“Rood, you can’t see or hear it either, can you? That’s the echo of souls. The entire Celestial Tower is filled with Pokémon spirits.”

N gave a wry smile. “This is my first time learning about spiritualists… People who can communicate with the dead exist in faraway regions, you know?”

Rood’s jaw dropped in astonishment, and even the surrounding Team Plasma members were visibly shaken. Some even looked emotionally conflicted—for among their ranks were people who had joined the organization after the death of their own Pokémon.

“I… I want to speak with my Pokémon too. It’s resting here. Can I?”

A Team Plasma member stepped forward, drawn in by what he saw. Hikaru didn’t refuse him. After shaking hands, the man called forth the spirit of his former partner. Tears of joy followed—without a doubt, his bond had been genuine.

“They’re speaking… and more souls are speaking too.” Hikaru heard endless voices, and alongside them—a powerful urge to battle!

“May I hear them as well?” N finally couldn’t contain himself. He too wanted to hear the voices of the departed Pokémon.

Hikaru extended his hand. “I think this is the perfect floor for that.”

“This place is full of the will to live—listen to their cries!”

As they clasped hands, an electric surge of emotion and longing exploded in N’s heart!

[I want to keep battling!]

[Let me fight—I still want to live!]

[Even though I’m dead, when others battle, I still feel alive—that’s proof I existed!] ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novèlfire.net

[Don’t forget me… I’m still here!]

N’s world spun as he saw spirit after spirit float up from the gravestones. Some embraced their former partners. Some clashed with one another in a storm of ghostly energy—an emotional melee.

More… and more… and more spirits awakened from their slumber!

And then, a strange and powerful reverberation shook the tower.

[What awakens the soul… is a burning battle between Pokémon! The soul blazes like fire!]

The voice was strange and unknown, as if the tower itself was roaring into N’s very soul!

“This is the world of souls… These are their voices!”

“Battles… They’re not acts of violence. No, battle is proof of life! That’s what the Pokémon souls are saying!”

N clenched his fists. Once again, through Hikaru’s powers, he had witnessed a new world!

But it wasn’t enough.

He wanted to see more—to understand more!

“There’s a soul inside me… a wandering spirit. It wants to fight—it wants to battle you!”

“Lord Hikaru, I know your powers defy belief… but who are you, really, to make these spirits burn with passion?”

Hikaru smiled. “My powers come from the Spirit World. I’ve even died and come back before.”

N stared at him in shock, but Hikaru only chuckled. “No need to look so surprised. There are more people like me than you think.”

“We were never special to begin with.”

N opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, a slow smile spread across his face… and grew.

Yes. Yes!

Only by stepping outside had he realized just how vast the world was! In every region, there were people unlike anything he’d ever imagined!

What king? What ideals? What legend of a nation’s founding? None of that mattered anymore!

He was just a Trainer.

Even if only a temporary one.

“I can’t wait to battle you. Please—let’s go together!”

N felt the spirits cheering. They already knew what was coming. They were eager to be part of it—to lend their strength to the coming battle!

The heat, the energy—this was the only way for departed Pokémon to prove they’d ever existed.

A thunderous echo shook Hikaru’s mind—a roar from the Spirit World!

The power of the souls in the tower began to boil. It surged upward, climbing and intensifying. Hikaru could hear and see their calls—he’d long been able to see the flames of spirits.

Now, the entire Celestial Tower felt like it had awakened!

Brilliant flames of soul energy lit up each gravestone. Even the Ghost-type Pokémon residing in the tower emerged.

From behind the tombstones, Litwick appeared.

These candle-like Pokémon had eerie designs—purple flames atop their waxy white bodies, melting layers of wax covering one of their eyes. Only the glowing yellow left eye could be seen.

Though they pretended to light the way, Litwick actually consumed the life force of people and Pokémon to feed their flame.

Their flames usually remained unlit… but once they absorbed enough life energy, they’d burn brightly—eerily so. The younger the soul, the more intensely their flame blazed. Some even lured lost children into the Spirit World.

Only exceptional Trainers could command a Litwick—those with overwhelming vitality, a natural affinity for Ghost-types, or a deep bond with one. Otherwise, they risked having their life drained away.

But now, the Litwick that appeared were nervous. They had never seen so many ghostly spirits so active.

And all of it was because of this strange “Spirit World human.”

And then—a call from the Spirit World itself. Something powerful was watching… Something that existed just beyond this world!

Though the Celestial Tower now radiated with vibrant life, dangerous beings had also taken notice—including the one now standing among them.

“You’re Rood, aren’t you?”

Hikaru approached. The old sage was stunned speechless. After a long pause, he nodded. “Yes… I am.”

“No need to say anything. Just shake my hand—and you’ll understand. If possible, I’d like you to give one more speech.”

“I don’t know what you said earlier, but it probably wasn’t anything good. However… once you truly understand the life and soul of Pokémon, I’m sure you’ll see your past self was wrong.”

Rood stared blankly at the young man before him.

If even the King had accepted this “gift,” then as a Sage, he could not show cowardice!

Nothing could shake his resolve. His cause was just! Or so he thought…

Then he shook Hikaru’s hand.

A torrent of emotion and unspoken longing flooded into Rood’s heart—a massive shock to the old Sage!

The voices of gratitude, confession, sorrow, and love overwhelmed him. He stood there, dazed, watching the mourners embrace the unseen spirits with tears in their eyes.

Even as time passed, their bonds had never faded.

“The souls can’t wait any longer! Let’s begin.”

Hikaru nodded to N and headed for the top—the fifth floor of the tower.

N glanced at Rood. “The event ends here.”

Rood didn’t reply. He was still drowning in the world of spirits.

N smiled softly and said nothing, quietly following Hikaru.

