Hearing that, Elias nodded slightly.
He knew the work he demanded wasn't easy—especially calculating Yveltal's projected route.
That required enormous manpower and resources to yield relatively accurate results.
But…
"It's only for this period. I have my reasons," Elias explained to Lysandre.
He wouldn't allow his plan to fail again. He intended to eliminate even the smallest uncertainty.
Because who knew… perhaps Yveltal might suddenly disappear.
On the other end, Lysandre naturally didn't object after hearing Elias's explanation.
"Don't worry, Mr. Elias. I was just asking."
"Last time, we had an oversight—this time, nothing similar will occur."
Lysandre patted his chest reassuringly.
He'd only come to probe because subordinates had complained.
He hadn't intended to dig deeper at all.
Since Mr. Elias still had his uses, Lysandre naturally wouldn't question further.
"Oh, right, Mr. Elias."
As if suddenly remembering, Lysandre spoke again.
When Elias signaled for him to continue, Lysandre slowly said,
"The Ultimate Weapon I mentioned—we've fully excavated it."
"You can come inspect it when you have time."
"Just as described in the records, the Ultimate Weapon should still be functional."
He thought of the spire-shaped object, now cleaned until it gleamed like new.
Elias also nodded on his end.
However…
"To activate it, are you certain it requires both Yveltal's and Xerneas's energy?"
This was his greater concern.
"Yes, Mr. Elias," Lysandre said regretfully.
He'd also once clung to hope, wishing for another energy source that could substitute for the Legendary Pokémon.
The outcome was obvious—he'd failed.
Thinking of this, Lysandre clenched his hand unwillingly.
So close… his years-long plan had nearly come to fruition.
If only he could locate the two Legendary Pokémon, he wouldn't hesitate to strike.
He'd activate the Ultimate Weapon at any cost.
Yet now…
Apart from Yveltal, which moved unpredictably, he couldn't even pinpoint Xerneas's location.
It had transformed into a tree somewhere. Despite mobilizing vast resources, he hadn't found a single clue.
This left Lysandre feeling somewhat hopeless.
Without both Legendary Pokémon, the Ultimate Weapon's potential was meaningless.
On the other end, Elias also quietly sighed.
He hadn't placed much hope in this alternative, but he'd still kept it in mind.
Now, even this path had been fully closed off.
"Mr. Elias—do you think our ideal can still be realized?"
Across the communicator, hearing Elias's sigh, Lysandre couldn't help asking.
He knew Elias must have his own agenda—otherwise, he wouldn't have spent so much time carefully arranging everything.
That didn't worry Lysandre.
Rather, someone willing to join him in pursuing his ideals even moved him.
But after discovering the Ultimate Weapon couldn't be activated as hoped, a wave of discouragement had hit him.
Seeing Lysandre so downcast, Elias's mood improved slightly.
Lysandre's lion-like hairstyle even seemed droopier, resembling a drenched lion.
"Don't worry. Eventually, you'll gather both Xerneas and Yveltal."
Across the communicator, Elias seriously comforted him.
Within his capabilities, Elias would continue to help.
Besides…
If Elias ended up leaving early, he might need Lysandre's assistance in guiding Xerneas directly to Diancie.
Hearing that, Lysandre initially felt puzzled but then took Elias's words as encouragement.
"Then thank you for the blessing, Mr. Elias," he responded, smiling.
Receiving comfort made him instantly feel better.
As for actually obtaining both Yveltal and Xerneas…
Lysandre could only promise he wouldn't give up. However, after so much time had passed, he was beginning to lose hope.
...
[In the blink of an eye, time flowed onward.]
[During these days, the giant diamond's instability grew increasingly pronounced.]
[Some Carbink even reported seeing diamond fragments breaking off.]
[All signs indicated that this diamond—which had sustained them for centuries—was nearing its end.]
[Even Dianna, as a diamond creator, could no longer extend its lifespan.]
...
Inside Dianna's room.
"Elias… human society should be safe now, right?"
"How about you and Diancie move back to the surface temporarily?"
Dianna gazed at the giant diamond, its glow dimming, and spoke slowly.
She could sense the diamond's state.
If nothing changed… in three months at most, the giant diamond would completely collapse.
Yet Diancie's current strength…
She was still very far from being able to create diamonds.
There wasn't enough time left. While there was still time, Dianna wanted Elias and Diancie to go somewhere safe.
"Is the diamond about to give out?"
Elias didn't directly answer Dianna. Instead, he asked about the diamond's condition.
"Mm."
Dianna nodded heavily.
"So, you and Diancie should go above ground first. It's too dangerous here."
Thinking of what would happen in a few months, gloom filled Dianna's expression.
When the moment came, it wouldn't only be mineral veins collapsing across the territory.
Unrest would likely break out among the Carbink and countless other Pokémon living underground.
As queen, she couldn't show weakness by fleeing—not until the very last moment.
But Diancie, still just a princess—and Elias, who had no responsibility for any of this—didn't need to face that disaster.
Thinking of this, Dianna even felt a bit grateful she hadn't handed Diancie the throne too soon.
However…
Just as she expected Elias would agree to her arrangements, she heard a surprising refusal instead.
"I can't leave you here alone."
"Let Diancie and the others go first. I'll stay underground."
Elias looked at Dianna earnestly as he spoke.
That serious expression startled Dianna, causing her body to tremble involuntarily.
Such straightforward words had caught her completely unprepared.