Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 318 Poisoning – A Dark and Cruel Criminal Method

Chapter 320 Poisoning – A Dark and Cruel Criminal Method

"Why is Azure reacting so strongly? Could Hugo really be involved in some troublesome matter, which is why he can't produce an alibi from a few days ago?"

To avoid the alarms in front of the Yuxi Mansion, the police duo and the interviewing duo joined forces and stealthily slipped into a narrow alley behind a tall building in the distance.

"Given the current situation, it seems quite likely that we won't be getting support from the detective agency for the time being."

Sera adjusted his square-rimmed glasses, turned to Mary and Dai apologetically, and said, "I'm sorry, because of us, you two are also unable to enter the Feather Residence."

"It's alright. After all, Detective Hugo isn't at the agency right now, so even if he's nitpicking about the efficiency of the interviews, we haven't lost anything. By the way, my name is Mary, and this is my partner photographer, Dai. We're reporters from the Hoenn region."

"Hello, my name is Sera, and this is my superior, Officer Jenny. We are from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Flying Cloud Police Department. Welcome to Flying Cloud City."

After a brief exchange of greetings, Mary instinctively blurted out, "By the way, regarding that heinous case you mentioned earlier, would you two be willing to tell us about it? Is Detective Hugo really involved in that case?"

The deputy looked at her superior, seeking his opinion. Officer Jenny, in a very United Style manner, crossed her arms and shrugged, replying nonchalantly, "This matter can't be kept secret anytime soon, and the police station's announcement is about to be issued. At this time, it shouldn't be a problem to reveal a little bit to you."

"What kind of incident was it?" Mary asked curiously.

"Throat—that's poisoning."

Sera said with a heavy expression.

"Someone has set up a large-scale poison trap in the suburbs of Feiyun City, and the method is extremely vicious."

Because it involved internal information from the United States Police Department, Mary cooperated by not taking out paper and pen, but continued to speculate, "A poison trap doesn't sound like a crime of polluting water sources. Could it be a trap like a bear trap? Or a concealed miniature device like a poison needle?"

"Oh? You guys sound like you're quite experienced with this kind of thing."

Officer Jenny raised her eyebrows and looked the reporter up and down.

"Well, after all, Team Aqua and Team Magma have both used this kind of poisoning method before."

The reporter sighed helplessly.

"These kinds of acts of sabotage used to be particularly common in the Hoenn region, and recently their activities have become even more rampant. This is actually the main reason we came to Flying Cloud City to consult with Detective Hugo. However, those evil organizations aren't so depraved as to directly poison civilians, but they often use methods like this to put large numbers of employees at hydroelectric power plants and shipyards into a coma, and then wreak havoc on those public facilities, causing headaches for the League and local residents."

"Every family has its own problems," Officer Jenny sighed, shaking her head. "However, the predicament we are currently facing is not any of the methods you mentioned."

"Yes," Sera replied. "Although I don't know the specifics of Team Aqua and Team Magma that you mentioned, I can clearly sense a certain purpose in their poisoning methods. But the case we're facing is definitely not like that."

"A non-purposeful poisoner?"

Reporter Mary had a bad feeling and felt a chill run down her spine.

"It seems there was no ulterior motive involved; rather, it was more like pure malice. That's why we say it was an extremely heinous crime," Officer Jenny said.

"What method did that criminal use?"

Seeing that the two United States police officers had been keeping him in suspense for so long, the photographer couldn't help but ask a question.

"Have either of you reporters ever experienced your Pokémon becoming exhausted from battles with other Pokémon or attacks by wild Pokémon while hiking in the wild?"

Serra's deputy suddenly asked such a strange question that seemed completely unrelated.

"Of course it has." The reporter nodded matter-of-factly.

"Sometimes we even proactively challenge emerging trainers to observe their abilities and performance."

Such battles naturally result in more defeats than victories. The experience of Pokémon becoming exhausted from battle—a similar experience that almost every trainer has likely encountered to some extent.

"Healing spirits often use healing potions, right?" Officer Jenny asked.

"Of course."

"So, what happens to the wound medicines you've used up?"

"If there's still most of the potion left, we'll definitely collect it for later use. If it's almost used up, we won't use it all up; instead, we'll leave it by the bushes for other trainers to pick up—that's common sense for trainers in the wild, right?"

Mary didn't understand why Officer Jenny was asking her this question.

The packaging for those stamina potions, like the Poké Balls used to catch Pokémon, is made of biodegradable materials, so even if they're littered, they won't pollute the environment. But what does that have to do with the poisoning case?

"Yes," Dai chimed in. "I remember some trainers facing financial difficulties would often search for these discarded potions, collecting the remaining liquid inside."

It can also be used to treat Pokémon wounds. Some people even collect it out of interest, even if they have plenty of healing items.

Today, it's become as common as picking up used Poké Balls from other trainers, repairing them, and reusing them—it's practically become a part of the adventures for novice trainers. Wait, could it be...?

The photographer broke out in a cold sweat; he had realized the extremely heinous and almost completely aimless method of the crime.

