"I'll inform Chairman Logi myself." Lance's steps paused only briefly before he answered with cold resolve. As for those councilors—if they dared to speak against him, he wouldn't mind teaching them a painful lesson.
"You're going to Unova… to seek a legendary, aren't you?"
"…Yes."
"In that case, I'll send you Zekrom's data."
Agatha lowered her head once more, her attention returning to the Arbok she was gently stroking and teasing. She had already learned about the events in Celadon City from Lorelei's own mouth.
Lance had lost. He had lost to his cousin, and more importantly, lost to a legendary dragon.
Given Lance's personality, Agatha was not surprised in the slightest that he would pursue a legendary dragon Pokémon. After all, he had always been such a proud, ambitious man, the kind who naturally sought after what others deemed impossible.
Agatha herself had spent decades within the League, her connections vast and her resources deep. If she wished, she could even reach out to her acquaintances in Unova and obtain detailed information about the Black Dragon.
In this way, at the very least, Lance would not have to wander around like a headless fly, blind and directionless.
------------------
The next day, the small street of Rota—a settlement nestled within the mountains located north of Pewter City and Mt. Moon.
It was here that Lucas and his two companions had arrived.
Originally, Lucas had already been preparing to set out for the Hoenn Region. But while poring over Hoenn's records the previous night, he stumbled upon a startling discovery: no matter how thoroughly he searched, there was no sign of any place called Cameran Palace.
After digging deeper, he finally realized the truth: Cameran Palace was not in Hoenn at all—it was right here in Kanto!
It had been a mistake born of overthinking. When the Lucario and the Mystery of Mew movie was released, Ash's companions at that time were May and Max. This had caused Lucas to unconsciously associate the location with the Hoenn Region.
Furthermore, the guardians of the Tree of Beginning were the three legendary titans—Regirock, Registeel, and Regice.
In his past life, Lucas had never bothered to double-check such details. He had simply assumed that Cameran Palace was in Hoenn.
It turned out he had been mistaken.
And yet, in hindsight, it wasn't really strange at all.
After his travels in Hoenn, Ash did indeed return to Kanto to challenge the Battle Frontier. At the same time, May had come along to participate in the newly emerging Kanto Contest circuit…
"I really thought we were going to Hoenn for a trip… I even bought the plane tickets already."
On the bustling street of Rota, Green pouted, glancing at the lively surroundings. Yesterday, when Lucas had said they would be heading to Hoenn, she had been genuinely delighted.
She wasn't that old yet, and a completely new region like Hoenn held tremendous appeal to a young girl. It was supposed to be exciting, a rare chance to explore something unfamiliar.
But then, after buying the tickets, they awoke today only for Lucas to say that the plan was canceled.
"Hoenn will always be there. We can go anytime. I came here because I have business to take care of."
Lucas shook his head, a little embarrassed, though not particularly troubled.
So long as he could find the Tree of Beginning, everything else was secondary.
Even so…
Lucas's gaze flickered as it settled upon the magnificent structure not far ahead: the castle of Cameran Palace.
If the Tree of Beginning was truly located in Kanto, then could it be possible that the Mew of Kanto was actually the very same Mew tied to the Tree?
But according to the movie, Mew of the Tree could only leave for short periods, since its life was bound to the Tree itself.
Or perhaps, in reality, Mew was not limited by the Tree at all—perhaps it was free to wander as it pleased.
Or… was it possible there were two different Mews?
Previously, Lucas had leaned toward that explanation—one in Kanto, and another tied to the Tree in Hoenn.
But now that the Tree was in Kanto… things were far less certain.
"Lucas, what exactly are we doing here?"
Marnie tilted her head curiously, glancing at him. She, too, felt some disappointment at not being able to go to Hoenn, but it wasn't such a big deal.
Lucas wasn't wrong: Hoenn wasn't going anywhere. They could always go there later for sightseeing after finishing their business here.
"This place, Cameran Palace, is the royal castle of a small kingdom left behind from over a thousand years ago. Long ago, a rather famous hero appeared here."
"A hero?" Marnie perked up slightly. That word alone carried a special weight.
"Yes. A hero of aura, to be precise. His name was Sir Aaron. He was once the champion of Rota, a man born with an incredibly powerful connection to aura. Using that aura, Aaron devoted his life to quelling wars. People of his era honored him, giving him the title: 'The Aura Guardian.'"
As Lucas recalled the details of Aaron's story, he couldn't help but reflect on how legendary the man had been in his own right.
Aaron's mastery of aura had made him something like a half-supernatural being, his powers of perception even greater than those of his own disciple, Lucario.
Not that Lucas was particularly surprised. This world was strange and full of mysteries. Still, even with all of Aaron's talent, he was only human—and not on the same level as Pokémon.
In comparison, the old man from the Hoopa movie was outright absurd.
That man had received only a fragment of Arceus's power, and yet with it he could nurture seeds to instant growth, bend reality with his mind, and even forge the Sealing Vessels that could contain or release Hoopa.
Yes, that Hoopa—the one who wielded golden rings of space, who effortlessly overwhelmed even Kyogre and Groudon, who stood toe-to-toe against Reshiram, Zekrom, and Regigigas.
To think a mere human could do such things… That man was the very definition of "hacked."
By comparison, Aaron's feats seemed rather modest.
"The Aura Guardian… I've never heard of him," Marnie murmured, tapping her chin. Though she was originally from Galar, ever since arriving in Kanto she had been studying Kanto's lore obsessively.
But she had never once come across mention of such a hero.
"Neither have I," Green added, shrugging.
"That's normal," Lucas explained calmly. "He was never some grand savior of continents. He was respected here, yes, but ultimately, he was just a man of local renown. A thousand years have passed since then—by now, only the people of this town still remember his story."
Indeed, Aaron was not especially famous. He had been a man who strove to end a war in a small, forgotten kingdom. Compared with other legendary heroes—like the twin champions of Galar, or the titanic conflict between the Dragon of Truth and the Dragon of Ideals—Aaron's tale was much smaller in scope, lacking ties to the great legendary Pokémon.
The only reason his name still survived was because the queen of Cameran Palace still organized annual festivals in his honor, complete with royal balls. The victor of the festival's battles would even be symbolically given the title of "Aura Guardian."
Many towns had similar traditions to preserve memory of their ancient glories, such as the Whirl Cup at the Whirl Islands, or the rites of Shamouti Island.
They served as ways for modern people to remember the culture and heroes of the past.
"But what does this have to do with why we're here? Weren't you looking for Mew?" Green asked skeptically. The story of the aura hero didn't interest her much—it wasn't like he was tied to a legendary Pokémon.
"To prevent war, Aaron once personally journeyed to the Tree of Beginning to beg for its intervention. And the Tree of Beginning, as you know, is the dwelling place of Mew."
Lucas's eyes gleamed as he spoke openly, making no attempt to hide his purpose.
"However, the precise location and whereabouts of the Tree… those should be known by the Queen of Cameran Palace."
That was why Lucas had come to Rota—to question the queen herself about the Tree's location.
Even though the Tree's enormous form should have made it impossible to miss, Lucas had checked the maps thoroughly. Not a single one showed any place called the Tree of Beginning.
In the movie, it had been Lucario who led Ash and his friends to the Tree. Perhaps the Tree possessed some special power that concealed its very existence.
Otherwise, with its sheer size and unique nature, it would have been impossible for it to remain undiscovered for so long.
"I see…" Marnie and Green exchanged a glance. Another secret, another hidden legend—how exactly did Lucas know so much about things no one else seemed to?
And the "Tree of Beginning"… even the name alone sounded lofty and awe-inspiring.
-----------------------
The three of them continued on, soon reaching the heart of Rota, where Cameran Palace stood proudly.
Lucas stepped forward, spoke briefly with the guards, and handed over the visiting letter he had prepared in advance.
