"What are you playing?" On the airplane, Edward glanced at Zoroark seated across from him and couldn't help but ask.
Ever since boarding the plane, Zoroark had pulled out a Nintendo Switch and was engrossed in an intense gaming session, playing with great concentration. This piqued Edward's curiosity.
"Splatoon," Zoroark lifted the Switch to show Edward before returning to the game. Edward understood—it was Splatoon. He turned his gaze to the window.
Traveling from the Hoenn region to the Paldea region was quite a journey, with three modes of transportation: by sea, by air, or via teleportation.
However, teleportation, while the fastest, came with severe side effects—intense dizziness akin to being on a pirate ship ride for an hour, then spun in a washing machine, and finally tossed onto a bumpy mountain road.
Despite his wealth, Edward preferred comfort over speed, so he chose to fly.
"Dear passengers, during the flight, please refrain from touching the Poké Balls beside you," an attendant announced while walking down the aisle.
Edward glanced at the Poké Ball next to him, which contained a Skarmory.
This was a standard emergency measure on Pokémon League flights—if the plane encountered issues, passengers could use Skarmory to land safely and await rescue. Though this policy had been in place for a while, it had never been used.
From his briefcase, Edward retrieved his handwritten script for "One Missed Call" and began reviewing it for potential additions. For this trip to the Paldea region, he brought only two company members: Zoroark and Deck.
Other crew members could be hired locally, making the process convenient.
His butler supported the trip, noting that any company matters requiring Edward's attention could be handled via email, ensuring his training schedule remained unaffected.
"I need to discuss a partnership with the League's telecom operators," Edward mused. In the Hoenn region, he had confidence due to Devon Corporation's influence, but other regions posed challenges.
His latest horror film, "One Missed Call," revolved around a new, popular phone, aiming to enhance audience immersion. He even considered collaborating with telecom companies to set the movie's ringtone as the default, intensifying the experience. However, this idea required careful negotiation to avoid potential backlash.
After pondering the script and taking a nap, Edward awoke to find they had arrived in the Paldea region.
"The Great Crater of Paldea," he murmured, looking out the window. He recalled his father's and brother's advice to capture a second Pokémon to bolster his strength, especially in unforeseen circumstances.
Edward agreed with this sentiment. The Paldea region, known for its unique Pokémon, presented an opportunity to both film and expand his team. However, he wasn't in a rush; he planned to explore and savor the local cuisine first.
The plane landed smoothly in Levincia City, a metropolis brimming with technological advancements and futuristic vibes. As Edward disembarked, he couldn't help but wonder if the League's rapid technological progress was linked to the mysterious crater in Paldea.
"Paldea," he said, surveying the city before signaling to Deck.
"Deck, I need you to verify something," Edward said, observing the bustling crowd.
"At your service, sir," Deck responded respectfully.
Edward instructed him to visit the League's office to inquire about local film companies and see if a short-term contract could be arranged to hire a filming crew.
Collaborating with local companies was a common practice to reduce travel fatigue. Since his main team was occupied with another project, he hadn't brought them along.
Deck promptly departed, understanding the task's importance.
"What should we do, boss?" Zoroark asked, noting the city's modern architecture and the locals' unique attire and language.
"Let's head to the League's office; I have a question," Edward replied, recalling his plan to integrate the movie's ringtone into real-life phones, which required collaboration with telecom providers.
Using his phone's navigation, Zoroark led Edward to the League's office in Levincia City. Despite Paldea's recent integration into the Pokémon League, the office was still hiring staff.
As they entered, Edward overheard a woman at the reception desk nervously asking, "Excuse me, is it true that one can apply for the League's welfare benefits?"
(End of Chapter)