Chapter 137: Ranger

However, Lila seemed to have no intention of introducing her identity or background, and Luo Mu had no standing to ask about such private matters; moreover, he was not the type to pry to the bottom of things.

After temporarily burying his doubts in his heart, Luo Mu changed the subject: "We are to climb the peak of Glaseado Mountain at dawn, correct?"

Lila's motion of checking the necessary equipment stalled slightly, and she nodded slightly: "That's right; we must climb Paldea's highest peak under cover of night because Hunter J is highly likely to begin her operations under the night sky. However, for our group of unprofessional climbers to attempt scaling Glaseado Mountain's summit in the dark is nothing but a fool's dream, so we need to find a suitable person to assist us."

"Although you are undoubtedly an expert in combat, please follow my arrangements regarding these trivial matters."

Lila's attitude was sincere, and her speech was very direct without any beating around the bush, to which Luo Mu had no objection.

After all, the temperature on Glaseado Mountain was simply too low; as a Dragon- and Flying-type Pokémon, Dragonite was truly somewhat unsuited to this environment of ice and snow.

If Lila had some method available, Luo Mu wouldn't mind letting Dragonite rest a bit longer inside its Poké Ball; facing the vehicle that Hunter J would likely be equipped with, only Dragonite among their main team of six Pokémon could pose a threat to it and easily reach the opponent.

Luo Mu nodded and said, "Then I'll leave the arrangements to you; there is still half a day until dawn, so what preparations should we make now?"

Lila stood up straight, her well-fitted suit outlining her just-right body curves.

Looking at Luo Mu, Lila said solemnly, "We are going into town to find someone; to ascend Glaseado Mountain's peak by the fastest method, he is an indispensable existence."

Outside a house in Iceberg Town, a police officer who had been pushed out the door called out toward the interior of the house.

"Old Mr. Dengshan, we really need your help!"

There was never any response from inside the house, yet the officer was very persistent, remaining at the door for a long time.

Whether he was annoyed by the officer's noise or for some other reason, a voice finally came from inside the house.

"As you know, my old wife's condition is very poor; I cannot possibly go with you to climb Glaseado Mountain's peak."

"We have medical personnel accompanying us who can take care of her in your place for a while, so please—"

"No, I cannot set my mind at ease."

After replying with these words, no matter how the officer pleaded, the door remained tightly shut and there was no further movement from inside.

What Luo Mu, who had just arrived following Lila, saw was exactly this scene.

"Buddy, report the current situation."

Lila stepped forward a few paces and spoke.

"Senior Lila!" The officer called Buddy first froze in surprise, then upon seeing Lila behind him, his face lit up with joy as he hurriedly replied, "It's like this: no matter how I try to persuade Old Mr. Tron, he is unwilling to move."

"Is that so?" Lila pondered for a moment, then looked at Luo Mu, who was poking his head out in confusion, and began speaking: "Let me briefly explain the specific situation to you first."

Luo Mu withdrew his gaze and nodded.

Lila spoke unhurriedly: "The owner of this house is named Tron, an experienced Ranger, and his wife has recently been bedridden due to weakness of unknown cause; in order to care for her, Senior Tron has refused our request for assistance."

Rubbing his chin, Luo Mu asked, "Rangers are those special professionals trained at the Ranger Unions in the Fiore, Almia, and Oblivia regions, correct? I recall their philosophy involves maintaining the wild environment, combating poaching activities, and so on; for such a person to actually refuse a request for assistance, you must have explained the mission content to him, right?"

Lila looked at Buddy, who nodded vigorously like someone pounding garlic, and replied, "We did."

"Then it can only mean that his worry for his wife outweighs his sense of duty; this is indeed something we cannot interfere with."

Observing the surrounding environment, Luo Mu could see that the snow at the doorway had been cleared very cleanly, and nearby were planted plants tolerant of cold climates, indicating that the house's owner must be a diligent person who loves life.

Considering Tron's identity as a Ranger, the mountaineering method Lila had prepared was already becoming obvious.

She must be intending to have Tron use the Ranger's exclusive tool, the Capture Styler, on the wild Pokémon living on Glaseado Mountain; quite a few wild Pokémon possess the strength and ability to scale the peak.

Thinking of this, doubts arose in Luo Mu's heart, and he couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Temporarily catching a few wild Pokémon with Poké Balls and then releasing them afterward should also be a feasible method, right?"

Lila nodded slightly and said, "That is also one of the backup plans, but it would certainly be more secure to have an experienced Ranger leading the way."

"If we can strive for it, I want to try our best to do so."

Having said this, Lila tidied her appearance, adjusted the position of her tie, stepped forward, and knocked on the door.

No one knew what she said to those inside, but soon a man with graying temples opened the door and let the few of them enter.

Before entering, Lila signaled for Buddy and Luo Mu to follow; Buddy froze for a moment, then quickly followed along.

Meanwhile, Luo Mu glanced at the snow nearby, where a candle burning with purple fire was buried, slowly combusting.

Wasn't that candle not there just a moment ago?

Some inspiration suddenly appeared in his heart, but due to a lack of key intelligence, Luo Mu could only enter the house first before making further plans.

Inside the house, an old woman with a pale complexion lay in bed, with people standing all around the bedside.

The firewood in the indoor fireplace burned vigorously, keeping the temperature inside the house always within a suitable range.

"I see, so it's a decline in vitality of unknown cause... May I ask if you have ever raised any Ghost-type Pokémon, especially ones that were born only a short while ago?"

"If the specific illness cannot be diagnosed, it is also possible that her spiritual energy has been absorbed by a Ghost-type Pokémon over a long period, causing her to fall into a coma."

After learning the diagnosis from the doctor they had summoned, Lila pondered for a moment and then asked.

Tron tried hard to recall for a while, then shook his head: "No; at least in my memory, she has neither adopted any Ghost-type Pokémon nor had any opportunity to come into contact with Ghost-type Pokémon."

"Ah..."

Buddy sighed in disappointment; wouldn't this mean the clue was interrupted again?

Just as the few of them were at a loss, Luo Mu suddenly spoke up: "Old Mr. Tron, may I ask a question that might be slightly impolite?"

Only then did Tron notice Luo Mu, a person even younger than Buddy, this rookie officer; after hesitating slightly, Tron suddenly realized that neither Lila, who looked like the leader, nor Buddy had any intention of interrupting.

Perhaps this young man's identity is not simple.

Thinking thus, Tron nodded and said, "Go ahead and ask."

(End of Chapter)