The cool breeze brushed past.
In the industrial district far away, the lights remained bright.
Shanren sighed, "Alas, how am I supposed to sleep now?"
Ghosts and Ghost-type Pokémon are different; even in the remote Ore Region, ghosts still carry various legends that inspire fear.
Children fear being captured by ghosts, while adults hope ghosts will avenge those who oppress them.
Shanren once imagined the departed turning into fierce ghosts to avenge the scum of the Shadow Team, but as he traveled and studied in various regions, he fully absorbed external knowledge.
He came to understand a principle—
[Self-reliance leads to divine assistance].
Rather than seeking the elusive, he preferred to set an example himself, contributing his part, and using the transformed Ore to fulfill his ambitions.
Yet, this didn't mean Shanren was indifferent toward the existence of real souls.
He wasn't afraid because he was upright and honest, but the thought of being surrounded by invisible and intangible souls, possibly watching him as he slept...
Could he really sleep?
Being selfless doesn't mean abandoning personal privacy.
Baimu shrugged, "No choice, didn't you bury the Underground City? We can only dig it open and take a look tomorrow morning."
"And tonight?" Shanren asked.
"Just find a Ghost-type Pokémon to help you scout around, chase them off if discovered, you'll manage through the night somehow."
"Alright, lend me your Dragapult."
"...That might not be possible."
"Where am I supposed to find a Ghost-type Pokémon at night! You think we're in Hoenn?" Shanren muttered in a slightly annoyed tone.
If he had a choice, he would prefer to know about this tomorrow.
Baimu had been confident earlier, claiming that if he explained tomorrow, he'd be scolded; Shanren wanted to scold him right now!
"The only Ghost-type Pokémon in my team I can lend you—forget it, why don't you stay at my place tonight? Wu isn't here, so the guest room is empty."
Baimu suggested.
Back on the Fury, Cheng Hong told him Wu returned to Unova; this Dragon Tamer, who greatly helped the Rescue Organization, decided to return to Unova for training upon hearing of his fame in Hoenn.
Apparently, Wu was serious about competing for the championship.
Shanren was too tired to resist, hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded in agreement.
Back at the villa.
Shanren yawned and headed straight to the guest room.
Baimu, releasing a group of Pokémon including Aggron, asked, "What about your Pokémon?"
"I had N take care of them for me."
Shanren casually replied, locking the door with a click.
He actually left his Pokémon with N…
While Baimu understood Shanren's busy schedule with governance leaves little time for his Pokémon, wouldn't they be saddened by not seeing their Trainer for a long time?
At least keep one by your side, right?
As he felt regret, the cry of Hydreigon sounded nearby.
"Shaa!"
"What's the matter?"
Following Hydreigon's gaze, he spotted two humanoid Pokémon, one tall and one short, standing outside the open door.
The taller one looked like a hunched old fox, while the shorter one resembled a cartoon doll with feline elements.
"Dee."
"Meow~"
Alakazam and Meowstic politely bowed to him and calmly walked toward the guest room, gently opening and closing the door.
Baimu chuckled silently, reaching out to stroke Hydreigon's big head.
Indeed.
Lack of time for the Trainer doesn't mean Pokémon won't seize their own opportunities, whether accompanying during the day or watching him sleep at night.
As long as the bond between humans and Pokémon remains unchanged, they are inseparable.
"N will probably be here tomorrow; we should get some sleep too."
Baimu remarked to the Pokémon nearby waiting alongside him.
In the yard, Steelix sighed, releasing two streams of white air from its nose. It had wanted to coax the Trainer into camping in the mountains, but all day waiting led to no opportunity.
True Qi Snake!
Steelix slowly closed its eyes, vowing to find a way to coax the Trainer tomorrow.
A quiet night passed.
The next day.
Baimu naturally woke up and prepared breakfast, not having the chance to wake Shanren, N rang the doorbell.
"Good morning."
N's emerald eyes were, as usual, slightly dim, yet the smile on his face felt tremendously warm.
"Good morning!"
Baimu welcomed him enthusiastically.
Unexpectedly.
The prior securely locked Shanren unexpectedly appeared at the dining table, enjoying breakfast blissfully, Alakazam and Meowstic were served special food by the gentle Blissey.
"Good morning, both of you!"
Shanren raised his hand elegantly.
Baimu sneered, "You're not at all polite, digging in without asking."
"One must not miss dreams, Pokémon, or food in this world. Besides, with N not here, only two humans are seated unless you're eating one while watching the other." Shanren defended confidently.
Their familiar exchange made N feel as if he was back six months ago.
During the days just after Pyrite Town was liberated, they often sat together like this, chatting aimlessly or discussing serious matters.
It was only during these moments.
N realized he was just as youthful as the two before him.
"...I apologize, I wasn't truthful last night."
He suddenly remarked.
Baimu and Shanren halted their idle chatter and turned their attention.
N softly spoke, "The fact that Pyrite Town is filled with lost souls, I actually knew on my first day here."
Shanren was astounded, then slightly irritated, "The first day! Why didn't you— Well, mentioning it back then wouldn't have meant much, but why didn't you inform me over the last six months?"