Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 312 The Ring of Quixote

Chapter 314 The Ring of Quixote

"Perhaps you think your activities against the Plasma Group are very secretive, but we have been paying attention to you, Detective Hugo, with your extraordinary background, since a long time ago, probably since that time at the Dream Lab."

Quixote flipped the hilt of his knife with one hand in the sunlight, the gleaming blade reflecting light onto the patient's pale face.

"Many followers have advised me that a dangerous individual like Detective Hugo, who is exceptionally capable and naturally aligned with the Alliance, should be treated differently."

It would have been best to eliminate them sooner rather than later. This is indeed a very convincing insight; however, considering your intelligence and the strange ability to automatically cause all sorts of accidents, I ultimately felt that such a approach was too hasty, and thus suppressed those voices.

"It's probably because the risks and rewards can't be balanced."

Despite his sickly appearance, the detective was not alarmed by the death threat from the Plasma Group. He suppressed a cough and succinctly exposed his opponent's true intentions.

"Quite astute, indeed. However, this trait of yours is something we already knew. If we were to weigh the negative consequences of a failed assassination against your level of danger, I must say the former is far more serious—but times have changed. As a private detective, you should understand best the principle that times change, wouldn't you say?"

Hugo simply shook his head with difficulty.

"If your purpose in coming here was to kill me, then you should have done it already."

"Indeed, that's an extremely simple line of reasoning. No one would do anything unnecessary without a reason, especially wise people like you and me. This sharp weapon in my hand is merely a tool to help you calm down and conduct negotiations quietly. After all, looking at the entire United States, there are many, many more dangerous individuals like you, Detective. If we had to deal with them one by one, we would be unable to continue advancing our great cause."

"The cause of liberating the elves?"

"A business that wins people's hearts."

Ignoring Hugo's provocative question, Ghetsis raised his left hand, holding the knife, and continued, "With the help of the masses, even the weak will become strong; with the abandonment of the masses, even the great will perish. The Unova region is named 'Unova' because this land is home to various tribes of ancient kingdoms, as well as immigrants from all over the world. Countless contradictory cultures coexist in this region, maintaining a strange and delicate balance, much like the unique Pokémon ecosystem of the homeland. It is said that the more something is lacking, the more it is desired. It is precisely because Unova is such a world of conflict that it yearns for unity and solidarity."

Something's not right, something's very wrong. While trying to maintain his composure so as not to reveal his weakness and illness, Hugo still habitually fell into deep thought.

What is Quixote's purpose in launching into a lengthy discourse on unity to his new champion?

"In other words, only those who can grasp the power of Unova can become the true rulers of the Unova region. The so-called liberation of Pokémon, or the revival of the ancient kingdoms, are merely temporary measures. The inequality between humans and Pokémon is like a giant sleeping in a house. If this giant can be stirred up by raising a finger or moving an ankle, the others in the house will huddle together in fear, achieving the so-called 'Unova.' And if someone steps forward at this time, he will become a king and a hero—but it's just a means to an end. And since it's a means to an end—the more the better."

It turned out to be the case.

The detective understood.

"Instead of making a king you've trained yourself the champion, wouldn't it be more convenient to just make an existing champion a puppet?"

Partners who have needs are easier to manipulate than partners who have demands.

"You're very smart. I enjoy talking to intelligent people."

The mastermind behind the scenes wore an unusually sincere smile. Beneath the smile, the red markings between the gold patterns of his robe resembled the piercing red eyes of a three-headed dragon, ready to devour anyone who dared to challenge him. "The previous holder of that title was too old and too stubborn. He couldn't grasp the fundamental common sense of 'win-win cooperation,' the foundation of modern society, refusing to negotiate, refusing to compromise. Despite accumulating prestige over decades, he allowed this power to languish. However, power, once it slips from the hands of the holder, is quickly seized by others. In a sense, the reason his Volcarona died young, riddled with injuries, was precisely because of this former champion's policy of allowing the enemy to grow unchecked."

