"The mantis stalks the cicada… unaware of the oriole behind."
A third figure stepped out from the shadows.
This one was broader, taller ,a burly man in a black robe.
At his side crawled an Ariados, its crimson legs glinting under moonlight.
Floating behind him was a Haunter, tongue lolling, eyes glowing eerily.
"Ghehehehe…"
In moments, Ariados and Haunter finished off the remaining Pokémon left by the previous two attackers. Those Pokémon were already exhausted and wounded ,so they were quite an easy prey.
When the battlefield fell silent, the burly man removed his hood.
A deep scar ran across his rugged face.
His eyes were filled with naked greed."Heh… such a beauty. Didn't think I'd get lucky tonight."
The girl froze.
For a moment earlier, she had believed someone noble had saved her , just like the stories she had read growing up.But This gaze.
This tone.
It felt even worse than before.
Out of the wolf's jaws.
Into the tiger's den.
As the man's thick hand reached toward her face, A black shadow flashed.
"Haunter - Protect!"
A shimmering barrier appeared.
Ding!
The ambush strike was blocked.
The shadow retreated instantly into darkness.
"WHO'S THERE?!"
The burly man spun, pressing his back against a tree, eyes wide, scanning the forest.
He had not expected another hunter.
After all he thought he was the fisherman reaping the spoils-Someone else was waiting.
"Come out if you've got guts!"
He released two more Pokémon. Not particularly strong but they gave him psychological comfort.
Silence.
Only the crackle of broken branches and The sound of girl's quiet sobbing.
"Shut up!"
The man snarled at her.
Then suddenly Four attacks burst from four different directions at once.
A perfectly timed crossfire.
" Use Protect Again!"
Haunter reacted again But the coordination wasn't perfect.
A split-second opening appeared And that was enough.
A dark blur sliced past like the swing of a scythe.
The burly man's body stiffened.
Then collapsed on the ground.
A clean kill.
The girl stared with wide eyes.
It was a Murkrow.
"Caw—!"
Its cry echoed once before it disappeared back into shadow.
A calm, youthful voice followed.
"The oriole hunts the mantis… but few realize there's always a hunter behind the oriole."
Silas stepped forward from the darkness.
"Hey!,Are you alright?"
His tone was steady and Warm.
He extended his hand.
The girl's legs gave out slightly as she reached for him.
Her wrist felt soft.
Warm.
Like polished jade.
For a brief moment, Silas registered the sensation and then immediately released her, scratching the back of his head as if embarrassed.
A perfectly rehearsed reaction.
The girl stared at him.
Her "prince" emerging from darkness.
Her savior.
Blood still streaked across her face.
And suddenly "Waaah—!" She threw herself into his arms.
Crying.
Clutching his clothes tightly.
As if letting go meant falling into that nightmare again.
Silas did not push her away.
After a long while, her sobs softened.
Realizing how close they were, her face flushed crimson.
She had never been this close to a man before But…If it was him ,She didn't feel disgust.
Only warmth.
"I'm Selene solans …" she said softly. "You can call me Sele… or lene"
Her voice was shy.
She didn't dare meet his eyes.
Silas smiled faintly.
"You can call me Silas."
"Miss Selene… how did you end up alone?"
As a member of the Solans Family, she should have had escorts. But he already suspected the answer.
"I wanted to buy resources for my Glaceon… Little Icyy."
So the Ice-type earlier was a Glaceon.
"Normally the family handles purchases… but I was curious… so I snuck out."
She puffed her cheeks slightly in embarrassment.
Naive.
Too honest.
She had no suspicion toward the man who saved her life.
She didn't even recognize that the Kadabra she purchased earlier had come from his stall.
Silas nodded thoughtfully.
"At night… it's dangerous for a girl to travel alone."
He took dry tinder from his spatial pack and lit a small campfire.
Warm light pushed back the darkness.
They were less than five kilometers from Fallarbor Town. Rescue would come soon.
Her Pokémon were badly injured.
Tropius lay exhausted.
Glaceon trembled weakly.
She knelt beside them, tear tracks still visible as she tended to each one.
Silas watched quietly.
So trusting after one meeting.
He felt something stir in his chest.
But he reduced it to five simple words:
Naive. Gullible. Innocent. Idiot . Air Headed.
"Use this."
He handed her a small emerald vial.
A healing potion he had brewed himself ,refined from Grass-type essence and medicinal herbs purchased in Lavaridge Town.
"You can make potions too?"
"I'm a Breeder ,so yeah I can make them."
He sat cross-legged by the fire and closed his eyes as if resting.
He did not overtalk.
Every word measured.
Enough to inspire gratitude.
Not enough to create suspicion.
Selene hugged her knees by the fire.
Her red dress pooling around her.
She stared at his face quietly.
When he opened his eyes and glanced at her,She immediately lowered her head, feeling embarrassed at being caught staring.
Silas smiled faintly.
A classic script.
Hero saves beauty.
Beauty falls.
Quite Simple and Predictable But Effective.
And under the moonlight
A young girl's heart quietly began to bloom.
<><><><><><>
(End of chapter)