Pokémon Detective Case Files.

"Yes... Father is right. The very logic of this world is flawed, which is why tragedies between humans and Pokémon keep repeating themselves! Therefore, the only way to change this world is through liberation. Liberate Pokémon from their sunless Poké Balls, liberate humanity from its unknowing arrogance of exploitation, and liberate the world from the ignorant and incompetent Pokémon League..."

Hugo, who was being held hostage, remained unconscious. N tightened his grip on Hugo's shoulder with his left hand, and the leader of Team Plasma commanded Azure and Touko in a very authoritative voice: "Make way!"

At his command, the wild elves in front of the gate began to stir again—

Electabuzz and Magmar took off running, Magneton, Weezing, and Gearbox launched themselves into the sky, Eel floated and swam in the dust kicked up by the Pokémon, and the giant Darmanitan and Ribbon Turtle also moved their mountain-like bodies...

They are getting closer and closer to the park gate!

Just as the girls were about to fall into danger again, a strange chuckle suddenly rang out beside the green-haired youth—

"I've said it before: communication can't solve problems. No matter how sharp the weapon of criticism is, it can't replace the criticism of weapons in reality. Now you see that, right?"

"Hugo!" Upon hearing the familiar voice, Douzi immediately looked at the escorted detective with delight, only to find that the hostage was still unconscious with a deep purple face, which puzzled him again.

The green-haired youth was even more surprised than Douzi, because he clearly heard the sound coming from beside him!

When he turned his gaze seriously to the hostage in his hands, he couldn't help but widen his eyes in shock.

The detective remained motionless with his eyes closed, but strange sounds continued to emanate from his abdomen—

“N, your weakness is that you have never cared about the emotions of living humans. I used to think you could understand the language of Pokémon, but that’s not your ability. Your ability is to understand the inner voice of Pokémon. You can perceive all their thoughts and feelings. These natural Pokémon have no secrets from you, and that’s why you can repay them with unreserved trust.”

The green-haired youth tried to let go, but found that his left hand seemed to be stuck in sticky mud, strangely sinking deep into the detective's shoulder.

The sounds in my ears kept going—

"Out of a certain degree of mutual respect, I wanted to test your ability when we first met. Did you actively communicate with the sounds you heard, or were you passively listening? The test was very simple. Midway through our conversation at the hotel, I used sign language to signal Bogarman to prepare to unleash its 'Water Cannon' attack. But you didn't show the slightest wariness towards that little penguin until the very end. Therefore, I concluded that you can only establish a spiritual connection with the targets you actively seek out."

"And so this trick came about today."

The one speaking was the detective's assistant, Azure. While sending out her handheld Pokémon to deal with the wild Pokémon, she stretched and yawned, as if she had unloaded a heavy burden.

As she spoke, the "detective's" white coat began to slowly melt, gradually becoming viscous and purplish-red.

After dissolving and changing to a certain extent, the indescribable purplish-red gelatinous substance began to transform into fiery red and black. A few moments later, the person being escorted by the green-haired youth had transformed into a majestic Flame Martial King.

The Pokémon that suddenly appeared acted without hesitation after transforming. It grabbed N's left hand, which was resting on its shoulder, with its other hand and unleashed a force far beyond what a human could withstand, performing a move that was not a skill but was an exceptionally standard over-the-shoulder throw.

The green-haired youth remained in a daze, his hostage lying on the concrete ground!

Before losing consciousness, the last thing the Plasma King saw was an object that had also fallen to the ground.

It was a smartphone with its screen lit up and on speakerphone during a call.

Chapter 143 As if Lost in a Fog

As dusk approached, Hugo emerged from the shadows of the city.

By this time, the wild battle in the industrial zone had ended. Just as N had previously controlled "Hugo," preventing the two girls from launching an attack, the long-lurking Ditto, after capturing the green-haired youth, caused the wild Pokémon tide, which had been desperately trying to break through the park gates, to stop again and begin to show signs of disintegration.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Azure and Douzi sent out their Pokémon to disrupt the opponent's formation.

Although the wild Pokémon appeared numerous, without a leader, they were clearly no match for the main force of professional players. Furthermore, the strange influence N had previously exerted on them dissipated with his unconsciousness, severing the emotional bond between the wild Pokémon.

Whether human or Pokémon, when they gather in groups, they tend to amplify the good and bad aspects of their emotions. Conversely, when wild Pokémon are no longer united, the deep anger that once burned in their eyes is extinguished. The instinct of fear and the rationality of seeking advantage and avoiding harm overwhelm the long-standing resentment, and their attacks become powerless.

