Team Rocket base, inside a luxuriously decorated office.
"Oh? You're saying the three of them encountered enemy attacks on the road and unfortunately perished?" Archer looked at the respectfully kneeling Sieg before him with slight surprise.
Sieg was quite astute, dropping to one knee as he spoke. "This subordinate wouldn't dare deceive you, sir. Since my Pokémon specializes in flight, they had me take Raikou's blood back to base first!"
To make the act convincing, Sieg gritted his teeth and released his elite-level Honchkrow, which he'd planned to keep as a trump card.
"Please dispatch a rescue team, Sir Archer! The three of them must still be struggling to hold out, waiting for rescue!"
Sieg's expression was earnest, showing not the slightest trace of deception. In truth, there was none to find, the forest where he'd buried the three bodies had been thoroughly destroyed and disguised to look like an attack site.
Even if someone went back to investigate now, they wouldn't find a single clue. Sieg had the confidence to make such bold claims.
Archer sat at his desk, still wearing that white suit vest. He noticed Sieg's movements with mild interest but didn't respond for a long while, simply continuing to flip through a book in his hands.
Time flew by swiftly. Half an hour passed, and Sieg maintained his kneeling position the entire time. Just when Honchkrow was about to lose patience, Archer finally set down his book.
Looking at Sieg, he said unhurriedly, "Repeat the mission process once more."
Hearing this, Sieg's heart leapt in alarm. His mind raced frantically, desperately recalling the lies he'd just fabricated.
"Initially, we had Sir Mushin covering us in the valley. After collecting the blood, the four of us scattered and broke through separately..."
Sieg's memory was quite good, perhaps thanks to his previous life. Steeling himself, he repeated the fabricated story once more.
After he finished this time, Archer finally showed a hint of a smile. "Black Sky, you've done well. You've earned merit in this mission. Since I took that Shiny Pichu from you last time, naturally I should compensate you!"
As Archer's words fell, a hidden door to the side opened, and Mushin entered holding an ordinary red and white Poké Ball.
Sieg respectfully called out "Sir Mushin" once more, though this time he didn't kneel, merely bowing slightly to show respect.
Sieg stared intently at that Poké Ball. He knew that accepting it would mean he'd be fully incorporated into Archer's direct command, becoming a core member and naturally aligning with Archer's faction within Team Rocket.
For Sieg, this was naturally a mixed blessing.
The good news was earning the attention and cultivation of an Elite Four level expert. The bad news was that this expert belonged to Team Rocket.
However, he didn't have the luxury of choosing. Sieg accepted the Poké Ball with gratitude, spouting flattering words as if they cost nothing.
Archer nodded imperceptibly and waved his hand, indicating Sieg could leave.
Without hesitation, Sieg departed with Honchkrow. Only Mushin and Archer remained in the room.
Archer looked at Mushin with interest. "Do you believe what he said?"
Mushin froze for a moment before responding, "No. Although his story was convincing and passed your test, sir, there are ultimately too many inconsistencies in the details. We'd only need to dispatch a quasi-Elite Four level Psychic-type to uncover the truth!"
After speaking, Mushin looked at Archer questioningly, but Archer slowly shook his head.
"No need. Truth or lies, as long as he can be of use to me, I don't care about his own little schemes."
Archer slowly stood up, gazing out the window with profound eyes. There lay Team Rocket's residential district, where a young man with a Honchkrow at his side was just entering.
After returning to his Team Rocket dormitory, Sieg sat on the bed, closed his eyes, and carefully reviewed his conversation with Archer. He silently congratulated himself for not showing any obvious flaws, letting out a long breath.
Though he knew his fabricated lies couldn't withstand close scrutiny, under such tense circumstances, he simply couldn't think of a better excuse. So he could only take the gamble, hoping to pass safely.
Sieg knew his current situation was like a high-stakes bet, with uncertain outcomes either way.
But being criminally active, everyone had to gamble to varying degrees. Life wasn't like a progress bar that increased with effort alone. Sometimes you had to take risks and make bold moves!
In fact, his guess was correct.
Within Team Rocket, the principle upheld was survival of the fittest, might makes right. Even if Archer learned the truth about him killing his teammates, he likely wouldn't impose any severe punishment.
After all, Sieg had completed the mission brilliantly, proving his capabilities, that was undoubtedly his greatest asset.
As for the twin brothers and Rose, their deaths at Sieg's hands were perhaps simply due to their inferior skills. Even if Archer discovered this, he'd probably just contemptuously call them "trash" without showing the slightest regret. On the contrary, he might be delighted to have discovered a "prodigy" like Sieg.
The only worry was the backer Rose had mentioned before dying, "Viper."
"According to what she said before death, he's an Elite Four level expert, and Rose was apparently his woman. Viper, huh..."
Sieg furrowed his brow, his mood clearly less than ideal.
"Gah gah..."
Honchkrow's hoarse cry snapped Sieg out of his thoughts.
Sieg glanced at the anxious-looking Honchkrow. "From now on, we've got a foothold within Team Rocket!"
This mission had given Sieg a clear understanding of battles between Elite Four level experts. Those earth-shattering, cataclysmic scenes remained vivid in his mind. Every time he recalled them, his heart trembled.
Meanwhile, online, some people still peddled conspiracy theories, claiming wealthy tycoons and conglomerates secretly controlled the entire world through money.
Sieg had originally harbored doubts about such claims, having witnessed firsthand the influence of top-tier families.
However, when he recalled that heart-stopping Elite Four battle, all doubts vanished. It all seemed absurdly laughable.
In this world, money was certainly important, but when facing truly overwhelming power, what good was wealth? Before absolute strength, any schemes were futile.
This was reality, cruel and true.
"Strength! This world ultimately values strength above all!" Sieg clenched his fists, his determination to grow stronger never more resolute.
Suddenly, the red and white Poké Ball at his waist shook.
Only then did Sieg remember, this was the reward Archer had promised when he took the Shiny Pichu.
Sieg pressed the button. A red flash appeared.
A Pokémon resembling a fox cub materialized.
"A Zorua?!"