Chapter 301: Emiliod: Battle Is the Proof of Life!

“Rod, you can’t see or hear it—that’s the echo of souls. Every corner of this Tower of Heaven is filled with the spirits of Pokémon.”

N chuckled: “I never knew such things as spirit mediums existed—people in distant lands who can speak with souls. Did you know that?”

Rod’s mouth hung open in shock; the Plasma Team members around him stared in fear, though some were visibly shaken—for their ranks were diverse, and some had joined Plasma Team after losing their Pokémon.

“I—I want to talk to my Pokémon too. It’s sleeping right here. Can I do it as well?”

Several Plasma Team members were drawn over; Guang Tai did not refuse. After shaking their hands, he watched them awaken their former partners—their tearful joy left no doubt: they loved their companions with absolute sincerity.

“They’re speaking. More souls are speaking.” Guang Tai heard endless voices—and a surge of “battle” within him!

“Can I hear it too?” N could no longer hold back—he wanted to hear the voices of the fallen Pokémon!

Guang Tai extended his hand to N: “I think this level is the most fitting place for you to hear them.”

“Here, the desire for life is everywhere—the voices begging to live. Listen!”

The instant Guang Tai and N clasped hands, an endless tide of longing and yearning crashed through N’s soul like lightning!

[I want to keep fighting!]

[Let me fight! I still want to live!]

[I’m dead—but as long as someone fights, I feel I’m still alive. This is proof of existence.]

[Don’t forget me. I’m still here!]

N’s world spun wildly—he saw countless souls drifting from the gravestones, embracing and conversing with their former partners, pouring out their longing, or gathering to collide their spirits together!

Again and again, more and more souls—long asleep, eternally resting here—were awakened!

Then, an extraordinarily strange, massive soul resonance occurred!

【Only the fierce battles between Pokémon can awaken souls! Souls burn like flames!】

The voice had no origin—it sounded as if the Tower of Heaven itself was roaring, shaking N’s soul!

“This is the world of souls! This is the voice of souls!”

“Battle… is not harming Pokémon. Yes—battle is proof of life! I heard it! The Pokémon’s souls say so!”

N clenched his fists. Through Guang Tai’s power, he saw a new world once more!

But it wasn’t enough!

He wanted to see more. He wanted to understand more!

“A soul entered my body. A wandering soul told me—it wants to fight. It wants to fight you!”

“Master Guang Tai, I know your power is beyond imagining—but who are you, to make these souls boil like this?”

Guang Tai: “My spiritual power comes from the Spirit Realm. I, too, have died and been reborn.”

Seeing N’s astonishment, Guang Tai laughed: “Don’t be so tense. There are many such people in this world.”

“We are never special.”

N’s words stuck in his throat. A smile curled at his lips—and grew wider.

Yes. Yes!

Only when you step outside do you realize how vast the world truly is—other lands hold people unlike any you’ve known!

Kings, ideals, beliefs, founding legends—all of it meant nothing now!

He was simply a Trainer!

Even a temporary one!

“I can’t wait to battle you. Come on—let’s go!”

N felt the spirits’ passion—they already knew what was coming. They rushed to join the battle, lending their soul-energy to both combatants!

This warmth, this energy—was the only way the fallen Pokémon could prove they had once lived. The proof of their existence!

A massive soul resonance erupted—within Guang Tai’s heart, a roar from the Spirit Realm echoed!

The souls in the tower grew scorching hot, their heat rising, climbing. Guang Tai heard and saw their cries—he had seen soul-fire long ago.

Now, every soul in the Tower of Heaven seemed fully awakened!

Intense soul-fire blazed atop every gravestone, and the Ghost-type Pokémon dwelling within the tower emerged as well.

Candlespirt appeared behind the gravestones.

These tiny Pokémon resembled candles, with a vile nature: purple flames burned atop their heads, their bodies formed of white wax, melted layers covering their right eyes—leaving only their bright yellow left eyes visible.

Candlespirt pretended to light candles to guide lost travelers, but in truth, they fed on the life force of humans and Pokémon to fuel their flames.