Azure and Douzi didn't let this opportunity pass. Blastoise's "Hydro Cannon" roared, and Serperior's "Leaf Storm" was stronger than the last. In less than ten minutes, the wild Pokémon were routed and scattered in the opposite direction of the wilderness. The two ancient Pokémon were unable to turn the tide of the battle and had no choice but to hide in the distant forests and caves.

Only Zoroark kept transforming into various Pokémon, like a reckless assassin, launching attacks on the two girls holding the green-haired youth hostage with endless methods—until it was hit in the back by a "Focus Blast" from the vengeful Gengar, and then it and N fell unconscious on the ground.

With the battle over, the beast tide crisis in Liyong City was resolved.

Upon hearing the good news, the detective, who had split up with his assistant, looked relaxed. He took off the cheap Bluetooth earphones he had bought from the convenience store, casually stuffed them into the pocket of his white coat, and strolled over to the building.

Before Hugo lay N's original target, the Liyong City Police Department, the intersection of public power and violence in the entire city.

Instead of barging in, the detective went straight to the police officer on duty at the entrance.

The police officer stood ramrod straight, a brown-skinned tantrum perched on his shoulder. The man and his pet kept their eyes fixed on the crowds coming and going outside the police station, looking quite dutiful.

"Excuse me, is Officer Jenny here at the police station?"

The detective in the white coat greeted them naturally and handed over the forged identification.

“I am a columnist for Feiyun City Weekly, and most of the columns I write are related to criminal cases. Before that police officer was transferred to your police station, our publication consulted her about the progress of an investigation into a four-year-old cold case. Recently, there have been some different rumors and clues about that case in Feiyun City, so I came here to the police station where she was transferred to, hoping to hear her professional opinions again.”

Officer Jenny did indeed transfer to the police station from another city two years ago... Listening to the detective's lies, which contained not a single word of truth but were logically sound and full of realism, the police officers on duty initially dismissed them, but by the end they completely believed them.

As the probing mouse on his shoulder stared at Detective Hugo with its large, red and yellow eyes, the officer remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was secretly thrilled to witness a case buried for many years resurface.

Every police officer harbors a dream of becoming the protagonist in a crime drama. Even if they can't become the protagonist, being a likable and righteous supporting character in the story is still pretty good.

So, with an enthusiasm rarely seen in a guard on duty, he immediately responded: "Understood, I'll contact Sergeant Jenny to report this matter right away."

He unfolded a thick telephone directory, preparing to dial the landline in the guard booth.

"Excuse me," Hugo said apologetically, interrupting the other person's actions.

“This happened more than two years ago, and the case itself is four years old. Relying on vague messages from a middleman might not be enough to remind the officer of this case. Could you take me directly to the police station to see her? Moreover, Officer Jenny said back then that this case was of great importance and that she should be informed immediately of any new leads. Although the case has been suspended for four years, the investigation cannot be delayed for even a second. I would also prefer to meet with Officer Jenny directly.”

“I see… But I have to stand guard, and the rules don’t allow trainers to leave Pokémon behind to take their shifts, so I can’t come with you to the police station…”

Confused by Hugo's long speech, the guard was caught in a dilemma, unsure of what to do, while his scouting mouse shook its head regretfully.

When people are confused, they are very likely to follow the steps offered by others.

The detective, adopting a helpful demeanor, suggested, "How about this: when you report to your superior, be vague and just say that someone has obtained important information that needs to be reported. Then, let me enter the police station under the pretext of reporting important intelligence, and go inside the building to find Officer Jenny myself?"

"good idea!"

After thinking it over, the guard found that the procedure was indeed feasible, so he happily adopted the detective's suggestion, picked up the telephone receiver, pressed the buttons on the keypad one by one to contact his superior, and at the same time opened the door of the police station.

He was completely unaware that he was allowing a suspicious individual with absolutely no connection to the police station to enter the police building. Aside from a forged identification document, the individual produced no evidence whatsoever to prove their identity or purpose.

The detective smiled, bowed to the dutiful guard and Detective Mouse, and continued to walk with a light step into the police station.

When the guard opened the contact book earlier, Hugo had already guessed Officer Jenny's office location based on the arrangement pattern, so he walked without any doubt.

To avoid encountering more police officers in the elevator, Hugo deliberately chose to climb the fire escape to the sixth floor where Officer J.J.A. was located.

However, Hugo miscalculated this time; he forgot the chemical reaction fostered by the unique office environment and special architectural structure of civil service units—

Smoking is not allowed in the police station's indoor spaces, but many of the tough detectives are heavy smokers. Therefore, when they have a moment to spare, they need to find a convenient and secluded place, preferably one with a small window nearby, to relieve their cravings.

