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"Are the Pokémon on this exchange list real?"
Outside the Luminous Forest, Bede stared at the Pokémon on the mobile app, his eyes nearly popping out.
Especially the Fairy-type Enamorus, which deeply moved Bede.
Pink! Supreme pink!
This was exactly the Pokémon he should own!
"Of course, they're real. These Pokémon all reside on the Organization's farm. If you want them, you'll have to accumulate enough merit points."
Mr. Mammon said to Bede with a smile.
"Good!!"
Bede was instantly fired up. He wanted to exchange for an Enamorus, then return with it to show the old hag what's what!
And if he became stronger with Enamorus, Chairman Rose would surely look at him with new eyes.
"However, the Organization doesn't have any major activities right now, so you can only do some ordinary tasks to get merit points."
Mr. Mammon added. Indeed, there weren't many large-scale missions in the Organization currently, as most Evil Organizations in various regions had been dealt with.
They could only look forward to the Rainbow Rocket, whenever they might appear.
"Ordinary tasks?"
Bede searched upon hearing this. Ordinary tasks included destroying Hunter Organization bases, defeating wild rampaging Alpha Pokémon, and the like.
Bede's eyes held a strange look. It seemed this Team Rockets was actually a rather righteous and kind organization?
"I never thought your organization would be quite good."
"Otherwise? What did you think?"
Mr. Mammon raised an eyebrow.
"I originally thought it was an illegal Evil Organization," Bede said, not hiding his thoughts.
"After all… for someone like me, anyone who would invite me to join an organization probably isn't a good person either."
Then, Bede gave a self-deprecating smile, his tone tinged with disappointment.
In reality, ever since the Stow-on-Side incident, many of the external voices about him hadn't been pleasant.
After all, destroying ruins naturally invited public criticism, and even though Rose had punished him, it couldn't cover up those voices.
Coupled with Bede's arrogant and conceited personality and his sharp tongue, he originally had no friends, but instead offended people repeatedly.
This was also why he didn't resist much when Opal took him away.
Punished by the revered Rose, Bede's world had already turned gray at that time. He had no idea what he should do next or where his destination was.
"Someone like you? Bede, you seem to have a great misunderstanding about yourself." Mr. Mammon, however, scoffed.
Bede was stunned upon hearing this.
"You possess talents beyond ordinary people's reach. This is a gift from heaven. You are different from ordinary people and do not need to put yourself in their shoes."
"As for external voices, there's no need to care about them at all; they are merely the barks of the incompetent."
"The reason I invited you, Bede, to join the Organization is precisely because you are different from ordinary people. I recognize you as a very talented individual, and your abilities are the key."
Mr. Mammon said slowly.
Bede stared blankly at Mr. Mammon, his pupils trembling slightly.
"Otherwise, do you think just anyone is qualified for me to personally invite?"
Mr. Mammon smiled, looking at Bede with interest.
"So, don't belittle yourself. I don't care about your past. Now that you've joined the Organization, you are our partner. You can hold your head high, because you have already reached a height that those who criticize you will never achieve in their lifetime."
Mr. Mammon knew Bede's past very well, but he truly didn't care.
Regardless, Bede had the potential to become a top executive. That was a fact, and knowing this was enough for Mr. Mammon.
"Oh…"
Bede finally came back to his senses, lowering his head and responding.
But at this moment, his heart was far from calm, a familiar yet strange warm current flowing continuously within him.
He had felt that sensation before.
It was when he was a child, when Rose came to the orphanage, discovered him, comforted him, and gave him a Pokémon—that was when he felt it.
At that time, Rose was like a ray of light cast into his already gray world.
But now, this ray of light had appeared again, yet that person was not Rose.
"Mammon…" Bede softly murmured the name, his left hand involuntarily clenching. Mammon…
"Next, you should go to Hammerlocke to find Gladion; he will arrange work for you, or you can contact Peony."
Mr. Mammon said to Bede.
"Okay." Bede nodded.
