To prevent such incidents from happening again, the residents of Lacunosa Town built walls to enclose the town and established rules prohibiting going out at night, encouraging people to stay indoors.
In modern times, even though some townsfolk no longer believe the story, they still stay home at night and rarely go out.
"Mr. Alder, you know that story too?" Naoki asked.
Alder nodded and replied with a smile, "Before I became the Unova League Champion, I traveled around the Unova Region like those Trainers. What you're interested in must be the man-eating beast from the story, right?"
Naoki asked with interest, "Do you think that beast could be a Pokemon?"
"That, I don't know." Alder shrugged, "After all, no one has ever seen that beast, and some say the story was made up by adults to scare children into going home and sleeping after dark."
Naoki had never visited the real Lacunosa Town, and thinking of the legendary walls around it, he asked, "Is Lacunosa Town really surrounded by walls?"
Alder shook his head, "No, maybe there were once, but they've been dismantled. The current Lacunosa Town is just a normal small town, no different from Porto Marinada Town."
"I see..." Naoki said no more.
The taxi stopped beside the hotel, and Alder looked at Naoki and Koraidon with a smile:
"Go have a good sleep first! Make your decision tomorrow after you wake up!"
"Alright." Naoki nodded, then bid Alder goodbye and took the elevator to his room.
After a simple wash, he lay on the bed, contemplating his next move.
This trip had already lasted about a week, and if he were to head to Lacunosa Town, the travel and search would take an unknown amount of time.
Most importantly, the north of Lacunosa Town is a vast range of towering mountains, incredibly expansive. If one were to wander around blindly, it would be nearly impossible to find the exact location of the Giant Chasm.
Moreover, the compatibility between Kyurem and the ranch isn't very high...
With this thought, Naoki had his answer.
"Never mind, this trip has already been quite fruitful."
Not only did he learn how to make Pokeblock, but he also sent out the proposal for the Rotom Phone...
If he delayed any longer, it felt like it would take a month to finish everything, and in that time, everyone at the ranch would probably be worried to death.
The food left in the fridge was likely almost eaten up by some Pokemon. Though the Indeedee Sibling were adept at chores and managing the ranch, having them go to town to buy groceries with money was simply too much.
Moreover, the couple of barrels of fruit wine brewed in the cellar last month should be about ready.
He needed to get home.
With an answer in mind, Naoki felt settled, closed his eyes peacefully, and prepared to return to Paldea directly by ship from Driftveil City the next day.
The night passed wordlessly, and early the next morning, Naoki told Alder about his decision.
To this, Alder looked regretful, "I had wanted to show you around Unova, maybe get some Casteliacone!"
Naoki laughed and said, "Next time, perhaps. If I can't come this way, Mr. Alder can visit Paldea."
At this, Alder immediately gave a bitter laugh, "I might not have any time later! Those four people, as soon as they heard I was back, dropped everything on me."
"Caitlin left with Shauntal and Cynthia last night to vacation at her villa."
Naoki: "..."
Why did he feel that compared to Geeta and Alder, Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion, seemed so relaxed?
Steven too... and let's not even mention Diantha; she's got time to film movies and have afternoon tea.
Naoki patted Alder's shoulder sympathetically, "You've got it tough!"
Alder sighed heavily, "Sigh, being a Champion isn't for the faint of heart. If someone can defeat me, I want to do like you, go back home with Volcarona and live a leisurely life."
Naoki smiled slightly, "Soon, perhaps in a few years, a new Unova Champion will emerge."
Doing the math, Iris was almost going to be ten years old.
"Thanks for the kind words!"
Alder escorted Naoki to the pier, bought him a ticket directly to Paldea, and saw him onto the ship.
With the mellow sound of the horn and puffs of white smoke drifting toward the blue sky, the luxury cruise ship docked at the pier gradually sailed into the ocean.
Naoki stood on the deck, waving goodbye to Alder, "Goodbye, Mr. Alder!"
Alder crossed his arms and watched the ship depart, "Goodbye." My friend.
Once the ship was slowly swallowed by the ocean's horizon, Alder withdrew his gaze.
He looked at Volcarona beside him, warm and radiant like the sun, and his gratitude toward Naoki filled his heart.
Had Naoki not reached out to help them, Volcarona's condition at that time wouldn't have possibly lasted until now.
As if sensing the Trainer's emotions, Volcarona lightly flapped its wings, silently comforting Alder.
Alder closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, they were clear and bright.
"Whew—time to go, old friend. We have to get serious now and do what only we can do!"