The candlelight atop their heads kept their bodies warm. Their flames usually lay dormant—but when they absorbed life force, they glowed fiercely!

The younger the soul they drained, the brighter and more eerie their candlelight burned. They would take the hands of lost children and lead them to the Spirit Realm.

Only Trainers of extraordinary vitality, perfect affinity with Ghost-type energy, or true deep friendship with Candlespirt could control them—others would have their lives sucked dry.

But now, these emerging Candlespirt were nervous—they had never seen so many Pokémon spirits so active, and all of it was triggered by this strange “Spirit Realm human” before them!

And the call from the Spirit Realm—something immense was watching here, and… it seemed to be on the other side of the world!

Though the Tower of Heaven now brimmed with life, many dangerous entities had already set their sights on it—including this Spirit Realm human!

“You’re Rod, aren’t you?”

Guang Tai walked toward Rod. The old sage, stunned into silence, blinked for a long moment before slowly nodding: “Yes.”

“Say nothing. Shake my hand. Afterward, you’ll understand everything. If you can, I’d like you to give another speech.”

“I don’t know what you said here—but it wasn’t good. Yet when you truly understand Pokémon life and souls, you’ll realize your past self was wrong.”

Rod stared at the young man before him. He thought: since the capital had accepted this “gift,” as a sage, he could not show weakness!

Nothing could change his heart. His cause was righteous. He thought this, then reached out and shook Guang Tai’s hand.

Intense emotion and transmitted longing flooded Rod’s heart—a crushing blow to the old sage!

Gratitude and confessions drowned his reason. He stood frozen, watching the people and spirits embracing and weeping together.

Even as time passes, bonds never break.

“The souls are impatient! Let’s begin.”

Guang Tai nodded to N and stepped forward toward the fifth floor’s summit. N glanced at Rod: “This gathering ends here.”

Rod said nothing—he remained lost in the shock of the spirit world. N smiled faintly, said nothing, and silently ascended the tower.

On the other side, Old Vado wept uncontrollably. He understood the Pokémon’s heart—and the longing of Dream Eater. He now regretted his past choices.

“Even though Little Dream is gone, its dream still lives.”

“I did such a foolish thing!”

Vado looked toward Guang Tai’s departing back and asked Feng Lu: “Who is he?”

Feng Lu opened her mouth, her face filled with awe and curiosity, then smiled:

“A traveler.”

“Or perhaps… a legendary hero.”

“Oh no! Finally—I made it!” The purple-haired girl panted as she climbed to the fourth floor. Wan Long had escaped the enthusiastic citizens of Crystal and, with help from Crystal Luminous, arrived here in disarray.

Crystal Luminous, like a chandelier, swayed playfully behind Wan Long.

The Tower of Heaven was a paradise for Ghost-type Pokémon!

But today, the tower’s spirits were far too numerous!

For Wan Long, the events inside the Tower of Heaven made no sense at all!

Wan Long: “What’s going on here? Why is everyone laughing so hard? I feel the souls here are restless—crying, laughing, weeping… What’s happening?”

Feng Lu removed her Silph Scope and handed it to Wan Long: “Miss Wan Long—you should see it for yourself!”

“The souls here are rejoicing! As a Ghost-type Trainer, your sensitivity to spirits is truly high!”

Wan Long suspiciously put on the Silph Scope—and froze, as if struck by a hammer. After a stunned pause, she screamed in delight!

“Wah! What is this! Are these souls?!”

“I only saw a few like this as a child. The Tower of Heaven really does hold countless wandering souls! So that’s why people here are so emotional—they’re talking to their lost partners!”

“Wait—what is this device? How can it let you see souls?!”

Feng Lu shrugged: “I don’t know. The traveler who came with you gave it to me.”

“He has incredible powers. So curious…”

Feng Lu, hands behind her back, hummed a light tune and stepped forward toward the tower’s summit.

She felt this battle was vital. Now it seemed clear—it wasn’t just a clash between the traveler and Plasma Team’s ideals. Beyond those layers, what truly mattered was:

All the souls were watching this battle! They yearned to cling to the heroes’ Pokémon and feel life once more!

