[TL: A small reminder for everyone that doesn’t know, Shinto is the Japanese version of Sinjoh in the English version.]

“Giratina? Arceus of the other world?”

Cynthia looked at Hikaru in surprise. The flame of curiosity in her heart blazed even stronger, and her heart pounded with excitement, nervousness, and exhilaration!

Giratina—just recently, she had discovered it was the third Mythical Pokémon! And now it was mentioned so easily here!

Shinto… Just how many secrets does this place hold? Even thinking about it a little is unbearable!

She couldn’t take it anymore!

“As long as one encounters wonderful people and Pokémon, their heart will turn toward the good. Just like that, if everyone changes little by little, the world will become beautiful—I truly believe that.”

“And the gods, and Lord Hikaru, all think this way too. That’s wonderful.”

“Garchomp, I’m counting on you. As long as you’re by my side, I can fight with peace of mind. I can feel it deeply—how reliable you are when we fight together.”

“I believe this trust is the very source of our strength!”

“All that we’ve gone through—our battles, our history, our power, our moves, our bond—let them shine on an even bigger, grander stage!”

“Roooar!!” Garchomp let out a furious howl!

Cynthia wore a confident and proud smile! In that instant, a surge of powerful energy faintly enveloped Garchomp’s body!

“Hm?” Hikaru, sensitive to these things, activated his knowledge of mental amplification and sensed Cynthia’s mental power syncing with Garchomp!

Wait, are they about to perform Mega Evolution or some form of Bond Phenomenon!?

“Garchomp, Stone Edge!”

“Togekiss, Air Slash—Brutal!”

The terrifying storm of stone and surging blades of wind collided violently. The sharp stones surrounding Garchomp surged forward into the wind blades with unstoppable momentum!

Each of those wind blades carried the potential to make Pokémon flinch—and some even struck Garchomp!

But Garchomp’s mind was perfectly calm!

No fear. No panic. No doubt. Cynthia’s emotional state was completely in sync with Garchomp’s. Because of this, Garchomp had no reason to fear!

Flinching from Air Slash? Overcome it with willpower!

Who do you think I am?

I’m the ace of the Sinnoh Champion!

『A powerful bond has formed between Cynthia and Garchomp. Their mental resonance allows them to resist the opponent’s flinch effect through sheer willpower!』

『Witnessing the mental resonance of a Champion-level Trainer, you’ve gained the knowledge “Willpower Bond”! Bond +50%, Fear Resistance +50%, Willpower +50%, Speed increases!』

Wait a minute! Hikaru was stunned.

A Garchomp with boosted willpower and speed—how is that even fair!?

Looking over to Volo:

『A powerful bond has formed between Volo and Togekiss. Their mental resonance increases the chance of landing critical hits!』

『Witnessing a powerful Trainer’s resonance, you’ve gained the knowledge “Harsh Bond”! Bond +50%, Critical Hit Rate +1, Luck +50%, Stamina increases!』

Okay, so that’s super luck and stamina regen!

Togekiss clenched its teeth—it had been directly hit by Garchomp’s Stone Edge. Its body trembled, but it didn’t fall!

“Moonblast—Brutal!”

Fairy energy naturally counters Dragon-types. Attribute-wise, Togekiss had the upper hand. But Garchomp’s Stone Edge was a real problem. Togekiss flew high, a brilliant moon forming at its forehead from concentrated Fairy energy!

With the brutal modifier, Moonblast now had a 40% chance to lower the target’s attack for four turns or cancel attack boosts!

And Togekiss had the ability Serene Grace!

Which doubles the chance of additional effects. If the chance exceeds 100%, then the effect is guaranteed!

“In the face of Fairy power, Dragon-types are nothing!”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Cynthia said, looking at Garchomp. “Fly, Garchomp!”

It was her partner. She believed Garchomp would bring her victory!

“Use Sandstorm!”

Garchomp swung its claws. A wild sandstorm burst forth, raising a massive veil of dust from the ground. That dust turned into a tornado that clashed against the Moonblast!

The giant sand cyclone directly blocked the Moonblast!

Volo: “What? What kind of battle tactic is that!?”

Cynthia: “There’s more than one way to use a move. The same move can be applied differently in different situations. Now, let’s go!”

“Poison Jab!”

