She had indeed seen through them.
She didn't bother asking 'Who are you?' or 'What are you doing here?'; instead, she directly used a question to 'define' their identities as ruin researchers, effectively kicking the ball back into their court.
Admit it? Or deny it?
If he admitted it, her next sentence would likely involve professional knowledge that would leave him speechless.
If he denied it, then why were they standing here? Grave robbing?
Ariel felt his back break into a cold sweat.
He had never imagined that one day, in his capacity as the successor of Team Rockets, he would be having such a... lethal conversation with the future Sinnoh Champion in such an eerie setting.
"We are Trainers from the League."
Facing Cynthia's eyes, which seemed capable of piercing through a person's soul, Ariel spoke first. His voice sounded exceptionally clear in the empty cavern.
He chose the safest and least error-prone opening.
Cynthia's gaze lingered on Ariel for a moment before shifting to Yule behind him.
That look was one of scrutiny.
"And this is?"
Her voice was cool, carrying the inquisitive tone characteristic of a scholar.
Yule's attire was indeed too eye-catching.
She wore a seamless, black, tight-fitting combat gear that outlined her vigorous and dangerous silhouette, with her long hair tied in a high ponytail, looking extremely capable.
There were no Poké Balls hanging from her waist, which was highly unusual for a Trainer.
Rather than a Trainer, she looked more like an executive from some secret organization, or perhaps... an agent.
Ariel knew very well that Cynthia's suspicion wasn't baseless.
If he were in her shoes, encountering two 'suspicious individuals' dressed in all black on such a remote, isolated island, his first reaction would also be to reach for a Poké Ball.
"I am called Yule."
Yule took a step forward to stand beside Ariel, her voice devoid of emotion.
"Just a Trainer traveling with him."
This explanation... was far too weak.
Ariel could even feel the air around Cynthia grow a few degrees colder.
Although Garchomp hadn't intentionally released its aura, an invisible Dragon-type pressure had already begun to spread.
The pressure from a Pseudo-Legendary was no joke.
Ariel sighed inwardly, knowing he couldn't take the easy way out.
He reached into his clothes and pulled out a card.
The card was entirely black, made of a material that was neither metal nor wood, and felt slightly heavy in his hand.
In the dim light of the cave, the League emblem in the center and the edges of the card reflected a flowing, dark-gold luster.
"Core League Trainer, Ariel. I came to the Southern Isolated Island for training and didn't expect to discover this place."
Ariel handed the card over.
This thing was something Team Rockets had helped him obtain at the start. While it was called an identification card, it was more like a pass.
A pass that allowed one to walk tall in most regions of the League.
Cynthia didn't take it immediately. Her gaze fell on the black-and-gold card, and her pupils constricted almost imperceptibly.
She knew the weight of this card.
This wasn't an ordinary ID. Those with the status of a Core League Trainer were, to some extent, people who had contributed to the League.
She reached out with a black-gloved hand, her fingertips lightly touching the card. After confirming the unique material and energy fluctuations, she withdrew her hand.
"So you are one of the League's own."
Cynthia's tone softened, and the faint pressure surrounding them dissipated.
She bowed slightly, appearing somewhat apologetic.
"My apologies. Just now, I thought you two were... Pokémon Hunters. After all, the environment here is quite unique, so I had to be cautious."
"This thing really is useful."
Ariel whistled in his mind as he put the card back.
A thousand words weren't as direct as a single card.
In most cases, power and status were indeed more effective than words.
He looked at his own attire—a set of black casual clothes, which was common enough.
The problem still lay with Yule.
Ariel smiled and took the initiative to explain for Yule.
"Miss Cynthia, you worry too much. For Trainers like us who spend all year in the wild, who doesn't have a few sets of special clothing for harsh environments? If one truly needs to operate in toxic swamps or volcanic regions, ordinary clothes won't hold up. Perhaps Miss Cynthia, there's a set of combat gear hidden in your backpack as well."
These half-joking words completely relaxed the atmosphere.
Cynthia also smiled faintly, agreeing with the statement.
As an archaeologist, she naturally had equipment for various extreme environments.
"You know me?"
Cynthia was somewhat surprised.
