Chapter 353: Freezington, Calyrex Appears!

Compared to the four of them, who resembled walking corpses, Peony, standing nearby with a height of at least 1.8 meters, possessed far more energy and behaved in an even more exaggerated manner.

Leaping down from the back of the Copperajah, Peony rushed ahead of the four students to grasp Luo Mu's hands, tears welling in his eyes as he exclaimed: "I have waited so long for you, my soulmate, Little Dan Dan's teacher, the legendary spirit-exorcising master!"

Only heaven knew how long Peony had been longing for this moment.

For the past few nights, he had watched the villagers of Freezington one by one become possessed by ghosts, floating into the air without warning, their mouths spouting indistinct nonsense that sounded like dreamy ramblings.

What made matters worse was that these incidents were occurring in this secluded little village, built amidst a vast snowfield and almost completely cut off from the outside world.

Watching not only Nemona, Arven, and Penny, but also Little Dan Dan and Little Xia Xia fall victim one after another to that unknown ghost or Ghost-type Pokémon, Peony, unable to exert his steel-like strength and power, felt immense torment in his heart.

After spending another night trembling with fear, they had finally welcomed Luo Mu, whom Nemona claimed could easily perform spirit exorcisms!

The tall and burly Peony slapped Luo Mu's right shoulder with great force, his face filled with emotion: "Oh my, oh my! Although we've only met once over the phone from a distance, I never expected that you, Teacher, would also have such remarkable achievements in the field of spirit exorcism!"

Luo Mu: "."

If not for the fact that his physical constitution had become much sturdier after half a year of farm work, even revealing abdominal muscles, Luo Mu would truly have doubted whether Peony's grip strength would have shattered him into pieces.

His gaze fell upon Nemona's face, which showed no hint of guilt, then shifted to Arven, who clearly didn't believe it but chose to hypnotize himself, to Penny, who wore a dazed expression, and finally to Penny's exhausted face; Luo Mu understood everything.

It was likely that either Penny or Penny had mentioned to Peony the incident where Luo Mu encountered a real, genuine ghost at the site of the Super Value Mart in the Alola region, which Nemona then exaggerated and promoted (as she truly believed it herself), leading this group, in their desperation, to call him for help.

"Sigh."

Luo Mu let out a soft sigh, only hoping that during Nemona's month in the Galar region, aside from this matter, she hadn't promoted him to anyone else.

Then, looking at Peony before him, the corner of his mouth curved into a smile: "Nice to meet you, Penny's father, Mr. Peony."

"Without delay, why don't we head to that village first? The wind and snow in the Crown Tundra these past few days should be quite unpredictable."

After first offering a friendly greeting to Peony, Luo Mu wasted no time on meaningless small talk and directly proposed going to Freezington.

Peony paused for a moment; although he was usually carefree, following Luo Mu's line of sight, he discovered that Nemona and the others were interacting with the Vulpix Luo Mu had brought along and a Pokémon he didn't recognize.

Especially when Peony focused his attention on Penny, he clearly saw her exceptionally terrible mental state.

Her snow-white skin, inherited from her wife, appeared even paler; dark circles that even thick-rimmed glasses couldn't hide, and lips that were dry and peeling...

After all, these children were only in their teens.

Peony was no fool; he clearly understood Luo Mu's meaning and nodded heavily: "Good, let's return to Freezington right now."

"They all respect you greatly; if you come, they should be able to sleep peacefully."

The journey to Freezington wasn't far, and the environment, where thick snow made every step difficult, was mitigated by the Copperajah, a high-quality mount for the snowfields.

The Copperajah's broad back could easily seat several people, and the slight swaying along the way caused the few individuals, whose wills were already nearing their breaking point, to have sluggish thoughts and feel drowsy.

How could children, who were precisely at the age of growing, withstand such sleepiness?

By the time a small village built in the snowfield appeared in Luo Mu's field of vision, light snow had begun to fall from the sky, exquisitely shaped snowflakes seemingly filling his entire view.

