"Tell me, how confident are you?"
Blue straightened his face and asked seriously.
Seeing that he was being serious, Rope could only smile and say, "Of course, I'm 100% confident. Why would I do something I'm not confident about?"
Rope smiled at Blue, but Blue remained serious, showing no sign of smiling, so Rope's smile finally faded.
His smile gradually faded as he silently stared at Blue. The two of them locked eyes for a long time, then Rope sighed wryly, "I don't think I gave anything away, did I?"
Blue just rolled his eyes. He stood up from his seat and walked over to the bedside in the ward.
"We've been friends for so many years. How could I not know what you look like when you're lying?"
Blue said impatiently, "It's not just me... everyone can tell you have other concerns."
He sat up on the hospital bed. In truth, he hadn't suffered any serious injuries. Or rather, he hadn't been injured at all.
Lying in the hospital bed was merely to give himself some peace and quiet. After all, there were still many matters he could make decisions on.
But Rope didn't want to get involved in any of them. After all, the upcoming battle might not even happen...
After all, last night's conversation was still echoing in his mind.
——————————
"You want me to give up???"
Rope looked at Year with a look of surprise and even a hint of anger.
Across the table, Year, who was sitting upright for once, tapped his fingers on the table in front of him. His eyes were unfocused.
As if he didn't even acknowledge Rope's presence.
"I'm not joking. I originally thought this was just a world on the verge of ascension, coveted by many. But now it seems there's far more to it than that."
Year seemed to be thinking about something else, his deep eyes like stars shifting in the sky.
"That doesn't mean I should just give up on the mission."
Rope furrowed his brows. The reason wasn't some trivial matter like giving up the mission would tarnish his reputation. No matter how difficult the upcoming tasks might be, Rope couldn't just give up.
So many lives rested on his shoulders. This was a responsibility, not something else. Saving the world was never a mission. It was something that could only be accomplished when one acknowledged the world and was genuinely willing to sacrifice for it—or for certain people within it.
Rope had long since made up his mind not to let this matter go. So, in his eyes, Year's words sounded like nonsense.
After hearing Rope's words, Year finally looked at Rope, and the stars moving in his eyes disappeared, as if they had never existed.
"I'm not forcing you; I'm just suggesting it. Or rather… advising you. I don't want to have anything to do with the people behind this world. Although your mission probably won't actually involve them, you will definitely come into their sight."
"I can only tell you this isn't a good thing, especially with your current strength."
Year spoke sincerely. Of course, that was all he could say. He didn't force Rope to abandon the mission. Because it would be pointless. Rope wouldn't thank him; instead, he'd hate him for life.
After all, the Pokémon world was where Rope had risen to prominence.
"How much more help can you give me?"
Seeing that he couldn't get any more information out of Year, Rope decided to ask directly.
"Whatever was originally offered, that's what we can offer now. But as I mentioned earlier, I'm not sure what the root cause of this world's crisis is. If it turns out to be related to those people, the price we'll have to pay is unimaginable."
"And you have no role in this at all. I'll send more experienced and capable staff to handle this matter involving the world…"
At this point, a flash of determination flashed in Year's eyes: "If it comes to that, I'll handle it personally. The limits of this world are set. If they dare to come in, I'll go and wipe out their entire base."
These words carried a hint of impotent rage. However, those familiar with Year would recognize that he was genuinely enraged—so much so that he was prepared to unleash a bloodbath.
Rope and Year were not particularly acquainted. After all, they had only encountered each other in various dreams. Rope could not even confirm whether the figure before him was Year's true form.
Nevertheless, he understood that Year was not speaking nonsense.
In the 1456th year of the Void Calendar, the company was established.
In the 1459th year of the Void Calendar, the major power Star Harvesting Civilization ambushed the Savior while he was on a mission and attempted to forcibly occupy the secondary world.
By the end of the same year, the Star Harvesting Civilization was annihilated. Since the company had passed through the War Temple's arbitration, it did not receive any punishment.
In the 1460th year of the Void Calendar, the first chairman of the company died from severe injuries. The second chairman took office and conducted large-scale personnel recruitment.
In the 1461st year of the Void Calendar, the superpower Lingyu Civilization attacked the Savior and attempted to destroy the world that had already successfully ascended.
In the year 1463 of the Void Calendar, the Lingyu Civilization was annihilated, and the War Temple once again ruled the Company innocent.
In the same year, the second chairman died from severe injuries. Two months later, the superpower, the Tianjing Civilization, attacked the secondary worlds the Company had allied with, prompting the third chairman to assume office urgently. He fought to the death with the leader of the Tianjing Civilization. This ultimately triggered a major war between the ascended beings of the secondary worlds and the native Void forces.
This event is historically known as the "Ascenders' Awakening."
Both sides were severely weakened, and eventually ceased hostilities. The Ascenders could no longer seek recognition from the native Void factions.
The Company, having lost three chairmen in battle and with only 563 employees remaining—the highest-ranking among them being a department manager—annihilated the Zenith Civilization, leaving none alive.
The Cultural Management Bureau imposed some symbolic penalties on the Company in accordance with regulations.
From then on, when the company's savior carried out its salvage missions, no higher-level factions dared to interfere openly. Nor would they provide assistance beyond what was stipulated.
The company thus established its "privileges" and gained recognition from the Void Will. The company had become a "privileged faction."
Now, these individuals are challenging the company's "privileges," challenging its missions, and challenging its creed.