"It seems you've already figured it out."

Officer Jenny sighed. The reason she had kept everyone in suspense for so long was, in a sense, because this detective couldn't bear to directly reveal such cruel and heinous criminal methods in front of the two Hoenn guests.

"Could it be that the criminal put poison in those discarded medicine bottles?" Mary asked cautiously.

"Unfortunately, your guess hit the bullseye," said Sera, the deputy, expressionless.

"Last night, a Cinnamon was brought to the emergency room of the Pokémon Center in Flying Cloud City. Prior to this, its wound had become severely infected due to improper treatment, and it remained unconscious. The Pokémon's trainer was in great distress, saying that the injury suddenly worsened after using medicine. Subsequently, hospital tests revealed that the remaining liquid of the medicine contained toxic components."

"That's outrageous!" Mary couldn't help but exclaim, kicking her foot.

"This is not the end of the matter."

The police deputy, in his unchanging voice, continued to explain the current situation—

"After the first poisoning incident was reported to the police, three more victims with identical poisoning symptoms were sent to the hospital."

Like Cinnamoroll, all three Pokémon suffered secondary damage to their original wounds due to contaminated medicine. Of the three, only the Rock-type Grubbish suffered less severe poisoning due to its unique constitution; the other two were seriously injured and remain in the hospital, their fate unknown.

"After questioning all four victims and comparing the wound medicines they all used, the police finally determined that this was not an accident caused by the medicine deteriorating or wild elf venom mixing into the medicine bottle—but a poisoning case with a clear perpetrator."

After summarizing all the police's work so far, Officer Jenny sighed and said, "Sigh, the police announcement should be released soon. After this incident, I'm afraid that no trainer in the entire Flying Cloud City, or even the entire Unova region, will dare to pick up roadside healing items for their Pokémon."

"This method is outrageous! No, it's downright vicious! What could the perpetrator possibly want from doing this?"

Blinded by anger, the reporter couldn't help but raise her voice. Only after she spoke did she realize that it was precisely because these two detectives couldn't solve this mystery that they had come to the large iron gate of that detective agency.

"All we can currently determine is that the contaminated healing potions all originated from the outskirts of Feiyun City. The police have already deployed personnel to conduct a large-scale recovery of all abandoned items in that area, and they will be examined one by one afterward."

Officer Jenny, like Psyduck, clutched her head in exasperation and said helplessly—

"However, such efficiency is still too slow. Because of the previous incident with the financial bank, the police cannot easily spare all the manpower of the police station. Moreover, even if we recover all the props in the suburbs, we may not be able to find the criminal. There is simply too little information left behind by the other party."

"That's why we wanted to ask the detective for help, but he wasn't at the office today. Considering he can't provide an alibi from a few days ago, he must have been missing for the past few days."

Sera demonstrated the qualities of an excellent assistant, making an accurate prediction.

"Isn't there that detective assistant at the agency?" photographer Dai asked curiously. "Why don't you ask her opinion first?"

"Even I find this case incredibly difficult. That detective assistant isn't their director, so I don't think he's up to the task of providing consultation."

Miss Officer Jenny crossed her arms and shook her head repeatedly.

"Moreover, they lack a service mentality; they don't even ask about the customers' needs before turning us away."

Sera couldn't help but complain, it seemed she was still holding a grudge about being turned away earlier.

"Ahem, it seems some people have some misunderstandings about me as the acting director."

The voice they had heard not long ago, the detective's assistant's voice, suddenly rang out above the four of them.

Everyone suddenly realized that a huge shadow was now hanging over their heads. Looking up, they saw an enormous pink sphere floating in the air above the narrow alley.

The sphere slowly descended, revealing itself to be a chubby creature with its belly bulging with air. And standing atop the chubby creature was the acting director of the Hugo Detective Agency.

"My service spirit is in no way inferior to that good-for-nothing detective. At least, he can't catch up with a client who has fled the office in a Pokémon-fueled manner."

Azure jumped off the round, chubby Jigglypuff, which deflated like a punctured balloon, gradually transforming into the limp, ditto-like form before being returned to its Poké Ball by the trainer.

"This case is on our Hugo Detective Agency! No matter who that heinous poisoner is, I will bring them to justice as quickly as possible!"

"I'm so cool," Azure Detective said, as an Archaeopteryx hopped out from the corner of the alley and landed on her shoulder. It was this Pokémon that had "bounced" to a high place earlier, pointing out Officer Jenny's location to Azure.

"Are you sure you can handle this?" Officer Jenny looked at Azure with suspicion, still unconvinced of her competence. "You've probably never solved such a serious criminal case on your own before, have you?"

"Indeed," Azure readily admitted, "so I have an accomplice this time."

Clang!

Azure took out the Pokémon that she had been hiding behind her back and presented it to Officer Jenny as if she were pulling out a secret weapon.

"Hugo's grass turtle?"

Officer Jenny tilted her head in confusion, giving the same expression as the elf in front of her.