Chapter 904

He did not disturb Gracidea's family reunion.

All All Baimu silently returned to Galar, bidding farewell to Hu Pa, who was annoyed at being woken up in the middle of the night.

He looked up at the sky and exhaled a wisp of misty white vapor.

"Huh…"

Family.

Such a familiar word.

In his past life, he never had time to start a family before his parents passed away, and not even when he was reincarnated.

Fortunately, this is the Pokémon world.

You don't need love or kinship—even if you arrive alone, you still gain a warm, satisfying extended family.

And the family members are still growing.

He slipped his hand into his pocket, gently turning over each shrunken Poké Ball, and the faint loneliness in his heart immediately eased.

"All All Baimu! The one you called 'Hu Pa'—is it a 'god'?"

Regieleki had clearly held this question for a long time, but its conclusion was entirely wrong.

All All Baimu was surprised by its obsession with "gods," so he summoned his Pokédex to display Arceus's portrait and said: "This is the 'god.' Hu Pa is my friend—a Legendary Pokémon. Sorry I never introduced you properly."

"So it is!"

Regieleki stared at Arceus on the screen, its gaze locking onto the golden Thousand-Aeon Band wrapped around Arceus's body, instantly recalling someone's precious Golden Wheel Pendant.

They were unmistakably identical.

It fell into deep thought.

All All Baimu walked to his hoverbike, glanced at the calm Snorunt waiting beside it, and instinctively reached out to stroke its long snout.

Snorunt did not resist, swishing its tail left and right.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said softly. "Let's go! Next stop: Kai Island, to gather Gigantamushrooms. Once we make the Gigantamushroom Soup, we can return to Orre!"

Regieleki suddenly looked up: "Why not let Hu Pa deliver them?"

All All Baimu explained: "Because I care about the scenery along the journey—I don't want life to jump from one place to another."

"Makes sense~!"

The King of Abundance gave him an approving glance.

Back then, it often galloped across Galar with its beloved steeds, savoring nature's unique landscapes.

Roar!

The engine roared, the exhaust humming!

Director Bi Ke and horse raced toward the station, leaving two clear tracks in the snow.

Moments later.

They successfully boarded the last train of the day.

But as a land-based vehicle, the train could not reach the island across the sea, so the ticket included a transfer to a Steelix Taxi at the midway station.

Regieleki disapproved of this arrangement.

"The lonely detest confined spaces!"

It sounded as if it had been sealed in a Golden Coffin and now suffered psychological trauma from narrow places, but All All Baimu knew the truth—it was just addicted to riding.

"Have some pity on me—I've been riding all day. I'm exhausted."

He leaned back against the sleeper pillow, pretending to nap.

Today had been spent mostly on the road; only now, on the train, did he finally get rest. By the time they reached the transfer station, it would likely be late—no one knew if any Steelix Taxis would risk crossing the sea at night.

They might have to find a place to spend the night.

Of course, riding Garchomp across the sea would also be a decent option.

As he pondered—

All All Baimu opened his left eyelid and noticed Regieleki, seeing his fatigue, had stopped pestering him. If it had been that anxious little Deerling, it would've been impossible to quiet down.

Having a horse really is different—he closed his eyes in peace.

Meanwhile—

The Pokédex, trying to occupy it and avoid disturbing the Trainer's rest, quietly played videos of past Trainers' memorable moments.

Regieleki first: "Huh?"

But soon it murmured: "Mmm~"

It was instantly absorbed.

Any Pokémon with affection for its Trainer inevitably falls for this trick.

The Pokédex had plenty of experience with it.

It watched them often too.

Thanks to this, All All Baimu enjoyed long hours of peace—until the train neared the transfer station leading to Lei Island, when he was woken.

"Are we there?"

He yawned, looking across at Regieleki, only to find its face free of irritation—instead, it looked slightly reluctant to stop.

What's going on?

Did it get addicted to train rides?

The Pokédex hurriedly explained: "I played it a few interesting videos."

All All Baimu understood: "Oh~"

After disembarking—

Outside, dusk had already fallen.

The massive transfer station glowed brightly, but travelers were scarce; he was the only one from his train. Looking around, apart from the ticket clerk far in the distance, the only other figure was a rogue Panda sitting on a bench reading a newspaper.

All All Baimu stared at it several times before noticing the red armband on its arm.

This made the temperamental rogue Panda glare at him.

"Lung da!?"

"What're you staring at?!"

He glared back without backing down.

Hey!

The rogue Panda couldn't tolerate such provocation—it suddenly stood up—

Then sat back down.

