This mature woman's attire was somewhat like that of an urban white-collar worker. Wearing glasses, she was tall and slender, exceptionally voluptuous and alluring.
However, Riku didn't have the mood to size up the mature woman at this moment. The three birds and Groudon calling him a pervert was a huge slander. For such a mature and alluring woman, a real pervert would have already pounced. Would they still be thinking about getting back a gem first?
Moreover, Riku could tell that the one who had just made a move was definitely the mature woman's Pokémon. It was a humanoid Pokémon, looking somewhat like a noble yet simple-minded matron, just a bit ugly. It wore a long red dress that covered its feet, had white arms and purple hands, and especially those pink thick lips were particularly eye-catching.
Being able to "telekinetically" snatch the sapphire from Lapras's mouth, this was definitely a Psychic-type Pokémon. Riku even felt that this Psychic-type Pokémon was not much weaker than Gardevoir.
Riku frowned tightly, his tone icy.
"Madam, may I ask what you mean by this? Why did you take my gem?"
The mature woman played with the sapphire in her hand, slightly raising her head.
"Does it have your name written on it? You say it's yours, what's your proof?"
"Besides, I clearly saw Lapras retrieve the gem from the lake..."
"That's right," Riku interrupted.
"Lapras is my Pokémon. What's the difference between you snatching its gem and snatching mine?"
The mature woman was taken aback.
"You said Lapras is your Pokémon?"
"As far as I know, the Lapras on this uninhabited island is a wild Pokémon. I originally planned to come and catch it..."
"I didn't expect you to have already caught it!"
The mature woman seemed very experienced. Under Riku's reminder, she quickly realized that Riku wasn't lying.
"Young man, I really can't tell that you're such a powerful Pokémon Trainer." The mature woman looked at Riku with newfound respect.
"This Lapras is quite strong. Even catching it would have taken me quite a bit of time."
"I didn't expect that after going out for a while, you would have beaten me to it."
Riku ignored her and asked instead,
"Madam, are you a Pokémon Trainer from the Orange League? Why have I never seen you before?"
Perhaps out of respect for strength, the mature woman was quite polite this time.
"No."
"My name is Lorelei, one of the former Elite Four of the Kanto League."
Riku was stunned.
"The Kanto League... I seem to have vaguely heard of it, but what does Elite Four mean?"
"Singers?"
"There used to be a Four elites in my hometown, they were really famous all over..."
"I've already told you my name, and you still don't recognize me?" Lorelei interrupted.
"According to common sense, any Pokémon Trainer with a bit of experience should have heard my name."
"Are the Elite Four very powerful?" Riku asked doubtfully.
And these words, when Lorelei heard them, sounded a bit provocative.
Coincidentally, Lapras also sensed that Lorelei had bad intentions and came to Riku's side angrily. Its hard-earned gem had been snatched away. Lapras was furious, just waiting for Riku's order, and it would not hesitate to risk its life.
Anyway, no matter how strong the woman in front of it was, she wouldn't be a match for Riku. Even powerful beings like the three legendary birds and the Lord of the Land had to lower their noble heads in front of their master.
The Elite Four? What were they?
Since being brought back to the small island by Riku, Lapras had grown a lot in both its horizons and its courage. Pokémon that used to seem extremely powerful in its eyes now seemed nothing special.
Riku pondered for a moment and said,
"Madam Lorelei, please return the gem. I don't want to make things so awkward for everyone."
Lorelei smiled.
"Actually, I have no interest in the gem at all. I'm just a bit curious about you, young man."
Riku shook his head.
"It's impossible for a woman to have no interest in gems, especially a woman of Madam Lorelei's age..."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Lorelei said angrily.
"What do you mean 'woman of age'? I'm only in my early thirties! It's the most beautiful and delicious golden age for a woman!"
"Want the gem back?"
"Fine!"
"Have a Pokémon battle with me. If you lose, I don't want anything from you, just an apology will do!"
"You still want me to apologize?" Riku frowned slightly. Even though he knew Lorelei's Pokémon were at least Champion-level, he still nodded in agreement.
"Since Madam Lorelei wants to battle, I'll accompany you to the end."
Saying that, Riku looked at the Pokémon beside Lorelei.
It was a Jynx, one of Lorelei's signature Pokémon. Being stared at by Riku, Jynx, who had long since sensed Riku's terrifying aura and was trembling all over, immediately anxiously tugged at Lorelei's sleeve.
"Jynx, what's wrong?" Lorelei asked in surprise.
"La-zi-zi, la, zi-zi." Jynx shook its head desperately, its expression panicked and frightened.
"Are you not feeling well?" Lorelei frowned.
"How about this, you go back to your Poké Ball and rest first."
Saying that, Lorelei quickly recalled Jynx and then threw out another Poké Ball.
"Come on out, Slowbro!"
Thump
A dull-witted Pokémon with a huge spiral-shaped shell on its tail popped out of the Poké Ball.
Riku had never seen this kind of Pokémon before. Even though it didn't look like it could fight at all, he still became vigilant.
"Waa waa waa—" However, when Slowbro discovered that its enemy was the terrifying man in front of it, it suddenly cried out frantically in panic.
Its meaning was clear: it wanted Lorelei to recall it to its Poké Ball.
Lorelei had been a Pokémon Trainer for nearly twenty years, and this was the first time she had encountered such a situation.
According to common sense, she quickly ruled out Riku and stared intently at Lapras.
In Lorelei's opinion, only Lapras's rapid increase in strength could possibly cause this situation.
But soon, Lorelei felt it was impossible.
An ordinary Pokémon, no matter how much it improves by leaps and bounds, has its limits.
As one of the former Elite Four of the Kanto League, Lorelei's Pokémon were all top-notch even among Champion-level Pokémon. Even against Legendary Pokémon, Lorelei dared to go toe-to-toe...
Thinking about the Legendary Pokémon, Lorelei immediately asked,
"Young man, have you ever seen the three legendary birds of the Orange Archipelago?"
Riku frowned slightly.
"Why do you ask that? Don't even mention me, not many old-timers in the Orange Archipelago have seen the three legendary birds."
"Is that so?" Lorelei pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned to leave.
"Consider yourself lucky today. Next time, remember not to be so reckless."
"I have something else to do. I don't have time to play with you."
"Hey hey hey!" Riku hurriedly called out anxiously.
"Madam Lorelei, I have no objection to you leaving, but you have to return the sapphire!"
"You just said you had no interest in the gem. What's going on now?"
Lorelei turned around and angrily threw the sapphire over.
"With a straight man like you, I curse you to never get a girlfriend in your entire life!"
"Whatever!" Riku caught the gem and waved his hand dismissively.
"Anyway, there are plenty of girls who like me. I don't need Madam Lorelei to worry about that."
While responding, Riku was also complaining in his heart. This mature woman Lorelei, did she think he would be unable to move when he saw a woman?
It was their first meeting, and it was under such unpleasant circumstances.
If he could still willingly give away such a precious gem, then "simp" wouldn't even begin to describe it; he would at least be the king of simps.
I, Riku, will never be a simp!
---Support with power stones