The fire escape that Hugo was climbing had a small window at each corner of every floor. Because of this, the staircase, which should have been a passageway, had become a gathering place for smokers. It was the awkward time just before the end of the workday, and there were an unusually large number of people slacking off.

And so, the detective, head down, climbing the stairs, would occasionally brush past the police officers who were slacking off and smoking. Most of the latter wouldn't even glance at Hugo, either engrossed in their phones, enjoying the pleasure of the harmful fumes passing through their lungs, or chatting quietly with their colleagues who were also slacking off, puffing away together. But a small number would turn around with interest to look at this figure who had never appeared in the police station before.

In just a few short flights of stairs, Hugo managed to create the feeling of traversing a wild meadow while dodging elf battles.

Fortunately, the police officers who were slacking off at work had no intention of wasting their leisure time, so no one came forward to cause trouble for this suspicious person, allowing him to reach the fifth floor, the target's fifth floor, in front of Officer Jenny's office.

The rank was actually sheriff, and his seniority seemed to be much higher than Officer Jenny of Flying Cloud City... Hugo, who was secretly thinking this when he saw the door number, knocked on the door and carefully entered the office after receiving a "come in" response.

Before me stood an older woman named Officer Jenny. Although she was also wearing a beige United Police uniform, her demeanor was much more composed.

Despite the absence of any outsiders in the office and the fact that it was nearing the end of the workday, the female sheriff still maintained a solemn demeanor, sitting upright in an armchair behind her dark desk, with neatly stacked folders and testimonies in front of her.

Upon seeing Hugo, she wrinkled her nose, her gaze immediately sharpening. Then, without hesitation, she pressed the detective for answers—

"This is the fifth floor, yet you came up the fire escape. This shows that you neither want to take the elevator and be with the police, nor are you familiar with the daily operations of this police station. So, you guilty intruder, what is your purpose in coming before me?"

The detective suddenly felt a sense of oppression coming from behind him, and turned around to see—

A Gothic lady, resembling a classical maid, appeared behind him, her hands clasped in front of her, her head bowed respectfully, her black skirt precisely pressing down on the detective's shadow cast on the ground.

The "Shadow Tag" ability prevents a Pokémon or human from leaving the battle.

This Officer Jenny is truly remarkable. What is her connection to the factory explosion?

Despite having his escape route blocked by Pokémon, Hugo remained calm and even felt a surge of joy in his heart.

The taciturn and tight-lipped Factory Manager William, the seemingly rough but actually meticulous training consultant Telt, the electrical engineer and advocate for the Elf Liberation Movement Arno, the Alliance official who visited the power plant according to N, the ordinary employee who died in an accident two years ago, the stakeholders of the old-style power plant, and now, the excellent and experienced Sheriff Officer Officer Jenny in front of us...

What kind of drama are these people putting on?

Chapter 144 Sincerity is the Ultimate Weapon

Facing Officer Jenny, who sat imposingly at the table with her fingers crossed, Hugo did not choose to continue lying. Instead, he handed over the real business card of his firm and politely began to speak—

"I am a private investigator, and I am here because of the recent bombing."

"Hugo? A detective, no less?"

Upon seeing the name on the business card, the woman raised an eyebrow: "I vaguely remember this name... Are you related to that case involving the Aqua Team?"

"Our agency is the primary provider of this intelligence." The detective bowed again, displaying a humble demeanor.

"Regarding the true identity of Fengyuan Media, we have offered some minor suggestions to the police. If you can make a phone call to your relatives in Feiyun City, you can verify the truth of what I am saying."

Upward-turned upper eyelids and slightly dilated pupils—these are common expressions of surprise.

The detective was pleased to see that his probing had been answered. It seemed that the sheriff in front of him also knew the inside story of the cross-regional organized crime, and the inside information he had implied through the four characters "Fengyuan Media" had indeed served to corroborate his identity.

Hugo also noticed that while he was answering questions, Officer Jenny's gaze briefly drifted away from him, glancing at Miss Goethe standing behind him.

Is there some kind of communication between her and her spirit? The detective keenly perceives the other's intentions.

Based on the context of the question and answer, Officer Jenny is likely verifying the authenticity of the identity she revealed. A Gothic-like woman with supernatural abilities… it seems to be some kind of lie detector mechanism based on sensing mental fluctuations…

As the detective pondered, he noticed that Officer Jenny's expression softened slightly, but only slightly; she still showed no sign of letting her guard down.

At this point, the detective was 100% certain that the sheriff had received a positive response from Miss Goethe, but since lie detectors are not entirely reliable, Hugo remained a suspect to be investigated.

