Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World-Chapter 59 -

Of course, before tomorrow arrives, today's work still needed to continue.

Hikaru stared at the Symbolic Tablet, deep in thought, wondering what kind of encounter he would have with another Legendary Pokémon this time.

But for now, he decided not to dwell on it.

The beeping of the computer urged Hikaru, as well as Petilil and Doublade, back to work!

This busy life was exhausting, but it truly felt fulfilling!

Petilil bounced around, following Hikaru to the computer. Along the way, she suddenly asked Doublade a question.

"Pet?"

"If your ideal kingdom becomes a reality, does that mean all Pokémon will work together with Hikaru?"

Doublade, slightly confused, responded:

"Yoh..."

"A king does not work!"

"Huh?!" Petilil tilted her head in confusion.

"Pet?"

"If a king doesn't work, then why do they get to be called a king? Shouldn't a true king work alongside everyone else and lead by example?"

"Yoh... yoh?"

Doublade was stumped, now questioning its own beliefs.

That's right! Why should the new kingdom follow the old ways? Thinking about it now, it never really understood why kings didn't have to work—it was just something that had always been the case, so it had accepted it as normal.

But now, it seemed... kind of wrong?

One isn't acknowledged as a king after becoming one, but rather, only those who are acknowledged become kings!

Yes! Yes, that's it!

"Yoh!"

Doublade declared that it had discovered a new principle for building its ideal kingdom! A place where both humans and Pokémon could live without worries, where everyone had their own responsibilities—that was the world it wanted to create!

Hikaru overheard Doublade's exclamations. Although he didn't know what Petilil had asked, Doublade was once again preaching its villain-like ideology of kingdom-building. The more Hikaru listened, the stranger it sounded.

Actually, a world where Pokémon worked and lived harmoniously already existed.

Wasn't that just the Mystery Dungeon world? A parallel world to the Pokémon universe?

"Oh, the customer's request is... huh?"

Hikaru read the email from a "client," but his expression turned strange.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on ƒreewebɳovel.com.

[Today, I want to discuss the topic of Pokémon liberation. Humans and Pokémon have lived together for so long, with many believing we are indispensable partners to one another. But is that truly the case? Could this belief simply be one-sided wishful thinking on the part of humans?]

"This format looks familiar... Isn't this the same propaganda Plasma Team used? Right, back when Plasma Team was first active in Unova, they weren't seen as an illegal organization yet, but more like a religious group."

"They're even sending propaganda emails all the way to Sinnoh?"

That was Hikaru's initial thought, but then he noticed something peculiar in the last section of the email:

[You are a craftsman? Then do you know about the Light Stone and the Dark Stone?]

[I am Ghetsis of Plasma Team. I am a man who fights for the true equality between humans and Pokémon!]

[If you know the whereabouts of these two stones, please respond to me. I would be immensely grateful and will offer a generous reward. Let us work together to create a world where all life is equal!]

Hikaru: "..."

"...Could this be from the Ancient Seeker? No, wait... it must be Mr. Bourgeois!"

At first, Hikaru thought this might be a new client sent by the Ancient Seeker, but upon further reflection—were there any archaeologists famous in Unova?

If anything, the only notable figure in Undella Town was Cynthia.

But Cynthia merely had a vacation home there.

Given that it was summer, there was a chance Cynthia was in Unova, but if she was, she would never introduce Ghetsis as a potential client. Besides, Hikaru didn't even know Cynthia personally.

So there was only one possibility—

It was Mr. Bourgeois!

As Plasma Team became more active in Unova, they must have sought out collectors of ancient relics to find the legendary two stones. Naturally, they would ask Bourgeois Meyer, a well-known collector of antiquities.

"Ahh, this is a troublesome client... Even though I know where the Light Stone and Dark Stone are, I absolutely can't tell him."

Hikaru replied to the email:

"Are you looking to purchase something? I'm afraid I don't know what stones you're referring to. My apologies."

A response came back quickly.

["I see... My apologies, it was wishful thinking on my part. I have asked many antique collectors, but none of them knew about these two stones. In desperation, I decided to reach out to someone overseas."]

["Since I've disturbed you, please allow me to show my sincerity by making a purchase. Do you offer custom sculptures?"]

