Looking at the big orange Pokemon, Ludwig could feel the corner of his lips curving upwards. He didn't have to be an expert in Pokemin behavior or be able to speak to them directly to know what the Arcanine wanted.
After all, its action ever since it met him had signalled one thing. He wanted to come with him.
Though for what reason? He didn't know.
"You sure take your time. I almost got disappointed since you didn't appear."
The Arcanine let out a low growl after Ludwig said those words. But then, it shifted its eyes towards the Gastly floating just beside his shoulder.
"Ah. Let me introduce you to it." Ludwig spoke. "I haven't named the guy yet, but as you can see, It's a Gastly. It's my first Pokemon."
The Arcanine didn't show any reaction instantly. But Ludwig saw the slight twitch in its muscle while its paw dug slightly deeper into the ground.
Well, that was not expected. From Oak's description of the Pokemon, it was a loyal and calm one. So why did it react like this?
At that moment, Ludwig recalled what he thought back in Pokemon Tower before telling the party about what kind of method he used to look for his first Pokemon. When feeling was involved, most creatures would start to behave unlike their usual self. So to put it simply, the Pokemon in front of him was currently showing jealousy, just like how dogs behave when there's a new guy in the pack.
"Now, now. Let's not resort to violence for every little thing, okay?" Ludwig chuckled. "It's not like I will refuse to take you home by having it, you know?"
As soon as Ludwig finished, he could see the Arcanine's gaze shift to him again. But the Pokemon wasn't the only one. He could also feel that Looker, Oak, Claire, and Rimuru were looking at him.
He raised his head slightly, then he looked at the professor. "I can take him with me, right, Professor?"
Rather than answering right away, Professor Oak first looked at the Arcanine. In his eyes, there was no confusion or deliberation, just pure recognition. It told Ludwig that what he said when he visited the restaurant with the Arcanine was true.
Then, slowly, he let out a small breath.
"You know," Oak began, his tone lighter than before, "That one has been here longer than most."
Ludwig's eyes flickered back to the Arcanine briefly before returning to Oak.
"It doesn't involve itself much. Doesn't compete for anything, doesn't fight for territory, and doesn't ask for attention like any other Pokemon. Every time, it just watches."
There was a faint pause before Oak continued.
"You already know its story. And it seemed like it wanted to come with you. So, what's the use of asking me for permission?"
A small smile formed at the corner of his lips as he finished speaking.
"I see." Ludwig nodded while he smiled.
Then, he fished out another Poke Ball from his pocket and looked back at the Arcanine. "So, will you come with me? My restaurant could use a big, bad, and menacing protector."
Rather than answering with sound, the Arcanin just walked even closer to Ludwig. Its head was now hovering just above Ludwig's height. Then, it folded its neck, touching the only button on the Poke Ball with its nose.
What happened next was something they had seen thrice today. The Arcanine disappeared in a red flash before all of the light returned to the ball. Only after Ludwig pushed the button again did it reappear on the field.
"Now, shall we go home?" Ludwig said before looking at his two new Pokemon.
The Gastly answered by calling its own name, while the Arcanine just yipped a little.
"See you soon, Professor, Agent."
With one last nod Ludwig, Claire, and Rimuru, along with their new Pokemon traversed through the quiet Pallet Town. But they didn't have to travel far before they once again saw the "League's property' sign and a building that looked quite modern.
Without dilly-dallying, Ludwig twisted the know on the door and pushed it. Instantly, the atmosphere changed. The silent and breezy Pallet Town was replaced by a rush of laughter, metal clinking, and busy footsteps.
Ludwig nodded at Vilera before the demoness could shout their usual greetings. Once he stepped into the restaurant fully, he knew why the sound had come like a tidal wave. The restaurant was packed. No, even that would be an understatement. Packed in his dictionary meant all the seats were taken. But what happened inside his restaurant was different. All seats were indeed taken, but there were also people who stood with their mugs in hand.
Amongst them, he could see a familiar face. Someone who was true to his size and had a balls to say this restaurant was too small compared to how famous it was. That someone was Jeff. The butcher from Tempest who had helped him tear the Earth Hog down into sizeable chunks for the feast. Though it was a feast that he couldn't personally foresee until the end.
