https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-258-The-Court-of-the-Hero-King-The-Palace-Gate-Market/12537315/
Chapter 257: Sword and Shield
Chapter 257: Sword and Shield
A wild Sirfetch'd! A wild Sirfetch'd from the Galar region, a second-level legendary Pokemon, stood before Naoki. He felt a tingle of excitement.
Its sturdy and robust body, muscular arms, resolute and dependable gaze, and sleek, soft fur—what a captivating Pokemon! Naoki, who hailed from the Paldea region, had never before encountered a wild Sirfetch'd.
Driven by curiosity, he immediately set off with his Coalossal and Copperajah, disguising himself before sneaking into the Pokemon Center.
The young boy he had seen earlier seemed to have been rushed into the emergency room.
The Sirfetch'd stood anxiously in the lobby, its eyes fixed on the direction of the emergency room.
Professor Magnolia sat on a nearby sofa, offering words of comfort: "Don't worry, that child will be just fine."
However, the Sirfetch'd seemed unable to be consoled, its face filled with worry.
Pretending to be a Trainer taking a break at the Pokemon Center, Naoki had Coalossal and Copperajah wear inconspicuous sunglasses. He picked up a newspaper and casually observed the Sirfetch'd.
"Agghhh..."
Coalossal was speechless, knowing that Naoki's attention had once again been captured by a Pokemon.
Copperajah turned its head, its gaze hidden behind the sunglasses as it took in the surroundings, absorbing the peculiar atmosphere.
After a while, the light in the emergency room changed from red to green, and a Nurse Joy emerged.
Naoki overheard her stern inquiry: "What on earth happened? Where are this child's family? If he had been brought in just ten minutes later, it could have been dangerous!"
Nurse Joy turned to the Sirfetch'd and asked, "Are you this child's Pokemon?"
The Sirfetch'd opened its mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Professor Magnolia, sitting beside her, offered a reassuring smile and said, "Don't worry, the child is going to be just fine."
Nurse Joy's anger did not subside. "His parents are incredibly irresponsible! How could they not come themselves and instead send a Pokemon to bring him here?"
Hearing this, the Sirfetch'd hung its head low, its emotions seemingly taking a downward turn.
Nurse Joy sighed as she looked at the Pokemon, "The child is going to be alright. If you're worried, you can go and see him in the ward."
Upon hearing this, the Sirfetch'd quickly went inside.
Naoki watched the scene with great interest.
If what he had heard on the street was true, then Nurse Joy's words must have struck a chord with the Sirfetch'd.
It was probably feeling quite guilty.
At that moment, Nurse Joy noticed them sitting in the corner and composed herself before approaching and asking, "Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"
Before she finished speaking, her eyes landed on the sunglasses-clad Copperajah, and she exclaimed in surprise, "My, what a large head you have!"
Copperajah: "..."
Naoki: "..." How rude!
Realizing she had spoken her thoughts aloud, Nurse Joy quickly covered her mouth and apologized, "I'm so sorry!"
Copperajah, resigned, replied, "It is of no consequence. I do not blame you."
However, to Nurse Joy, Copperajah's response sounded like, "Guan, moo-chee chee!"
Naoki translated, "It says it forgives you."
Nurse Joy looked apologetic, and upon learning that they were there to rest, she took it upon herself to bring them three cups of nutritious Poke Block juice, explaining, "This juice helps restore Pokemon energy and is effective for all types of Pokemon!"
Naoki added straws for Coalossal and Copperajah, placing the cups in front of them. He then turned to Nurse Joy and said, "One more, please."
As he spoke, he released Centiskorch.
Understanding, Nurse Joy went to prepare another cup of juice.
The Pokemon happily drank their juice, and Copperajah even used its hands to pick up the cup, holding it and sipping through the straw.
From its expression, the juice seemed to be quite tasty.
After finishing the entire cup, Copperajah commented, "Indeed, it is delicious. The temperature on the snowy plains is too low for fruit trees to grow, and I haven't had this beverage in a long time."
