Gaeric's expression slightly changed.
Cynthia continued, "The King's rampage not only harms those responsible for caring for them."
"As long as the duration is long enough, all the wild Pokémon in the area will be affected, and the Coronet Highlands is the most obvious example."
"Currently, Avalugg hasn't shown obvious signs of losing control, but who can guarantee this state will last?"
"Given Avalugg's size and strength, if it suddenly loses control one day and leads a massive number of Pokémon in Alabaster Icelands into chaos, what will happen? I think Warden Gaeric should know better than us."
Gaeric did not answer immediately.
He clearly understood this reasoning.
Usually, Avalugg just eats and sleeps, and after waking up, continues to eat, seeming indeed harmless.
But once that state changes, with Avalugg's mountain-like body, even a brief loss of control could bring great disaster to the entire Alabaster Icelands.
Ground shaking, snow crashing down, large ice sheets shattering — any of these problems would be troublesome.
If even the surrounding wild Pokémon are affected, the situation will only worsen.
Cynthia waited for a moment, then continued, "And calming does not mean killing Avalugg."
"We just need to defeat it first, causing it to lose the ability to resist further, then let Ash use his own power to remove that abnormal golden energy, bringing Avalugg back to its original state."
"If Warden Gaeric merely thinks Avalugg has become stronger and hopes this power remains, I actually feel it's even less necessary."
Cynthia paused her tone slightly.
"You've always believed in relying on oneself rather than others, so what's the significance of Avalugg relying on external power that doesn't belong to it to become strong?"
After saying this, Gaeric's originally calm expression finally showed a noticeable change.
Rely on oneself.
This is exactly the belief he has adhered to for so many years.
If even he feels that a body gained through external power is meaningless, then why should Avalugg's enhancement from external power be any different?
Gaeric thought about it for a while, then nodded forcefully.
"You're right!"
"Since this power wasn't obtained by Avalugg itself, leaving it wouldn't be worth celebrating."
Irida immediately smiled upon hearing this.
Looks like the most troublesome first hurdle is over.
But before she could speak, Gaeric suddenly changed his tone.
"But I still have one question."
He turned his gaze back to Ash and Cynthia.
"I've heard a lot about what you've been doing recently, but hearing is one thing; I can't just trust what others say about people I've just met for the first time."
"So..."
Gaeric suddenly raised his hand and pointed directly at Ash.
"You, come out!"
Ash was taken aback.
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
Gaeric crossed his arms over his chest, his face now clearly filled with battle intent.
"If you're a man, don't stand behind women all the time!"
"Communication between men ultimately relies on fists!"
Irida nodded repeatedly beside him.
Adaman had anticipated this development, rubbing his forehead in resignation.
Cynthia had intended to remind him, but noticed Ash's expression had already become serious.
"Of course!"
"I don't need you to tell me; I also won't always stand behind my sister!"
"How could I let my sister fight in this kind of battle?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ash immediately reached out to remove his winter coat, tossing the heavy jacket aside.
Cynthia instinctively reached out to catch the flying coat.
Without the protection of the winter coat, Ash was left only in the long-sleeve uniform of the Galaxy Exploration Team.
Though the outfit wasn't exactly thin, in the icy environment of the Alabaster Icelands, its warmth was quite limited.
Yet Ash seemed entirely unfazed by the chilling winds, clenching his fists and striking a pose while flashing Gaeric a smile brimming with battle spirit.
"Bring it on, Mr. Gaeric!"
Irida: "???"
Adaman: "???"
Cynthia: "???"
Gaeric: "???"
Pikachu: "???"
The surroundings suddenly fell silent.
Gaeric looked at the expressions of everyone else, then at Ash, who was already in a battle stance, finally somewhat bewildered, he raised a hand to scratch his head.
"What are you doing?"
"Huh?"
Ash was equally stunned.
"Didn't you say yourself..."
"Communication between men is done through fists!"
Upon hearing this, Irida finally reacted, hurriedly covering her face with her hand, her shoulders gently shaking uncontrollably.
She was about to burst into laughter.
"No, Ash."
Irida struggled to suppress her laughter as she explained, "When we say communication through fists, we mean Pokémon battles, silly brother~"
Ash: "..."
He maintained his battle stance, frozen in place.
So all that talk about fists was not about him personally fighting?
Do the Hisui People have such deep ways of speaking!
Cynthia held Ash's discarded winter coat, her lips involuntarily curling upward.
Adaman turned his head away, clearly not wanting Ash to see his current expression.
As for Pikachu...
"Pika..."
Pikachu placed a paw on its forehead, its ears drooping slightly.