"That's..."
"The Ice Divine Pillar!"
"Regice!"
"Lord Regice!"
The appearance of Regice caused a commotion in the hall.
No one expected that Regice would appear in the hall without any prior indication.
Not only did people from the Divine Hall of Snow Peak recognize Regice, but many from the Hunter Guild did too. After all, since they planned to target the Divine Hall of Snow Peak this time, they had to be well-prepared regarding the prime target.
However, the reaction differed; many at the Divine Hall of Snow Peak showed joy, while those from the Hunter Guild displayed panic and an almost instinctive greed rooted in the Pokémon Hunters.
Regice!
The Ice Divine Pillar!
The Legendary Pokémon!
Just these titles alone were enough to drive many into madness.
But soon, they also noticed the figure standing by Regice's side, completely shrouded in a black robe and covered by an aura of psychic power.
A human?
A Trainer?
"Who is that person?"
"Why are they standing beside Regice?"
"Could it be that this Regice is their Pokémon?"
"Is he from the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, or a helper summoned by 'Mr. A'?"
"Could he be from the Hunter Guild?"
Natsuhiko's appearance left both sides in shock.
If it were merely a Regice, it could be considered the trump card hidden by the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, which could awaken one of the Regi Trio in times of danger.
But with a person standing by its side, everything became uncertain.
Not only did the Pokémon Hunters from the Hunter Guild and the emissaries of the Divine Hall of Snow Peak feel this way, but their leaders, Feather Moon and Kawatani Forest, were also taken aback at the sight of Regice and Natsuhiko.
Kawatani Forest glanced at Feather Moon.
Seeing Feather Moon equally surprised, he felt slightly relieved inside.
It wasn't her doing.
As someone who had lived in the Divine Hall of Snow Peak for many years before escaping, he had never heard of the hall having the ability to awaken the Regi Trio.
Upon seeing Feather Moon's own surprise, he knew it wasn't the case.
So who was this person?
And where did this Regice come from?
Like the legendary Pokémon of the Three Legendary Birds—Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno—Regice was a legendary Pokémon, but not the only one of its kind.
Because the creator, Regigigas, was not alone.
However, the Regigigas slumbering within the Divine Hall of Snow Peak was rather unique, accomplishing feats nearly unattainable for other Regigigas, almost altering the landscape and topography of the entire Pokémon Realm.
In terms of power, it might also be stronger.
Feather Moon also gazed at Regice and Natsuhiko with amazement.
Initially, she thought the person in the black robe was Natsuhiko. Given their sudden appearance, combined with psychic power, it was easy to assume.
However, after slightly perceiving the aura, she realized the fluctuations and intensity of that psychic power were not Natsuhiko's!
Natsuhiko's psychic abilities were not this strong, nor was his control as refined.
She recalled that Natsuhiko stayed behind to learn methods to enhance psychic power, but before witnessing any outcomes, he ventured into Regigigas's alternate space and has not returned since.
The psychic power of the person before her was not particularly strong, but it was indeed more powerful than the Natsuhiko she remembered, and their control was significantly better.
'Could he be Mr. Natsuka?'
Feather Moon inwardly denied this notion.
If this wasn't Natsuhiko, then this Regice couldn't possibly be the one from within the temple.
Just like how Kawatani Forest didn't know that the temple could awaken one of the Regi Trio, Feather Moon, as the Divine Maiden, knew even more clearly that the temple had no such method.
So, the origin of this Regice was also a mystery.
It's not entirely her fault, as Natsuhiko coincidentally found an "Experience Baby" within Regigigas's alternate space.
He tirelessly endured and used the Death God Plate as a pillow; those hardships were not endured in vain.
Who knows what he has been through during this time.
But his psychic power and control have indeed improved considerably.
Elsewhere, Drampa, fighting against some capable subordinates of Kawatani Forest, felt similarly to Feather Moon.
Indeed, there was a resemblance, but it was not him.
And just as everyone focused their attention, Natsuhiko made a move.
A hoarse, deep voice emanated from beneath the black robe.
"Regice, use Frozen Beam."
"Regice!"
Upon hearing Natsuhiko's command, Regice called out, and the seven yellow spheres arranged in a cross-like shape in its eyes lit up randomly with white light.
