Chapter 326: Black-Hearted Old Man
Walking out of the Castelia Gallery, Will's dog face wore a mysterious expression.
He took it quite openly.
Guessing that he might go back to the past in the future, after initial annoyance, his mentality gradually stabilized.
First of all, it can be confirmed.
The Riolu appearing in that painting has a 99% probability of being him.
Not narcissism or overconfidence.
But Will confirmed that a Riolu who could be titled "Teacher" by the Kingdom of the Vale must be his special Riolu throughout history.
Especially since.
Will knew part of the history of the Kingdom of the Vale.
More precisely, he knew the history of the Kingdom of the Vale in the original timeline.
He was very sure that within the short one or two centuries from the founding to the destruction of the Kingdom of the Vale, no awesome Riolu appeared.
If there were such a Riolu, there should be some records in games, anime, or movies.
But there weren't.
But after he came to this world, to the Unova region, the history of the Kingdom of the Vale changed.
A Riolu appeared.
Secondly.
Whether this event can be avoided is unknown.
Although Will couldn't imagine how he went back a thousand years, staying away from the Sword of the Vale is always right.
Changing history in the Pokémon world isn't impossible.
If Will doesn't go to the past this time.
Maybe the history of the Kingdom of the Vale will return to the right track.
Finally.
Even if it can't be avoided.
Will won't sit and wait for death.
In the future, follow Cynthia more, research the events that happened a thousand years ago.
When he really has to travel back, he can survive in that chaotic era with the information and intelligence he learned.
"Riolu? What's wrong? Your expression is so serious."
Cynthia leaned her head over.
"Nothing. Where are we going next?"
Will shook his head.
There are roads north and east from Castelia City; how to go depends on Cynthia's decision.
Will still maintained the method of cultivating Lorelei, leaving most situations for Cynthia to decide, while he cleaned up the mess or stopped her at critical moments.
Will felt that although teenage Cynthia was also mischievous, she should be much more rational than that tomboy teenage Lorelei.
The probability of Cynthia doing dangerous things is definitely far lower than Lorelei.
"Next, I plan to take a boat to Nuvema Town in the southeast corner first, to visit Professor Juniper there and update the Pokédex by the way."
Cynthia took out her Pokédex.
A map of the Unova region was loaded on it.
Cynthia's Pokédex was a version from two years ago.
Now two years have passed, new Pokémon have been discovered in various regions, and data has been shared with the Pokémon League and Pokédex.
But updating the Pokédex requires the help of a local Pokémon Professor.
So Cynthia planned to visit Professor Juniper in Nuvema Town first to update her Pokédex.
To avoid being confused when encountering unfamiliar Pokémon while traveling in the Unova region for the next year.
Will nodded upon hearing this.
As expected.
Teenage Cynthia is more steady, knowing to plan ahead when traveling.
Lorelei basically went wherever she ended up, belonging to the same type of trainer as Ash.
"When do we leave?"
"Immediately!"
Cynthia nodded gently.
"Castelia City is so big; there should be many places we haven't visited. Don't plan to play for a couple more days?"
Will tilted his head in confusion.
Teenage girls should be quite playful.
Moreover, Cynthia is different from Lorelei; she doesn't have much desire to challenge the League, everything is just to pave the way for her future research on myths and legends.
Such Cynthia shouldn't be anxious to advance in the journey and challenge Gyms.
"We will pass by Castelia City in the future; let's play slowly then. Next time I'll choose Peach flavor ice cream!"
"Will you give me some next time?"
Will asked with a smile.
"Hmm... You are not allowed to eat it all in one bite, only small bites~"
"Hahaha!"
Castelia City's port is the largest port in the Unova region.
It has cruise ships leading to various regions of the world.
However.
Nuvema Town is a small place.
Although it is the location of Professor Juniper's lab, it is also a place with very little traffic.
So the ships to Nuvema Town are basically small and medium-sized.
Will and Cynthia arrived at the port and started looking for a boat willing to take them to Nuvema Town.
"Prioritize finding those speedboats? They generally leave directly after getting passengers, no need to wait."
Will pointed to some small boats parked in the distance.
The advantage of this kind of boat is fast departure and time-saving.
If finding a larger ship, have to wait for enough passengers to depart, don't know how long to wait.
"I thought so too. By the way, Riolu, how do you know? Have you traveled before?"
Cynthia agreed.
"No, heard from trainers chatting about travel experiences down the mountain."
Will certainly couldn't tell the truth.
Cynthia didn't think much about it.
