area51novel Page 55
Page 55
“I am neither a saintly figure nor a moral paragon.”
"I don't care what you did in the mansion, what methods you used, or how you dealt with the memories of those STARS members."
Her hand rested on the hilt of the knife again, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
"I'm only sure of one thing."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it pierced through the wind.
"Teacher Zhou, and Tohsaka-kun, are you on the side of humanity?"
"You'll destroy the demons, right?"
This question is direct and pointed.
Here comes the interrogation of her stance. Saeko Busujima is more than she appears on the surface. She doesn't care about the process, she cares about the result, and she cares about which side she's on. This kind of extreme pragmatism is dangerous, but it can also be very useful.
Zhou Ye's mind raced as he calculated all the possibilities.
Before Zhou Ye could answer the question about his stance, Saeko Busujima suddenly changed the subject.
"Since we're all going back to Fujimi Academy anyway..."
"Then let's go back together."
This suggestion surprised Zhou Ye.
Even Nami, who had been watching the show with her arms crossed, turned her head slightly to look at Saeko Busujima, her eyes filled with scrutiny.
"why?"
Nami asked him, he needed a reason, a reason that could convince her.
"It's very simple."
Saeko Busujima stated a fact in a calm tone, "Ms. Zhou and Ms. Tohsaka, you need a witness. So many people died in the Zodiac Train incident. You two teachers came back unharmed and have to fabricate a story that the school and parents can accept."
"This is quite difficult."
"With me, the surviving student representative, and the captain of the kendo club present, your words will seem much more authentic."
A cryptic smile returned to the corners of her lips.
“When acting, you have to go all the way, don’t you, Teacher Zhou?”
Zhou Ye and Nami exchanged a glance.
[A witness? She puts it so grandly.]
Is it genuinely trying to help me cover up the lie, or is it an excuse to stay close to me and observe me closely?
"it is good."
Zhou Ye finally uttered a single word.
He looked into Saeko Busujima's eyes, trying to glean something from them, but her eyes remained calm and unwavering.
"Then let's go back to the academy together. Nami, you don't mind, right?"
Nami, who hadn't said a word, crossed her arms and let out a soft hum.
The sound was very soft, like the sound of airflow from the nasal cavity, with a hint of nonchalance.
[A troublesome woman. But, as long as the master has decided.]
Saeko Busujima smiled that faint smile again, the smile of having achieved her goal.
She bowed slightly, making a "please" gesture, her posture elegant, as if she were about to step onto the dance floor.
"Then, lead the way, Teacher Zhou."
The wind on the top of the building was still howling, fluttering the hems of the three people's clothes.
Zhou Ye didn't say anything more.
He turned and walked toward the inconspicuous little door on the roof leading to the stairwell below.
Saeko Busujima took a step to catch up, keeping a few steps' distance.
Nami walked at the back, her gaze sweeping over the brightly lit yet perilous city below.
The three figures quickly disappeared into the shadows cast by the edge of the rooftop.
Chapter 41 Alex Wesker
The night wind whistled through the tall buildings.
New York, Umbrella's top-floor office. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's lights blaze brightly.
Inside the window, the light was cold.
Alex Wesker sat behind a large desk. She wore a well-tailored white suit, her blonde hair was impeccably styled, and her face was exquisite but lacked warmth.
A secretary in a business suit stood before her, her expression solemn, giving a report.
"Executive, we have just received urgent intelligence from -."
"The Arklay Research Facility on the outskirts of Raccoon City, also known as the Manor, has been confirmed to be out of contact and completely destroyed."
"Time has passed in the past twenty-four hours."
Alex tapped her fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound. She didn't even lift her eyelids.
"Specific reason?"
"The initial assessment is that an internal self-destruct program has been activated, but the triggering cause is unknown."
The secretary paused, then continued:
"Meanwhile, the AI Red Queen, responsible for managing the mansion and its surrounding facilities, was hacked by an unknown source. Most of the experimental data and surveillance records inside the mansion were deleted or destroyed."
"Oh? There are more experts?"
Alex finally stopped tapping her fingers and looked up. Her eyes were sharp, devoid of any emotion.
"Have you found the source of the hack?"
"There are no leads at the moment. The other party's technique is extremely advanced, leaving almost no trace."
Alex's lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.
"interesting."
[Was the Red Queen smeared? Was it that idiot Albert, or did he bring some new trouble upon himself?]
[That old geezer Spencer's Wesker Project... really produced a bunch of outstanding kids.]
The secretary felt the office temperature drop even further, but she gritted her teeth and continued.
"In addition... Albert Wesker lost contact during the mansion incident, and his current status is unknown."
"According to the last record, he was using the Raccoon City Police Department's STARS squad to conduct live data testing of BOW (biological weapon) in the mansion."
Alex showed no surprise.
"He certainly knows how to have fun."
Using STARS as test subjects? Albert is still as arrogant as ever. But, going missing... were they killed by the out-of-control test subjects? Or...?
The secretary took a deep breath and revealed the more important information.
"Also missing is... an important ally of the company, Mr. Kibutsuji's subordinate... Rui."
"Lei was also active in the mansion area at the time, which is speculated to be related to Wesker's actions."
“Mr. Kibutsuji?” Alex’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
That arrogant demon king... even his pawns have fallen in Raccoon City?
That old man Spencer, getting involved with those inhuman monsters, is bound to cause big trouble sooner or later.
However, what could possibly defeat the Lower Moon...? Albert? Or Stars? Or... something else entirely?
"Are there any STARS survivors left at the mansion?" Alex asked.
"Yes. According to initial reports from within the Raccoon City Police Department, four members of STARS Alpha Team survived: Chris Redfield, Gil Valentine, Barry Burton, and Bradwix (the pilot). As for Beta Team, only team medic Rebecca Chambos survived."
"They returned to Raccoon City by helicopter."
"Also... around the same time, the Zodiac Express biohazard incident that occurred in the Arklay Mountains also had three survivors, whose identities have been preliminarily confirmed."
The secretary handed a document to the table.
"Zhou Ye, physical education teacher at Fujimi Academy. Tohsaka Nami, medical doctor at Fujimi Academy. Busujima Saeko, student at Fujimi Academy, captain of the kendo club. According to our investigation, Busujima Saeko also has another identity: a candidate for the Water Pillar of the Japanese Demon Slayer Corps."
Alex picked up the document and quickly scanned it.
Her gaze lingered on the names "Zhou Ye", "Nami Tohsaka" and "Saeko Busujima" for a few seconds, especially the label "Water Pillar Candidate of the Demon Slayer Corps".
Fujimi Academy? It's that place again.
Could teachers and students... possibly survive in that kind of hell?
This is getting more and more interesting. Albert, what exactly have you stirred up in Raccoon City?
She put down the documents, her eyes regaining their previous coldness.
"Albert is missing, Lei is eliminated, the Red Queen is hacked, and the mansion is destroyed..."
"A series of accidents happened in this place called Raccoon City, one of the places where the company was first established and started its business."
"This place reeks of conspiracy."
Alex stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the New York night view. Her expressionless face was reflected in the glass.
"CEO, we are now..." the secretary asked cautiously.
"Have the Raccoon City branch immediately conduct top-level covert surveillance and background checks on these survivors."
Alex's voice was clear and unquestionable.
"We can't miss any of the four from STARS or the three from Fujimi Academy. At the same time, we mustn't alert them and avoid making a move."
"I want to know exactly what they experienced in the mansion and on the train, who they met, and what they did."
"Especially Zhou Ye, Nami Tohsaka, and Saeko Busujima from the Demon Slayer Corps."