Lionel picked up his phone and saw the bullet comments clearly, instantly understanding what the viewers were teasing him about.
He turned the phone screen toward Steven. Steven took a quick glance, and his face instantly turned bright red from his ears to his cheeks. He hurriedly waved his hands in defense:
"The viewers in the livestream are talking nonsense! I simply want to support a talented young Trainer; it has nothing to do with Wallace! We're just rivals on the field, nothing more! Honestly!"
Lionel stood to the side, the phrase 'explaining is just covering up' popping into his head. But seeing Steven's flustered and embarrassed state, he didn't dare say it out loud, barely holding back his laughter.
Seeing Lionel's cheeks flushed from holding back laughter and the corners of his mouth twitching upward, Steven immediately saw through his thoughts. He intentionally darkened his expression and said in a serious tone:
"Look at you, you must be secretly laughing at me for being teased by the bullet comments, aren't you? Let me warn you—if you dare laugh out loud, the reward I promised you—letting you pick a Fossil from my private collection and having Devon's top team help resurrect it—will be off the table!"
Hearing that the "reward will be off the table," Lionel instantly swallowed his laughter and shook his head vigorously, his tone exceptionally sincere:
"Champion Steven, I really wasn't laughing at you! I just... I just think the viewers have such wild imaginations, and what they say is quite amusing. Please don't take their teasing to heart."
While speaking, he subconsciously touched the corner of his mouth with his fingertip, firmly pressing down the urge to smile. His mind was filled with the thought: 'I can't laugh, or the reward will be gone.'
Steven hadn't really intended to hold a grudge over Lionel holding back laughter. Seeing him look so nervous for fear of losing the reward, a hint of a smile flickered in his eyes.
He quickly tucked away his teasing expression, raised his hand toward the shiny Metagross hovering nearby, and called out softly, "Metagross, return."
With a flash of white light, the massive shiny Metagross instantly shrank and turned into a beam of light, flying back into the Poké Ball at Steven's waist. The entire process was crisp and efficient, with none of the oppressive aura it had shown in the cave.
After putting away the Poké Ball, Steven patted Lionel on the shoulder, his tone relaxed:
"Alright, don't worry, the reward won't be taken back.
Do you still plan to continue exploring the cave? If not, let's head out now and take you to Devon Corporation first—that way, you can see my private collection sooner."
At the words "private collection," Lionel's eyes instantly lit up. He couldn't hide his excitement and immediately replied:
"I'm done exploring! Compared to the cave, seeing your private collection, Mr. Steven, is much more important!"
Hearing Lionel's answer, Steven couldn't help but laugh out loud. With a gentle smile in his eyes, he lightly shook the Poké Ball in his hand and said cheerfully:
"It seems my private collection is quite enticing indeed."
Lionel didn't delay, quickly walking toward the hovering livestream equipment. His steps were more hurried than usual, clearly eager to head to Devon Corporation in Rustboro City.
Lionel first gave the camera a helpless smile, reaching out to gently adjust the equipment's angle to ensure both he and Steven were in the frame before explaining:
"Everyone, please stop spamming the bullet comments. Mr. Steven was just playing a little joke on me. Just treat it as a fun little interlude~"
But as soon as he finished speaking, comments like 'I ship it' and 'Mr. Steven is so cute' continued to refresh on the screen.
Seeing this, Lionel hurriedly continued, "Alright everyone, today's livestream ends here."
He gave the camera an apologetic smile and added:
"Next, I'll be going to Devon Corporation with Champion Steven, so it's not convenient to continue the stream. Thank you all so much for your company and support today. See you next time!"
Although the viewers were reluctant to see him go, they knew when to stop and began leaving parting messages in the comments:
"Waaa, is it over already? Today's content was so exciting; I was on edge the whole time!"
"Host, hurry and go to Devon Corporation with Champion Steven! Don't delay picking your Fossil; we're waiting for your good news!"
"If the subsequent resurrection process of the Ancient Pokémon is convenient to record, you must post it for us to see!"
"Who gets it! I'll remember Champion Steven's blushing face for a whole year; he's just too cute!"
Lionel smiled and waved at the camera, skillfully operating the equipment to end the livestream.
"All done?" Steven was the first to ask.
"Yes, all done."
Lionel nodded in response, putting the livestream equipment back into his backpack. He looked up at Steven, his eyes full of anticipation.
The sunlight outside Granite Cave was just right, dispelling the cool air from within. As Lionel followed Steven out of the cave, a salty sea breeze brushed against his face, blowing away the damp atmosphere of the cave.
He subconsciously tightened his grip on the Inflatable Fish Tank at his chest. Feebas seemed to sense the openness of the outside world as well, swimming in a happy circle in the water, its little head pressing against the tank wall to look out.
"Are you ready?"
After Steven returned Aggron to its Poké Ball, he smiled and took out another Poké Ball. With a gentle toss and a flash of red light, a sleek Skarmory flapped its wings and landed in front of them.
Its feathers were like meticulously forged steel armor, gleaming with a cold metallic luster. Its outstretched wings had sharp curves, and its eyes were keen yet gentle—clearly a well-raised partner.
"Yes!" Lionel nodded vigorously.
"Climb on."
Steven patted Skarmory's back and was the first to mount it. His movements were natural and practiced, clearly accustomed to this mode of travel.
Lionel took a deep breath and carefully held the inflatable tank in his arms. With Steven's help, he also climbed onto Skarmory's broad back.
Lionel didn't plan to put Feebas into a Poké Ball. Since he had a rare chance to see the scenery from high above, he wanted to bring Feebas along to watch.
Although Skarmory's feathers were hard, they weren't uncomfortable, and Lionel found sitting on it surprisingly stable.
"Hold on tight."
Steven's voice sounded in his ear.
Feebas seemed to realize they were about to take off. It swam excitedly in a circle in the tank, its little tail wagging quickly and splashing a few drops of water against the wall, as if expressing its anticipation.
Skarmory let out a clear cry and suddenly spread its wings. A powerful gust of wind instantly swirled the fallen leaves on the ground.
With a powerful flap of its wings, its body rose lightly off the ground, soaring toward the high sky.
Lionel felt his heart tighten slightly. One hand subconsciously grabbed the hem of Steven's clothes in front of him, while the other steadied the Inflatable Fish Tank at his chest.
Looking down, Granite Cave had already become a small black dot on the ground. The coastline was like a golden ribbon, stretching into the distance under the setting sun.