Cynthia’s Garchomp had a very unconventional move—Poison Jab. Almost no other Trainer would teach a land shark like Garchomp this move. Clearly, Volo didn’t expect Cynthia to have prepared this specifically to counter Fairy-types!

Garchomp struck Togekiss, and the poison-type glow, crackling with violet energy, slammed Togekiss from the sky!

It was super effective against Fairy-types!

Status effect: Poisoned!

Poison gradually saps strength. In the real world, it also wears down stamina. Togekiss tried hard not to fall, but its body swayed. At that moment, Volo’s mind wavered.

Did he lose?

No—it’s not over! In that moment, Volo didn’t even care about winning or losing anymore!

His great-granddaughter was a brilliant battler. This match was exhilarating!

Togekiss’s eyes flared with Psychic energy, but Garchomp didn’t let the moment slip. It charged in at the cost of its own health—another Poison Jab!

Togekiss fell, unable to battle.

The Hisuian Arcanine immediately leapt onto the field without pause. With a roar of “Raging Fury,” it transformed into a fire god and charged Garchomp with unprecedented speed!

Cynthia’s Garchomp had the Sand Veil ability, not Rough Skin, so there was no counter damage. Still, it refused to fall. Even after taking that hit, it still had strength left to retaliate—until a bolt of white lightning struck down from the sky!

It was Togekiss’s final move before fainting—”Future Sight—Brutal”!

Garchomp couldn’t withstand it. Its eyes widened in disbelief, and consciousness faded. But just before it lost awareness, a blue figure appeared.

“Raging Fury!”

Oh no—what Garchomp thought in its final moment was: my Trainer might lose now.

The final Pokémon had entered the field. A Steel-type—extremely weak to Fire-types. A choice band–boosted Raging Fury could one-shot any Steel-type not protected by Sturdy!

If only I were stronger…

“You’ve done very well, Garchomp. Leave the rest to Lucario.”

“Our journey is just beginning.”

Cynthia’s Lucario stepped onto the field. The Hisuian Arcanine, now a fire god in full charge, crashed into Lucario with blazing speed!

Lucario was forced back to the edge of the field, its fur engulfed in flames!

But Cynthia’s resolve held strong:

“Counter!”

On Lucario’s arm, a sash blazed brightly!

It was a Focus Sash!

When held, if at full HP, the user can survive a potential one-hit KO with 1 HP remaining once!

A massive force gathered in Lucario’s fists—it would return double the physical damage taken back at its attacker!

The Hisuian Arcanine was blasted back with full force!

When the dust settled, Lucario stood firm, signaling victory!

Suddenly, Arcanine stood back up!

Its Choice Band burned to ash.

It held on—so you wouldn’t be heartbroken.

At that moment, Cynthia’s instincts screamed!

She and Volo shouted the same move at the same time!

“Extreme Speed!”

In this scenario, Bullet Punch (priority +1) wouldn’t be fast enough. Extreme Speed (+2 priority) took over the field.

The two loyal canine Pokémon gave one final clash for their Trainers!

When the dust settled, both lay unconscious!

Draw?

No. Aegislash, the judge, had seen clearly who won!

“Gehhh…” Aegislash’s single eye darted left and right. Both Trainers stared at it.

It turned its shield toward Cynthia.

Lucario had propped itself up a split second longer—so she won!

“I knew it,” Volo muttered, looking at the fallen Arcanine. The fanaticism in his eyes shifted into quiet contemplation. He didn’t look at Cynthia, only at his Pokémon. He walked into the field and gently stroked Arcanine’s cheek.

This Arcanine wasn’t his first partner. It wasn’t the one who accompanied him through Hisui.

It wasn’t even his ace. But this time, it endured to the end for him—seeking one last chance at victory.

Under Volo’s touch, Arcanine opened its eyes and weakly licked him, whimpering.

“I… I’m no longer alone. As a Pokémon Tamer, I too have partners. Claws and fangs with minds of their own—I once feared that. But they chose this path.”

“Thank you, Arcanine. Thank you, Cynthia. And thank you, Lord Hikaru. I think I’ve found something more important than standing on that stage.”

“I am a Pokémon Tamer. But you are those who battle alongside Pokémon and realize dreams. Can I… now be one too?”

“May I ask… was He pleased with my performance?”

Hikaru and Volo locked eyes.

