Grey had no choice but to get up and walk toward the entrance.
When he opened the door, he found a curvy woman standing outside. Her hair was tied up, and she wore yellow-framed glasses.
This was Wicke, the assistant branch chief of Aether Paradise.
Green followed behind Grey, only to freeze the instant she saw Wicke.
They were enormous!
How could someone with such a youthful face have such a voluptuous figure?
Green lowered her gaze and glanced at herself.
Without a few Poké Balls to help pad things out, the two of them probably would not even belong in the same weight class.
"M-Mr. Grey, what happened to you?"
Wicke's expression changed slightly.
She had never imagined that Grey would greet her looking like this.
His face was covered in blood. Anyone who did not know better might think he had slaughtered his way across Kanto just to reach the door.
"It's nothing serious. I simply had to deal with a minor matter. Assistant Branch Chief Wicke, please come inside."
Grey welcomed Wicke into the Fighting Dojo with a cheerful smile.
"A minor matter?"
Wicke swallowed nervously.
His face was drenched in blood, yet he was still acting as though nothing had happened.
It seemed the information President Lusamine had provided was correct.
The Pokémon under this young man's command had already reached the Master tier, while Grey himself might possess Champion-tier strength.
With newfound respect for him, Wicke entered the Fighting Dojo.
"Wicke!"
The moment Lillie saw her, she immediately recognized the Aether Foundation employee as one of her mother's trusted subordinates.
"Lillie, have you been behaving yourself while staying with Mr. Grey? President Lusamine has been terribly worried about you, so she sent me here to see how you were doing."
Wicke pressed her hands together before reaching out and gently squeezing Lillie's cheeks. At that moment, she looked like a warm and friendly family friend.
"I have. Did Mother send you to bring me home?"
Because Wicke was pinching her cheeks, Lillie's words came out slightly muffled.
"Well, yes and no. The president said that you may continue staying here if that's what you want."
After speaking, Wicke took out a black card and a business card, then respectfully presented both to Grey with two hands.
"Mr. Grey, this is President Lusamine's card, along with her private contact information. If Lillie encounters any problems while staying here, this will make it easier for you to contact her directly."
"Oh, all right."
Grey accepted the business card but did not take the black card.
"Mr. Grey, please accept this card as well."
Wicke maintained her pleasant smile and gestured for Grey to take it.
Grey waved his hand dismissively.
"Come on, I'm hardly the kind of man who covets money. A mere..."
Before he could finish, Wicke suddenly spoke.
"There are 100 million Pokédollars on this card. The president said it was a small payment for all the trouble you've gone through while taking care of Lillie. It also includes any expenses you may incur on her behalf in the future."
Grey's mouth slowly fell open.
How much?
One hundred million?!
As expected of the president of the Aether Foundation!
She certainly knew how to spend money!
She had handed over 100 million Pokédollars as though it were nothing.
That was absurdly extravagant!
However, Grey had already started refusing, and the amount was far too large. He did not believe he had done enough to deserve that kind of reward.
Therefore, he pushed the black card back toward Wicke.
"I'm afraid I can't accept this."
"Mr. Grey, you must accept it! The president specifically ordered me to make sure you took this money. She even said I shouldn't return to the Aether Foundation if I failed."
Wicke gave him an awkward but polite smile.
"No, absolutely not. What have I done to deserve 100 million Pokédollars? I previously captured all four of Team Rocket's senior Executives, and even their combined bounties weren't worth that much. This is simply too generous."
Grey even used his Aura to prevent Wicke from forcibly stuffing the black card into his hand.
He truly could not accept this money.
Lillie was practically family to him.
What was wrong with spending money on someone he considered family?
It was perfectly reasonable.
"How about speaking with the president first? You can decide whether to accept the card after talking to her."
Wicke took a step back and suggested that Grey communicate directly with Lusamine.
"Grey is going to speak with Mother?"
Memories of the time Lillie had spent with her mother surfaced in her mind.
It should be fine, right?
Lillie unconsciously swallowed.
For some reason, she had a terrible feeling about this.
Yet the mother she remembered had always been a very gentle woman.
Why was she suddenly feeling so uneasy for no apparent reason?
Lillie frowned.
It almost felt as though some unseen force did not want her to dig any deeper into those memories.
"All right. I'll speak with Lusamine."
Grey picked up his phone and turned toward Bumiao.
"Bumiao, please take Wicke to the reception room. I need to handle something important."
"Of course."
