The setting sun's last rays cast over the deserted desert, Raifort drove the off-road vehicle forward, raising a cloud of dust behind.
The dry, hot wind accompanied by yellow sand greeted them head-on. Although it was already evening, the temperature hadn't completely dropped, and there was still a trace of heat lingering in the air.
It had been nearly ten hours since they entered the desert, with only one stop for a meal, with the rest spent traveling.
Along the way, Naoki witnessed a scene vastly different from the outside world in this place.
The red sun on the horizon painted the entire desert in a crimson hue.
The Pokemon species residing here were predominantly Ground Type, unlike the outside where Bird-type Pokemon and Grass Type Pokemon were commonly seen, here they were nowhere to be found.
A family of Donphan wandered aimlessly across the desert, with a mischievous Phanpy running around its parents.
Several dozen Hippopotas huddled together on the sand, digging sand pits to hide in, planning to sleep deep in the sand as the desert night would bring a drop in temperature.
The towering Stonjourner stood motionless in the desert, with several Stonjourner naturally arranged in a circle.
If one didn't look carefully, passersby might mistake them for ancient ruins left by a long-lost civilization.
"Magnificent!"
Gazing at the vibrant and unique ecology of the desert, Naoki couldn't help but murmur.
From the front, Raifort nodded and said, "Indeed! I felt an overwhelming sense of awe when I first saw such a scene; nature is truly vast, and we are so small within it."
She had once witnessed a terrifying sandstorm.
The natural disaster arrived abruptly, as sand tornadoes connected the sky and earth, seemingly engulfing the entire desert in fury.
"How much longer until we reach our destination?" Naoki asked.
Raifort glanced at the radar in the car and replied, "Five more minutes!"
Five minutes later, the off-road vehicle stopped behind a sand dune.
Raifort jumped out of the car and deftly took out a set of highly professional detection equipment from the backpack.
Curious, Naoki leaned in to take a look.
The screen seemed to show a radar map, with the radar flashing as if probing.
"Is this the machine you use for grave robbing?" Naoki asked.
"It's for archaeology," Raifort corrected.
Naoki: "..."
At this moment, the radar map seemed to have detected a target, as a small red dot appeared.
"Found it!"
Raifort took out a Poke Ball from her waist, and with a flash of white light, a lithe Zoroark appeared beside them.
"Zoroark, go scout ahead!" Raifort instructed.
Zoroark nodded silently and turned, skillfully heading forward, vanishing within a few leaps.
"Next, we'll wait here for Zoroark to return!" Raifort said.
Naoki nodded in agreement and took the opportunity to start preparing dinner.
He released Slugma and took a frying pan from his backpack, placing it on Slugma.
Then he poured oil into the pan, waited until it was ready, and added eggs.
Soon, an enticing aroma wafted through the desert.
The tired and hungry Koraidon couldn't help but swallow.
"Huh? Your cooking skills are pretty impressive!" Raifort exclaimed in surprise.
"It's all from practice over time." Naoki placed the cooked eggs and meat into the bread slices.
Thus, the sandwiches were completed.
Naoki distributed several sandwiches to the Pokemon in front of him.
Koraidon reached out to take one, happily devouring it.
Koraidon had a great appetite; its way of eating the sandwich seemed like it was enjoying a gourmet meal, making onlookers' mouths water.
Raifort also took a bite and immediately gave a thumbs up, praising, "Indeed, I didn't choose the wrong person this time!"
Naoki, speechless: "I'm not here to be your professional chef."
Raifort laughed and said, "I know, I know. Once Zoroark returns, you'll need to help with Koraidon."
As they spoke, Zoroark returned to the campfire.
Raifort handed it a sandwich and asked, "How is it?"
Zoroark nodded.
This indicated that it had successfully found the path forward, and they could proceed.
Upon seeing this, Raifort smiled with anticipation, "Great, once you finish eating, we can set out immediately!"
Naoki noticed Raifort was so excited she was losing herself, and he looked at the darkening sky, reminding her, "It's getting dark."
Raifort, excitedly: "It's okay; my Grumpig can use Flash, illuminating even the darkest environment. Besides, don't you think exploring ruins at night has a certain feel to it?"
Naoki: "...Alright."
After all, this was a temporary job for him, and his only goal was the ancient Paldea Gold Coins scattered within the ruins; everything else was up to Raifort.
After dinner, the sky had completely darkened.
The desert had cooled down at night, so both Naoki and Raifort put on warm clothes.
Naoki worried about Koraidon being cold, so he had specially brought it a warm vest when they came.
The vest was something he had bought and modified himself, cutting off the sleeves and removing extra buttons, making it fit Koraidon perfectly.