Chapter Sixteen: Roger, the Galarian Merchant

"A merchant from the Galar region, is it? That does explain why a Dragapult from Galar would show up here," Zhao Fang mused, sitting on a bench in the park, contemplating what Officer Junsha Ayane had just told him.

He had always found it odd to see a Pokémon native to Galar in the Hoenn region. But, connecting the merchant’s police report with the two Team Aqua members, Zhao Fang could roughly deduce the reason. In all likelihood, that Dragapult belonged to the merchant.

He just didn’t know whether the merchant intended to sell the Pokémon or had other plans.

Lost in a tangle of thoughts, Zhao Fang suddenly noticed a man in a suit standing before him. Glancing up, Zhao Fang almost laughed—if he didn’t know better, he’d think the man was cosplaying as the Terminator.

But the “Terminator” promptly stepped aside, and a rotund, prosperous-looking middle-aged man with a broad smile approached.

"Hello, young trainer. I am Roger, a merchant from Galar. The bounty you just claimed was posted by me. May I ask you a few questions?" Roger greeted him, his tone affable.

"Eh? Yes, of course. What is it?" Zhao Fang blinked, a look of confusion crossing his face.

Yet, inwardly, he began to wonder why this Galarian merchant had sought him out.

"Ah, it’s like this," Roger continued, still smiling, "I just learned from the Security Bureau that you bravely assisted Officer Junsha and defeated those two Team Aqua scoundrels. I’d like to know if you saw a Poké Ball like this on them?"

Roger drew a piece of paper from his pocket. On it was an image of a Poké Ball—this one looked exceptionally high-class, its deep purple hue reminiscent of a Master Ball.

Zhao Fang shook his head. He hadn’t even had a chance to search those two before Junsha took them away.

Roger nodded, then produced a card bearing the League’s insignia and handed it to Zhao Fang.

"This is a small token of my gratitude. Thank you for taking care of those two thugs. There are five thousand League Credits on this card. You can use it anywhere—please, take it."

Roger’s kind smile made him look almost Buddha-like.

Taking the card, Zhao Fang’s expression was odd, but he nodded in thanks and watched Roger and his bodyguard leave the park.

"Having money really is nice," Zhao Fang muttered, glancing at the crystal card, a trace of contempt in his smile.

The moment he accepted the card, his golden finger had triggered: [A card containing a tracking and eavesdropping device] flashed before his eyes.

And Roger had even managed to obtain his information from the Security Bureau—who knew how. Zhao Fang was now certain the Galarian merchant suspected him, guessing that he had taken the Dragapult that Team Aqua had failed to recover. The card was a ploy, a means to spy on him.

Still, five thousand League Credits was nothing to scoff at. Zhao Fang decided he might as well use the card to buy some supplies and Pokémon food.

Arriving at the Poké Mart, he quickly filled his basket with a variety of Pokémon foods. But since he only had an ordinary backpack, he didn’t buy too much—carrying it all would be a hassle.

"That’ll be three thousand two hundred seventy-one League Credits, sir," the shopkeeper said politely.

Without hesitation, Zhao Fang handed over the crystal card.

After swiping it, the shopkeeper’s face grew apologetic.

"I’m sorry, sir, but the card has a daily limit of just one thousand Credits."

Zhao Fang curled his lip. As expected, that fat crook had made things complicated. The daily limit forced Zhao Fang to keep the card for five days, perhaps even longer if the limit dropped further.

"Just charge one thousand for now. I’ll pay the rest myself," Zhao Fang replied, pulling out his savings.

He had only bought ordinary Pokémon food and some healing items—exactly what a regular trainer might need. He’d even chosen food for Magikarp, just to avoid attracting any suspicion from Roger.

With his purchases complete, Zhao Fang left the shop, and, not long after, two men in black suits entered.

"Boss, that pauper just bought these things from the store," purred a sultry woman, draping herself over Roger and arching her chest to reveal a note tucked between her breasts.

"You certainly know how to play your part, you little minx," Roger grinned, reaching for the note without the slightest regard for the bodyguard standing nearby.

He glanced at the list, then tossed it aside in disdain. "Tch, looks like a beggar’s shopping list. Did you overhear anything?"

"Nothing, boss," replied the lead bodyguard at once. "The only thing we heard was him talking about his purchases and muttering about how nice it must be to have money."

Roger narrowed his eyes, drumming his fingers absently on the table.

This trip to Hoenn had two purposes: securing business agreements with local merchants, and, more importantly, delivering a shiny Dragapult to the Indigo League’s Elite Four commander, Lance.

Lance was a prominent member of the Dragon Tamer family. If Roger could win his favor, it would greatly benefit his operations in Kanto. Thus, Roger had paid a hefty sum to a Pokémon hunter in Galar for the rare shiny Dragapult.

He’d never expected to be robbed by two Team Aqua thugs while out enjoying himself.

"Hmph! I don’t know if that pauper ended up with my prize, but keep monitoring him. If you notice anything unusual..." Roger’s expression turned menacing.

He’d just learned from the Security Bureau that one of the Team Aqua members claimed, before passing out, that the stolen goods were still on him—which meant only Zhao Fang and Officer Junsha Ayane had contact with them.

But Junsha Ayane was part of the influential Junsha family—not someone to offend without solid evidence. It was always safer to pick on the easy targets.