Pokémon Detective Case Files.

All that remained were the melodious chirping of insects, though not quite melodious.

"Go away."

Adek turned around and spoke calmly to everyone.

He longs to return to the ranch in Suanmu Town and have a good cry in the deepest part of the forest where he met the Burning Bugs.

I just don't know if these tears of impending death will dry up before I get home.

Final tribute: The three bees' last words before their death.

雨果啊，你说，所谓的“世界”到底是一种什么样的存在呢？在琥珀色的狭窄蜂房里出生的我，光是从领地的这一头飞到另一头，就已经要累得气喘吁吁的咧，而光是这座森林里，就有着无数个我们这样的宝可梦群落，在天冠山上，也还有无数片这种规模的森林，即便放眼整个神奥地区、乃至于我们脚下的整颗星球，依然存在着无数座天冠山这样规模的山脉吧，就算最后的最后数到这里，星球之外还依旧有着无数多茫茫然的星穹，每一条发着光的星河里面，都包含着成千上万颗燃烧的太阳，其间，像我们脚下这颗星球的存在，又会有多少呢——悠悠的岁月，无穷的远方，没有尽头的辽阔，这样的规模简直太庞大了，简直令人完全丧失了探究其概念的勇气，不是吗？所以啊，每当我飞到树梢眺望夜空的时候，都会觉得自己变得好小好小，缩小成为比最小的沙粒还要微不足道的一个点，不管这个点此刻存在还是消失，都不会对这个浩瀚的世界产生半分半毫的实质影响。什么嘛……我有时候会这样想，既然个体的存在渺小到了这个地步，那么强大和弱小、聪明和愚钝、勇敢和怯懦，这些决定了你我个体之间差异的品质，全部都看起来毫无意义了不是吗？或许你看不出来，但我对个体差异这种事可是非常在意的。就像个头矮小的人类总是很在意身高，心虚的人喜欢装腔作势，情感沉重的人渴望摆脱枷锁的世界一样，生命就是这样一种贪婪的东西，永远都在用着那贪得无厌的目光，成天到晚注视着自己的不足和缺憾。而我的缺憾正在于此，才一出生，我的身边就充斥了成百上千号和自己长得一模一样的三蜜蜂同伴，就算是对着水面观察自己，所谓的自我，也不过只是可怜的三分之一罢了。还记得之前我们一起去调查帷幕市百货大厦的冒险吗？那次让我印象最深刻的，不是那个利用空间传送面板，悄然把大厦中的一整层楼调包至对面银河帷幕大厦内部的建筑空间诡计，而是我们为了偷偷潜入超市仓库，而在中途搭乘上的那一辆大型货车。卡车挂载的集装箱里，装满了刚刚从工厂生产出来的厉害伤药，那些商品每八个一组，被塑料薄膜封包起来，像密集的蜂房一样密密麻麻地排成行列，整个集装箱内足有十几万瓶之多。你大概会觉得可笑吧，我竟然在那样的货物上看到了自己的影子。平庸廉价，量大管饱，而且源源不绝。雨果，你那个记载了所有宝可梦资料的电子辞典里应该是有写着的吧，三蜜蜂的雌雄比例大约是一比七，其中，只有雌性的三蜜蜂才有机会能进化成华丽而又霸气的蜂女王。也就是说，我们每只三蜜蜂从精灵蛋里出生的时候，都要进行一次抽签，其中有八分之一的概率可以拥有进化成蜂女王的可能性，这样的雌性三蜜蜂在成年之后，就会带领着少数几名同伴离开蜂群，在另一个水草丰美、鲜花盛开的地方悄然进化，然后就地筑巢安家，作为首领和母亲，繁衍出另一群三蜜蜂群落；而剩下的八分之七，则要走向另外一条人生轨道，注定不能进化，但相对地，却可以过上更加简单悠闲的生活，大脑能够从思考的重负里解脱，族群的蜂女王会为所有三蜜蜂决定难以定夺的选择，在它们接下来的生命之中，除了工作之外，便只剩下快乐的时光与香甜的蜂蜜有待品尝了。