Chapter 0729: May There Be No Gold in Heaven

“For Ryo of the Elite Four to defeat the previous Champion—the former Champion’s strength was truly formidable.”

Matori spoke seriously: “Therefore, you’ll need to be fully prepared as well!”

Natsume listened, completely lost.

Who exactly defeated whom? Who did Ryo beat?

After hanging up, Natsume roughly searched for Ryo’s Elite Four team composition.

Currently, there was no official news about Ryo’s ascension to Champion, but it was possible to find info about his former Elite Four setup.

Ryo wasn’t a mono-type specialist but rather a composite-style trainer, skilled in Sandstorm teams, with Tyranitar as his ace.

He also had a Talonflame famed for its “Gale Wings,” known for unrivaled aerial prowess.

The actual team lineup, however, would only be revealed once you passed the pre-Victory Road qualifiers and faced the Champion in battle.

Natsume looked up at the sky.

So, as soon as Ryo from the Elite Four became the new Champion, he was immediately stationed on Victory Road to challenge the next batch of challengers.

One careless defeat, and he’d be at risk of instantly becoming the “former Champion.”

On this point, Blue Oak—who, upon becoming Champion, was immediately made gatekeeper by Lance—would surely have something to say.

Natsume’s feelings were mixed. He found himself gradually developing sympathy for both Blue Oak and Ryo of the Elite Four...

……

September 20th, Monday.

One week remained until Victory Road opened.

Perfect autumn sunlight streamed in through glass, pooling on a pot of fresh green pothos set atop a flaxen tablecloth.

There were three tables of guests today, all parents with young children. Not a single “Battle Combo Meal” challenger in sight.

The handsome, dark-haired shopkeeper leaned on the countertop, cheek in hand, idly imagining the would-be employees who would show up for job applications that afternoon.

Recommended by Butler Jervis, a server applicant, reputedly skilled at making drinks, juices, and curry rice.

“If I can get another sous chef, Alcremie’s workload will be easier too.”

Natsume thought, “Let’s see what kind of Pokémon fate brings me today…”

Meowstic elegantly delivered a tray, serving “Miss Kir’s Flower Tea” to one table.

Indeedee stood side by side with a radiant smile, hands clasped.

Natsume felt just like an Uncle at a Galar Pokémon Center—the one who helps you remember moves—always with an Indeedee standing at his side.

“Arcanine~” Arcanine stretched out in a sunbeam, bared its teeth, and yawned hugely.

Natsume relaxed instinctively, thoughts drifting to Cynthia in the back room, currently researching mythology and poring over tomes.

It had been two days since Princess Diancie’s return to the Land of Ores.

Cynthia, too, had remained in the shop these two days, rarely going out: reading at home, playing games, and researching mythology.

The chat group had also quickly caught wind of the whole Yveltal and Xerneas incident.

But since Natsume’s past battles with Hoenn’s twin gods had been such a shock, this case didn’t cause as big a stir.

But Ash’s my-word-is-law claim still left people speechless.

Natsume took a moment to open the chat group.

On the Yveltal incident—

Blue Oak’s expression was odd. “No matter how you look at it... I think the word ‘crushed’ is open to debate.”

Ash: “I was at the scene. I saw it with my own eyes!”

Leon chimed in heartily: “A head-on collision, huh. That really is Natsume-sensei’s battle style, haha!”

Lance wore a strange look.

What ever gave you the impression that Natsume’s style is “head-on?”

Either way, unlike the interception mission in Hoenn, this time Natsume defeated Yveltal in direct battle.

From every angle, that’s the kind of moment they call a Champion’s “Battle of Legends!”

Crystal: “We heard about the unrest in Allearth Forest—a lot of towns nearby evacuated right away.”

Silver nodded gently. As Pokédex holders, they’d been ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Gold muttered, “I wanted to check it out myself, but then Natsume-sensei already had everything resolved.”

Natsume replied cheerfully, “@Gold, there’ll be a chance next time!”

Gold froze, a sinking feeling growing inside.

Lance: [three candle emojis]

Lorelei: [three candle emojis]

Gold: “Hey, hey, why are you sending candle emojis already?”

Lt. Surge laughed: “Good luck!”

“@Gold, take care out there. May there be no Gold in heaven.” Green offered a moment of silence.

Gold: ???

The chat group was full of lively energy.