Both Officer Jenny's probing and Hugo's reasoning were merely fleeting tests. After a pause of about five seconds, Officer Jenny spoke again sternly, as her final response to the detective in the white coat—

"Please leave the police station, Detective Hugo. The Liyong City Police Department doesn't need your advice. No matter what achievements you've made elsewhere, we don't need outsiders pointing fingers here."

The seasoned Officer Jenny, now a sheriff, lowered her fingers, her gaze fixed on Hugo with the sharpness of a dagger.

"The bombing case is closed. If any unsuspecting client hires you to investigate this matter, please convey the truth about the investigation that our police department has spent a significant amount of time and effort on—"

Officer Jenny issued an official statement: "The Liyong Power Plant explosion was an undisputed production accident. From the time the accident occurred to the subsequent handling of the incident, the police did not find anything unusual or suspicious. Therefore, there is no need to re-commission an investigation."

"They really don't hold back."

No matter how solemn Officer Jenny's testimony may be, it cannot be used to determine whether she is lying or not.

Hugo, the Lone Star, didn't have a convenient lie detector like Miss Goth, but he still replied with a smile: "If I had come to the police station to ask you, Chief, as soon as I arrived in Liyong City, I would probably have made a wasted trip."

“No matter when you come, you’ll get the same result.” The sheriff remained unmoved.

"That's not necessarily true." The detective shook her head, her polite smile now tinged with a hint of slyness. "Since the explosion was just a routine accident, could you tell me where those Pokémon that were working on the power generation module at the factory are now? This information isn't classified, so I'm sure you won't refuse to answer, Miss Officer?"

“You are a dangerous individual who has infiltrated the police station and is elusive. I have no obligation to answer your questions.” Officer Jenny shook her head, but then said, “But this matter is indeed insignificant, so I may tell you—after being rescued, they were released by professional police officers into the wilderness of the industrial area south of Liyong City.”

This is clearly a lie—both Telt's testimony and N's actions clearly indicate that the elves perished in the fire, and there is no sign of them in the wilderness.

Unfortunately, the detective lacked direct evidence to refute Officer Jenny's claims.

The Pokémon from the dead factory won't come forward to prove whether they were released or not, and the police officers involved in the operation are unlikely to disobey their superiors' gag order and reveal the truth to a detective from out of town. Dwelling on this issue will only waste time.

So Hugo changed the subject, asking casually—

"Based on the clues I've gathered, after the explosion, Factory Manager William spoke on the phone with an electrical engineer who was on leave. Does Officer Jenny know what they discussed?"

He deliberately treated the information he had deduced as known intelligence and pressed for further questions. In this way, even if the other party refused to answer, he could deduce whether the phone call was real by observing Officer Jenny's reaction.

However, the detective's plan backfired. Just as Officer Jenny was about to speak, the lady's eyes suddenly shifted to Miss Goethe behind Hugo, and she immediately changed her answer, replying in the most concise language: "We have no comment."

Hugo immediately understood his predicament. He turned around and glared at Miss Goth behind him, only to see the Pokémon standing like a maid, gently lifting her black skirt, expressionless, with an expression that showed no understanding of the current situation.

The Pokémon had captured Hugo's emotional fluctuations while he was making up stories... Hugo felt a sense of frustration that he couldn't vent.

This is blatant cheating! It's awful to have your cards read. So what if you have a Pokémon with super powers? They're just using a ridiculously low-tech trick like detecting emotions, and they act like they can read minds...

and many more!

Hugo, who had been silent, suddenly had a flash of inspiration: since the other party could use the method of sensing emotional fluctuations with psychic Pokémon to find out if the person being interrogated was guilty, then he could do the opposite!

Hugo instantly had an idea and immediately took action—

The detective in the white coat leaned forward, placed his hands on Officer Jenny's desk, and said loudly with utmost sincerity, "Officer Jenny, I'm about to provide you with some information that is indeed happening in Liyong City. These matters are of great importance, and if not handled properly, they could have serious consequences that endanger the safety of the entire city's residents."

Officer Jenny frowned, instinctively feeling that the private detective in front of her was being unreasonable. But when she glanced at her partner, she saw that the usually aloof and calm Miss Goethe was nodding frantically.

This person's words are entirely true; such strong and sincere emotions could not be faked—this is the message Miss Goethe conveyed through the agreed-upon code.

This guy who calls himself Hugo, is he actually telling the truth? What exactly is that event that will affect the entire city?

The sheriff turned her surprised gaze back to the detective's face, only to see his slightly narrowed eyes.

Hugo sighed inwardly. Indeed, Miss Goethe, while helping Officer Jenny see through the lies, also possessed the ability to corroborate the truth.