Chapter 69: Duke Ash!

The battle ended, Black Lugia had completely withdrawn from the Mega Evolution state, losing its ability to fight.

【Strengthening...】

【Ability】: Solar Power 3 (under sunny weather, Special Attack increases to 2x)

Opponent,

Paqila stared blankly at the fallen Black Lugia, although they had been prepared,

Ash's dispatched Fire Dragon, after all a Six Dynasties veteran, is not to be underestimated,

But upon seeing the actual result,

especially such an almost crushing result, the shock in the Mind could not be contained.

"Truly worthy of being a five-time champion, I admit defeat; I have already begun to look forward to this year's Sinnoh League."

Recalling Black Lugia,

Paqila stepped forward and shook hands with Ash.

"Thank you for the praise."

The two engaged in mutual business praise.

Although the surrounding spectators were surprised, thinking of Ash's past draw with Xiluona, they felt relieved.

It seems that the exhibition match in Sinnoh back then was not as simple as a mere exhibition.

……

Afterward, Nana requested a Gym Battle from Ziluolan, using a Psychic-boosted Meowth that temporarily evolved into Psychic Meowth, completely overwhelming them.

Subsequently, Ash opened the trial of the Battle Castle.

To be ennobled, one also needs a prerequisite: at least one Duke's recommendation,

otherwise, even if victorious, one cannot be ennobled.

The good news is, Ash just defeated a Duke.

Paqila did a favor, recommending Ash.

After that, the goal having been achieved, Paqila left on the pretext of having business.

Seeing Paqila so reasonable, Ash also accepted this favor; in the future, a small effort can help her.

Unlike Paqila's departure, Da Wu stayed behind to observe Ash's Battle Castle challenge.

Thereafter, Ash used Croakhead Frog, Rocket Sparrow, and recalled Shiny Cherrim to launch an assault on the Battle Castle's nobility.

A multitude of Barons and Viscomtes trembled.

All the way to the Count, the strength of Ash's few Croakhead Frogs began to fall short,

Ash switched to using the creatures he had previously captured in other regions to participate.

In one day, Ash rose from commoner to nobility like a cheat, breaking records,

Baron, Viscount, Count, Marquis, finally advancing to Duke,

Just one step shy of the highest honor outside royalty, the Grand Duke.

Unfortunately,

To advance to Grand Duke, one must defeat at least six Dukes.

Not mentioning how strong those Dukes are,

Besides their titles, Dukes also bear major affairs affecting millions' livelihoods; they cannot simply loiter here all day bragging like these petty nobles.

Advancement requires an appointment,

After thinking, although whether becoming Grand Duke is no longer important, Ash still made an appointment,

The challenge time was set for the second week after the Sinnoh League concludes.

When Ash left, everyone inside the Battle Castle was numb, calling him a freak.

At the same time, Ash also gained many fervent fans.

It can be said that, thanks to Ash's almost magical promotion speed,

Ash's prestige among the nobility now even surpasses that of the female Grand Duke Kalunai.

Compared to the fervent nobles,

the reporters who came upon hearing the news are even more numerous.

Big news!

The appearance of Duke Ash is said to have broken Kalos's previous record for obtaining titles.

One day to advance to Duke.

Such a thing has never been heard of even in the past several thousand years,

At the same time……

Accepting the Duke's investiture also means that Ash has formally been branded with Kalos's mark.

Formally becoming a member of Kalos.

One can enjoy all the privileges of a Duke, including the officially sanctioned polygamy system.

Worth mentioning,

Going forward, Ash remains a resident of Masara Town, but also a person of Kalos,

The difference lies in that Ash, while being a part of Kalos, also represents Kalos, being a component of the national will.

When Kanto residents encounter trouble, Ash has no obligation to help; whether he helps depends entirely on his mood.

But if Kalos residents encounter trouble, Ash has an obligation to help; this is the responsibility that comes with enjoying the benefits.

He has genuinely found a strong backing for Kalos residents,

Concerning the enhancement of Kalos residents' international standing and security, the populace will inevitably pay attention,

This is also one of the main reasons why countless media people go crazy,

Besides the fact that this news itself is shocking enough, the public and the country have gained tangible benefits.

After this, everyone is happy.

Da Wu glanced at Ash's face, a hint of envy flashing across.

"What's wrong? If you want, I can also nominate you!"

Hearing that, Da Wu laughed.

"That's true, you're now a duke too, with nomination rights... but I'll forget it."

Not knowing what he thought of, Da Wu laughed even more happily.

Ash thought for a moment.

As the eldest son of the Zhofuqi Consortium, the leading enterprise of Fengyuan, Da Wu will inevitably focus on group development in the future.

He is almost tied to Fengyuan,

Unless he ignores the reputational collapse and wealth reduction risks brought by accepting the title,

otherwise it's impossible, and he absolutely cannot accept Kalos's honor.

"Actually, don't look at Kalos's nobility system; as long as you gain the friendship of a duke, you can get an entry pass,

but in fact many weaklings cannot even see the duke himself,

and many strong people also face the same choice as I do; people like you who seek mutual benefit and win-win are ultimately still a minority; one can only say that Kalos is indeed very lucky."

Da Wu sighed, then said goodbye to Ash.

"I'm leaving; last time we parted, I went to explore several nearby mineral veins, found nothing, and next I plan to go to the End Cave you mentioned last time."

"No problem."

Ash made an OK hand gesture,

"Remember to switch your phone to the contacts screen before entering, and if you encounter danger, remember to call for help at any time."

"What exactly is in the End Cave? Worth your repeated reminders?"

Even though Da Wu is a Champion, after Ash's repeated reminders, he couldn't help but take these seriously.

"Mewtwo said there is a very powerful presence inside that seems able to monitor everything happening outside; maybe he'll give you a surprise."

"Monitoring?"

Da Wu frowned, his mind racing.

When it comes to monitoring, the only thing in Da Wu's knowledge that comes close is perhaps the sky deity Rayquaza.

"Could there be a Rayquaza in the End Cave?"

Da Wu was startled by his own guess; Rayquaza is no ordinary Pokemon,

let alone him, a mere Champion-level; if he really angered it, even Ash's Mewtwo in his hands couldn't be a match for it.

But I've also never heard of a Rayquaza that doesn't live in the ozone layer but lives in a cave.

Perhaps it's related to the local legendary spirit.

As for that, Ash's reply was just a mysterious smile.

This made Da Wu feel an itchy anxiety, neither up nor down, making him uncomfortable.

Before departure,

Da Wu decided to go to the nearby library to thoroughly understand Kalos's myths and legends, to see if there is any deity that could correspond.

This guess can be said to be very close to the truth.

But unfortunately, the investigation results only made Da Wu more confused; the library had no records whatsoever of the entity residing in the End Cave.

A few days later,

Ailan thought that the doctor researching some possible link between mega evolution and mechanical constructs was obsessed with mega evolution research to the point of madness.

To make the doctor face reality,

he decided to voluntarily apply to complete the task entrusted by Fradali, becoming the strongest mega evolution trainer!

On the other side, Ash's group, having left the Battle Castle, plus Miss Nana who was along the way,

finally arrived at Fragrance City and successfully made an appointment,

only waiting for the next day's gym battle to test the results of Ash and his Pokemon like Froakie's efforts over this period.