Chapter 70: Chapter 70
"That movement… is that what they call the ecological zone?"
"Or was it caused by Manager Takumi of the Pokémon House?"
Everyone was shocked when they saw the announcement in the group chat.
Ningguang: "That was terrifying! Takumi, next time, could you give your dear sister a little warning?"
Keqing: "For a moment there, I thought… the sky above Liyue was going to collapse!"
Fischl: "Manager Takumi, your brilliance is unmatched!"
Bennett: "Yes, Manager Takumi, I understand now!"
Cyrus: "So, this urgent mission Takumi assembled a team for—summoning the elite team of the Mondstadt branch to stand by in Liyue—was just for this ecological zone!"
Ningguang: "Hongyi, come to the Jade Chamber immediately. I intend to construct a facility to contain rogue Pokémon. Furthermore, let's establish the Liyue and Mondstadt Pokémon Alliance. This matter is complex and requires thorough discussion."
Childe: "Manager Takumi, you seem to be in high spirits today! It's rare to see you make so many announcements."
Yes, Takumi was indeed in a good mood!
With a smile, he tossed the Poké Ball in his hand, thrilled with the unexpected rewards from summoning the ecological zone.
An incredibly rare and wild Lugia baby with the potential to grow into a first-tier legendary!
Of course, Takumi planned to release this young Lugia back into the wild ocean to let it grow freely. He'd only need to provide it with energy cubes periodically.
The ocean is Lugia's true home. Keeping it confined to a Poké Ball would hinder its development.
Whoosh!
In the distance, Dvalin, the East Wind Dragon, arrived over the ecological area with a group from Mondstadt led by Venti.
Zhongli and Venti, old friends, exchanged glances.
Zhongli: "I heard your Pokémon is a Lapras?"
Venti, confident in private, looked sheepish before Zhongli, quickly deflecting the blame to Takumi:
"Yes, it's Lapras… But I never said anything about beating you in a battle of Pokémon until your face is bruised! That part wasn't from me!"
Zhongli stepped onto the ground, throwing a Poké Ball and releasing his Kubfu. He gently patted Kubfu's head, feeding it a few energy cubes. Kubfu looked toward the ecological zone's depths, eyes filled with determination.
"Are you eager to battle wild Pokémon and grow stronger?" Zhongli asked.
Seeing the resolve in Kubfu's eyes, a rare warmth softened Zhongli's expression. "Then let's go!"
As Zhongli and Kubfu disappeared into the surrounding forest, Venti and his Lapras exchanged a look of relief.
Cough…
With a faintly resentful look, Venti turned to Takumi.
"You really threw me under the bus there, didn't you?"
Takumi: "Be honest, don't you want a good old-fashioned battle between gods?"
Venti clenched his fists, smirking. "Of course, I do!"
Takumi turned his attention to the Knights descending from Dvalin's back.
"Did you all bring your Poké Balls?"
Jean, Lumine, Paimon, and the others exchanged confused looks.
"What about travel packs? Healing potions, antidotes, camping, and survival tools?"
They shook their heads again.
Takumi chuckled, amused. "You're welcome to explore, but I wouldn't recommend staying long without proper preparation."
"One day, at most. Don't stay overnight. Then head back to Mondstadt to gather supplies before returning. The ecological zone isn't going anywhere!"
Out in the wilderness…
Hu Tao came from Wangshu Inn, followed closely by her Gible, which kicked up a trail of dust behind it.
"Manager Takumi!"
After catching her breath, Hu Tao exclaimed excitedly:
"My Gible says it wants to enter the ecological zone and challenge wild Pokémon to grow stronger!"
Takumi raised an eyebrow. "Well, your Gible is indeed impressive, already at level 15."
Hu Tao proudly lifted her head. "Of course! Holding the top rank in our group is no empty boast!"
Waving at the arrivals from Mondstadt, Hu Tao greeted them with a smile.
"Hello, everyone! It's nice to meet you all in person."
Hu Tao: "Captain Jean, how does Mondstadt handle funerals? If there's ever a need, please consider my services!"
Jean's forehead twitched slightly. "In Mondstadt, we rely on the Church and its cemetery for such arrangements, thank you. Liyue's traditions are closer to Inazuma's culture in that regard."
Meanwhile, Hu Tao's Gible was mingling with the Pokémon from Mondstadt, eager to make friends.
Eevee (Jean's Pokémon) proudly took charge.
Charmander (Eula's shiny Pokémon) nodded calmly. "Char!"