"Although accumulating merit points through ordinary tasks is slow, it adds up over time. As long as you work hard, you can accumulate the amount you need eventually."
"Or, after some time, there should be a large-scale mission. I just don't know if you're willing to participate."
Mr. Mammon was naturally referring to the decisive battle with the Kanto League.
"I can!" Bede looked up, his eyes extremely serious.
"As long as it's not fighting Mr. Rose, I can participate!"
"Don't worry, it's not fighting Rose. But since you have that thought, you still need to keep working hard."
Mr. Mammon played with the orb in his hand, shaking it at Bede.
"You haven't reached Champion yet. Participating in that battle would be quite challenging. I don't require you to reach Champion before that large-scale mission, just that you have a few Champion-level main Pokémon by then."
"If you can reach that level, I will give you this Mawilite. With this, your main Mawile will be able to Mega Evolve."
"As for what Mega Evolution is, you should know, right?"
Bede's Mawile and Gardevoir could both Mega Evolve, and both Mawile and Gardevoir's Mega Evolutions were quite good.
However, considering Bede's overall team leans towards special attacks, the Mawilite is more suitable and can compensate for the team's lack of physical attackers.
"Champion-level main Pokémon? I understand." Bede said in a deep voice.
"I believe in you. Go."
Mr. Mammon chuckled softly, watching Bede's figure disappear from his sight.
"His attitude seems to have changed a bit."
Platinum tilted her head slightly. She could keenly sense Bede's change.
"Aloof, sharp, cold, and arrogant—such a person surely has some psychological issues. The outward toughness and thorns might even be to hide inner fragility. He must have suffered psychological trauma in the past," Caitlin said calmly.
"And Mr. Mammon's words resonated with this Bede, or rather, Mr. Mammon's acknowledgment of him made him immediately accept Mr. Mammon," Serena added.
"I see. Was Mr. Mammon deliberate?" Platinum looked at Mr. Mammon and asked curiously.
"It was somewhat deliberate, but also from the heart. Bede is a contradictory person, but not a bad one," Mr. Mammon said with a chuckle. He had indeed spoken those words intentionally to gain Bede's trust and approval.
After all, it wouldn't be good if this guy kept thinking about Rose.
And now, with just a few words, he could make this troubled youth loyal. Why not?
"Let's go. Next, we're heading to Spikemuth."
Mr. Mammon stretched.
Spikemuth is a town located in the southeastern part of the Galar region.
The most famous thing about this town is that it is far from energy points, which means Dynamaxing is impossible within the town's boundaries.
In the Galar region, where Dynamaxing is increasingly revered, the inability to Gigantamax naturally makes it 'heretical'.
As a result, Spikemuth's popularity has steadily declined, and many people have gradually moved out of Spikemuth.
Although Piers, the Gym Leader of Spikemuth Gym, was trying every possible way to restore Spikemuth's popularity, even if he sang until his voice was hoarse, it was still futile.
That's right, Piers was also a singer-songwriter, and quite a popular one, but it was useless.
"This town… there are a few people."
Stepping into Spikemuth, Platinum's fair face wrinkled as she looked at the street ahead, subtly commenting.
Actually, she wanted to say that this town was a bit run-down.
Shabby shops were haphazardly open on the street, and people dressed in slovenly clothes sat on the steps along the street.
It gave off a gang-like vibe. What ordinary person would dare to enter such a town?
Caitlin's delicate brows furrowed. This place even reminded her of Po Town in the Alola region, which was the Skull Team's stronghold.
However, the difference was that Spikemuth at least still had people, and it was indeed a real town.
"There's nothing that can be done about it. Spikemuth Gym used to be a prestigious Gym, but after Dynamaxing became widespread, it gradually declined."
Mr. Mammon walked forward with his hands in his pockets, his shoes treading on the unswept ground.
"Is it because of Dynamaxing?"
