Battle Chateau.
In the afternoon, Elite Four Siebold proactively contacted Li Wei.
As per their agreement, he was to bring Li Wei to the Battle Chateau, acting as Li Wei's guide.
"We've arrived."
Riding on Metagross, Li Wei and Elite Four Siebold successfully reached the location.
Siebold's Pokemon for transportation was a Pelipper.
This was a magnificent castle, classic in style yet not lacking in grandeur.
This castle had a long history and was well-known.
Inscribed on the bronze gate were the words, "Battle Chateau, prove your might with your noble rank."
This clearly showed the castle's style.
The Battle Chateau was equivalent to the Battle Frontier in Hoenn and Sinnoh, and battle facilities like the Battle Subway in Unova.
It was a battle facility with distinct regional characteristics.
Another significant difference was that, due to its wealth, the Battle Chateau offered truly generous rewards.
Priceless Pokemonites could be obtained by becoming a Duke here.
Of course, whether it was truly a Lucarionite…
It was actually just Steven's guess; even Elite Four Siebold hadn't paid attention to it.
Everything would have to wait for Li Wei to explore.
At this moment, there were many people coming and going.
But this was just the prelude.
Inside this Battle Chateau, Trainers seeking opponents were everywhere.
Siebold changed into new clothes, donning the Red cape of a Battle Duke.
Conversely, it was here that Li Wei felt Siebold resembled a true Trainer or Elite more than a chef.
The promotion system of the Battle Chateau, from highest to lowest, was: Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron.
The corresponding cape colors were Red, yellow, green, blue, and white.
Above these were the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Battle…
Their corresponding cape color was purple.
Regarding these names and colors, Li Wei chose not to complain.
After all, Li Wei was going to participate.
Li Wei, possessing an invitation letter, automatically became a Count.
Upon presenting the gilded invitation, Li Wei immediately received enthusiastic hospitality from the attendant.
Following closely was the manager of the Battle Chateau—Yi Kong.
"Duke Siebold."
Although Siebold was more famous for his identity as a Water-type Elite and a top chef, in the Battle Chateau, he was addressed by his noble title.
"Count Li Wei."
Wearing a monocle and a suit, the somewhat elderly Yi Kong invited Siebold and Li Wei inside.
Since it was Li Wei's first visit, Siebold was also introducing the Battle Chateau to Li Wei.
"Battles at the Battle Chateau emphasize etiquette, adhering to chivalric manners; it is an elegant form of combat."
Elegant?
Lucario expressed great interest.
Chivalric manners?
Duck Duck, inside a Luxury Ball, was also very interested.
Duck Duck, who wanted to become an angel, knew that knightly virtues were also very important.
At Lucario's suggestion, Duck Duck was currently studying the spirit of chivalry.
"Normally, if you hadn't participated in the Battle Chateau at all, you would have to start from the initial battle, meaning from Trainers without a noble rank."
"But having an invitation letter makes it different."
Yi Kong added, "Yes, you possess a special invitation letter, so you directly become a Count. You can choose to battle with other Counts…"
Siebold and Yi Kong first led Li Wei to exchange the invitation letter for a Count's cape.
The cape was green…
This wasn't important, because Li Wei would soon challenge.
And even with a green cape, Li Wei's good looks still allowed him to pull it off.
Facing the mirror, Li Wei took a photo and uploaded it to the group chat.
A Jin: "Wow! What an ugly cape! I would never wear it!"
Kona: "I have to admit, as long as you have good looks, you can even pull off a green cape."
Red: "Are you challenging the Battle Chateau? I haven't tried it yet."
Qinglv: "My advice is… don't go; it's pointless for you."
Lance: "Exactly, if you go challenge the Battle Chateau, you'd just be purely fishing…"
Li Wei put away his phone, because Siebold and Yi Kong started explaining again.
"Only Barons and above have capes, and the cape colors vary for different ranks."
Siebold's cape was covered in medals, which were proof of his battle victories.
"At the Battle Chateau, you need to wear your cape so you can find opponents of the same rank."
However, given Li Wei's fame and Elite Four Siebold being by his side, it was highly unlikely anyone would seek to battle Li Wei.
Li Wei and Siebold's arrival attracted considerable attention.
"Duke Siebold."
There was also a group of people observing this new Count, who seemed unfamiliar yet somewhat recognizable.
Li Wei's attention, however, was more drawn to a man hanging on a rock-climbing wall.
He was suspended on the rock face with only one hand, and he also looked down towards Li Wei's direction.
Li Wei immediately recognized this dark-skinned young man: Cyllage City's Rock-type Gym Leader, Grant.
Li Wei had happened to watch his battle, where he fought against Brock.
His strength still couldn't compare to a full-power Brock.
This was also related to the Kalos region's Gym Leaders not taking their duties seriously.
This person, rather than being a Gym Leader, was more like a rock-climbing Gym Leader…
Soon, someone recognized Li Wei,
"I know who he is! Li Wei from the Sinnoh region!"
"Now that you mention it… it really is him. How did he end up here? And with Duke Siebold."
"Shouldn't you be paying attention to the cape? That's a Count's cape!"
"Why is my attention on the Shaymin in his arms?"
"Click!"
At this moment, a flash lit up.
From the direction of the flash, it was clearly taking a picture of Li Wei and Siebold.
They unconsciously looked in that direction.
It was a young woman wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, cargo pants, and medium-length golden hair, holding an SLR camera.
Siebold's face showed a hint of displeasure,
"Violet, taking photos of others without permission seems a bit rude, doesn't it?"
If it were just taking pictures of himself, Siebold wouldn't be angry.
But Violet took pictures without Li Wei's permission; what if Li Wei got angry?
Even though Li Wei had a good temper, this was the conclusion Siebold had drawn after their interaction yesterday.
But this still didn't change the fact that it was very rude.
Upon hearing Siebold's words, Li Wei also found it awkward to say anything more.
After all, Siebold himself had come out to reprimand her.
And Li Wei also remembered who she was: the Bug-type Gym Leader of Santalune City, Violet.
Her strength, however, was just average.
Like Grant, it was better to say she was a professional photographer.
Hearing Siebold's tone, Violet quickly reacted,
"I'm sorry, but the lighting and composition were just too beautiful, I couldn't help but take the picture."
Saying that, Violet showed Li Wei the photo she had just taken.
"If you don't like it, I can delete it immediately."
Although Violet felt it would be a great pity to delete it.
Li Wei shook his head, "It's fine, no need to delete it."
The interlude with Violet and Grant was nothing significant.
Li Wei looked at Yi Kong,
"Mr. Yi Kong, there should be Lucario's ite here, right?"