The golden flame on its tail flared as it emitted a fierce aura, signaling its strong desire to challenge Gible.
Diluc's shinx, a small blue creature, was chasing butterflies nearby.
Klee's Deino was happily gnawing on a rock.
Hearing Gible's greeting, Deino didn't even look up.
Venti's Lapras was the most tranquil, its song soothingly beautiful.
Upon hearing Lapras's calming voice, Gible's days of intense training dissipated as it looked on with longing admiration.
Gible purred softly.
Hu Tao tapped Gible's head, unceremoniously.
"Come on, we're going back to Liyue Harbor. Let's treat those injuries from all that special training before coming back for a real challenge in the ecological zone!"
Gible chirped eagerly in response, and with that, Hu Tao departed.
The Mondstadt sightseeing group, including Venti, made their way toward the outskirts of the ecological zone, leaving Lumine and Paimon, who hadn't hatched their Pokémon eggs yet, alone in the wilderness with the cold wind.
Paimon stamped her feet bitterly.
"Hey!"
"They all left without us!"
"And after we saved Mondstadt! This isn't fair!"
Lumine shook her head, rolling her eyes. "I'm the one who purified Dvalin, not you, Paimon."
After a bit of bickering, they turned to Takumi.
Takumi: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He spread his hands. "Your egg should hatch in a day or two."
Lumine and Paimon's eyes lit up.
Paimon floated closer to Takumi, pleading.
"Store manager, please, can you tell me what kind of Pokémon will hatch? How much Mora will it be worth?"
Veins popped on Lumine's forehead as she bopped the money-hungry Paimon on the head.
After gaining the ability to sense aura, Takumi could easily tell what was inside the egg without needing the Pokédex.
But Takumi just smiled, keeping it a mystery, while Paimon circled him, pleading for answers.
Shortly after…
The first environmental protection team, composed of Mondstadt Adventurers Association members led by Bennett and Fischl, arrived near the ecological zone.
Takumi summoned Bennett and Fischl.
"For the next few days, you'll be busy leading patrols along the ecological zone's shores."
"Here's the law enforcement guide from our Ministry of Ecology and Environmental Protection. If you're uncertain about a situation, consult it. If necessary, you can detain individuals and sort things out later!"
On a high slope, Bennett and Fischl could see travelers and adventurers heading toward Liyue Harbor from various paths.
"And if you come across humans being attacked by wild Pokémon, rescue them if possible."
"But if they've recklessly provoked powerful Pokémon, don't risk your life trying to save them."
After dispatching the first team, Takumi inspected the high slope, deeming it a suitable location to establish a Pokémon research base, allowing scholars to immerse themself in this world fully.
Meanwhile, Ningguang sent a steady stream of private messages through the Pokédex, sincerely inviting Takumi to the Jade Chamber to discuss establishing the Liyue Pokémon Alliance.
After considering it, Takumi teleported away.
Afternoon.
At the periphery of the ecological zone's forest.
Hu Tao darted through the woods, venting her frustrations in the group chat:
"Holy smokes! Are you telling me this is just the outer area?"
"I'm being chased by a horde of Rattata! My poor Gible is unconscious from their bites… The leader Rattata is level 20!"
Jean: chuckles "I can relate, Hu Tao!"
Diluc: "I went in this morning and got chased out in ten minutes by a group of Joltik."
Eula: "You're lucky. I fell into a snake hole. Ever been entangled by an Ekans? It's disgusting."
Xiangling: "I just got back to Liyue! Eula, are you okay?"
Eula: "Yes, the Liyue Pokémon Alliance team is distributing healing and antidote potions outside the ecological zone. My poisoning isn't severe."
Venti: "Takumi, Ningguang, you both work quickly. There's already a Pokémon Alliance here on the first day of the ecological zone's existence!"
Jean: "To prepare for the coming era, establishing the Mondstadt Pokémon Coordination Bureau is essential. Manager Takumi, we could use your professional advice!"
At Northland Bank...
Childe, wrapped in bandages with a bruised nose and swollen face, read the updates with a heavy sigh.
As one of the first to explore the ecological zone, he'd charged into the Rock-type section.
That was… a mistake.
"That area is clearly suited only for advanced or elite trainers!"
Manager Viktor entered cautiously, relaying a report.
"News from Mondstadt: The Lady has acquired the Anemo Archon's Gnosis and will soon arrive in Liyue to secure the Geo Archon's Gnosis."
Childe waved dismissively, face sullen.
"Enough, enough!"
"Don't mention the Gnosis plan to me right now!"