Dragging him toward an old man who looked quite kind.
"Grandpa, how much P to Nuvema Town?"
Cynthia asked politely.
P is the currency unit of this world, issued by the Pokémon League, the letter taken from the P of Pokémon (Poke).
"Nuvema Town~ Hmm~ That distance isn't short~"
Hearing this, the old man's ears twitched, shaking his head before saying this.
"..."
Will stared at him frowning.
He knew at a glance this guy was a black-hearted captain.
He met many such people when running around by boat with Lorelei before.
This is a problem that must be faced when taking such small boats.
Big ship ticket prices are fair and open; all customers pay the same price.
Selling at uneven prices.
Would definitely cause dissatisfaction.
While these small boats carrying individual passengers can price differently for different customers.
Some outsiders don't know if the price is fair, and might be ripped off if not careful.
Like Cynthia, who looks like a rookie trainer from another region at a glance, these black ships won't be soft when ripping off.
"About 3500P."
The old man's eyes rolled, gesturing a number with his hand.
Will's face turned black upon hearing this.
What concept is 3500P in this era?
Enough for Cynthia to travel from the Unova region across half the globe to the south of the Sinnoh region.
"Oh."
Cynthia nodded, pulled Will, and turned to leave.
'Mm, Cynthia is indeed much smarter.'
Will nodded secretly.
If it were Lorelei, even after traveling for two years, she would still be cheated. If Will wasn't watching by her side, she would be cheated. On the contrary, Cynthia.
Although Carmela gave her a lot of pocket money, she wouldn't spend it recklessly.
Cynthia is usually very frugal, only not stingy when spending money on her Pokémon.
"Hey hey~ Little girl, wait, don't rush off, you can bargain~ I allow you to bargain."
Seeing Cynthia walking toward his competitor, the old man hurried up to stop them.
At this time, the expression on the old man's face changed.
From kind and gentle at the beginning to mercenary and flattering.
"1000P."
Cynthia turned around and said expressionlessly.
"No, 200P."
Will immediately held Cynthia's hand and shook his head.
He said this sentence with "Woof woof," so that black-hearted old man couldn't understand.
"Ah?"
Cynthia was stunned.
200P is too little.
Can bargaining be done like this?
"If 1000P..."
"200P."
Although hesitant, Cynthia chose to trust Will.
She didn't give the other party a chance to speak, shouting this price directly.
"What?! Little girl, bargaining isn't done like this. My boat has carried the President of the Unova League, and once even encountered the legendary Thundurus at sea..."
"Don't talk nonsense with him, 400P."
Will didn't want to listen to this old man rambling.
400P to Nuvema Town and back, this old man could earn about 100P.
100P isn't much.
Maybe just enough for two days' food for a family of three.
But.
Will knew the market situation in this era and season very well.
It's normal not to get a customer for three or five days.
Moreover, the captain is such an old man.
Many people who cherish their lives won't choose such an old man as a boatman because it doesn't look safe.
Although Will knew that boats driven by such old sailors and fishermen are safer, those who don't take boats often don't know.
Will followed Tom (presumably a sailor/captain from a past life) and the others to sea continuously for nearly 10 years back then.
Counted as a sailor of some standing.
Naturally knew much more about these situations than ordinary people.
Not taking Cynthia today.
This old man might not get a customer in the next three or five days.
Wait two years.
When the League Elite Four and Champion systems are launched one after another, and Contests become more popular.
People will start using various vehicles frequently to travel to other regions or within the region.
By then, various travel agencies, shipyards, and even the Pokémon League will get involved.
Safe, affordable, and fast vehicles will be put into use one by one.
These private small boats will completely lose a place in this field.
By then, they can at most be fishermen or cargo carriers, basically unable to carry people.
This old man is so cunning.
Will believed he could also see the market situation, so he didn't plan to be polite with him.
If this old man didn't intend to rip off Cynthia severely at the beginning and asked for 700 or 800P, Will wouldn't say anything.
Asking for 3500P directly, simply crazy for money.
So Will showed no mercy when bargaining.
At most letting the other party earn a tiny bit.
Take it or leave it.
"400P."
Cynthia chose to trust Will's words and spoke directly.
"What, how about..."
"Let's go."
Cynthia pulled Will and turned to leave.
"Deal! As long as you dare to ask, I dare to go! Even at a loss, I accept it! Let's go now! GoGo!"
The old man untied the iron chain and jumped onto the boat without a word.
He already saw those few peers walking over, probably planning to snatch the customer.
This won't do!
Must depart immediately!
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