Chapter 242: A Conversation with Lugia, Preparing to Challenge Zacian!

A cool breeze swept through the air.

Natsume, alone, traversed the secret realm, following Little Lugia to where Lugia was napping in a deep-sea trench.

“Human, what brings you here?” Lugia asked, its voice echoing softly.

“I need a favor,” Natsume replied, looking directly at Lugia. “I want to capture a Pokémon, but I’m not yet its match.”

Lugia shifted slightly. “Pokémon battles should rely on your own strength, don’t you think?”

“That’s true,” Natsume agreed. “But since I’ve got this rare opportunity, I don’t want to miss it. After all, unexpected things can happen. Besides, getting your help would also prove my capabilities, wouldn’t it?”

Lugia fell silent for a moment before flapping its wings. “Very well, I’ll help you this once.”

Natsume waved his hand dismissively. “This might sound a bit rude, but… your strength might not be enough.”

Lugia: “???”

Natsume quickly added, “Do you know Zacian from Great Britain?”

Lugia, who had been about to lose its temper, calmed down at the mention of Zacian’s name.

This Lugia was different from the one known as the storm god. It was just an ordinary member of the Lugia group—lazy and averse to conflict. Most of the time, it wandered the seas with its child, sleeping and relaxing.

Zacian, on the other hand, was a legendary Pokémon known as the Hundred-Battle Hero, the Sword King. A single sentence was enough to understand Zacian’s nature: it was a Pokémon born for battle.

“I once witnessed its battle against Zamazenta and Eternatus on the open sea,” Lugia said softly. “Zacian is indeed a formidable warrior.”

Lugia then looked directly at Natsume. “You’ve drawn that sword, haven’t you?”

Natsume nodded. “Yes, I have.”

“Then this battle should belong to you,” Lugia said calmly. “Zacian is a Pokémon born for battle. There are few in this world who can defeat it. So, its recognition might not necessarily come from you defeating it. What Zacian seeks is your fearless courage. Human, are you afraid of failure?”

Natsume was momentarily stunned by Lugia’s words.

The surroundings were quite dark, with seawater gently flowing. Occasionally, a couple of deep-sea Pokémon passed by, glancing in their direction before swimming away. Little Lugia chased after them for a bit before returning.

Failure? No one wants to fail. That’s why, the moment Natsume triggered this quest, he wanted to use every resource at his disposal to challenge Zacian. But was this the kind of battle Zacian wanted? Humans often prioritize results and benefits, but Pokémon might value the process more.

Natsume had already obtained Zacian’s sword, which meant he had, in theory, already earned its recognition.

Natsume looked up at Lugia and said, “I understand. You’re telling me not to focus on winning or losing, but to enjoy the battle, right?”

Lugia replied calmly, “As a Gym Leader, isn’t that what you always tell your challengers?”

Natsume chuckled wryly. “I guess those challengers must think I’m being too casual about it.”

For challengers, Gym Badges were proof of their qualifications to participate in major tournaments, so of course, they valued victory.

“I guess the idea of a perfect persona doesn’t really exist,” Natsume said, standing up. “Thank you. Come by the farm for a meal sometime.”

“Lugia~” Little Lugia quickly followed.

“Let’s go together, then.”

“Lugia~”

Lugia watched calmly as Natsume and Little Lugia left. The deep sea returned to its tranquil state.

At the Farm

“Serperior~”

Serperior slowly slithered over to Natsume, who was sitting outside.

Natsume gently patted Serperior’s head and smiled. “It’s been a while since we battled together, hasn’t it?”

“Serperior~”

“Awooo!”

Arcanine came bounding over, leaping into Natsume’s arms.

Natsume ruffled Arcanine’s fur. “You’ll definitely get to have some fun today.”

“Milotic~”

Milotic surfaced from the river.

“Milotic, you want to join too?” Natsume asked.

Milotic nodded.

Natsume smiled. “Alright, then.”

“Eevee.”

Arcevee shook its fur and swiftly changed its form.

“Everyone, there’s no need to be so tense,” Natsume said casually. “This isn’t a battle where we must win or face certain defeat.”

After his conversation with Lugia, Natsume had decided to bring along the farm’s Pokémon above level 70 to challenge Zacian. Initially, he had considered asking Lugia or even Manaphy for help, but he realized that would be meaningless.

In the human world, the victor reigns supreme. But in the Pokémon world, it’s not always like that. After all, almost no Trainer is a match for their own Pokémon. Some say that ordinary people in the Pokémon world can only become bug catchers. But that’s just from a human perspective.

If you wander through a dim alley, you might find an abandoned Rockruff. Give it a piece of bread, and it will follow you. If you nap under a tree, you might discover a trapped Cottonee. If you go fishing by the riverbank, you might find a Marill tangled in a net. On a hot summer day, you might come across a thirsty Wooper.

The Pokémon world is one where fairy tales can come true. If you could enter the Pokémon world, how could life be anything but good? It certainly wouldn’t be worse.

“Silvally.”

Silvally shook its head slightly, eager to stretch its legs.

“Alright, let’s all go together.”

“Natsume, can I come too?” Diancie asked, approaching Natsume.

“Of course,” Natsume replied, smiling at Diancie. “Our opponent is Zacian, after all. It’s a Fairy-type too. Watching it battle will definitely be helpful for you. So, you can watch the battle with Infernape and the others.”

“Yes, Natsume~”

Natsume stood at the entrance to the passage leading to Great Britain’s Lake Island. “Let’s go.”

Under the moonlight, the farm’s Pokémon followed Natsume, ready to challenge the legendary Hundred-Battle Hero, the Sword King.