The sunset sank completely beneath the horizon, and the curtain of night, like soft velvet, gently draped over Maiden Gorge.
By the pier, however, the temple festival was just officially beginning.
Lanterns of every color lit up one by one, like stars scattered across the earth, bathing the streets in a radiant, colorful glow.
More and more stalls appeared—manifesting without a trace.
It was as if they had simply popped into existence out of thin air...
However, very few people noticed this, and those who did were mostly Trainers.
Ordinary tourists simply enjoyed the festivities.
Since these Trainers had come, they likely knew the situation, so no one deliberately exposed the secret.
All in all, as the crowd grew, the already lively temple festival became even more bustling.
The aroma of food, the music of games, and the laughter of the crowd blended enthusiastically, composing a symphony of life on a summer night.
It was clear that the thousand-year-old Gastly bore no ill will.
People were holding a festival, and to it, it was purely just a festival.
Under its restraint, even the other Ghost-type Pokémon dared not harbor any malice.
...Offending such a thousand-year-old ghost would truly lead to a death without a burial.
To be able to live for a thousand years and still organize this kind of fun all day long... if it were incompetent trash, it would have perished ages ago.
Thus, this Gastly was definitely a "super boss" level entity, keeping the local Ghost-type Pokémon organized in perfect order.
Ash, Misty, and Brock had also completely immersed themselves in this sea of jubilation... they had been stifled after being cooped up on the ship for days.
"Wow! This yakisoba is delicious!"
Misty held a serving of iron-plate yakisoba, rich in sauce, eating until her eyes narrowed in delight.
"Pika pi!"
Pikachu hugged a candied apple almost as big as its head, happily licking it with its small tongue, the tip of its tail wagging cheerfully.
Ash stood before a shooting game stall, his hand steady.
Bang, bang!
With precise shots, he downed the targets.
The result was a massive Magikarp doll for Misty, which made the stall owner's face turn green.
He had taken a loss right from the start.
The owner decided he would crank up the difficulty later to earn back his costs.
"Hahaha—thank you, Ash~" Misty was quite happy as she hugged the doll.
But when the two turned around after their fun...
"Eh? Where's Brock?" Ash realized Brock was gone.
"He just saw a pretty lady, so he chased after her... Hmph..." Misty sounded a bit annoyed. "He clearly knows it's a Ghost-type Pokémon in disguise, yet he still goes... careful he doesn't get sucked dry."
"That shouldn't happen, right..." Ash was also a bit speechless.
Even if Lt. Surge said it was safe here.
Even if you, Brock, are skilled and bold.
Even if these Ghost-type Pokémon indeed bore no malice.
One should still maintain necessary vigilance.
The biology and worldviews of Ghost-type Pokémon are different from humans. Most Trainers pay extra attention to this aspect when interacting with Pokémon.
Aside from Pokémon like Eevee and Pikachu that are very suitable as pets, there are those that are decidedly not.
For example:
Whether it's a three-ton Gyarados or a thirty-ton Onix... if they get too excited and try to nuzzle their Trainer...
Uh... the Trainer might turn into "Trainer Paste."
No malice does not mean no danger.
"Can't stop him, just let him go..." Misty still had confidence in Brock regarding this aspect.
"Oh dear... hope nothing happens." Ash could only say that.
Normally speaking, however, nothing would indeed happen.
Brock might seem a bit goofy at times, but he was actually very reliable.
Yet, beneath this hustle and bustle, an invisible, ancient consciousness quietly awakened.
It originated from the shadows of the oldest willow tree beside the shrine, flowing out slowly like a pervading night mist.
This Gastly, having lived for two thousand years, sensed extremely faint traces of power that were by no means mundane.
That was the surging tide of a Deep Sea Hegemon and the cold indifference of an Order Arbiter.
These two distinctly different, mighty forces had actually appeared on a few youths at the same time?
"Three peculiar children?"
"Interesting... truly interesting..."
The ancient Gastly whispered in its heart.
A desire for mischief was thoroughly aroused. "Let this old man properly 'entertain' these special guests."
Although it sensed the residual auras on Ash, Misty, and Brock were clearly abnormal, the thousand-year-old Gastly didn't take it too seriously.
Instead, this became the very reason they attracted its attention.
The first target was Brock.
A black-haired "maiden" in a cherry blossom-patterned Yukata, with a temperament as gentle as a Yamato Nadeshiko, quietly appeared by his side. Her voice was so soft it could drip water.
"Big Brother, could you help me scoop a Goldeen?"
The Goldeen here were all juveniles, very small in size.
Since this world had super-giant Pokémon, naturally, there were also tiny ones.
"I always fail..." She tilted her head slightly, eyes full of admiration mixed with a trace of shyness, perfectly striking Brock's preferences.
Brock turned around, a gentle smile habitually appearing on his face.
However, a gleam of understanding flashed through his narrowed eyes.
This is a Ghost-type Pokémon??
Damn it!!
I'm even more excited!!
He took the paper net. While skillfully scooping up a Goldeen, he lowered his voice to a pitch only the two of them could hear:
"That faint fragrance carrying the scent of dew in your hair... it mimics the aroma of the Night-blooming Cereus by the cemetery, doesn't it?"
"Very attentive."
"But next time, perhaps you could try using the livelier Gardenia? It suits the festival atmosphere better, you know?"
The excited Brock offered a suggestion that made himself even more excited.
The smile on the "Yukata Maiden's" face instantly stiffened. Like a child whose trick had been seen through, her cheeks turned slightly red.
Although it was an illusion, she behaved as if she were real.
She awkwardly took the bowl containing the Goldeen and whispered a "thank you."
Obviously, this one wasn't some old ghost... a rookie ghost, perhaps?
"...Don't be nervous, let's play together~"
Brock kept teasing this maiden.
He didn't retreat because he saw through the other party's true form; instead, his interest peaked.
While deftly scooping up one Goldeen after another, Brock deliberately lowered his voice to sound gentle and magnetic.
He began offering a precise and elegant critique of the details of this "Yukata Maiden's" illusion.
Who says a Pokémon can't be romanced?
Brock, I tell you...
I'm going to create a miracle!
"The curvature of your hair bun... it mimics the 'Floating Boat Knot' popular among noble girls three hundred years ago, correct?"
"Truly retro and elegant."
"However, the swaying of the furisode sleeves seems slightly deliberate... Ah, of course, this adds a touch of endearing clumsiness."
"And the sound of these wooden clogs on the stone slabs—the weight and cadence are simulated extremely well, almost indistinguishable from a real person."
"It's just... it seems to lack a little bit of the heft brought by a young girl's actual body weight. Perhaps you could adjust the sound effects?"
After noticing the Ghost-type Pokémon's embarrassment at being critiqued, Brock stopped holding back and began to speak his mind.
Unlike meeting human beauties—where one had to watch their approach to avoid it turning into sexual harassment—this was different.
With these Ghost-type Pokémon, Brock could let go of his restraints, expressing his thoughts directly and saying whatever came to mind.
...Uh... or maybe he had been corrupted by Ash's habit of running his mouth?
Brock: (o_O)
My years of fantasy and mental rehearsals are finally going to be put to use!
Brock, I tell you... I'm simply high on life right now!
_____
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