Chapter 50: Mr. Mammon Is So Gentle

The same Akala Island, the Tree Shade Jungle.

This was one of Akala Island's trial grounds, and right now Mitsumi was following Captain Mao into the woods to undergo the trial.

Outside the Tree Shade Jungle, Lillie, dressed in a white dress, sat on a long bench, taking a letter out of her bag with both hands, her delicate little face full of hesitation and uncertainty.

It had been handed to her that morning by a stranger, and only after she opened and read it did she learn it was a letter written to her by her mother, Lusamine.

Lillie was extremely hesitant at this moment; she did not know what to do.

Should she return to the Aether Paradise as the letter instructed? But she was afraid, she feared the Lusamine of now.

And Lillie knew very well that Lusamine wanted to use Nebby for research experiments—her father had disappeared because of that—and she was truly terrified.

But if Lusamine could have someone outside deliver a letter to her, did that not mean Lusamine had actually already found her?

"What on earth… should I do…"

Lillie pressed her lips tightly together. She wanted to uncover Nebby's secret, so she had pored through all sorts of ancient texts, but it still was not enough.

So she wanted to explore the ancient ruins all across Alola, believing that surely she could learn Nebby's origins that way.

But… it seemed there was no time left.

Lillie did not know what to do; at this moment she was utterly lost.

"Mo~ mo~"

Just then, Lillie's bag was opened, and Nebby poked half its body out, letting out an delighted cry.

"Nebby? Could it be…"

Seeing Nebby in such a state, Lillie was stunned for a moment, and then seemed to think of something, her expression a mix of surprise and joy.

"Well, well~ Lovely Young Lady, we meet again."

A familiar, gentle and clear young man's voice reached her ears. Lillie turned her head, and sure enough, the young man from her memory came into view.

Walking out from under the shade of the trees, he wore a simple, colorful fitted shirt and a pair of black pants, clean-cut and handsome.

His entire figure was backlit, making him seem as if he were slowly walking out of the light, and with his gentle smile, he was just like a warm angel.

Lillie stared blankly at this young man; he was still the same as before, so good-looking.

"Mo~!"

Nebby did not have as many strange thoughts as Lillie; it happily floated up, flew to Mammon, and circled around him.

"You little rascal, are you that happy?"

Mammon amusedly reached out and caught Nebby, took out a candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and fed it to Nebby.

Nebby's eyes narrowed into slits, letting out a satisfied little hum.

"The moment you appear, Nebby seems to liven up."

Without realizing it, Lillie wore a gentle smile, and in her eyes there was only the young man before her and the Nebby in his hands.

Sure enough, this was what she had been hoping for—she really wanted to encounter this sunny, gentle young man again.

Fate was indeed wonderfully mysterious; in the short span of two or three months, they had run into each other three times on their own.

This had to be an indescribable kind of "fate."

"Ha~ I like this little one too." Mammon rubbed Nebby's cheek, then carried it over and sat down beside Lillie.

Of course he liked Nebby—after all, this little one could one day evolve into the Sun and Moon deity.

Speaking of which, he wondered what this Nebby would evolve into.

In the anime, Nebby evolved into Solgaleo, but in "Evolutions," Nebby evolved into Lunala.

But it did not matter—the big lion was mighty and domineering, the big bat was gorgeous and elegant, both were excellent; Mammon was not picky.

With a member of the opposite sex suddenly appearing at such a close distance, Lillie instinctively flushed a faint pink on her pretty face, but she did not sit farther away.

Or rather… he smelled really nice.

Lillie's cute little nose twitched; it was the first time she had smelled the scent of a boy her age at such close range, and her head felt a little dizzy.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but she even caught a scent similar to that of her mother, my lord, which made her feel very safe.

If Mammon could hear Lillie's thoughts at this moment, he would only exclaim what on earth was up with Lillie's nose.

He had indeed gone to the Aether Paradise that morning to deal with Lusamine, but he had clearly showered afterward—how could Lillie still smell it?

Of course, Mammon could not guess Lillie's thoughts. He fed Nebby another candy, and Nebby happily munched away.

"Speaking of which, this is the third time we've met, isn't it? Lovely Young Lady."

Mammon wore a warm, sunshine-like smile as his gaze shifted to Lillie.

Lillie's cheeks turned even redder.

"P-please… please don't say things like 'lovely'…"

The shy girl clutched her skirt tightly with both small hands, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.

"But the Young Lady really is lovely and beautiful." Mammon tilted his head as if puzzled.

Hearing that, Lillie felt her face burning so badly it made her heart pound.

"Speaking of which, fate brings together those destined to meet across a thousand miles; our 'fate' does seem to run deep. So let's properly introduce ourselves."

Seeing Lillie about to transform into a 'steam princess,' Mammon smiled and did not continue teasing this thin-skinned young lady, changing the subject,

"I'm Mammon, from the Kanto region. Pleased to meet you."

"I… I'm Lillie."

Lillie, forcibly suppressing her shyness, took hold of the hand Mammon extended.

So warm…

Feeling the warmth of the young man's palm, that was Lillie's very first reaction.

But quickly, the etiquette she had learned since childhood made her voluntarily let go of that hand; otherwise it really would have been terribly impolite.

"Lillie, Young Lady? That's a very nice name."

"Thank you."

Lillie fanned her cheeks carefully with her small hands, finally managing to lower the temperature on her face a little.

"I saw the cute Young Lady Lillie sitting here all alone from far away just now; is something on your mind?"

Mammon stroked the little nebula's chin and asked Lillie.

Lillie froze, then pressed her lips and lowered her head; so someone had seen her like that just now. That made sense...

"I'm sorry, Mr. Mammon, for letting you see me in such a wretched state."

"Eh? No need to apologize. Everyone has times when they feel down, every single person in this world."

Mammon raised an eyebrow, leaned his face in slightly, and spoke seriously to Lillie.

"Everyone has regrets and a past they don't want to recall; that is a very normal thing. Where in the world is there anyone truly without worry or care for their entire life?"

"Even the carefree optimist who seems joyful every day might be licking the wounds in their heart alone on a deserted night, you know."

"Joy and sorrow, happiness and grief are the most basic privileges of being human. So even when you encounter painful, embarrassing setbacks and troubles, you must face them and overcome them, not sit here alone feeling sad and sorrowful, okay?"

Hearing Mammon's words, Lillie stared blankly at the youth right before her eyes; her clear, pure pupils reflected the youth's face as she drifted into a daze.

He really...

"What's wrong, Lillie?"

After a long while, seeing that Lillie was just staring at him without speaking, Mammon called out in confusion.

Hearing the voice, Lillie came to her senses; red clouds immediately climbed her cheeks again, and she quickly averted her gaze.

"I'm... I'm sorry, I got lost in thought again just now..." Lillie spoke softly.

"It's okay."

"Mr. Mammon, you are so gentle."

"Ah? What did you say, Lillie?"

"Please don't mind; I was just talking to myself just now."

The girl embarrassedly rubbed the hair on the side of her face; what had she just said without thinking!!!

She suddenly understood why Mizuki always kept talking about how good her boyfriend was.

Oh my god!

If such a gentle Mr. Mammon were her boyfriend... she would definitely be unable to resist showing him off in front of Mizuki every day.

Ps: I'm torn over whether the little nebula is the moon or the sun; both the big bat and the big lion like it.

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(End of this chapter)