"So it seems you have high hopes for me."

"That is indeed the case." Quixote did not refute this. "In fact, compared to my adopted son, I, as a noble king, favor you more, this new champion who won the title by accident."

"Oh, why?"

"Because of your status as an outsider, and your lack of any strength other than misfortune, you should be well aware that your championship victory, once revealed, will inevitably be met with criticism. The people's hearts and minds in the Unova region will never be aligned with a detective like you who is accustomed to observing from the sidelines. Whether it's reality or ideals, black lightning or white flames, those transcendent powers can never be bestowed upon a trainer like you, whose Victory Star would be dimmed."

"Admit it," Quixote said, walking toward the bedside with a voice as empty as a dagger slicing through glass, leaving no room for doubt.

If you don't want to be swallowed up by reality or crushed by your ideals, then grasp this fallen hand that stretches out from hell.

"Sigh, this isn't the way to ask someone for a favor."

Weak and exhausted, Hugo shook his head slightly, employing a delaying tactic: "I don't believe that brandishing a knife in front of a sick person, revealing their weaknesses, will lead to any mutually beneficial agreement. If this is how Team Plasma treats future collaborators, it's no wonder you were given the cold shoulder by Alder."

"Trying to stall for time with words? In my opinion, Mr. Champion, you'd better give up that idea as soon as possible."

The elderly man, dressed in a magnificent robe, raised his left hand, which was holding a dagger, and showed the detective the gold ring on his knuckle.

"Witness this well. This ring is a token passed down through generations of the Harmenia family. It is the only legacy this family has left in the world after losing its throne, its honor and wealth, and its royal dignity. And its insignificant function is—"

Quixote flicked the broken finger with his thumb, and the next moment, neither a strange sound nor a suspicious light effect was emitted. The only anomaly was that Quixote's figure suddenly disappeared without a trace.

Aura, outline, shape, appearance, face, height, volume, reflection, shadow, existence—all the characteristics that constitute the entity "Quechice" in space completely disappeared at that moment.

"Consider this information before you as my initial gesture of goodwill towards my collaborator."

From the void, the elusive voice of the mastermind echoed, like an invisible figure moving through a hospital room, its sound seemingly composed solely of overlapping echoes. Even Hugo couldn't pinpoint the speaker's location based on the volume of the sound—"This is neither a technological construct of optical camouflage nor the invisibility ability of a superhuman. I certainly wouldn't use Pokémon techniques to conceal myself before you, so this is a genuine miracle. It is precisely through this miracle that I have been able to gather information unnoticed, continuously recruit talent, and subtly instigate schemes, growing Team Plasma to its current strength. And it is precisely for this reason that I was able to witness your spectacular duel with the former champion at such close range, and to strut confidently into this sealed chamber in such a brightly colored robe."

"Ahem, I see. In that case, even if I call for help, I still won't be able to capture you, the number one sage of Team Plasma."

"What you say is absolutely right."

A chilling whisper rang out, almost whispering in the detective's ear.

Hugo felt a chill run down his spine; his immune system, which had been working excessively to expel the virus, seemed to suddenly stop functioning at that moment.

"Moreover, not only is there absolutely no way you can bring me, Quixote, to justice here, but you are also certain to die before I leave."

After saying this, Quixote deactivated his invisibility and removed the dagger that had been pressed against the detective's carotid artery. He then calmly returned to a safe social distance and resumed the conversation—

"To be honest, you only have a handful of helpers left. Of those who can pose a threat to me, Aldak has already returned to Suanmu Town in despair. Of his four Heavenly Kings, the super-powered girl who looked after you for half a day has also returned to her residence to rest. Even Wu and Yueju were held back by the information I leaked and went to Chuiji High School on the other side of the city. The only one who stayed behind to keep watch, Wanlong, went to the hospital's rest room for a nap because of her daily lack of sleep. She probably thinks that being on standby there at any time will ensure everything goes smoothly."

