"I'll tell you what to expect and what to look out for when you attend."

Pengola handed a piece of paper to Sirona. There is a schedule of water races and notes written on it.

Kem peeked at the paper from behind, but it looked like the special rules weren't strict.

"There's nothing particularly cliché to talk about, it's held every year, and there are a lot of tourists participating, so don't worry."

"I understand, but why hold an exhibition earlier this year?"

"It seems to be the idea of the organizers, and there are a lot of festival lovers in the city, so sometimes someone comes up with such an idea when they have nothing to do."

Indeed, there are a lot of cheerful, intelligent people in this town overall. It's much better than the smell of squalor throughout the city, but I'm also amazed at being able to take action on a whim and host a small festival.

"It's actually like summer water race practice, isn't it? I think they think if there is a prize, the participants will come together. ”

"Whew, isn't that interesting? I don't hate this kind of suddenness. ”

"Is that so?

"Yes"

"If you come tomorrow morning, I'll let you try out the boat for water racing.

"Oh, thank you. I'll be back tomorrow morning. ”

"Please come here."

Then Sirona finished speaking and left the repair shop.

However, Kem didn't give up, he stayed where he was, turning his attention to the Pengola.

"Can I help you?"

"It's over soon, I have a question for you."

"Yes, if there's anything I can answer."

Facing Pengora, who replied with a smile, Kem's expression stiffened slightly.

"I saw in the museum the defenses that protect the city. That device was used to protect Altomare, right? “

"Traditionally, that's it."

"And what is the 'driving force' of that machine?"

Hearing this, Pengora's eyes widened.

"Why do you want to hear this?"

"A machine that big needs a lot of energy to move. There is a component that does this. In other words, that device is "

Kem interrupted him.

If possible, I would have liked my interpretation to be different.

However, when he saw the expression on the face of the Pengora man, Kem was convinced. Your explanation is correct.

I think I got the right answer.

“… I'm sorry.

"Nope. On the contrary, I'm glad that you're the one who put on that look when you came up with the 'answer'. ”

“”

"Mr. Keim, you are kind, and you know the limits of your power. So, at the very least, don't get stuck in the past, and I hope you can turn your gentle 'heart' to those who once walked with you. ”

“… Excuse me."

Keim, who was still looking down, looked up at the Pengra, and left.

The people of Pengora consider Kem to be a kind person. There are not many people who know the secrets hidden by the family and can make such an expression. Even if most people knew, they would eventually treat it as someone else's business. But his heart was broken. The pain may not have come from pity, but from imagining the weight of her determination.

The Pengora said to the Void with a sad smile.

"They were nice. Do whatever you want. ”

The air shook, and "something" flew.

*

"Ah, I'm tired"

"I've been walking all day, I'm tired."

In the evening, they walked around the city, and after eating, they returned to the hotel.

After a day of walking, my legs felt very tired.

"But it's a coastal area, and the seafood is particularly delicious."

"There are some materials that you don't usually see, which is not bad."

Altomare faces the sea and is famous for its seafood.

In particular, Sirona likes the carpaccio she ordered, which uses a lot of seafood.

"But it doesn't matter, the sea is different from Mio, and the feeling of the sea breeze is not the same, but it is so different."

"I think it's because of the different regions."

"And the vibe of the people who live there. There are people living like this in places we don't know. It's a strange feeling to think about. ”

Shirona said as she felt the sea breeze blowing outside her window.

Kem looked at him blankly from behind, but Sirona suddenly turned around and asked Kem with a serious face.

"What did you hear from Mr. Pengora?"

Hearing Sirona's question, Kem sighed deeply.

"Isn't that exactly what you expected?"

"You mean the big machine in the cathedral?"

“… Ahh

"That machine is a defense device to protect the city, isn't it? Keim, have you heard of the 'what' of that machine? ”

"I asked Mr. Pengola about the 'driving force' of that machine."

"What did you say?"

I didn't answer anything. But as it turned out, my prediction was correct. ”

Kem rolled his eyes.

"Your prediction, can you tell me?"

