Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 323 Poison Shadow – Star Champion's Schedule

Chapter 325 Poison Shadow – Star Champion's Schedule

While the Feiyun Police Department was in chaos due to a series of poisoning and murder cases, the new champion of the Unova region was accompanying a famous actor from a distant continent, dealing with all sorts of social performances that came his way.

First, in the afternoon, there was an official press conference for the Union Champion, Ms. Karune, during her visit to the Unova region.

This foreign champion, who has garnered much attention, attracts the fervent gaze of Fang Qianying's fans with even her everyday actions. Her journey to unite the community coincides miraculously with the changing of the guard among the local champions, naturally sparking even more speculation among onlookers.

If Hugo had also attended this press conference and revealed his identity as the champion, it would have undoubtedly caused an even greater sensation, like a natural disaster.

However, as a detective who always has a clear understanding of himself, Hugo had already decided from the beginning to completely conceal the truth during his term as champion, so it was impossible for him to make a public appearance in this event.

However, in order to better conceal their identities, Hugo and Karuni agreed on a story and prepared in advance for the tricky questions that reporters might ask.

However, these preparations ultimately proved largely useless. As a well-regarded movie star, Karni was highly respected worldwide. Furthermore, since she had just arrived in the Unova region and hadn't even met the new champion yet, no reporter would bother to ask her overly pointed questions at this time.

After all, not every journalist would harbor the same hostile competitive mentality towards Champion Karune as the Fire Elite King of the Carlos region.

After the official press conference ended smoothly, it was time for promotional activities for the movie Karuni was starring in.

Unlike the press conference held in the Alliance Building, this pre-screening meet-and-greet, hosted by the film's investors, was held in Feiyun City's largest open-air theater, and Miss Karuni, the film's female lead, was the highlight of the entire roadshow.

The meet-and-greet was packed with people, just like a concert. After the interview, fans bombarded him with questions about the film and Karu Ni herself.

As usual, the last part of the roadshow was a group photo of all the actors and the audience, which was also the last chance for fans to get the actors' autographs.

Of all the actors, the fans surrounding the lead actress, Karuni, were naturally the most numerous.

Just as Hugo, standing at the edge of the venue, was checking the time and wondering if the Kalos Champion would make it to her next appointment, Karen quickly signed her 100th autograph as planned. She then waved apologetically to the fans, took out her Poké Ball, and sent out Gardevoir, the Psychic Pokémon that had helped her win the Kalos Champion title. Gardevoir activated its Psychic powers, unleashing a dazzling display of light effects, and then, holding the actress's hand, used the "Teleport" move, gracefully disappearing into the light and crowd.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Having changed into a new white outfit in the Unova style, and wearing orange sunglasses and a baseball cap, Champion Karuni appeared before Hugo—this was already the third outfit she had changed since arriving in Unova. Being a world-class superstar is really not easy.

"It must have been tough for you, the great detective, to accompany me on this aimless wandering. Being forced to watch a panel discussion like this must have been quite boring, right?"

Miss Karen asked Hugo with concern.

"Not really. My landlord dragged me to see that movie not long ago, so I actually enjoyed this meet-and-greet."

Hugo shook his head and answered truthfully.

"So what do you think of my movie?"

The big star deliberately brought her face close to the detective's, looking directly into his gray eyes. She then sighed and said, "The biggest headache in making movies is that it's so hard to get truly objective reviews. Everyone enters the theater with their own biases and perspectives. A thousand viewers will have a thousand different images of the female lead. The line between masterpieces and mediocre works, and between mediocre and terrible films, is often blurred. This means that even if actors want to improve their acting based on audience feedback, they can't be sure if their efforts are going in the wrong direction."

"Oh? Miss Karuni, are you planning to change careers?"

Hugo didn't directly comment on the film; after all, he was just an ordinary viewer and couldn't offer objective and fair professional opinions. If Douzi were present, she might have launched into a long, eloquent speech. But here and now, Hugo only gleaned a subtle implication from Karuni's remarks and went straight to the point with his question.

The actress chuckled softly, "You truly are a detective; your observational skills are just as sharp as your sister's combat instincts. And it's true, I've actually been considering a career change lately."

The two had already left the amphitheater and saw the limousine that had come to pick up Miss Karuni outside the venue. They got into the car and continued their discussion—"Over the years, although I've been constantly trying out various new roles and striving to break through people's preconceived notions, no matter how I change my costumes and makeup, character settings and story backgrounds, I'm still me. The characters I portray inevitably exhibit a certain similar quality. Although that's exactly what audiences want to see these days, I'm still a little worried. If this continues, and I keep using the same old tricks on screen, won't the audience and movie fans eventually get tired of it?"

"Hmm, have you considered one possibility?"

The extended limousine's wide rear compartment was converted into a seating arrangement resembling a meeting room, with a partition separating it from the driver's seat. Therefore, the two passengers in the back don't need to worry about their conversations being heard by the driver.

Hugo bluntly stated, "The reason why you have the same temperament is not because you have any shortcomings in shaping the character, but on the contrary, it is precisely because your acting skills are too good."

"Great? You mean there's an issue of over-interpretation?"

Karuni lifted her sunglasses to her forehead and asked earnestly.

"No, no, it's just the literal meaning, not the kind of detailed acting instruction," the detective waved his hand and said. "It's actually just a matter of cost."

"Miss Karuni, you must have noticed it yourself—as you continue to improve your acting skills and gain more and more fans, the roles you play in movies are becoming more and more important. Not only that, your salary is also increasing, and people are becoming more and more expectant of your performances in films."

"Of course. These are all the results of my hard work in the entertainment industry," Karuni said, nodding.

