Chapter 630: Steven Stone

Thanks to the convertible's excellent visibility, Luo Mu, Victini, and Terapagos were able to enjoy the scenery of Mossdeep City along the way.

Watching the bustling scene, Luo Mu realized that Mossdeep City greatly resembled the style of Santorini, a city in a country called Greece from before his transmigration.

At the same time, just as Luo Mu had expected.

Although he claimed to be picking up a friend, Wallace's convertible headed straight for the deepest part of Mossdeep City—the undeveloped area on the other side of Mossdeep Volcano.

Along the route, they passed several checkpoints for control; while Wallace could simply remove his sunglasses to clear them via facial recognition, the strictness of the guards indicated that this was undoubtedly the most sensitive location in Mossdeep City.

It was quite possible that numerous secrets of the Hoenn League were hidden here as well.

The convertible finally stopped at one end of the mountainside; from there, the road ahead became difficult to traverse—an off-road vehicle might still proceed, but a low-chassis sports car had no chance.

Turning off the engine and stepping out, Wallace removed his sunglasses, glanced left and right, and said with an expression of expected confirmation, "As I thought, he hasn't come out yet; it seems he's encountered another stone that caught his fancy?"

"I plan to go in and urge him to come out; would you like to join me?"

Wallace asked for Luo Mu's opinion.

Although his elegant self would never lose his beauty nor feel the slightest fear, whether spotless or dust-covered.

But considering that Luo Mu might be averse to crawling into a cave full of dust, he also offered the option for the other party to wait briefly.

Yet, would Luo Mu, who had slept in the wild during his travels, fear a little bit of dust?

That was, of course, impossible.

He replied without the slightest hesitation, "I'll go in with you."

The cave Wallace mentioned was not far from where they had parked; walking just one or two hundred meters revealed the brightly lit cave entrance.

A cave leading into the interior of the slumbering volcano should, by rights, be a exploration site most eagerly sought by many trainers, explorers, and mountain-climbing enthusiasts.

However, due to restrictions, apart from wild Pokémon, not a single human soul could be seen here, and there were almost no signs of mining or excavation.

There were indeed many traces of wild Pokémon life, along with their figures, though most were Rock-type, Steel-type, or Ground-type Pokémon.

For some reason, upon seeing Luo Mu and Wallace, these Pokémon showed no intention of attacking or blocking the path; instead, they unanimously hid themselves away.

This left Victini, who had been eager to try something, feeling somewhat disappointed.

It had finally mastered its two moves, yet there was absolutely no place to use them!

The interior of the cave was fairly spacious; although there were many passages, Wallace seemed to know the way, leading Luo Mu through twists and turns for about ten minutes before a different sound suddenly came from the other end of a passage.

It was a sound similar to that of a Falinks forging iron—the sound of one object striking another.

Given that the setting was limited to this cave, it could be confirmed that a pickaxe was striking the rock wall.

Following the sound, Wallace quickened his pace slightly.

Judging by his demeanor, the identity of the person ahead was about to be revealed.

After walking forward a bit further, a figure came into view.

The other party wore what at first glance seemed like ordinary hiking clothes and carried a backpack; from behind, he appeared to be nothing more than an extremely ordinary mountain climber.

But when he heard the disturbance behind him, stopped his digging, and turned around.

A handsome profile crashed into the vision of the two.

The man was likely in his twenties; even though the digging actions and several days of cave living made him look dusty and disheveled, the imposing noble air emanating from within him showed not the slightest sign of being obscured.

Without needing Wallace to introduce him, Luo Mu already knew this person's identity.

A wild mountain man, a fanatic stone enthusiast, the young master of Devon Corporation, Wallace's good bro!

The former Hoenn League Champion, Steven Stone!

Without needing Wallace's reminder.

Only upon seeing Wallace standing there did Steven realize he had become so engrossed in digging that he had lost track of time, and he turned to offer an apologetic smile, "It seems I've accidentally immersed myself again; my apologies."

Wallace, long accustomed to this, simply shook his head, "It's fine; how much progress is left? Do you need help?"

"No need, this is the final step."

Steven buried his head and swung the pickaxe one last time; a round stone, still covered in dust and dirt, rolled clatteringly onto the ground.

"A Dawn Stone, but compared to most common Dawn Stones, its shape is more rounded, its luster slightly different, and more importantly, the concentration of energy contained within is higher, often achieving better results when helping Pokémon evolve!"

