"I didn't expect you to get addicted to magic snacks. Good thing you didn't get more of them."
Kain watched Alicia rubbing her hands in anticipation and smiled. He figured she probably fell in love with these snacks back when she first tasted magical frog chocolate as a scared little girl.
Then he smiled and asked, "So, why did you call me back, Alicia?"
"There's something I need the godfather's advice on. I've been hanging around a group of people—family members of the victims from that incident. Heh, they've banded together to get revenge on Umbrella, and I somehow got mixed in with them."
Alicia recounted her recent experiences to Kain, then laughed. After laughing enough, she frowned and asked with a bit of annoyance, "Godfather, why did they sneak in so easily, and why haven't they figured out I'm helping them?"
"It's a pretty twisted game, Alicia," Kain said, shaking his head. "You could've just lowered the security level or asked the Red Queen to design a fake infiltration plan for you."
He had thought Alicia called him for something serious, but instead, it was just mischief. Still, he was relieved—Alicia hadn't gone astray during his absence. With her power and financial resources near the top of the world, Alicia could practically do anything she wanted. A little mischief like this was just a sign that she'd grown up healthy.
"Alicia, you're almost an adult now. It's time for you to take over Umbrella. With the Red Queen and twenty-five bioweapon bases worldwide, the security infrastructure is more than sufficient."
But before Kain could finish, Alicia choked and started coughing. After he used a bit of magic to help her breathe again, she quickly asked, "Godfather, are you leaving? Why?"
"Why?" Kain replied casually. "Isn't it only natural? You've grown up, Umbrella's stable, and it's time for you to take over."
He spoke as if it were nothing. Sure, 90% of Umbrella's shares were under his name, but that meant little. Even if someone else held them, Alicia and he were still the true power behind the company. The Red Queen was private A.I., not corporate property.
"But I have no experience…"
Kain smiled and reassured her. "I'll stay for a few more years. You can learn gradually during that time."
Suddenly, Alicia found the magic snack in her hand less appetizing. She couldn't explain why, but stuffed it into her mouth sullenly.
She wasn't just any girl. She had been injected with the perfected T-virus serum years ago. Now, Alicia had to eat at least 50 catties (about 25 kg) of meat per meal just to sustain her energy. To live more normally, she relied on compressed energy bars or high-calorie sugar cubes.
She could throw a ten-ton truck with her bare hands. Add in her psychic abilities, and she could go toe-to-toe with three second-generation Tyrants.
"I'm full!"
After a short meal, Alicia thumped her way upstairs.
Kain looked away. The Red Queen would send a robot to clean up, and there was plenty of food in the villa. He left, seeing nothing more he needed to do.
As soon as he stepped outside, Medea appeared beside him. Her red lips curled into a smirk under her hood as she teased, "Master still plays dumb sometimes, just like when he was staying with the Matou family."
Smack! Smack!
Two quick slaps rippled across Medea's round backside. She yelped in surprise, quickly covering herself with both hands and turning around defensively.
"That's what you get for teasing your Master."
Kain opened the car door and sat down. Then he looked at her and said, "I'm in the car now. Are you planning to walk home?"
"Who said I can't get in the car?"
Though she was embarrassed and a bit annoyed, Medea's lips curled into a mischievous grin. Instead of heading to the passenger seat, she opened the door right beside Kain and slid in next to him.
Kain suddenly felt the warmth of her curves pressing against him, nearly making him gasp.
But in the next moment, he noticed a flicker of movement from the third-floor window. Smirking, he leaned toward Medea and said, "Let's go. I plan to have some fun in Washington tonight."
The gas tank was full, and the game had begun—whoever left the car first, lost.
Three days passed quickly. Several members of the Society of Truth gathered useful information based on their assigned tasks, though most of it was still provided by Alicia.
A few students had the bold idea of investigating Umbrella's most secure biochemical warrior base—an overreach for their current capabilities. Still, their desire for revenge on behalf of their families was understandable. Kain didn't particularly care. After all, it wasn't like twenty countries had united to start a world war.
