Chapter 326: The Treasure of the Four Calamities

Luo Mu looked at Lei He and the gray Zoroark beside her with a face full of helplessness; despite having entered the Scorching Desert, their attire was not professional in the slightest.

Zoroark...

A rare Pokémon that, while not a Legendary Pokémon, possesses its own exclusive theatrical film, boasting an impressive presence.

Although Zoroark is quite handsome, if Luo Mu had to choose, he would probably select the smaller Zorua and the Hisuian Zoroark with its alternate coloration.

Two fluffy balls; holding them must be incredibly healing.

"Teacher Lei He, why are you here?"

While speaking out to ask, Luo Mu searched his memories for impressions of Lei He.

He remembered that Lei He was one of the new teachers recruited by the Naranja Academy after that Clear Sky Operation; she taught history, was proficient in ancient scripts, and harbored considerable curiosity about legends passed down from past history.

In reality, Luo Mu had interacted with Lei He a few times within the academy, but basically, it was always Lei He seeking out Luo Mu unilaterally.

She wanted to learn from Luo Mu about the legends of Shamouti Island; as a Trainer who had faced the Fire God, Lei Zhishen, and the Ice God, walking shoulder to shoulder with the Sea God, he must know many details never disclosed on television programs.

Unfortunately, Luo Mu never followed the normal completion route at all; he delegated all the errand-running work to Ash, Professor Oak, and Lugia, while Luo Mu only handled the battles, which was exhilarating.

Simply put, she had seen from afar that Luo Mu intimidated a herd of rampaging Tauros with a certain Fire-type Pokémon, deemed his strength quite good, and thus chose to follow far behind him by tracking the footprints of his Mudsdale, intending to use that group of Cacturne as a token of allegiance to approach this powerful Trainer.

"Thank you."

Luo Mu was speechless for a moment; was Lei He's heart a bit too big?

Shouldn't she, having previously worked in tomb raiding, be terrifyingly meticulous?

Yet she never expected this Trainer to be an acquaintance of hers.

"... So it was you who did it." Luo Mu sighed, his gaze falling upon Lei He's Zoroark; judging by this, it must have been this Zoroark that repelled the herd of Cacturne even while the Dark type resisted Dark-type attacks, indicating its strength was quite formidable, "You should know that they posed no threat to me."

After several attempts, realizing she could not pry any exclusive information from Luo Mu, Lei He could only give up helplessly and stop pestering him.

Since they were colleagues from the same academy, Lei He no longer intended to hide anything.

Lei He's gaze fell upon the Mudsdale lying prone on the sand resting near the bonfire behind Luo Mu, as well as the Dragonite beside it.

"I accidentally got lost. Meeting someone with decent strength in this vast desert is not easy; to be honest, I have been wandering around the Scorching Desert for several days."

"Truly perceptive; dealing with smart people is so comforting." A trace of surprise appeared on Lei He's face, quickly transforming into a smile, "That's right, I was attracted by 'your' strength, yet I never expected to hit the jackpot directly."

Seemingly recalling their previous encounters, Lei He showed no sign of embarrassment whatsoever; she shrugged, appearing somewhat aggrieved: "I helped you drive away that group of Cacturne following you, coming over eagerly to seek praise, yet you speak to me so coldly; it is truly heartbreaking~"

In fact, this was the case; at this moment, the corners of Lei He's eyes felt sore from exhaustion, and her body was sounding alarms that it needed rest.

"Forget it, let's sit by the bonfire first, and we can talk slowly."

As they were colleagues after all, Luo Mu directly invited Lei He to warm herself and rest by the bonfire, especially since she had likely been driving continuously for over ten hours.

Perhaps if Lei He asked Ash, Ash would know even more than Luo Mu.

After saying thanks, supported by her Zoroark, Lei He sat before the bonfire, leaning against the reliable large gray fox.

Furthermore, Luo Mu's memories regarding the legends of Shamouti Island from the movies had already faded considerably; he only knew that the three Legendary Birds and Lugia were closely related to the world's climate.

"Speak up; what is the purpose of going out of your way to do these things to show goodwill to me? Did you only realize I was me the moment you got out of the car?"

"... You didn't even know my identity, yet you followed far behind me for an entire day? Where was your portable telescope?"

It seemed that Fire-type move must have been released by the Dragonite; if it was the Dragonite that defeated the Fire God, then the power of the move was reasonable.

"I appreciate your kindness."

But she had not forgotten her objective; forcing her spirit to continue speaking, she was stopped when Luo Mu handed her a warm sandwich that effectively "plugged her mouth."

"Eat; I am also a bit tired today, so I didn't cook a proper meal."

"... Thank you."

Lei He took the sandwich, broke off half for her Zoroark, and began eating in small bites.

The sandwiches Luo Mu prepared were filled generously with ingredients, the bread remained soft, and the taste was very good; especially being able to eat such food in this Scorching Desert felt somewhat luxurious.

