"Mr. Pent, long time no see."
"Well, what's Alicia been up to lately? Why isn't she in America?"
Kain asked casually. The last time he had been here was three years ago. Although the Red Queen had recorded everything that had happened during his absence, there was simply too much information for him to bother reviewing.
One thing was certain: Umbrella had remained stable. He and Alicia were still the highest-level authority holders over the Red Queen, and no one could alter her hierarchy.
"Miss is currently studying in Japan," Pent replied. "Although we tried to dissuade her, she insisted. So we increased our investment there—it conveniently serves as a springboard into the Asian market. Currently, we—"
Kain quickly waved his hand. "Alright, alright, spare me the corporate details. Call a meeting. I have something new to announce."
Umbrella had grown to an enormous scale—more than three million employees and over 50,000 in military personnel. The Pent Group had absorbed the remnants of Stark Industries and Hydra, catching up to the forefront of biotechnological warfare alongside Umbrella.
Only the regional presidents and several high-level CEOs attended meetings called by Kain. If every CEO across subsidiaries were included, there would be more than 300 attendees in the projection conference alone.
Kain had many plans. Just developing the new energy weapons and mechanical war units would require around 30,000 units, with extensive time needed for metal synthesis. And that was before considering genetic medicine and other innovations. Nearly 50% of Umbrella's manpower would be redirected to serve Kain's latest projects.
Yet, no one dared to object. While it would significantly reduce Umbrella's income, Kain's brutal efficiency in past years remained vivid in everyone's memory. No one had forgotten.
The Red Queen's presence alone crushed any ambitions. Even banking transactions were under her surveillance. Any slight irregularity would be detected immediately.
Overthrowing Kain was theoretically possible—but only if all interested parties abandoned their stakes, discussed plans in complete electronic isolation, and ensured total unity. But the risk was astronomical; even a single misstep meant death.
Someone had tried six years ago. Back then, Kain had used 80% of Umbrella's resources to build an aircraft carrier, dramatically cutting profits and influence. Dissatisfaction brewed, and a faction rose in opposition.
They disappeared not long after. Only the supervisor in charge of the Zombie Warriors might know where they ended up.
Even the President of the United States dared not cross Alicia or Kain. No matter how greedy for power, fear always won out.
"If there are no questions, get to it. I'll have the Red Queen monitor progress. Scale up the workforce if necessary."
With that, Kain dismissed the meeting. Now, he only needed to voice a demand—others would scramble to fulfill it. As for whether he'd create a projection-based Holy Grail system in this world… he was still thinking it over.
"The Godfather is back?"
Alicia was surprised when she saw the Red Queen's message. This had been her godfather's longest absence. He used to visit her at least once a year, but this time he'd been gone for three.
"Red Queen, show me the latest company updates."
Alicia was also one of the highest-authority figures over the Red Queen. However, the AI's projected form was still that of her childhood self, which now made Alicia feel slightly embarrassed. Still, she never bothered to change it and rarely used the Red Queen directly.
After reading the documents the Red Queen sent, she nodded with understanding. It seemed her godfather was preparing to build something again. But… where would he sell it?
That was what intrigued Alicia the most. She still remembered that childhood memory—the godfather appearing in their home unannounced, startling her, claiming to be a mage… only to deny it later as she grew up.
"Avery, are you ready? We're leaving!"
There was a knock on the door. Alicia quickly put away the Red Queen interface and called out, "It's packed!" Then, picking up the suitcase beside her, she opened the door and stepped outside.
She had joined a secretive organization known as the Truth Society—or Shinjisha in Japanese. That had been the main reason behind her transfer from the United States to a high school in Japan. Of course, there were other reasons too. Life in the U.S. had become dull, and maintaining her hidden identity had grown increasingly difficult.
Every day, she was surrounded by flattery and sycophants.
So when Alicia had accidentally stumbled upon traces of Shinjisha on the internet, she changed her name and identity, enrolled in a Japanese school, and started anew.
The Truth Society had appeared a few years ago. It was an intriguing organization—both extremely secretive and oddly public. But anything that existed on the internet couldn't escape Alicia's detection.
She quickly investigated its members, origins, and mission. It turned out the organization had been founded to uncover the truth behind the zombie outbreak years ago. There were no more than twenty members, and the oldest among them was only 17—just like Alicia.
The founder had lost a family member in the T-virus incident. Dissatisfied with how things had been handled, they decided to investigate the truth on their own and expose it to the world.
That piqued Alicia's interest. "Join them… and investigate for myself." Once the idea took root, she acted immediately. Although the original outbreak had been Umbrella's doing, its mastermind, Dr. Isaacs, had already been killed by her.
According to the Red Queen's data, Alicia joined the Shinjisha shortly after enrolling in her Japanese high school. Now, the group was preparing for their first major action—a student exchange program to a high school in Washington State, USA.
They had planned everything meticulously. Without Alicia's covert support via the Red Queen, the group's identities would have been handed to Umbrella's special operations unit for immediate elimination.
"Avery, you're so slow!"
As Alicia stepped outside, Takagi Saya couldn't help but complain. "If we'd delayed any longer, we'd have missed the flight!"
"Sorry, I was just on the phone with home. Let's go," Alicia replied with a smile.
The others didn't complain further. It wasn't too late, and the group grabbed their luggage and headed downstairs to catch the school bus to the airport.
This exchange was a rare opportunity for a regular Japanese school—to visit a prestigious high school in Washington State, and send 40 students at once. Such a thing was nearly unheard of.
Once in the U.S., Alicia spent the next few days arranging accommodations and logistics alongside Saeko Busujima and her team.
After everything was settled, the Truth Society held its first official campus meeting in Washington. It took place in the dormitory room shared by Saeko and Alicia.
