Lance had been in Heropa this whole time. Certain circumstances beyond his control, quite literally, kept him from leaving or participating.

With the whole ordeal over though, that changes. The disappearance of the Ultra Beasts effectively snapping him out of his stupor. The man and his porter powers having created a hive mind between him and the creatures. Now that they were gone, the disheveled Pokemon trainer stumbles into the midst of the vigil turned celebration just in time to hear Darin’s speech.

Looking slightly dumbfounded at what’s going on, he listens nonetheless. Once it’s done all he can do is stand among the cheering crowd, trying to process all of this.

Sounds like he definitely missed something.