When Cain finally managed to open his heavy eyelids with difficulty, he discovered that he was lying in a white-toned room.
In his nose, he could smell the unpleasant scent of disinfectants.
Just by looking at the white sheets, he knew he was in a hospital room.
On the bedside table, neatly folded, was his dark red Elite Four uniform, along with his Poké Balls and his communicator.
Fortunately, Cain had anticipated that he might pass out, so he had stored all the sensitive and secret items he carried in advance.
Slowking and the others had not been returned to their Poké Balls. Knowing their intelligence, Cain trusted that they would not allow anyone to tamper with his belongings.
When he tried to sit up, he discovered that his entire body ached and that his arms had no strength at all. After several futile attempts, he gave up.
Better to lie there like a Magikarp.
Just as he resigned himself, the door to the room opened. Nurse Joy entered accompanied by a Chansey, pushing a small cart of tools. When she saw Cain awake but unable to move, she froze and stared at him.
Joy's face flushed slightly, and she quickly smiled. "Mr. Cain, you're awake. I'll go inform the chairman."
With that, she almost ran out, leaving Cain and Chansey looking at each other in silence.
Fortunately, that Chansey had been specially trained to care for patients. It immediately stepped forward to help Cain sit up.
Very soon, Juan, Sidney, and Glacia appeared together.
At present, Cain was in the Pokémon Center at the Hoenn League headquarters, where they were also located. Moreover, the incident had become extremely famous: images of the island shrouded in the red storm, as well as the massive spatial rift, were circulating on the internet, drawing enormous attention.
The island, reduced to ruins and fragmented, became a topic of debate regarding the intensity of the battle.
Online, many simulated and analyzed what level of power would be required to destroy an island in such a manner.
"Cain, you're awake. How do you feel?" Juan asked with a faint smile.
Cain felt pain throughout his body with even the slightest movement.
"Not very well... how long was I unconscious?" Cain asked.
Juan snorted. "Not very well? When I arrived, I thought you were dead. I brought you back immediately for treatment. Joy said your body was completely overloaded and that you would need time to recover."
"You were unconscious for three days! I'm curious what left you in that state. Did the enemy attack you directly?"
Cain did not know how to respond for a moment.
But Juan did not seem to want to press him; given Cain's condition, insisting on the reason was pointless.
"Do you know who the person you fought was?" As he mentioned this, Juan became more serious.
Cain looked at him and, after thinking for a moment, replied, "It must have been someone from the Sacred Church. His psychic power was very strong. I was no match for him. And he probably held a high position within the Sacred Church. The spatial rift he created had a special purpose, but I don't know exactly what it was."
"Also... judging by his combat style and the way he commanded... he resembled very much—"
"The League's military troops' combat methods, right?" Juan finished his sentence.
At that, Cain looked at him in surprise, not knowing how he knew.
Juan took a photo from his pocket: it was the Black Messenger who had fought Cain, though he was already dead in the image.
"After fighting you, he escaped. But while investigating the nearby waters, we found his corpse."
"He died?" Cain was surprised.
"After a full investigation, we confirmed that he was a legion commander permanently assigned to Mt. Silver of the General League. A specialist in Dark-type Pokémon. The five Pokémon found at the site matched his official records. Except for one: Hydreigon, the pseudo-legendary, which did not appear."
Hearing this, everyone in the room fell silent.
That the Black Messenger was actually a commander of the General League was terrible news.
"As a General League commander, they have already sent an order requesting that the information be transferred immediately," Juan added.
Cain did not respond.
Seeing him silent, Juan understood his thoughts. It was a hard truth to swallow. "The situation in Kanto is tense, as you know. I hope you can understand."
"So Kanto has already passed the General League's review to establish its autonomous division? That's why you don't want it leaked that a high-ranking commander was part of the Sacred Church, to avoid affecting that process? Wow... the Kanto League and the General League really are well connected." Cain's tone was sharp.
Sidney and Glacia looked at each other, both wearing helpless expressions.
It was inevitable: this concerned the League's reputation and strategy.
Cain continued, "So what you want is for us to keep silent and let this pass. And what about the damages in Hoenn?"
"Whether it's your losses or those of the island's inhabitants, the General League will assume the compensation. And they're not asking for total silence—just that we don't reveal his true identity. As for your combat achievements, the League is very satisfied and impressed. They even want to invite you to Kanto for an exhibition between the Elite Four and their new members," Juan said to reassure him.
"New Elite Four?" Something caught Cain's attention.
"That's right. Kanto has just appointed a new Elite Four member. And it's someone you know. Care to guess who?" Juan smiled, successfully diverting Cain's attention.
Cain had paid an enormous price this time. After so much effort, discovering that his enemy was a League commander was a devastating blow for any League member.
(End of chapter)