Chapter 368: Return to the Farm, Lei Guan Wang's Re-employment, and Truth's Visit

In the 8th month and 8th day of the year 798 of the League Calendar, accompanied by a loud whistle, a ship departing from the Galar region arrived in the Paldea region, docking smoothly at the port of Mesagoza.

Actually, riding Dragonite would have been faster to return to the Paldea region, but after receiving a message from Clavell stating there was no need to rush back, Luo Mu chose to take the boat home.

With Professor Professor Huangbo handling the basic lectures, and Hearing Nimo and the other three tallying the results of their one month of training in Galar, aside from Truth, who essentially enrolled specifically for Luo Mu, there were temporarily no urgent matters.

This voyage from Porto Marinada to Mesagoza took three days, with most of the time spent on the ship's deck.

Luo Mu also rented a set of diving equipment on the ship, then toured the seabed under the guidance of Swampert.

On the ship, Luo Mu, Lei Guan Wang, and Pokémon like Cosmog basically showed no symptoms of seasickness.

On the contrary, Ice Rider and Shadow Rider suffered severely from seasickness, forcing them to stay inside their Poké Balls; although being restrained felt unfamiliar to them, accustomed to the wild, at least inside there were no symptoms of seasickness.

When his feet finally touched the land of Paldea, a thrill of finally being home surged into Luo Mu's heart, making him eager to return home immediately and see the partners he hadn't seen in nearly a week.

Luo Mu turned to Lei Guan Wang, who was holding Cosmog at his side, and said, "I plan to ride Dragonite and fly back in one go; that way, we should be able to reach home before sunset."

Understanding the implication behind Luo Mu's words, Lei Guan Wang showed no resistance, nodding gently and saying, "Then I shall stay in the Poké Ball with Cosmog for a while."

Speaking thus, Lei Guan Wang used psychic power to soothe Cosmog, who knew they would be separated for a short time.

For Lei Guan Wang, being captured by a Poké Ball did not mean acknowledging a master; the friendship between itself and Luo Mu would not change because of it, and the Poké Ball was merely a portable tool invented by modern humans.

Whether it was Lei Guan Wang itself, Ice Rider, or Shadow Rider, all could leave or break free from the Poké Ball at their own will; even Cosmog could directly escape via Teleport when its emotions fluctuated intensely.

This point likely applied to Luo Mu's other partners as well.

The Poké Ball was not a shackle, but a tool that could make the connection of bonds more convenient and deeper.

At the Mesagoza port, under the envious gazes of many people still waiting for Bombirdier taxis, the Dragonite carrying Luo Mu flapped its dragon wings, stirring up a gust of wind on the ground, then soared into the azure sky, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

Watching this scene, a little girl with braids, looking as delicate as powdered jade, gently tugged her mother's skirt, pointed at the sky where the Dragonite had disappeared, and asked her, "Mom, what Pokémon was that?"

The mother, wearing a cool long dress with her side ponytail draped over her shoulder, lifted the little girl up, recalled news she had seen two months ago, and said in a gentle, unhurried tone, "That is a powerful and rare Pokémon called Dragonite; that big brother must be a Trainer."

The little girl looked up at the sky with admiration: "Hua Hua also wants to be a Trainer, wants a starter Pokémon like Dragonite, and wants to be friends with the chubby Dragonite!"

"Mm, that's a bit difficult." Hearing her daughter's request, the mother showed a troubled expression, but then spoke to encourage her: "However, if you enroll in Naranja Academy, you can receive a starter Pokémon distributed by the academy."

"Like Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and so on... Didn't Hua Hua like Sprigatito very much before? After becoming partners with it and growing stronger together, you'll be able to capture a Dragonite with your own strength!"

Though slightly disappointed, the little girl still said with a face full of longing: "Then Hua Hua will study hard and enroll in Naranja Academy!"

Dusk approached, and the evening glow filled the sky.

Dragonite landed steadily outside the farm; just as Luo Mu jumped off its back and firmly planted his feet, the Poké Balls hanging on his belt seemed to open in unison, and in an instant, more than ten Pokémon figures surrounded him.

There were those like Luxray, gazing nostalgically at the farm that, under the reflection of the evening glow, was filled with the feeling of "home."

There were also Ice Rider and Shadow Rider, eager to see the place where they would live in the future.

Ice Rider gazed at the scenery of the farm, but standing on the ground made it impossible to take in the full view of the farm.

It simply blew cold air from its hooves, building footholds made of solid ice on the muddy ground outside the farm, rising continuously until it could overlook the entire panorama of the farm before stopping.

Compared to Ice Rider, Shadow Rider was much simpler.

Most Ghost-type Pokémon possessed the ability to float and fly, and Shadow Rider was no exception.