The second, third, and even fourth meetings of the Society of Truth were held, and some initial plans were finalized.
However, to Alicia, those plans seemed laughable. She found them completely unrealistic and rejected them outright.
"Absolutely not. Umbrella is the most powerful organization in the world, and your thinking is far too simplistic. Even if they didn't notice a sudden change in transport schedules—which they will—you still wouldn't be able to get inside!"
She crossed her arms and continued bluntly, "Stop watching so many movies. If those screenwriters had better brains, they'd be writing mystery novels instead!"
Alicia's sharp words made Takashi Komuro flush with embarrassment, especially since most of the proposed plans were inspired by movie plots they had seen.
Komuro, a little flustered, asked, "Then what do you suggest?"
Alicia licked a high-energy lollipop and replied, "First, we barely know anything about each other. Second, we don't have any backup. With this few people, we won't accomplish anything. So, our priority should be finding allies and securing support. I'll ask my godfather to help too."
Takashi Komuro immediately retorted, "Are you kidding? This is our fight!"
"Then prepare to be arrested," Alicia snapped. "I'll withdraw right now, and I hope you won't drag me down when you're caught."
Her tone was harsh—she hadn't been in the best mood lately—and her patience was running thin. "Let's face it. We're just students. Even if we each have our strengths, we're still inexperienced compared to our elders. The family that helped us get this exchange program was the Spencers. If even they don't want to step forward, what hope do we have?"
Saeko Busujima replied calmly, "She returned to England. If Sawamura won't come forward, we won't force her. She's already done more than enough for us."
"Well, then there's nothing more I can do, Busujima-senpai." Alicia shrugged and added with a casual lie, "My godfather reviewed this plan—it's full of holes. If you go through with it, the only thing you'll achieve is getting caught."
Takashi Komuro, frustrated, growled, "Damn it, then what great plan do you have!?"
"The plan of filial piety is already decent. We can try that," Saya Takashiro interjected, trying to mediate.
Before she could finish, Alicia stood up and walked toward the door, waving dismissively. "I'm out. You guys go on without me. Just pretend I was never involved. Don't worry—I won't leak your plans."
Saeko Busujima quickly stood up. "Wait. Let's talk this through. We all came here for the same reason. Shouldn't we be united right now?"
Alicia paused at the door. After standing silently for a few seconds, she returned to her seat. She had her own motives—she still intended to make use of the group for now.
While Saeko managed to calm everyone down, the cracks in the team were beginning to show.
Among them, Alicia was closest to Saeko Busujima. The two often sparred and exchanged insights. Impressed by Alicia's physical abilities, Saeko had even taught her the Busujima style of swordsmanship. Alicia was one of the rare few who could push Saeko to fight seriously.
As for the others, Alicia barely knew them. Saya Takashiro, Takashi Komuro, and the others were still young and inexperienced. Their abilities were mediocre, and aside from their passion, they didn't offer anything that impressed Alicia. They were also far too impulsive for her liking.
When Alicia was in a good mood, she could tolerate them. But when she was annoyed, she had no patience for their antics.
While Alicia was kind at heart, that didn't mean she lacked a temper—especially since she was under Kain's protection. If she was seriously provoked, even the President of the United States might consider moving up the general election.
Eventually, after further discussion, the group agreed to contact Sawamura in the UK and inform her of their situation. However, the matter of reaching out to the victims' families remained undecided.
In Washington, the only ones with any influential backing were the Takashiros. Though Saya's father had passed away, her mother—Takashiro Yuriko—had inherited the family estate. She had worked on Wall Street and was quite familiar with American systems and politics.
As for the others, their support networks were lacking. Takashi Komuro came from a single-parent household, and his mother had died in a drug incident a few years back—there was no one left to call.
Rei Miyamoto had a father in the police, but he was just a local officer with no international influence. Still, Rei chose to call home and discuss the matter with her father.