"Ahem, that's a truly flawless plan. But I'm curious, what intelligence did you use to keep those two Heavenly Kings in check?"

Fukiyoshi High School, that sounds like a very familiar school - if Hugo were in top form right now, he would probably recognize it immediately.

"It's alright to tell you about this," Quixote said with a mocking smile.

"At that school, a female student once went to Shippo Gym as an exchange student, intending to hone her Normal-type Pokémon's battle skills there. However, later, due to the gym's own crisis, the exchange program was canceled, and the female student naturally returned to her original school. Interestingly, this student seemed to have had some interaction with the Dark-type Elite Four member during her trip. After returning to high school, she heard rumors that the latter had betrayed the League, and immediately spoke out in his defense. As a result, she was ostracized by her classmates, which reportedly led to a regrettable bullying incident. As for me, I just inadvertently let this rumor reach the Pokémon Center nearby."

Upon hearing the news, Lianmeng's Yueju Tiantu immediately grabbed his teammate Lianwu and excitedly headed to Fukiyori High School.

The mastermind shook his head in front of the lone patient, adding with schadenfreude.

"I see. To completely shatter the rumors, we can only bring Lian Wu, who is now almost a symbol of the alliance. He actually took the evil king's kindness as a weakness and attacked it. He truly deserves to be called the conspirator who instigated the robbery in Flying Cloud City."

The sage remained noncommittal to the detective's explanation, merely gesturing with his hand holding the dagger and wearing a ring, and offered a scathing comment: "Utterly foolish. The thought of Vio being defeated by such a character makes me feel sorry for this friend."

"Leaving aside the topic of our current situation, may I ask you a question, Mr. Quixote?" Hugo asked.

"Please speak. Considering the 'sleeping powder' I sprinkled in the hospital break room pillowcase, we both have plenty of time. Before sunset, we can leisurely discuss the various aspects of our cooperation."

"No, that's not what I wanted to ask. It's about your ring."

"Oh?" Quixote raised one eyebrow. "According to my past investigations, cough cough, before you unearthed the treasure of the underwater ruins, the Harmonia family was in a rather undignified state of decline for a noble family. However, you previously said that this gold ring of yours is a family heirloom passed down through generations, which I find somewhat puzzling."

"Heh, is that a contradiction? If you possess a miraculous item that allows you to become invisible at will, why have you fallen into mediocrity? Could it be because you consider yourself superior and disdain using the ring for profit?"

The descendant of royalty asked a sarcastic question, without offering any explanation.

"No," Hugo said.

"Even if a generation might not wear rings for this reason, their descendants might not follow their elders' teachings when faced with the temptation of inheriting an estate. I think it's more likely due to some kind of coercive reason."

Moreover, a family so noble as to abandon wealth for honor could never raise a descendant like Quixote, a being who is a collection of lust for power—Hugo did not elaborate on this point.

"Oh, so what is your opinion, Detective?"

Quixote examined the ring on his left knuckle and cautiously, slowly asked,

"Let me think...cough cough cough...what kind of environmental conditions did the Harmonia family possess since the ancient kingdom era?"

It slowly disappeared in modern times, but it was regained in your generation, Mr. Quixote?

Hugo noticed a fleeting flash of anger on Quixote's face, and his grip on the dagger tightened. Clearly, the truth he was about to reveal was something even this habitually stoic and ambitious man couldn't tolerate. This further solidified his belief in his own answer.

"Bloodline".

Before the robed sage could respond, the frail detective, forcing himself to sit up, began to answer in a dry voice, "This ring in your hand can only be used by a pure heir of the Halmenia royal bloodline. And this bloodline..."

Over the long course of history, it has been gradually diluted for various reasons. Therefore, in order to counter this almost irreversible historical trend, or simply to maintain the crumbling dignity inherited from their ancestors—the family was on the verge of decline and had no choice but to take a desperate gamble—the Harmenia royal family ultimately chose an extreme approach that seems illogical today.