"Lung da!"

It waved its hand impatiently, signaling All All Baimu to leave the platform. Clearly, the bear remembered its duty at the last moment and refused to clash with a passenger.

All All Baimu smiled, bent down, and pulled a Wacan Berry from his shadow, tossing it over.

"Sorry about that~ Bye~"

"Lung da…"

The rogue Panda caught the berry, paused, glanced at the departing young traveler, and its irritation faded. It spread the newspaper open, studied the pictures, and began munching.

Crunch~

Sweet!

Transfer station.

As expected, the Steelix Taxis no longer accepted non-emergency sea crossings.

"The sea's too rough, and visibility at night is terrible. My partner doesn't mind, but company policy restricts us. You understand—I can't help it."

The off-duty driver patted the Steelix's sturdy wings and offered to take him to Mokkan Town for the night.

All All Baimu declined the offer.

Leaving the station, he turned to Regieleki:

"How does Snorunt cross the sea?"

"By walking on ice!"

"... That's not advisable. Would you mind riding with me?"

Though he believed Snorunt could do it, the trail would be too obvious—he didn't want to spark some urban legend—

"Shocking! Ice Corridor Appears Suddenly Off Galar's Coast!"

If he were desperate for faith, such a divine manifestation might be worth trying.

"One horse?"

Regieleki blinked.

After All All Baimu released his healed Garchomp and fitted the saddle, its attention shifted to the oddly shaped saddle.

"Your bond reins?"

"Uh, no—well, it's not really different."

He'd intended to explain, but Garchomp's three piercing stares made him change his words.

Regieleki was thrilled: "I agree!"

It had been annoyed since morning that All All Baimu hadn't ridden alongside it on Spiritomb. Now, even if it couldn't ride side by side, sharing a mount was better than nothing!

So—

Garchomp suddenly flared its wings and shot into the night sky.

"Not bad!"

After the intense sensation of weightlessness from rapid ascent, Reigongwang began evaluating the riding experience, its dark green bud resting on All All Baimu's chest.

This thing is soft, so its texture is quite similar to a pillow.

"Ssang!"

Salamence scoffed at Reigongwang's evaluation and flapped its six wings to accelerate flight.

It still hated this group of newcomers, even though their combined power was formidable—even Bonsly struggled to match them—but hatred was hatred.

One day, I'll burn them to ashes!

Salamence greedily opened and closed its three mouths, feeling the flame brewing in its belly ready to erupt at any moment.

——

Kaidao.

Not far from the Galar mainland.

Beautiful scenery, green waters and blue mountains.

Modeled after the oceanic island between England and Ireland—Isle of Man.

The island's modernization rate is extremely low because it was purchased by Ma Ma Shide, the former Galar Champion.

Yet after buying Kail Island, Ma Ma Shide did not fully seal it off; instead, he actively built a relay station for external contact.

He publicly welcomed all Trainers to come and adventure.

Unfortunately, due to relatively poor living conditions, few were willing to come.

Hmm.

Mostly came to seek a Master.

After all, this man held the Galar Championship title for eighteen consecutive years and remains a legendary figure today. Had his partner Pokémon not passed away and his condition not declined year by year, his reign would have lasted even longer.

All All Baimu's visit to Kail Island inevitably means he'll have to deal with him.

Then again.

Ar Ar Jian and Chaori both have Fighting-type Ursaluna, yet have no connection whatsoever to Ma Ma Shide's Dojo—he couldn't even send a heads-up.

Shortly after.

Salamence reached Kail Island's airspace.

All All Baimu gazed down at two landmark buildings in the distance.

"The Tower of Evil and the Tower of Water…"

One thing puzzled him.

Without the scrolls inside those towers, how did Ar Ar Jian and Chaori's Ursaluna evolve?

They couldn't have started as Water Ursaluna and Evil Ursaluna!

Perhaps the key lies in the information contained within the scrolls—never expanded upon in the game—perhaps they hold the True Meaning of Water, the True Meaning of Evil.

I really want to go up and see!

He stared longingly, but without a Ursaluna apprentice, he knew he wouldn't be allowed to climb.

'You really want to enter those two towers?'

Reigongwang spoke suddenly.

All All Baimu looked down at the sound, but could only see the massive bud—couldn't even make out the Crowned Deer's nose—"A little. Curious."

Reigongwang replied decisively: 'Then go!'

"... Breaking into a building deliberately sealed off is illegal."

He whispered.

I've already quit that life, okay!

Reigongwang didn't care: 'If it's illegal, what penalty will you face?'

