Chapter 115 – United We Stand, With the People’s Will! Depart!

"What is this…?"

Su Bai looked puzzled as he took the scroll. The moment it landed in his hand, he felt its weight and fine texture—this was no ordinary item.

"That scroll is something granted to every city lord," Zhu Jianyuan explained with a chuckle.

"Each city lord has one, and only one."

"S-class Awakened are rare throughout all of humanity. And S-class Awakened who also possess administrative and leadership skills like myself? Even rarer."

"Not to brag, but cultivating someone like that—from nothing to something—requires not only an immense amount of resources, but also exceptional talent."

"In this post-apocalyptic world, every such person is priceless."

"So Kyoto assigns one of these scrolls to every city lord."

"This is a teleportation scroll, forged jointly by an S-class Alchemist and an S-class Spatial Mage."

"Its destination is fixed—Kyoto. The moment you activate it, you'll be instantly transported there…"

Zhu hadn't even finished his explanation before Su Bai shoved the scroll right back toward him.

"I can't accept this," Su Bai said firmly. "What will you do without it?"

After all, while the Pokémon Corps may have slightly more discipline and firepower than Su Bai's side of Trainers, they too would be facing waves of high-level deathbeasts.

S-class powerhouses were already few in number. And S-class Alchemists or Spatial Mages? Rarer than phoenix feathers.

If someone tried to sell this scroll, its value would be beyond imagination.

Something this precious… how could Su Bai possibly take it?

Zhu Jianyuan remained silent, staring at Su Bai's outstretched hand, the scroll resting upon it.

A thick tension filled the air.

Wang Tao and the others exchanged nervous glances.

None of them had expected Zhu Jianyuan to offer up such a precious item for Su Bai.

One was determined to give, the other resolute in refusal.

Both were famously stubborn—an awkward impasse formed instantly.

No one dared say a word. Even breathing felt like a disturbance.

Just then, a raspy old voice came from outside the Pokémon shop.

"I said take it—so take it!"

Everyone turned to see the old principal, hands clasped behind his back, walking in with a slight hunch.

"Zhu Jianyuan isn't the only one with one of those scrolls."

"Don't want his? Fine—use mine."

With a flick of his hand, an identical scroll appeared in the old man's palm.

"I've served the Eastern Federation as an educator for decades," said Lu Liangpeng with a warm smile.

"I'm well qualified to receive one."

"So what do you say, Su Bai? Satisfied now?"

Zhu Jianyuan gave a wry smile.

"Old Principal, what brings you here? This really isn't necessary…"

The old man puffed his beard and glared.

"Not necessary? Nonsense."

"I came for the exact reason you're avoiding—I want Su Bai to have this scroll."

"You're a city lord. You can't go into battle without a safeguard like this."

"As for me, I'll be staying here in Haicheng to hold the line. You think I'd let the city fall that easily? I've defended this place my whole life!"

Zhu could only shake his head with a bitter chuckle.

"I can't outtalk you, old man."

He had known the old principal had a teleportation scroll, which was precisely why he didn't invite him to this strategy meeting—he had hoped to avoid this very scene.

Yet here it was.

Su Bai sighed and finally accepted the scroll with reluctant hands.

There was no avoiding it now.

The care and concern of these two elders warmed his heart.

And Lu Liangpeng did have a far lower chance of being caught in direct combat. Refusing again would've just been unreasonable.

"Well then… if the old principal insists, I'll accept."

Only after Su Bai took the scroll did both Zhu Jianyuan and the old principal smile in relief.

The air around them instantly relaxed.

Just then, Wang Tao's curious voice cut through the calm.

"Uh… Old Principal, about your Mr. Mime…"

There was a touch of bewilderment in his tone.

Su Bai turned his head slightly—and froze.

Right at the entrance stood a Mr. Mime… dressed in an elegant little skirt.

Even the bald spot between the antenna-like tufts on its head now sported a wig.

"…"

"…"

"…"

Everyone stared, speechless.

Old Principal Lu Liangpeng glared at them.

"What's the problem?!"

"At first, I thought this Mr. Mime was male—but when I checked the Pokédex, she turned out to be female!"

"I never had children or grandchildren. So what if I treat her like a granddaughter?!"

As if understanding the moment, Mr. Mime shyly placed both hands against its face and posed bashfully.

Su Bai's eye twitched.

With their intelligence, Mr. Mime could indeed be treated like family.

But… this outfit… seriously hurt the eyes.

Old principal… your dignity is hanging by a thread…

The next day.

At the gates of Haicheng.

The full Pokémon Corps had assembled: 300 elite soldiers, each paired with a land, sea, or air Pokémon.

Their formation was flawless, their posture brimming with strength.

Opposite them stood the Trainers of Haicheng First High and various independent Awakened who had recently acquired Pokémon.

Though lacking the uniformity of the Corps, the students from First High radiated a fearless energy—a wild, youthful confidence that screamed:

"We're not afraid of anything."

Before them lay the Rift Valley, the scar left by Groudon's rampage.

Behind them—the citizens of Haicheng.

Soldiers, students, scattered Trainers… many of them were born and raised here.

Haicheng wasn't exactly livable by modern standards.

Only those native to its walls could feel such unwavering loyalty toward it.

Wives, parents, siblings—all stood among the crowd.

Faces filled with worry, hope, fear, pride…

But not one single voice begged their loved one to stay behind.

This was Haicheng.

The first line of humanity's defense.

A city raised on strength and defiance.

"Citizens of Haicheng!"

Zhu Jianyuan's voice rang out with strength.

"This is a first—for all of humanity!"

"Today, we strike not to defend… but to push forward!"

"This is our first true counterattack against the death beasts!"

"With the help of our Pokémon, we finally have the courage to face these monsters head-on!"

"We will reclaim the land that is rightfully ours!"

"One day, thanks to our efforts, the gray death-clouds that fill our skies will vanish."

"Our descendants will once again see the blue skies written about in the records of the 'Paradise Era'."

"They will no longer live in fear of surprise death beast attacks!"

"You've all received berry seeds from the Pokémon Center."

"When we secure new ground, you'll be the ones to plant them—to heal and reclaim the corrupted lands!"

"This battle doesn't just belong to the Awakened!"

"Whether you're a Trainer or not—we fight as one!"

His final words, "We fight as one," rang out like a battle cry.

And the people of Haicheng roared in response.

They weren't content to hide behind others' strength.

Even the weakest among them—even orphans like Zhou Xiaofei—burned with a will to fight.

Zhu Jianyuan's declaration lit a fire in their hearts.

"We fight as one! Destroy the death beasts!"

"We won't drag you down!"

"I'll plant the berries as fast as I can!"

"Let's take back our blue sky!"

A tidal wave of shouts surged through the crowd.

Su Bai stood still, stunned.

He spotted familiar faces—people who once looked after him in the commercial district.

That middle-aged auntie, waving her seed pouch—wasn't she the owner of the barbecue stall?

And that pudgy uncle next to her, always so reserved… now red-faced and roaring with passion.

In that moment, Su Bai realized:

Maybe… humanity had been waiting for this day for far too long.

Zhu Jianyuan turned and smiled at him.

"Well? Care to say a few words?"

Su Bai shook his head quietly, gaze fixed on the distant death-fog.

Then he opened his mouth, and simply said—

"Let's move."