Thinking that, Ludwig decided to make a plan for another feast in Tempest. Or maybe, in other place…
Thankfully, the space between the bar seats and the table behind them was empty of people since the crowd was concentrated around the back part of the dining hall. But still, they couldn't sit in the bar seats either. After all, some people were already sitting there. Some who regularly sit there, while some… it seemed they were evicted from their usual seats.
The redhead who sat on the bar stool turned towards them. "I heard you guys leave for Otherworld. And seemed like my guess is right about where you go."
The three walked to the Bar seats, nodding at Cale. But then, Rimuru quickly left the place and joined the party that seemed to be hosted by the butcher from Tempest. However, just before Ludwig could move again, he felt a weight settling on his head. Even without looking, he knew just who did it.
"Raon." He chuckled.
"Joybringer! Who are these two?" The childish voice of the little dragon slithered through the noisy restaurant into his ears.
Ludwig didn't answer the little's dragon at once. He first put his hands around the dragon's body before moving it into his chest. Unlike the first and second times he did it, the dragon didn't even try to peel away from him while complaining anymore.
"Be good with them, Raon. These two are my familiars." He started. Yes, familiar, not Pokemon. After all, he didn't want to explain at length about what Pokemon is to the little dragon.
"Familar? The big one I understand. But this ball-like creature is also your familiar?"
Even without Raon naming it, Ludwig knew who Raon was talking about. So, Ludwig shifted his body slightly towards Gastly and opened his mouth. "This one is called Gastly. It's a ghost familiar. That's why it looked like that."
"Ghast!" The gaseous Pokemon answered before moving. It flew around the Ludwig and Raon in an excited manner. Its eyes also looked around the place.
Then, it's time for Ludwig to introduce the Arcanine. "This one is Arcanine. If you need help, just go to it."
The Arcanine answered with a low growl.
"Hey! I won't need any help. I'm the Great Raon. A great dragon!"
Ludwig chuckled for a bit, then he patted the little dragon on the head. "Fine. A great dragon that still couldn't enjoy Tiramisu."
"Ugh." Raon deflated. "I want my pudding back!"
"You should take that to Akane. She's the one making it." Ludwig shrugged.
At the mention of Akane, Raon stopped complaining. Yes, if he called him Joybringer just because he cooked for him, the little dragon's affection towards Akane should be higher. So when he had to complain to the girl, he doubted he would be able to.
As if waiting for the conversation between him and Raon to come to an end, Cale turned in his seat. "Chef."
Ludwig shifted his gaze to another redhead who sat on a bar stool. If someone didn't know about them, they would surely think Kuhsina and Cale came from the same family. Their hair colour was just that similar.
Cale hummed again, and his tone went up in amusement. "You get yourself a solid companion. Though I must say I never thought they would look this real."
Ludwig nodded at his words but didn't comment right away. His eyes drifted into the Arcanine, taking in its lush fur, its muscly body, and how its chest went up and down as it breathed.
Yes. He had never thought they would be this realistic either. But that train of thought was shattered the moment that Charmander walked into the restaurant with Professor Oak. A surprise. But at the same time, he thought it only made sense since the world was not animated anymore.
"Well, everything I thought only existed in fiction came real in this restaurant. I just stopped thinking about it and took it for granted, I guess."
Cale chuckled lazily at his words. Then, his eyes drifted towards Raon in Ludwig's chest. "Say, will it be possible for me to acquire Pokemon from that world?"
In his mind, the conclusion was already made. It seemed like Cale was also interested in getting Pokemon for himself. So, Ludwig decided to be blunt with him. "To be honest, I'm not sure. You have to talk with the one who permitted us. Though I have to warn you that we didn't get to acquire Pokemon for free."
Cale bobbed his head up and down slightly at his explanation. "If I remember correctly, it's Agent Looker who gets in touch with you guys, correct?"
"Indeed." Ludwig responded.
"Can you help me set up a meeting with him? I will appreciate it if you can."
It's not hard for him to contact Looker even when he didn't have his contact. All he needed to do was leave the restaurant to Pallet Town and go to Professor Oak's house.
However…
"You might need to wait a little." Ludwig started. "There's one particular customer that I think might be interested. There's also Kushina. I bet my fortune she's already throwing a tantrum at Claire by now."
Cale listened to his explanation. By the end, he nodded deeply. "I understand. Just give me a heads-up before you inform the other party, okay?"
"I'll make sure to do that." Ludwig chuckled.
And just like that, the night in the restaurant deepened.
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