Shirona sat down in front of Kaim and held his hand.

"When I was at Jade Worm University, I had a lot of acquaintances from other departments. I've heard their stories, so I know more about machinery and drugs than the average person, in addition to archaeology. Or rather, when I look at that machine, rather than how it works as a defense mechanism, what I think about is what the 'driving force' is. ”

"So?"

"That machine has a structure that can hold things. By putting something in, that machine moves. And then I expected what that thing would be. ”

Kem's hand gained a little strength.

"With all that said, you'll probably understand."

"Yes. The driving force behind that machine was Latias and Ladios. “

"Possibly. That machine uses Latias or Ladios as a 'living battery' to move it. ”

Perhaps, predictably, it will use the biological energy of the legendary Pokémon to move. However, when that thing is fully activated, Latias, or Ladios, which is being used as a living battery, may not be very safe.

Mr. Pengora did not deny it. Maybe he's a relative of that man, or something that's keeping the machine a secret. “

"Yes..."

"There are plenty of resources here, and we could be targeted by the outside world. It's a device that protects ourselves from those things. Half-baked energy won't work. That's why we made Pokémon into batteries. ”

"How did Kem feel when he learned of this?"

Hearing Sirona's words, Kem raised his gaze to Sirona. A flash of sadness flashed in his eyes.

"Still, it's sad. Such a magnificent machine must have taken a lot of effort to produce. Moreover, it can only be used as batteries by Latias and others, which must be a last resort. So the town is full of the faith of Latias.

"Yes"

"It's sad, but it's not a disgusting history, it's probably about the same as other stories in human history, and I understand that it's not a history that can be made public. But when I think about those who hide the truth and carry their sins on their shoulders, I feel helpless. ”

That machine, the defensive device of Altomaré, was managed by the Pengora clan. Keim couldn't know this, but he felt helpless when he thought that "someone has been carrying this sin all their lives."

"The determination of those who committed their sins, as well as the determination of the Pokémon who used their own motivation to protect the city, is commendable. I wouldn't say it out loud, but nevertheless, this beautiful piece of art. "We archaeologists must not forget that there was a man who dedicated himself to the city.

Earlier, Shirona said to Kem. "Studying archaeology means learning about humans and the history of Pokémon. And it doesn't have to be just those who are honorable. Some are bloody, some are dark. But we must know that there are people who have given themselves to them. Don't forget. We must leave a record for future generations. That's why we exist. ”

This teaching is the foundation of the course while studying archaeology in Keim. Because of this teaching, Kem learned about the history of this Altomaré and remembered the lives that had been sacrificed for it, and his heart ached.

Shirona spoke to Kem.

"I agree with you on that. Anyone can learn and record it. I can do it, and then I can think of those people. It's not something anyone can do. Because in the end it's someone else's problem. It's surprising that not everyone can think of someone from the past they don't know. But you can do it, both good and bad, and keep it in your heart. I bet you're belittling yourself because you think all the bad things come to mind right away. But you can understand that this is a 'bad thing' and accept it. This is your virtue. ”

No matter what history we have, we will record it and pass it on. This is the duty of a person who studies archaeology. Even if it's a negative legacy, don't forget that there was once "something like that".

However, the party recording should not just be recording. Learn about the record and use it as a lesson. Sirona believes that a person who can't do this can't be an archaeologist.

In this regard, Keim was able to do it from the very beginning. Since he has no talent and cannot guess from instinct, he is sensitive to what others give him.

However, I was overly sensitive.

That's why sometimes I learn about this painful history and it hurts my heart. It's not what you do, it's how you do it and what the person doing it thinks. The thought broke Kem's heart.

Trapped in the past, Shirona doesn't stop, although she thinks it's enough to break her heart.

"It's okay to reminisce about the past, and when you're stuck in the past and can't move forward, I'll hold your hand."

Sirona gently stroked Cam's hand.

Even when Kem was stuck in the past and stopped studying day by day, Sirona would take his hand and start walking.

It would be nice to look back. It's good to think back to the past. But no matter how late it is, I won't let you stop. "That's what it means to be your disciple," Sirona said.

