Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [536]

After the third secretary in a row had a mental breakdown reviewing the Kanto branch’s mission report, the Chief hesitated repeatedly before finally dialing August's number.

“Um… August…”

As the Chief struggled to find the right tone—one that wouldn't crush August’s enthusiasm—to inform him that he needed to rewrite the report, a sudden roar echoed from the other end of the line.

"What was that noise?" The Chief froze, wondering if August was battling some enemy again.

"Quiet! I'm on the phone…" Standing atop Groudon's shoulder, August lightly tapped it and explained casually, "It's nothing—Groudon just couldn't find its way back home. I'm escorting it back!"

"..."

Although it had been years since the Chief worked on the front lines, he’d once been quite the formidable trainer himself. Yet compared to August, he felt as if he’d wasted half his life.

At the age when the Chief had still been desperately scheming to catch a Salamence, August had already disciplined legendary Pokémon capable of causing regional disasters into obedient companions.

Sighing inwardly, the Chief reluctantly conveyed the matter about the mission report to August.

"...Relax, Chief. I'll swap in someone more reliable when I get back!" August reassured him.

After hanging up, August—who’d already suspected that Zinnia’s report might be unreliable—hadn’t anticipated it being rejected outright. Just what exactly had Zinnia written?

He curiously opened the report, but after just a brief glance, his head started throbbing. Suddenly, August felt overwhelming sympathy toward the headquarters’ review staff.

After texting Blue to take over the task, August turned to Groudon with a puzzled expression, "We're already in Hoenn, so why are you still here?"

Groudon inwardly grumbled.

You think I dare leave without permission? Your reputation for being petty is legendary!

If I disappear without notice, next time you won't just turn me into a balloon...

Of course, Groudon, who had lived countless years, wasn't foolish enough to express those thoughts openly. Instead, it pretended to wave cheerfully at August before burrowing underground with a booming rumble.

As Groudon disappeared, August frowned slightly.

Was it his imagination, or was someone talking badly about him again?

Taking out Gardevoir's Poké Ball, he said, "Gardevoir, take me to see Steven!"

Gardevoir nodded, gently taking August’s arm. In an instant, the two vanished from the spot.

When August opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in Steven’s office.

Steven, holding a magnifying glass in one hand and a mineral sample in the other, stared at August in surprise.

"August?! Weren’t you supposed to be in Unova?"

He'd spent the past few days following news reports about Team Plasma’s defeat in Unova, and hadn’t expected August to suddenly appear.

August casually pulled up a chair and sat down like he owned the place. "Everything in Unova’s already wrapped up. I came here to bring Groudon back to Hoenn, so I thought I'd drop by to see you... You seem different now that you're not Champion."

If Steven used to always wear a serious frown, now he could only be described as radiant.

"I'm simply free to do the things I love now," Steven replied with a gentle smile.

"Hearing that from the heir of Devon Corporation..." August shook his head with mock irritation. "Have some pity on us working-class folks!"

Steven couldn’t help but retort, "You? Working class?"

Although the Pokémon League hadn't officially announced anything yet, Steven’s sources within the League Council suggested that they were already considering August as the next head of the International Police after the current Chief stepped down.

If August counted as working class, then his position as the heir to Devon Corporation wasn't even worth mentioning.

"But surely you didn’t come here just to chat with me?" Steven asked knowingly, just like Lance, thoroughly acquainted with August’s style.

Given August's personality, he’d rather lie on a sofa, watch streams, and pet Eevee while video-calling him, rather than making the effort to visit him in person without a reason.

August conceded with a slight grin, "If you insist… I suppose there’s one small thing."

Steven wore an expression that said: I knew it.

"It’s nothing major," August assured him casually. "With Devon Corporation’s extensive reach, you've probably had dealings with Galar’s Macro Cosmos group... I just wanted to ask if you could provide some information on them."

Steven’s expression immediately shifted at the mention of Macro Cosmos, and after hearing August’s request, he hurriedly tried to reassure him, "There's no need to go that far. Really, it's unnecessary..."

August: "?"

Did I say something? I only wanted some info on Macro Cosmos… What's with your reaction?

"You mean you're not asking for information on Macro Cosmos because Chairman Rose is planning to sabotage you at the next World Coronation Series?" Steven gave August a look that said, "Stop pretending in front of me."

"If anyone else doesn't know your character, fine—but how could I not?"

"What happened to Lysandre in Kalos has already spread throughout the circles!"

August flushed immediately, "That's slander! Pure slander!"

Who is it?!

Who’s spreading these rumors?!

Since when have I, August, ever been so petty?

How did Lysandre’s situation become me settling a personal grudge? If not for me, Lysandre would’ve already brought doom to the entire world!

He, August, had always acted purely out of righteousness!

"Yes, yes, of course…" Steven nodded repeatedly, barely suppressing his smile as he phoned his secretary, instructing them to prepare the relevant documents on Macro Cosmos.

Steven quickly pushed a thick stack of papers toward August, whispering seriously, "Everything’s here. And rest assured, these are all paper copies—burn them after reading, and no trace will be left!"

"I…" August opened his mouth, then slumped weakly back into the chair.

Why doesn't anyone believe me when I’m telling the truth?!

Picking up a stack of documents from the table, August flipped through them. The information was about the energy industry—from generation to distribution, Macro Cosmos Group had virtually monopolized the entire Galar region's electricity supply.

Aside from a small minority who used Electric-type Pokémon to generate power independently, over ninety percent of Galar's population depended entirely on Macro Cosmos.

Then there was mining... food production... clothing...

Macro Cosmos had infiltrated nearly every aspect of life in Galar, creating an airtight monopoly without leaving a single weakness to exploit!

