Chapter 101 - The Cruel Reality

TL/N:

There are some changes to the names previously introduced in the last two chapters, namely Kawada and Fujiyama.

From now on these two will be:

Kawada = Karson.

Fujiyama = Franko.

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Coldly watching Aki recount her story with tears and emotions, Ron suddenly felt that Franko and the others had died in vain.

They had thought they were protecting an innocent white lotus, unaware that the person they guarded was far from what they imagined.

Hidden in the canopy nearby, Ralts used its emotional sensing and telepathy to inform Ron that Aki's story was interspersed with half-truths and harbored considerable malice towards him.

Piecing together the fabricated sob story she spun, Ron quickly grasped the essence of who Aki really was.

The truth in her tale mostly pertained to her background.

The story was quite formulaic: Aki Murrigan, the sole daughter of the Murrigan family in Yolton District, lost her mother at a young age. Her elderly father had handed over the family business to her third uncle, Sutton Murrigan, three years ago.

Apparently, Sutton coveted the entire Murrigan enterprise. Three months ago, he found an excuse to send Aki away from the district.

Seven days ago, news arrived of her father's passing.

To rush back home, Aki spent all her savings to hire Franko and his team for protection.

The Murrigan family, even in the affluent Yolton District, was considered among the most prominent. Naturally, they retained a champion-level trainer as their household guardian.

In this world, expanding a business required strong and capable trainers; otherwise, it was easy to be crushed.

This champion-level trainer, indebted to Aki's father for past kindness, restrained other trainers from taking action.

Moreover, as per her father's final wish, the trainer would support Aki in becoming the head of the Murrigan family, provided she could return to Yolton District safely.

In essence, this was Aki's test — not of business acumen but of her qualifications to lead.

The Murrigan family already had plenty of elite talent to handle day-to-day operations. What they needed in a leader was the ability to command and control.

Thus, Sutton could only use his accumulated resources to hire Karson's poaching group to assassinate Aki.

If Aki perished on the way, the position of family head would naturally fall to her uncle, Sutton Murrigan.

The nature of this test was cruel but ensured that the Murrigan family would not decline. On the contrary, it would guarantee continued growth.

According to Aki's version, she played the part of a helpless, weak woman oppressed and hunted by her uncle.

While Ron could believe the first half of her story, he was entirely skeptical of her self-description.

If Aki's claims were true, she couldn't have resisted her uncle for so long. Her father wouldn't have set such a test, nor would she have only been exiled three months ago, let alone actively sought to return.

The gullible Franko likely believed her lies, which had already cost him his life. Ron had no intention of becoming the next victim.

"I'll give you one chance to reorganize your story. Otherwise, I'll spare the pursuers the trouble and end this myself," Ron said coldly.

Aki froze at his icy tone. Just as she was about to explain, Ralts teleported to Ron's side.

Seeing Ralts, Aki knew her facade had been exposed. Her demeanor shifted entirely.

Though she was still the same person, she now exuded a commanding aura, her gaze sharp and cunning.

"What a shame. My luck is worse than expected," she admitted with a wry smile.

"Let's cut to the chase. If you escort me back, I can offer you two options," Aki proposed directly.

"First, join the Murrigan family. I'll grant you the privileges reserved for senior elite trainers and try to meet your demands.

"Second, I'll reward you with substantial resources. You can specify what you need, and I'll do my best to fulfill it. If something is unavailable, I'll compensate with alternatives like Pokéblocks."

Faced with Aki's terms, Ron responded indifferently, "That's more like it. If you want someone's help, honesty is non-negotiable. Otherwise, dying in vain won't make a difference, will it?"

Watching Aki's unchanged expression, Ron couldn't help but pity Franko and his team, who had died protecting her.

To someone raised in the harsh environment of a power-hungry family, people were merely tools of value or worthless.

To achieve their goals, such individuals would use any means necessary. This likely explained why Franko and his team had been deceived, ultimately sacrificing their lives in vain, only to be discarded like trash.

Without hesitation, Ron chose the second option — escorting Aki back in exchange for resources.

"No problem. Once I'm safely back and become the family head, I'll deliver the promised resources. Shall we proceed now?" Aki readily agreed, as expected.

"Not so fast. I need assurances that my payment will be secured," Ron replied.

Aki's instinctive fear flared at his words, her hands clasping her chest defensively.

"Ralts, it seems Miss Aki is still reluctant. Could you help her loosen up?" Ron instructed.

Understanding his intent, Ralts used its psychic abilities to immobilize Aki.

Bellossom's Magical Leaf followed, enveloping Aki and giving her a new look.

Taking out a camera, Ron began snapping photos.

This camera had been seized from someone else and initially intended for sale. However, Ron discovered some intriguing photos within and decided to keep it.

Unexpectedly, it would come in handy today.

Despite Aki's resistance, Ralts' psychic control forced her into one humiliating pose after another.

To evade Karson and his men, Ron even had Ralts teleport them to multiple locations during the process.

By the end, Aki seemed to have resigned herself to the harsh reality, even showing faint signs of cooperation.

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