“… Ahh

"If only you understood!"

Sirona tapped her finger at Keim's forehead, stood up, and looked at Altomaré's night view from the window of her room again. The sea breeze ruffled her long hair.

Kem rubbed his punctured forehead and turned his face to Sirona.

"Shirona"

"Yes?"

Kem said with a calm expression that no one else could see except Sirona.

"Thank you"

"Yes"

Just seeing that expression, Sirona felt like a benefit.

*

"It feels really fresh."

"You're the kind of person who can adapt in a few minutes?"

The next day, after breakfast, the two headed to Pengora to practice what it was like to sail a boat for water racing. Originally, I didn't need Kem, but Shirona wanted to do it with me, so I reluctantly did.

But Sirona got used to what it was like to be on a boat in a matter of minutes. Even Pengora, who has watched water races for years, has never seen anyone get used to it so quickly.

By the way, Kem simply can't do it.

"I wonder if it's entirely out of sanity."

"Well, it doesn't matter, it's just that I was forced, so my ignorance was exposed."

"Whew, that's funny."

Kem looked at the chuckling Sirona and sighed. Lucario, who was walking beside me, patted me on the back and comforted me.

"Damn everything, but can you show me your strengths?"

"Leave it to me, my goal is to be the champion."

Sirona said confidently.

"It's almost time, but how about lunch?"

"yes, I don't know if there are any good shops nearby."

Shirona took out her smartphone and began to search the surrounding stores.

Just then, Lucario turned around.

"Lucario?"

I followed Lucario's line of sight, but there was only a group of people.

“？”

Shirona listened in fascination and turned her gaze, but nothing seemed to change.

"That Girl"

"Kem?"

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, I recognized the figure of a girl who was the only one looking at Kem.

She has brown hair and wears a green dress and a tight white dress. There was something strange about the atmosphere.

"Lucario"

Lucario nodded and closed his eyes.

As the vision closes, the vibrations of the surrounding creatures are reflected in Lucario's brain.

And among them, there is one, which exudes particularly strong fluctuations.

Lucario opened his eyes and nodded to Kem.

"I see.

"Kem, is that kid?"

"Oh, no doubt."

When I turned my gaze to the girl again, she beckoned me and walked into the back alley.

"Fufu, you've invited me."

"Let's go"

Chasing the girl, the two ran away. The road is narrow and crooked, and Lucario runs through the buildings and leads the way so as not to lose sight.

"That's right."

"He's fast, isn't he?"

"It's fast, but that's it."

In the process of chasing the girl, I came to a waterway. The girl effortlessly jumped over the waterway and beckoned at the end.

"It's not very wide, so I guess I can jump."

"Maybe Kem, but I'm not sure."

The waterway isn't wide, but it can be a little difficult for Sirona, who doesn't exercise regularly, to jump so wide compared to Kem. Now it's sandals. It's almost unmanageable for running, but it's not a very suitable shoe for jumping. However, there is no bridge nearby, and the detour will take some time.

"I'll jump first.

With that, Kem gave him a gentle help and jumped over the waterway.

After landing without difficulty, Kem turned and stretched out his hand to Sirona.

"It should be fine"

"I beg you."

Shirona also ran like Kem.

Then I ran and jumped as fast as I could. Compared with Kem, the momentum is still a little insufficient, and if it continues like this, it will not be able to reach the last moment.

However, Kem firmly grasped Sirona's outstretched hand and embraced Sirona.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

After confirming that Shirona is safe, Kem releases Shirona.

"Alright, let's go."

Kem started running again, followed by Sirona.

Kem didn't notice Sirona's slightly happy expression.

After following the girl for a few minutes, when Sirona began to lose her breath, the girl turned around in a place that would not normally be seen by the public, and then walked to the back.

Lucario decided not to pursue him from above, so he descended to Kem's side.

"Is it impossible from above?"

"I have no choice but to stay here."

The road ahead was dim and narrow. It is so thin that it is almost impossible for one person to get through.

"Let's go"

"I don't know"

There's no way to follow them back here.