Although today the so-called "queen" was a queen in name only—merely a noble of local authority—the formality of her station still had to be respected.
"How grand…"
Green muttered as the guards admitted them inside. The palace interior was as lavish as it was imposing. She could not help but sigh—some people, by birth alone, lived such lives of splendor, while others worked themselves to death merely to survive.
If given the choice, who would not wish to live like a prince or princess in a palace?
At last, they arrived at the main hall. Upon the throne sat Queen Ilene of Cameran, holding a scepter in her delicate hand.
She wore a magnificent pink gown, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall down her shoulders. A crown rested upon her head, her face refined and flawless.
Her very bearing radiated gentleness, elegance, and dignity—truly a beauty rare to encounter.
"It is an honor to meet you, Queen Ilene."
Lucas gave her a proper noble's bow, every movement precise and refined.
"There is no need for formality. Noble guest of the Blackthorn clan, you are most welcome in Cameran Palace." Ilene smiled warmly, her manner kind and soft.
Though she still held the title of queen, it was a title bound only to this small territory. Beyond Rota, she was just another graceful woman. But the Blackthorn clan was different.
The Blackthorn were one of the great noble houses of Johto's Blackthorn City, and the Champion of Kanto's Elite Four, Lance, was part of that bloodline.
It was only natural that she would treat Lucas with the respect he was due, and besides, she was gentle and kind by nature.
"What brings the three of you here today?"
Ilene tilted her head slightly, her curiosity sincere. Cameran Palace had long since faded into obscurity—why would a scion of the Blackthorn clan come here of all places?
"I have always held a fascination for the relics of history scattered across the regions, and so I spend much of my time traveling in search of them," Lucas answered smoothly.
"Then surely you must have seen countless wonders," Ilene said with a faint, admiring smile. She herself had been born and raised within Cameran Palace, trained from childhood in royal etiquette. Though her status was exalted, her world had been painfully narrow.
She was only a little past twenty, yet she could count the times she had seen the outside world on one hand. And she knew that her future, too, was already sealed—likely destined for a political marriage, her choices made for her by her birth.
A quiet sigh welled up in her heart. Privilege freed her from worry, but it also bound her life in iron chains.
"Yes. The world's wonders are inexhaustible. Even though I have traveled widely, there is still so much left to discover. That is why I am here now as well, Your Majesty. I have a particular question I wish to seek your guidance on."
Lucas's tone was calm, polite, every word steeped in composure. He bowed once more, his excellent upbringing on full display.
"If there is something I can help with, please do not hesitate," Ilene replied softly. This handsome young noble from the Blackthorn clan had already left her with a favorable impression. His temperament, his speech, his courtesy—all far surpassed those of the nobles she usually dealt with.
"Perhaps I cannot be of aid in other matters, but within Rota and its surroundings, there is no one who knows more than I," she declared with rare confidence.
Yes, Cameran's power had waned over a thousand years, but here, in this land, her knowledge was unmatched.
"Then allow me to thank you in advance, Your Majesty. What I wish to ask is… the location of the legendary Tree of Beginning."
Lucas's smile widened slightly as he finally spoke the question that weighed on his heart.
At his words, Ilene visibly froze, as did the maid standing beside her.
"Your Majesty… is it inconvenient to reveal such a thing?" Lucas arched a brow slightly as he noticed the hesitation on her face.
"This… may I be so bold as to ask why it is that you seek the Tree of Beginning?" Ilene asked carefully after a pause.
She did not deny that she knew its whereabouts—after all, Lucas's very presence here proved he already understood something of the Tree.
"There is no need for secrecy. I have always been curious about ruins and hidden places. I happened to come across some mention of the Tree in an ancient document, and so I wished to visit it for myself."
Lucas's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, though his outward expression remained warm and cordial.
Why did it feel like she was reluctant to tell him?
That made no sense. In the movie, Ilene had readily guided Ash and even entrusted Lucario to lead him to the Tree.
(End of Chapter)