"Sinnoh Region, Cynthia. A genius Trainer who has also made great achievements in the field of archaeology."
Ariel spoke eloquently.
"Although I mainly operate in Hoenn, your fame, Miss Cynthia, precedes you in the League of every region."
His words identified her while expressing respect in a way that wasn't fawning.
Ariel thought to himself that the social skills he'd learned from surfing the web in his past life had finally come in handy today.
When facing a powerful woman, especially someone like Cynthia who possessed both intellect and strength, blind flattery would only lead to resentment.
An equal stance, combined with recognition of her professional field, was the best way to communicate.
Sure enough, the last trace of distance in Cynthia's eyes vanished, replaced by an appreciative look between equals.
"You flatter me."
She shook her head gently and then proactively shared her reason for being there.
"I came here to pursue a legend. Regarding the whereabouts of Latias and Latios."
The Guardian Gods of the Water Capital!
Ariel's heart skipped a beat.
He hadn't expected to hear the names of these two Legendary Pokémon from Cynthia's mouth here.
His expression remained calm, showing only the right amount of surprise and curiosity.
"The legendary Eon Pokémon? Would they appear on such a remote, isolated island?"
"Legends always have a side unknown to people."
Cynthia's gaze turned toward the center of the grotto, toward that massive black altar.
"I also tracked my way to this isolated island based on a fragmented ancient document."
Ariel followed her gaze, understanding dawning on him.
It seemed this altar was the key.
He immediately stated his stance:
"I see. If there is anything we can do to help, Miss Cynthia, please don't hesitate to ask. Since we've met, we won't refuse anything within our power."
Having more friends meant more paths, especially when that friend was the Sinnoh Champion.
Giving out this favor was definitely not a loss.
"Thank you."
Cynthia thanked him and stopped with the pleasantries.
She stepped toward the obsidian altar, her entire being emitting a focused and sacred aura, as if everything around her no longer existed, and only the ancient relic bearing the dust of history remained in her eyes.
The light inside the cave was very dim, and the altar was entirely black, like a silent giant beast crouching on the earth.
Its surface was covered in a thick layer of volcanic ash, hiding any details.
Ariel and Yule followed, maintaining a suitable distance.
He could see Cynthia reach out, remove her glove, and let her fair fingertips lightly brush across the cold surface of the altar.
Her movements were very light and gentle, carrying a sense of reverence for history.
As her fingertips passed, the black volcanic ash fell away.
Beneath the dust, something was revealed.
It wasn't a smooth stone surface.
But rather... deep scratches!
As Cynthia brushed away more dust, those scratches gradually connected, outlining complex and mysterious patterns in the dim light.
Those were... words!
A type of ancient script Ariel had never seen before!
These characters weren't simple carvings; the inside of their grooves actually emitted a very faint, almost imperceptible glimmer.
It was as if some kind of energy was sealed within these strokes, remaining for thousands of years without dissipating.
Ariel had seen this script on the previous black stone tablet, but he didn't understand the content.
"This..."
Ariel's breath hitched for a moment.
Cynthia's expression also became incredibly solemn. Her movements to brush away the dust stopped, and she leaned down, her grey eyes fixed on the emerging ancient script, unconsciously murmuring something.
"...Altar of Time... Soul Dew... When the twins return home..."
Her voice was very soft and intermittent, yet it was like a clap of thunder exploding in Ariel's mind.
Although he didn't recognize the script, he understood Cynthia's whispers!
This altar was actually related to the legends of Roar of Time and the Space-Tearing Dragon!
No, that wasn't right!
Soul Dew, twins returning home... this clearly referred to Latias and Latios!
Why would an altar for the Eon Pokémon use titles related to the legends of the Gods of Time and Space?
A massive mystery had just smashed into Ariel without any warning.
He looked at Yule beside him and found her also frowning at the script on the altar. Her gaze wasn't one of simple curiosity, but rather... contemplation.
Could she actually understand it?
Just then, as if she had discovered something, Cynthia began to walk around the altar, her fingers brushing over one spot after another.
More and more ancient script was revealed.
They didn't just record legends; they were more like... an instruction manual.
An instruction manual on how to activate this altar!
The air in the cave seemed to freeze at that moment.