"Nonsense, enough already."

The words that reached his ears sounded like harsh "metallic sounds." Quixote waved his magnificent sleeves and growled from the depths of his throat, trying to interrupt Hugo's well-organized narration.

But the detective ignored the "marriage between close relatives" argument.

Hugo raised his voice, drowning out the sage's clamor, and weakly raised his index finger from his sickbed.

"Generally speaking, according to modern scientific knowledge, couples with close blood ties and higher genetic similarity are more likely to have children with birth defects. However, in order to restore the ancient relic and revive the noble bloodline of the ancient royal family, the Harmenia family began a practice of inbreeding generation after generation. Distant relatives were incorporated into the main family, cousins ​​married their sisters, nephews married their nieces, and even more unbearable pairings were arranged—such distorted marriages continued to play out in the final years of the ancient royal family until your bloodline finally reached the standard recognized by the ring, only then was the bloodline of the ancient kingdom able to be revived... cough cough cough..."

The coughing finally interrupted the detective's explanation. When he looked up, he saw only Quixote's angry red eyes.

Hugo ignored the knife the other man had already raised and continued calmly.

"After deducing the above information, many previously unresolved mysteries have been answered logically. For example, why did you use such a contemptuous tone when you mentioned the ring; why did you only use your left hand to threaten me from beginning to end; why did you wear an eyepatch over your right eye; and finally, why did Mr. Quixote, a direct descendant of the ancient kingdom, choose N, an adopted son with no blood relation, as the successor of the cult—the reason for this is that you, the heir of royal blood, are also a victim deeply bound by bloodline. You are ambitious, yet you utterly loathe the blood flowing through your veins, which is why you aspire to become the puppeteer who manipulates everything from behind the scenes of the world."

The detective's reasoning ended there, but the unspoken truth was even more ironic—even the purest Halmenian bloodline of Ghetsis still needed to install an adopted son with no blood relation as the puppet emperor of the new era.

Doesn't this illustrate that the result of the family's centuries-long twists and tribulations is merely a ring that makes a person invisible?

The glory of the ancient kingdom, whether black lightning or white flames, did not reappear in the world because of the arrival of the person with the bloodline. In this sacrificial ceremony, he, Quichis, was just a wasted offering, not even qualified to become a puppet.

Driven to the brink of rage, Quixote suddenly calmed down. He looked at the detective. "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now?"

"What will happen to the world after I am killed? I'm sure you've already considered that before you stepped into this room. If you weigh your momentary anger against the losses and costs of a broken negotiation on the two sides of a scale, I think you can tell the difference between what's important and what's not."

"Moreover, one..."

The detective raised a second finger, but his words were weak and feeble.

"When it comes to the ability to vanish into thin air in a locked room, I'm not so badly inferior as to a pathetic fellow who's paralyzed in his right hand and has atrophied optic nerve in his right eye due to a genetic disease—"

Before the words had even finished, or rather, before the intermittent speech was even complete, the detective suddenly lifted the white sheet from the hospital bed and flung it into the air, covering Quixote's face, which was covered by a single red eye patch.

In the sudden darkness, the mastermind known throughout Unova as Team Plasma's top sage, hailed by the underworld as the "Foolish Carnival," struggled to wave his left arm, only to hear the hoarse yet condescending voice of Unova's new champion: "Within a month, I will give you my final answer regarding the cooperation. Until then, I allow you to send one of your subordinates to monitor my actions."

As the white curtain fell, the ward was empty except for Quixote.

Neither the door nor the windows made any sound of unlocking, and they remained locked from the inside. The space under the bed, the wardrobe, and all other possible hiding places were completely empty, and there were no blind spots in the room.

The ailing detective vanished from the locked room without a trace, like smoke or as if he had used an invisibility ring.