Naoki smiled and said, "I have many Poke Block trees on my ranch. When we go back, you can drink as much as you like."
Copperajah laughed heartily, "I am no longer a child, and you need not speak to me as you would to one. I understand your intentions."
Though, it didn't particularly mind.
Naoki was taken aback by this sight.
"Where is it going?"
Leonora was also curious, and she suggested, "Shall we follow it and see?"
Naoki nodded and followed with a few of his Pokemon.
They watched as the Sirfetch'd walked for several streets without any sign of stopping, eventually leaving Hammerlocke completely.
Naoki was baffled. "Is it running away?"
Suddenly, the Sirfetch'd ahead of them came to a halt.
It turned around, looking at them with a cautious gaze.
"Grrr...?" (Who are you?)
This Sirfetch'd was more perceptive than Naoki had imagined! It must be very strong!
Naoki's thoughts raced, but he kept a calm expression as he spoke, "You left that boy alone at the Pokemon Center."
Hearing this, the Sirfetch'd revealed a conflicted expression, filled with both reluctance and pain. "Little Wu..."
Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Little Wu?"
Suddenly, the Sirfetch'd realized something. "You can understand me?"
Leonora floated forward, her voice filled with kindness. "We mean no harm. We are just curious about your relationship with that human."
The Sirfetch'd looked at Leonora, its mouth opening and closing as if struggling with its emotions.
After a moment, it spoke with a sorrowful tone. "He is Little Wu... my son."
Naoki and Leonora exchanged a glance, both understanding the truth behind their relationship.
Gorledon, on the other hand, was utterly shocked.
"Agas!?!" (Pokemon can give birth to humans?!?)
Naoki: "..." That Sirfetch'd is obviously male; how could it lay an egg?
He couldn't help but admire Gorledon's wild imagination.
The Sirfetch'd glanced at Gorledon and explained, "He's not... I found him in the forest."
When speaking of his son, the Sirfetch'd face was filled with affection and pride. It was clear that he had invested all his emotions into this human boy.
"At that time, I was practicing my martial arts under a waterfall when a human child, abandoned by his parents, drifted downstream and right into my path."
"If I hadn't stayed with him, he would have died. So, I adopted him, became his father, and named him Little Wu."
"I love him dearly. I take him to the grasslands on the other side of the mountain to find milk, and he stays by my side all year round as I practice my martial arts by the waterfall. Little Wu is a smart child. He helps the Pokemon in the forest, and even the ones with fierce temperaments become gentle around him."
As the Sirfetch'd spoke of the past, its eyes softened with warmth.
Leonora listened quietly, then asked, confused, "Then why are you leaving him?"
The Sirfetch'd expression darkened, and it answered painfully, "Because Little Wu is a human, and the life in the forest is not suitable for him."
"That human was right. I'm not a qualified father. I can't be selfish and keep Little Wu by my side, isolating him from the human world."
"In the human world, Little Wu can grow up healthy. He won't get sick, won't worry about finding food, and he'll have a warm room to stay in, protected from the rain and cold..."
Hearing this, Naoki understood the Sirfetch'd thoughts.
He couldn't help but say, "You are already a qualified father."
The Sirfetch'd was taken aback for a moment.
Naoki continued, "But I think he doesn't know that you're leaving, does he?"
The Sirfetch'd looked embarrassed.
Leonora, understanding Naoki's intention, added, "We can sense your inner turmoil. If you can't bear to part with him, why are you leaving?"
Naoki nodded. "When he wakes up, the first person he wants to see will be you, but you won't be there. Although it's the human world, everything will be strange and unknown to him."
Gorledon nodded vigorously, agreeing, "Agas!"
Hearing this, the Sirfetch'd paused for a moment.
It imagined that scene and felt a panic in its heart. Forgetting its previous concerns, it immediately turned around and ran back towards the town.
Naoki watched this scene, his heart stirred.
"I never expected that such things could happen in this world."
He grew to like this Sirfetch'd even more.
