The Crestwell Manor was grand and gigantic. From where William stood, it was all he could see, stretching across his vision. After passing through the suburban houses and the numerous security checks, his eyes finally witnessed the beauty of Crestwell manor.
It had a Victorian style to it—it looked like something royalty would have. However, the Crestwell family weren't royalty, but they were the closest thing Hoenn had to it.
Spanning back generations upon generations, they were believed to be one of the core founders of the region as it is today—or so they claimed. It hosted a rich history of influential members—politicians, army commanders, police chiefs, region leaders.
It was harder to find a family member—even in this day and age—who wasn't famously decorated in one way or another, rather than someone who was. It was perfection placed in a bloodline—a star burning the brightest, only it never faded.
At their peak, they held the most influence in the region—practically controlling it. Although times have changed, they still hold considerable influence, especially considering the Champion himself is a member of the Crestwell family—the party was being hosted at his own estate.
William was dressed in a black and white tuxedo—exuding an aura of quiet confidence. He adjusted his tie, glancing toward his left. Shelly was in a simple yet elegant light blue dress. It had an intricate pattern of waves, looking as though it was crafted from the sea itself. Of course, she just had to go out of her way to buy one of the most expensive dresses.
She pulled against the soft fabric, mumbling something about the tightness.
"Stay sharp," was all William said, and they made their way toward the manor. Behind them, carriages carrying some of the most influential people in the region stopped at the pavement. Men with rich suits and full bellies walked side by side with young women powdered with makeup.
They climbed the steps to the manor. At the apex of the stairs were two security guards with Pokebelts at their sides. Above the doorway was a beautifully designed stone carving of two Milotics, dancing across the outline of the doorframe and coiling around another—inviting them into power and influence.
Crestwell Manor's interior was a breathtaking expanse, a loveletter to the family's enduring dominance. The walls were blazed with rich crimson and gold, their vibrant colours catching the flicker of firelight from countless lanterns that lined the room.
Each lantern burned with a fierce—almost living—flame, casting a warm, sunset glow that danced across the room as if the manor itself was alive. Ancient tapestries adorned the walls at precise intervals, faded yet vivid and in good condition—chronicling Hoenn's past. Above, a colossal chandelier dominated the ceiling, looking as though it was stretching into the walls—the wealth blurred the lines between fiction and reality. The fire from the lanterns flickered against the glass from the chandelier—shining bright in Williams' eyes.
The scent of fire and perfume assaulted his nose as he focused on the tapestries. One of them depicted a battlefield where two sides fought alongside their Pokemon, while another showed the signing of a declaration of sorts. Another was of the deep blue seas which seem to resonate with him somehow.
The final two tapestries were the most interesting however. One of them showed a great red creature standing atop the mountains as plumes of lava spouted around it. It's mouth was wide open—screaming into oblivion. The other on the right showcased a great storm and flood as if it were the end of the world, and at the center of it was an enormous sea creature—swallowing the painting whole.
Both the tapestries were opposite each other— right next to the doorway—almost as if they were challenging one another. Williams' attention remained on the tapestry to the right. It called to him, the sea called to him…
Unbeknownst to him, a man behind him had his eyes glued to the left one.
"Wow…" Shelly breathed.
They were led to a massive room which hosted all the guests. A couple dozen chairs with tables surrounded the edges of the room for the extravagant dinner later. There was no bar in the room—instead, waiters and servants regularly rushed out carrying alcohol and appetizers, which were slowly pruned from their trays as they scurried across the room.
"This," William said, sticking his arm out and looking to Shelly, "this is Hoenn's economy."
Shelly gulped, fidgeting with one of the rings on her finger.
"William, are you sure I should be here? I feel so out of place. I mean, I could always just leave. I don't think anyone has seen me ye—"
"Relax," William said. He reached out nearby and snatched two cocktails from a tray, handing one to her. "Just talk, sip your drink, and smile. If they make what seems to be a joke—no matter how unfunny it is—just laugh. Compliment the other person. When they ask what you do, say you like to help students by teaching at the university in your free time, but your main priority is your charity. Don't oversell it, but say enough to make people interested. Relax. Take a deep breath, and you'll be fine."
Shelly took a deep breath, her shoulders unwinding down, and nodded.
"I'll be seeing you," William said, leaving her alone in the den of lions. Although he had invited her, he wasn't here to babysit—he had his own stuff to do.
He sipped his drink—it tasted bitter and awful. How could people like this stuff? He stayed careful and put on the most friendly and disarming smile he could manage.
In places like this, the extravagant room was the battlefield, and words and deception were your weapons. No stadiums or Pokemon battles or flashy moves—this was much more important than that.
One right conversation could set you up for life, but one wrong word could destroy it.
He spotted his first target up ahead.
The man was conversing with two other people. William walked over. He waited until there was a short pause in the conversation they were in and decided to introduce himself.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
"Good evening, Mr…?"
"Call me William, it's what my friends call me. You may not have heard of me, but you might have heard of my company—Neptune Shipping."
His target, Mr. Hayes, eyes widened in recognition. "Neptune Shipping! Of course, I have heard of you!"
It would've been a surprise if he didn't. Mr. Hayes ran the largest news network across Hoenn. It was the very same news network William had paid handsomely—and continued to pay—for advertisements.
"Neptune Shipping…the name rings a bell." the second one said.
"I'm guessing you ship things?" the other one asked with a sarcastic smirk.
"Cargo and people, mainly. Alive people, I should clarify," William joked. "We are the safest travel across the seas."
William handed each of them a small card with his details on it. "If any of you want a free, private demonstration of our shipping capabilities, then call this number. It goes directly to me. We have private ships where your safety is guaranteed. We travel all across the region."
He turned his attention back to Mr. Hayes. "Especially for the man who has been kind enough to let us advertise all over his news network."
Mr. Hayes laughed. "It's only thanks to the generous sum of money you are paying. And look where it's got you. In only five months, you've become the largest shipping company in Hoenn. I suppose it's to be expected—the other companies were weak and scoundrels, only caring for profits and themselves." he grumbled.
Also the fact that I targeted my competitors' ships until they couldn't compete with me anymore. William thought. They had also planned a couple dozen fake attacks on Neptune shipping to remove any warranted suspicion. William had sent some of the weaker members on a mission to attack Neptune Shipping—but it had spectacularly failed.
Powerful Pokemon and Employees like Jeremy were defending the ships. They also wore masks for protection so no one from Team Aqua would recognize them.
"I'll catch you later, Mr. Hayes. Maybe we could speak in private? I'd like to discuss the partnership between Neptune and your news network going forward. We've both made lots of money, and I don't see why it has to end."
Mr. Hayes agreed.
William left, smiling—but before he could regain his bearings, he bumped into someone. No—not just someone. The second most powerful man in Hoenn, just behind the champion.
Joseph Stone. CEO of Devon Corp.