Chapter 103: Untitled

After a breathless, lingering kiss, the girl's face flushed as she pulled away from Volkner's lips.

"It's been two months since we last met," she murmured, her warm, light brown eyes reflecting a deep pool of emotion as she gazed at him.

"You came to Vermilion City and didn't even give me a heads-up?" Lucius remarked, surprised to see Volkner's girlfriend—none other than Jasmine, the Olivine City Gym Leader, known as 'the girl protected by an iron wall.'

"I just wanted to surprise you." Jasmine pouted, playfully clinging to Volkner.

Since Lucius was currently sharing Volkner's consciousness, he had access to all of his memories—including everything about the relationship between these two.

Jasmine was the Gym Leader of Olivine City in Johto and the guardian of its famous Glitter Lighthouse. When Volkner traveled to Olivine to study lighthouse technology as part of his research for Sunyshore's Solar Tower, he and Jasmine crossed paths.

A young, brilliant engineer and a gentle yet resolute Gym Leader—one thing led to another, and their collaboration on lighthouse technology naturally blossomed into something more.

However, being Gym Leaders from different regions came with responsibilities, forcing them into a long-distance relationship.

Volkner's decision to challenge the Kanto Elite Four was, in no small part, motivated by Jasmine.

Compared to Sinnoh, Kanto was much closer to Johto.

Seeing Jasmine in her pure white sundress, acting adorably coy, Lucius couldn't help but feel moved—perhaps influenced by Volkner's emotions imprinted in his memories.

On impulse, he wrapped an arm around Jasmine's slender waist and pulled her in for another kiss.

Instead of resisting, Jasmine responded even more passionately.

...

"This is the place you chose?" Ophelia asked in astonishment, staring at the massive, extravagantly designed estate before her.

"Mhm. What do you think? Pretty amazing, right?" Mia Hjelle beamed at her friend, looking quite pleased with herself.

After bringing the biological protein sample Ophelia provided back to her family's research lab for testing, Mia's decision to invest in Umbrella had gained the full backing of the Hjelle family's patriarch.

To support her, her grandfather had gifted her this estate—her initial capital for joining Umbrella.

"Well… I suppose it works," Ophelia muttered, feeling both exasperated and impressed.

Mia had told her earlier that she had selected a location to serve as Umbrella's research base and wanted Ophelia to check it out.

Ophelia had expected her wealthy friend to acquire an existing pharmaceutical facility or research center. Instead, the so-called 'research base' turned out to be an ultra-luxurious mansion…

Truly extravagant beyond reason.

"I've got it all planned out," Mia said as she led Ophelia on a tour. "The mansion itself can function as an open-access venue, while the underground levels will be converted into our secret research base for Umbrella."

"But… wouldn't constructing an underground facility take way too long?" Ophelia asked. She needed to rapidly scale up Umbrella's operations to support the growing Hive infrastructure.

"Nope." Mia shook her finger with a smirk. "This estate is one of the Hjelle family's oldest properties. Back in the day, when wars were common, an underground bunker was built right from the start. We just need to refurbish it into a research facility."

Ophelia nodded in understanding.

As a scholar, she was well-versed in history. Before the Pokémon League was established, wars between nations were frequent, and many ancient families built fortified underground structures to serve as safe havens during conflicts.

These bunkers were constructed with such resilience that they could withstand battles between Champion-level Pokémon.

Eventually, to put an end to these endless wars, the Goodshow, Officer Jenny, and Nurse Joy families—along with several other influential clans—abolished national governance and established the League system, laying the foundation for today's Pokémon League.

Although this estate had been left unused for some time, it was clearly well-maintained and far from decrepit. A little renovation would be enough to transform it into a high-end venue.

The mansion's restoration could also serve as the perfect cover for the underground research base's development. Once the venue opened to the public, it would further obscure the facility's true purpose—killing two birds with one stone.

Seeing the thoughtful look on Ophelia's face, Mia knew she was satisfied.

When Ophelia first presented the biological protein's analysis results, it had caused an uproar within the Hjelle family. Her grandfather even claimed it was the most groundbreaking biological discovery of the century and suggested outright acquiring Umbrella.

But Mia knew better.

Umbrella was still a fledgling company. The true key to its potential wasn't the organization itself, but rather its driving force—Ophelia.

Thus, under Mia's advice, the Hjelle family decided to fully support Umbrella's development and Ophelia's research, placing Mia in charge of the entire operation.

...

"Dr. Onando, welcome."

Andreas's neatly combed blue hair and impeccably tailored suit reflected his professionalism as he extended a handshake to Unova's renowned researcher, Dr. Onando, who had just arrived in Cerulean City.

"Hahaha, thank you, thank you."

Dr. Onando, dressed in his usual lab coat with his usual disheveled appearance, chuckled. "Silph Co.'s efficiency is as remarkable as always."

He was referring to the excavation equipment needed for the research site.

Outside, dozens of heavy-duty excavators, colossal drilling rigs, and advanced underground scanning devices stood in perfect formation, ready to begin work at a moment's notice.

"Naturally. Silph Co. values this collaboration with the Onando Research Institute," Andreas replied with a smile.

Indeed, Silph Co. took this project very seriously—so much so that Andreas, as the company's vice president, had personally come to oversee it. However, due to Team Rocket's involvement, he had left his chief secretary Ophelia behind and instead brought his Rocket-affiliated assistant.

Meanwhile, in another lavish office within the building, Dolores and Ariana sat facing each other.

Unlike men, conversations between women—especially beautiful women—often carried an undercurrent of unspoken tension.

"So, you're the one in charge of the Syndicate?" Ariana cast a sidelong glance at Dolores. "A project of this scale, and the Syndicate sends a newbie?"

Compared to Ariana's decade-long tenure in Team Rocket, Dolores was indeed a newcomer, having only been with the organization for three years.

"In the Syndicate, we don't judge by seniority. We judge by ability," Dolores replied coolly.

"Oh?" Ariana chuckled. "For a project this important, ability is indeed crucial…"

"In the Syndicate, it's not seniority that matters, but strength," Dolores said calmly.

"Heh, for such a major project, strength is, of course, crucial. Since you put it that way, I'm curious to see just how capable the Syndicate's talents really are," Ariana sneered.

Without warning, an Arbok emerged from the shadows behind Dolores, its hooded neck displaying an eerie, unsettling pattern.

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