Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

It wasn't that she couldn't accept losing, but rather that she couldn't quite accept how Xia Yan, whom she had always treated as a subordinate, had managed to turn the tide against her in such a short time, and even overtake her by taking a shortcut, completely pinning her down.

This sense of defeat is what truly makes her most depressed.

Could it be...?

Is it really because I'm incapable?

Am I inferior to Yan Xia?

Perhaps... helping Yan Xia get a seat first would be the best thing for her?

After all, although she now follows a top leader, she is still someone who switched sides. Even if she is capable and talented, why should others take care of a newcomer like her instead of their own confidants?

So to put it nicely, Joanna followed a top seat.

But in reality, it's not much different from acting alone.

It's just an unwritten rule within the Hunter's Guild that they must have a superior.

Ke He is different from Yan Xia.

The two can truly cooperate fully, like grasshoppers on the same rope.

and many more!

Why am I able to accept failure so calmly?

When Joanna had this thought, which even she herself found somewhat absurd, it occurred to her.

She suddenly shuddered.

He looked down at his feet again.

She didn't know when, but a ribbon emerged from the shadows and was already tied around her ankle.

when?!

"You have a very strong will."

Xia Yan's voice rang in her ears.

Before she knew it, Xia Yan had already arrived in front of her, his deep eyes gleaming with a deep blue light.

superpower!

“You…” Joanna was so surprised that she couldn’t say it.

"Don't worry, I won't change your mind. I just want to make our cooperation smoother and give myself more security."

Xia Yan's voice was very soft, and when it reached Joanna's ears, it was like a lullaby to lull her to sleep, making her eyelids droop uncontrollably.

It only took a few seconds.

Joanna's eyes closed completely.

"sigh--"

The Shielded Sword Monster slowly emerged from her shadow; the ribbon wrapped around Joanna's ankle was its arm.

The Aegislash possessed a special ability during its single-scabbard form: the ability to manipulate the thoughts and consciousness of others.

In the Carlos region, there are many legends about the Aegis Sword Monster.

Most of them are stories about the Shielded Sword Monster manipulating the minds of others or elves, making them submit.

Xia Yan's Aegislash rarely uses this ability; so far, it has only been used once in Groudon's alternate dimension, and the effect was quite good at that time.

This is the second time it has been used.

But Joanna's willpower was clearly very different from that of the two members of Team Lava at the time.

However, Xia Yan himself did not intend to completely control Joanna.

That would only diminish her abilities and reduce her autonomy.

Xia Yan infiltrated the Hunter's Guild, and what he needed were helpers, not puppets.

“That’s enough.” Xia Yan nodded to the Aegislash Monster.

"sigh."

After understanding, the Shield-Sword Monster released its grip, disappeared into the shadows, and returned to Xia Yan's shadow to continue its bodyguard duties.

Not long after.

Joanna's eyelashes fluttered slightly beneath her transparent sunglasses as she slowly opened her eyes.

After a brief moment of confusion, he immediately recalled that Salamence had just lost to Xia Yan's Snorlax.

His face turned pale for a moment, but he quickly recovered and shook his head dejectedly.

"You won. You are stronger than me."

What could have been a life-or-death struggle was cleverly averted by Xia Yan.

Otherwise, given Joanna's personality, it would be difficult for her to accept that Xia Yan had turned on her and pinned her down.

Her proud nature stems not only from Salamence, a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, but also from her very being.

But now, she says she accepts the outcome and is willing to take Xia Yan's lead and do everything she can to help him rise to power.

Joanna herself was somewhat surprised that she accepted the result so quickly.

But deep down, I just couldn't muster much disgust or resistance.

as if.

When facing Xia Yan, she was very willing to give up the dominant position and be subservient to him.

A "seed".

With Xia Yan's intention, it was planted deep in Joanna's heart.

Wait for it to silently take root and sprout, bringing about subtle changes without Joanna even realizing it, growing strong and eventually becoming unbreakable.

“Let’s work together and take one position first,” Xia Yan said with a smile.

“Mmm.” Joanna pursed her lips.

Since she couldn't get a seat anyway, helping Yan Xia get up there would only be more of a boost; that was her thought at the moment.

Are there any big events coming up recently?

Xia Yan carried Eevee to the edge of the cliff.

"Yes," Joanna nodded after a slight pause.

Recently, there has indeed been a rather large event.

"Tell me about it."

“There is an… ‘employer’ who has discovered a deserted island and wants our help to hunt the elves on it,” Joanna stated directly.

Xia Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Employer? Deserted island?"

The world of elves is vast.

Especially the ocean.

No one has ever thoroughly explored those dangerous areas of the ocean.

This has resulted in some areas remaining undiscovered.

The league may have realized this, but given its nature, what it needs is stability.

Therefore, even if it is discovered, it will not be announced before the registration is successfully completed.

This includes the Alora and Galar regions.

Xia Yan didn't know that the alliance might be hiding some other regions.

But at the same time.

In addition to these large regions, there are many more islands of varying sizes.

On some islands, resources are scarce and elves are rare.

However, some islands are rich in resources and have a wide variety of powerful Pokémon.

For any power, acquiring these islands would be an incredible fortune.

Large underground forces like Team Rocket, Team Magma, and Team Galaxy all control their own islands to varying degrees.

otherwise.

How can teams like Team Magma and Team Galactic, which operate in seclusion and cannot amass wealth by capturing Pokémon, meet the organization's daily maintenance needs?

Moreover, it needs to continue to develop and grow.

Of course.

The real money comes from secretly amassing wealth in the cities of various regions; these islands at most account for one-third of their income.

But that's not a small amount either.

The Rockets have the most secret islands, big and small, outside of any other league.

After Team Rocket looted many islands, they became secret bases for conducting various experiments.

"Yes, it's said that Tom Ruoqi brought in the business, which is why he was able to attract so many ordinary seats in such a short time. But I suspect that this so-called 'employer' is actually some kind of powerful force..."

Xia Yan nodded.

That's what he thought too.

Otherwise, only large corporations like Silver, Devon Corporation, and the Ether Foundation have the financial resources and capabilities to search for these unknown islands.

Compared to various secret realms and alternate dimensions, finding these islands is much easier.

"So our path to wealth lies on this island?" Xia Yan grinned.

Path to wealth.

It's his favorite.

“It’s also an opportunity,” Joanna added.