"However, as your salary increases and you become more anticipated by the audience, the risk costs that your collaborators, such as investors, directors, and screenwriters, need to bear also increase."

Hugo gestured with the upward-climbing bars of the chart, saying to the Carlos region champion, "Increased cost risks necessitate changes in content to balance them. In filmmaking, this means emphasizing the strengths of your classic characters and using your box office appeal to offset potential losses. Such changes may not be intentional, but cost and revenue are an invisible hand. Everyone tries to maximize the value of their products, which unconsciously drives commercial activities towards profit maximization."

"Equilibrium theory in economics? You sound more like an economist than a detective."

Miss Karuni teased, but a thoughtful look appeared on her face.

"In a sense, modern economics is the ultimate form of inductive analysis. Many behaviors that seem to have no motivation can actually be easily explained by the principles of microeconomics. However, those are ultimately just general inductive analyses, which can neither serve as evidence nor prevent the existence of exceptional cases that exceed rationality," Hugo answered pragmatically.

"In other words, it's precisely because of my current status and salary that the films I star in shift the narrative focus more on me than on the story itself. No, that's not quite right."

Karuni shook her head vigorously, correcting herself, "The character and the script are inseparable, but it is precisely because I, as the lead actress, have repeatedly become the focus of the film's story that the various screen images I portray have become increasingly mature and stable. Ultimately, this has led to the situation where no matter how I try to transform, the characters I portray cannot escape the established framework? Is this what you mean by 'too good acting,' Hugo?"

Why is Miss Karuni so determined about the transformation?

The detective felt a little strange looking at the star champion who was deep in thought.

But this is ultimately someone else's career choice, and Hugo couldn't comment on it. He simply offered some fair advice: "You can't force things. I think since moviegoers still welcome Ms. Karen's classic roles, you don't need to rush into changing your screen image."

"Thank you for your suggestion, I will consider it carefully."

Champion Carlos nodded sincerely in response, but still looked preoccupied. She then turned to Hugo and asked, "Although I know you probably have your own solutions, are you prepared to handle the United States Alliance?"

Will accompanying me as a guide today interfere with other tasks?

"Everything's been arranged by the alliance, so there's nothing to worry about. The detective's work, however, has run into some trouble."

Fortunately, I have capable assistants handling this, and I only need to provide some guidance," Hugo replied.

"Is it that case of poisoning with discarded wound medicine on the outskirts of Feiyun City?"

Karuni frowned, remembering the news she had just seen on social media.

To prevent trainers from continuing to suffer from the toxins in discarded healing items, the police in Flying Cloud City did not choose to conceal the information, but instead issued a public statement warning trainers not to pick up and use any roadside healing items of unknown origin in the near future.

"We've basically identified the killer," Hugo said, looking out the car window at the sunset.

"Although the other party entered Feiyun City using a false identity, it seems that they did not deliberately conceal their poisoning activities, which is really puzzling. However, once the culprit is caught, we should be able to find out the perpetrator's motive for poisoning."

"Many impoverished trainers rely on scavenging discarded healing items to sustain their Pokémon's daily training. After this incident, no one will dare use those abandoned roadside items anymore. I'm really worried about the future of those trainers."

Champion Carlos sighed and said regretfully,

"This is not difficult to solve," the new champion of the Unova region said dismissively.

"After the poisoning incident, the reputations of both the insect spray company and the medicine manufacturing company suffered greatly, and both sides must be very eager to restore their corporate image. At this time, if the Unova League is willing to mediate between the two sides and launch a high-profile subsidy policy for impoverished trainers, those companies will have absolutely no reason to refuse."

"It seems you've made up your mind." Karuni looked at Hugo with admiration and smiled.

"The actual implementation will have to wait until the case is concluded. And even if this policy is successfully implemented..."

"These are just small favors within our means. Compared to the charity gala you're about to host, Miss Karuni, this policy will help far too few elves and humans."

Hugo shook his head and responded modestly.

Karuni shook her head. "Kindness needs no comparison. Poverty, hunger, disease, disaster—until we completely overcome these human sufferings, even the smallest act of kindness is precious."

The limousine gradually drove to the beach on the west side of Feiyun City, and the scenery passing by outside the window gradually slowed down.

Finally, it came to a complete stop. What appeared before Karuni and Hugo was the most prestigious luxury hotel in the entire Unova.

This is the last stop on Carlos's schedule for today.

Click.

Turning the door handle, the Carlos regional champion was the first to step out of the car.

Removing her sunglasses and hat, and donning her signature champion's cape, she appeared regal and elegant. The white, stylish outfit beneath the cape added an undeniable touch of fashion to the entire ensemble.

The moment this big star appeared, he immediately attracted the attention of everyone near the hotel.

"They're really popular."

The detective looked out the car window at the flashing lights that were raining down on him and sighed.

"There's a fork in the road about 100 meters ahead. It's near the sea and there aren't many people there. I'll get out of the car after I drive there."

Hugo moved to the front of the carriage, tapped the panel behind the driver's seat, and said something. The driver, unsurprised, did as he was told.

The limousine quietly restarted, and in no time, the crowds and luxurious hotel buildings were left behind.

Hugo gazed blankly at the boundless night.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, the dark red sand resembled molten lava, and the surging waves seemed to shimmer with the light of sinking stars, like the apocalypse before darkness descends.

—Is there a figure at the end of the beach?

As dusk approached, Hugo vaguely spotted a small, moving dot out of sight. Judging from its shape, it didn't seem to be an aquatic Pokémon found on the beach.

Just as the detective was wondering what was going on, his phone vibrated. Looking at the lit screen, he saw it was his assistant, Azure, who was participating in a police operation, calling him.