harleyscars Chapter 302 The Ring of Quixote
Chapter 302 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 eliminated as soon as possible. This is indeed a very persuasive opinion. However, considering your intelligence and the strange ability to automatically cause various accidents, I ultimately felt that such a approach was too hasty, so I 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 perceptive, but this trait of yours is something we already knew. If we weigh the negative impact of a failed assassination against your level of danger, I must say the former is far more serious—however, times have changed, and as a private detective, you should understand better than anyone how times change, don't you think?"
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, this is also an extremely simple line of reasoning. No one would do anything unnecessary without a reason, especially wise men like you and me. This sharp weapon in my hand is merely a tool to help you calm down and conduct negotiations quietly. In the end, 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 cause that wins people's hearts."
Quixote ignored Hugo's provocative retort and continued, raising his left hand that held the knife—
"With the help of the masses, even the weak will become strong; with the departure 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 diametrically opposed and contradictory cultures coexist in this region, maintaining a strange and delicate balance, much like the unique Pokémon ecosystem in the native world. As the saying goes, the more something is lacking, the more it is called for. It is precisely because Unova is such a world of conflict among peoples that it yearns for unity and solidarity."
Something's not right, something's very wrong.
While forcing himself 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. As long as this giant can be moved 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... It's just a means, and since it's a means—the more the better."
It turned out to be the case.
The detective understood.
"Isn't it more convenient to make an existing champion a puppet rather than to have a king you've groomed become the champion?"
Collaborators who have something to offer are easier to manipulate than puppets who have something to ask for.
"You're very smart. I enjoy talking to intelligent people."
The mastermind behind the scenes wore an unusually sincere smile. Beneath that smile, the red markings between the golden patterns of his robe resembled the crimson eyes of a three-headed dragon, ready to devour anyone who dared to approach.
"The previous holder of that title was too old and too stubborn. He couldn't understand the basic common sense of 'win-win cooperation' that forms the foundation of modern society, and he refused to negotiate or compromise. Despite accumulating popularity over decades, he allowed this power to remain inactive. However, power, once it slips from the hands of the holder, is quickly picked up by others. In a sense, the reason his Volcano died young, riddled with injuries, was precisely because of this former champion's policy of allowing the enemy to grow stronger."
"So it seems... cough cough... 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, prefer you, the 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, your championship victory, once made public, will inevitably be criticized—you should know this yourself, right? The hearts and minds of the people in the Unova region will never be aligned with a detective like you who is used to observing from the sidelines. Whether it's truth or ideals, black lightning or white flames, those transcendent powers can never be bestowed upon a trainer like you who even dims the Star of Victory."
"Admit it, you need us," Quixote said, walking toward the bedside with a voice as hollow as a dagger slicing through glass, leaving no room for argument.
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 attitude you'd use when asking someone for a favor."
Weakened all over, Hugo shook his head slightly and adopted a delaying tactic.
"I don't believe that brandishing a knife in front of a person with a cold and exposing their weaknesses will lead to any 'win-win' agreement. If this is how Group 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 should give up on 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 heirloom 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 seemingly insignificant function is..."
Quixote flicked the ring with his thumb, and the next moment—
There were no strange sounds or suspicious light effects; the only anomaly was...
Quixote's figure vanished 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 intelligence in front of you as my initial gesture of goodwill towards my collaborators."
From the void came the elusive voice of the mastermind behind the scenes, like an invisible person pacing in a hospital room, emitting sounds that seemed to be purely echoes. Even Hugo could not determine the speaker's exact location based on the volume of the sound—
"This is neither an optical camouflage created by technology, nor the invisibility ability of a superhuman. In front of you, I would never use Pokémon techniques to conceal myself. So this is a genuine miracle. It is by using this miracle that I have been able to obtain information without your knowledge, continuously recruit talent, and subtly instigate schemes, growing Team Plasma to its current size. It is also because of this that I was able to witness your spectacular duel with the former champion at such close range, and to swagger into this sealed room wearing 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. Lianwu 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 was Wanlong, who went to the hospital's rest room for a nap due to daily lack of sleep. She probably thinks that being on standby there at any time will ensure everything goes smoothly."
"Ahem, that's quite a brilliant 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 perfect condition 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 train 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... And I, I just inadvertently let this rumor reach the Pokémon Center nearby."
Upon hearing the news, the League's King of the Oranges grabbed his companion Lianwu and headed excitedly to Fukiyoshi High School—the mastermind behind the scenes shook his head in front of the lone patient, adding gloatingly.
"I see. To completely shatter the rumors, we can only bring Lian Wu, who is now practically the symbol of the alliance... cough cough cough... to actually exploit the evil-type king's kindness as a weakness. No wonder he is the schemer who instigated the robbery in Flying Cloud City."
The sage neither confirmed nor denied the detective's explanation, but merely waved his hand holding the dagger and wearing a ring, offering a scathing comment: "Utterly foolish. The thought that Vio was defeated by such a character makes me feel sorry for my 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 half an eyebrow.
“According to my past investigations, cough cough, before Your Excellency unearthed the treasure of the underwater ruins, the Harmenia family had been 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.”