The ethereal mist on Shadow Rider's hooves grew thicker; as if riding the clouds and mist, it flew up to the same height as Ice Rider.

Facing Ice Rider's slightly hostile and angry gaze, Shadow Rider raised its head like a victorious rooster, letting out a proud neigh.

"Neigh—!"

What are you looking at?

Even if you keep looking, you can't hide your shortcoming of not being able to fly!

Hearing this, although Ice Rider was so angry it wanted to kick Shadow Rider right then, there were more important matters at hand.

It gazed over the entire farm area; judging by the eye cultivated over years of stealing food from the fields of Lei Guan Wang's subjects, it was quite good.

Fields of uniform size, filled with crops in orderly rows; vast pastures covered in green grass, suitable for running; a lake roughly the size of an ordinary small pond; basically, all the necessary elements were present.

Looking further outward, the farm bordered an even more vast wilderness, offering ample space for development.

The only fly in the ointment was that apart from the underground, which gave Ice Rider a slight sense of coolness, everything else was green, with not a speck of white!

In this state, they didn't even know where to start planting fields for Ice Carrots!

Ice Rider let out a dissatisfied snort.

Compared to Ice Rider, Shadow Rider quite liked the environment here.

The aura of life was not just abundant; it was practically converging into a river in the air.

If asked Shadow Rider which food it liked best, the Black Carrot that suited its taste would undoubtedly be the top choice.

But if asked Shadow Rider what it considered the most important food, it would definitely abandon the Black Carrot and choose this life energy emanating in the air.

Black Carrots could only count as snacks; the staple food was still this life energy.

Of course, if there were also a patch of land filled with ghostly aura here for planting Black Carrots, that would be even better.

Compared to the two show-offs, Ice Rider and Shadow Rider, Lei Guan Wang was much more reserved.

It surveyed the entire farm area using its unique method and praised sincerely: "This place is truly very good."

"Cosmo~"

Cosmog also chimed in with a cry.

At this moment, having noticed the commotion of Dragonite's landing, the first batch of arriving Pokémon had already reached Luo Mu and the others.

Serperior and Moltres took the lead, followed closely by Applin and the Dondozo siblings riding on Tropius.

The Bai Bai Pengpeng also displayed their special skills, riding the "east wind" generated by the flying Pokémon to drift over without falling behind.

The land-based Pokémon also showcased their various abilities, rushing toward this spot; among them, Mudsdale was a bit miserable, as it worried about punching holes in the farm's newly paved roads like it had during the marathon event, so it could only slow its pace and not exert too much strength.

In just a short while, Luo Mu was surrounded by the numerous Pokémon of the farm, so much so that even Lei Guan Wang showed a surprised expression.

Enjoying the star treatment, Luo Mu first actively opened his arms to Serperior, who was hesitating between acting cold or enthusiastic, and warmly embraced the bewildered snake, then immediately began stroking the feathers beneath Moltres's flames, which were not hot at all.

A little while later, Pokémon that were slightly slower, such as Politoed and Poliwag, Garganacl, Arboliva, Shuang Nai Xian, and Mawile, also arrived.

At this time, Luo Mu was interacting with Meng Lei Gu; looking at the exceptionally tall Meng Lei Gu, which exuded an ancient and wild aura, the landed Ice Rider and Shadow Rider showed expressions of keen interest in their eyes.

Compared to being beaten by that Luxray with its shocking strength and agile movements, fighting a big, sturdy, and massive fellow like Meng Lei Gu is far more satisfying.

Mr. Mime, who had just put down his spatula and was still wearing his apron, also strolled over leisurely; as soon as he arrived, his gaze met that of Lei Guan Wang, who had been floating quietly all along, his eyes following Cosmog.

As fellow Psychic-type Pokémon, Mr. Mime could sense the vast and boundless power possessed by the Lei Guan Wang before him.

Connecting this with the things Luo Mu had mentioned to him earlier, and factoring in Luo Mu's trip to the Crown Tundra, Mr. Mime almost instantly guessed that his young master had actually tricked an ancient legend from the neighboring region into coming back with him.

Really, to think he brought home the Legendary King who once ruled the Galar region; every time the young master goes out for a while, he brings back a surprise upon his return.

Thinking of this, Mr. Mime, now aware of Lei Guan Wang's identity, bowed slightly to him and said with a touch of respect, "Yuta Yuta, yale Yuta." (Welcome to the farm, respected King of Abundance; I am Mr. Mime, the young master's most loyal butler.)

Before Mr. Mime could finish speaking, Lei Guan Wang raised a hand to stop him and corrected aloud, "Lei Guan... en ji ji!" (Hello, Butler Mr. Mime. From now on, my beloved horse, Cosmog, and I will be living here.)

