A rare midday rest.
Every time this moment arrived, it was when the heart of that young Trainer and his Pokémon drew closest to one another.
What reassured the young man the most was seeing how that Ralts, who at the beginning had called him "Daddy" at every turn, had evolved into the current Gardevoir, and finally no longer had the word "Daddy" constantly stuck to her mouth.
Although at first he had not been able to correct it either, after insisting again and again, Gardevoir finally gradually got used to it.
In the end, she completed her evolution, but in terms of her real age, she was still a little girl born only a few years ago.
These three Pokémon were the three that the young man had mainly been training during this period.
Originally, it was a beautiful afternoon. The young man, who had just wanted to narrow his eyes and take a nap for a while, suddenly opened his eyes.
With a barely visible smile at the corners of his lips, he said, "The fish has taken the bait. It seems our sunny afternoon will end here."
He slowly stood up. The young man stretched lazily, making his body emit "crack, crack" sounds. At the same time, a stream of psychic power swept over his body from top to bottom, removing all the dust.
Hearing the young man's words, the three Pokémon also opened their eyes at the first instant.
But at that moment, their gazes were not very friendly.
The person their Trainer had been waiting for had finally arrived, and that represented that their life here was possibly about to end.
It had not been easy to live such a carefree life together with their Trainer. They had to admit that the three Pokémon were somewhat fascinated with this kind of life.
But now someone was coming to interrupt the beautiful life they longed for. How could they have a good attitude?
This young man was precisely Cain, who had been sent here by Celebi quite some time ago.
He settled on the back mountain. At first, he only thought of using the advantage of time to train his Pokémon more. But ever since the first person challenged him, a plan appeared in Cain's heart.
A fishing plan!
Now, the fish had finally taken the bait!
Less than a minute after Cain stood up, a young man riding on Dragonite appeared before him.
From the outside, both of them seemed to be of similar age.
Seeing the young man with a heroic presence who appeared in front of him, Cain recognized him at a glance.
Kael!
He was almost identical to the Kael he had encountered at the summit of Mt. Silver back then, only with a difference in age.
The current Kael seemed full of righteousness, and was not like that bishop of the Sacred Church from back then, with a gloomy face that, at a glance, revealed that his heart was full of all kinds of evil thoughts.
At the same time, Cain also discovered that the current Kael had no fluctuations of psychic power in his body, which proved that his psychic power had not yet awakened.
While Cain observed Kael, Kael was also observing Cain.
He frowned and said, "I did not expect you to be so young. Having such strength at this age... why have I never heard any information about you in the League?"
While observing Cain, Kael also learned from his good companion Dragonite that the opponent's three Pokémon were very powerful. Not only all three; even against any one of them separately, he had no certainty of winning.
Upon learning this, Kael was even more surprised.
From his point of view, among the young generation of the entire League, the only one who could rival him was Giovanni.
But now another person had suddenly appeared. And moreover, from the looks of it, perhaps his strength was above his own.
Cain smiled.
"Doesn't Young Patriarch Kael also possess extraordinary strength while being so young? I am not from this area, so it is only natural that you have not heard of me."
Kael nodded thoughtfully.
Indeed, there are always people above other people, and skies beyond the sky. There would always be things he did not know. Then, having people he did not know was also quite normal.
"How do you know that I am the young patriarch of the Drako family?" Kael immediately caught the most important part of Cain's words.
Cain's expression did not change.
"I came to Blackthorn City drawn by its fame, so of course I needed to understand enough about Blackthorn City. And as the Leader of the Blackthorn City Gym, Kael, young patriarch of the Drako family, naturally was someone I had to pay special attention to. There are not few who know you. What is strange about me recognizing you at a glance?"
"Besides, in all of Blackthorn City, someone of this age who can possess a Dragonite with such strength is probably only one person, right?"
"Oh? Drawn by its fame? Then I do not know why, after arriving in our Blackthorn City, you did not challenge the Gym, nor did you go sightseeing or visit places, and you even never allowed my family to know of your presence. It seems what you are seeking is not a simple Badge, right?"
"Although my family's strength cannot be considered very great, it is not weak either. However, we learned of your existence only through rumors heard from others." Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Hahaha. The young patriarch has truly hit the nail on the head. Indeed, what I seek is not little. In all of Blackthorn City, the only thing that interests me is probably your family's Dragon's Den, the most famous and also the most mysterious thing you possess."
"But I also know that the Dragon's Den is not a place just anyone can enter. However, if the young patriarch personally invites me, I believe I should be able to enter."
Cain also did not hide anything and directly stated his objective.
There was nothing to hide. In Blackthorn City, there were only those things. Even if Cain did not say it, could the others not guess it?
It was better to speak frankly. Perhaps that way, he would have more opportunities.
Just as he expected, upon hearing Cain's words, although Kael was still frowning, the vigilance in his heart decreased greatly.
"You really do not hide it at all. But why do you think I will take you to the Dragon's Den? You must know that each Leader of the Blackthorn City Gym has a limited number of times they can take someone to the Dragon's Den."
"And my father, in his entire life, only took two people to the Dragon's Den."
Cain nodded.
"Naturally, I know. One of them is the now famous Professor Oak. But I can give the young patriarch information that perhaps even your family cannot offer you."
Kael looked directly at Cain, and Cain also did not look away.
After a moment of silence, Kael said, "Speak."
Cain slightly opened his mouth and pronounced a few words.
But upon hearing those words, Kael's face changed abruptly, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
What Cain said, naturally, was...
"The Dragon of the Underworld!"
(End of chapter)