The figure seemed to sense Chen Kai’s wariness and quickly explained, afraid he might misunderstand: “Don’t be nervous, my name is Noma. When I returned to my residence just now, Mr. Mime detected your Exeggcute’s Psychic fluctuations, so I came over out of curiosity.”
Saying that, she slowly stepped from the shadows into the moonlight.
Before him was a woman in her 30s with blonde hair and blue eyes, tall and wearing a dark green trench coat, its hem gently swaying with her steps.
Her face was exquisite, her eyes held a mysterious and sharp glint, and a faint smile played on her lips, making her appear both elegant and somewhat inscrutable.
Beside her, Mr. Mime stood obediently, its eyes and hands darting around, curiously observing Chen Kai and the Miraidon.
Chen Kai and the Miraidon couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed at this moment; the Miraidon hadn't detected Mr. Mime’s or Noma’s presence at all!
Chen Kai also realized that not only the Miraidon, but also Iron Bundle, Iron Hands, and Iron Thorns were completely unaware.
The situation was very strange, and Chen Kai, feeling concerned, quietly moved his right hand towards Iron Thorns’s Poké Ball.
Noma gently raised a hand, tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, and continued speaking to herself: “You’re curious about this life god statue, aren’t you? Actually, your feeling is correct. This so-called goddess statue was merely made by those life followers themselves. They don’t even know what the life god is truly called; they only heard that the life god saved the world.”
Chen Kai frowned slightly, his vigilance undiminished, and asked, “Why are you here? And why do you know all this?”
Noma smiled faintly, not answering directly, but instead fell into reminiscence, slowly recounting the continuation of the story Thomas had told that afternoon:
“The world knows that the life god drove away the god of death, but they don’t know that the world after that was equally terrifying to the extreme.
In a world without death, living beings were like walking corpses. Some creatures had their internal organs completely exposed but were still struggling. Some people were left with only their heads but barely maintained a trace of life.
In such a world, everything fell into a strange stagnation, and people began to long for a way to end their suffering.”
After a brief pause, Noma’s expression became solemn:
“Just at this critical moment, the world’s true savior—the ‘god of order’—appeared.
It suppressed the life god with its powerful strength and recalled some of the god of death’s power, and only then did the world return to its proper course and regain true peace.”
Chen Kai naturally knew about Zygarde, but he still couldn't help but interject, “What does what you’re saying have to do with this church and the life god statue?”
Noma saw that Chen Kai had no doubt about her story and immediately became more agitated, as if she had found a kindred spirit: “The newborn lives have long forgotten the god of order, let alone the appearance and name of the life god. The current Life Church has completely become a tool for accumulating wealth!”
If these remarks were posted online, Noma would probably be cursed by the followers of the life god—the largest religion on Blue Star—to the point of doubting life itself.
But Chen Kai merely showed a look of sudden realization: “That explains it.”
Noma happily continued, “And I believe that all things in the world following order is the right path! I came to this town this time because I learned from an ancient book that a Pokémon once defeated the god of death, and related clues pointed here. I believe there might be traces of the god of order here, which is why I passed through.”
“But it could also be traces of the life god, couldn’t it?” Chen Kai asked, puzzled.
Noma shrugged: “It doesn’t matter. If we can find the suppressed life god, won’t we also find clues about the god of order?”
Chen Kai nodded: “That makes a lot of sense.”
Noma smiled slightly and walked towards Chen Kai with elegant steps: “Young man from Dragon Country, you are very interesting. You don’t doubt my story at all. How about you come with me to look for traces of the god of order?”
Chen Kai quickly took a few steps back, unwilling to deal with this strange woman, and prepared to leave.
“I’ll pass. I have other urgent matters, and I don’t think your search for the god of order has much meaning.”
Chen Kai knew clearly that Zygarde, as a Pokémon that maintains order, mostly hides its cells and disperses them throughout the world. Perhaps there are its cells in the town monitoring everything, so searching for it truly has little meaning.
Noma was a little angry after hearing Chen Kai’s words: “What do you mean by that? What do you mean it’s meaningless?”
“Uh, I mean, since the god of order can suppress the life god, it must be incredibly powerful, perhaps omniscient and omnipotent. If it wants to find you, it will naturally appear on its own; if not, it’s useless even if you search the whole world.”
Chen Kai casually gave a few perfunctory remarks, then took the opportunity to leave the church, leaving Noma to fall into deep thought.
Miraidon followed behind, curiously asking, “Do you know that god of order?”
Chen Kai walked and quietly explained to Miraidon, “Yes, it’s called Zygarde, and its types are Ground and Dragon. Its cells can be invisible, and now it probably has its cells scattered all over the world, monitoring order. Maybe there’s one right next to us.”
At this moment, even though Chen Kai spoke so carefully, in a corner of the town that was almost imperceptible, an invisible small cell still moved slightly.
This tiny cell, hidden in the darkness, seemed to be touched by Chen Kai’s words, as if it had some kind of sensing.
Before long, they returned to the mayor’s doorstep.
Chen Kai suddenly turned around, his eyes filled with vigilance and displeasure, and questioned, “Why are you still following me?”
By now, even Chen Kai could sense Noma behind him.
And Noma walked forward unhurriedly: “I live here too, why can’t I come?”
Chen Kai then remembered that the mayor had indeed mentioned another lodger; the elusive Noma was most likely her.
“Please, go ahead.” Chen Kai moved aside.
Noma walked forward, took out her key, opened the mayor’s door, and then said with a smile: “Young man, you are indeed interesting. Your recent statement is very novel, but I will still go search for the god of order.
After all, whether I can find it is one thing; whether I search or not is a matter of attitude.”
Chen Kai just quietly watched Noma, not responding.
Early the next morning, Thomas, carrying his backpack, sat in the car going from the town to the city, with a hint of reluctance on his face, waving goodbye: “Chen Kai, remember to find me next time you come to Paris!”
“I will find you.” Chen Kai waved back.
As the car started, Thomas’s figure gradually moved further away until he disappeared from sight.
Chen Kai took a deep breath and turned to look at his companions: Miraidon, Xiao Mei, Hydrapple, Grovyle, Exeggcute, and Horsea.
“Then let’s continue our journey!”
His companions seemed to be infected by Chen Kai’s enthusiasm and cheered.
Thus, in a joyful atmosphere, Chen Kai and his Pokémon companions finally embarked on their journey to the Vosges Mountains.
The sun shone upon them, outlining a scene full of hope and joy.