Pokemon: Reborn Rich Alternate Earth

"I also had people look into the Larchs and Howard's family. There's nothing wrong with them. They didn't know the owner of that restaurant was a spy. After the incident, we looked into her, and her life appeared completely normal. If she hadn't exposed herself, she would've just been an ordinary citizen living in Drakoria."

Spies like her were like ticking time bombs—most would never go off in their lifetime, but a few would end up playing their part.

"Your grandson was just unlucky."

Duke sighed helplessly as he spoke. Going out for a late-night snack and ending up in a spy's shop—what kind of luck was that?

"You're the unlucky one," John shot back.

Still, deep down, he couldn't help but be puzzled. His precious grandson could catch Mythical and Legendary Pokémon—by all logic, his luck should be great. So why did it sometimes turn so dark?

"I need to handle the situation with Karl. Whatever you do, don't act impulsively. Even if the people from Wyvernia really did kidnap Julian, they wouldn't dare do anything to him," Duke warned.

He was genuinely worried about John, but Celestria was deliberately conducting military exercises in international waters, led by their strongest Champion, no less.

This was clearly a ploy to divert his attention and lure him away from Drakoria.

A blatant open scheme—yet he had no choice but to respond.

"I know. Don't worry, I won't cross into Wyvernia's borders," John muttered.

Though rage burned inside him, he still had his rationality.

Before long, Drakoria's two Champions departed for their respective assignments. At the same time, the other Type Elites, as well as those on the Elite Leaderboard, mobilized by high command, swiftly sprang into action.

---

Over at the Tenth Army Corps of Drakoria's military, they had just wiped out an infiltrating Organization Z Team and hadn't even had time to rest before receiving combat orders from above.

They were to immediately deploy to the border between Drakoria and Wyvernia, while missile units and air forces stood ready for support and strikes if necessary.

The Tenth Corps commander, General Sam, cut off the communication from the higher-ups.

Every corps commander was at least a peak Elite-level trainer, if not a Pseudo-Champion.

"Commander, what's going on? Are we finally going to throw down with Wyvernia?"

The speaker was a lieutenant general. Inside the office, several other generals and staff officers were present.

At the mention of a fight, excitement flashed in their eyes. Dealing with terrorist organizations was tedious—too few enemies. But taking on Wyvernia, that little clown always jumping around Drakoria?

If it escalated into a full-scale war, they could revive the glory of their ancestors—rolling tanks straight into their capital. Damn it, a life without that would be a life wasted.

"Julian was kidnapped by a spy from Wyvernia. Celestria, Babath, and a few other minor nations are already stirring up trouble. If this blows up, it might not just be Wyvernia we're dealing with."

General Sam's face was ice-cold.

"Damn it! To resort to such underhanded tactics—daring to lay a hand on Drakoria's future Champion! Wyvernia must have a death wish."

No wonder high command had ordered their entire corps to the border. So this was the reason.

Julian was the grandson of Champion John, the son of Elite Jake, and he himself was a prodigy. He was widely considered a monster-level talent with the potential to become a Champion by age thirty.

His father Jake was also expected to become a Champion within the next five years.

For someone of such importance to be kidnapped by Wyvernia… the repercussions went far beyond Drakoria losing a future Champion.

Both Champion John and Elite Jake would be deeply affected. Wyvernia's actions were nothing short of yanking a tiger's whiskers.

Though even if they'd taken an ordinary citizen, Drakoria would never let it slide.

The dignity of a superpower could not be trampled by clowns.

"All units, begin mobilization. You two, keep a close eye on things—and remember, this stays classified."

Once the others left, General Sam made another call, summoning Pierce—as well as Rowan, who hadn't yet departed.

Rowan had played a significant role in the recent operation to wipe out Organization Z's Team. Though he'd faced some danger, he'd handled it smoothly.

The military merits he'd earned could be exchanged for rare Ice-type treasures, which had put him in high spirits.

"Pierce, when's your next leave? The five of us should grab drinks," Rowan asked in Pierce's room.

"Two months from now," Pierce replied.

Just then his phone rang.

"General."

"Understood. I'll be right there."

"Rowan's with me. Got it, I'll inform him."

Hearing his name, Rowan perked up. "Huh? Does General Sam want to commend me or something?"

"You're not even military. What commendation?" Pierce shot back. "Just come with me."

With that, he walked off and Rowan quickly followed.

Not long after, the two arrived at General Sam's office. After knocking and entering, Pierce stood at attention and saluted.

"General, Pierce and Rowan reporting in."

General Sam set down his pen and cut straight to the point. "Julian's been kidnapped by a Wyvernian spy. What do you two think about that?"

Pierce: ⊙o⊙

Rowan: (⊙\_⊙)

The news was so explosive that their brains short-circuited for a moment.

"...You're not joking?!" Rowan finally asked after a long pause.

"No. Multiple countries are already moving to restrain our military forces. Karl from Celestria is positioned in international waters, and Champion Duke has already been dispatched to intercept."

"Meanwhile, our Tenth Corps will soon head to the border with Wyvernia."

This was dead serious.

Pierce and Rowan exchanged glances, shock written all over their faces.

Pierce was the first to speak. "Julian is my friend. General—I formally request to join this operation."

"Me too!" Rowan quickly added.

Julian was in trouble—how could he possibly stand by and do nothing?

But he still couldn't wrap his head around it—how could someone as terrifyingly strong as Julian have been kidnapped?

"High command plans to send a small team into Wyvernia first," General Sam continued.

"The team members have already been decided: Pierce, Rowan, Ember, and Asher. The four of you will form a squad. Special ops will arrange your insertion."

The four of them had performed exceptionally well during the last Top-Tier Secret Realm exploration, and their combat skills were outstanding. Plus, they were familiar with Julian—so high command had chosen them for this operation.

"By the way, Rowan—do you speak Wyvernian?"

Pierce was fluent in six languages, including Wyvernian, which Sam already knew, so he didn't bother asking him.

"I do," Rowan nodded.

As the heir to a major family, his education was naturally top-tier.

"Head to the airport now. Asher and Ember should arrive in about half an hour. Once you're all together, someone will brief you on the mission specifics."

"Understood."

With that, the two left.

On the way to the airport, Rowan still couldn't shake his disbelief. "How the hell did Julian get abducted? Don't tell me Wyvernia sent a Champion?"

"They probably used some underhanded tactics—maybe drugs or a woman," Pierce muttered.

"No way it was a woman. Julian's not into that kind of thing," Rowan immediately dismissed the idea, not missing the chance to throw in a jab at Julian.

*****

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