"Yes, there are no energy points within the Spikemuth area, and the popularity of Dynamaxing made the people of the Galar region fall in love with this highly visually impactful power-up battle. Spikemuth became the 'abandoned child' of the Gigantamax era in the Galar region."
"The town's residents are getting fewer and fewer, and no adventurers enter this town. Spikemuth's popularity is getting worse and worse, even though the Spikemuth Gym Leader is desperately showcasing his talents, the results are unsatisfactory."
"However, the only advantage is that the remaining residents of Spikemuth are very united now."
Mr. Mammon commented as he walked towards the plaza directly ahead.
Yes, the remaining residents of Spikemuth are now very united.
The Team Yell is composed of Spikemuth residents and Trainers. They are all Marnie's fans, and their goal is to make Marnie the new Champion.
Therefore, they would occupy hotels, seize transportation, and what they did most was boo when Marnie battled others.
So, Team Yell cannot even be considered an Evil Organization, because they are essentially just Marnie's fans.
As they got closer, the sound of rock music and singing grew louder.
In the plaza directly ahead, a large crowd could be clearly seen surrounding a stage.
And in the center of the stage was a uniquely dressed young man, currently holding a microphone and singing heartily.
How to put it? Mr. Mammon didn't quite appreciate it; perhaps he wasn't rock enough, just as he didn't appreciate Piers's dressing style.
But that didn't prevent Piers from being called 'Melancholy Piers' by his fans.
At the end of a song, a large round of applause erupted. Piers pushed away the microphone, his gaze drifting into the distance, wondering what he was thinking.
And when the applause ended, Piers sighed deeply, turned around, and prepared to return to the Gym.
Clap Clap Clap~
The sudden applause made Piers pause.
"Piers of Spikemuth Gym, the de facto ruler of Spikemuth, correct?"
Team Yell gradually parted to create a path. Mr. Mammon, in a black overcoat, slowly walked towards the stage, speaking with a smile.
Caitlin and the two other women followed behind Mr. Mammon. The combination of handsome men and beautiful women attracted quite a few quiet discussions from the surroundings.
Hmm, this guy looks like a winner in life!!
Damn it!
Several fat members of Team Yell bit their fingers, on the verge of tears.
"?" Piers was very aloof, just silently watching Mr. Mammon walk onto the stage without speaking.
"A challenger?"
Finally, when Mr. Mammon approached, Piers asked in a deep voice.
But he hadn't heard of any other Gym challengers recently.
"No, not at all."
Mr. Mammon smiled, bowing slightly in a very gentlemanly manner.
"Nice to meet you. I am Mammon, the leader of Team Rockets, Mammon."
"I came to Spikemuth this time because I wanted to discuss the crucial matter of Spikemuth's future with you, Mr. Piers."
Mr. Mammon's unhurried tone exuded composure.
"Spikemuth's future?" Piers couldn't help but laugh, a cold laugh that forced his lips to twist.
"Of course. You must be very troubled right now, Mr. Piers, aren't you? No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you struggle, no matter how much you try to revitalize Spikemuth, it's all in vain. You must be feeling lost, aren't you?"
"But I have a way. I have a way to make Spikemuth flourish again and restore its former glory."
Mr. Mammon's smile remained as bright as ever.
"What did you say?"
Piers's expression jolted upon hearing this, and he looked at Mr. Mammon with anticipation. Was there really a way?
"I said, I have a way to restore Spikemuth's past glory, but Mr. Piers, you know, don't you? There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world."
"Speak!" Piers said in a deep voice.
"As long as it succeeds, no matter what it is, I can give it to you!"
Although irritable, Piers was a Trainer who loved his hometown and his companions.
To prevent Spikemuth from declining, he had been desperately trying to maintain this Gym, which was closely connected to his beloved hometown, but with little effect.
"Such a profound resolve. My request is actually just one thing."
Mr. Mammon's lips slowly curved upwards, and in Piers's shrinking pupils, his gentle words were slowly laced with malice.
"I heard you have a younger sister named Marnie, right? Would you be willing to hand her over to me?"