After that, the competition came to an end.
Amber ended up winning the championship by default. She was as happy as if she had won five million Mora. With four boxes balanced on her head and three in each hand, she hopped all the way home, ready to prepare for her afternoon patrol duties.
Lisa wanted to lend a hand to Amber, but Amber felt she could manage on her own and didn't need any help.
After all, during the Windblume Festival, she could balance cups full of beer while participating in competitions; carrying these ten boxes of Pokéblocks was a piece of cake for her.
Lisa had no choice but to carry the Toxel and return alone to the Knights' workshop to continue researching potions.
After Eula and Kaeya waited for their Chikorita and Machop to recover at the Pokémon Center, they went together to the Angel's Share tavern for a drink.
Takashi went to the nearby Good Hunter restaurant, ordered a "Pile 'Em Up" and grilled tigerfish, and returned to enjoy lunch with Xerneas while watching some boring anime.
Xerneas suddenly asked, "That woman named Lisa whispered something important to you, didn't she?"
Takashi admitted openly, "Yes, I previously asked her to find a prescription. She told me to go to Wolvendom tomorrow evening to collect some Small Lamp Grass."
"Wolvendom?" Xerneas's eyes brightened. "When I went there before, I felt a mysterious power lingering in that area. That power is gentle and not hostile."
Takashi nodded slightly. "In Wolvendom lives the Wolf of the North Wind, a wolf deity who once guarded the Mondstadt region. Although it died long ago, its spirit still quietly watches over the wolf packs there."
Xerneas continued, "Is Lisa hinting at something to you?"
Takashi smiled, "I've pretty much guessed it. It has to do with the Treasure Hoarders this time. Small Lamp Grass isn't only found in Wolvendom."
"Is that so?" Xerneas pushed a plate of high-grade Pokéblocks toward Takashi. "Try some. The Pokéblocks you made today taste pretty good."
"Feed me."
"Open your mouth."
"Ah... Mmm... Delicious." Takashi contentedly enjoyed Xerneas's feeding.
Xerneas handed Takashi the latest bill. "You've earned quite a bit in the past few days. Barbara's Larvitar and ten portions of high-grade Pokéblocks, plus Eula's Chikorita, and Kaeya's shiny female Machop, totaling 42.2 million Mora."
Takashi thought carefully. There was less than 18 million Mora left to reach the target of 60 million Mora.
"Previously, Diluc's Bagon plus the angel's investment amounted to a total of 64 million Mora. Adding in the Oshawott, Wingull, Toxel, Ponyta, and deducting the 20 million Mora for the Pokémon Center and battle space, there's a total of 53 million Mora left."
Takashi thought for a moment. "Shouldn't it be 54 million?"
"You gave Lisa a 1 million Mora discount, and there are subsequent costs, including a 100,000 Mora consulting fee. It should be counted as 52 million. The Traveler's payment hasn't been fully settled yet..."
Takashi scratched his head and said with relief, "Xerneas, you're being too meticulous."
"Well, not bad. If you don't count the unpaid amounts and the taxes that might be deducted soon, you have nearly 80 million Mora left. You can do a lot with that," Xerneas said, squinting slightly and speaking gently.
"Achieve financial freedom?" Takashi slumped his head. "Maybe I can upgrade the Pokémon equipment. Ah, forget it. Let's not think about money for now. It gives me a headache. Let's watch some shows."
* * *
Kaeya and Eula arrived at the Angel's Share tavern. Just as they pushed the door open, they saw a nun wearing black fishnet stockings at the bar, sipping a glass of Dandelion Wine.
Her face was flushed, carrying a slightly intoxicated expression. She turned her head and casually greeted Kaeya, "Oh, you're here."
Her gaze naturally passed over Eula behind Kaeya.
In the afternoon, the tavern wasn't crowded, and there were many empty seats inside.
Eula naturally sat at the bar two seats away from Rosaria and Kaeya, pretending they were strangers who happened to be drinking together. She didn't want unfamiliar people to think they were very close.
Kaeya walked over to Rosaria, asked the bartender for a "Death in the Afternoon" special cocktail. The preparation was simple: one part absinthe poured into a goblet, then three parts iced lemon added.
He slowly took a few sips.
Kaeya put down his glass and spoke in a relieved tone, "Why are you hiding here in the middle of the day? Finished with your interrogation work?"
Rosaria tilted her head, hinting at Eula.
Eula sipped her Dandelion Wine silently.
"Must be church matters again?" Kaeya asked with keen interest.
Speaking of the church, Rosaria sighed, "I really can't stand those nuns, always wanting me to participate in activities, especially that Barbara. I avoid her whenever possible. Luckily, at her age, she can't enter this tavern."
Kaeya chuckled, "If she could come in, we wouldn't have a place to drink anymore. Might as well turn this into a fan meeting venue."
Rosaria noticed the Pokédex and trainer manual Kaeya was carrying, along with two boxes. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Did you loot these from some merchant? If so, I might need to invite you into the interrogation room to have a chat with my whip."
Kaeya handed the manual over to her. "This is a Pokémon Trainer's Manual."
"Pokémon?" Rosaria had some impression. "Klee, Jean, and Lisa seem to have these. This morning, I saw Barbara walking a small gray-green creature in front of the Anemo Archon statue. At first, I thought it was some new toy from Fontaine. Then I saw Barbara talking to it."
Kaeya pinched his chin, picked up his goblet, and gently swirled it. "Don't you want to raise one and see?"
"I don't have much savings. Just buying drinks is hard enough," Rosaria waved her hand.
Eula released Chikorita from its Poké Ball.
"Chiko..."
As soon as Chikorita saw Eula, it lifted its head proudly.
Rosaria glanced over and curiously stared for a moment.
Eula pushed the Dandelion Wine in front of her toward Chikorita. The fragrant brew emitted a faint aroma, which Chikorita keenly picked up.
On the surface, it seemed to disdain Eula, but its little short legs had already moved half a step sneakily.
"Drink up, this one's on me," Eula said coldly.
Kaeya and Rosaria watched curiously.
"Chiko... (Since you're being so generous, I suppose taking a sip isn't out of the question)."
Chikorita chirped proudly, stretched its neck, and gently leaned toward the rim of the glass, taking a lick.
A moment of silence.
The fresh aroma filled its nose and mouth, making it feel light all over, as if in a secret garden.
It became somewhat intoxicated, a blush appearing on its cheeks. Chirping "Chiko Chiko," it drank the remaining half glass of Dandelion Wine.
It lifted its head, revealing a satisfied smile.
Eula gazed at it coldly. Just now, it was clearly disdaining her; why was it suddenly smiling at her now?
"Chiko Chiko..."
Eula couldn't handle such sudden enthusiasm; her face blushed with embarrassment.