Picking up this stone, Steven spoke incessantly about his discoveries during the excavation, just as if he had found a beloved treasure.

Even Wallace occasionally found Steven unbearable at times, let alone now with Luo Mu standing behind him; as the host, his elegant self would not leave a guest idle.

"Seeing you covered in dust, I'll handle it for you just like before."

Speaking thus, Wallace skipped his rehearsed, flamboyant Pokémon entrance routine and directly released his ace, Milotic, issuing a command.

"Refresh."

Even within the cave, Wallace's Milotic radiated its charming allure; its tail, like a work of art, rested upon Steven's unconsciously extended right hand, and then a shocking scene occurred.

The soft Bai Guang emanating from Milotic seemed endowed with life, spreading from the point where its tail contacted Steven's right hand, and in the blink of an eye, caused Steven himself to begin glowing.

Under the effect of the light, all dust and dirt were swept away completely; even his hair, unwashed for several days, now appeared moisturized and full of luster.

If the previously dusty and disheveled Steven looked like this, then needless to say, Wallace's Milotic, which already possessed outstanding temperament, looked even more so.

Luo Mu would bet anything that on the stage of any Contest Spectacular, as long as Wallace's Milotic simply used this one move, "Refresh," it could unconditionally deduct points from the opponent!

This was the strength of the world's number one Coordinator.

Wallace had long been accustomed to handling such matters for Steven, who was nearly ten years his senior; after recalling Milotic into its Poké Ball, he immediately directed Steven's attention toward Luo Mu.

"Let me introduce you; this is a friend I met in the Paldea region, Luo Mu."

"He is a powerhouse just like you and me; even my Milotic has once been defeated by him."

Wallace introduced his friend to his friend in a manner that "belittled" himself while elevating Luo Mu.

No, perhaps for Wallace, this didn't count as self-deprecation at all.

Wallace's brief two sentences immediately caused Steven to look at Luo Mu, who had remained silent behind him.

This was the first time he had ever heard such an evaluation from his good friend.

This instantly filled Steven with great interest in Luo Mu.

Though it still isn't as good as this Awakening Stone in my hand.

Displaying a perfectly calibrated smile like that of a big brother next door, Daigo extended his hand toward Luo Mu.

"Hello, Luo Mu."

"I am Daigo Stone, and as you can see, I am a common rock enthusiast; since you are a friend of Wallace, you are my friend as well, so between friends, just call me Daigo."

"Hello, Daigo."

Swallowing the word "Mr." back down, Luo Mu readily followed suit and directly called Daigo by his name.

At the same time, Luo Mu noticed that Daigo's hand, currently clasped with his own, was remarkably clean.

This cleanliness did not refer to an absence of dust, but rather that Daigo's hand lacked those rings Luo Mu remembered him wearing.

Did he find wearing them inconvenient while excavating?

Luo Mu wasn't entirely sure, but this didn't prevent him and Daigo from engaging in another brief round of self-introductions.

From Luo Mu's words, Daigo also learned of his primary occupation—farm owner.

As if recalling something, Daigo looked at Luo Mu with some confusion, "Speaking of which, I seem to recall my father mentioning a farm located in Cortondo in the Paldea region, where the apples produced there are the finest apples, surpassing even the specially selected Kitakami apples."

"Ever since tasting a dish made from those apples at a famous restaurant in the Kalos region, my father has been unable to stop thinking about them, but alas, no substitutes can be found on the market, and that farm holds no stock during winter."

"Your farm is also in Cortondo; do you know anything about this?"

Luo Mu: ⊙(◇)?

Wait, how did this suddenly turn to apples?

Come to think of it, Luo Mu vaguely remembered that sometime last month, Oranguru seemed to mention a phone call from the Hoenn region, where someone wanted to buy some apples at double the price, regardless of cost.

It was just that at the time, the farm wasn't operating at all during winter; even though there were stored portions in the ice warehouse, Luo Mu had no intention of selling and directly refused.

So that order came from the president of Devon Corporation?

Facing Daigo's curious gaze, Luo Mu fell silent for a few seconds before saying helplessly, "I'm sorry, but I think the farm you're talking about is the one I operate."

Daigo & Wallace: (OO)

After promising to prepare several boxes of apples for Daigo to take back and "shock" his father.

Luo Mu departed the nameless volcanic cave in the company of Wallace and Daigo.