"The mission we have undertaken. Unless we are destroyed, we will certainly complete it."
Year murmured.
"Your concern that we might not save this world is unnecessary. But I think there is no need for you to risk your life for this matter."
Year spoke sincerely.
After all, Rope's talent is undeniable. With all the extraordinary experiences he has had, as long as he has sufficient resources in the future, Rope might even have a chance to touch the threshold of the Supreme. Such a genius, if he were to die without having the opportunity to grow, that would be a failure on Rope's part.
Because aside from the Supreme, no one knows whether such a genius might be able to discover what every Supreme is currently exploring.
This is also why, at the Supreme level, few would voluntarily intervene to eliminate a rival's prodigy.
"I won't, and I can't give up."
Rope's response was even more decisive.
He left Year no room for negotiation.
"If I die in this, then that is my fate," Rope said seriously. "Death is terrifying, and I don't want to die, but I don't want to watch the people I care about die either."
"Besides, I am also a member of the company, and the company does not have a rule where someone else takes over a task if the original person dies."
So Year fell silent. Rope had already said his piece; what else could he say? Whether it was Rope's personal will, the company's regulations, or other factors, none of them allowed Rope to simply give up on this mission.
"Then proceed according to the original plan. Adapt as needed. The backup plan we prepared for you is already the maximum we can offer. Anything stronger would be beyond what that world can handle."
Year took a deep breath, his eyes burning as he looked at Rope: "Since you've made your decision, I won't try to persuade you anymore. After all, there's no point in arguing further."
"I can't guarantee you'll survive. Because I don't know if the other side is willing to completely sever ties with the company for the sake of this world."
"But what I can guarantee you is..."
Year looked serious.
"If you die here, that faction will inevitably perish with you."
"We will ensure the safety of this world. Unless the company is destroyed."
————————————
"I don't know how much confidence I have, but I will do my utmost."
Facing Blue's interrogation, Rope could only say this. After all, what he would ultimately face, Year hadn't told him. He had said, 'If I don't tell you now, there might still be a chance for a peaceful resolution, but if I tell you, you'll be doomed.'
So Rope also didn't know what would happen. Previously, he had thought the opponent was no more than the black-clad woman, but in the end, Rope didn't know what would happen either.
Could the faction behind the black-clad woman really be that powerful? Powerful enough for Year to prepare for the company's downfall?
Rope still didn't know that the world behind this was indeed very deep, but now he had completely gone in the wrong direction…
Blue looked at Rope's expression, opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't say anything.
Actually, if everyone had been curious about Rope's origins before, then now everyone had already made some guesses. After all, the identities of Aki, Ms. Ghost, and Ms. Psychic were no longer secrets.
So Rope must also be what is known as an outsider. And it must be a world where there is little respect for deities. After all, when Rope first encountered the divine beast, he showed no signs of respect. And that world must also be familiar with Pokémon. Otherwise, Rope wouldn't be so familiar with them.
After much consideration, everyone concluded that Rope must be from another parallel universe. A world where humans might hold a higher status than deities.
What such a world would look like, no one could imagine. But everyone could relatively accept it.
However, it now seemed that it wasn't that simple after all.
Blue sighed and could only say, "Since you don't want to tell us, there's nothing we can do. I'm sure you have your own reasons."
Blue took two steps forward, reached out his hand, and patted Rope on the shoulder. He seemed to think of something, and his hand paused for a moment, but he eventually patted him anyway.
"Try to trust us... just as we trust you."
After saying that, Blue left the ward.
Rope pursed his lips and finally let out a wry smile.
Damn rules.
————————————
"How are the preparations going?"
Cynthia asked Daisy beside her.
Daisy nodded and said, "I've issued orders to eliminate most of the unstable factors in the region."
Then, Daisy sighed helplessly and said, "Although Grandpa's ideas are wonderful, I have to say that in terms of execution, we still have to follow Rope's ideas to some extent."
She pointed to the documents on the table and said helplessly, "There are always some die-hards who force us to take a hard line."
Cynthia shook her head. These choices were unavoidable. Overly idealistic goals were difficult to achieve. One had to learn to compromise.
"In any case, the basic issues have all been resolved. What remains is to respond to their moves."
Cynthia exhaled deeply, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and collapsed into her chair.
She had truly been exhausted during this period.
Adhering to the principle that whoever proposes an idea is responsible for it, Cynthia was in charge of coordinating defense efforts across all regions.
If Daisy hadn't come to her aid, Cynthia would likely still be overwhelmed with work.
So Cynthia smiled, took Daisy's hand, and gently shook it.
"Thank you, Daisy."
Watching Cynthia act like a little girl and cling to her, Daisy smiled and said, "It's nothing. This is what I should be doing."
The time they had spent together had made them understand each other better. Their feelings for each other had also grown stronger. It must be said that when two intelligent people interact and chat, they rarely develop negative feelings toward each other.
The formation of goodwill is a matter of personal opinion. At least there is absolutely no ill will.
After all, everyone avoids each other's taboos.
Of course, the relationship between the two women and their current situation are merely a microcosm of the larger picture.
When no one knows when the other side will launch an attack, everyone can only find time to relax amidst their busy schedules.
When facing an uncertain future, Rope is no longer an obstacle to their relationship. No matter what they want to do, they must get through this ordeal.
In the prelude to the great battle, everyone is trying their best to find their own peace and tranquility.