Chapter 341: Ruined King
The so-called glorious and brilliant ancient city didn't actually look that impressive inside.
And because it had been covered and buried by yellow sand in the past, the ground of the entire palace city had completely turned into sandy land, making the original appearance unrecognizable.
However, objectively speaking.
"Not impressive" is from the current perspective.
Placed in the era of magical beasts thousands of years ago, this ancient city was indeed luxurious enough.
The inside of the ancient city was pitch black.
If not prepared in advance, one could only rely on the afterglow shining in from outside to move forward.
However, for archaeology enthusiasts like Cynthia and Yorks (Ghetsis), flashlights were essential tools carried with them.
So it wasn't very difficult for them to move forward.
"There are quite a few Pokémon living here."
"Melee?"
"Sensed with Aura."
Will explained.
Because he used the Pokémon language, he wasn't afraid of being understood by Yorks in front.
What concerned him more was...
Along the way.
Yorks showed no interest in Meloetta.
Logically speaking.
For a Pokémon never seen before, even people who don't like Pokémon would be somewhat curious, right?
But Yorks wasn't.
Except for a hint of surprise when he first saw it, he didn't look at Meloetta much afterwards.
This feeling was more like...
Yorks recognized Meloetta, but he just wasn't interested in this kind of Pokémon.
Is this possible?
Meloetta is a Mythical Pokémon living for thousands of years, with the title of "God of Song and Dance" (or similar). Even if Professor Oak came, he would wish to stick to it for research.
Why is this Yorks so calm?
What in this ancient city attracts him so much that he can't even spare a trace of energy on Meloetta?
Will had doubts in his heart and paid attention.
But didn't ponder deeply.
Yorks not being interested in Meloetta is a good thing.
They turned left and right in the ancient city, getting lost in a while; Meloetta was bored enough to sleep soundly on Will's head.
Instead, Yorks and Cynthia walking in front were still spirited.
Don't know how long they walked.
Will and the others finally walked out of the dim and narrow tunnel, arriving at an open hall.
At the end of the hall, a solitary throne could be seen.
"This should be the Dragon Chair (Throne) of the King of the ancient city back then, right?"
Cynthia's eyes lit up, hurrying to the surroundings of the throne to examine carefully.
Then.
She frowned, seeing a sentence seemingly carved on the handle of the throne.
Unfortunately.
Although Cynthia learned ancient texts, they were ancient texts of the Sinnoh region.
Although somewhat similar to the ancient texts of the Unova region, they were ultimately not the same font; she couldn't understand.
Therefore, she could only ask Yorks for help.
"Mr. Yorks, can you understand this text?"
"Let me see."
Yorks looked around, walked over after hearing Cynthia's voice.
"Hmm... 'Regardless of the cost; Any atrocity, if it leads to merit.' Tsk, this isn't the throne of the King of the ancient city, it's the throne of the 'Ruined King'."
Yorks raised an eyebrow, seeming to discover something interesting.
Beside him.
"?!"
Before Cynthia could react, Will's eyes widened directly.
What the hell?
Ruined King?
Is it the affectionate Viego (from League of Legends) he knows?
Will's head was a bit confused at this moment.
The sentence Yorks just said was indeed the line of the "Ruined King" Viego ("No price is too great. No atrocity beyond my reach."), but why did it appear here?
Or rather.
Why did it appear in the ancient city thousands of years ago?
'Two possibilities: either this world had a transmigrator before, or... I said this.'
Will's cheek twitched.
Between the two possibilities, the latter was infinitely greater.
If it were the former, he felt this transmigrator should have left a big reputation in history.
The Pokémon world is different from other worlds.
Transmigrating to this world, even without cheats, just with memories about Pokémon, would be enough for the transmigrator to achieve great things and leave a famous name in history.
But Will has been in this world for more than two years, never heard of such a character, and Cynthia never told him.
Then most likely...
He said this sentence.
Why would he say such chuunibyou words?
And who is this Ruined King?
What does it have to do with him?
"Who is the Ruined King?"
Cynthia asked this question.
"A thousand years ago, this ancient city should have been the palace of the Kingdom of the Blessed Isles (or Blessed Light/Fuguang Kingdom - likely Blessed Isles reference). The last King of the Blessed Isles Kingdom once recruited a sage. However, he spent five years to sit on the position of the Grand Minister of Political Affairs and hollowed out the King's royal power, styling himself 'Ruined King,' ruling the Blessed Isles Kingdom. But soon after taking power, he led the Blessed Isles Kingdom to its end."
Yorks gave Cynthia a simple introduction.
But he didn't know much himself, ultimately not saying specifically what kind of character the Ruined King was.
'A thousand years ago, seems to be the period of the Kingdom of the Vale. This Ruined King should have heard this sentence from my mouth...'
Will sighed secretly in his heart.
He didn't expect.
It was one thing to be related to the Kingdom of the Vale in the west, but even the Blessed Isles Kingdom in the central part could be related to him.
