Even if it's just a stroll, it is a grand project that has lasted for millennia. For the Elephant Lord, this is serving a sentence, and it's a sentence without a set term.
It waits for a person, but not a specific person. Similar people have appeared over the course of thousands of years, but they all seem to have failed in the end.
So to this day, the Elephant Lord still walks on the Sea, waiting for this moment. It is as if it lives in a forgotten prison, and Arceus is the only Prison Warden to hand it the key over millennia.
The trumpet of the Elephant is in celebration of their wedding, expressing the joy within its heart.
"If you're tired, rest for a while, but not too long. The current Fluffy Kingdom is not suitable for staying in one place for too long."
"I understand, a brief rest each day is enough."
The scientific name of the Elephant Lord is Naitamie Norida Elephant. Due to its dual-jointed leg structure, this giant creature inherently rests while standing, so this requirement is not complicated for it.
The Elephant Lord was speaking to Arceus about the joy in its heart, not only because it hadn't rested for a thousand years, but also because it hadn't communicated with anyone in that time.
Naitamie Norida Elephants are already scarce in number; it may be the last of its kind in the world. At this moment, having someone—or rather, a being—to communicate with fills the Elephant Lord with unrepressable joy.
As a living fossil of nearly a thousand years, Arceus naturally asked it about the Plate.
"I can't remember. Over a thousand years, I've seen many meteorites. I don't know which ones are what you want, and some islands have long vanished over the years."
Even though the Elephant Lord did not provide any answers, it didn't affect anything.
Meanwhile, in the Fluffy Kingdom, Hichugiskhan and the Fur Race noticed the Elephant Lord's movements; the Elephant Lord had stopped. Although it got some rest, this was not necessarily good news for the Fur Race.
The Fluffy Kingdom depends on the Elephant Lord for survival. Generation after generation of the Fur Race has thrived on the back of the Elephant Lord, and if it were to collapse, it would be a catastrophic disaster for them.
If they hadn't sensed joy in the Elephant Lord's voice, they would already be in a panic.
Nonetheless, Hichugiskhan ordered others to inspect the Elephant Lord's situation. When he and Zeraora reached the Elephant Lord's head, he finally knew what had transpired.
Yet, Hichugiskhan only knew that this was a person Zeraora deeply respected. At that moment, he understood that this respect ran much deeper.
"Setsuna, come over."
Upon hearing this, Setsuna came to Arceus's location, though she didn't understand what Arceus intended to do.
"Lord Arceus, what are you going to do?"
"How well have you mastered the power of Aura?"
"The basic application is no problem." She had acquired Lucario for quite some time, and Aura Power is Lucario's most fundamental ability, which has naturally become second nature to her; the development of the Aura Arrow is the most direct proof of this.
"Sit here and feel the Aura of the Elephant Lord. I believe you can do it, and I will assist you."
However, the power of Aura isn't just for combat; it's an excellent means of communication. Everything has its unique Aura, and once you find your counterpart's Aura, Lucario can communicate with them through it.
Although he can communicate with the Elephant Lord, he doesn't plan to rashly change the status quo. The Elephant Lord is inherently fearless on the Sea, and there's no need to alter it immediately.
Arceus won't stay here forever, so he needs another person to communicate with the Elephant Lord, and Setsuna, having acquired Lucario's abilities, is the best choice.
The Lucario, which harnesses Aura Power, is one of the best Pokemon for this task.
Setsuna entered Lucario's form, emanating waves of Aura from her body surface, attempting to sense the Elephant Lord's unique Aura.
"Come on, this will give you more opportunities for action in the future."
With Arceus's guidance, the Elephant Lord opened his heart, cooperating with Setsuna.
Blue Aura Power connected from Setsuna to the Elephant Lord. With Arceus's assistance, she quickly established a new connection with the Elephant Lord, and its profound voice echoed in her mind.
Through Setsuna's communication, the Elephant Lord lifted its enormous trunk, which stopped in front of Setsuna, seemingly offering a handshake.
Clang...
The scepter in Hichugiskhan's hand fell to the ground, and many from the Fur Race were left astonished, their jaws dropped in disbelief—such a scenario had never been imagined before. The Elephant Lord could truly be communicated with.
Upon looking at his own hand, Hichugiskhan realized his fur was not as lustrous as it once was and after observing Setsuna's current performance, he confirmed the thoughts in his heart.
Arceus didn't stay here overnight. Instead, he departed from Zou, advising Zeraora to escort Yamato and others back before leaving.
With Setsuna able to communicate with the Elephant Lord, even an incoming fleet wouldn't be a match for it.
...
The wedding continued. However, at noon the next day, Hichugiskhan summoned Setsuna and Zeraora over.
"Duke, what are you planning?"
"Setsuna, you have grown up. You were a little girl back then, but now you're ready to take over the throne of Zou."
"Wait, Duke, isn't it too early? I'm not ready..."
Years ago, her aim was to become the first Duchess of Zou, but she then discovered things were far from simple. Managing even a simple farm in Kuri proved daunting, let alone leading Zou's population of over twenty thousand.
According to her plan, she should first honeymoon with Zeraora, then assist Arceus in searching for Plates, finally traveling the world, and having a few children before taking over the throne.
"It's enough. Although you've had help from that person, you're the first of the Fur Race in a thousand years who can communicate with the Elephant Lord. I should take a rest now. From today onward, you are the Duke of Zou!
The citizens of Zou will follow your command, and under your leadership, Zou will continue to thrive!"
Saying so, Hichugiskhan removed the crown and solemnly handed it to Setsuna.
Seeing that Hichugiskhan had decided, Setsuna knew it wasn't easy to refuse, but she had a new idea.
"Duke, will you also follow my orders?"
Though slightly unusual, Hichugiskhan still confirmed it.
"Yes, I am also a citizen of Zou, and I am no longer the Duke."
"Good, then I, as the new Duke of Zou, command you to temporarily manage Zou's affairs until I have completed my tasks."