The eastern sector of the camp had become the most intense battlefield. This was where Brandon was currently locked in a fierce fight against incoming Elite-Four level wild Pokémon. In fact, the outcome of this entire conflict would depend on that side.
If Brandon lost, the camp would inevitably fall. At that point, Sato and the others would have no choice but to fight desperately to break out.
On the other hand, if Brandon managed to defeat the invading Elite-Four level wild Pokémon, the rest of the wild Pokémon would lose their leader and fall into fear. This sudden crisis would quickly dissipate.
However, from the current situation, Brandon's condition was far from good. He was being besieged by a large number of wild Pokémon.
"Cynthia… could it really be that Cynthia? It shouldn't be. If it were her, Brandon's situation shouldn't be this dire."
Hearing the injured man on his back mention the name, Sato's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but feel worried about the battle in the eastern sector.
Still, he chose to first deliver the injured man to safety before heading back with reinforcements.
At the moment, the only safe area in the oasis was the lakeside in the western part of the camp. Ground-type Pokémon needed water, but they also feared it. As long as people reached the lakeside and hid in the water, they were relatively safe.
...….
While Sato was heading toward the oasis lake with the injured man on his back, a world-shaking battle was unfolding in the eastern sector.
Brandon was commanding Altaria and Dusclops, engaging numerous wild Pokémon in combat.
During the fight, Altaria's primary role was to protect Brandon, ensuring he remained safe amid the chaos. Dusclops, on the other hand, acted as the main attacker.
Among Brandon's Pokémon, only Altaria and Dusclops had reached Elite-Four level. Of the two, Dusclops was the strongest, at an astonishing level 79.
With its mastery of a black-hole-like devouring technique, Dusclops wreaked havoc across the battlefield, swallowing both enemy Pokémon and their attacks.
At the same time, Dusclops held an Eviolite, greatly boosting its defenses. Combined with Pain Split, it continuously restored its health.
In this chaotic melee, Dusclops was like a reaper of death—everywhere it went, all non-Elite enemies were crushed.
However, among the wild Pokémon besieging Brandon were six Elite-Four level opponents: Sandslash, Camerupt, Krookodile, Claydol, Hippowdon, and Steelix.
No matter how powerful Dusclops was, it could not withstand the simultaneous assault of six Elite-Four level Pokémon. It was forced into a fighting retreat, relying on its devouring ability to clear lesser foes and using Pain Split to sustain itself.
Fortunately, Altaria provided timely support under Brandon's command, restraining enemy attacks. Otherwise, Dusclops's situation would have been far worse.
Of course, Brandon was not fighting alone. Many of his subordinates were present, and their strength was considerable—some even reaching the peak of pseudo Elite-Four level.
Unfortunately, they could only handle a portion of the lesser enemies and were unable to influence the overall tide of battle.
At present, the only one capable of sharing most of Brandon's burden was a valiant blonde woman.
What was astonishing was that she commanded an Elite-Four level Garchomp and Roserade.
As a Dragon-type pseudo-legendary, Garchomp's combat power needed no explanation. Even while facing five opponents of the same level, it showed no disadvantage—in fact, it suppressed them.
Under the blonde woman's command, Garchomp let out a thunderous roar, nimbly dodged an attack from the side, and then met a Krookodile head-on with Dragon Claw.
The next moment—clang!
Krookodile, despite being level 76 and a seasoned fighter of the desert, was utterly outclassed. Its physical strength was completely overwhelmed, and some instinctive bloodline pressure made it feel fear during the clash.
It lasted less than a second before being sent flying, its chest torn open by Garchomp's claws.
If not for timely support from its allies forcing Garchomp to retreat, Krookodile would have already fallen.
Roserade also played a critical role in the battle. She served as the blonde woman's support Pokémon.
Her mastery of Grassy Terrain was no weaker than Sato's own Roserade—perhaps even superior.
Thanks to her, Garchomp was able to maintain peak combat performance.
Of course, an Elite-Four level Roserade was far from just support. Against the Ground-types in the desert, she was nothing short of a nightmare.
While maintaining Grassy Terrain and protecting her trainer, she still had the capacity to attack, unleashing Magical Leaf at nearby enemies.
Each emerald energy leaf was like a deadly throwing blade. Countless non Elite-Four Ground-type Pokémon fell under her relentless assault.
Aside from Brandon, his subordinates, and the blonde woman, there were also many non-combat personnel present on the battlefield.
The reason Brandon and the others had not yet retreated was precisely because of these people. Otherwise, with their strength, they could have already withdrawn to the oasis lake and regrouped with the main force.
But these non-combatants were invaluable specialists for the ongoing ruins excavation project. If they were all killed by wild Pokémon, the entire expedition would fail.
Thus, unless absolutely necessary, Brandon and the others could not abandon them.
Unfortunately, compared to the seemingly endless reinforcements of wild Pokémon, their strength was far too limited. Their continued resistance was entirely due to Brandon and the blonde woman holding the line.
Even though the two Elite Four Trainers could endure—and might even repel the invading Elite-Four level Pokémon given enough time—Brandon's subordinates and the non-combat personnel could not hold on much longer.
34q 2After more than ten minutes of battle, many Pokémon had already lost their fighting ability. Some combatants were severely injured and had fallen.
The situation was growing worse by the second.
If reinforcements did not arrive soon, then aside from Brandon, the blonde woman, and a handful of elite fighters…
everyone else would perish here.