"Mr. Elias, I genuinely want to help you."
"I'm not in a hurry. We can restart the plan later."
Seeing Elias reject him so decisively, Lysandre grew slightly anxious.
He gestured toward the data displayed on the instruments, clearly trying to persuade Elias to accept his offer.
Unfortunately…
If Lysandre had said this earlier, Elias might've been tempted.
After all, when dealing with a legendary Pokémon like Yveltal, the safer the better.
But right now, Elias wanted Lysandre to pour every ounce of effort into capturing that person.
If AZ had managed to hide for three thousand years, he undoubtedly had methods and tricks of his own.
If they lost track of him even once, they might never find him again.
The Ultimate Weapon was Elias's backup plan for Diancie.
"Mr. Elias…"
Lysandre's tone carried a helpless edge and a hint of pleading.
Elias had helped him far too much.
Lysandre felt that without Elias's support… his dream of building an organization would probably have remained a mere fantasy.
He used to be nothing more than a scholar who'd traveled for a few years.
Building an organization, expanding it, planning ahead, managing personnel—all these things were impossibly difficult for him. He'd had to learn everything from scratch.
Heck, even the startup funds to create the organization—more than half had come from Mr. Elias's Diancie.
Now that Team Flare was finally on track, if he couldn't even help with Mr. Elias's plan, it would be a total failure.
Besides…
Lysandre had the feeling that if he didn't step up this time, he'd regret it forever.
Looking into Lysandre's determined eyes, Elias felt his head throb.
Sometimes Lysandre really was as stubborn as a Pyroar—no wonder back during his traveling days, he'd managed to annoy Elias to such an extent.
"Lysandre, let me ask you something."
After careful thought, Elias controlled his expression and spoke seriously.
Seeing this, Lysandre felt a sudden pressure.
Before Lysandre could reply, Elias continued.
"First: even if Team Flare came to help, you couldn't use large-scale equipment, right?"
Elias meant the heavy devices poachers typically used to capture Pokémon.
Such equipment was generally advanced—but loud and difficult to deploy discreetly.
Unless operating in a completely remote area, even in Kalos's forests, it would attract the Pokémon League's attention.
The Rangers weren't being paid to sit idle.
Elias's first question made Lysandre's gaze falter.
He already understood Elias's point.
If they could use large-scale equipment, even Yveltal would face significant disruption.
Then Team Flare's help would obviously matter.
But…
"Obviously, transporting it is troublesome and it'd attract the League's attention, so we can't use it," Elias answered his own question.
When Lysandre didn't object, Elias raised a second finger.
"Second: Malva is currently aiming for an Elite Four seat. She doesn't have time to handle missions."
"Without her, Team Flare has nobody who can realistically support me in battle right now, correct?"
"You're not suggesting we rely on Xerosic and the others to fight Yveltal, are you?"
Elias's words fell slowly.
The second point made Lysandre's expression darken again.
He couldn't refute it.
Team Flare had plenty of researchers, but among its executives, Malva was the only one with real strength.
Xerosic and the others… were passable, sure, but against Yveltal, they obviously weren't qualified.
"Mr. Elias, I can personally go help."
Lysandre clenched his fists, unwilling to give up.
His strength wasn't bad; he could at least participate in a fight like that.
"No need. One or two individuals won't change the outcome."
Elias shook his head, still refusing.
"Given those two points, you can see it yourself—whether Team Flare participates or not won't make much difference."
"And… I also need the power of the Ultimate Weapon. That's what you should be focusing on."
Elias laid out the issues and reasons clearly, one by one.
Even Lysandre wavered.
In the end, Team Flare didn't even qualify to help Mr. Elias…
Heat rushed over Lysandre's face, shame burning in his chest.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it," Elias smiled when he saw Lysandre's mood sink.
"If you really want to help me, then three days after I leave, go to this location and find a certain book."
"In that book is what I need you—or rather, what I need Team Flare—to do."
As he spoke, Elias took out a slip of paper with an address and handed it to Lysandre.
Lysandre hurriedly accepted it carefully.
He knew that address well—the library in the city center.
The place where he and Mr. Elias had first crossed paths.
Restlessness surged in Lysandre's chest, making him want to rush there immediately to flip open that book and see what was inside.
But in the end, he restrained himself and tucked the note away.
"Mr. Elias, I'm sorry."
Lysandre sighed and suddenly apologized.
Elias narrowed his eyes, fully aware of why Lysandre was apologizing.
He waved it off casually.
"This was my plan all along. Keeping a tight grip on the Ultimate Weapon is the greatest help you can provide me."
"I believe you can achieve your dream."
This wasn't the first time Elias had encouraged the leader of a terrorist organization.
The words flowed smoothly and effortlessly.
If someone from the Pokémon League had witnessed this scene, they probably would've frozen on the spot.
"Mr. Elias, I won't disappoint your expectations—or your help."
With this encouragement, Lysandre's mood seemed to lift.
"I promise—when you return, I'll have AZ in my grasp."
"And then we'll celebrate the plan's success together."
Lysandre spoke with renewed vigor.
The more he talked, the more excited he became, as though he'd recovered a trace of that youthful feeling from his days competing in League tournaments.
"Alright."
Seeing Lysandre's excitement, Elias smiled slightly.
"Oh, and… from what we've just discussed, you can see Team Flare's current problem, right?"
After considering it, Elias decided to do one final favor for Team Flare.
Under Lysandre's puzzled gaze, Elias continued.
"Right now, your organization lacks elite battle strength like Malva."
"For a powerful criminal group, that's a fatal flaw."
"I suggest that in the coming years, you recruit or train several strong Trainers. Only then will you truly establish your footing."
As Elias spoke, a few figures briefly crossed his mind.
Korrina. Diantha…
But in the end, he shook his head.
Without his mediation, those two would never associate with an organization like this.
If Elias didn't return, Lysandre would have to manage on his own.
"I understand, Mr. Elias!"
Lysandre replied solemnly.
Just as expected—Mr. Elias was still concerned about Team Flare's future.
A wave of emotion filled Lysandre's chest.
---
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