或许，以人类的视角来看，这样的生活方式可能充满着各种问题，但如你所见，我的身上并没有表示着雌蜂身份的橙红色三角形——我是一只雄蜂。也正因如此，我可以用这至今为止的人生向你保证，八分之七的平凡生活同样也是充满意义的，并不值得羞耻，也没有任何道理接受来自蜂巢之外其他生物的贬低……当然了，坏处也有，就是雄性三蜜蜂的寿命稍微短暂了一些。不过这也没办法，那毕竟是八分之七的概率啊，被这样的概率命中的时候，心里大概连觉得倒霉的念头都不会生起吧，就是这么一回事。和那些与生俱来的东西相比，反而是和个体差异有关的话题更能让我陷入困扰。个性与共性之间的分界点，到底在哪里呢？我和蜂房里的那几千名三蜜蜂同伴，毫无疑问是血脉相同的一母同胞，就连相貌也都几乎一模一样，我们一起工作、生活、欢笑，其实就已经足够满足了，在这种情况下依然追求着这所谓的独特，只会有害无益对吧？那到底还有什么必要，继续分出个你我彼此呢？这份令我想入非非的个别性，是否只不过是一种意识过剩的幻觉？在我年轻力壮的时候，我也只是偶尔才会想到这样的事情。毕竟那时，我的意识只不过才占据了这个身体的三分之一，就算是一时胡思乱想，身体的其他部分也会立刻帮助我重回正轨，做一些令人开心的事来化解我的忧虑。说起来，你应该早就发现原本属于我的那座六边形蜂房是哪座了吧？嗯，没错，就是三个蜂房中左上角的那一个。那次和你的姐姐一起进入随意遗迹，我们遭遇未知图腾的时候，你其实就已经看出来了吧？就像人类里的左撇子一样，我使用「起风」招式的时候，总是会率先扬起左边的翅膀；平时传递道具，或者捧起树果来吃的时候，也总是先使用左半边的身体，这就是多年习惯遗留下来的强大魔力吧。所以，原本不擅长辨认宝可梦的你，那时才能瞬间把我从未知图腾制造出的幻觉里分辨出来。真是了不起，不愧是我亲自认定的天才！总之就是这样，我原本就寄居在这个身躯左上角的小隔间里面，直到右上角的我和下面的我先后离开了这个世界，我才终于获得了身体的全部——啊，这样听起来，总感觉有点像你和我讲过的那些推理小说里的犯人，好像是我处心积虑害死了身体的其他部分似的，但事实却并非如此，三蜜蜂是连在一起、不分彼此的，如果我们遭受外力伤害、或者被烧伤、中毒之类的负面状态纠缠上，我们的体力会作为一个整体被同步消耗。所以，根本不可能出现两个蜂房死去，而只剩下一个幸存的这种情况。实际上，右上和下方的“我”死去原因非常简单——它们走到了寿命的尽头，觉得此生已经毫无遗憾了，于是面带笑容地迎接了自己的死亡，就此寿终正寝地老迈而死了。而唯独我，虽然和它们同时出生，走过了完全相同的人生轨迹，那时却完全不愿意死去。因为我的心里尚有遗憾，有一种说不清楚道不明的不甘。于是，我下意识地拼命挣扎求生，在那个琥珀色的蜂房里，我的眼泪像瀑布般流淌，不像话的刺耳悲鸣引来了许许多多的同伴，身体左边的虫翅就像上错发条的玩具一样，疯狂而又剧烈地死命颤抖，试图抗拒死亡到来的脚步。据后来到达现场的我们的蜂女王说，在我之前，它还从来没有见过临死时如此大吵大闹的雄蜂。一般而言，寿终正寝的工蜂不是在蜂巢里沉默地睡去，就是会飞到某处无人问津的角落，悄无声息地消失。像我这样陷入疯狂状态的雄性三蜜蜂，即便是它，也还是第一次见到。或许，就是在这个时候，在我即将寿终正寝的前一秒，开始大吵大闹的那个瞬间，我才第一次真正获得了属于自己的个性。當然，那一回我並沒有死去。否则，现在出现在你面前的，就是一只货真价实的幽灵了。之所以能活下来，是因为右上和下方的我在临死之前，为我保存下了两份生命源泉之类的东西，在我的感觉中，那就是体内里两团温暖柔和的热流，这两股热流穿透蜂房的墙壁，缓缓融进左上角那个属于我的隔间。一瞬间，我感觉那原本正在步步紧逼的死亡骤然消失了。