Not everyone can afford spatial equipment, let alone someone like Luo Mu who usually lets slip in his speech that he even brought a full set of cooking gear, but simply didn't take it out because he was tired.

Those who didn't know better might think they weren't here to explore the Scorching Desert, but rather to have a picnic.

Seeing that Lei He and Zoroark had mostly finished eating, Luo Mu handed them a bottle of water that had not yet been opened.

Lei He accepted it naturally, first letting the Zoroark, which had just engaged in fierce battle, replenish its moisture, before drinking the remaining small half-bottle herself.

Her throat felt much more moisturized; Lei He smiled and said, "Actually, you didn't need to do this; my car's trunk also contains drinking water and dry rations."

"Consider it thanks for helping us drive away the herd of Cacturne?"

On the word "helping," Luo Mi's enunciation was particularly heavy.

Lei He covered her mouth with one hand, looking helpless: "That won't do; if so, my entire plan would be ruined, and how could I invite you to lend me your aid?"

After Lei He finished speaking, silence permeated the air; it was quite a while before Luo Mu finally opened his mouth.

"What do you need a powerful Trainer to help you with?"

"Your Zoroark was able to defeat such a large group of Cacturne even when type effectiveness was poor; its strength shouldn't be weak, right?"

Seemingly pleased by Luo Mu's praise, Zoroark's ears twitched, and its sitting posture became even more upright.

"Just this level of strength is insufficient to deal with those guys." Lei He shook her head, gazing directly at Luo Mu, "I wish to request your assistance in investigating a ruin buried deep beneath this Scorching Desert; there are powerful Pokémon guarding it, and relying solely on me and my Zoroark, we cannot break through their defense."

Luo Mu frowned slightly, wearing an expression of confusion: "A ruin... what kind of ruin is that?"

Luo Mu recalled the source that sparked the treasure-hunting fever in the Scorching Desert: the rumor of the last Emperor of Paldea's treasure.

Had Lei He believed that rumor and intended to search for that treasure in the Scorching Desert?

"Uh... must I say this?"

Lei He felt somewhat awkward; if possible, she really did not want to expose what she had been doing previously.

But seeing Luo Mu's firm attitude, Lei He knew that if she said nothing at all, she would absolutely not obtain Luo Mu's help; she could only sigh, pressing her palms together: "You must not tell any other colleagues, okay."

"Actually, I am investigating a legend from the era of the Paldean Empire, concerning a story where a merchant sold four treasures brought from the Eastern Lands to the king of that time."

"At present, I cannot yet confirm the authenticity of that story, but beneath this Scorching Desert lies the tomb chamber of an official who witnessed the entire transaction at that time; perhaps through the journal he left behind, we can find relevant clues to verify my hypothesis."

"But that person held a very high position in the Paldean Empire of that era, and ancient tomb chambers generally contain artificial Pokémon called Golurk to guard them; frankly speaking, based on my experience, the Golurk inside that tomb chamber will be exceptionally powerful."

"That is a strength beyond what someone like me, a semi-administrative worker, can match, so I had no choice but to seek you out."

Luo Mu: "... So familiar with the process; were you a grave robber in your past life?"

Lei He grinned: "Don't say that; this isn't grave robbing, it's making a contribution to the development of world archaeology, merely requiring entry into ancient ruins and tombs for investigation out of necessity."

"As you know, I've already gone legitimate and turned over a new leaf; I won't be doing those things anymore."

"Moreover, I now hold an archaeology license issued by the Paldea League, making me a bona fide archaeologist."

Seeing Luo Mu's slightly resistant expression upon hearing the term 'grave robber,' Lei He quickly pressed her advantage: "You only need to help me suppress the Golurk guarding the tomb chamber; I will handle disarming all the mechanisms and traps inside. Aside from the journals needed for historical research, I won't take any valuable items from that tomb chamber."

"Furthermore, I will pay you corresponding compensation; does that sound acceptable to you?"

Luo Mu knew Lei He was investigating the matter of the Four Treasures of Ruin; her actions existed as an important side quest within the game.

Lei He's promise was quite sincere, however...

"I still have my own matters to attend to; regarding your commission, I'm afraid I cannot accept it."

As soon as Luo Mu's words fell, before Lei He's expression could fully turn to disappointment, Luo Mu added: "However, if you are willing to wait one day, I am not unable to go take a look with you. To be honest, I am also quite interested in that ancient history from the past."

"As for compensation fees for the commission, let's forget about them; I think it is better not to involve monetary relations in this matter."

"So, regarding your target, specifically where is it located?"

Amidst this sudden swing from high to low, Lei He felt her heart was about to leap right out of her chest.

Fortunately, Luo Mu had agreed to her invitation; waiting just one day was nothing, and with some time remaining before this summer vacation ended, she could still afford to wait.

Thinking this, Lei He nodded slightly, stopped stroking Solrock, picked up a twig, and began drawing on the sandy ground.

"We need to go here, the Slanted Watchtower in the center of the Asado Desert."

(End of Chapter)