Hikaru raised an eyebrow—this guy was unexpectedly polite. Before breaking his mask, Ghetsis really did put on a convincing act as a "righteous man."

"Of course. What kind of sculpture do you want?"

["Hydreigon. Do you know this Pokémon? I need a large sculpture, not a small one."]

"Of course, no problem. Large sculptures start at 400,000 Pokédollars."

Hydreigon was Ghetsis' ace Pokémon. Perhaps he wanted the sculpture for Plasma Team's propaganda, though Hikaru couldn't guess his exact intentions. However, all of his sculptures contained special effects. Now that he had access to even more ancient stones, there was no need to worry about material shortages.

["Ah, that won't be a problem! Also, I noticed your shop sells something called 'The King's Prestige Emblem.' From its appearance, it looks different from a normal King's Rock, and its description says it makes Pokémon more obedient."]

["I would like to purchase one."]

"It's not obedience, it's acknowledgment."

Hikaru corrected him, already understanding Ghetsis' intent—he wanted to find the legendary dragon and make it acknowledge either him or his adopted son, N.

Of course, N—the so-called King of Plasma Team—was nothing more than a puppet in Ghetsis' eyes, a tool to control the legendary dragon.

At this point in time, Hikaru wasn't sure what state N was in.

"The price is already listed—200,000 Pokédollars."

Hikaru wasn't entirely sure how to price this item. The normal King's Rock's flinch effect wasn't particularly strong since it was mostly an evolution item. But after his enhancements, this one granted +20% acknowledgment, presumably effective on all Pokémon.

But for someone like Ghetsis, money was never an issue. He had embezzled an untold fortune through Plasma Team and, unsurprisingly, immediately placed an order.

"Thank you for your business." Hikaru paused for a moment before adding:

"A Pokémon that acknowledges you will always acknowledge you. But no matter how many of these items you buy, a Pokémon that does not recognize you never will. Items don't determine everything—what matters most is the bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon."

"So tell me—do you have a true bond with your Pokémon? Or is this for someone else?"

The answer was already obvious.

["It is for our King."] Ghetsis replied. ["He will become the legendary hero, and for that, the legendary dragon must acknowledge him. Do you know the founding legend of Unova?"]

["How does one unify a world torn apart by conflict?"]

["It is by standing beside the dragon Pokémon, one black and one white—Pokémon who appear only before heroes who pursue either truth or ideals. They guided their chosen hero, bestowed knowledge, and bared their fangs at those who threatened their kingdom."]

["The hero and the Pokémon became one, and together, they created Unova."]

["Once again, the hero and the Pokémon shall rise in Unova!"]

["Our King and the legendary Pokémon will unite! They will create a new ideal kingdom! This is the re-enactment of Unova's founding legend! And I am working tirelessly for this great cause!"]

["A world where humans and Pokémon live as equals! Do you think this is the right path?"]

Doublade suddenly jumped in.

"Yoh?!"

It stared at the computer screen with both eyes. Hikaru explained the message's contents to it, and Doublade immediately became furious!

"What kind of low-level ruler thinks they're on the same level as my King?!"

"You think having a team makes you special?!"

"Yoh~~!"

"Yopu~~!"

"Hikaru, cancel the order! Let's piss him off!"

Sure! Here's the continuation of the translation:

"Business is business. Don't worry, everything he's saying is just lies." Hikaru reassured his two Pokémon.

Petilil, however, didn't understand the text on the screen. She didn't know what this whole "kingdom-building ideal" was about, so she had no reaction at all.

Sometimes, too much knowledge is just a burden!

"Pet?"

Petilil tilted her head, adorably shaking it in confusion.

Not knowing how to read, she remained carefree and innocent.

"A true hero has already appeared, but the outcome won't be as he claims. All this talk about 'monarchs' and 'new kings'—these are just words used in religious indoctrination to brainwash followers. Some people, due to their weak will, are easily deceived by such propaganda. But then again, those kinds of people were never suited to be Pokémon Trainers in the first place."

"Don't be fooled by the surface-level ideals and speeches. Look at what actions he has actually taken. Didn't you just say earlier? A king isn't acknowledged after becoming one—it is being acknowledged that makes one a king."

Hikaru patted Doublade, and only then did Doublade feel reassured!

"That's right! Our king is still superior!"

"I acknowledge your king's will!"

(End of Chapter)

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