什麽嘛，那两个家伙，原來那兩個「我」也有這麽溫柔的一面啊，明明只是隔着薄薄的一层琥珀色墙壁，它们俩居然在偷偷摸摸地准备这种事情，看来，在这个身体里面，具有独特个性的意识并不只有我一个啊……或許，那種死亡的感覺在那之后並沒有完全消失，只不過是從緊跟在我的身後，變成在黑暗中遙遠的某處凝視著我，而到了現在，我總算又再次感受到它的氣息了——總之，就是這樣，我幸叩孬@得了自己的第二人生。在經过蜂女王首領準許之後，我離開了蜂房，操縱著當時還沒辦法完全掌控的身體，跌跌撞撞地飛向尋找自我的旅途。正是因為這樣，我才可以同時使用著三張面孔做出表情，才有機會像這樣和雨果你交流啊，實在是非常神奇的緣分，不是嗎？和你在一起的這幾年裏，我每一天都過得非常開心，並不是蜂巢中那種無憂無慮的快樂，而是一種更有成就感的，更讓人心潮澎湃的幸福。記得最開始我只是建議你時不時來森林裏來找我聊天吧，結果不知為什麽，到最後，變成我跟著你到處跑來跑去的了。哎呀，這樣的感覺也很不錯，最近甚至還有人在管我叫做偵探的蜜蜂助手咧，相信世上應該沒有第二只三蜜蜂能得到這個稱號了吧，實在是可喜可賀，矮個子有時候也有机会能長高呢。我至今還記得第一次到訪你的家鄉神和鎮的情景，雖然外觀和人口密度完全不同，不過那裏是一個很像蜂巢的地方呢。每個人都安分守己地各盡其責，人際關系就像正六邊形一樣牢固穩定，像蜂群關照幼蟲般重視著傳承，只不過，統禦著那裏的蜂女王並不是行走在人間的人類或寶可夢，而是信仰之中的神祇。我也是在那裏，遇到了那只間接促成我們相遇的圓陸鯊哦——當然是避開你，偷偷去後院見到的。我們沒有直接見面，不過說真的，那家夥和我印象裏的形象完全不同，根本不像個剛剛從精靈蛋裏誕生一年有余的年幼精靈。它甚至都已經進化了，個頭比我還大，表情彪悍而又兇猛，粗糙的藍色皮膚在陽光下泛著啞光，仿佛可以從空氣裏吸收溫度一般……你姐姐真的是一個很可怕的訓練家呢。你確定要把這樣的寶可夢，當做待辦事項，留到未來再簽收嗎？看到尖牙陸鯊之後，我就不禁替你擔心起來，不過接下來發生的事情立刻打消了我的顧慮，就是那天傍晚發生在當時華麗大賽現場的動亂事件啊，雨果你打來視頻電話，隔著空無一人的房間，召集姐姐的精靈傳送到市中心的寶可夢中心，那頭大一點的烈咬陸鯊立刻相應了召喚，自己鉆進了精靈球裏，被一只渾身散發著妖氣的幽靈系精靈放進了傳送裝置，再接著是敏捷的路卡利歐，華麗的羅絲雷朵……但在這時，我可是註意到了喔，那時的尖牙陸鯊隔著庭院的柵欄，非常憧憬地看著通訊裝置裏雨果你指派精靈的樣子，或許它十分期待著某一天能和你並肩作戰吧。我不像你那樣那麽擅長解讀寶可夢的表情，但我還不至於看錯如此明顯的眼神。雨果，哪天給它一個機會吧。會露出那般明亮神色的寶可夢，是不可能令訓練師失望的，嗯，就算你是雨果，我依然這樣認為。未來的某一天啊，真是一個令人心馳神往的詞組，讓人再次感受到時間的源遠流長。我大概會就這樣消失在奔流的時間長河之中吧，像宇宙裏的沙粒、水面上的浮光一樣。我現在的臉頰上還有著表情嗎？我感受得不太明確了，衰老真是一種可怕的刑罰，另外兩個「我」當時所感受到的，應該也就是這樣的感覺吧。對了，還有最後的一件事我想要向你提起，不過我自己也不能確定那個事情到底是不是真的，所以才把這件事放到最後說，蜜蜂助手向偵探提出推理什麽的，簡直就像一種自取其辱的行為不是嗎？但我覺得這件事還挺重要的，希望你能姑且聽聽，雨果啊，請務必要小心那些已經解決的事件背後的東西，我能體會到那些冒險之中潛藏著某個鬼鬼祟祟的身影——不，並不是那個隱藏在帷幕之下的銀河團，以雨果你的智慧和洞察，還有你姐姐和那些朋友們的力量，我想你們應該遲早可以打敗他們的。真正的危機，應該來自更加微不足道、容易忽視的視線死角，或許，如果你沒能及時察覺到話，可能會被趕出這片神奧地區也說不定。不是我偏要把這樣的話講述的模棱兩可，而是我自己也只是有著一點隱隱約約的感覺，既說不清也道不明，把這當成我臨睡前的夢囈也沒有問題，或許我現在已經不知道自己正在說著什麽了。我這次沒有大哭大鬧哦，畢竟是沒有遺憾地壽終正寢嘛。我沒有哭哦，絕對沒哭。雨淉娿，莪的萠伖……柷願沵能喥過羙恏洏叒赽樂哋壹鉎……

