While Roy and Officer Jenny were chatting, the bored little Litwick poked its head out from Roy’s shoulder.
“So you’re a Ghost-type Trainer…”
That explained why the scar-faced poacher had been frightened into such a miserable state.
Unlike the Bug Catcher and the poacher, Officer Jenny showed no fear toward Litwick.
Instead, she observed it with curiosity.
The Jenny family possessed an extensive knowledge base regarding Pokémon.
Every Officer Jenny underwent specialized training before entering active duty, learning about Pokémon of every type.
To her, Ghost-type Pokémon were fascinating, not frightening.
She had even handled several cases where Ghost-type Pokémon had wandered into civilians’ homes.
After capturing them with Poké Balls, they had simply been released back into the wild.
Besides…
The moment she’d seen Roy’s address listed as Mt.
Pyre, she had already guessed he wasn’t an ordinary Trainer.
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
The sound of police sirens echoed through the forest.
A black-and-white police vehicle sped toward them before stopping nearby.
The doors opened.
Another Officer Jenny stepped out, followed by three regular police officers.
“Captain Ria!
You actually caught him!”
The younger Officer Jenny hurried over and wrapped her arm around the woman beside Roy.
So her name is Ria…
“Enough fooling around.”
“Take that scar-faced poacher back to the station.”
“Yes, Captain!”
The four officers approached together.
Then…
All four immediately smelled something awful.
Their eyes shifted toward the poacher, who had completely wet himself from fear.
Unable to stop themselves…
They all began wondering exactly what their captain had done to terrify this criminal so thoroughly.
Roy stretched lazily.
“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”
“I still need to catch the bus.”
“I’ll come back later to collect my reward.”
The buses to Rustboro City departed on a strict schedule.
They certainly wouldn’t wait for a late passenger.
“Wait.”
After learning Roy was also heading to Lilycove City to catch the bus to Rustboro Academy…
Officer Jenny climbed back onto her Arcanine.
Then she scooted forward, making room behind her.
She gestured for Roy to climb on.
At Roy’s current walking speed…
He wouldn’t reach Lilycove until after sunset.
By then…
Forget buses.
He’d be lucky to find another person on the streets.
Officer Jenny agreed.
Unfortunately…
Arcanine didn’t.
“Woof!”
It clearly wasn’t willing to let just anyone ride on its back.
Officer Jenny gently patted its neck.
“Please, Arcanine.”
“I’ll make you an extra meal tonight.”
Arcanine didn’t budge.
“Two extra meals.”
Only then did Arcanine reluctantly crouch down.
“Leave the rest to them.”
With that…
Officer Jenny Ria ordered Arcanine to move.
As the pair disappeared into the distance…
The younger Officer Jenny stared blankly after them before turning toward the three officers.
“Have you ever seen Captain let someone ride with her on Arcanine?”
All three officers shook their heads at exactly the same time.
…
Riding behind Officer Jenny…
Roy finally experienced what true speed felt like.
The wind roared past his ears.
Yet despite Arcanine’s blazing mane…
He couldn’t feel even the slightest trace of heat.
A faint floral fragrance drifted toward him from the rider in front.
Feeling the atmosphere growing increasingly awkward…
Roy decided to start a conversation.
“Officer Jenny…”
“What’s going to happen to that poacher?”
Officer Jenny rolled her eyes.
“That’s none of your concern.”
Still…
After thinking for a moment…
She turned slightly and casually drew a finger across her throat.
“Someone wants him dead.”
Roy nodded in satisfaction.
“Good.”
“A dead poacher is the best kind of poacher.”
After another painfully awkward conversation…
A sprawling city finally appeared on the horizon.
This was the first city Roy had seen since arriving in the Pokémon world.
Lilycove City.
Thanks to Officer Jenny…
Roy finally entered the city.
Before they passed through the gates…
She reminded him,
“Don’t casually release your Ghost-type Pokémon in public.”