Because of the apples, Luo Mu could sense that his relationship with Daigo had obviously grown much closer.

He was no longer being treated merely as Wallace's friend, but had been categorized as "one of their own."

After leaving the cave, the view immediately became spacious and bright.

Daigo could now examine more carefully the two Pokémon Luo Mu had brought along.

Victini, perched on Luo Mu's shoulder: unknown.

Terapagos, revealing only its eyes from within the satchel: unknown.

Assuming them to be characteristic Pokémon of the Paldea region, Daigo didn't probe deeper, merely complimenting that they were both very cute.

Victini couldn't handle praise; straight away, that single sentence hooked him into grinning broadly, even willing to share his beloved little round cookies with Daigo.

All the way back to the sports car parked halfway up the mountain, the three faced a new problem.

—Wallace's convertible sports car had only two seats.

Usually, with Wallace giving rides only to Daigo, there was no issue, but adding Luo Mu immediately meant overloading.

Was the extra person supposed to lie on the hood?

Wallace would never allow such a thing to happen, and Daigo himself was the same.

"I'll ride Skarmory down the mountain; you two just drive normally."

Daigo directly ended the discussion, raising his hand to release a Skarmory brimming with powerful aura.

Taking the aerial route, his descent speed might even be faster than Wallace's and Luo Mu's.

Although Luo Mu himself could also ride Moltres down the mountain, since Daigo had already done this, he didn't refuse, directly taking the passenger seat while Wallace took the driver's seat in the sports car.

U-turn, accelerate—

Accompanied by the roar of the engine, the sports car sped down the mountain, while Daigo had long since disappeared from their sight together with his Skarmory.

Along the way, Luo Mu couldn't help but curiously ask Wallace how his Milotic managed to share "Refresh," which normally only affected itself, with Daigo.

With both hands controlling the steering wheel, Wallace kept his eyes fixed ahead, having no intention whatsoever of hiding the answer to Luo Mu's question.

The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile as he said meaningfully, "This is the charm of being a Coordinator: deeply developing a Pokémon's own charm, abilities, and methods of applying moves."

"Once you find the knack, you can, like Milotic, share 'Refresh,' which dispels abnormal status conditions and comes with the effect of cleansing the body, with others."

The sports car driven by Wallace wound through the white buildings and streets of Mossdeep City, soon coming to a stop before a grand Western-style hall with a blue roof, surrounded by a spacious courtyard.

Removing his sunglasses, Wallace explained to Luo Mu beside him, "This is the Mossdeep Gym, and also my residence; because I have succeeded the Hoenn League Champion title, it is currently being operated by my master, Juan."

"Due to the Wallace Cup, rooms in both hotels and Pokémon Centers are likely nearly exhausted, so for these few days, I'm afraid you'll have to endure staying here."

"It's fine; after all, I only contacted you yesterday."

Luo Mu naturally wouldn't fuss about where he stayed; he surveyed the surrounding environment, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes.

"Speaking of which, this place is truly beautiful..."

"Hehehe, every single tree here was personally arranged, designed, and planned by the elegant me; if it makes you feel beauty, then nothing could be better."

Wallace proudly puffed out his chest, greatly enjoying the sound of Luo Mu praising his aesthetic sense.

"Bi Mi!"

Victini left Luo Mu's right shoulder, looking at the surrounding environment with some nostalgia.

This place was a bit like that courtyard where it had always stayed before meeting Luo Mu.

"Bago Bago"

Encouraged by Luo Mu, Terapagos was also lifted out of the satchel by him, curiously surveying the sights around it that it had never seen before.

"... Hmm, so this is Terapagos's complete form?"

Mochi's gaze fell upon Terapagos, his eyes alight with unmistakable admiration.

But a few seconds later, as if recalling something, Mochi's expression shifted slightly.

"Oh no!"

"Don't let Daigo see Terapagos's form!"

Yet Mochi's warning came a step too late; just above their heads rang out someone's uncontrollable, trembling voice.

"Ooooh—"

"What exquisite and resplendent crystal is this! At mere first glance, my heart is already captivated by it!"

Descending from the sky atop a Skarmory, Daigo's enraptured gaze now fixed firmly upon Terapagos, whose full form was revealed for the first time in Luo Mu's arms.

"... Truly, it makes one unable to resist the urge to gently kiss it!"

(End of Chapter)