Soon after, it raised its arms, akin to ice crystal prisms, and a silver-blue Frozen Beam shot from its hands, sweeping across horizontally. The attack range was immense, directly splitting the entire hall in two, dividing the melee between the Divine Hall of Snow Peak and the Hunter Guild.
The bone-chilling cold instantly made the Trainers and Pokémon near the dividing line feel icy, staggering back with stiff bodies.
One can imagine that if hit by this Frozen Beam, both Pokémon and humans would perish!
The temperature in the hall dropped by dozens of degrees abruptly.
After halting the battle, Natsuhiko and Regice simultaneously looked towards Feather Moon and Kawatani Forest.
They were the key figures.
Originally, their battle outcome determined the result of this war.
But now.
Sorry.
Natsuhiko has the final say.
"This... ahem, this friend, I am Hunter A from the Hunter Guild, not sure....." Kawatani Forest's eye twitched as he forced out a smile.
The strength that Regice displayed made him feel it was quite troublesome.
Natsuhiko ignored him, his gaze falling on Feather Moon.
Noticing Natsuhiko's gaze, Feather Moon's expression also stiffened slightly.
A subtle and detailed voice came, "I am Divine Maiden Feather Moon from the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, may I know who you are..."
Just now, Regice's action of splitting the battlefield still couldn't reveal his stance.
So, whether it was Feather Moon or Kawatani Forest, neither dared to act recklessly.
Both sides were originally evenly matched, but if Natsuhiko and Regice joined, they might as well just drop the scales, as there'd be no need to fight.
It's estimated that this Regice could easily flatten the two of them.
What?
Regice is known for its Special Defense as a Pokémon?
Sorry, that's for measuring ordinary Pokémon.
What else?
Ice-type Pokémon are restrained by Fighting-type Pokémon, and Kawatani Forest's Pokémon have a type advantage?
Sorry, Opposite Attribute isn't exclusive to clueless people.
And the reason Natsuhiko hasn't directly stated his stance is that he wants to try something.
Upon hearing Feather Moon's words, he relaxed his brow.
This was the result he wanted.
A hoarse voice rang out again, "I am looking for someone."
"Who?" Feather Moon asked, with a subtle sense of realization within her heart.
"My disciple."
"Mr. Natsuka perhaps?" Feather Moon's eyes lit up.
"Natsuka? Ha— It should be that kid." Natsuhiko chuckled lightly.
What do you mean should?
Feather Moon didn't think much of it, quickly responded, "Sir, Mr. Natsuka is a guest of our Divine Hall. Due to certain reasons, he is currently practicing in our god's space and is not in any life-threatening danger."
She simultaneously gained a bit of understanding.
No wonder on this person, she felt a slight resemblance to Natsuhiko, thinking it was an illusion. Now it seems it must be the result of the master-disciple relationship.
"I already know."
Know?
How did you know?
If you know, why ask?
However, Feather Moon showed tact by not asking this, constantly maintaining a smile on her face, "Wondering your esteemed name, sir..."
Beneath the black robe, Natsuhiko smirked, while Togetic tightly covered its mouth, trembling uncontrollably.
Role-playing and such, it loves it the most!
And this is exactly what Natsuhiko wanted.
Using Regice to put on an act was quite nice.
But after the act?
Nothing remains.
No benefit, no profit.
And there's a high possibility of being targeted by the Hunter Guild.
Even with Dragapult around, there are limits to the number of times it can act.
Plus, the Pokémon Hunters from the Hunter Guild are spread across the entire Pokémon Realm, who knows if they might see him during some wilderness exploration.
Trouble is sure to follow closely.
But if he ascribes all this to a fictional identity, he can avoid such trouble.
The point is.
Whether in the league or mingling in the society of the Pokémon Realm, what is the most important thing?
It's background!
How can Natsuhiko, a Trainer born from the lower class, compete backgrounds with those bigwigs?
Let alone Flint or Lance, he couldn't possibly match them, even till death.
But they are rare exceptions, at least compared to most people, he needs a bit of background, right?
Like Kona, for example.
He really has no background, so what can he do?
No worries, just create one.
Now, with Regice in charge, having separated from his own identity, isn't this the best moment?
Natsuhiko pondered for a long time, then slowly spoke: "I am... Fairy."
And seeing the relationship between Natsuhiko and Feather Moon, Kawatani Forest's face turned ashen and hesitated. After a long pause, he took out a special communicator from his bosom.
——————
Fourth chapter! Asking for moon votes!