章 17: Chapter 17

"Club Manager Takumi, I have something urgent to attend to, so I'll be leaving for now."

Captain Hongyi of the Qianyan Army took his Poké Ball and left in a hurry. Soon after, he arrived at the Qunyu Pavilion overlooking Liyue Harbor.

Inside the grand palace, Ningguang, who was reviewing documents, looked up as Baiwen, her secretary, approached with news.

"He's back?"

Baiwen nodded.

"Yes, Lady Ningguang."

"So, what kind of pet did Captain Hongyi bring back?"

Earlier, when Hongyi left the store to gather funds, he was summoned to the Qunyu Pavilion by Ningguang's secretary, aware of his recent activities. Thus, when Hongyi returned to the Pokémon House, he was not only purchasing a pet but also conducting a reconnaissance mission. Ningguang expected a report on the creature he contracted and any other relevant details.

"It's... a very energetic little dog. It's currently playing on the platform outside," Baiwen replied, her expression a bit awkward.

"A dog?" Ningguang raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yes, a rather ordinary-looking one, with tiger-like stripes on its body..."

Baiwen sighed. "I suspect Captain Hongyi's three million mora might have been poorly spent. If this dog is raised, it may at best serve as a hunting dog. In other words, it might handle wild boars and similar creatures but would likely be ineffective against any monster capable of wielding elemental power."

Ningguang, though inclined to trust her secretary's assessment, was too curious to simply take her word for it. Since this was a task she personally assigned to Hongyi, she felt compelled to see the "expensive pet" for herself.

"Let's go," she said, standing from her chair and motioning for her secretaries to follow.

On the platform suspended high in the sky, Captain Hongyi stood, weapon at the ready, watching over his new companion: a lively Growlithe puppy, freshly fed and full of energy after drinking Moo Moo Milk from the Pokémon House. Without orders from Hongyi, Growlithe had taken it upon himself to enjoy his new surroundings.

The pup raced around, occasionally rolling on the ground and swishing his fluffy tail in delight. Suddenly, a few white cranes spread their wings and flew past.

"Woof!"

Growlithe's gaze sharpened as it fixed on the birds. In a flash, it unleashed its "Leer" move, intending to intimidate. But the birds remained unfazed, and one even glanced back, unfazed by the cute puppy on the platform.

"Arf!" Growlithe's pride was wounded. Determined not to be ignored, it opened its mouth to unleash a fierce bark. But, to its own surprise, the bark quickly turned into a fierce breath, as a burst of "Ember" suddenly ignited.

"Tui—!"

Bright sparks shot from Growlithe's mouth, surprising even itself. The embers exploded in mid-air, startling the cranes, who squawked in panic as they flapped their wings and flew away, leaving a scattering of feathers behind.

Hongyi, who had been watching his puppy run around, was taken aback by the sudden attack. The Pokédex in his pocket chimed:

"Growlithe has leveled up and learned the move 'Ember'."

"Huh?!"

Meanwhile, Ningguang and her three secretaries had just reached the main entrance of the Qunyu Pavilion. They stopped in their tracks, watching in astonishment as the tiny puppy spooked the cranes with a burst of fire.

Ningguang's pupils shrank as she gave Baiwen a sideways glance.

"Is this the 'ordinary dog' you mentioned?"

"Three million mora, wasted?"

"And you said it was only fit for hunting beasts…?"

Baiwen opened her mouth, her face paling. The other two secretaries looked equally stunned. This small Growlithe, only slightly bigger than a garden cat, had just expelled embers several times its size. It was simply… absurd.

"Forget it," Ningguang said, her tone softening. "After all, you are secretaries, and you don't possess a Vision... it would be difficult for you to sense the fire energy flowing within this little creature."

Hongyi heard the commotion on the steps and looked up, stunned to see Lady Ningguang herself—the one who governed all of Liyue's affairs—watching him.

"Lady Ningguang!"

He quickly walked to the bottom of the steps and saluted her in the manner of the Qianyan Army.

"Growlithe—" Hongyi called, and his Pokémon, who had been enjoying itself moments earlier, responded with immediate seriousness, sitting upright beside Hongyi's feet.

This display of discipline did not go unnoticed by Ningguang, who observed the scene thoughtfully.