we agreed, let's meet again at Celestial Tower!"

"I have many things to think about, and you have things to do for the time being, right? During this time, let's both improve ourselves."

"I want to thank you for bringing me so many brand-new experiences today. Of course, I also want to thank Miss Zi Yu and Miss Elesa."

Zi Yu: "It's okay! Mr. N, let's challenge the Battle Subway together next time!"

Elesa: "It is my honor to be recognized by the audience."

Guang Tai: "It's great that you think so. Then, let's meet again in Mistralton City!"

The promised battle at Celestial Tower... The Battle of Heaven?

N had many thoughts in his eyes. He suddenly walked close to Guang Tai and whispered:

"But you have to be careful of my partners. They... will carry out some activities in the city... it might cause some... trouble."

"For this, I can only say sorry, but my thoughts haven't changed for the time being."

Guang Tai laughed: "No, you seem to have changed a little."

N: "Seems like? Perhaps... Anyway, everyone, goodbye! I will remember everything I experienced today!"

N waved his hand, hugged his trophy, and left, walking alone into the darkness that the streetlights couldn't reach.

Along with it, his footsteps soon disappeared.

"What a strange person." Elesa looked at Guang Tai: "Your friend also exudes a melancholic temperament of compassion, which is very similar to an artist. Coupled with his unique hair color, people will be attracted to him before they know it."

"And being able to defeat the Subway Boss, his strength is also very powerful. Such a trainer is truly rare."

Guang Tai: "In terms of art, he is an idealist. He has faith, has pursuits, and is a person who often views this world with a mentality or vision higher than reality."

"Rather than saying he is an artist, it is better to say he is a philosopher exploring the path. Philosophy has powerful ideological power, but it must eventually fall into reality. Ideals and reality will eventually have a time of intersection."

"Eh~ feels like a very strange person." Elesa found it quite interesting, then looked at Guang Tai: "Then where are you going next?"

Guang Tai replied: "White Forest, but I am not going to challenge Unova's difficulties... no, maybe."

He didn't know what Alder noticed in White Forest, and whether the tree hole in White Forest was connected to the Dream Tree was also unknown.

Although according to the investigation order, he should go to Mistralton City first, but in the direction of White Forest, there is also Marvelous Bridge. Guang Tai hadn't forgotten the work of crossing over the girl's ghost.

In that case, meeting her for the first time on Marvelous Bridge, completing the investigation of White Forest, going to Mistralton City to take a plane to Lentimas Town, then crossing Reversal Mountain, passing through Undella Town, and by the way, letting Aegislash complete the challenge of the Swords of Justice.

Until finally, arriving at the city where Alder disappeared, Opelucid City.

And Opelucid City is also the hometown of one of the two Poké Balls on his body, Axew. That is the final stop of this trip... perhaps, or perhaps the final stop will be Virbank City, after all, he is still thinking about looking for alloy.

In this process, taking a boat from Castelia City, he can also go to Liberty Garden by the way. By the way, Liberty Garden is very close to Virbank City.

"That doesn't need to be rushed. Stay here tonight, I will treat you well! I know a restaurant with a particularly good taste. I wonder if I have the honor to invite you to dinner?"

Elesa's eyes lit up, as if she had found some excuse. She still wanted to know more secrets about art and clothing concepts.

Thus, she explained:

"Before going to White Forest, you have to pass through Route 16, Lostlorn Forest, Marvelous Bridge, Black City. It can be said that it is still quite far! And I heard that the elevator of Marvelous Bridge has some problems recently..."

Guang Tai: "I know that bridge is built on a cliff, but my Aegislash can fly."

Elesa: "..."

Guang Tai: "By the way, night is the best time to meet ghosts!"

The atmosphere became slightly awkward, but Elesa immediately adjusted her mentality, exhaled, and continued to explain:

"Then let's talk about Black City and White Forest."

"They are very close to each other. One represents desire and the modern world, and the other represents the fresh and natural world. Black Tower and White Treehollow are also corresponding buildings. The survival concepts of the two cities are completely different and seriously conflict with each other."

"And if you pass through Black City, you need to be careful..."

Elesa reminded:

"Black City is a city of desire, and it can even be said to be the darkest and most naked place in Unova. Human nature will be infinitely magnified there. There are even acts of buying and selling Pokémon there. For someone like you who connects with Pokémon... no, it should be for many people who view Pokémon as partners, the existence of Black City is very painful and angry."

"A pitch-black city, a black city seeking development and progress."

"However, that city is a city allowed to exist by the Unova League, and its history is also very long, but it can no longer see any traces of past history. In a place like Unova, not only are there Black City and White Forest, but Opelucid City is the same. The conflict between history and progress is very obvious."

"However, Black Tower is a building that appeared recently, known as the crystallization of human wisdom. It is said that the top of the tower reaches the universe. Whether that is an exaggerated statement or a true statement, I don't know."

"One benefit is... hehe, no matter what kind of behavior you do in Black City, you will rarely break the law. That is to say, using your special abilities, you might be able to make a big scene in Black City."

"That city only values value and power, and everything else is ignored. Powerful trainers can suppress those profit-seeking people and reach the top of the tower. And in Black City, there are also some strange characters who carry out their own clear justice."

"As for White Forest, it is the exact opposite of Black City. It reverses the annoying and shameful behaviors of Black City and promotes and protects them. That is to say, while protecting the environment, it also protects Pokémon and maintains the balanced development of humans and nature. This is White Forest."

"It is said that some incredible Pokémon often appear in White Forest, and even if they are close at hand, people in Black City dare not go to White Forest to capture them. It is said that the forest has a wonderful and incredible power."

"Some Pokémon hunters once went to White Forest to try to capture Pokémon, but in the end, they all disappeared mysteriously."

"There is a saying that the sacred giant tree in White Forest is the guardian of the forest, and its cave is said to be something that suddenly appeared to confront the tall building in Black City that leads directly to the universe."

Black City, White Forest.

In different versions, they each occupy a corner of Unova. Guang Tai's memory of Black Tower and White Treehollow is not clear, only vaguely remembering that these two locations also possess unique energy.

At the same time, Guang Tai received a task.

【Link Task: Investigate the truth of the Marvelous Bridge failure.】

【Rewards: Release Orb ×3, Phantom Mechanics ×1, Triple Acceleration Energy ×3, Mysterious Ripple ×1.】

【Description: As the most peculiar bridge in the Unova region, the elevator breaks down every few days, and some even say it's ghosts at work.】

Investigate, huh... Guang Tai thought, and had a plan in his heart.

Speaking of which, what is Triple Acceleration Energy? Although he knew it should be a special energy in the card game, combined with the style of Marvelous Bridge, plus the word "acceleration," he felt that in the next second, he would be driving a D-Wheel and drawing cards, shouting "Accel Synchro" or something.

Because Elesa's warm invitation was hard to refuse, Guang Tai could only say that dinner was fine, but staying overnight was really not good.

Moreover, night is really an important time to meet ghosts!

This made Zi Yu very curious. She felt that Guang Tai had many secrets. Although she knew she shouldn't ask too much, girls of her age are just at the time when they are full of curiosity, especially when hearing that Guang Tai was going to look for ghosts...

Eh? Are ghosts more important than Sister Elesa's invitation? Psychics are really strange!

But thinking about it carefully, this kind of supernatural event seems quite interesting?

It's a pity that she still has to go to school! It's really unhappy!

"However, my departure time will be a bit later. Before leaving, I need to prepare some special items."

Guang Tai said this to Zi Yu:

"Miss Elesa, I want to use a batch of Nimbasa Gym's mechanical parts!"

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 270 =====