Time passed second by second.
"I think I need to consider it," Diantha replied, looking a bit tired.
At this moment, she really didn't know what to do. Let the Alexa sisters go over there? She truly couldn't bring herself to do something like that.
But becoming a maid for Damian herself? She wasn't willing to do that either.
Of course, as the Champion of the Kalos League, she had the resolve to give everything for the people and the region of Kalos. She had this resolve from the moment she became the Kalos Champion.
But to be honest... it wasn't supposed to be like this!
"Of course, I can understand. Then I will give you one day, Diantha. At this time tomorrow, you can just give me your answer," Damian said.
Damian smiled. His calm and steady tone made him sound like an elegant gentleman.
He had nothing to fear. He wasn't afraid of pushing the Kalos League too far. After all, no matter what happened, he wouldn't lose anything anyway.
It was because she knew this that Diantha was so worried.
"Please excuse me for now."
Diantha left in a hurry. She urgently needed to calm down and think rationally.
"Truly interesting."
Looking at Diantha's back, Damian couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Platinum, what kind of choice do you think Diantha will make?" Damian asked Platinum.
Platinum was surprised when she heard this.
"...She will probably 'sacrifice' herself. To Diantha, taking care of your daily life, Damian, seems like a very scary thing."
Platinum thought for a moment and replied to Damian that way.
Hmm, did Damian take an interest in Diantha and that reporter from just now?
Platinum didn't quite understand. If it was about taking care of Damian's daily life, she felt she could do it too.
Caitlin should be very willing as well. Why force Diantha, who was so much older?
Damian must have his own thoughts. Platinum thought to herself.
"Ah, she looks at me as if I'm a wild beast. Tsk. But she's not wrong about that," Damian gave a light laugh.
How should he put it? Diantha was just foolish. No, or rather, she didn't even think about "bargaining" at all.
"Let's go. We're going to find Serena."
Lumiose City Central Plaza. This was the center of all of Lumiose City and the place where the Prism Tower was located.
The so-called Prism Tower was actually the Lumiose Gym. The Gym Leader was Clemont, Ash's traveling companion from the anime.
However, Damian didn't come here to challenge the Lumiose Gym.
Serena was still wearing her iconic black top and red skirt. Her black over-the-knee socks also gave off a strong youthful feeling.
But at this moment, the girl from Vaniville Town seemed to have something on her mind. She was looking at her phone as if she were thinking about something.
"Serena."
"Damian, Caitlin, Platinum."
Hearing the warm male voice, Serena immediately snapped back to reality and greeted the three of them.
"Sorry. We met Diantha on the way here, so I talked with her for a bit," Damian apologized with a smile.
"It's okay. Platinum already told me. I didn't wait long either."
Serena shook her head. She usually hated people who were not on time. However, Platinum had already sent her a message saying they ran into Diantha on the way.
Since there was a logical reason, Serena naturally wouldn't make a fuss about it.
"Did Diantha have something to talk to you about, Damian?"
Serena couldn't help but feel curious. After all, Diantha was the Champion of the Kalos League.
"Yes. She wanted to talk about some matters regarding Team Rocket. How should I put it? She wants to cooperate with Team Rocket."
Damian thought for a moment and replied that way. He felt there was nothing wrong with what he said.
"Oh, okay." Serena nodded, though she didn't fully understand. She was just a rookie who had just started her journey. She didn't know much about the interactions between large powers.
Besides, she didn't even know what Team Rocket actually was.
But if it was a team that even Diantha wanted to cooperate with, it must be very powerful.
"Then I will have to trouble you, Serena. We just arrived in Lumiose City, and it is still very unfamiliar to us."
"You're welcome. Leave it to me."
Serena smiled.
"Damian, Lumiose City is divided into six main avenues: Vernal, Estival, Autumnal, Hibernal, South, and North. There are also six plazas, including the Central Plaza where we are now."
Serena explained to the three of them.
"Where would you like to start looking around?"
"Look at the two girls with me. It would be best to start from a fashion street," Damian said jokingly.
"Hmm, then let's go to Vernal Avenue. There are many fashion boutiques there. It's the avenue girls like the most."
Serena didn't hesitate. Yes, she really liked going there.
Serena was also a girl who loved fashion. After all, what girl doesn't love beauty?
"Okay, go go go."
After that, Serena took Damian and the others to Vernal Avenue. Serena really did know Lumiose City very well.
After all, she was a Kalos local. Also, since Lumiose City was the central hub of Kalos, she had been there countless times.
Although they said they would spend a full day exploring Lumiose City, they actually spent most of their time on Vernal Avenue.
Serena knew a lot about "fashion." Platinum and Caitlin were also very striking girls.
Well, it was just that the "generosity" with which Platinum and Caitlin bought clothes still shocked Serena.