The stream of information wasn’t over:

『The powerful bond between humans and Pokémon has been witnessed! Arceus is greatly pleased! Both Trainers have been highly praised!』

『You have received the craftsmanship of Arceus: “Arceus Equipment Crafting (S)!”』

“Yes.” Hikaru nodded gently. “He was extremely pleased.”

“Then… once the healing is done, let’s head to the Stage of Light. He’s been waiting.”

At that moment, Hikaru really felt like a high priest—an NPC of Shinto with the divine duty of guidance.

“Miss Cynthia, you will receive this pendant—it bears Arceus’s blessing. And… you will be granted a chance.”

“Volo will surely want to witness it, for this is a chance to battle a phantom of Arceus! If you win, you’ll receive the same ‘Divine Blessing’ as the ancient hero of Sinnoh!”

Volo’s breath caught. His face froze.

To see the being he had pursued for years—Arceus—he had only managed to piece together fragments of its image. And now, a phantom of it was to appear before him?

But just a phantom!

Even so… even if it were the real Arceus… he…

Volo stroked Arcanine, then took out other Poké Balls.

“Volo, you’ve pursued Arceus for a long time, haven’t you?”

Cynthia suddenly spoke. She looked at Volo thoughtfully and made a surprising proposal:

“Though I won, I want to give you this chance.”

“To be honest, this is too much,” Cynthia admitted, glancing back at Hikaru. “To suddenly be told I’m to fight Arceus, receive a hero’s blessing… I’ve never read about that in any records.”

A god that created the world, suddenly appearing and declaring it wants to battle you?

That sounds more like a divine ordination!

And more importantly, Cynthia had come to understand what kind of person Volo was through battle.

The more they fought, the more she felt a strange sense of kinship. If he had pursued this for hundreds of years only to fall short now…

“Giving it to me? That’s meaningless,” Volo shook his head. His expression lightened again, returning to his usual playful, unreadable self.

“It’s only a phantom. Besides, your wish and mine are incompatible.”

“Cynthia, you don’t know what I intend, so let me tell you.”

“I can’t suppress this curiosity—this desire to see Arceus! Since I was young, whenever I faced pain or sorrow, I always wondered—why was I treated this way?”

“Eventually, I chose to be true to my curiosity and ambition.”

“Mythology, history, ruins—those stirred something deep within me. Because if I could investigate them and understand how the world developed… maybe I could create a better world. That’s been my dream all along.”

“If I meet Arceus and can make it obey me, I want to try creating a better world!”

“Of course, if I recreate the world, Sinnoh—not just Sinnoh, but Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Unova—they might all vanish in an instant. Everyone you know, Pokémon too, gone like they never existed!”

“I said I’d meet Arceus one day. Whether it takes years, decades, centuries—I’d do it. But now, if I stepped onto that stage, it’s only a phantom.”

“I’ll meet the real one eventually. I’m getting just a bit hopeful about this world.”

“So go ahead. You take this chance, Cynthia. You’ll rise even higher—right here at the Shinto Ruins!”

Cynthia shook her head. “Your ideals might be twisted, but I believe if you truly met Arceus, you wouldn’t say such things. Volo, you’re kind. Your bond with Pokémon is strong.”

“And Volo… what exactly is your relationship with me?”

Volo smiled that familiar smile.

“Just a distant relative who looks like you. Honestly, we both have ancient Sinnoh blood. Long ago, we shared ancestors with the people of Shinto.”

“So really, the three of us here—we all come from the same source.”

Hikaru: “You don’t seem to care about winning or losing anymore.”

Volo smiled: “Because I always lose. But what matters… is pleasing Him, right?”

Hikaru nodded: “No one can win every battle. Losing is the real test of a Trainer. Ah, just my personal view—I’m not really a Trainer myself.”

“No worries. I’m not either. I’m just an insignificant myth merchant.” Volo waved it off and returned to his usual expectant demeanor.

“Now, let’s head to the Stage of Light. You should also tell us the legends you know. After all, you understand my intentions now—you won’t hold anything against me anymore, right?”

Their conversation left Cynthia mumbling to herself.

As a Champion, she was barely stronger than two “non-official” Trainers. That was a bit embarrassing…

Even though Hikaru hadn’t fought, seeing that Aegislash said enough!

This “Messenger of the Gods” could create battle tools. He must have formidable battle skills!

If there’s a chance someday…

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep