There was no mistake.
Although the sculpture's shape was somewhat abstract, after studying it carefully, Shiko became certain that this ancient ruin was absolutely connected to the source of the Awakened Crest Wings.
After all, the only beings that the ancient people would have revered as totems and built ruins for were Legendary Pokémon.
And an ordinary third-tier Legendary would not even have qualified for something like this.
At the very least, it had to be a second-tier Legendary, or an existence above even that.
Shiko's thoughts stirred.
His gaze fixed on that towering ruin.
His intuition told him that there was definitely something inside that he needed.
A series of sonic booms and rushing air currents cut across the sky, pulling his thoughts back to reality.
When he looked up, he saw large numbers of the surviving elite members of the Military rushing toward him on flying Pokémon.
Before Bina had even landed properly, Himeko hurriedly flipped down and jogged over to Shiko, her eyes full of concern as she asked about his condition.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Shiko shook his head.
Other than feeling somewhat drained, he had not suffered any serious injuries at any point in the battle.
After hearing that, Himeko carefully looked him over from head to toe.
Only after seeing that there was not even the slightest scratch or sign of wear on his yellow alloy armguards did she finally relax and let out a breath of relief.
"We really have you to thank for this."
As soon as her words fell, Minister Kenjiro's voice rang out.
This time, if Shiko had not arrived in time at such a critical moment, not only would all of them have been doomed, but the entire Great Axia Alliance would have faced utter catastrophe.
Minister Kenjiro's gratitude toward WarGreymon was completely sincere and heartfelt.
But words of thanks could not hide the deep shock and awe in his eyes.
The strength Shiko had displayed was, without exaggeration, already greater than the combined total of every force the Great Axia Alliance could possibly muster.
If he wanted to, then with his strength alone, given a little time and effort, he could overturn and purge the entire Great Axia Alliance, reducing it to a lifeless ruin.
But fortunately, he was not some being of pure violence who knew only slaughter.
And moreover, he stood on their side.
Perhaps, because of WarGreymon's existence, both the Military and the Great Axia Alliance could begin a new chapter.
"You're welcome."
Shiko nodded at Minister Kenjiro, unconcerned.
His purpose in coming this time had been to save Himeko, while also testing the upper limit of his combat strength.
As for saving the people from the Military, that had merely been incidental.
"What should we do with Mew?"
Minister Kenjiro lowered his head and looked at the weakly breathing Mew lying at the bottom of the pit, asking for Shiko's opinion.
The way he looked and sounded now was like a subordinate seeking instructions from a superior.
That left the group of Military members standing behind him stunned and completely caught off guard.
Normally, Minister Kenjiro was the one who issued orders and gave everyone else their assignments.
They were the ones who listened to him.
And with his blunt, straightforward temper, he had never been the sort to speak politely.
So why, when facing WarGreymon, was he acting so cautious and respectful?
Minister Kenjiro had no time to care about what the others in the Military were thinking.
All of his attention was focused on Shiko and Mew.
"Take him back and treat him. If he's left alone, his life could be in danger."
After thinking it over, Shiko gave his answer.
Mew was not truly beyond redemption.
From beginning to end, everything he had done had been under Oba Genjo's orders and control.
Besides, in this battle, Mew had been completely overwhelmed and brutally beaten by Shiko from start to finish. If Shiko now just stood there and watched him lose his life, he would not be able to justify it to himself.
"But…"
Minister Kenjiro frowned, just about to say something, when Shiko cut him off.
"I know what you're worried about."
"Don't worry. With injuries like his, even if we use the best medicine and items, and add elite support treatment on top of that, he won't wake up in less than three to five days."
"In three to five days, we'll already be back in the capital."
Shiko explained his plan.
That careful line of reasoning made Minister Kenjiro fall into thought.
To be honest, bringing Mew back to the Military would absolutely be an excellent outcome.
This second-tier Legendary, which possessed the genes of all Pokémon, had far too many things worth researching.
But Minister Kenjiro was afraid that after bringing him back, once Mew woke up, he might trigger a major upheaval.
Now, however, after hearing Shiko say all this, he felt much more at ease.
What excited him even more was that even after growing to the level of a second-tier Legendary, the Pokémon before him did not seem to have any intention of leaving the Military for the time being.
"…I understand."
"Then we'll proceed according to your plan."
Minister Kenjiro nodded and his eyes hardened.
"The connection between Obsidian Team and Mew has already been severed. They should be fleeing in the opposite direction now."
As soon as Shiko finished speaking, a murderous aura rose from Minister Kenjiro's body.
With a sweep of his hand, he took the lead and brought everyone off to hunt down the fleeing remnants of Obsidian Team.
A large crowd of people on the scene took to the air again.
In the blink of an eye, only Shiko and Himeko were left there.
"The Legendary genes inside Gardevoir probably came from Mew."
"After you get back, go find Professor Boo. With Mew there, they should be able to stabilize what's happening inside her and allow her to achieve Mega Evolution."
Shiko turned to Himeko and gave her those instructions.
After learning that Mew was sleeping within Wintergreen Forest, Shiko had already worked out the answer to every problem surrounding Gardevoir.
"I understand!"
Himeko nodded hard, committing Shiko's instructions to memory.
"Then what about you? You're not coming back with me?"
Himeko suddenly reacted.
Shiko had given so many instructions just now that it clearly meant he would not be returning with her.
"I'm going over there. My intuition is telling me that there's something there that I need."
Shiko nodded.
He extended a sharp Dragon Claw and pointed at the ruin gate standing there in abrupt isolation.
(End of Chapter)
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