Things are getting more and more complicated.
"Eh?! A flower actually bloomed here!"
Cynthia discovered a pink-white flower in the corner around the throne again.
"Lotus?"
Will looked at the flower's appearance, tilting his head in confusion.
"This is Gracidea, the oldest flower in the world, only blooming where there is a water source. It seems there is an underground river beneath this ancient city."
Yorks leaned close to look, rubbing his chin.
Light flowed in his eyes, wondering what he was thinking.
At this time.
A strange sound came from the tunnel behind:
"Vo-car-ona~" (Volcarona sounds?)
"Seems like some Pokémon is approaching."
Cynthia turned to look at the tunnel behind; a wisp of firelight seemed to be approaching in the darkness.
"Step back a bit."
Yorks pursed his lips upwards, turned around without surprise, took out a Poké Ball from his waist and threw it.
A Drapion instantly appeared in the palace.
And the Pokémon in the tunnel also revealed itself.
It was a Volcarona!
"What Pokémon is that?!"
Cynthia's eyes widened, hurriedly taking out her Pokédex.
"Volcarona, a Pokémon worshipped as the incarnation of the sun since ancient times."
Yorks spoke, staring at Volcarona with burning eyes,
"Go, Drapion."
The next moment.
Yorks commanded Drapion to battle that Volcarona.
It was also at this time that Will noticed more anomalies.
Volcarona was once regarded as a "Legendary Pokémon" by fans who didn't understand well.
Actually not wrong.
Volcarona's initial design was indeed aimed at a "Bug + Fire" Legendary Pokémon, but the plan was changed later.
Moreover.
In the ancient times of the Pokémon world, Volcarona was called the "God of Fire" (or similar sun deity).
Legend says it was born from a cocoon burning with flames, appearing in severe winters to save people and Pokémon suffering from cold, so it was worshipped by many.
At least some people in the Unova region still regarded it as a Legendary Pokémon, with fame even greater than Meloetta.
However.
In the game, Volcarona's base stat total is only 550, and it has two stages.
Indeed can't reach the edge of "Legendary."
Even the status of "Pseudo-Legendary" (600 BST) can't be matched.
But Volcarona also has special characteristics that ordinary Pokémon can't compare with.
The unique Fire/Bug attribute configuration among all Pokémon (before Gen 7/8 additions like Centiskorch/Sizzlipede, but Volcarona was unique for a while) needless to say.
The move pool mastered is also quite superior.
Most importantly.
It has its own exclusive move [Fiery Dance]. In previous generations, this was one of the signs of Legendary/Mythical Pokémon!
This is completely enough to make up for the 50 base stat difference with Pseudo-Legendaries.
Plus the rarity is even greater than Pseudo-Legendaries.
This makes Volcarona's status somewhat transcendent.
If not for being too late-blooming, requiring an exaggerated Lv. 59 to evolve from the first stage to the second stage.
Then Volcarona's status would definitely not be worse than a group of Pseudo-Legendaries.
Alder, the first Champion of the Unova region, has a Volcarona as his ace.
All these.
Enough to prove that once Volcarona grows up, it will have powerful combat capabilities.
However.
At this moment, the Gym-level Volcarona in the ancient city was actually beaten back steadily by Yorks' Drapion.
"This guy..."
Will stared at Yorks' back, feeling bad instantly.
Considering that Yorks had a very strong purpose from the beginning and was not surprised at Volcarona's appearance.
Will could basically judge.
This man's goal from the beginning was not to explore the ancient city, but to capture the Volcarona in the ancient city.
Furthermore.
A knowledgeable scholar with Gym-level strength would never be unknown in any region.
Unless.
His true identity cannot see the light, unable to withstand the visit and invitation of the Unova League.
Now Will highly suspected.
This Yorks is a cadre of Team Plasma.
.
Will was silent.
He glanced at Cynthia who knew nothing and was watching the battle excitedly.
After a little consideration, he still didn't tell her about this matter.
He couldn't be sure what Cynthia would do after knowing this, and whether she could act like she knew nothing.
So better not tell her.
Cynthia's innocent teenage trainer posture couldn't be acted out (if she knew), which wouldn't arouse Yorks' suspicion, nor make him remember her specifically.
This is the best situation.
Being targeted by Yorks would be quite bad.
Being targeted by Team Plasma minions like Wild Dog isn't a big problem; being targeted by cadres like Yorks who hide their emotions is disgusting.
He wasn't worried about the present.
With Meloetta on his head now, even if Ghetsis came personally, he wouldn't be afraid.
Just afraid of being found later when Meloetta isn't around.
Since this Yorks has no malice towards them and doesn't care much.
Then he plans to continue playing dumb.
The battle lasted more than ten minutes.
The aftermath of the battle even made the entire ancient city teeter, as if it would collapse at any time.
The final result was Yorks successfully capturing Volcarona.
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