Serena's family background was actually not bad. After all, both her parents had achieved success in their own fields. They were considered upper-middle class.
But Serena was still shocked by the wealth of the two girls, especially Caitlin.
Caitlin: "How about this one?"
Damian: "It looks great."
Caitlin: "What about this one?"
Platinum: "Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful~"
Caitlin: "And this one?"
Serena: "I feel like you have so much style no matter what you wear, Caitlin."
Caitlin: "This style, and that style of dress... wrap them all up for me."
Such a display of wealth!
Serena knew that all three of them probably had very good family backgrounds. So, she took them to high-end clothing stores.
Platinum didn't do exactly the same as Caitlin, but as long as she saw something she liked, she would have it wrapped up without even asking about the price.
How should Serena put it?
It was hard to describe. Were these the legendary rich young ladies who didn't care about money?
"Here, have a drink. Why did you stop looking?"
At the entrance of the clothing store, Serena was resting while Platinum and Caitlin were still looking at clothes. Damian walked over carrying a bag of freshly bought juice and handed one to Serena.
"I'll rest for a bit." Serena took a sip of pineapple juice. She felt much better.
Then Serena glanced at Damian. Jirachi and Victini were floating next to Damian. Behind him followed Tapu Fini. All three Pokémon were holding a cup of juice.
Well, the scene was quite peaceful and funny.
Serena had a good eye. She could recognize them. These were all Legendary Pokémon!
Damian truly was very mysterious.
"Damian, are Platinum and Caitlin's families both very rich?" Serena couldn't help but ask.
"If you put it that way, you're right." Damian raised an eyebrow. He probably understood why Serena was asking.
"Platinum is the young lady of the Berlitz family in the Sinnoh region. The Berlitz family is the richest family in Sinnoh."
"Caitlin is also a young lady from a very wealthy family in the Sinnoh region. So, their family backgrounds are indeed very strong."
Hearing Damian's explanation, Serena wasn't particularly surprised at all.
"However, both of them are currently not in much contact with their families. They are spending their own money," Damian added.
"Eh? But..."
Serena was stunned when she heard this. Her first instinct was not to believe it.
Wait a second. Look at how much they are spending. They aren't using their family's money?
"They both receive a salary from Team Rocket. Caitlin achieved financial freedom a long time ago. Although Platinum doesn't have a huge amount of savings, she still has some. If she really runs out of money, she can even get an advance on her funds from Team Rocket," Damian said with a smile.
"???"
Serena really wanted to ask: What kind of team is this? Are you still hiring?
Serena also hadn't forgotten what Platinum told her yesterday.
"Does it feel amazing? If you are willing to join us, Serena, I can also give you very good treatment."
Damian sat on the bench at the entrance of the shop. He patted the spot next to him and smiled at Serena.
"Can you introduce it a bit?"
Serena didn't refuse. She sat down next to Damian and asked curiously.
She truly wasn't against Team Rocket right now. She also really wanted to understand it in detail.
"The team is called Team Rocket. Actually, it used to be an illegal villain team."
"Huh?"
Damian's first sentence left Serena completely confused.
"Yes. Team Rocket used to be a villain team. It was wanted by the Kanto League. But that was in the past. I punished the original leader of Team Rocket and took over the team."
"So that's how it is."
Serena understood. It wasn't strange then.
After all, even Diantha was in contact with Damian. This meant Damian wasn't a bad person.
"Then what are the specific actions and goals of Team Rocket?" Serena thought for a moment and asked.
"The first goal is to destroy villain teams and hunter groups. What I hate the most are those evil people. I have zero tolerance for them."
Damian said this with total certainty!
Serena looked at Damian's handsome face from the side. Her eyes sparkled. Damian was so cool!
"As for the second goal, it's to develop companies and make money. Don't look at us as just a private group. Actually, the Arceus Company under my name is very successful. The entertainment cities, Pokémon riding shops, and so on are very famous in other regions."
Damian said with a smile.
Amazing~!
Serena actually really wanted to ask just now. If the first priority of Team Rocket was to destroy other villain teams, where did Team Rocket's money come from?
To be able to develop across regions, the scale of Team Rocket must be very large. Where did the money come from to support Team Rocket's members?
Now, it wasn't strange anymore.
"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Damian asked very kindly.
"Then if I join Team Rocket, Damian... you..."
Serena hesitated for a moment. She wanted to know her treatment if she joined Team Rocket and what she could get.
Otherwise, why would she join Team Rocket?
Though personally, she really liked Team Rocket's goal of destroying villain teams.
As for whether Damian was lying to her?
Setting aside the fact that Serena trusted her own intuition, even Diantha was making a deal with Damian. That also showed that Damian was trustworthy, didn't it?
"In that case, let me give you a simple introduction."
The corners of Damian's lips lifted slightly.
It was obvious that Serena was secured.
Great, Team Rocket has added another great member!
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