“It could cause unnecessary panic.”
Roy understood exactly why.
Lilycove City was much larger than it had appeared in either the anime or the games.
Crowds filled every street.
People flowed through the city like an endless river.
Hoenn was located in the southern part of the Pokémon world.
Snow was practically nonexistent here.
Unlike northern Sinnoh, where everything north of Mt. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Coronet remained snow-covered year-round.
Especially during summer…
The coastal weather was warm.
Many beautiful young women wore light, breezy clothing.
Roy barely knew where to look.
Curious pedestrians noticed the young man riding behind Officer Jenny on Arcanine.
They couldn’t help wondering about his identity.
Unfortunately…
There was no time for sightseeing.
Arcanine raced through the city at full speed.
By the time they reached the bus terminal…
They were too late.
The station employee informed them that the final bus had departed an hour earlier.
Seeing Roy’s disappointed expression…
Officer Jenny simply turned Arcanine around and headed back toward the police station.
Waiting outside the station…
Was an enormous Pidgeot.
Its body was covered primarily in cream-colored feathers with rich brown wings.
Black markings surrounded its eyes.
Its magnificent crest blazed red on both sides with bright yellow running through the center.
Around its neck hung the official badge of the League Police.
This Pidgeot served as one of the department’s official aerial mounts.
“This is one of our department’s flying partners.”
“It can take you to Rustboro City tomorrow.”
When Roy remained silent…
Officer Jenny assumed he was afraid of heights.
“So?”
“Would that be alright?”
Roy finally snapped out of his daze.
“Huh?”
“Of course!”
Why wouldn’t he?
Not only would he save the bus fare…
He’d get to fly through the sky on a Pokémon.
Among all regional bird Pokémon…
Pidgeot had always been Roy’s favorite.
Especially after Mega Evolution…
Its appearance became even more magnificent.
He had been so busy admiring it that he’d forgotten to answer.
“Officer Jenny…”
“I have one more request.”
“Go ahead.”
Roy suddenly leaned close and whispered into her ear.
The warm breath brushing against her skin instantly turned Officer Jenny Ria’s ears bright red.
But after hearing his request…
She turned back with a puzzled expression.
“It’s possible…”
“But are you sure you want to add those three words?”
Roy nodded firmly.
“They have to be included.”
“Otherwise it won’t mean anything.”
Night soon fell.
Officer Jenny arranged for Roy to stay overnight at the Pokémon Center before leaving the following morning.
The Pokémon Center looked very different from the games or anime.
It stood four stories tall.
Mounted atop the building was a massive red-and-white Poké Ball emblem, just like the iconic design from the games.
Two League Trainers stood guard outside.
Guard duty also earned League Points.
Roy followed Officer Jenny inside.
The interior resembled a large government service center.
There was a treatment wing staffed by Nurse Joy.
A League Shop.
A League Mission Counter.
Even an official battle evaluation arena.
Officer Jenny walked directly to the treatment area to greet Nurse Joy.
The two women were obviously close friends.
Throughout their conversation…
Nurse Joy repeatedly glanced toward Roy with curiosity.
Thanks to Officer Jenny’s persuasion…
Roy was allowed to stay overnight despite not yet possessing an official Trainer License.
“Alright.”
“You’ll stay here tonight.”
“Come to the police station tomorrow morning.”
“Pidgeot will be waiting.”
With that…
Officer Jenny left.
A round pink Chansey wearing a tiny nurse’s cap happily approached Roy.
“Chansey!
Chansey!”
Following Chansey’s lead…
Roy arrived at the guest room.
It looked almost identical to a hotel room from his previous life.
Lying on the soft mattress…
Roy couldn’t help thinking…
Honestly…
It’s still not as comfortable as my coffin.
Naturally…
He had no intention of sleeping just yet.
As Chansey prepared to leave…
Roy called out.
“Chansey.”
“Do you know where the battle arena is?”
“Chansey!
Chansey!”
After thinking for a moment…
Chansey waved her chubby little hand for Roy to follow.
Since it was already late…
The two-hundred-square-meter League training arena was completely empty.
Roy was the only person there.
His original plan of demonstrating Ghost-type battle techniques to earn more Popularity Points immediately fell apart.
With nothing else to do…
Roy released Litwick and Duskull.
“Duskull.”
“Time for intelligence training!”
“Lit…
nooooo…”
“No” wasn’t an option.
“I’m the landlord this round!”
That’s right.
Roy’s version of “intelligence training”…
Was playing cards.
Soon…
Both Litwick and Duskull had strips of white paper pasted all over their faces after losing repeatedly.
“Chansey…
Chansey…”
Chansey hadn’t left.
Instead…
She sat cross-legged nearby, watching Roy and his Pokémon play cards with sparkling eyes.
It looked…
Really fun.
Just as Duskull prepared to play a Three…
A chubby pink hand reached over and pointed toward the King in Duskull’s hand.
Play this one.
Roy laughed.
“Chansey.”
“Want to join us?”
“Chansey!
Chansey!”
She pointed at herself excitedly.
Me?
Really?
Roy nodded.
“Of course.”
Chansey immediately joined the table.
Her round body squeezed between everyone.
Poor Duskull was shoved straight out of the game.
Seeing no hope of reclaiming its seat…
Duskull quietly returned to its Poké Ball for a nap.
Despite only watching a few rounds…
Chansey quickly mastered the rules.
She even managed to paste several paper strips onto Roy’s face after defeating him.
Under Roy’s shameless teamwork…
Litwick reluctantly communicated with him through their mental link, transforming from an honest farmer into the landlord’s accomplice.
Before long…
Paper strips completely covered Chansey.
She looked as though she were wearing a paper coat.
Even so…
Chansey only laughed harder.
She was completely addicted.
The group continued playing until well past midnight.
Only when Nurse Joy repeatedly called for Chansey throughout the Pokémon Center…
Did she finally realize how late it had become.
Shaking the paper strips from her head…
She reluctantly stood up to say goodbye.
“Wait, Chansey.”
She turned around.
Roy carefully gathered the deck of cards.
He placed it inside a small wooden box.
Then handed it to her.
“This is for you.”
“Chansey!”
Chansey stared at the cards in disbelief.
“For me?”
Roy smiled.
“It’s yours.”
Realizing he truly meant it…
Chansey’s face lit up with happiness.
She carefully tucked the deck into the pouch on the front of her apron.
Now…
Even after Roy left…
She could still play cards.
Then she suddenly remembered something.
She dug frantically through her apron pocket.
After searching for quite a while…
She finally produced a single Tamato Berry.
It was the only thing she had to offer.
Embarrassment filled her face.
Roy chuckled.
“It isn’t a trade.”
“Just keep it.”
Besides…
Neither Litwick nor Duskull enjoyed card games very much.
Giving the deck to Chansey was far more meaningful.
Hopefully…
She’d pass the game on to others.
Even so…
Chansey insisted until Roy finally accepted the Tamato Berry.
What Roy didn’t know…
Was that this small gesture would eventually change Lilycove City forever.
A legendary card master…
Had quietly been “born.”
Opening his system interface…
Roy discovered that his Popularity Points had increased by 20 in a single day.
If I’d known…
I should’ve marched that scar-faced poacher all the way to the League Police Station myself.
Unfortunately…
Regret came too late.
The prisoner had already been taken away by the three rookie officers.
The following morning…
Officer Jenny Ria had official duties to attend to.
After saying goodbye…
Roy climbed onto Pidgeot’s broad back.
Unlike Arcanine…
Pidgeot obediently followed Officer Jenny’s instructions.
With a powerful flap of its wings…
It soared into the sky, carrying Roy toward Rustboro City.