Chapter 204: Subduing the Hero Duo

Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Subduing the Hero Duo

"When you say they’re usable, what exactly do you mean?"

"It means we can temporarily assume our crowned forms—the Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield."

Zacian explained, "There is a time limit, and our strength will still fall somewhat short of our peak."

The Hero Duo were both Level 89 in their ordinary forms.

After assuming their Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield forms, however, they could break through the Level 90 bottleneck and leap directly to Level 95.

That was almost comparable to Calyrex in its weakened state.

Moreover, their powers were exceptionally effective against Eternatus.

That was precisely how they had managed to bring it down.

The golden Sword and golden Shield, infused with Victini’s power, could allow the Hero Duo to temporarily reach Level 95.

The duration was quite short.

And it had nothing to do with how much energy Victini poured into them.

The problem was simply that the Sword and Shield could not properly merge with their bodies.

The true crowned forms required the Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield to fuse completely with Zacian and Zamazenta, stabilizing their realms once and for all.

"What a pity."

"Ah, what a shame."

"We’re only a step away."

Zacian and Zamazenta were both deeply disappointed.

In truth, they no longer held much prejudice against Sora.

His earlier words had opened the door to an entirely new way of thinking for the siblings, forcing them to reconsider what it truly meant to be a Hero.

But Sora himself had said that one should judge a person by what they do.

The Hero Duo felt they shouldn’t interfere with Sora’s opportunity to prove himself.

"Vini?"

Victini tilted her head, waiting to hear their explanation.

"You’re very impressive, little one."

Zacian spoke seriously. "But you cannot create matter."

"You cannot change the fact that our Sword and Shield have already decayed."

It was simple.

If the Sword were broken, for example, Victini could pour as much energy into it as she wanted.

She still couldn’t repair the broken blade.

What they needed now wasn’t more energy.

They needed a blacksmith.

"Still, we have to thank you."

"You’re called Victini, right?"

"Thank you for giving us the confidence to continue guarding this land."

With the golden Sword and Shield, the Hero Duo could fight once more.

That alone gave them tremendous confidence.

And that was enough for them to place their hopes in Sora.

As expected, the King’s judgment was correct.

Someone who had been recognized by Calyrex and surrounded by so many Legendary Pokémon was clearly extraordinary.

Even without their strength...

Sora could still save Galar.

Without the Hero’s Sword.

Without the Hero’s Shield.

Does that really mean he can’t be a Hero?

The siblings exchanged glances.

Then they smiled.

Indeed.

Why were they so obsessed with this?

Why were they so obsessed with Galar?

Why were they so obsessed with this forest?

"White Luo..."

"Hmm?"

"We want to know something."

Zacian asked, "If the Darkest Day appears again, can you reach Galar immediately?"

"Well..."

Sora was about to say that he would definitely know the moment it happened.

This was the information age.

If Eternatus emerged again, Sonia could simply contact him.

But immediately rushing to Galar?

Without a Flying-type Pokémon, Sora honestly couldn’t do that.

And even if he had one...

Could he really travel from anywhere in the world to Galar in an instant?

That seemed impossible.

"No problem!"

The one who answered wasn’t Sora.

It was Calyrex.

The King had somehow produced another carrot and was happily munching away.

"My psychic powers can take Sora to any place he has visited before at any time."

Now that was the confidence of a king.

No matter where you are?

I can fly you there!

"Just as expected of the King."

"You’re as reliable as ever."

With that assurance, the Hero Duo no longer hesitated.

They approached Sora and lowered their heads.

Even Sora found the gesture unbelievable.

They accepted me!

The Hero Duo had chosen Sora!

They had decided to leave the Slumbering Weald and accompany him in his search for a way to reforge the Sword and Shield.

This was both a challenge to break through their own limitations...

And an opportunity to witness whether Sora truly could become the Hero he claimed he would be.

"That’s wonderful, Sora!"

Cynthia was practically happier than if she herself had subdued the Hero Duo.

I knew it! I knew I wasn’t wrong about him!

Sora wasn’t some rejected failure.

He was someone chosen by the Legendary Pokémon!

"Are you really going to travel with me?"

Sora naturally understood that being subdued didn’t necessarily mean they truly acknowledged him.

But...

He had already captured them.

How could he possibly let them leave now?

You’ve come to my house, and you still want to run away?

Not a chance!

"I won’t disappoint you."

"Zacian. Zamazenta."

Sora didn’t hesitate.

He took out two Poké Balls and gently pressed each one against the Hero Duo’s foreheads.

Neither Pokémon resisted.

Just like that, Sora successfully captured the legendary Heroes—the Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield.

"Come out, Zacian. Zamazenta."

He released the two Pokémon again and carefully put their Poké Balls away.

Two more divine Pokémon.

Two more Legendary Pokémon.

Their ordinary forms were already close to Level 90, and they could temporarily display Level 95 strength.

Without question, the Hero Duo had now become Sora’s strongest assets.

Well...

Victini didn’t count.

That was just ridiculous.

And neither did Ogerpon’s fourfold Terastalization.

Those were in an entirely different category.

If one only considered their basic statistics, however, the Hero Duo were unquestionably Sora’s trump cards.

"...Please take care of me from now on."

Sora reached out and gently stroked the backs of the two wolves.

Though they were Legendary Pokémon, they still retained the habits of canine creatures.

Under Sora’s touch, both wolves visibly relaxed, thoroughly enjoying the affection.

"Congratulations, Sora."

Calyrex took out a carrot and handed it to him.

"This is your gift."

"You really gave me a carrot as a congratulatory gift, Calyrex."

Sora was speechless.

Still...

The carrot really did taste good.

"Crunch!"

Eating it raw had a wonderfully rustic flavor.

"Cynthia, want one?"

"Mm."

Cynthia didn’t refuse.

And so, the two of them, together with their Pokémon, quietly sat there eating the carrots that Calyrex had produced from who-knows-where.

For a moment, the atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.

"By the way, is there an open area somewhere in this forest?"

Sora asked, "Somewhere spacious, without Pokémon or animals around, where we can freely experiment."

"You want to..."

"I wish to conduct an experiment with my loyal subject."

Calyrex answered before Sora could explain.

The Hero Duo didn’t understand what they intended to do.

But it was such a trivial request that there was naturally no reason to refuse.

"Follow me."

Zamazenta took the lead, guiding them deeper into the Slumbering Weald.

There was a lake there, surrounded by a wide open area untouched by the dense forest.

It perfectly matched Sora’s requirements.

And with the Hero Duo leading the way, the mist of the forest no longer posed any obstacle.

The group passed through the dense woods with ease and finally arrived at the core of the Slumbering Weald.

Of course...

"Easy" was relative.

Even Sora and Cynthia still spent nearly three hours making their way through the forest.

By the time they finally arrived...

Night had already fallen.

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