However, it was a pity that Pokemon like this were extremely rare.
He couldn't very well go and steal someone else's father, could he?
"Alright, let's continue on our way," Naoki said.
Melmetal nodded.
And so, the group continued on their journey, heading towards Hulbury.
As night fell, the sunset bathed the entire earth in its warm glow, as if the whole world was immersed in a glass of summer orange soda.
Similar to Stow-on-Side, Hulbury's main industry was also ranch management.
However, instead of Rockruffs or Miltanks, the ranches here were filled with chubby, round Wooloos.
Watching them graze leisurely on the grass in the sunset-bathed fields evoked a sense of peacefulness and contentment.
Melmetal, observing the scene, also seemed to envision its future life.
A smile appeared on its face as it softly said, "I haven't experienced this kind of life in a long time. Now, it truly is something to look forward to."
Beyond the vast fields lay a quiet and deep forest.
Melmetal's gaze shifted towards it, "Let's go, the King of Swords and Shields await us there."
Naoki felt a tingle of excitement within.
Was he about to meet Zacian and Zamazenta?
This trip to Galar had already introduced him to six legendary Pokemon, and it seemed it wasn't over yet!
With anticipation, Naoki and Melmetal made their way directly to the Slumbering Weald.
As night fell, the entire forest took on an air of tranquility.
The river murmured softly, the paths on both sides were lush with vegetation, and the towering trees blocked out the sky. Occasionally, a ray of moonlight pierced through the gaps, illuminating the forest path.
The distant bushes were veiled in a layer of mist, making the entire forest seem dreamlike, as if they had stepped into a fantasy realm.
The forest path wound and twisted, with new forks appearing at every turn. Naoki and Gorledon didn't recognize the way, so they let Melmetal take the lead.
After walking for some time, the mist around them gradually thickened, until visibility dropped to less than five meters.
Just then, Melmetal ahead of them suddenly came to a halt.
Naoki was about to ask what was wrong when he saw Melmetal looking sternly ahead.
Naoki was slightly taken aback, but then followed Melmetal's gaze and saw two sleek black shadows emerging from the thick fog.
The one on the left had blue fur, with white markings that looked like scars. Its ears were connected to braid-like structures, and its limbs were slender.
The one on the right was clad in red fur that resembled armor, with a tuft of hair standing erect on its head. Its body was angular, also covered in scar-like markings, and its face resembled a tiny shield.
Zacian and Zamazenta, their gazes calm and collected, glanced at Melmetal and then at Naoki behind it. They then walked up to Melmetal and crouched, like knights paying respect to their king.
Melmetal's voice was majestic, "No need for such formality!"
Zacian and Zamazenta rose, and it seemed they already understood Melmetal's intention. They raised their heads and let out a long howl, akin to that of a canine.
"Woof-oh!" (We have successfully driven back the Dark Night!)
Melmetal nodded slightly, "I am aware, but I can still sense that power lingering across this land. It has not been completely eradicated."
At these words, a hint of confusion flashed across Zacian and Zamazenta's faces.
Melmetal looked at them and said, "I am no longer the King of Galar. Soon, I will be leaving these lands, and from this day forward, everything here will be entrusted to you two."
Hearing that Melmetal intended to leave, Zacian and Zamazenta immediately widened their eyes in surprise.
Zamazenta asked in confusion, "Woof?" (Why? Is it because of this human?)
Melmetal glanced at Naoki and replied, "Yes and no. This land no longer needs me, as humans have found their own path."
Zacian, a little anxiously, said, "Woof-oh? Woof... " (But you just said the Dark Night hasn't ended... Can the two of us truly stop it alone? Moreover, our weapons have long been covered in rust...)
Melmetal gently shook its head, "I have bestowed upon you the King's Power, and it will provide you with the answers. Furthermore, I have seen the future, and this time, the calamity that has shrouded this land will be completely resolved."
As it spoke, Melmetal looked at the two heroes before it and said,
"Until that day comes, all you need to do is wait patiently."
(End of Chapter)
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