Chương 71: !

Chapter 71!

Ten seconds.

During those long ten seconds, Gadriya simply stared silently at Lu Shahuan.

I never imagined the aftershocks would break through the defenses, nor did I expect the rubble to hurt me.

Lu Sha said that she didn't need to come, so she definitely wouldn't let her get hurt.

Just like how Lu Sha dared to provoke Regirock under her cover.

He believed in her, and she believed in him; it was that simple.

Not far away.

Thanks to Lucario's Aura Defense, Cynthia, who had managed to escape the aftershocks first, stood up, still shaken.

She didn't look at the crater-like center of the battlefield, but instead anxiously searched for Cattleya's figure.

Her gaze froze when she looked behind her.

As the dust settled.

The usually arrogant and domineering Gadriya was now as weak as an ordinary person, and was leaning against Lu Sha without any regard for her image, barely able to stand.

In front of her, Lu Sha was surrounded by tornadoes, keeping all dangers at bay.

Even with her hair disheveled and breathless, the way Cattleya looked at Lu Sha...

That look of complete trust in her eyes sent a jolt through Cynthia's heart.

"Can the bond between humans and Pokémon really be this deep?"

Cynthia muttered to herself, her expression complex.

To be honest, if it were her, she definitely wouldn't be able to trust her Gible so much.

This wasn't because she didn't trust her Pokémon, but rather a judgment based on an analysis of their strength.

If she were in Cattleya's position, her eyes would definitely be filled with worry.

I'm worried about the giblets getting hurt, and I'm also worried that the opponent won't be able to withstand the damage.

"road!"

Lucario remained by her side, seemingly sensing Cynthia's emotions, and gently patted her.

Gible and Roserade also emerged from their Poké Balls and surrounded her with concern.

"Lucario, and everyone else... I know!"

Seeing the trust in her companions' eyes, Cynthia smiled with relief, her previously wavering gaze regaining its firmness.

"The bond between us will never be weaker than anyone else's!"

Yes, she admitted she was envious.

I envy that unconditional trust, that feeling of soul resonance.

She can't yet do what Cattleya did, daring to completely entrust her back to a Gible that's only a regular-level creature.

But that doesn't mean she can't do it.

She saw the gap, and she also saw the direction.

The road ahead is long, and the story of her and her companions has only just begun.

"Cadelia, are you alright?"

Cynthia strode forward, leading her Pokémon.

She reached out her hand, wanting to help Cattleya up.

However, Cattleya simply turned slightly to the side, subtly avoiding her hand.

She still clung tightly to Lu Sha's dorsal fin, as if it were her only support.

Even as Cynthia approached, Gadriya naturally took a half-step forward, almost blocking Lu Sha with most of her body.

That subtle yet familiar feeling made Cynthia's hand freeze in mid-air, as she thought of the time she wanted to touch Lu Sha.

This man and the shark really look alike.

"I'm fine."

Caldelia supported her dizzy forehead with her hand, trying to make her voice sound less weak.

But on that pale, paper-white face, beads of cold sweat were sliding down her cheeks.

The continuous high-intensity output of psychic power, coupled with the five consecutive teleportations at the last moment, caused her brain to feel like it was being stabbed by thousands of needles, almost causing her to faint on the spot.

Even now, large patches of snowflakes remain on her retina.

While it won't leave any permanent aftereffects, you won't be able to use your superpowers for a while.

"You're already in this state, why are you still pushing yourself? You should get some rest."

Cynthia looked at this proud peer with a hint of helplessness, her tone softening with a gentleness she herself didn't realize.

She checked the time on her communicator: "I've already sent an emergency SOS to Grandma. Teacher Dorasena should be on her way. Just hold on for another thirty minutes, and the backup will be here."

To be honest, when she saw Cattleya and Regirock going head-to-head, she was prepared to collect their corpses at any moment.

Who would have thought that the winner would be this man and the shark?

However, the support will not be in vain.

With such a commotion here, it's inevitable that powerful wild Pokémon will come.

Given Cattleya's current condition, she has no way to go far.

"Put the support aside for now. Now, it's your turn to inspect the spoils."

Cattleya took a deep breath, forcibly steadied herself, and raised her chin to indicate the center of the battlefield.

After the massive explosion, a giant meteorite crater, hundreds of meters deep, was left in the center of the battlefield.

That Regirock has now shrunk to a miniature form of 1. 5 meters.

It lay quietly at the bottom of the pit like an ordinary rock, its seven red eyes completely extinguished, motionless.

Before, it would be startled by the slightest sound, but now, even if you set off firecrackers right next to its ear, it won't react at all.

"No. That's your spoils."

Cynthia followed her gaze, her eyes clear, even with a hint of relief.

She gently shook her head, her tone utterly sincere:

"That's a Pokémon you got through your own strength, even risking your life. Neither I now nor I in the future have the right to touch that glory."

"I was just a spectator in this battle. I didn't contribute a single bit."

She was serious.

Although she really wanted to capture Regirock, that was based on the premise that she had already captured it herself.

If we were to steal the fruits of Gadria's hard-won victory now, what kind of person would Cynthia become?

Robbers? Or just cheerleaders who only know how to shout encouragement?

"Did you catch your other Pokémon yourself?"

Cattleya glanced at her.

Before Cynthia could react, she pulled a red and white ball from her waist and casually threw it into the pit.

Ding!

The red and white balls accurately struck Regirock, transforming into a red light and absorbing it.

In the blink of an eye...

Deng!

With a crisp locking sound, this legendary king-level creature became an object inside the sphere without any resistance.

Cattleya picked up the Poké Ball that had flown back into her hand, feeling its heavy weight.

Then, she turned to look at Cynthia.

Throughout the entire process, Cynthia's eyes remained calm, devoid of any greed, jealousy, or resentment.

It really felt like looking at an object that had nothing to do with me.

"cut."

Cattleya let out a soft, ambiguous hum, seemingly finding the other person's flawless nature rather uninteresting.

The next second, she flicked her wrist, and the Poké Ball containing Regirock flew in an arc straight toward Cynthia.

"Just take it, don't be so wishy-washy."

"If you feel guilty, then offer something suitable for me in exchange."

The first half of the sentence was in Gadria's own style, while the second half was a verbatim paraphrase of Lu Sha's words.

Cattleya truly had absolutely no interest in Regirock.

The process of today's battle itself was far more precious to her than the result.

To be able to fight alongside Lu Sha to this extent, to see him protect her at all costs...

This is her biggest trophy of the day, enough to make her happy for days.