1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 21: Quiet Tide

The air outside Hulbury Stadium still carried the roar of the crowd, even after the doors closed behind us. Salt blew in from the harbor, mixing with the sharp smell of battle dust and the wet stone around the stadium steps. My Water Badge felt heavier than I expected in my case, not because I doubted it, but because Nessa had made every move feel deliberate.

The badge case in my pocket clicked softly against the Normal Badge souvenir from Wedgehurst. That little difference mattered. Galar had its own rules, and I could respect a keepsake without pretending it was the same as an earned Gym victory. The Grass and Water Badges had come from real stadium battles, and both of them had already changed how this region looked at us.

Alice walked beside me with Eevee tucked close to her shoulder. Gloria still looked half-soaked from cheering through the match, and Helen kept checking her new Applin as if the little Pokémon might roll straight toward the restaurant signs. Flora smiled at the sea breeze. Elena, as usual, watched the people before the scenery.

Oleana intercepted us before we reached the main street. She stood with perfect posture, tablet against one arm, and not one strand of hair seemed bothered by the wind. Her eyes moved over our group quickly, counting us as if lateness itself had a shape she could remove.

"Chairman Rose is waiting at the seafood restaurant known as the Captain's Table," Oleana said. "Please do not keep him waiting. He dislikes leaving a matter unfinished once he has decided it should be handled."

She held out a League Card between two fingers. I accepted it carefully, feeling the stiff gloss of the card catch the light. Rose's smile shone from the front, bright enough to belong on every poster in Galar.

Oleana inclined her head. "So that you will not forget the chairman's face, please keep this. I will confirm the seating arrangements ahead of you."

Before I could answer, she was already turning away. Her heels clicked over the stone with a rhythm that made even the harbor Wingull scatter from the railing.

Relena watched her go with a small, knowing sigh. She was much warmer than Oleana, but her eyes missed nothing. "My husband becomes restless when he thinks someone may be waiting on him or he is waiting on them. It is kinder to everyone if we go directly."

Elena folded her arms, her mouth twitching. "That is one way to describe it, Mother."

Relena's smile softened, but she did not disagree. "It is the polite way."

We headed down through Hulbury, following the scent of grilled fish and sea herbs toward the docks. The town had changed since morning. The stadium banners still waved, but now the harbor lights were waking one by one, turning the water gold between the boats.

Alice leaned closer to look at the League Card. "Read it aloud, Ash. Oleana handed it to you like it was an official assignment."

Gloria kept stealing glances at the card, less because she cared about Rose's picture and more because a League Card from the chairman felt like proof that our Gym Challenge had crossed another public line. Flora whispered that the border design was elegant. Helen whispered that Oleana probably chose the font.

I flipped the card over. Pikachu climbed to my shoulder and squinted at the tiny print with a seriousness that made Gloria grin.

I read the back carefully. "Chairman Rose was once a strong Trainer and placed second in a past Champion Cup. As chairman of the Pokémon League and president of a major company, he works tirelessly for Galar's prosperity. His thoughts and words do not always match, so many people have trouble knowing what he truly means."

Elena raised one eyebrow before I reached the last line.

I continued, trying not to laugh. "Only his wife and secretary are said to understand his true intent. The card text was submitted by his secretary."