(Also, I am no longer the King of Galar; I have now abdicated the throne, so there is no need for courtesy when speaking with me; let us all live together in harmony.)

Lei Guan Wang's attitude was less about kindness and more about being extremely approachable, making it hard to imagine he was once a king full of majesty.

Even Mr. Mime was momentarily stunned, before nodding gently: "Yuta!" (I understand!)

A smile appeared on Lei Guan Wang's face as he asked curiously, "Guan en... mou ji ji?" (By the way, what exactly does 'butler' mean?)

A moment later.

Luo Mu finally finished patting and cuddling each of the thirty-odd Pokémon on the farm one by one, and to avoid showing favoritism, he went around and patted Luxray and the others he had taken out with him all over again.

After fussing around for so long, the sky, which was already entering twilight, naturally turned completely dark.

Fortunately, streetlights had now been established throughout the farm, illuminating the surroundings as brightly as day.

This left Luxray, who had subconsciously intended to use the move "Flash"—which he and Luo Mu would always employ when night fell during their travels outside—feeling somewhat lost and disappointed.

That's right; this was no longer the past when they would stay out in the wild for many days at a time; now they had a spacious and bright home, and so many companions.

Although this was something that should have made him happy, for some reason, Luxray felt a trace of loneliness.

It seemed that with the continuous increase in companions, it had become very difficult to return to that period in his memory which, although the most arduous, was also the happiest time of solitude.

At this moment, Luo Mu, having finally accomplished the great feat of leveling the bowl of water equally, introduced to all the Pokémon: "This snow-white Pokémon covered in solid ice is called Ice Rider, and this pitch-black Pokémon is called Shadow Rider; just as their names suggest, they are of the Ice and Ghost types respectively."

"And this Pokémon beside me is called Lei Guan Wang; he was once the king of the ancient Galar region, but has now retired from that identity; while you should remain polite toward him, there is no need to be overly respectful; simply getting along harmoniously is fine."

"The one in Lei Guan Wang's arms is Cosmog; since he is still young, Pokémon like Shuang Nai Xian, Vulpix, and Victini can all play with him."

"From now on, they are all new members of the farm and will live here with us; besides them, there is another potential partner whom I will introduce to everyone when the opportunity arises."

As Luo Mu's voice fell, the crowd of Pokémon looked at Lei Guan Wang and the others, issuing cries of welcome one after another.

A smile floated onto Lei Guan Wang's face, and gentle mental waves transmitted to the minds of every Pokémon.

"My name is Lei Guan Wang; I was once the King of Galar, but I have now abdicated the throne and, with Luo Mu's help, have found re-employment as a farmer here; I look forward to working with you all!"

After holding a grand welcome banquet according to custom, Lei Guan Wang and Cosmog moved directly into the house; Luo Mu handed over the last room, which had already been furnished, for Lei Guan Wang and Cosmog to inhabit.

But now that the rooms were fully occupied, and with funds in hand beginning to skyrocket due to the booming milk-ordering business, Luo Mu had already started considering whether building a larger and more spacious new house should be added to his upcoming plan list.

Shadow Rider, saying he liked the atmosphere of the pasture area, ran off over there, while Ice Rider went to the ice cellar to make do for the night.

Ice Rider even specifically issued a stern warning that after making do for one night, he would create an environment suitable for his living according to his own wishes the very next day.

However, this bold proclamation was forcibly suppressed by Lei Guan Wang less than a second after it was made.

Lei Guan Wang had also visited the ice cellar; its cold environment and vast area were completely sufficient for Ice Rider to live in, and the outside world would naturally be covered in snow once winter arrived.

Moreover, during the day, he still had to deal with that Ice Giant.

The next day.

August 9th, Sunday, the start of the week.

Since Naranja Academy did not conduct teaching activities on Saturdays and Sundays, Luo Mu did not go to give lessons; instead, he went with Lei Guan Wang to an open space, preparing to unseal Regice from his Poké Ball, repair its body, and attempt to make it the guardian deity protecting this farm.

Regice is the guardian of the Iceberg Ruins.

According to Lei Guan Wang, the Iceberg Ruins were built by a super-ancient human civilization even before he became the King of Galar.

But with the passage of time, there was nothing left within the Iceberg Ruins for Regice to guard; if no one awakened them, Regice would sleep on for eternity.

But before Luo Mu could release Regice, the phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated a few times; casting an apologetic glance at the unconcerned Lei Guan Wang, Luo Mu took out his phone, unlocked it, and fixed his gaze on a message sent by Mr. Mime.

【Young Master, a Naranja Academy student claiming to be Paul wants to see you.】

(End of Chapter)