"Grandpa, Champion Duke, why are you still here?"
After exiting the secret realm, Julian saw his grandfather and Duke, surrounded by some military personnel.
The nearly hundred Elites and Victor who had come earlier had all left after Solgaleo departed from the secret realm.
After all, those who were qualified to come all held significant positions. Since the matter was resolved, they naturally hurried back to handle their duties.
Not everyone could be like John and Julian—holding high positions while also being able to act as hands-off bosses. They could only envy such freedom.
"I was waiting for you, my dear grandson," John grinned, sizing up Julian. Seeing him completely safe and sound, he was finally at ease.
"Julian, what exactly happened? Tell me the details," Duke pressed urgently.
Although Solgaleo had already left and hadn't shown any hostility toward the country or human society, it was still necessary to understand the situation.
Who could say if they might end up becoming adversaries in the future?
Moreover, Solgaleo was the latest newly discovered First-class Legendary. The last time a new First-class Legendary appeared was with Reshiram and Zekrom, and before that, it was Mew, and before that… it was Mewtwo.
Good grief, all of them were somehow connected to Julian.
Even this time, Solgaleo had some connection to Julian.
And also—
How did you come out holding yet another thing in your arms? This Pokémon was clearly one of the undiscovered ones too.
So Julian explained what had happened. There really wasn't much to tell—Solgaleo woke up, entrusted Cosmog to him, and that was pretty much it.
But for Duke, it was undoubtedly astonishing. Especially when he learned that the cute little creature in Julian's arms would eventually evolve into the First-class Legendary, Lunala, his expression grew even more spectacular.
Julian did not hide anything about this matter. With his strength, the only possible threats to him were First-class Legendaries. Even a hundred peak Champions among human trainers wouldn't be enough to take on Reshiram and Zekrom.
So he could fully protect Cosmog. If anyone really dared to set their sights on it, he would simply crush them.
As for Julian revealing Cosmog's true identity to him, Duke more or less understood Julian's reasoning.
In this world, aside from First-class Legendaries, practically no one could pose any real danger to him anymore.
"You still need to be careful. We're not afraid of direct threats, but humans are best at using underhanded methods," Duke warned.
It happened all too often—Champions being taken down by other means.
Even he himself, if it hadn't been for Celebi saving him back then, he would have almost died to the underhanded schemes of those bast**ds.
"Mm, I know," Julian nodded.
He wasn't afraid of open challenges, but when it came to underhanded tactics, he had to admit he wasn't entirely confident.
After all, schemes and traps were really too hard to guard against sometimes.
He no longer ate at the same restaurant for extended periods, fearing that someone might poison the food.
The Mega Pallet Town Physique didn't protect against poison.
Poison was truly the perfect tool for murder and arson.
Although the system shop carried an universal antidote, if the poison was fast-acting and killed instantly upon ingestion, there would be no time for him to use the antidote.
The system shop also had an Ultimate treasure that made one immune to all poisons, but it cost three million points.
For the first time, Julian felt that his life was actually so valuable. So as long as he was a bit more careful himself, he could save three million.
"Yes, you have to be careful about this. In the future when eating at home, let your dad eat first. If he's fine, then you eat," John nodded in agreement.
But his words left Julian somewhat speechless.
Truly worthy of being a doting-grandson fanatic.
Luckily he had stuck to his inner principles; otherwise, under this kind of indulgence, he might have turned into a spoiled brat.
Fortunately, Jake wasn't here. If he heard this, he would probably strangle Julian first to make John experience the pain of losing a grandson.
As for food at home, there was no need to worry about that. Julian fully believed that there was no poison in the world that could slip past the two head chefs—Slowing and Love.
Anyone who dared to tamper with their ingredients would simply be looking for death.
"My dear grandson, is this really a future First-class Legendary?"
John looked at the adorable Nebby in Julian's arms, finding it hard to believe that this little guy would one day evolve into a First-class Legendary.
"It's also my first time hearing that a First-class Legendary can evolve," Duke was also very curious.
From the ancient stone tablets translated so far, all known First-class Legendaries were born in their final forms, with no prior evolutionary stages discovered.
At most, there were phenomena like Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion.
For a tiny creature like Cosmog evolving into a First-class Legendary was truly a first.
Such an adorable little thing—you'd think punching it would make it cry for a long time.
"My dear grandson, let me hold it," John said eagerly.
This was a future First-class Legendary, after all.
Although Julian had Zekrom and Reshiram, no one else was allowed to touch them except him. Even when they were used to show off while carrying his mom to and from work, Julian had to do a lot of sweet-talking to make it happen.
"Nebby, this is my grandpa. Would you let him hold you?"
Julian asked softly.
Perhaps sensing a familiar aura similar to Julian's from John, Nebby thought for a moment before nodding.
"Here, Grandpa."
Then under John's excited gaze, Julian placed Nebby into his arms.
Later, when Nebby evolves into Cosmoem, it would weigh nearly a ton. By then, John wouldn't even have a chance to hold it. But right now, Nebby only weighed 0.1 kg—light and soft—holding it felt just like holding a lump of marshmallow.
"My dear grandson, take a picture for me," John said urgently.
He even struck several poses, and Nebby was surprisingly cooperative. Julian clicked away, capturing several photos.
"Hehe, when Nebby evolves into Lunala in the future, I'll be the man who once held a First-class Legendary," John chuckled triumphantly, looking at the photos on his phone.
Beside him, Duke watched with envy.
This was a future First-class Legendary. Such a lofty existence—if he didn't take a photo now, he'd regret it for the rest of his life.
So he wanted to hold Nebby too, but Nebby refused.
"Hahaha, old goat, did you think anyone could hold a future First-class Legendary? You're so ugly—don't even think about it!"
John laughed smugly.
In the end, though, Duke still got to be in a photo—with John holding Nebby while he stood beside them.
At least it looked like he was part of the moment.
"You really lucked out, old man."
John looked at Duke's pleased expression and muttered sourly under his breath.
*****
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