Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 275 The Argument for Truth

Chapter 277 The Argument for Truth

"Hehe, that's natural. All those so-called gods and legends you talk about are, in the end, just a few more powerful Pokémon. Expecting those guys to monitor the world all day long is asking too much of them."

Mei Dan put down her teacup, casually leaned back in her chair, and crossed her arms with an air of disdain.

The old professor glanced sideways at the champion of Bamboo Orchid, seemingly waiting for the mythologist's counterattack.

However, his opponents made no attempt to retaliate.

"Hmm. Based on current records, we haven't discovered any Pokémon with such powers. From a mythological perspective, Arceus, revered as the creator Pokémon of the Sinnoh region, might possess such abilities, but we also can't be certain whether this wondrous Pokémon truly exists. What abilities does it have? Is it a true creator god? Everything is still inconclusive, and there's no point in trying to refute it."

As far as Zhu Lan was concerned, the remarks Mei Dan made that questioned the existence of gods had been widely discussed by scholars from various fields decades ago, with voices of support, opposition, and neutrality all present, but no one could provide conclusive evidence.

It wasn't until recent years, after several major events, that people were able to definitively observe traces of the legendary Pokémon's activities. The balance between theism and atheism began to tilt slightly towards the former, and this great debate of the century began to show signs of resolution—but only some clues were found.

Arguments without concrete evidence from either side are like castles in the air. Zhu Lan remembered her original purpose for coming to the Mori Mansion and didn't want to waste time in such a place, so she went straight to the point—

"Mr. Medan, when we came to visit, Miss Zina mistook us for guests you were entertaining."

But we've come uninvited today, and we didn't even know who lived in the mansion before meeting you two. So I suppose Mr. Meidan has another important guest today?"

"Huh? Other guests?" Zina, who was serving tea and water, looked embarrassed, having messed things up, but Meidan shook her head nonchalantly.

"It's just about entertaining our big spenders; they're all guests."

Looking at the white lab coat still worn by the mansion's owner, and recalling what Zina had said about him working in the basement...

Officer Jenny, standing nearby, became interested—

"A sponsor? Could it be that someone is sponsoring Mr. Mei Dan's research?"

"Yes." Mei Dan nodded. "It's the founder of Hayden Pharmaceuticals, the director of Hayden in Zhuqing City. I'm sorry I can't disclose the research details, as it's a kind of academic secret."

Zhu Lan had never heard of this name and was still quietly sipping her tea. Now it was Officer Jenny's turn to be astonished. "Hayden from Zhuqing City! That's a big shot! Hayden Pharmaceuticals is a world-class corporation involved in pharmaceutical and medical device development, and it has achieved remarkable success in the vaccine field. A boss of that caliber must have several well-staffed hospitals and research institutes at his disposal. Why would he specifically hire someone to conduct research in the desolate Hundred Generations Forest?"

"Hehe, once a person becomes famous, they can no longer do whatever they want as they used to. Sometimes, when they are forced into a corner, they can only rely on their old classmates to lend a hand."

Mei Dan answered with a smile, but her tone still carried a hint of sarcasm.

It's unclear whether he was implying something in his words or if he was just naturally sarcastic.

"So, Mr. Medan and this Hayden were classmates. Are you currently in this mansion, helping him with some research that he can't personally disclose?" Officer Jenny asked casually, "It doesn't involve illegal activities like illicit drugs, does it?"

"If you're still so worried, Officer Jenny can bring a search party to look this place up another day. Let the keen-eyed Pokémon investigate, or turn the mansion upside down, whatever. The equipment and materials are all here, so I have nothing to hide."

Mei Dan didn't care about the stall.

"Could you reveal the specifics of the research?" Zhu Lan asked, also a little curious.

"No comment." The mansion owner's face immediately darkened, but then he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "However, if you want to visit the research lab, I won't stop you. In short, this research topic is one I will absolutely not reveal to outsiders."

The research site was open to inspection, but the researchers were adamant about not revealing the content of their research? Officer Jenny and Orchid were both puzzled.

After thinking for a while without finding an answer, the policewoman had no choice but to continue pressing, "If that's the case, why come to such a remote place to do research? And why hide in this mansion surrounded by trees?"

Medan then flashed his signature sarcastic smile again, gesturing with his chin towards the Sinnoh region champion: "Heh, you'll have to ask these believers in myths and legends."

It turns out that Professor Medan and his sponsor Hayden's research began more than a decade ago.

At that time, Medan's radical atheistic views offended many academic authorities, forcing him to retire early from the coastal university where he had taught for many years. It was at this time that he received an invitation from an old classmate, so Medan simply gave up the academic battlefield against God and went into seclusion, instead conducting a secret research project sponsored by Hayden at home.

However, things are unpredictable. Just when the name Meidan was almost forgotten by everyone, a sneak attack from the past, like a "precognition" move used by a superpowered elf, unexpectedly struck this retired scholar who had lived in seclusion.

Ten years ago, as a staunch advocate of atheism, Mei Dan naturally participated in many public speeches and debates, and even appeared on several television programs.

Although the scholars and experts at that time could not produce enough conclusive evidence, it was precisely because of this that the most intense debates often occurred when neither side could provide convincing evidence, and the tension continued to escalate uncontrollably, even showing a tendency to spread from academic debate to personal attacks.

In the midst of verbal battles with her opponents, Professor Mei Dan, who was already known for her sharp tongue, naturally also had moments when she spoke without thinking.

Two years ago, Mei Dan's remarks mocking theism were unearthed online.

"Heh, thanks to the impatient efforts of you mythologists, the Sinnoh region has practically become the private domain of theists. Even little kids still in school are pointing at the reconstructed images in the Pokédex, saying things like, 'That's the creator god,' 'That's the guardian of time and space,' 'That's the nightmare god,' and 'That's the Registeel,' and so on. In this climate, if those guys suddenly see a grumpy old man on their phone screen advocating these anti-theistic arguments, they'll naturally fly into a rage without even asking questions."

The old professor sighed heavily: "At first I didn't pay much attention, but after a few days I realized that I had become famous online. It was as if the whole world had heard my speech overnight, and people would point and whisper about me even when I was walking down the street. Damn it, I couldn't have achieved this level of fame ten years ago."

Officer Jenny leaned closer to Bamboo Orchid and whispered, "Is that really true?"

The champion thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "I think I saw similar news a few years ago, but I didn't pay much attention. That's probably when I first heard of Mr. Mei Dan."

If Hugo were here, he would probably be happily explaining the details of the whole affair; that guy never misses any rumors circulating online.

"Of course, if it were just old program footage being seen, I wouldn't have had to slink away to a place like this. The problem is that after that, I started being harassed by my old rival—a fanatical theist."

At this point, Mei Dan revealed an expression of deep disgust.