"It's gone."

A hand rested on Hugo's shoulder; it was Zhu Lan. She had sensed her own emotional turmoil and secretly followed him into this grove. Judging from the leaves clinging to her shoulder, she must have been hiding in the branches of a large tree.

"It remained silent until its death. Even if you never caught it with a Poké Ball, it always followed you silently."

Turning her gaze to the three bees, which no longer showed any expression, the older sister sighed sadly.

The three bees' faces had lost all vitality, and they would never again display their kaleidoscope-like, lengthy pronouncements.

"Let's do it here."

Hugo interrupted Zhu Lan's attempt to comfort her.

"The afternoon sun shines through the trees and falls here, and in spring flowers will bloom, making it a perfect place for tomb sweeping."

Chapter 261 The Secret of the Forest Mansion

"The champion of bamboo orchids is this Western-style mansion."

Sinnoh region, Eternia City, Eternia Forest.

Officer Jenny, dressed in a blue police uniform, put down the map, pointed to a lush forest, and said to the Sinnoh Champion beside her.

Zhu Lan stared intently at the forest before her for a long while, finally managing to discern a faint trace of human intervention among the towering treetops—

It was a black spire that was noticeably taller than all the other trees, but it was so dilapidated that it looked like half a long, withered branch.

Looking down from the spire, one could vaguely make out the outline of an old-fashioned mansion from the dark woods.

"Are people really living here?"

It was late winter and the weather was warming up. The champion, dressed casually, looked at Officer Jenny with a puzzled expression.

Not to mention the long and arduous journey the two had taken since entering the Hundred Generations Forest, the dense trees surrounding the mansion left no gaps for anyone to pass through.

No matter what, no normal person would live in such an abandoned house, right?

"Hmm, this place must be inhabited..."

Miss Officer Jenny looked on with a disbelief that even she herself couldn't quite believe it, repeatedly comparing the mansion in the woods with the tattered old map in her hand.

Finally, she made up her mind and asserted—

"It is indeed this building. According to the housing records in the Alliance database, although this mansion does not have a clear registration file, it was reported for pipe renovation two years ago and has been occupied ever since. Moreover, during this period, people have been paying their water, electricity and gas bills on time."

"Is that so? That's truly incredible."

A gray teardrop pendant swayed on her chest. Zhu Lan looked up at the mansion, returning to the topic they had been discussing on the way there—

"So, the police and the Alliance's security departments both believe that this mysterious building surrounded by trees is related to the missing leader of Team Galactic, Sun?"

"Yes, that's exactly right."

The policewoman nodded hurriedly—

"Thanks to your brother, after the Spear Pillar incident, all the mid-to-high-level executives of Team Galactic were arrested, and the police obtained a complete list of this illegal organization. As a result, it didn't take much effort to almost completely eradicate the organization's influence in the Sinnoh region. And just a few days ago, Pluton, a former Team Galactic executive who was imprisoned, finally revealed some new information about Red Sun during interrogation."

That Pluto once headed the research department under Team Galactic, but the organization's chief scientist was not him, but the leader, the Japanese man named Akatsuki, a rational to the point of being ruthless super genius and the most dangerous person in the Sinnoh region.

Perhaps due to his character, Hades did not seem to be fully trusted by Akagi. Therefore, his research focused more on auxiliary aspects and he did not get to the most core and crucial content, which deviated from the final plan of the Galactic Group.

Nevertheless, during his time working for the Galactic Group, the mad scientist of this evil organization managed to obtain a copy of Red Sun's research notes in an attempt to peek into the inner world of his stern-faced superior.

"The original manuscript of the notes was lost in the chaos of Team Galactic's destruction. However, according to that Hades' confession, in his youth, Red Sun encountered Rotom, an Electric-type Pokémon that was not yet registered in the Pokédex, in a mansion. At that time, he began to have a strong interest in this Pokémon that could move between various electronic devices."

At this point, Miss Officer Jenny glanced meaningfully at the dark mansion in front of the two of them, and then continued her narration—

"After peeking at the Red Sun's manuscript, Hades made up his mind to try to make this secret of Rotom his own. With the Red Sun's permission, he mobilized the manpower and resources of the Galactic Group to continue to advance the research on Rotom."

Seemingly because it heard its name mentioned repeatedly, a red cell phone became restless and secretly poked its camera out of the champion Zhu Lan's pocket.

"Yes, I remember that secret research institute. It's in Baidai City, the building where the bicycle shop owner was kidnapped, right? It was really thrilling back then. I never expected that I would be besieged by dozens of elite members of Team Galactic in such an unassuming research institution. However, it was thanks to that experience that I met this Rotom."

Zhu Lan calmed herself down and took the Rotom phone out of her pocket to show it to Officer Jenny.

The Galactic Group is undoubtedly a heinous extremist organization. Both their goals and methods have exceeded the bounds of morality and law.

However, it is equally undeniable that in the study of Rotom's ecology, the mad scientists of Team Galactic still demonstrated their pioneering spirit, taking a giant leap forward for the stagnant Pokémon research community.

When Cynthia led Garchomp to blast open the laboratory's iron door, Hades and his companions had already independently discovered Rotom's heating, cleaning, cutting, rotating, and freezing forms.

If the champion had arrived even a moment later, the Rotom currently residing in the Zhulan phone would have been stuffed into the integrated mainframe of the supercomputer.

It was after this incident was exposed that research on Rotom Pokémon saw explosive progress—Rotom Pokédex, Rotom phones, Rotom bicycles, Rotom drones, and even Pokémon communication devices specifically developed with Rotom as the main body... All sorts of "Rotom" products sprang up all over the world like mushrooms after rain.

Zhu Lan then asked Officer Jenny, "So, what is the connection between the Red Sun's Secret Notebook and this mysterious mansion?"

"This is the new intelligence that compels us to take action."

Officer Jenny rolled up the old map in her hand and said—

"According to Hades in prison, after analyzing the contents of the notes, he is more than 90% certain that the mansion that Akari saw in his youth is the Forest Mansion in front of us."

"I see."

Zhu Lan nodded, not at all surprised.

Even in the Sinnoh region, Rotom isn't a common Pokémon. The reason Pluton conducts Rotom research at his secret base in Eternal City might be because a sufficient number of Rotom colonies can be found nearby. And since this is also a place where Rotom once existed, this Forest Mansion might actually be the location where Red Sun witnessed Rotom in the past.

"If it is the place where Chi Ri once lived, we may be able to find traces of that person's past there, and thus figure out why a rational genius would degenerate into such a crazy antisocial person."

"Yes, that's one of the reasons, and it's also the original intention of the police getting involved in this matter."

Seeing the champion of Bamboo Orchids pondering, Officer Jenny replied somewhat embarrassedly.

"On another front, some in the Alliance believe that this house may hold clues about legends and myths. They feel that there must be something special here that inspired Crimson Sun to forge the Crimson Chains and attempt to manipulate Dialga and Palkia."

"I see. So that's why the Alliance invited me to participate in this mission."

The champion tossed his long golden hair, wearing an expression that said, "I knew it."

As a renowned mythologist in the field of Pokémon research, Cynthia is definitely one of the most suitable candidates to participate in the investigation, and her status as the League Champion makes her entry into the mansion much more legitimate.

"We originally planned to ask Ms. Nagisa from the Hyakudai Dojo to come along, but the dojo master seems to have other urgent matters to attend to and doesn't have time to show us the way."

"Oh... Cai Zhong, she seems to have no clue about ghost stories and the like, so it's understandable that she's unwilling to explore this supposedly haunted forest mansion," Zhu Lan said understandingly.

"Uh, there's something else. It's not related to today's mission, it's about your brother Hugo..."

Perhaps the previous conversation had opened up the topic, and Officer Jenny finally mustered up the courage to talk about what she had wanted to tell Champion Bamboo from the beginning.

Unfortunately, Officer Jenny lost all courage before she could finish her sentence, her tone becoming hesitant and revealing an embarrassed and awkward expression.

"Regarding what happened to him, we all feel very sorry. Even though the detective bore no responsibility, that still happened..."

The champion of Bamboo Orchid competition remained calm.

“That’s not a responsibility you need to bear either, Miss Officer Jenny. You don’t need to take it to heart. It’s just a change of residence, and Hugo himself seems to be quite enjoying it.”

Then she remembered something and mentioned it to Officer Jenny—

"Speaking of which, when we were getting ready to leave from the Pokémon Center, that guy called me once and asked me to lend him my Garchomp. He seemed to be in a hurry, and I don't know what he wanted to do."

Chapter 262 The Residents of the Mansion

"Let's get back to the main topic, Miss Zhulan."

Officer Jenny cleared her throat, and like a cherry blossom receiving sunlight, she adjusted herself back to her original shrewd and capable demeanor.

"Since there are no roads leading to the mansion from any part of the forest, perhaps the people living inside use flying Pokémon to enter and exit the building. Look, although there is a pointed tower in the middle of the mansion, the lower roof at the back is flat, enough to be used as a small helipad. If we search around there, we should be able to find the entrance to the mansion."

"So it's already assumed that someone lives there... However, the mansion is surrounded by dense, dark woods on all sides, such a layout is quite troublesome."

Zhu Lan glanced at Officer Jenny, then continued to gaze absently at the rooftops beneath the layers of shade.