“Before the battle begins—ring the bell!”

Feng Lu pointed to the great bell atop the tower and explained to the two fighters: “The Tower of Heaven’s bell is ancient. It calms Pokémon souls—and reflects the ringers’ inner heart.”

“That’s why I chose this place—to ring this bell.” N stepped forward and struck the bell.

“A hollow tone. But empty… Your heart is full of doubt.”

Feng Lu judged.

N smiled slightly: “Precisely because I’m confused, I challenge.”

Heavy footsteps echoed from below. Feng Lu turned—Wan Long was not the one approaching.

It was Vado.

The old man, carrying his sketchpad, walked up silently. Beside him, Dream Eater’s spirit drifted—and more Pokémon spirits surged upward in a flood.

Come, come and see!

The heroes’ battle is about to begin!

“I want to witness your battle. As someone who holds dreams—may I paint you?”

Vado’s heart overflowed with gratitude: “I want to thank you. I want to… convey this feeling to you.”

Guang Tai shook his head: “Is that so? I’ve truly received your gratitude—thank you.”

The old man set up his easel, sitting atop the Tower of Heaven. Once, he had lost his dream and could no longer paint—but now, with Dreamy’s soul and Budlu beside him, he had regained his dream and could once again create beautiful things!

This was his final painting in Windfall City. Afterward, he would journey to the Ruins of Dreams—the final resting place for those who held dreams.

Guang Tai passed by N, placed his hand on the great bell, and struck it.

The bell’s sound echoed far and grand, ringing across all directions.

【Item: Heaven’s Great Bell.】

【Description: An ancient bell atop the Tower of Heaven, seemingly from the same era as the ancient bell tower of Suimu Town. It possesses the power to pacify and purify souls! The bell’s tone also reflects the inner state of the one who strikes it.】

【Note: Your spiritual power has triggered a unique reaction in the bell—unbelievable energy is gathering!】

【Craftable Items: Soul-Guiding Lantern, Heaven’s Bell.】

“The bell’s tone is grand and vast—your heart holds no confusion, yet it seems burdened by unseen sorrows. Will you confront them?”

Feng Lu listened to the bell’s sound.

Suddenly, her beautiful eyes widened.

Unbelievable energy was gathering!

In her stunned gaze, red light condensed in the air—and then a peculiar Pokémon appeared!

It was a small, gray, fairy-like Pokémon with two tails, each ending in a red gem.

The red, mushroom-crowned Pokémon circled Guang Tai, astonishing everyone!

“Em~!”

【Ah! Hello, you’ve finally come!】

【The intense emotions and unspoken longings within the Tower of Heaven—you’ve carried them outward!】

Emildor’s voice echoed simultaneously in everyone’s minds, even reaching Wan Long, who had just arrived.

“Is that... a Pokémon?!”

Guang Tai, having anticipated its appearance, introduced it to the others:

“A legendary Pokémon. When Emildor flies across the land, people experience joy and sorrow—teaching them the pain of grief and the preciousness of happiness.”

“It is known as the God of Emotions. Legend says it causes those who disrespect it to lose control of their feelings, and thus it is feared.”

【Hehe~ That’s only for unfriendly people!】

Emildor rubbed its nose, trying to look proud—but realized it had no nose, and immediately puffed out its cheeks in annoyance.

It shook its head quickly, dispelling its displeasure, and put on a smile again:

【Thank you for carrying these emotions outward, and for helping these souls rediscover the feeling of being alive.】

【Then, no need for words—fight! Battle is proof of being alive!】

【Ring the great bell again after the battle!】

【The god of the other universe is watching you here—its domain is the Spirit Realm!】

Powerful spiritual energy erupted from the ancient bell of the Tower of Heaven!

Amid the pale sky and the vortex of time, a magnificent silver-white dragon, radiant with divine light and ruler of the Spirit Realm, let out a righteous roar:

“Offer the radiant light of life to the slumbering souls!”

(End of Chapter)