Inside one of Team Rocket's battle arenas, a fierce match had just ended.
Silas let out a helpless smile as he stepped forward and recalled his exhausted Crawdaunt.
He straightened, then gave a respectful bow.
"Lord Lucian… I'm still no match for you. Even in a training battle, I lost."
Lucian casually patted his Dragonite, praising it before recalling it into its Poké Ball.
"You've improved a lot," he said with a faint smile.
"Compared to your special training before, your Crawdaunt has grown tremendously… and it's only been half a month."
Over these past two weeks, Silas had stayed entirely within Team Rocket's base. With the chaos outside and the League making large-scale movements, this place was far safer, Especially with a Elite-Four level expert stationed here.
Gradually… Silas had begun to accept his identity as a member of Team Rocket.
Was it because of the benefits?, The overwhelming pressure from Archer? Or perhaps his curiosity and faint admiration for the mysterious boss, Giovanni?
Maybe all of them.
Whatever the reason He was now, undeniably, part of the organization. An enemy of the League.
"But since I've already stepped into this world… there's no point worrying about things that haven't happened yet."
That was something Silas had long accepted. During these two weeks, he had quietly gathered information about the base.
That included his superior ,Archer.
Of course, Silas knew one thing well:
"Even a gatekeeper in front of power holds influence."
So instead of getting close to Archer directly, he focused on building a relationship with Lucian, Archer's trusted aide.
It cost him money But it was definitely worth it.
Through that, he learned:
• Internal factions within Team Rocket
• Power structure
• Current direction of expansion
But most importantly–One name.
The Viper.
That night, before dying… Rose had mentioned him and Silas hadn't forgotten.
When he casually brought it up before ,Lucian had reacted.
A subtle shiver.
A flicker of fear.
"Why are you asking about that person?" Lucian asked carefully.
That reaction alone confirmed it. Viper wasn't ordinary.
Silas replied calmly,
"I've only heard the name here and there. Supposedly one of our organization's higher-ups… but I've never actually seen or heard anything concrete."
That wasn't a lie. He had already investigated But information on "Viper" was almost nonexistent.
Lucian took a slow breath before speaking.
"Lord Viper… is one of the earliest members of the organization."
"One of the original cadres who followed the Boss."
Silas's eyes narrowed slightly.
Lucian continued,
"But later, due to injuries, he stepped down from the front lines. He now handles logistics… and personally trains promising newcomers."
"That's why most members have never heard of him."
That was it.
No more details.
Silas frowned slightly.
'That's all?'
Clearly Lucian didn't want to say more And pushing further would only raise suspicion. So Silas stopped But inwardly He made a decision.
He had to investigate this man further. After all…He had killed Rose And whether she was just a disposable lover or not ,She had backing.
A Elite-Four level trainer.
That alone made things dangerous. So Silas changed the topic.
"By the way… have Rose and the others been confirmed dead?"
Lucian gave him a meaningful look.
"We already sent people to investigate the area you mentioned."
"All traces were erased. No bodies were found."
" It seems The attackers were professionals."
Silas's expression didn't change.
No regret and No reaction.
That was the correct attitude for someone in the shadows.
"I see… what a waste of those combat suits."
He met Lucian's gaze directly.
Calm.
Steady.
No guilt.
....
Mauville City – Breeders' Association
Silas walked casually through the first-floor marketplace.
Beside him, Umbreon moved with its usual cold pride, attracting plenty of attention.
Today, Silas was here for one purpose ,To gather materials. He wanted to create a reaction-enhancing compound for Pokémon.
A formula he had obtained from Rose. One of the spoils. That explained something important: Why her Pidgeot's reaction speed had been so terrifying ,Even faster than Honchkrow's sneak attack.
"Got it."
Silas's eyes locked onto a blue fruit on a stall.
"Swift Fruit… finally."
He had been waiting here for hours.
"Shopkeeper, I'll take this Swift Fruit and this bundle of Sparkleaf as well." He crouched down, quickly selecting a few additional materials.
Because of the Breeder badge on his chest,No one dared to overcharge him.
Total cost: 200,000 Pokédollars.
After that, Silas stocked up on Dark-type materials. His team had been consuming a lot lately And now with Zorua added?
Monthly costs were insane.
Even for him.
Thankfully He had money.
For now.
As he stepped into the main hall ,A screen caught his attention.
A broadcast.
"The abnormal thunderstorm from half a month ago has been resolved by the League."
"It was caused by environmental instability in New Mauville."
"Citizens, please do not panic. The League will ensure your safety."
Silas smirked faintly.
Raikou… Was it captured? And by whom Didn't matter anymore.
Because now He had his own path.
"I may be under Archer now… But if I want to rise in Team Rocket ,I need results."
No achievements =No value = No investment.
That was the rule.
So Silas made his choice. He accepted a mission.
A dangerous one.
Investigate Slateport City.
A mission that Several Team Rocket members had already failed.
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(End of chapter)