LRAB Chapter 269 For a Glorious Decline
Chapter 269 For a Glorious Decline
"Champion Bamboo Orchid, that one-on-six match just now was absolutely amazing! Although I often see your matches on TV, watching it live up close is still the most breathtaking experience."
Just as she escaped the clutches of her research assistant Neil, Zhu Lan was immediately blocked at the door by the enthusiastic daughter of the curator.
"Especially Roserade's last move, I think it was called 'Falling Petals,' a Grass-type move? It was absolutely dazzling! Even the grand contests held in the city don't have such spectacular moves! Speaking of which, you also have a Milotic among your favorite Pokémon, right? Since your Pokémon are so skilled with flashy moves, why have you never participated in a grand contest as a Coordinator?"
"Well, I have actually attended as a guest a few times, but I am not very comfortable with that style of competition."
Cynthia used a Poké Ball to recall Roserade, then looked at the jubilant woman in front of her with a slight headache.
The search for the mansion in the forest this morning took longer than expected, and now, after this tutorial battle, it's already afternoon. She's a little worried about whether she can finish investigating the Forest Mansion today.
"How is that possible? With the strength of the Bamboo Orchid Champion, how could she not pass the Grand Contest selection?"
Miss Venetian stared wide-eyed with curiosity, seemingly completely unaware that she was standing between the Sinnoh champion and the mansion's gate.
After glancing at Officer Jenny, who was shrugging helplessly behind Winnie the Pooh, Zhu Lan sighed softly and patiently began to answer the questions.
"The Grand Contest is indeed a novel and interesting competitive mode. The fact that it has developed to the point where it can almost rival regular Pokémon battles shows its unique charm."
Looking up at the window of the Forest Mansion, the Sinnoh Champion noticed that Madonna and Zina, who had been watching the match, were no longer there. He then continued—
"If I prepare properly, I should be able to pass the selection process for the Grand Contests. Whether it's a solo performance or the later Grand Battles, it won't be a problem for me. The reason I don't do that is partly because, given my current status and strength, it would be too unfair for me to compete with ordinary Coordinators. And if I were to fight against those top Coordinators, even if I could quickly defeat them within the rules using my Pokémon's battle prowess, I wouldn't be able to maintain the aesthetics of my moves in the rush, and the final match presented to the audience wouldn't be very entertaining."
"Then why is it necessary to defeat the opponent quickly?"
Vinnie seemed to know something about the Grand Contest, tilting her head as she asked.
"In a normal, spectacular battle, shouldn't both sides tacitly leave enough opportunities for their Pokémon to fully display their most spectacular side?"
“That’s right, that’s the second reason why I don’t like participating in the Grand Contest.”
Zhu Lan casually stepped forward and patted the little girl's shoulder affectionately, catching Miss Winnie Xia off guard.
"Just like that previous coaching battle, if it were Champion Alder from the Unova region coaching you, he would probably deliberately have the Pokémon lower the power of their attacks by one level, so that the students could withstand a few more moves in the battle and gain more insights into the battle—but I can't do that. Once I see the weakness in the opponent's defense, I can't turn a blind eye; once I sense the flaw in the opponent's battle rhythm, I can't remain indifferent."
"Can't you... show mercy?"
"No, no, I can still restrain my power to avoid accidental injury. It's just that, how should I put it, I can't ignore those attack opportunities that are right in front of me."
The Sinnoh champion chuckled self-deprecatingly, but to Venusia, it sounded like the mockery of someone with absolute confidence.
In that instant of confusion, Winnie, guided by the actions of the Bamboo Orchid Champion, inadvertently cleared the path leading to the Forest Mansion.
At the same time, the champion, unwilling to miss the opportunity, stepped forward without hesitation, brushing past the owner's daughter, and turned around with a smile before standing in front of the gate—
"So, for this reason, call me cold-blooded, a warmonger, or a violent maniac, I personally don't really like the battle system of the Grand Contest. Perhaps elegance and glamour don't suit me. Neither I, nor Roserade, nor Milotic could possibly let the aesthetics of a move or any other reason cause me to miss the opportunity to defeat the enemy in one blow during the battle."
She suddenly recalled an experience from a past Grand Festival. At that time, through the introduction of Melissa, the Gym Leader of Homestead City, she had a Grand Battle exhibition match against a Coordinator from the Hoenn region. The battle was quite intense, and in the end, she defeated the Trainer's Water-type Pokémon using Roserade, sacrificing a large number of Grand Battle Points.
Cynthia still remembers the first thing that trainer said to her after the battle—
"If the colors of the petals released by Roserade's final move were distributed in a ratio of white, red, and blue of 7:2:1, the visual effect would be perfect."
Sigh... I really don't know what to say.
Everyone has their own beliefs and principles, and I am ultimately different from that kind of trainer. Compared to breathtaking flashiness, I prefer a simple and efficient way of battling. But perhaps for that person, power without flashiness is meaningless, and so-called strength is merely a byproduct of pursuing beauty. Which is better or worse, no one can decide, and no one else's judgment is needed.
Oh right, I think his name is Mikuri, and he's apparently the gym leader of a big city...
Collecting her thoughts, the champion of the Bamboo Orchids waved her hand again: "Let's go, Officer Jenny. Now is not the time to slack off and relax. Let's go investigate what's going on in the mansion. I'm still waiting to uncover the mythological relics."
"Don't rush me, I'm coming, I'm coming."
Officer Jenny put away her phone, which she seemed to be searching for something, and followed Venus past her, chasing after Orchid into the mansion, teasing her as they went—
"What warmonger and violent maniac? Nobody in the world would say that about you. Even Victor Hugo wouldn't dare to make such a joke."
Suddenly, Miss Officer Jenny seemed to think of something, paused, and then denied herself: "However, if it were your younger brother, he might roll his eyes behind your back and say that the word 'champion' carries more weight than all the words describing violence combined."
Perhaps to his detective brother, even this coveted "champion" title is nothing more than a feather in his eyes, utterly useless...
Thinking this to herself for no apparent reason, Zhu Lan ignored the policewoman's teasing and quickened her pace to enter the Forest Mansion.
Whether it was Orchid, who was interested in mythological relics, or Officer Jenny, who was investigating the history of the mansion, both planned to go to the basement first. They wanted to see what exactly the research that Professor Medan had been hiding for decades was all about.
What exactly is it that would warrant a decade of sponsorship from the CEO of Haiger Corporation? Why was this research kept secret and entrusted to his old classmate, Professor Mei Dan, to conduct alone? And why was Professor Mei Dan so confident that outsiders could not possibly discern the specifics of the research from the equipment and facilities alone?
At the same time, under the midday sun, a huge gray-brown silhouette appeared.
It was a gigantic bird that appeared to be assembled from metal, its sharp wings flapping and reflecting a blinding light. And beneath the two sharp claws of this metal bird, a magnificent and gleaming luxury car was clutched.
The third wave of guests at the Forest Mansion is about to arrive.