Meanwhile, the four of them—Nemona and the others—had completely fallen into a deep sleep, showing that their spirits had truly been tense for a very long time.

Except for Penny, the three other children had encountered a haunting incident while traveling in a foreign land... such pressure was indeed a bit too much.

Arriving outside Freezington, the Copperajah voluntarily stopped its steps, seemingly possessing the clear understanding that entering the village with its massive size would amount to causing destruction.

Stepping down from the Copperajah's back and seeing Peony planning to carry each of the four children back to the house where he was temporarily staying, Luo Mu spoke up: "Let me help as well."

Peony paused, but Luo Mu acted even faster.

Considering that there were already two people present, himself and Peony, Luo Mu directly summoned Cangyan Cangyan Rengui and Swampert, having them pick up Nemona and Penny, while he carried Arven on his back; then, watching Peony hold Penny in his arms as carefully as if she were a treasure, they finally entered the bounds of Freezington.

Apparently to prevent wild Pokémon from intruding, Freezington was surrounded by a fence constructed from some type of wood; the village itself wasn't large, likely containing only ten to twenty households, which could be considered quite sparse.

It was said that there were other places in the Crown Tundra with small settlements of a few people, or even some individuals living alone in the snowfields.

These were all pieces of information Luo Mu had learned while researching materials.

Carrying Arven on his back, Luo Mu walked through the silent Freezington.

Although it was only two or three in the afternoon, no one was active outside in Freezington; in the mere few acres of farmland, farming tools were scattered in disarray, and the crops, which had struggled to grow in the icy, snowy conditions, were wilted.

Based on Luo Mu's experience, one could tell at a glance that it was because they had been neglected for some time that these crops had ended up in such a state.

All signs indicated that due to the so-called "haunting" incident, the entire village of Freezington, which had managed to stand firm despite the harsh environment of the Crown Tundra, was now on the verge of collapse.

"The situation is much more serious than I imagined."

Luo Mu murmured in a voice so low that even Peony beside him couldn't hear.

Swampert, carrying Penny on its shoulder, curiously surveyed the surrounding environment, as if trying to identify the mixed auras here.

Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, holding Nemona steadily in a knight's princess-carry pose, thoughtfully sheathed its blade edges, carefully adjusting its hugging posture to avoid injuring its trainer's student.

Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's calm gaze continuously scanned the village; as a Ghost-type Pokémon, it could also sense the auras of its own kind to a certain extent and observe traces of their actions.

But currently, there seemed to be almost no particularly heavy aura; it didn't look like an environment where a Ghost-type Pokémon had run rampant for over a week, as there were almost no traces at all.

Unless that Ghost-type Pokémon was capable of flight.

Judging by the current situation, if the culprit wasn't a Ghost-type Pokémon, then something else was playing tricks, or perhaps it was a true 【Ghost】 that even Ghost-type Pokémon like them could not explain.

Just as Luo Mu's gaze landed on a broken statue somewhere in the Freezington farmland, Arven on his back, whether confused from sleep or rarely dreaming during the day, stirred.

Arven's face, resting against Luo Mu's back, rubbed affectionately against Luo Mu's broad back as if reminiscing about something, emitting a few indistinct murmurs in his sleep.

"Dad..."

Luo Mu, who happened to hear Arven's sleep-talking, stiffened his body, and his expression immediately became strange.

No way.

Big brother, I'm only seven or eight years older than you; isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to call me that?

Peony, standing nearby, didn't know if he had developed supernatural hearing; he leaned over to Luo Mu with a gossipy look, as if completely unable to read the room, and asked excitedly: "What, what! My soulmate, could it be that this kid Arven is your son!?"

"I couldn't tell at all! Clearly, your appearance looks like you're not even twenty yet; is this the legendary baby face?"