"Sorry, I was hoping to apply for off-campus housing," Saeko said apologetically. "My father's old house here has been vacant for years—it's safe, private—but the teacher wouldn't allow it. So, we have to stay on campus."
Although her father's gym had long since shut down, the estate and inheritance he left behind were considerable.
Alicia waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine. But if I asked my godfather, he could probably pull some strings and get us permission to live off-campus. We'd just need a good excuse. Do you want me to ask him, Busujima-senpai?"
"Godfather?" Rei Miyamoto perked up. "Oh right! You mentioned before—your godfather who's always busy with business. Is he in Washington now?"
"Yeah, he just got back. I received a message from him. If I don't reach out soon, he'll probably leave again on business."
"A businessman who neglects his family, huh…" Saya muttered, thinking of her own late father, who had been constantly preoccupied with political campaigns. As a child, she'd barely seen her parents.
"Sorry, Ellie… does your godfather know about your father?" Saeko asked, her tone suddenly serious. "This is a very sensitive matter. If he's unaware, we can't risk letting outsiders get involved."
"Don't worry—he knows everything," Alicia answered firmly. "He's the one who protected me back then."
She wasn't lying. It was Kain who had helped her avenge the deaths of her parents at the hands of Isaacs and Wesker, and it was Kain who had cured her of her illness.
Saeko's expression softened slightly. "I'm sorry, Ellie… I didn't mean to doubt you."
"It's okay. Being cautious is important. I understand you, Busujima-senpai," Alicia said with a smile, though deep inside, she was curious to see how Saeko would react once they reached the zombie stronghold.
After that, the high school students—aged 17 and 18—gathered to discuss their next steps: infiltrating Umbrella's suspected zombie facility in Washington and gathering intelligence.
This wasn't something Alicia had told them—they had discovered it through their own investigation. According to what they found, she was supposedly a student in Tokyo affiliated with a commune. Her family had ties to a British diplomat and also wielded considerable influence in Tokyo.
There were undoubtedly other sources of information as well, but uncovering anything about the Zombie Warrior Base located in this part of Washington was extremely difficult. After all, it was near the political heart of the United States—placing a zombie base there meant Brera could potentially seize control of the White House in a matter of hours.
After discussing strategies for half the night, the group still hadn't settled on a solid infiltration plan. Most of their suggestions were rejected by Alicia.
The Zombie Warrior Base had the second-highest level of security among all Umbrella facilities. With their surface-level tactics, they wouldn't even make it past the first security gate before being annihilated.
"Let's stop here for today," Alicia said with a yawn. "I'll try to find a chance to ask my godfather. He's dealt with Umbrella's executives before—maybe he knows something we don't."
She wasn't actually tired—she just didn't want to listen to these childish ideas anymore.
Saeko Busujima checked the time and nodded. "Avery's right. Let's call it a night."
Rei Miyamoto, Saya Takagi, Takashi Komuro, Kohta Hirano, and the others agreed, then left the room and returned to their dorms.
After the others had left, Alicia washed up and lay on her bed. With her enhanced physique, she could easily go two or three days without sleep, so she asked quietly:
"Busujima-senpai… do you really think this will work?"
"It will," Saeko said after a pause. "Ellie, we all share the same purpose. We will uncover Umbrella's secrets."
"But what if it's all useless?" Alicia said seriously. "Umbrella's power is overwhelming, Busujima-senpai. Even if you hand over solid evidence to the United Nations, you might get arrested or shot the next day for defaming them."
She wasn't exaggerating—Alicia knew all too well how powerful Umbrella had become. Ten years ago, there was still hope the global community could unite to bring it down. But now?
Now, it was a fantasy. With one command from the Red Queen, Umbrella could blind entire nations. Airplanes would be grounded. Warships wouldn't leave port. Even nuclear weapons could be rendered useless.
Neither Alicia nor Kain had any illusions about changing that. Alicia wanted to complete her life's mission; Kain, on the other hand, was busy carving out a new world.
After a moment of silence, Saeko smiled slightly and said:
"It doesn't matter. Someone has to do it—and I'm willing to be the first."
"You're so stubborn, Busujima-senpai… go to sleep already," Alicia sighed, pulling the blanket over her face.
"Where is this…?"
Medea opened her eyes, startled by the unfamiliar surroundings. But then, sensing her own body, she gasped in amazement:
"This isn't a Servant's body… I've really been resurrected?"
"That's right," Kain replied. "Though it took some time, your resurrection is far more complete this time. Even your legend has now been recorded in the Throne of Heroes—so a full return to life is valid."
He turned to Medusa, who was still disoriented, and gently removed the blindfold from her eyes, revealing her jewel-like purple pupils.
Medusa instinctively glared at Kain—but, like Medea, she could already feel her power greatly enhanced.
"No need to wear that anymore," Kain told her. "Though you've both been resurrected, this isn't your previous world. It's a new one entirely. You won't be here long either."
He then explained the situation. While this world didn't present any real threats, the two of them would be crucial in helping to establish a new realm later on. As the Kain Chamber of Commerce expanded its operations across realities—including the Marvel Universe—it needed more trusted personnel.
"So I was brought back just to be worked to death?"
"Of course. You're my maid now, officially. I'll be relying on you, Medusa."
"…Magic Eye Stare!"
Though threatening in words, her tone and expression carried a certain childish charm now that she had returned to life.
A few days later, Kain received a message from Alicia and returned to his "home" in Washington.
This wasn't the cliffside mansion Alicia had once lived in. It was a new property, recently purchased and modestly renovated for quick use.
"Godfather!"
As soon as Kain stepped through the door, Alicia hurried to greet him.
"Do you have more of those magic snacks? I already ate all the ones from last time…"
…
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