Natsume put down his phone and glanced around at the shop’s only remaining table.

The husband and wife smiled at each other; their daughter was all innocent joy, hand-feeding a gray-muzzled Chesnaught with a Poké Puff.

A hint of envy welled up in Natsume.

Gengar floated by his side, daydreaming about such a future right along with him. “Gengar…”

In the Pokémon world, growing old together with your Pokémon and family is a kind of perfect romance.

Natsume shook his head with a sigh.

That’s all too far away... Only the present matters; seize each and every day.

Natsume pulled a flawless pink diamond from his pocket, eyes glinting.

Simply radiant, impossibly perfect: the Diancite.

I hope… to find the perfect opportunity...

“No more guests?” A gentle voice drifted in from the backyard.

Natsume fumbled to hide the diamond in his pocket and straightened, coughing once.

“They’re gone! That was the last table just now!”

Cynthia crossed her arms, gave him an odd look, then said:

“The server recommended by Jervis will be here soon—you’ll need to handle the interview.”

Jervis was Cynthia’s butler; he often recommended Pokémon to care for the gardens and villa grounds.

The first group of café employees had also all come from Jervis’s recommendations, and they’d proven very reliable.

Natsume nodded. “No problem.”

“In that case, I’ll go play with Togepi some more~” Cynthia flexed her fingers.

“My official gaming buddy job… stolen by Togepi.”

Natsume pondered: “No, actually, it’s Moe-Moe! doing child care. That’s more accurate...”

In the café, Gengar’s shadow avatar was clearing tables.

Sylveon nimbly hopped onto the bar, glancing around, thoroughly bored.

Blastoise was soaking in the kitchen fish tank, but its invisible Aura covered the whole café.

That reminded Natsume—Tyranitar was in the gardens, gnawing on diamonds.

That was Princess Diancie’s thank-you gift—a batch of diamond ore mined by Carbink.

It strengthened Tyranitar’s armor, boosted its striking power, and more.

Since diamonds are expensive, Natsume sent a whole shipment of berries to the Land of Ores to reciprocate.

Carbink mine diamonds primarily to absorb energy.

Of course, they can eat berries too, and berries are rare in the Land of Ores.

So the Carbink gathered around the big mountain of berries—stunned in amazement.

Last night, when Natsume saw a full crate of diamond ore, he was just as amazed.

Because of Natsume’s unique status—having saved the Land of Ores—the Land of Ores, which never traded with humans before, agreed to a long-term deal with him.

Berries for diamonds—mutual benefit. A true win-win.

Berries for free, and diamonds for… free? Natsume scored twice!

[?]

The berry stall owner’s confusion was roundly ignored.

Natsume glanced at the doorway, windchimes tinkling brightly. “Here for a job interview? Welcome—”

Halfway through his sentence, Natsume blinked, doubting his own luck value.

“Steenee~”

Two pale green leaf blades, sparkling red eyes, a purple body like a dress, and a fruit-like shell clean as a white skirt.

Steenee put her hands together, made a polite bow, then beamed her sweetest smile: “Steenee~”

Hello, I’m here for a server job. Please guide me~

Vibrant spirit, sweet scent, delicious fruit—the “fruit Pokémon,” Steenee.

Natsume was a little dazed, thoughts racing.

Main course: Farfetch’d. Dessert: Alcremie. Fruit: Steenee…

“Sirfetch’d! (′︿‵)” Sirfetch’d shivered suddenly.

Alcremie: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ

“Steenee?” Steenee blinked curiously.

Natsume remembered—Mallow, the culinary whiz from Alola, had Steenee as her partner.

Because Steenee gave off a natural scent, Ash’s Rowlet often launched toward Steenee, only to be whacked away with a slap.

Steenee’s Sweet Scent could make breads give off fruity fragrances; seeds generated by “Bullet Seed” could be freshly juiced.

Besides being a sous chef, Steenee could also serve tea and drinks—fitting Natsume-sensei’s needs perfectly.

The interview was simple: make a drink good enough to satisfy Natsume-sensei.

Steenee nodded energetically, and with a flash of white from both hands, summoned fruit-like seeds. Sweet Scent filled the café…

After tasting Steenee’s freshly made, delicious, and sweet fruit juice—

Natsume-sensei gave his verdict on the spot: “You’re hired!”

Emergency ration +1... (crossed out)

Café clerk +1!