"Sentencing depends on the consequences... My revered Sovereign of Abundance! Don't you know the saying: 'Do not commit evil because it seems small'?"

All All Baimu understood exactly what this thing meant—

The punishment isn't serious? Do whatever you want!

The Sovereign of Abundance has some nerve!

'Then forget it.'

Reigongwang sniffed.

In its view, what was there to forbid? All under heaven belongs to the Sovereign! Since All All Baimu was unwilling, fine.

Yili Plain.

Salamence landed at the relay station.

Its six broad wings stirred up dust, clearing a large clean landing area.

A few Steelix sleeping in the train cars showed no reaction, but the duty officer, just closing the door, was startled.

He grumbled: "You sneaked in under cover of darkness? How dangerous! There aren't even guide lights!"

"Sorry."

All All Baimu dismounted with Reigongwang, offering an apologetic smile.

Seeing his respectful demeanor, the faint aura of authority radiating from him, and the strange Pokémon he carried,

the officer said nothing more and turned to open the station's main gate.

Faint sounds of ocean tides flowed into the station.

Compared to the bitterly cold Crown Tundra in the north-central region, Kail Island's climate was warm and pleasant—even at night, wearing just a long-sleeve shirt felt no chill.

He sighed: "What a wonderful place!"

'Very similar to the Great Tree Hills.'

Reigongwang's evaluation was low, then added: 'All All Baimu, I desire a bridle for Salamence. Can you make one?'

Riding with a saddle is far more comfortable than riding bareback.

It was envious.

All All Baimu left the station with it and replied: "That's asking too much—I've never made two different types of bridles."

Salamence's saddle doesn't require biting reins; the handles are a single metal bar.

"Adding a saddle might be possible, but I'd have to order it—how could I make one myself?" He thought a moment—removing the handrails and modifying the saddle should be doable.

Reigongwang was satisfied.

For it, the saddle mattered not just for comfort, but because it matched All All Baimu's.

Arriving at the shore.

All All Baimu found a spot slightly elevated and away from the beach, preparing to camp there for the night.

Though Ma Ma Shide's Dojo surely offered better lodging, visiting at night would be too impolite—risking disturbance and leaving a bad impression.

Reigongwang didn't care about living conditions and had no objections.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

All Poké Balls opened.

The Pokémon were already accustomed to sudden arrivals in unfamiliar places and went about helping, playing, and finding resting spots on their own.

Considering Yili Plain wasn't completely deserted, the massive and well-known Five Pillars weren't released to scout—the Poké Balls themselves made decent resting places.

"Whoa!"

Spiritomb tried to latch onto someone, but was chased off by the furious Salamence.

Glaceon glanced at the cheerful Happiny setting up camp, recalling yesterday's battle, and felt a sharp pang in its heart.

It lost so disgracefully!

It looked at the other Pokémon—the Shiny Milotic, the Shiny Gengar, and the clearly non-combative Galarian Sunflora.

Will we win?

Glaceon was startled to realize it had lost its confidence, tossing its head and tail in agitation.

'Glaceon!'

Reigongwang sensed its beloved Glaceon's distress and rushed to soothe it—not with words, but by pouring spiritual energy into its body.

Glaceon thus gained calm.

All All Baimu watched, lips twitching, thinking it was like an injection of sedative.

Only treats the symptom, not the cause.

He was about to go over and say something when two Little Dragon hurriedly flew back, squawking loudly while holding up something.

"Hee-yah!"

They dropped a pinkish-gold tail segment.

All All Baimu exclaimed: "A Galarian Slowbro tail! You found this? Lucky—"

Before he finished speaking,

he frowned ahead—a golden-haired man in a tall hat stood among the trees, accompanied by a Galarian Slowking with most of its head swallowed by a shell.

"You're their Trainer? The thief who stole Slowbro's tail?"

The man's tone was odd; his gaze quickly locked onto Reigongwang and he gasped: "What are you? Your spiritual power is so immense—it far surpasses my elegance!"

Reigongwang frowned but said nothing, turning to look at All All Baimu.

It asked whether it could attack.

That remark—"What are you?"—had genuinely offended the Sovereign of Abundance.

After brief thought, All All Baimu granted Reigongwang permission to fling them away, reasoning that with this man's telekinesis, he wouldn't likely die from the fall.

After all, Team Rocket can't be killed by a fall.

"Hey! I'm asking you—AHH!!!"

Just as Sabrina was expressing dissatisfaction at the lack of response, her body shot upward alongside Galarian Stunfisk.

She immediately screamed and flew away like a shooting star.