Chapter 413: The Little Smith's Lofty Ambitions

Luo Mu briefly explained to Vulpix the greatest difference between "Aurora Beam" and "Aurora Veil."

As an offensive move, "Aurora Beam" possessed no special qualities of its own, aside from the secondary effect of having a probability to lower the target's Attack.

But the move "Aurora Veil" not only had absolutely strict conditions for its use, its effect was also the culmination of combining "Light Screen" and "Reflect."

"Aurora Veil can only be used during hail weather; for its duration, it reduces damage from both physical and special attacks."

This move was already frequently employed in battles where Ice-type Pokémon appeared, not to mention that the high-aesthetic visual effects of Aurora Veil made it a signature selling point even in Contests.

It would absolutely not be a loss for Vulpix to learn this move.

Listening to the prospects Luo Mu described, Vulpix's large eyes immediately sparkled with anticipation for the future.

It felt that after it evolved and activated its Ability, using this move would surely look incredibly ethereal!

"Mew-mew, mew-mew!"

Vulpix was almost impatiently urging Luo Mu to hurry up and teach it how to learn Aurora Veil.

Coach, I really want to learn this!

Luo Mu smiled slightly and said, "There are two crucial points to mastering Aurora Veil: first, activate your Ability 'Snow Warning'; second, control the energy of Aurora Beam to diffuse through the falling snow, causing it to form a magnificent curtain of light imbued with mysterious energy!"

While Luo Mu was busily engaged in special training on this side, on the other side, in the wilderness farther away from Pingdie Town...

Riolu tightly clutched the Corviknight feathers that had increased in number within its arms, carefully crawling forward through the shadows of the waist-high grass.

A long time had passed since that day.

Although it was some distance from the battlefield, Riolu had still been fortunate enough to witness with its own eyes Luxray and Dragonite, as well as the figures of Luo Mu, Mega Swampert, Lei Guan Wang, and the steeds who had rushed to provide support.

And it had witnessed their divine battle against the Sky Dragon, which had nearly flattened everything surrounding them.

The moment it saw the Sky Dragon frozen in ice, Riolu suddenly felt as though everything had become clear, and its horizons instantly broadened.

So that's how it is.

After witnessing that battle which made its heart and soul tremble, the fierce visages of Pawniard and Bisharp, which had once brought Riolu fear and resentment, no longer appeared to it as the nightmares that plagued them.

As a future Divine Smith, rather than seeking revenge against those rogue villains who stole its hammer, little Riolu ought to have a far grander goal—

Someday, little Riolu would forge divine weapons capable of shooting down those dragons flying in the sky!

Of course, if one day it held a great hammer in hand, Riolu would not mind swinging that hammer back to that bamboo forest to have a good chat with that group of villains about what is called the "Discourse of Swinging."

But before dreaming of future grand ambitions, Riolu planned to focus on the present.

Through the gaps between the blades of grass, Riolu restrained its aura and presence as much as possible, carefully surveying the open ground before it.

That open area lacked not only cover but even any trace of grass or trees; entering that zone would be equivalent to placing oneself directly in peril.

But if it were only this, Riolu would not need to be so cautious.

After all, beyond the open ground lay a small hill.

The Corviknight shedding feathers flying in the sky nearby were becoming more and more numerous; intuition told Riolu that it was close to touching the nest of these Corviknight.

At worst, it could just stiffen its neck and charge forward blindly! Take a gamble, and a small hammer becomes a great hammer.

Going all-in is an art, but that does not include foolishly rushing to one's death when one knows disaster is imminent.

Riolu's gaze focused on the latter half of the open ground, where eerie purple mist drifted along the earth, making the surrounding atmosphere turn terrifying.

That purple mist was likely poisonous; the reason that area had become bare ground was probably because the toxins had poisoned all the plants to death.

There were also some slender phantoms moving and wandering within that purple mist from time to time, entering a cave at the foot of the hill that led to who knew where.

Riolu judged that this was likely the station or nest of a certain Pokémon tribe, just like the place it had once stayed.

This also meant that if it wanted to enter the small hill, it would have to charge in under the attacks of those fellows who looked very ominous.

Glancing at those Pokémon spewing poisonous flames and truly crawling in the darkness, then looking again at the handful of feathers in its arms, Riolu felt this plan was improper.

As for hiding the feathers first, stepping forward to defeat all those fellows, and then strutting up the mountain? Leaving aside whether it had that strength, currently lacking a weapon, it could not use its strongest move "Ice Hammer"; blowing a "Fairy Wind" or using "Scary Face" would purely be offering itself up as a dish; "Metal Claw" could still be used, but Riolu did not think it had the strength to fight seven alone.

Not only could the opponent breathe fire, but intuition also told Riolu that their toxins would very likely poison it, a Steel-type Pokémon.

Otherwise, its goal would not be to forge weapons capable of bringing down dragons, but to personally swing its hammer and knock them down itself.

Riolu racked its brain frantically, yet could not think of a foolproof strategy.

Just then, Riolu recalled another Pokémon species it had seen while crawling through the grass on the other side not far away.

Instantly, a strategy surged into Riolu's heart.

If it provoked a battle between the two tribes, wouldn't it be able to fish in troubled waters and sneak into the small hill? Riolu's eyes lit up, and it began to recall the identities of both neighboring parties.

Not far to the east lived a group of Houndoom and Houndour.

According to its observations, these Houndour possessed extremely strong territorial awareness; from this aspect, perhaps something could be done.

Before Riolu stood a tribe of Salandit and the one and only Queen Salazzle.

Like Houndour and Houndoom, they were all Fire-type Pokémon that Riolu did not particularly like.

Therefore, Riolu felt absolutely no guilt about tricking them.

A moment later.

At the edge of the Salandit tribe's territory, a male Salandit dominated by the Queen's pheromones was staying here on guard duty.

At this moment, a small pink figure suddenly leaped out from the grass in the distance.

In that instant, the gazes of the Salandit and Riolu met in mid-air.

Both the Salandit and Riolu were stunned for a moment; immediately after, Riolu, as if frightened, dashed directly away toward the east.

The Salandit hesitated only for an instant before deciding to catch the Riolu that had intruded into its territory.

Perhaps, after it caught Riolu, the Queen would personally reward it? With its head clouded by fantasies, the Salandit used all four limbs, crawling at high speed to chase Riolu's figure, unaware of the smile Riolu revealed because it had taken the bait.

(End of Chapter)