Elsewhere, Mr. Wado was weeping. He had finally understood his Pokémon’s heart—he felt Little Dream’s lingering feelings and now deeply regretted his past choices.

“Even though Little Dream is gone… her dream lives on.”

“I—I did something so foolish…”

Wado turned to Skyla. “That young man… who is he?”

Skyla opened her mouth. Her eyes shimmered with admiration and curiosity. She smiled.

“A traveler.”

“Or perhaps… a hero of legend.”

“Ahh! I finally made it!” A breathless voice cried out. A purple-haired girl climbed up to the fourth floor—Shauntal had finally shaken off the overenthusiastic Mistralton townsfolk and made it here, thanks to the help of her Chandelure.

The chandelier-shaped Pokémon swayed gracefully behind her.

The Celestial Tower was truly a paradise for Ghost-types!

But today, something was different. The spirits inside the tower were… overwhelming!

Even Shauntal, a Ghost-type Trainer, had no idea what was going on.

“What on earth happened here? Everyone’s laughing uncontrollably… I can feel the souls crying, laughing, trembling—what is all this?”

Skyla removed the Silph Scope from her head and handed it to Shauntal. “Miss Shauntal, you should see for yourself.”

“The spirits are rejoicing. As expected from a Ghost-type Trainer—your spiritual sensitivity is amazing!”

Shauntal skeptically put on the scope—then froze, as if struck by lightning, and cried out in wonder.

“W-Whoa!! What is all this?! These are… spirits?!”

“I only caught glimpses of them when I was a child… but there really are so many souls wandering inside the tower! So the people here… they’re talking with their departed partners? No wonder they were so emotional!”

“Wait, what is this device?! How does it let you see spirits?!”

Skyla shrugged. “I don’t know either. The traveler who came with you gave it to me.”

“He has all sorts of unbelievable powers. I’m so curious.”

With hands behind her back, Skyla cheerfully began humming as she walked up the final stairs toward the top of the tower.

This battle felt important.

It wasn’t just a clash of ideas between the traveler and Team Plasma.

No—every soul was watching.

They longed for it, clung to the Pokémon of the hero, wanting to feel alive again!

“Before the battle begins—ring the bell.”

Skyla pointed to the ancient bell atop the tower. “It calms the souls of Pokémon and reveals the heart of the one who rings it.”

“Actually, I chose this location for that very reason,” N said as he approached and rang the bell.

Clang… clang…

“A clear tone… but a little hollow. Your heart is uncertain,” Skyla assessed.

N smiled. “It’s because I’m lost that I issue this challenge.”

Footsteps echoed from below.

Skyla turned, expecting Shauntal—but it wasn’t her.

It was Wado.

The elderly artist carried his easel on his back. Floating beside him was Munna’s spirit—along with many other Pokémon spirits that surged upward all at once.

Come see! Come see!

The battle of heroes is about to begin!

“I want to witness your battle—those who carry dreams… May I paint you?”

His heart was full of gratitude. “I want to thank you… and I want that feeling to reach you too.”

Hikaru shook his head. “I’ve received your gratitude. Thank you.”

Wado set up his easel at the top of Celestial Tower.

Once, he had lost his ability to paint after losing his dream. But now, with Munna and Deerling at his side, he had found it again. He could once more capture beauty!

This would be his final painting in Mistralton. After this, he would journey to the Dreamyard—the home of dreamers.

Hikaru passed N, placed his hand on the ancient bell, and rang it.

BOOOONG!

The bell rang with a grand, distant tone—echoing in all directions.

[Item: Celestial Bell]

[Description: An ancient bell atop the Celestial Tower, seemingly built in the same era as the Bell Tower in Ecruteak. It calms and purifies souls, and reflects the heart of the one who rings it.]

[Note: Your spiritual power caused a special reaction in the bell—an extraordinary aura is gathering!]

[Craftable Items: Spirit Lantern, Celestial Bell]

“The bell’s tone is vast and mighty. Your heart holds no confusion—but there is something secret, isn’t there? Something unresolved.”

Skyla listened to the sound—and then her eyes widened.

An astonishing aura gathered in the air!

In her stunned gaze, a red light condensed above, forming a strange and mystical Pokémon!

A tiny gray fairy-like being with two tails, each tipped with a red gem—Mesprit—circled Hikaru, dancing in the air and leaving everyone speechless.

“Mes~!”

[Ah! Hello—at last, you’ve arrived!]

[The powerful emotions in the Celestial Tower—the unspoken feelings—you helped deliver them all!]

Mesprit’s voice rang in everyone’s minds—even Shauntal, who had just arrived.

“That’s… a Pokémon?!”

“Mesprit,” Hikaru nodded. He had foreseen this.

“A legendary Pokémon. It’s said that when Mesprit flies, it grants people joy, sorrow, and emotion. It taught humans about the pain of sadness and the value of happiness.”

“It’s known as the Spirit of Emotion. Legends say it causes the emotions of those who show it disrespect to spiral out of control—so people fear it.”

[Hehe~ That only happens to mean people!]

Mesprit tried to puff up proudly, patting its nose—only to realize it didn’t have a nose. Its cheeks puffed up in frustration.

But it quickly shook its head, letting go of the mood, and smiled again.

[Thank you for sharing these emotions. Thank you for helping these souls feel alive again.]

[Now, no more words—battle! Battle is proof of life!]

[When the fight is over, ring the bell again!]

[Even the god from another universe is watching. It resides… in the Spirit World.]

A surge of spiritual energy erupted from the Celestial Bell!

In the pale sky and swirling vortex of time, a great silver-blue dragon shone with divine radiance.

The ruler of the Spirit World—roared.

“Show the brilliance of life… to those who slumber in death!”

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep