Chapter 127: A Sister’s Love~
Lorze held Pheromosa's hand and walked back under the bizarre and shocked gazes of the crowd.
This was an Ultra Beast, a creature humanity had labeled a "Lethal Biohazard."
Even with everyone here fighting at full strength, they could likely only stall it at best.
If a Regional Champion arrived, they might still be helpless against it.
Yet, such a terrifying and powerful existence had been settled by Lorze with just a few lines of "Talk-no-Jutsu"?
So, what exactly was the situation now?
Had Lorze captured it, or hadn't he?
If you say he hadn't, the creature was currently following him willingly.
But if you say he had, he didn't even throw a Poké Ball—he had "captured" nothing but air!
Without a Poké Ball for restraint, the creature remained entirely free.
If its mood soured one day and it went on a rampage, Lorze wouldn't even have the ability to recall it for "solitary confinement."
This meant the creature was still an unstable source of extreme danger.
Keeping an uncontrollable, lethal bio-weapon by your side—was that "commendable courage" or just "committing suicide"?
Still, you had to admit Lorze had just set a human precedent for "recruiting" an Ultra Beast.
It was just like a hundred years ago when Pokémon first descended upon Earth.
Back then, didn't people view all Pokémon as dangerous "Monsters"?
It wasn't until the first Trainers began capturing and taming them that humanity realized they could coexist in harmony.
So, while Lorze's act was borderline suicidal, it wasn't entirely without merit.
This boy... he really brought her a fresh heart attack every time they met.
Goddess Xue Tong wondered how she was supposed to report this to her superiors.
The higher-ups were full of pedantic old men; if they learned someone was "fostering" an apex predator without safety measures...
They would likely panic and charge Lorze with "Crimes Against Humanity" within minutes.
Forget it. I don't have the energy to deal with those cowards. I'll suppress the report for now.
As his sister, what's a little risk to the world compared to protecting my brother?
Despite her inner monologue, Xue Tong was still genuinely terrified that Lorze wouldn't be able to control Pheromosa.
That would be a one-way ticket to a very messy death.
(Telepathy): "Little Lorze, are you absolutely certain you can handle her?"
Xue Tong watched her brother approach, her voice echoing with concern.
"Telepathy?" Lorze looked at Xue Tong in surprise. Her lips hadn't moved, yet the voice was clear in his mind.
This meant Goddess Xue Tong had already mastered Telepathic Communication.
"Yes, it's Telepathy. I only mastered the technique recently," Xue Tong replied.
"Incredible, Sis! You truly are a top-tier Psychic!"
"Enough flattery. Pheromosa is a dangerous Beast. Unlike real Pokémon, their nature is inherently combative."
"If you aren't 100% sure, I don't suggest you try to 'keep' it."
"Don't worry, Xue Tong. I've got this. I have a special ability to soothe Pokémon emotions; there's no need to fear a rampage."
"Oh? You have a gift like that too?"
"To be precise, I have more than one. You know Focus Punch, right? I can enter a similar 'True Qi Mode' myself."
"That sounds powerful. I had no idea you were hiding so many secrets. It seems my worry was unnecessary."
"It's never unnecessary. Your concern makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. That's a function in itself, right?"
"You... your mouth is as slick as ever. Since you're confident, I'll let it go." Xue Tong shook her head with a smile.
"You're letting it go, but I'm not done yet," Lorze suddenly shifted the tone.
"Hmm? If you need help with anything, just tell me."
"It's not me who needs help; it's you. You were lucky today because it was Pheromosa—she didn't intend to kill you."
"What if next time you encounter a Dark-type Ultra Beast just as strong? What then?" Lorze asked, his eyes full of worry.
Looking at the deep, gruesome gash on Xue Tong's arm, his heart ached.
If that attack had landed on her throat, the world would be a very different, very dark place right now.
In the Ultra Wormholes, creatures as strong as Pheromosa might be rare, but they weren't unique.
Pheromosa spared her. The next Guzzlord or Nihilego wouldn't be so kind.
Exploring Ultra Space alone was absolute madness.
Even as strong as Xue Tong was, she couldn't guarantee her own safety. Lorze wished she would never go back.
He hated worrying if every departure was her last.
"I can't stop. I have to go back in. The frequency of Wormhole appearances is accelerating."
"If we don't find the root cause before they flood the world, it won't just be me in danger. You all will be caught in the disaster."
Xue Tong looked at him tenderly, her eyes reflecting the resolve of a martyr.
Everyone knew Ultra Space was a nightmare.
But if she didn't brave the fire now, her younger siblings would have to do it later.
Especially Lorze. With his talent and his dangerous curiosity, he was destined to be involved.
Even if she couldn't erase the danger today, she wanted to bring back enough data to give them a fighting chance tomorrow.
"I know I can't stop you. So, I'm going to teach you 'True Qi Mode.' If you have this power, you'll have a new way to survive the worst-case scenarios." Lorze said seriously.
"But that's your private ability. I can't just..." Xue Tong tried to object.
"No 'buts.' Even if you didn't want it, I was going to teach it to Xue Yi and the others anyway."
"I want everyone by my side to have the power to protect themselves." Lorze interrupted her firmly.
"Then... alright. If it makes you sleep better, I'll learn it from you."
"But I brought back vital intel this time. I'm going to be buried in debriefs and meetings for a while; I might not have time to train immediately."
Xue Tong felt a surge of warmth from his concern. His love made all her sacrifices feel worth it.
"That's fine. You're already a Psychic, so your meditation skills should be elite. You'll learn fast. Just give me one day when you're free." Lorze said.
"Deal. I'll listen to you this time." Xue Tong patted his head affectionately.
The two shared a soft smile, the bond between them stronger than words.
However, Lorze seemed to have forgotten he had a Pheromosa standing right next to him.
Pheromosa watched the two of them being "lovey-dovey," and she felt like a literal third wheel. For some reason, it annoyed her.
With a hint of resentment, she snatched a Pokéblock from the container and tossed it into her mouth like a piece of cheap "dog food," her gaze warning them to cut the crap.
But then, a look of shock crossed Pheromosa's face.
She had expected the little square to taste like chalk.
Instead, the second it hit her tongue, it dissolved into a burst of pure, high-density Fighting-type energy.
The rich flavor satisfied her picky taste buds, and the concentrated energy actually made her cells vibrate with hunger.
She felt a surge of vitality she hadn't felt in eons—her "growth," which had been stagnant for years, actually rippled for a microsecond.
Impossible. Can this thing actually affect my level of power?!
Startled and intrigued, Pheromosa completely forgot about the siblings. She began popping the cubes one after another, lost in the sensation.
When she reached into the box again and found it empty, a look of intense displeasure returned to her eyes.
How much longer are you two going to touch each other?
As a servant, do you not know the protocol for a refill?!
Pheromosa tapped the empty box aggressively, reminding Lorze to get back to his "official duties."
Lorze blinked in surprise, then his lips curled into a smirk.
See that, Xue Tong? The fish is on the hook. I'm definitely taking this one home.