"Candidates? Forget that—when is reinforcements arriving? I've already lost plenty of subordinates, and the situation is getting worse."
Albert let out a frustrated sigh. His organization's recent operations had been a complete mess. He had even blown up the entire shrine surrounding the Treasures of Ruin, and yet the core of the shrine remained untouched. The ancients' craftsmanship was downright cheating.
To make matters worse, the Paldea League had now placed his treasure-seeking group on their most-wanted list. Not only that, but they had dispatched three of the Elite Four after him.
Did they really have nothing better to do?
And to add insult to injury, one of the Elite Four was a kid—a Steel-type specialist who, instead of arresting him outright, had the audacity to lecture him on the proper way to raise Gholdengo!
"Heh, I recall someone being awfully confident at the start," the black-haired woman sneered. "Guess even ancient curses don't want anything to do with a worthless piece of trash like you."
"Tch. And you?" Albert shot back, clearly irritated. "Didn't see you accomplishing much either. Go ahead—keep putting on your little performance."
Out of everyone in the group, she annoyed him the most.
"Reinforcements will arrive within three days," the elder interrupted. "In the meantime, Albert, you will withdraw from Paldea. You have a new mission. A skilled hunter knows when to retreat."
"Hmph. I was already planning to leave this hellhole anyway. But at least tell me where I'm headed."
"Alola. The specifics will be relayed to you by the reinforcements."
The elder then turned to the black-haired woman. "Lily, how is the collection of Project Z progressing?"
"We've gathered about 20% so far," Lily answered. "Still no sign of the core."
"I see. Continue the steady collection. Now then—does anyone have recommendations for the vacant council seat?"
"I don't," the blond man replied. "I've been occupied with an interesting new project."
Everyone knew exactly what that "project" was.
Rocket Team's research data.
He had been the one to supply Jaxon with tracking and interference devices—it was all part of their private deal.
"I have no one to recommend either," the hooded man said curtly. He rarely spoke much to begin with.
"I do," the robed young man finally spoke, his tone measured. "Someone from Interpol's upper ranks."
He waved his hand, sending a file to each member.
As they scanned the contents, their reactions varied.
Some were ecstatic. Some were curious. Some were skeptical. And some simply didn't care.
"…Hoh. Now this is interesting," the elder chuckled.
"Then let's vote."
He was the first to raise his hand in approval.
Three days later, the entire Dawn Squad received a message.
The vacant seat in the Council of Five had been filled.
In Spikepoint Town, inside a small restaurant, Gideon sat at a table, carefully experimenting with Secret Recipe: Sour Seasoning.
With the intense summer heat, this particular seasoning could be used to make refreshing dishes to stimulate appetite.
At the other end of the table, Ogerpon happily munched on a pudding, while Rillaboom devoured a fruit sandwich, savoring the blend of fresh berries and warm, fragrant bread.
Summer watched them for a moment before turning to the elderly chef.
"Gideon, there's something I'd like to ask you."
The former Elite Four member was one of Galar's most experienced trainers—if anyone knew about the Dragon Emperor, it would be him.
"Hmm? What's the question? Battling? Pokémon care? Or maybe cooking?" Gideon grinned. "I can only guarantee answers for the last one."
"Do you know anything about Dragon Emperor Howard?"
The chef burst into laughter. "Know him? Ha! How could I forget a guy like that? He always had that strict and serious look, but in reality? Completely ridiculous."
"But why ask about him, Summer? That guy retired from the Elite Four ages ago. Dumped his Gym onto the League and vanished. No one's heard from him in thirty years."
Summer was taken aback. "He was part of Galar's Elite Four?"
"That's right. Back then, it was me, Howard, Opal, and Mustard. Though Mustard was always the Champion—that guy was a monster. I hear he runs a dojo on the Isle of Armor now."
Gideon reminisced for a moment, then turned a curious gaze toward Summer.
That look on his face… No. It couldn't be.
If my hunch is correct, then what is he doing in a place like this?
Summer pressed on. "Gideon, does he have any living relatives?"
"Probably. But I wouldn't know where to find them. The Howard family is one of Galar's oldest bloodlines—they existed even before the founding of Galar's kingdom."
"They're incredibly secretive. Even their residence is a mystery. Unless they reach out to you, you'll never find them."
"…Though, come to think of it, the Howard family crest is a horse."
Summer raised an eyebrow. "A horse? As in… a Pokémon?"
His mind immediately ran through all horse-like Pokémon.
Rapidash, Mudsdale… Even the Galarian forms of Ponyta and Rapidash. But none of them fit the image of an ancient noble crest.
He had assumed that a Dragon Emperor's family would have a dragon as their symbol, not a horse.
Gideon scratched his chin. "Not sure if it's a Pokémon. I've never seen one like it before. The crest's horse has a helmet on its head, flowing ghostly mane, armored front legs, and…"
He frowned.
"…The hind legs are detached from the hooves."
Something about the design had always bothered him. It looked like someone had tried to combine two different creatures into one. As someone who valued straightforward simplicity, Gideon found the crest's design infuriating.
Summer repeated the description under his breath.
"Armored head… flowing mane… separated hooves…"
Wait.
His eyes widened.
If the armor was made of ice, then… wasn't that Glastrier?
And if the ghostly mane and detached hooves were taken into account… that would mean Spectrier.
These two Pokémon were considered Galar's strongest equine Pokémon—it would make perfect sense for a noble house to use them as their crest.
But that also meant…
The Howard family was likely connected to their king.
The ancient ruler of the Crown Tundra—Calyrex.
But that couldn't be right. If that was true, then why had Calyrex vanished along with its lost faith?
Had the Howard family also forgotten their connection to it over time?
Gideon's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Something wrong, Summer?"
"…No, it's nothing. Thank you for the information, Gideon."
"Hm? Well, if it helps, then great."
The elderly chef waved him off and returned to his sour seasoning experiment.
Summer leaned back in his seat, deep in thought.
Dragon Emperor Howard… The truth behind him is getting more mysterious by the minute.
Looks like he would have to travel to the Crown Tundra to find answers.
(End of Chapter)