Before Luo Mu could retort with a darkened face, it seemed that because they had unknowingly arrived outside the house Peony had specifically purchased in Freezington for his exploration, their conversation was heard in its entirety by someone who had been waiting behind the door for a long time.

With a "creak," the door opened, and the instant a voice rang out, Peony's movements instantly froze.

"Unbelievable; I don't recall my father being someone who couldn't read the room."

"Even if this reliable baby-faced trainer, who traveled thousands of miles to provide support, made a mistake in his youth, one shouldn't so carelessly poke at someone's sore spot!"

After the door opened, the speaker was a young, spicy girl who was the complete opposite of Peony—much more cheerful, even wearing a short skirt in this ice and snow.

She was Peony's older sister and Peony's biological older sister, Shucoia.

"It's not like that, Little Xia Xia, listen to my explanation!"

Seemingly afraid of being completely cast into the cold palace by his daughter, Peony flailed his hands and feet in a frantic attempt to explain, not even noticing that Peony on his back, due to the constant jostling, was displaying an indescribable expression as if having a nightmare.

With a face full of indifference, Luo Mu spoke softly: "I suddenly want to go home; might as well take Peony and the others directly back to Paldea."

A moment later.

The firewood inside the fireplace burned fiercely, occasionally emitting crackling sounds of splitting wood.

The ruddy firelight illuminated the room, bringing warmth to the people inside within this world of ice and snow.

Beside the fireplace where the flames continued to burn, Hearing Nimo and the other four lay on the carpet, covered by a thin blanket, sleeping soundly and deeply.

Shucoia and Peony knelt on guest cushions nearby, heads bowed in deep shame, not even daring to look up at Luo Mu, who had taken over as host and was sitting on the room's only Applin lazy sofa.

There was no other reason; they were simply in the wrong.

If Luo Mu, who had traveled far as their boss, truly ran off tonight taking Hearing Nimo, Peony, Penny, and Arven with him, what would these father and daughter do?

Halt the ruin exploration plan, halt the Crown Tundra cave exploration plan?

We don't want that kind of thing!

The two clowns could now only lower their stance, hoping that Luo Mu, whom Hearing Nimo had recently dubbed the Spirit-Exorcising Master, would resolve Freezington's recent nightmares, rather than abandoning them here and running off with the four of them.

Drinking boiling hot water that was just right, dispelling a slight chill, Luo Mu simultaneously felt a sudden warmth rise within his body.

After letting out a barely perceptible sigh, Luo Mu lowered his head to look at Peony and Shucoia and began asking about some detailed matters.

For instance, whether there were any records of Ghost-type Pokémon appearing near Freezington, and whether Freezington's villagers had brought back anything strange recently.

And more importantly, when the so-called "haunting" incidents began, whether they only occurred late at night, and whether the possessions followed a pattern.

Shucoia and Peony exchanged a glance, and finally, Peony spoke first: "Freezington's ancestors established this village here considering safety factors; there are almost no high-danger wild Pokémon nearby, and we've never even heard of Ghost-type Pokémon."

"As for strange things, as far as I know, there are none."

"However, that statue in the center of the village, which seems to be missing something, looks very suspicious."

Once Peony finished speaking, Shucoia continued.

She nodded heavily: "I also think that statue looks very suspicious; never mind that rather abstract-looking horse, but the wooden carving riding atop the horse seems to be missing nearly half its head!"

"Perhaps an ancient wraith or something resides within that statue."

Speaking to this point, the father and daughter agreed on an opinion for the first time, looking at each other with sparkling eyes.

If Peony were still awake, she would surely have a dead-eyed look and mutter something like "stupid dad, stupid big sister."

"Ahem..."

Luo Mu cleared his throat lightly; no matter how he looked at these two clowns, they seemed unreliable, no wonder Peony wanted to desperately hide her family connections.

Reminded by Luo Mu, Peony and Shucoia, who were enthusiastically discussing whether the statue was haunted, stiffened their bodies and obediently continued speaking.