Devon and Silph Co. might be considered giants with cross-regional influence, but compared to Macro Cosmos—which effectively controlled every industry in Galar—they were still a step behind.

Especially since Chairman Rose was also the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League.

"It's astounding..." August closed the file thoughtfully.

He previously had only a vague impression of Macro Cosmos, but now his understanding was crystal clear.

Steven nodded, "Macro Cosmos’s grip on Galar is frighteningly tight. Our subsidiaries have repeatedly tried to enter the region but always met severe obstacles. Eventually, we gave up."

"After unexpectedly losing the bid to Mr. Rose the last time the World Coronation Series venue was decided, he doubled his sponsorship fee for this round."

August suddenly understood. "No wonder he managed to persuade the League to change the tournament's rules."

He stuffed all the documents into Gengar’s stomach. "Thanks for the intel. I owe you dinner sometime!"

Steven hesitated, then quietly reminded, "As League officials, we really should try to stay within the bounds of legality..."

August: "..."

You still don’t trust me, huh?

Whatever, Steven could believe whatever he wanted.

But legality...? When had he, August, ever cut corners on procedural justice? Had he ever wrongly arrested a good person?

Steven also felt he'd worried excessively as soon as he said it—August had always been reliable in his actions.

"Oh right," August changed the topic, "I heard Wallace is doing well lately?"

"Yeah! Honestly, if it weren't for Wallace, I wouldn’t have the leisure to sit here playing around with minerals..." Steven proudly showed off a gleaming black metallic ore to August.

August couldn't tell exactly what kind of stone it was, but if Steven was boasting about it, it was surely something precious.

Seeing Steven's smug expression, August smiled faintly and asked, "Have you ever seen Unova’s legendary Dark Stone and Light Stone?"

"Huh?" Steven froze.

Then August took out his phone, showing Steven pictures of two stones—one black, one white.

Suddenly, the fossil of the ancient Steel-type Pokémon Steven held didn't seem so remarkable anymore.

But after piquing Steven's curiosity, August stubbornly refused to elaborate further, no matter how subtly Steven hinted. Soon, Steven was looking at August with eyes full of resentment.

August, meanwhile, felt refreshed!

Who dares to call me petty now?

When August returned from Hoenn to the Kanto branch, he found Zinnia meticulously cleaning Rayquaza, carefully wiping each scale until it gleamed brilliantly.

August stared, suspecting she'd waxed each scale individually.

Seeing the sweat dripping from Zinnia's forehead but the joyful spark still bright in her eyes, August couldn't understand her fanatic devotion.

Zinnia finally noticed August standing nearby. She froze, then carefully asked, "Is something wrong, August...?"

Why is August looking at me like that? Could it be he's regretting something?!

Seeing Zinnia's cautious expression, August initially wanted to say something but ended up just sighing, "Your mission report was great. Don’t write it again."

Zinnia tilted her head, utterly confused.

What's wrong with the report? I thought it was excellent! It perfectly captured Lord Rayquaza’s magnificent contributions!

But she quickly shrugged it off and happily continued polishing Rayquaza’s scales.

Entering the living room, August discovered the Meloetta Choir had gained new members: Lugia Jr. handling the bass, Victini singing mid-range, Hoopa pretending to know what he was doing, and...Cogita?!

August stared at Cogita, who had replaced Mew as the conductor, completely bewildered.

When did Cogita start taking interest in these childish games?

As August walked in, the choir rehearsal abruptly stopped. Mew swiftly dashed towards August...then right past him, retrieving her snacks from Gengar.

August was speechless.

Seriously? You raced over just for snacks?

Seeing Mew grab the potato chips and attempt to perch on his head, August quickly grabbed her by the scruff and playfully squeezed her little cheeks.

"Mew!" she pouted indignantly, waving her tiny fists.

Seeing Mew's adorable threat, August felt strangely delighted. Threatening, perhaps—but utterly lacking intimidation.

Meanwhile, Gardevoir, who had returned with August, found herself pestered by Meloetta, who clung to her arm, begging her sweetly to join the choir. Gardevoir clearly had little interest in these playful activities, but Meloetta never gave up.

This time, Meloetta had enlisted Cogita’s help. Whatever Cogita whispered into Gardevoir’s ear made her hesitate, but eventually, she reluctantly nodded and agreed to join.

At that moment, Silver emerged from the basement, visibly upset—obviously fresh from an unpleasant conversation with Giovanni.

August waved him over.

Silver approached, prompting August’s gentle inquiry, "Did you meet your father just now? Didn’t go well?"

There was no point hiding it. Silver nodded, then shared the news he'd learned from Giovanni:

"He's planning a prison break."

August coughed sharply, nearly choking.

He understood Silver's complicated feelings.

But seriously? That's some father-son bonding...

"It’d be strange if Giovanni wasn’t plotting to escape...but looking on the bright side, Giovanni also contributed to justice this time," August objectively pointed out.

Silver froze, never expecting such a remark from August.

"Change doesn’t happen overnight. You have to give him more time," August continued earnestly, feeling deeply responsible for guiding Silver.

Nearby, Sabrina, who had just come downstairs arm-in-arm with Blue, stared at August as though he'd lost his mind.

Is this really August?

Did he just defend Giovanni?!

"You're not August. Who are you really? The real August would never speak for Giovanni!" Sabrina declared, suspicion filling her gaze.

Blue nodded vehemently in agreement.

Facing Sabrina and Blue’s accusations, August was utterly speechless.

Is that the kind of person they think I am? And am I really defending Giovanni? I’m clearly trying to help Silver!

---

This is a fan translation of 我，宝可梦称号大师！ by 落唯 白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!