"Manager Hiroshi, I have something urgent to do, so I will leave first."
Millelith Captain Hongyi took his Premier Ball and left the store in a hurry. A moment later, he appeared in the Jade Chamber hovering high above Liyue Harbor.
In the palace, Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing who was reviewing documents, looked up.
"He is back?"
Baiwen, one of her trusted secretaries who was about to report, nodded.
"So, what kind of pet did Captain Hongyi contract?"
Earlier, Hongyi had left the store and gone home to raise money. However, his movements were noticed by the intelligence network of the Jade Chamber. He was contacted by Ningguang's secretary, who was curious about the commotion involving Hu Tao.
So, when he returned to the Pokémon Home, Hongyi was actually undertaking a reconnaissance mission on behalf of the Tianquan.
His orders included returning to the Jade Chamber immediately after signing the contract with the creature. This was why Hongyi had received an unexpected half-day break from his usual patrol duties.
The corner of Baiwen's mouth twitched slightly. "A... very energetic little dog is now having fun on the large platform outside."
"A dog?"
"Are you sure?"
Ningguang raised her eyebrows in surprise, putting down her pipe.
"It looks just very ordinary. It has tiger-like markings on its body, but..."
Baiwen sighed, shaking her head.
"I think Captain Hongyi's three million Mora are probably going to be in vain. If this dog is raised, it will be comparable to a hunting hound at best."
"In other words, it might be able to fight wild boars and beasts, but it is likely completely unable to fight against monsters that can control the power of the elements, let alone the threats Liyue faces."
Ningguang usually believed in the judgment of her confidant secretary.
But, seeing is believing.
Since it was a task she personally assigned to Hongyi, she had to see and assess these expensive "pets" from that mysterious store no matter what.
Amid the surprised reactions of the three secretaries, Ningguang stood up from her chair and waved her long sleeves.
"Come. Let us go together."
At this time, on the platform of the Jade Chamber suspended in the sky.
Hongyi was holding the Millelith's standard weapon, the White Tassel spear, standing in an orderly manner, not daring to move from his post.
Around him, the blue sky was like a wash, and the white clouds were brilliant.
The Growlithe was, by nature, a puppy-like Pokémon. It was lively, energetic, and seemed to have endless stamina.
Having just come out of the Pokémon Home and drunk a belly full of Moomoo Milk, the Growlithe was in peak condition.
Since there was no restraining order from Hongyi, the Growlithe just played by itself.
It let its paws loose and ran wildly on the expensively paved platform. Occasionally, it would lie down and roll around, having a great time chasing its own plush tail.
By chance, several white cranes spread their wings and flew by the edge of the Jade Chamber.
"Growl~!"
The Growlithe suddenly stopped, its lively eyes turning sharp in an instant.
This was Growlithe attempting to release its "Glare" skill!
The intended effect was to paralyze the opponent with fear through sheer intimidation.
However, the puppy's use of this skill was... ineffective. It was simply too cute. One of the white cranes turned its head, glanced at the cute puppy on the platform, and let out a dismissive squawk.
Growlithe: ...
"Arooo!!"
Damn it.
Don't ignore the dog!
The puppy's young pride was stimulated, and it got angry. It opened its mouth, intending to let out a ferocious roar to show dominance.
But the next moment, the puppy itself panicked.
"Woof?!"
In its mouth, a burning breath quickly condensed, hotter than it expected.
Growlithe quickly shot out the "scorching heat," sounding almost like a sneeze.
Ptui——!
Who knew that a ball of bright, dazzling fire would suddenly spit out!
Boom!
Sparks with extremely fast firing speed exploded in mid-air near the group of white cranes.
The white crane that had looked down on the cute puppy just a moment ago flapped its wings in panic and fled far away, leaving a few singed feathers falling in the air.
Far away, the white cranes turned around, their eyes full of shock.
Damn, what an insidious little dog! Fortunately, the fireball was not accurate enough and did not explode directly in the flock; otherwise, the team would have been roasted!
Hongyi, who was originally bored standing at attention, had been watching his puppy with a smile on his face.
When Growlithe suddenly spit out fire, the Pokédex in his pocket beeped.
[Beep! Growlithe leveled up.]
[Growlithe learned the skill: Ember!]
"Ha?!"
Hongyi was so shocked that he nearly dropped his spear.
At the same time...
Ningguang and her three secretaries had just walked out of the main entrance of the Jade Chamber. Before they even walked down the steps, they happened to witness the exact scene of the Growlithe using Ember to scare away the cranes.
???
After Ningguang's red pupils shrank slightly, she cast a complicated glance at Baiwen, the secretary beside her.
"Is this what you call an 'ordinary dog'?"
"Three million Mora, wasted?"
"At most it can only be used for hunting and killing wild boars... Ha!"
Baiwen opened her mouth, but her throat was dry. She couldn't make a sound.
The other two secretaries were also stiff with shock.
It was really... inexplicable!
An adult hunting hound might be large and fierce.
But this cub was quite small, slightly smaller than a garden cat. Yet, the fireball ejected from its mouth was actually several times larger than its entire body area! It was physically unreasonable!
"Never mind."
Ningguang had no intention of scolding the secretary further.
"After all, you are doing secretarial work and you don't have a Vision..."
"Naturally, it is impossible for you to glimpse and discover the surging and active Elemental Energy contained in this little beast!"
Hongyi heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs and looked up. He was shocked when he saw the Tianquan, who was in charge of all government affairs in the Liyue region, standing right there.
"Lady Ningguang!"
He quickly walked to the bottom of the steps and performed the standard military salute of the Millelith.
"Growlithe——!" Hongyi called the Pokémon over.
The little dog, who was still having fun celebrating its victory over the birds, received the owner's order. Its expression changed instantly.
Its little face became full of seriousness and discipline. It trotted over and sat perfectly at attention at Hongyi's feet, chest puffed out, eyes forward.
This scene—the instant switch from playful chaos to absolute discipline—made Ningguang thoughtful.
This creature... was born for the military.