Trainers returning from the Kingdom of Roc

Chapter 48: Validating Beliefs

Luo Yan was completely dumbfounded after listening to Hou Hao's long speech.

Dude, what are you talking about?

Is this still my fearless and daring brother Hou?

When did you become so profound? Can you please go back to normal? I can't quite get used to it.

but.

Luo Yan could generally understand Hou Hao's current state of mind.

This kid must have been provoked.

When the gap between one's actual abilities and one's expectations is too large, one will suffer from this kind of shock. Under normal circumstances, normal people can adjust themselves. Those who cannot adjust will basically become depressed.

Hou Hao's situation is relatively special. He grew up in a different environment than ordinary people. As a second-generation member of a consulate, he faced greater pressure, which kept him in a tense state. Only when he was with his good brother could he let loose a little.

This constant tension and relaxation made his mental fortitude less resilient than that of the average person.

After obtaining the Shiny Poliwag, it's undeniable that he became arrogant. Even if he wouldn't admit it, Luo Yan could tell that he truly saw himself as a promising star trainer.

But in this state, faced with the terrifying natural disaster and the catastrophe of the volcanic eruption, he was unable to help at all. This sense of disparity was the last straw that broke the camel's back, completely defeating his spirit.

"Brother Luo, I shouldn't live in other people's eyes. Proving myself to others shouldn't be the reason I become stronger. I..." Hou Hao opened his mouth, then sighed. "...I suddenly don't know how to work hard anymore."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yan gazed at Hou Hao thoughtfully, tightening her grip on his shoulder.

"You're right, but you're also wrong."

"I know you're upset because of what happened earlier, but I personally think you don't need to dwell on it."

"You also think I'm being a bit dramatic?" Hou Hao asked.

"It's not being dramatic, it's just that you've drawn a circle around yourself that doesn't exist, and then inexplicably trapped yourself inside it," Luo Yan said softly. "Do I need to remind you? My trained Pokémon were completely useless in the situation just now."

Hou Hao was stunned for a moment. Indeed, Luo Yan had used his own power, not the power of the elves.

"But I don't have your talent. I'm just an ordinary person. At least you can save those Pokémon, but as for me, I can't do anything except stand behind you."

"You did it." Luo Yan shook Hou Hao. "You saved at least five Pokémon, didn't you?"

Hou Hao followed Luo Yan's gaze to his waist, where five non-empty main balls were quietly hanging, having just been used by him.

Luo Yan continued, "As I said, everyone has a reason to strive to become stronger. You can't think that all of this is meaningless just because you've experienced some setbacks. Proving yourself to others is not a reason to become stronger, but it is a motivation to become stronger."

"Your approach is not wrong, and your idea is not wrong. What's wrong is that you haven't found a goal yet, a goal that can give you the determination to become stronger."

Listening intently to Luo Yan's words, Hou Hao fell silent for a moment.

Will this give me the strength to stay committed to my goal of becoming stronger...?

"Alright, the rescue team should be arriving soon. I'll go out and check first," Luo Yan said, knowing she should give Hou Hao some time.

After saying that, he walked down the stairs out of the research room in the box, leaving Hou Hao alone sitting on the ground against the wall, staring blankly ahead.

What Luo Yan didn't realize was...

Just after he left, a faint blue light flashed in Hou Hao's eyes.

...

The torrential rain outside was still pouring down.

The rescuer was a middle-aged man in his forties. He rode a Pidgeot and reached the coast of Black Cloud Island in just over twenty minutes, passing through the rain.

Fortunately, the signal locator was relatively accurate and the error was not large. The Pidgeot only circled once before it immediately spotted Luo Yan and Hou Hao standing on the beach.

The Pidgeot's massive form slowly descended, and the man jumped down, rushing anxiously to the two of them. "What happened? Did you run into trouble? Are you hurt?"

"Uncle, my friend had a claustrophobia attack and almost had a breakdown just now. He needs to leave here immediately." Upon seeing the person who came, Luo Yan immediately went to greet him.

"Clauscia?" The uncle paused for a moment upon hearing this, then looked at Hou Hao behind Luo Yan, a look of bewilderment appearing on his face, which was full of stories.

Yes, these were the lines that Luo Yan and Hou Hao had prepared in advance.

Hou Hao was initially curious as to why they didn't tell the truth, but he quickly realized that the distress signal was just a signal and could not contact the alliance's rescue team. In other words, they had no way to tell the other party the details of the situation.

In this situation, the rescue personnel dispatched by the alliance are merely standard.

Sending a being responsible for rescue to explore the Black Forest where the Advent Church roams is practically suicide.

Moreover, even if we tell them now, it won't make a difference. They will most likely send them back first and then report to their superiors for support, which adds many more steps to the process.

Since that's the case, it would be better to simply conceal the existence of the Church of Descent and send the rescuers back to Jiangcheng as soon as possible. At that time, Hou Hao would be able to contact his father directly and explain the whole story.

With Hou Hao there, and the prehistoric Pokémon he captured, there's no need to worry about Hou Zhi not believing. When the time comes, the Jiangcheng Gym Leader will come forward with a few experts, and perhaps they can catch those guys from the Church of the Descent off guard.

Most importantly, letting Hou Zhi be the first to know about the existence of prehistoric Pokémon allows him to take the initiative and make decisions about the matter. After all, he is a gym leader, whose status is comparable to that of the mayor, and he also understands the rules of the League better, thus giving him more room to maneuver.

Most importantly, Luo Yan himself needs time to go back and replace the Poké Balls for those prehistoric Pokémon; otherwise, he might not be able to explain the King Ball and Prism Ball issue.

So, Luo Yan looked at the uncle and quickly continued, "Uncle, there's nothing we can do. In my friend's condition, he definitely can't spend the night on this island. You have no idea, he was having such chest tightness that he couldn't breathe just now."

"Is this claustrophobia that severe?" The uncle panicked a bit when he heard this and immediately took out a Poké Ball and released two Pidgeots.

"Okay, you two hurry up and fasten your seatbelts, one for each of you, I'll take you back now."

...