Seeing Carl looking a bit down, she couldn't resist teasing him a little. However, just as she began to speak, he handed her a tea leaf, calling it a "hush fee." She found it a bit odd—was it really such a big deal just because Sabrina sat on him for a moment?
But after hearing Carl's explanation about the origin tea leaves, she quickly changed her mind. This treasure was indeed rare! After experiencing the tea's magical effects, she immediately agreed to keep it a secret. After all, she wasn't one to gossip, so keeping quiet wasn't difficult.
"Carl, do you have any more of that origin tea?" Cynthia suddenly interrupted Carl's thoughts.
"Do you want some?" Carl turned to look at the champion of the Elite Four.
"Isn't it obvious?" Cynthia replied bluntly. Such a top-tier treasure could become a strategic resource for her family, and since she'd come across it, she wanted to secure more.
She initially planned to buy a leaf from Caitlin to send to her grandfather to try. Once her family witnessed the tea's miraculous effects, they would naturally support her in acquiring more. Unfortunately, Caitlin mentioned her ten leaves were obtained over time, with the next one due in a month, and she needed to send some to her own family as well.
Two months was the soonest Caitlin could get more leaves; that wait was too long and fraught with uncertainties. Cynthia couldn't wait, so she came directly to Carl.
"Did Caitlin tell you? This tea only has the strongest effect with the first cup," Carl asked instead of answering directly.
Origin tea was indeed precious, but its most potent effect was only felt with the first sip, and subsequent effects diminished. For Carl, drinking it now was akin to meditating for ten days. It's beneficial, but requires consistent consumption to see results.
"I know, but I still want to buy some," Cynthia nodded; Caitlin certainly wouldn't hide this from her.
"What do you think is a fair price?" Carl inquired with interest. He wasn't too familiar with the high-end market, but Cynthia's family had extensive experience in this area.
"How much is the monthly production?" Cynthia asked in return.
"Ten leaves a month, though it might increase later," Carl downplayed a bit.
Cynthia suspected he was holding back, but didn't press further. She earnestly suggested, "I think in the early stages, you shouldn't sell the leaves, but rather the tea."
Carl immediately understood, "You mean focus on promoting the effect of the first cup at a high price, rather than aiming for volume?"
"Exactly. One leaf can brew ten pots. How much would you charge for each cup?"
"You're overthinking it. One leaf can indeed brew ten pots, but only the first pot has the best effect. Without drinking a full cup, it's hard to guarantee the effect."
Cynthia pondered while sipping her tea, tapping her fingers lightly on the table. "The tea's effect is indeed astonishing, but it has many limitations."
Carl leaned back in his chair, relaxed. "I can make around fifty cups a month, but I plan to keep it to about twenty cups."
"Twenty slots…" Cynthia's eyes lit up. "If managed well, each slot could fetch at least a billion. Considering the current market, channels for acquiring special abilities start at that price."
"Money doesn't mean much to me," Carl waved his hand dismissively. "I value other resources more."
Cynthia nodded knowingly, "Understood. We can use Pokémon eggs, evolution stones, and even MEGA stones in exchange."
"Sounds good," Carl agreed, pulling out five tea leaves and pushing them over to her. "This one's your reward. The first twenty cups from the remaining four leaves, I'll leave it to your family to auction. Any excess tea is yours to handle."
Cynthia accepted the tea leaves, a smile playing on her lips. "Deal! I just need a MEGA stone for Garchomp."
"No problem," Carl agreed readily. "If this collaboration goes well, you can handle future operations too."
Cynthia stood up immediately, already reaching for her communicator, "I'll arrange it right now." Her voice was brimming with barely-contained excitement.
As he watched Cynthia leave, Carl's earlier displeasure began to fade. He waved to Lusamine, "Shall we?"
"Are we heading out to find someone for me now?" Lusamine approached with her long legs.
"I promised you, didn't I? Of course, I'll follow through," Carl shrugged casually. "Didn't I say I'd help you as soon as I had the chance?"
"So, we're going to the Crown Tundra?" Lusamine's voice was filled with anticipation.
Instead of answering directly, Carl asked Groudon, "Can you take us to the Crown Tundra?"
"Sure," Groudon nodded.
Kyogre chimed in, "No, it's not the right time to open the Crown Tundra now."
Groudon hesitated. The legendary creatures had indeed agreed not to casually bring outsiders there. Was it worth the risk for an uncertain flying crystal?
"If I take you, will you give me the crystal?" Groudon asked Carl earnestly. Kyogre protested loudly.
Kyogre couldn't understand why Groudon wanted that crystal so badly. It couldn't even make him fly, so why was he being so unprincipled?
The Crown Tundra was in a special period. The King of Bountiful Harvests hadn't awoken yet, and everyone tacitly agreed to block access to the secret realm out of respect, hoping it would continue to bless the land once awakened.
Though unspoken, this was the legendary creatures' mutual understanding. If Groudon broke this agreement by taking a human there, the consequences could be catastrophic. Both Groudon and Kyogre would likely be pummeled by Rayquaza until they couldn't wake for a millennium.
"Stop yelling, I can hear you," Groudon snapped at Kyogre, continuing to focus on Carl. To Groudon, achieving the dream of flight after millions of years was far more enticing than the risk of a beating.
"But…" Kyogre tried to argue, but Carl interrupted by tossing a Kyogre plush to Lillie. "Here, you can dress her up nicely."
Lillie perked up immediately. She had already provoked Mew, so adding Kyogre to the mix wasn't a concern. With Carl around, she feared nothing. Giving a legendary creature a makeover? This challenge seemed too fun.
"No problem!" she agreed enthusiastically.
In her arms, the Mew plush's eyes darted around. If she could move, she'd be rolling with laughter. Kyogre was foolish enough to anger Carl; she was in for a rough time. Getting beaten by Rayquaza was nothing compared to being in Carl's hands.
"Fool!" Mew mentally cursed Kyogre thoroughly.
Lillie smiled at Mew, "Now you have company, you won't be lonely."
Mew looked bewildered.
Wait, what did she mean by company? Was she not going to be spared either?
Wouldn't it be better for Kyogre to suffer alone?
At first, she hadn't intended to give Mew a makeover, but now she was dragged into it?
This was Kyogre's fault entirely!
"Meow! (Might as well destroy everything!)"
Meanwhile, Carl was negotiating with Groudon.
"Just taking me to the Crown Tundra isn't enough to earn this crystal."
Groudon was confident, "It's more than enough. The Crown Tundra isn't just any place you can enter."