Inside Cynthia's villa, Cynthia was stunned after finally learning the full story.
Lance and Diantha had been listening in from the chatroom the whole time. The only person absent was Oleander.
Evergreen's presence agitated Oleander far too much, her calm shattered the moment she heard that name, so they couldn't include her.
"But even though the Pokémon League and the International Police are intensifying checks on suspicious individuals, if they found someone who seemed like a core member of Hodgepodge, they should've contacted me, right?"
Cynthia rested her chin on her hand and asked with a clearly puzzled look on her face.
"Diantha, do you think it's real?"
Diantha hesitated for a moment before sighing. "I don't know. I can't guess."
"He contacted Luther to draw you away. On the surface, it seems like he's determined to make a move, but I think deliberately contacting Luther is suspicious in itself."
Lance agreed with Diantha but pointed out the key issue.
"The real question now is, something is definitely happening on Sunday. When it does, should we take the opportunity to capture those two people? Or should we capture the individuals Evergreen sends?"
"I object!" Luther's voice made everyone jump.
"Some of you may not agree with what I'm about to say, but after thinking about it for a long time, I have to say it."
Seeing Cynthia stand up and fully close the half-open door, indicating that Luther could continue, he continued.
"Hodgepodge isn't one of those loosely structured organizations. From what we know, they have a clear doctrine, a refined organizational system, stable funding sources, and forces capable of infiltrating the Pokémon League."
They've been lying dormant for over twenty years, quietly arranging everything. If they were focused only on research in the early stages, then their sudden activity now means they've achieved certain results and are attempting to expand their influence."
"Destroying one of their bases might be easy. But their ideology and doctrine, refined over the course of twenty years, are what's truly terrifying. Breaking one or two hideouts and arresting a few low-level operatives won't solve anything."
"I've read many books. They taught me what happens when large organizations can't eliminate their key ideological leaders: you're just cutting weeds without removing the roots. They'll come back under a different name."
Luther took a deep breath. His mind had never been clearer or more certain about what he wanted.
"Evergreen told me that Diantha and Lance only allowed me into your circle because they felt guilty for dragging me into the incident."
"But I don't believe that. The Lance who discussed his training experience with me clearly hoped that a rising star would challenge him. Diantha also wanted me to step out of Shiran's shadow sooner.
"I trust you all, just as you trusted me that night."
Silence filled the hall. Cynthia froze for a moment, then smiled with gratification.
The silence broke as Lance burst into unrestrained laughter, genuinely delighted.
"You're getting cocky before you've even stepped onto the Pokémon League stage. You're definitely the first person I've seen like that. And I already know what you're planning to say."
Relax. I'm far from rigid. As an investigator, I've seen no more than the International Police have. I know perfectly well when something has to be cut clean."
Diantha let out a soft sigh. "It looks like we're being dragged into deep water."
"But I already told Cynthia that you're one of my friends. There's no choice... when a friend jumps into madness, I can only jump with them."
"Excuse me," Cynthia said, raising a hand. "You all seem to be forgetting I'm here."
Luther had never felt so fired up. He hadn't even said what he wanted to do yet, and he already had three votes in support.
Only by earning others' trust can one receive their genuine sincerity, something Evergreen may never understand.
He quantifies everything, turning it into data, strategy, and calculation. He only thinks on paper. Because of this, he stubbornly believes that a champion must have a rational, calculated reason to befriend someone "beneath their level."
Evergreen does understand human nature. His rhetoric inspires fear, causing people to overthink and see conspiracies in everything.
However, Evergreen has never understood Luther. Luther knows gratitude.
Evergreen has never had friends. He doesn't understand that friendship isn't just an exchange of benefits; it's built from countless small acts piled together over time.
Luther's belief that "a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring" was carved into his bones. He remembers everyone who has ever helped him on his journey.
Evergreen's attempts to turn Diantha and Lance against Luther, and to make Luther his obedient pawn, only helped Luther identify Evergreen's true weakness.
Amplification devices may be powerful, but they can never achieve Champion-level battle power.
At peak strength, Hodgepodge can only win by numbers. Quality will always be their eternal flaw.
Evergreen needs Luther desperately... so desperately that, even after seeing through his facade, Evergreen chose to test Luther, alternating between force and temptation to pull him to his side.
This reveals the real reason why regional Pokémon Leagues can never be defeated.
There will always be people with light in their hearts, people who love Pokémon, drawn to the League. After their training journey, they become part of the League's top-tier force.
Hodgepodge can only skulk in the shadows, picking over the League's discarded leftovers, desperately trying to revive a hopeless board of dead pieces.
"The leaders of Hodgepodge must die."
A chilling killing intent spread. Even over the phone, Lance and Diantha could sense Luther's determination.
"As long as they live, they're a threat. Ideology is the most terrifying thing of all. Anyone who can maintain an organization like Hodgepodge for twenty years will never be persuaded."
This world doesn't need them, or their ideology."
After a brief silence, a voice that had never been part of the conversation before suddenly spoke up.
"I agree. If you're worried about getting your hands dirty, I'll do it myself. I'm not clean to begin with."
Luther had just reached for his cup when he nearly dropped it in shock.
Cynthia was stunned, too.
"Cynthia, didn't you set a password for the chatroom? How did Oleander get in?" Diantha asked.
"I thought you were secretly farming material without me, so I tried using some of Cynthia's birthday numbers to crack the password. I didn't expect to stumble upon you holding a secret meeting."
A password like that is easy to guess for a trained International Police agent.
Awkward.
It was truly awkward.
Cynthia covered her face. Luther did the same.
"I lose control when I hear Evergreen's name, but that doesn't mean you're allowed to exclude me!"
Thankfully, Lance stepped in to smooth things over. "Well, since you're already here, we'll count you in."
"That's more like it! The Pokémon League always talks about 'no death penalty,' but those vicious, heinous Hodgepodge leaders think they deserve that kind of mercy?"
Evil must be punished by evil. That's how the world works."
Luther pressed his forehead. "Sorry, but none of us identify as 'evil.' Oleander, please reflect on who exactly you're talking about."
Lance once again played moderator. "I agree with Luther. Diantha, it's your turn."
Diantha clapped lightly. "It's a role I've never played before, a fresh experience. I agree as well."
"Hodgepodge…" Luther spoke softly, confirming.
"Must die!" everyone in the chat replied in unison.
(End of Chapter)
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