The Dawson family manor had been completely destroyed, but that was only on the surface. Their secret chamber was underground, and with the Dawson family's wealth, it was likely built to be very sturdy.
So, in all likelihood, it had not been destroyed in the earlier battle—even though the entire surface had turned to dust and the tremors had been immense.
"Steelix."
Julian sent out Steelix.
"Go down and find where the secret chamber is."
Steelix nodded and disappeared on the spot, leaving only a hole behind.
"Gen~"
Meanwhile, Gengar had devoured Eric's soul and obtained all of his memories.
"Any important information?" Julian asked.
"Gen~"
Gengar told Julian about the deal between Eric and Anglia.
Eric was not a high-ranking official of Drakoria. Although he held considerable status in Victoria, he had no access to the nation's core secrets. So even if he had wanted to sell out the country, he would not have been able to.
Anglia had supported Eric merely to plant a mole in Victoria.
However, what they hadn't expected was that Eric had been using them more—and had secretly broken through to the Champion level.
Before long, Steelix emerged from below, indicating that it had found the secret chamber.
"Take me there," Julian said.
Steelix nodded again.
Immediately, it released intense Ground-type energy, and the ground beneath Julian began to sink rapidly, changing direction as it descended.
After descending about 200 meters, Julian caught sight of the secret chamber.
It looked like a large, square box, already deformed but not broken.
"Meta!"
With a violent punch, Metagross forced open a hole in the chamber, and Julian stepped inside.
Under his Probing Eyes, every treasure inside the chamber came clearly into view. Of course, there weren't only treasures—there were also some antique calligraphy and paintings, and even a few ancient stone tablets.
However, the Unown within Julian showed no reaction, meaning that these stone tablets contained no hidden Unown.
Speaking of the stone tablets, the one he had bought at the auction was still sitting in his hotel room, with the Unown inside still untouched. At the time, Julian had been using the Ultimate treasure, the Heart's Tear, on Lucario and had accidentally completed a hidden task, which made him forget about the tablet afterward.
Even the Unown inside him hadn't reminded him.
[Golden Armor: Defense increased by 50%, grants one immunity to a lethal attack (usable by Steel- and Rock-type Pokémon).]
[Note: Metagross's defense has already surpassed the enhancement limit of the Golden Armor.]
There were quite a few treasures, but only one of them was an Ultimate treasure. Since Eric hadn't used it, it was most likely because its type wasn't compatible with his Pokémon.
His primary type had been Normal-type, and his secondary had been Psychic-type.
Steelix stared intently at the Golden Armor, its instincts telling it that this was something truly good.
"This isn't suitable for you."
And just like that its trainer's words instantly shattered the idea that had just formed in Steelix's mind.
The most suitable candidates for the Golden Armor were undoubtedly Metagross and Aggron. Julian had initially been torn over which one to give it to.
But after seeing the note, there was no need to hesitate—he could directly give it to Aggron.
After all, Metagross's defense had already exceeded the enhancement range of the Golden Armor.
This was only natural. Metagross's shiny trait doubled its own defense, and coupled with all the excellent resources Julian had provided, it had now become absurdly powerful.
"Aggron," Julian released Aggron.
---
Pokémon: Aggron (Steel/Rock)
Level: 86
Potential: Blue
Ability: Heavy Metal
Held Item: Metal Coat
Gender: Male
Moves: Roar, Tackle, Harden, Headbutt, Protect, Iron Head, Metal Burst, Rock Tomb, Metal Claw, Earth Power, Take Down, Iron Defense, Double-Edge, Metal Sound, Autotomize
TMs: Earthquake, Sandstorm, Dig, Shock Wave, Rock Slide, Rock Smash, Water Pulse, Dragon Claw, Focus Punch, Iron Tail, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Stone Edge, Wide Guard, Reckless, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Sand Tomb, Bulldoze, Hydro Pump, Stomping Tantrum, Body Press, High Horsepower
Egg Moves: Stomp, Heavy Slam, Endeavor, Dragon Rush
Note: Has become a Totem Pokémon after absorbing the Soul of Totem.
Note: After absorbing the Blacklight Core, the Pokémon continuously absorbs sunlight to restore its stamina (limited to Steel- and Rock-types)
Note: Consumed Diamond Core, increasing the power of Rock and Ground-type moves by 20%.
---
Fortunately, this secret chamber had been built tall enough; otherwise, the seven-meter-tall Aggron wouldn't have fit inside.
Under Steelix's resentful gaze, Aggron swallowed the Golden Armor in one bite, then patted its belly in satisfaction.
Its level also increased from 86 to 87.
Julian didn't see the Red Orb here, but there was still a safe in front of him.
He glanced at Aggron, who immediately understood. It grabbed one of the safes and bit down hard. With a crunching sound, a hole appeared in the safe.
Julian wasn't worried that Aggron might crush the Red Orb. That item represented the First-class Legendary Groudon, and since Aggron wasn't even at the Champion level, there was no way it could shatter it.
As Aggron tilted the safe, its contents spilled out from the chewed opening.
Julian caught the Red Orb that had fallen out.
[Red Orb: Can be used to summon Groudon.]
[Note: This orb is currently in a dormant state and can be activated by dripping blood onto it (requires Champion-level strength).]
[Note: Within a certain range, even if the Red Orb is not activated, Groudon can still sense its location.]
It really was the Red Orb.
But the second note instantly made Julian's expression darken.
He had originally thought that once Eric died, the Red Orb would automatically deactivate, and without its tracking system, Groudon would be like a headless fly—essentially losing its target and going back to sleep.
Who would have thought that, within a certain range, Groudon could still sense the Red Orb even in its dormant state?
Given his rotten luck, it was entirely possible that Groudon was already within that sensing range right now.
Groudon: 'Congratulations, you guessed right.'
Considering how he had just killed its vessel—well, not exactly a vessel, more like a puppet—but regardless, he had done something that slapped Groudon in the face.
Wouldn't that guy come here to reclaim its dignity?
Julian suddenly felt a headache coming on.
Of course, he wasn't entirely sure whether Groudon was truly within the dormant Red Orb's sensing range.
Looking at Jirachi in his arms, Julian cautiously asked, "Jirachi, how close would Groudon have to be for you to sense it?"
First-class Legendaries could sense each other within a certain range.
"Within a thousand kilometers," Jirachi replied.
"If you sense it, tell me immediately," Julian said.
If the Red Orb was already within Groudon's sensing range, even fleeing with it now would be useless—Groudon would just take its anger out on Victoria.
He might as well wait and see—whether or not it was already within sensing range.
*****
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