Chapter 59: I Recognize Your King

Of course, before tomorrow arrives, today still needs to be worked through.

Guang Tai stared at the stone tablet, lost in thought, wondering what kind of connection this time would have with the Legendary Pokémon.

So, for now, don’t think about it.

The computer’s beeping urged Guang Tai, as well as Bellossom and Doublade!

This busy life, though tiring, truly feels good!

Bellossom bounced happily; when she arrived beside the computer with Guang Tai, she suddenly asked Doublade.

“Waa wa?”

If your ideal nation is realized, will all Pokémon work alongside Guang Tai?

Doublade answered her with some confusion:

“Yō wū.”

The king doesn’t work!

Huh?! Bellossom tilted her head.

“Bai?”

If he doesn’t work, then why is he called a king? Shouldn’t a true king work alongside everyone, serving as an example?

“Yō yō wū?”

Doublade was stumped and began pondering himself.

That’s right—why follow the old model for founding a nation? Honestly, I have no idea why kings don’t work; it’s just that all past kings didn’t work, so we assumed it was normal.

Now that I think about it, that doesn’t seem right?

It’s not that you become king and then gain recognition—it’s that those who are recognized become king?!

Yes. Yes, that’s it!

“Yō wū!”

Doublade declared he had found a new founding principle: a world where everyone and every Pokémon can live without worry, each fulfilling their own duty—that’s the world he wanted to build!

Guang Tai heard Doublade’s voice. Though he didn’t know what Bellossom had asked, Doublade was still promoting his villainous founding ideology—and the more he listened, the stranger it sounded, wasn’t it?

Actually, a world where every Pokémon has work and all are happily content does exist.

That must be referring to the Dungeon World. To the Pokémon world, the Dungeon World is probably a parallel dimension?

“Oh, the client’s request is… Huh?”

Guang Tai saw the client’s email content, but his expression turned strange.

【Today I want to discuss the topic of liberating Pokémon. Humans and Pokémon have lived together until now, each indispensable to the other—many probably believe this. But is it truly so? Or is this merely our human wishful thinking?】

“This format feels familiar. Isn’t this Team Plasma’s propaganda speech? Right, when Team Plasma first operated in Unova, they weren’t an illegal organization—they were more like a religious group.”

“They’re sending propaganda emails all the way to Shen Du?”

Guang Tai had thought so, but at the very end of the email, a special line was added:

【You’re a gear craftsman? Then do you know about the Light Stone and the Dark Stone?】

【I am Ghetsis, Ghetsis of Team Plasma, a man striving for true equality between humans and Pokémon!】

【If you know where these two stones are, please reply to me. I will be deeply grateful and offer a generous reward. Let us together create a beautiful world of equal life!】

Guang Tai: “…”

“This isn’t the Ancient Seeker… No, it must be Mr. Bourgeois!”

Guang Tai had thought this might be the Ancient Seeker finding him a new client, but then he realized—does Unova even have any archaeologists?

In Ripple Town, the only one I can think of is Cilan.

But Cilan only has a villa there.

It’s summer now, so maybe it’s Cilan—but if it were Cilan, he’d never recommend Ghetsis as a client to me, and besides, I don’t even know Cilan.

So there’s only one truth!

It’s Mr. Bourgeois!

Team Plasma has become increasingly active in Unova, searching for the ancient two stones, so they must have asked Mr. Bourgeois Mayer, who loves collecting antiques.

“Oh dear, this client is troublesome. I know where the Light Stone and Dark Stone are, but I can’t tell him.”

Guang Tai replied to the email:

“Do you have anything you wish to purchase? I don’t currently know what stones you mean. I’m very sorry.”

Soon, a reply came back.

【“I see… My apologies. It was a foolish idea. I’ve asked many antique collectors, and none knew what these two stones were, so I clung to a sliver of hope and asked you, far away in a foreign land.”】

【“Since I’ve inconvenienced you, I sincerely apologize. To show my sincerity, I’ll place an order for a gear. Can you customize statues?”】

Hey, this guy’s polite. Ghetsis still plays the gentleman well before his facade cracks.

“Yes, what do you want customized?”

【“Garchomp. Do you know this Pokémon? I need a large statue, not a small one.”】

“Of course, no problem. Custom large statues start at 400,000 yuan.”

