Carried by Rapidash to the depths of Glimwood Tangle, this was exactly where the Max Mushrooms clustered and grew.
However, calling it a cluster was an overstatement; there were actually only about four or five of them, but this was already a very incredible resource.
At that time, Ponyta was still lying on her back resting; the intense sex left her temporarily unable to move.
After settling her daughter, Lorze nimbly dismounted, carefully collected the Max Mushrooms, and placed them into the storage box provided by the system. Then he very gratefully hugged Rapidash's neck and rubbed against her: "Thank you wifey❤! You really helped a lot!"
Rapidash exhaled hot snorts. Between her brows and eyes was entirely a wife's tenderness towards her husband: "Just consider it repayment for hubby saving me. Husband and wife should support each other, right? Then please take good care of our mother and daughter from now on, darling❤~"
Whether it was because she had become a mother or she was naturally like this, Rapidash always exuded the radiance of intellectuality and maternity.
"Of course, you are all my women❤~"
While saying some mushy sweet nothings, Lorze hugged Rapidash's head and kissed her horse mouth. Then he took out two Love Balls and, right under the large swaths of romantic glowing mushroom caps, established a contract belonging exclusively to them.
Galarian Rapidash and Ponyta were both smoothly captured into the balls. The mother's resistance wasn't fierce, and the daughter simply had no strength to resist.
After that, Lorze let the mother out and mounted her again: "Let's go reunite with everyone, darling❤!"
"Clop-clop, clop-clop—"
Accompanied by the crisp sound of hooves was an elegant, flowing purple-blue afterimage shuttling through the forest; that was the color of the beautiful mother's mane.
The young man galloping past riding Rapidash had his hair messed up by the wind resistance. A vigorous aura of a heroic young lad burst forth. It could be called a hero matched with a beauty.
—The beauty naturally referred to Rapidash!
After a wild sprint, Rapidash brought Lorze and Mewtwo's group to reunite. Because she was a Psychic-type Pokémon, Rapidash would use psychic power to assist when running; both her endurance and speed were excellent.
The wives were naturally very happy about their husband's return. Only Latias pouted her dragon snout and got jealous: He promised not to ride other women, Big Brother Lorze is truly a playboy after all!
Lorze also saw the dragon sister's dissatisfaction, because her mood was always straightforwardly displayed on her face. So he immediately gave Latias an intimate hug. The large hand caressing her forehead immediately dispelled most of Latias's jealousy, making her reveal a goofy, cute smile.
After that, the routine mutual introduction session was also indispensable.
"Perhaps everyone has already guessed... the mother and daughter Rapidash and Ponyta will also live with us from now on. Let's all get to know each other, okay?"
Using the beloved man as a bridge, the friendly and intellectual Rapidash quickly hit it off with the original wives. She was even humbly asked by Mewtwo for advice on taking care of babies...
Amidst a burst of laughter, Lorze and his wives returned to Professor Magnolia's laboratory in the setting sun.
The plains of the Galar region extended all the way to the edge of the western sky. The orange-red afterglow recklessly bestowed the last ray of light upon this land.
As the most authoritative Professor Magnolia in the Galar region, she naturally didn't miss the changes around Lorze—an extra pair of Galarian Rapidash, and a mother and daughter at that!?
She curiously asked about Rapidash. The young man hugged his beloved wife's horse neck and replied: "We encountered each other in Glimwood Tangle, experienced a lot together, and established a very precious bond. Actually, even the Max Mushrooms... were found with Rapidash's help!"
Professor Magnolia pushed her glasses up, finding it hard to conceal her unbelievable expression.
You have to know that Rapidash, especially mares, although very willing to help others, are not easily captured by people, being known for their fiery temper.
But this mare right in front of her, that "snort snort" sound and the way she snuggled in Lorze's arms, clearly treated Lorze as her mate. Why was that?
Just as Professor Magnolia was spacing out, Lorze had already handed five Max Mushrooms over to her.
"There's one more that I kept for myself, Professor Magnolia."
"Okay! That's certainly no problem, but... if Mr. Lorze returns to the Tree of Beginning for research, I'm afraid Gigantamaxing cannot be realized. Because according to our observations, Dynamax energy is unique to the Galar region."
Although she said this, a glint flashed in Professor Magnolia's eyes: If Gigantamaxing is the result, then Max Mushrooms are the tools to facilitate this result, and Dynamax energy is the energy foundation. Neither can be lacking.
Lorze quickly heard the hidden meaning in Professor Magnolia's words: She probably wants to seek some external assistance through me.
In the timeline of Pokémon: Sword/Shield, there were two important organizations devoted to Galar's Dynamax cause: one was the research team led by Professor Magnolia, and the other was the villainous organization in Sword and Shield—Macro Cosmos under Chairman Rose.
But right now, it was unknown whether Macro Cosmos had even been registered yet, so the research on Galar's Dynamax cause fell entirely on Professor Magnolia's shoulders.
It could be said she was carrying the main burden alone, but fighting a lone battle ultimately meant she was stretched too thin: even Professor Magnolia couldn't manage to advance the research on the Dynamax phenomenon and the energy storage problem at the same time. This was asking too much of her.
But now, the situation was different.
Because of his appearance, Devon Corporation would be able to seize the preemptive opportunity to invest in the Galar region! So the energy problem could be safely entrusted to Devon; they were very professional.
However, such a matter still needed to consult the Galar authorities' opinion first, so Lorze first told Professor Magnolia his thoughts.
"Since that's the case, having Devon Corporation intervene and assist in the research, what do you think?"
"I see... With Galar's current level, wanting to complete it independently is indeed somewhat unrealistic. Relying on external assistance is not a bad method. Mhm, I will inform Champion Peony of this matter. If it can succeed, I will also have to trouble Mr. Lorze regarding the contact with Devon Corporation."
"No problem!"
Because of Professor Magnolia's influence in Galar's industry, this matter seemed to be quickly approved by the authorities, opening up market access for Devon Corporation in the Galar region under the guise of introducing foreign investment.
And Lorze on the other side also informed President Joseph of this matter. The old man's shrewd mind and sharp business vision were not unfounded, immediately finalizing the matter.
Because he could already foresee that, due to the existence of Dynamax and Gigantamax, future commercial competitive battles in the Galar region would definitely have boundless prospects. If Devon Corporation could lend them a helping hand at this time, they would be completely qualified to take a share of the pie.
Or rather... they were actually willing to open up to foreign investment, this is truly unexpected.
Both sides went very smoothly, so the progress of the matter exceeded Lorze's imagination. He originally thought it would undergo wrangling from all parties and drag on for a year or half.
But thinking about it, it was the same when he settled at the Tree of Beginning. As long as everyone could unite towards the same goal, the efficiency of getting things done was still quite fast.
Then, Lorze witnessed that in Wedgehurst, not far from Professor Magnolia's laboratory, a research building belonging to Devon Corporation rose from the ground, bringing a trace of advanced vitality to this barren land...