"Such trouble is naturally for a reason. The people living inside probably wanted to cover something up, which is why they deliberately didn't remove the obstacles outside the mansion. Otherwise, they wouldn't have settled in such a remote forest."

Officer Jenny briefly speculated, and then continued—

"In any case, the trees have now completely blocked all entrances, so this is the only way to get into the mansion. Let's fly in using our Pokémon."

A flash of red light, and Staraptor with bright head feathers appeared in front of Officer Jenny; it was Officer Jenny's partner Pokémon.

However, just as the policewoman was about to straddle the back of the Starhawk—

"Speaking of which, isn't it proper etiquette to knock on the door before visiting someone's home?"

With a wave of her hand, Cynthia Champion also released her Pokémon.

However, unlike Officer Jenny, the elves she sent out clearly did not have the ability to fly.

Instead, it is Roserade, a Pokémon that resembles a bouquet of delicate roses.

"Iaijutsu."

The champion spoke calmly, without the slightest hesitation, his words revealing only the decisiveness born of careful consideration.

Before Officer Jenny could realize the meaning of the phrase spoken by Orchid, a green leaf blade had already flashed by.

"Mmm. That should make me feel a bit better."

Cynthia nodded, then raised the red and white Poké Ball again, returning Roserade to its original position.

As the champion made his move, a crackling sound gradually came from the leaves high up, like a waterfall cascading down, growing louder and louder as it approached.

"Huh? No, wait, wait, wait..." The policewoman instinctively hid behind the Hawk, letting out a sound that was almost a wail.

These evergreen branches survived the harsh winter, but they couldn't withstand the Champion Pokémon's casual attack. The moment the command was given, they began to fall from the sky like a light drizzle.

Several startled crows took flight, while flocks of grasshoppers and round-faced mages fell from the trees and fled in panic into the nearby bushes.

Then, the noise seemed to reach a certain threshold, suddenly turning into a deafening roar—

Before the two, the trees that grew wildly and densely, like giant vines, were torn to shreds in one breath, turning into a pile of broken wood.

With just one move, the forest that could have completely submerged the mansion was reduced by almost a quarter in an instant.

Is this really the effect that a single strike can achieve?

"..."

Officer Jenny felt that her understanding of the "Iaijutsu" move had been overturned.

"We're lucky; it's the side with the main entrance. But the location of the spire should be considered a hint."

With her gaze withdrawing from the spire located on the building's central axis, Orchid turned her head without looking back, avoiding the leafy branches overlooked by Roseradore, and stepped onto the path leading to the Forest Mansion with her black high heels on the fallen tree trunks.

At the end of this road paved with wood chips stands the dark wooden gate of the mansion.

Although the gate, which was originally sealed by trees, has been eroded by the passage of time, it is not dilapidated.

Near the door frame were some slightly mottled gold patterns carved, but they didn't seem to have any specific mythological significance. Perhaps due to preconceived notions, Zhu Lan only felt that they resembled a spiral structure like interlocking chains.

From what has been revealed so far, this mansion, like the Feather Residence where Hugo rented in the United States, is a two-story building. However, a sharp tower stands out abruptly in the middle of the building, making the overall style of the mansion seem incongruous.

The brick walls were originally white, but they turned brown after being covered with moss. There were signs of human cleaning on the roof under the spire, but it was still covered with a layer of yellow silt made of rotten leaves. Only when you look up from where you are standing can you make out the red roof tiles.

Yes, the style is distinctly different from the traditional dwellings of the Sinnoh region, feeling somewhat like a product of cross-regional cultural exchange during the early days of the League. However, the spire's design also lacks typical characteristics of the Kalos or Galar regions, perhaps originating from some more distant area.

Shaking off distracting thoughts, the Sinnoh champion gracefully raised his hand, his knuckles tapping on the ancient door.

Clang, clang, clang.

They knocked on the door of this secret room that had been silent for countless years.

.

For the past year, Zina has been doing a rather unusual job.