After Alicia had repeatedly shattered her confidence, Rei no longer believed in herself much. Still, she went ahead and had the conversation.
When Yuriko Takashiro heard the news from Saya, she was so shocked that she nearly dropped her phone. She immediately abandoned everything she was working on, booked a flight to Washington that same night, and flew over without hesitation.
She never expected her daughter to be so reckless. Taking on one of the most powerful conglomerates in the world was even more dangerous than trying to overthrow the U.S. government.
The Takashiro family might be considered a local powerhouse in Bed City, but on a national scale, they were insignificant. Even Umbrella's Tokyo branch was strong enough to command caution from the Japanese government—let alone the corporation's global reach, which spanned numerous other industries.
Although Yuriko had always suspected that her husband's body hadn't been cremated by the Japanese police, but instead taken by Umbrella, the Takashiro family lacked the power to pursue the truth. In the end, they could do nothing but let the matter go.
As soon as she arrived in Washington, Yuriko headed straight to the school and met with Saya. Furious, she raised her hand and nearly slapped her daughter on the spot.
"Saya! Come back with me immediately! From now on, you'll study at home—and you are not allowed to step outside without my permission!"
"What? No way, Mom! I'm not agreeing to that!"
Saya quickly shook her head in protest. But Yuriko's sudden burst of anger had left her shaken, and she only dared to talk back while standing behind Takashi Komuro.
"Do you want to destroy the entire Takashiro family? Saya, this isn't up for discussion. I'm arranging your withdrawal from this program immediately!"
Yuriko's voice was cold and firm. She then turned to Takashi Komuro.
"Mr. Komuro, this matter is over. If you still want to keep in touch with Saya, that's your decision—but stay out of this."
"Aunt Takashiro," Komuro replied firmly, standing in front of Saya, "I won't back down. Even if you choose to ignore the truth behind Uncle Takashiro's death, I will keep investigating what really happened to my mother!"
Saeko Busujima interjected calmly, "Aunt Takashiro, please sit down. Let's talk this through."
Watching the first attempt at bringing in outside support nearly fall apart, Alicia could only sigh internally. If she had to handle everything herself, it would appear too suspicious once her godfather found out. That wasn't an option.
Should I take control of Umbrella directly? That way, I can completely take over the Red Queen…
The more Alicia thought about it, the more she liked the idea. She turned to Saeko and instructed her to contact her godfather. Then, she quietly left the campus dormitory.
As for how Saeko and the others would persuade Yuriko Takashiro—that wasn't Alicia's concern. She was never good at convincing people, anyway.
"Transferring control of Umbrella? Why the sudden decision?"
Kain raised an eyebrow as he read Alicia's message. He felt his goddaughter had truly grown up, and in amusement, gave his own soft, pale thighs a light pat.
"Medea, put your legs back. Do you want me to replenish your magic?"
"No! Don't bother me—I want to rest!"
Medea, who had been resting under the blanket, jolted awake and immediately refused with three sharp denials. She curled up tightly under the covers, her pointed ears twitching and her violet eyes glaring at Kain.
Even for a witch, she had her limits. After days of torment, she couldn't take any more—especially after encountering Medusa several times.
"Alright, alright. You rest. I'll take care of the Umbrella matter."
Kain smiled gently and leaned down to kiss Medea on the forehead. The tender gesture made her blush deeply, and she buried her face further beneath the blanket in embarrassment.
Leaving the house, Kain headed straight to Umbrella Corporation to hand over control to Alicia.
The change in shareholding was a mere formality—easily handled by assistants. What truly mattered was transferring control of Umbrella's military systems, the Red Queen's network, and all biochemical warrior facilities.
Kain wasn't particularly fond of these bio-warriors anyway. In the Marvel world, there were far more powerful biomechanical warriors.
And in the world of bioweapons, raw power remained the ultimate guarantee.
…
patreon.com/Vks_sh