I Was Actually the Inspector
Kanto League Headquarters
A tired Lance is slumped in his own chair, his eyes staring up at the ceiling. He's sitting in an indecent, vulgar position... but comfortable. Dragonite on one side is fanning him.
This sitting position was taught to him by Rope, and it was called something like the
Lance, who had just finished solving the problems of the Poacher's League, was naturally very tired. the overall situation of the Kanto League and Johto League was quite good, at least there wasn't anything that didn't treat the Elite Four Champion as their main business. Everyone was more or less competent.
However, Lance was still the most diligent one, related to his character, with a strong sense of justice and responsibility, Lance simply couldn't do such a thing as touching the fish, the time on the way out to carry out the mission was his rest time. Also related to his duties, as a model of those who can do more, Lance serves as the champion of the two regions of Kanto and Johto.
Double the workload...
So it's a rarity that he gets this chance to let himself go now.
Lance himself had a feeling though... the timing wasn't right for too long.
As expected, not even five minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
Lance rubbed his temples, forced himself to get up, restored his spirit, and then opened his mouth, "Please come in."
A female staff member wearing glasses entered in response.
She propped up her eyes and bowed slightly towards Lance before saying, "Champion Lance, the inspectors on the Cerulean City side have yet to be finalized, may I ask what your arrangements are?"
Lance couldn't help but frown at his words then asked, "As I recall, Cerulean City's inspectors are supposed to rotate. Where are the people?"
The woman held her glasses in silence for a little while before speaking, "He was previously assigned to attract the enemy's attention during the big event and then... sacrificed."
Lance lapsed into silence, speechless for a long time.
The 'Big Event' was a victory in the confrontation between humans and Legendary Pokémon, which had both allowed humans to see the greatness of Legendary Pokémon and put away their human pride. It also made Legendary Pokémon see the development and growth of human beings, not daring to treat human beings as ants anymore.
It is estimated that for a long time to come, the two sides will maintain a harmonious and restrained mode of living together.
This is a major positive for humanity as a whole, and for the League.
But for those who sacrificed themselves in the big event, it can't be let go like that.
The most important thing to everyone is life.
At least that's what Lance thinks.
Rope's decisions had been made for the least amount of damage possible, but there was no such thing as loss, and the price for leaving the entire Pewter City unscathed was the sacrifice of a dozen League staff members.
It was a price that could be borne...it was too cold-blooded to say such a thing. But reality was so cruel. Both Lance and Rope were well aware that they were sort of the reason for their sacrifice.
But they're also clear that there's no use feeling sorry for themselves, and that instead of feeling sorry for what's already happened, they should bury their regrets in the bottom of their hearts, get stronger and stronger, and then make it so that it doesn't happen again.
This is the reason why the Elite Four Champion is still growing at a rather rapid rate despite having a multitude of official duties to attend to. People who have seen their responsibilities either grow or quit.
And clearly, both Lance and Rope have chosen to grow.
"I think Rope is near Cerulean City, as I recall. Let him go for this operation." Lance spoke after thinking for a while.
The female secretary frowned slightly and said, "Champion Lance, Professor Rope is not someone within our League system, so letting him serve as an inspector is not only out of line, but it's also causing trouble for Professor Rope."
Lance shook his head and said, "Just follow my orders, tell him the situation truthfully and don't worry, he'll oblige."
The female secretary stared at Lance, for a long moment, before she was ready to turn around and walk out the door. Her hand was just on the doorknob when she heard Lance's voice.
"Excuse me..."
She paused in her movements.
"The original inspector was supposed to be Shindou right, I remember him being your brother... I'm sorry... it was our mistake."
The female secretary was silent for a long time.
In the middle of the day, she spoke.
"Our family, mom, dad, brother and sister all reside in Pewter City. If it wasn't for your plans and efforts, I'm afraid that all of Pewter City would have been destroyed. But Shinto and I have the best relationship of all my siblings. I can't blame you, and I can't convince myself not to blame you. I want to say 'thank you' but I can't..."
At that point, she didn't seem to know what to say anymore.
Turning toward Lance, she gave a deep bow before turning to go out, and the moment she did, Lance saw the motion of her hand wiping at her eyes.
The door closed.
Lance falls into silence as he stares blankly at the ceiling.
[Rope, hurry up and realize your responsibility, grow up quickly. Since you chose to go down the path of a trainer, there are many things that you can't hide from just because you want to].
Lance thought to himself, and then felt Dragonite's claws on his temples, pressing gently.
Lance slowly closed his eyes with mixed emotions.
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"Put me on as Cerulean City's inspector?"
Rope used Rotom Pokédex to speak to the League staff member who had come to inform him of the news.
"That's out of order, isn't it? Where's the original inspector? Why me?"
Rope sent out a trifecta of questions, hating that he was not interested in taking on the job. While it seemed a little interesting to challenge the dojo as an inspector, wasn't it too much of a hassle to have to check other things.
"It's an arrangement by Champion Lance, so it doesn't matter if it's out of order. The original inspector was sacrificed in the 'Big Event'. As for why you're needed... we don't know, but it's Champion Lance's arrangement. He said you would oblige."
The staff member's voice was timid. Although Lance said Rope would definitely say yes, who could say for sure about this?
It was something they were not in a position to reason with.
Rope sniffed and was silent for a long time. Then he spoke, "I'll accept the job, but I don't know a lot of things, and I need help."
The staff member on the other side of the phone was instantly like an amnesty, and hurriedly said, "We'll send professionals from our side to cooperate with you, but as you know, these small employees of ours, even with the prestige given by League, can hardly act as a supervisor and deterrent to these guys."
"I know that, no need to explain, just tell your staff to wait for me near Cerulean Gym. I'll get in touch with her as soon as possible."
"Okay, thanks for your help."
"That's okay."
Rope hung up the phone, then looked at the star-filled sky, helplessness flashing in her eyes.
"You still have a bad heart, Lance!"