"The bad news is… please watch the VCR."
Diantha stepped slightly aside, and the camera shifted toward the laptop that Gardevoir was holding.
The first half of the video was fairly normal. It showed Champion Falric and his Scrafty chasing down poachers.
But in the latter half, a black Pokémon that looked like a shadow suddenly appeared beside him.
Its head was crowned with constantly flowing, white, hair like strands that covered half of its face, leaving only a single blue eye visible.
Around its neck was a jagged red collar like a torn scarf, and from its shoulders hung strips of black cloth that fluttered backward in the wind.
Its pitch black claw lifted, and between its three talons formed a Dark Void that seemed to swallow all light and energy.
"Dark Pokémon, Darkrai!"
Silas recognized the Pokémon at a glance. It was the legendary being said to create nightmares, the Nightmare Pokémon that could kill within dreams.
He had never expected that Champion Feltric had actually captured such a Pokémon. The difficulty of the challenge instantly skyrocketed.
Diantha returned to the camera. "This video was sent to me by Drasna. She said the Champion released this footage to intimidate poachers."
Poachers would probably think, do you expect us to fight a Nightmare Pokémon?
Silas tapped his fingers rhythmically, then shifted his gaze away and quickly regained his composure.
"He is certainly dedicated. It seems Champion Feltric truly loves his job as a ranger."
It was only a mythical Pokémon. Although Darkrai looked powerful, his own Pokémon were not weak either. Silas sofly caressed his foot against Cyclizar's belly.
"Cyc?"
"After three months of battle, you have truly become an absolute ace, Cyclizar."
Cyclizar puffed out its chest proudly, patting it with its claws. It was very strong.
A mythical Pokémon like Darkrai was not something to fear. They were not lacking either.
"I did not expect Champion Feltric to have captured a mythical Pokémon like Darkrai. Your Champion challenge has become dangerous, Silas."
"It is manageable." Silas raised his eyebrow and replied confidently.
According to League records, there had been examples since ancient times of legendary Pokémon following humans.
Most of them were creatures like the Legendary Birds or Legendary Beasts, along with some mythical Pokémon.
In those eras, trainers who commanded such Pokémon were not rare, and they were not necessarily the strongest of their time.
The legendary and mythical Pokémon that chose to follow humans generally had not yet reached their peak.
They were powerful, but not beyond understanding.
It was also worth mentioning that the earliest recorded "legendary trainer" in research history came from the Hisui era of the Sinnoh region.
There was once someone who climbed to the summit of Mount Coronet alone and challenged the "Great Deity of Sinnoh."
According to modern mythological studies, the "Great Deity of Sinnoh" referred to Palkia and Dialga.
Capture them?
Impossible. Most believed it was an exaggerated rumor.
Pulling his thoughts back, Silas listened as Diantha continued her serious analysis. She had carefully gathered information about Darkrai to ensure he would not be caught off guard in battle.
"Silas, I asked Cynthia about it. Darkrai's most powerful move is its signature move called Dark Void…"
Silas looked at Diantha with a gentle smile. Having someone who, no matter how busy she was, still thought of him and cared about him so thoroughly, who would not be moved?
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Diantha's cheeks flushed slightly. Under Silas's bold and undisguised gaze, she felt shy.
"You look very beautiful today."
"Hmph, was I not beautiful yesterday and the day before?"
"Beautiful, beautiful. You are beautiful every day."
A sweet smile curved at the corner of Diantha's lips. "Alright, stop changing the subject. I am explaining Darkrai to you."
"Darkrai's Dark Void can forcibly drag people and Pokémon into a dark world. Once hit, they will fall into a long or even permanent sleep, so you must…"
Diantha continued explaining in detail, but Silas had already stopped paying attention. His focus was entirely on her.
"Silas…"
"Huh? What is it?"
"Were you even listening to me?"
"Of course I was. If you do not believe me, go ahead and test me."
Diantha glared at him through the screen and pointed to the blackboard behind her. "Then tell me, how would you use Registeel to defeat Darkrai?"
"…Why would I use Registeel?" Silas countered, then pulled Cyclizar closer. "Look at Cyclizar. That Pokémon on the screen is your opponent in three months."
"Cyc~" Cyclizar nodded seriously. It had memorized its opponent's appearance.
"You are going to let Cyclizar fight Darkrai?"
"You have to trust Cyclizar."
Diantha found it a bit unbelievable, but seeing the confidence of both the trainer and the Pokémon, she did not say anything more. Perhaps they had some kind of special strategy.
After discussing everything that needed to be said, Diantha asked about the fire that had occurred on Route 12 a few days earlier.
Silas gave a brief explanation, and the two chatted like a couple in love, sharing the details of their daily lives.
Only when it was time to sleep did they reluctantly end the call.
Silas then sent Serena and Korrina back to their rooms to sleep and turned off the television.
Tonight, it was Cinccino's turn to sleep with Serena, while Silas held shiny Charcadet in his arms.
Even without Cinccino, the bed was still lively.
Silas used both hands to hold down Jigglypuff and Brionne, making them lie down obediently, then grabbed Morpeko and emptied the food from its cheek pouches. No more eating before bed.
After busying himself for more than ten minutes, Silas finally lay down. "Charcadet, please turn off the light."
The room fell into darkness, and shiny Charcadet curled up in Silas's arms.
With it beside him, there was no need to worry about feeling cold.
He slept comfortably until morning, and after morning training and breakfast, the ranch welcomed a familiar visitor.
Vinnie arrived with three people and their Pokémon.
"Mr. Silas, the villa design you requested is ready."
Taking the blueprint, Silas glanced through it quickly. To be honest, he could not really understand it. The lines and structures were too complicated.
Fortunately, there was a holographic projection for a more intuitive view.
The staff from Quasartico Inc quickly set up equipment in the open space in front of the ranch house. Once a Luxray supplied power, the large villa from the blueprint appeared as a holographic projection.
"Mr. Silas, please put on the accompanying holographic glasses."
"Alright."
"Now you can freely control the projection. You can display any floor in front of you."
It was Silas's first time experiencing something like this, and he was filled with curiosity and amazement.
Under Vinnie's guidance, he controlled the holographic projection, and the entire exterior and interior of the large villa unfolded before his eyes.
The villa had four levels if not counting the basement. Overall, it consisted of three floors above ground and two underground levels.
Silas quite liked this layout.
"Mr. Silas, would you like me to introduce it?" Vinnie asked, also wearing holographic glasses.
"Of course."
With a wave of Vinnie's hand, the two of them entered the holographic projection from the front.
As Silas looked around, Vinnie's steady voice explained everything in detail beside him.
(End of Chapter)