Led by the clan leader, Elias and Cogita walked into the largest tent at the center of the camp.
The tent was relatively spacious, with a bonfire burning in the middle.
But even so, the temperature inside could hardly be called warm.
It was hard to imagine how the Pearl Clan managed to survive year-round in a place this cold.
Once seated, Cogita took a moment to organize her words, then, without beating around the bush, spoke directly:
"Leader, the real reason I came today is to discuss the matter of continuing to raise Elias."
"Although at the time, I did say I would only be looking after him temporarily," she admitted, her voice sincere, and for once her usually detached expression had sharpened into something serious.
"But after two years... I've realized I don't want to let him go. So I'm here to renegotiate."
Despite her honest tone, the clan leader's mouth twitched slightly.
I knew it. I knew she wasn't here just to return him.
This wasn't "returning" at all —
it was outright taking the child!
Pressing his fingers against his forehead, he sighed inwardly.
From the tribe's perspective, of course he wanted to keep Elias. The Pearl Clan needed every able body it could get to survive and grow.
But...
Just as Cogita said — she had been the one caring for Elias these past two years.
Aside from the occasional food delivery, the Pearl Clan had done nothing for the boy.
For him to now shamelessly demand Elias back, even the clan leader felt a little awkward.
Noticing his hesitation, a sly glint flashed in Cogita's eyes.
She reached out, tapping her fingers lightly as she continued:
"If the Pearl Clan agrees to let me keep Elias, I'm willing to offer a substantial amount of supplies to support the tribe."
"Supplies? Support?"
The clan leader froze.
The ironclad expression on his face wavered for the first time.
Supplies — in a frozen land like this, they were more precious than gold.
If what Cogita offered was generous enough... trading one member might not be such a bad deal.
And besides, he could tell.
The boy clearly seemed more attached to Cogita than to the Pearl Clan.
Strictly speaking, Cogita was the one who had cared for him, after all.
Seeing the leader deep in thought, Cogita seized the chance and handed over a prepared list.
"This is the inventory of supplies. You may take a look."
Reflexively, the leader accepted the paper.
But as his eyes skimmed across the list, his gaze froze.
Berries, ores, food...
Urgently needed items filled the entire page.
With just these supplies, their tribe could comfortably survive the coming winter.
Gulp—
He swallowed hard.
By the time he looked up again, there was a warm, beaming smile plastered on his face.
"Miss Cogita, you're far too courteous! For something so small as returning a child, a simple letter would have sufficed!"
"No need to trouble yourself by making the journey personally!"
The clan leader's attitude had taken a complete 180.
It wasn't that he didn't want to keep Elias...
it was just that Cogita was offering far, far too much!
Watching this sudden change, Elias narrowed his eyes slightly.
If he wasn't mistaken, most of the supplies Cogita had listed were actually gifts brought to him over time by Pokémon.
After piling up for two years in the backyard, there had been so much it was practically spilling out.
As if to confirm his suspicions, Cogita turned her head slightly, pressing a finger to her lips in a playful shh gesture.
All Elias could do was close his mouth and nod helplessly.
Figures. There's no way Cogita would let herself take a loss.
In a way, she'd just "bought" him from the Pearl Clan —
without even using her own resources!
Just as Cogita and the clan leader were about to finalize the deal and discuss transporting the goods, the tent's flap was abruptly thrown open.
A tribe member rushed inside.
Despite the bitter wind howling outside, sweat was pouring down the man's face.
Seeing the clan leader, he called out urgently:
"Leader! Irida—Irida's been kidnapped by that Sneasler we spotted before!"
"They're up by the northern cliffs! Please, come quickly!"
At those words, the calm façade the clan leader had been wearing shattered instantly.
Elias clearly caught the flicker of terror in the man's eyes.
"My apologies," the leader said hastily, forcing a strained smile at Cogita.
"Our discussion will have to wait."
"I... need to attend to something urgently."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and hurried out of the tent.
"Where? Lead the way!" he barked at the tribe member, voice low and tense.
"Yes, sir!"
Watching them rush off, Cogita shrugged at Elias.
"Looks like we'll have to pick this up another time," she said, sounding only mildly regretful.
Still holding Elias's hand, she began to walk away too.
But after a few steps, she paused, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes.
"How about... we go take a look?"
"Maybe we can even lend a hand."
Seeing her eyes practically glowing with excitement, Elias didn't have the heart to expose her real motive.
She clearly just wanted to watch the drama.
Still, he didn't say anything.
Instead, he nodded in agreement.
Somehow, he had a feeling something good might come of it.
---
[Following the tracks left by the clan leader, you and Cogita made your way to the cliffside.]
By the time they arrived, a large crowd had already gathered.
Every Pearl Clan member was armed —
faces full of fury —
yet none dared step forward.
The reason was clear:
Perched halfway up the cliff was a massive Sneasler, one claw gripping a little girl with golden hair and blue eyes.
"Dammit..."
Standing at the center of the crowd, the clan leader clenched his fists, gritting his teeth.
The Sneasler itself wasn't all that strong.
But by resorting to this kind of despicable tactic, it had made itself untouchable.
In the distance, Elias frowned as he caught sight of the Sneasler on the cliff.
It felt familiar.
After thinking for a moment, he remembered—
When he first arrived at the snowy plains, he had sensed a malicious gaze tracking him.
Now it seemed...
that gaze had belonged to this very Sneasler.
As Elias stood deep in thought, the Sneasler on the cliff also noticed him.
Its narrow eyes gleamed dangerously.
In front of everyone, it lifted a claw — pointing first at Irida in its grasp, then at Elias in the crowd.
Then it let out a piercing screech, as if proposing a trade.
The clan leader followed its gesture toward Elias, and his expression stiffened.
Wait—Cogita and the boy didn't leave?