The haunting incidents began roughly a week after Peony and the others arrived at the Crown Tundra.

At that time, Peony took his few students and toured everywhere within the Crown Tundra.

The great red tree, the surface layer of the ruins in the Snowslide Slope, the mining experience of Ice Stone and Water Stone veins, and even several peaks of the Crown Tundra...

After completing their expedition, on the very night when Hearing Nimo and the others excitedly discussed where to go next to catch Pokémon, the village began experiencing successive haunting incidents.

Until now.

At night, the villagers remained tense and fearful, either curling up or hugging each other tightly, praying they would not be possessed.

During the day, they cherished these hard-won quiet moments to catch up on sleep or replenish energy, even neglecting the farmlands.

The desolate and barren scene Luo Mu saw earlier stemmed precisely from this.

After listening to the two accounts, Luo Mu stroked his chin, revealing a thoughtful expression: "That something is active within this village should be an indisputable fact."

Hearing this, Peony and Shucoia exchanged a glance, revealing expressions of delight.

As expected of the Spirit-Exorcising Master, reaching a conclusion so quickly!

"... Forget it."

Just by looking at Shucoia and Peony's expressions, Luo Mu knew what they were thinking, and for the thousandth time in his heart, he prayed that Hearing Nimo absolutely must not have boasted about him to others while traveling in the Galar region.

After sighing once, Luo Mu looked outside the door, pondering that the time was about right, and the two Pokémon should be returning soon.

As expected.

About ten-plus seconds later, two figures covered in a layer of snowflakes opened the room's door and walked into the warm cabin.

They were none other than Cang Yan Ren Gui and Mimikyu, whom Luo Mu had sent out to scout the village corners and the surrounding environment outside the village.

Incidentally, because its hands are blades and it cannot detach weapons like a certain WarGreymon, Cang Yan Ren Gui is unable to open doors.

It was only because Mimikyu tried hard to stand on tiptoe and extended its Shadow Claw as far as possible that the door was successfully opened.

After entering the room, sensing Luo Mu's inquiring gaze, Cang Yan Ren Gui and Mimikyu gently shook their heads, indicating they had detected absolutely no important clues.

"Is that so..."

Luo Mu felt somewhat helpless; it seemed that although Lei Guan Wang had become incredibly weak due to the exhaustion of faith power, it could still invade the village without leaving a trace?

Looking at the two Pokémon, one tall and one short, bowing their heads as if feeling very guilty, Luo Mu raised a comforting smile, patted the dejected Mimikyu on the head, and then, under Cang Yan Ren Gui's eager yet reserved expression, patted its shoulder.

He comforted them, saying: "It's alright, you've worked hard."

In the current situation, they could only shift from taking proactive action to waiting until nightfall to see if Lei Guan Wang would appear tonight.

That time would be the optimal period to resolve the problem.

However, today was already the last day of July; most likely, they wouldn't be able to return to the Paldea region on time tomorrow to attend Naranja Academy's opening ceremony.

Thinking about it, Luo Mu edited another message and sent it to Director Clavell, explaining the reason and, incidentally, requesting leave for a few days on behalf of Hearing Nimo and the other four.

As for contacting Hearing Nimo and the others' parents, they would have to wait until they woke up.

Thinking of this, Luo Mu stood up and said to the father-daughter pair: "Since Cang Yan Ren Gui and the others didn't discover any traces of Ghost-type Pokémon, we can only wait until nightfall to act according to the situation."

"You just watch Hearing Nimo and the others; I'll go around the village to see if any villagers are still awake. Perhaps we can learn some information from them that we don't already know."

The father and daughter were stunned for a moment. Then, Korrina gave Piers a push, signaling with her eyes that she could handle things here, and told her foolish father to follow Luo Mu, at least to serve as a guide and provide introductions.

Piers cheerfully stood up, adjusted his red explorer outfit, thought for a moment, then picked up an object from a nearby table before catching up with Luo Mu, who had already left the house.

