"That was because the Temple intended to use the Priest Akayuki as a middleman to purchase a large shipnt of iron ore from the Bertha (Kikuno) Family," Feng Che explained to Yuan Na and Yuan Xiong.
"The Bertha clan had been secretly colluding with him. Akayuki provided them with premium Gardenia berries, and in exchange, they supplied the Temple with iron ore. If it hadn't been for the Bertha family's unusual demand for cash in this latest transaction, Akayuki wouldn't have exposed his financial trail so easily."
Feng Che leaned back, his expression calm. "By pulling out this hidden thread, the Temple will grow wary of our strength. They won't strike again imdiately. As for the League, their main target is the secrets of the Flowery Gardens; they won't move until they see what the Temple does. The real 'ti bomb' is the Bounty Hunters' Guild. We simply need to bolster our defenses."
Yuan Na and Yuan Xiong looked at Feng Che with a mix of complex emotions. Suddenly, the Gardenia family, which had been on the brink of collapse, felt flooded with newfound hope.
Inside the Temple
"Your Holiness! Disastrous news!" A frantic priest burst into the Great Hall.
The Pope was currently receiving an important guest. He slamd his scepter against the stone floor, the heavy thud echoing with his suppressed fury. "Do not let trifles disturb ! Speak. What has happened?"
"Priest Akayuki has lost contact," the priest stamred. "Our scouts report that Shaymin appeared on the scene and dragged a fleeing Akayuki back into the Gardenia estate."
Because the scouts were at a distance, they hadn't realized Shaymin was in her powerful Sky Form.
"So, his cover is blown," the Pope mused coldly. "And the Gardenias have accidentally revealed that Shaymin has awakened. That useless fool... lurking there for years and he still couldn't find where they hid the Green Leaf Orb."
He waved a dismissive hand. "Do not panic. Even if Shaymin is awake, it matters little. Without the Gracidea flowers, she cannot enter her Sky Form. In her Land Form, her combat power is negligible."
"Suspend all operations against the Gardenias for now," the Pope ordered. "Let them relax their guard. We will find another opening later. You are dismissed."
As the priest scurried away, a confident voice spoke up from the shadows. "Your Holiness, do you require my assistance? I could present the Gardenia estate to the Temple as a gift."
It was Brandon (Jindai), the Pyramid King.
"No, Brandon. Your focus must remain entirely on the research to awaken Arceus. That is the only priority," the Pope said sternly. "Now is not the ti to swallow the Gardenias."
Celestic Town: The Dragon Shrine
The Dragon Shrine was a massive structure of white marble, dedicated to the deities of space, ti, and the underworld: Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina. It sat in the deepest reaches of the Celestic Ruins, guarded by the elite Draconid line.
Inside a small room lit by the soft, fragrant glow of white candles, Professor Carolina was reading a formal letter of visitation from the Gardenia family. After a mont, she removed her glasses and rubbed her temples, looking weary.
She turned to the golden-haired young woman sitting beside her. "Cynthia (Shirona), what do you think of the situation with the Gardenias?"
Carolina handed the letter to the girl. "You are the future head of Celestic Town and the frontrunner for the next Champion. If they are coming to us for help, how should we decide?"
Cynthia read the letter carefully, her amber eyes reflecting a serious light.
"I believe they are indeed seeking an alliance," Cynthia analyzed. "We have blood ties with them. Even though the current Head, Yuan Xiong, distanced himself from us, that bond remains. They are surrounded by predators: the Temple wants their Orb, the League wants their Gardens, and our intel says the Bounty Hunter President left their estate in a rage yesterday. They are fighting a war on three fronts."
"So, do we help them through this storm?" Carolina asked.
"It depends on their sincerity," Cynthia said, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder with an air of absolute confidence. "Celestic Town has many Heaven-tier trainers, but our weakness is resources. The Gardenias control 90% of the region's berries and herbs. If they are willing to back us with their full inventory to help our next generation grow, why shouldn't we protect them?"
"Celestic Town has this confidence."
Cynthia's eyes flashed. "The Temple has always tried to suppress us to maintain its dominance. We need our own path. Years ago, the Grand Elder Misako allied with them for this very reason, but the relationship cooled after the previous Gardenia Head vanished. If their offer is right, we will stand with them against the Temple, the League, and the Guild."
"There is one more thing," Professor Carolina added gravely. "I've received word that their Guardian, Shaymin, has finally resurfaced."
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