Ghetsis’s Wangpai Pokémon is Garchomp. Perhaps he wants to use the statue for Team Plasma propaganda—I can’t imagine why else he’d need it. But my carvings all have special effects, and now I’ve gathered even more ancient rocks, so I don’t worry about lacking material.

【“Ah, that’s perfect! One more thing—I noticed your shop has an item called ‘Proof of Royal Demeanor.’ It looks different from the ordinary Royal Symbol, and its effect makes Pokémon easier to obey…”】

【“I want to purchase this item.”】

“It’s not about obedience—it’s about recognition.”

Guang Tai corrected him, understanding Ghetsis’s intent: he wants to find the Legendary Dragon and make it recognize him—or rather, recognize his adopted son, N.

Of course, to the public face of Team Plasma, the King, Ghetsis sees N merely as a puppet to control the Legendary Dragon.

At this point in time, I don’t know what state N is in.

“The price is listed: 200,000 yuan.”

Guang Tai wasn’t sure about the price. The Royal Symbol’s original effect of intimidation isn’t impressive—it’s just an evolution item. But with my enhancements, the +20% recognition should work on all Pokémon?

But for someone like Ghetsis, money is no issue. He’s secretly amassed countless riches through Team Plasma and placed the order with almost reckless generosity.

“Thank you for your purchase.” After a moment’s thought, Guang Tai added:

“Your Pokémon will ultimately recognize you—or they won’t. No matter how many of these items you buy, if they don’t recognize you, it won’t matter. Items can’t decide everything; in the end, it’s the bond between person and Pokémon that counts.”

“So, do you have a bond with your own Pokémon? Or is this for someone else?”

The answer was already obvious.

【“For our King.”】 Ghetsis replied. 【“He will become the legendary hero. To do so, the Legendary Dragon must recognize him. Do you know the founding legend of Unova?”】

【“How can a world torn by conflict be united…? It is the hero who appears beside truth and ideal, granting knowledge, and showing fangs to those who threaten him—the white and black Dragon Pokémon! The hero and Pokémon, their forms and power, unite the hearts of all, thus creating Unova!”】

【“Once again! If the hero and Pokémon could be reborn in Unova…”】

【“Our King must join forces with the Legendary Pokémon! To create a new ideal nation! This is the very rebirth of Unova’s legendary founding tale! And I am laboring tirelessly for this great cause!”】

【“A brand-new world where every person and Pokémon lives equally! Do you believe this is right?”】

【“By the way, I’ve traveled the world, gathering knowledge and seeking those who share my ideals. I’ve now found six sages who share my vision and goals.”】

【“You craft miraculous gear. If you too are willing—or if you recognize our ideal… please come to Unova and join our cause. You will be the eighth sage.”】

Guang Tai silently scoffed—this performance is incredibly convincing.

“A world where humans and Pokémon live equally and anew? Sounds wonderful. But I’ll pass on the sage position—I’m just an ordinary craftsman.”

The idea of building an ideal nation is noble, but you, Ghetsis, only want to use it as an excuse to profit and hoard wealth.

Fool your buddies (the other six sages) all you want—I’ll laugh and sit in jail if you fool me. But don’t fool yourself!

But at this moment, Doublade jumped out!

“Yō wū?!”

Both his eyes fixed on the computer screen. Guang Tai explained the text’s meaning, and Doublade quickly grew angry!

What kind of rank dares to be like my new king and also wants to found a nation?

Having a team is impressive, huh?!

“Yō wū~~!”

“Yō pū~~!”

Guang Tai, let’s not do this deal! Annoy him to death!

“We’ll still do the deal. Don’t worry—he’s lying.” Guang Tai explained to the two Pokémon, but Bellossom couldn’t read the computer text or understand the concept of founding a nation, so she showed no reaction.

Sometimes, too much knowledge is a burden!

“Bai?”

Bellossom tilted her head.

Can’t read, so cute, shaking her head.

“A true hero has already appeared, but the outcome won’t be as he claims. Kings, new monarchs—all are just religious tools to brainwash followers. Some people lack inner strength and are easily deceived by such propaganda—but those people were never suited to be Pokémon Trainers anyway.”

“Don’t be fooled by surface ideals and speeches—look at what they actually do. Didn’t you just say it yourself? It’s not that you become king and then gain recognition—it’s that those who are recognized become king.”

Guang Tai patted Doublade, and Doublade calmed down!

That’s right! Only our king!

Your king’s will—I recognize it!

(End of chapter)