Stepping outside, the light snow was now falling harder, showing signs of gradually transforming into a heavy snowstorm.

Glancing at the sky, which had become somewhat blurred under the filling of countless snowflakes, Luo Mu sent Cang Yan Ren Gui back into its Poké Ball for the time being, leaving only Mimikyu hiding in his shadow and the Vulpix he held in his arms beside him.

Although Luo Mu and Cang Yan Ren Gui might have had no such intention, to the villagers, the two of them might look like bad guys coming to rob the place.

After all, Cang Yan Ren Gui's two swords, which could not be concealed, were far too conspicuous.

Mimikyu could hide in his shadow, which was very convenient.

As for the Vulpix, it was purely brought out to act cute; this would make Luo Mu appear more harmless, friendly, and trustworthy.

Just as Luo Mu prepared to walk toward the other houses.

"My soul friend, wait a moment!"

Piers, with a wooden carved object on his head to shield from the snow, shouted Luo Mu's name loudly, asking him to wait for him.

Luo Mu, holding the Vulpix, turned to look. When his gaze focused on Piers' head, he was momentarily stunned.

Was that a wooden carved... broccoli?

"Mewoo~"

The Vulpix felt the thing was a bit abstract, and Piers wearing that broccoli was also abstract. Remembering his mother's teachings, he chose to cover his eyes with his small paws.

After being stunned for an instant, Luo Mu quickly reacted. Looking at the wooden broccoli on Piers' head, as if recalling something, he asked aloud, "Where did you get this thing?"

Piers chuckled, making faces as if striking a pose: "Hehe, it seems I just picked it up by the roadside. It's quite suitable for blocking the snow. Do you want it too?"

"... I want it."

Luo Mu nodded gently.

"Really, no choice. Who else is my soul friend?" Piers pretended to be unable to handle him, handing the perfectly fitting wooden carving from his head to Luo Mu. "Here, take it."

"Thank you."

Luo Mu set the Vulpix down, accepted the wooden broccoli, which was larger than his own head, with both hands, looked left and right, and under Piers' gaze of confusion mixed with curiosity, walked toward a corner of the farmland.

There stood a similarly wooden carved, incomplete statue here.

Just as Piers and Korrina had said, perhaps due to the carver's slightly unskilled technique, the statue looked quite abstract.

But at least one could make out that the statue depicted a certain Pokémon with a missing hat on its head riding a horse that looked slightly foolish, among other details.

Without much hesitation, Luo Mu placed the wooden "broccoli" in his hand onto the gap.

In that instant, the "broccoli" fit perfectly onto the head of the Pokémon statue.

Piers, who had just arrived, looked at the statue in surprise, opening his mouth as if to say something.

But at this moment, the Vulpix at Luo Mu's feet, as if discovering something, directed its gaze toward a certain place behind the statue.

"Mewoo!"

Reminded by the Vulpix's voice, Luo Mu immediately looked in that direction.

He discovered that in a snow-covered forest outside the village, a smaller green figure was floating there quietly, gazing at him with a majestic look.

Piers, also looking in that direction along with Luo Mu's gaze, inappropriately shouted loudly: "What a huge green head! What is that... a Pokémon turned into broccoli?"

Speechless Luo Mu: "..."

"Crown... Crown... Crown."

That Pokémon looked deeply at Piers, then turned to Luo Mu, emitted several cries he could not understand at all, and turned to walk into the depths of the forest.

Luo Mu thought for only an instant, then directly understood the meaning of that Pokémon. He immediately scooped up the Vulpix, climbed over the wooden fence, and chased after it.

At the same time, his brain raced.

Although the snowflakes obscuring his vision made the sight slightly vague, he could say with certainty that that Pokémon was undoubtedly the legendary Pokémon, Crowned King!

The ancient King of Galar who lost its faith—the King of Abundance, Crowned King!

(End of this chapter)