Bumiao walked over and offered Wicke a polite smile.
"Wicke, please follow me."
While the others continued talking, Grey returned to his room.
Using the contact information on the business card, he added Lusamine's private account.
His request was accepted almost instantly, so Grey sent her a greeting.
[Dojo Annihilape: Hello, Lusamine.]
The name on the other side of the screen immediately changed to [Typing...]. Less than a moment later, Lusamine replied.
[Lusamine: There's no need to be so formal, Grey. I've already heard everything. You saved Lillie's life. I assume Wicke has arrived at the dojo by now. Let me make a rough guess. Did the amount of money make you ask to speak with me?]
[Dojo Annihilape: You read the situation perfectly. I'm impressed that you understood the problem immediately.]
Grey held his phone and frowned.
How had Lusamine known that the amount was why he wanted to contact her?
Something about this felt strange.
Had Lusamine calculated everything in advance?
Had she already predicted how he would react?
[Lusamine: Lance told me about your character. According to him, you are a young man with a pure soul who does not covet even the smallest amount of wealth. That was the only reason I could imagine for you adding my account personally.]
A pure soul who did not covet even the smallest amount of wealth...
Grey scratched his head.
He had no idea how Lance had reached that conclusion.
Still, he had to admit that receiving such high praise felt pretty good.
However, this was not the time to sit around congratulating himself.
[Dojo Annihilape: Since you already understand the situation, what do you think we should do?]
[Lusamine: I would like to take advantage of you. What do you think?]
[Dojo Annihilape: ???]
[Dojo Annihilape: Lusamine, what exactly do you mean by that?]
The instant Grey read Lusamine's message, he hurriedly looked around the room, terrified that Sabrina might see their conversation.
If she read that message, there would be no way for him to explain himself!
Besides, Grey was not interested in married women.
Lusamine needed to show some restraint!
Of course, Grey did not actually send her that message. Instead, he simply asked what she meant.
[Lusamine: Grey, I would like to welcome you into my family as my honorary brother. What do you think?]
[Dojo Annihilape: What? Your honorary brother?]
This sudden attempt to establish a family relationship left Grey completely speechless.
An honorary brother?
Where had that come from?!
[Lusamine: Yes. I originally considered having Lillie treat you as a brother, but that would benefit me far too much. Instead, I thought I should personally welcome you into the family as my brother. That way, I wouldn't be taking quite as much advantage of you, would I?]
[Dojo Annihilape: Why would you suddenly want to do that? Laughing-through-tears emoji.]
[Lusamine: In that case, you should simply accept the 100 million Pokédollars. Otherwise, I will continue feeling guilty. However, if you agree to become part of my family, I could tell you something rather private.]
[Dojo Annihilape: How private are we talking?]
Lusamine's words immediately captured Grey's attention.
He genuinely wanted to know what she was referring to.
[Lusamine: It concerns many unfamiliar life-forms.]
[Dojo Annihilape: What? That sounds...]
[Lusamine: Well? Are you willing to become part of my family?]
Grey had already guessed what Lusamine was talking about.
It was most likely something related to the Ultra Beasts.
Remaining patient, Grey continued questioning her.
[Dojo Annihilape: Are these new life-forms connected to another world?]
[Lusamine: You truly are remarkably knowledgeable. I never expected you to identify the central issue so quickly. The Aether Foundation is currently exploring another world. However, this is confidential business information, so I cannot reveal too many details.]
[Lusamine: If you agree to become my honorary brother, then we will be family, and I can tell you everything honestly. You will also receive full access to the Aether Foundation's authority and resources.]
[Lusamine: The Aether Foundation may not surpass Silph Co. in every individual field, but our overall strength is certainly no weaker than theirs.]
Grey immediately understood what she wanted.
So Lusamine was trying to recruit him as the Foundation's heavy hitter.
Grey knew exactly how terrifying the Ultra Beasts could be.
Red and Blue had previously encountered Necrozma.
Necrozma had fought both of them simultaneously without falling behind and had even successfully forced the two battle-legend tier Trainers to retreat.
That alone proved how powerful it was.
The Aether Foundation needed overwhelming strength to handle the Ultra Beasts.
Lusamine might be powerful in her own right, but Grey was clearly even stronger.
If Lusamine made Grey part of her family, then surely he would never stand aside and allow his new relatives to die when they needed his help.
Grey rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Lillie was currently carrying Cosmoem, and Grey still did not know which version of Lusamine he was dealing with.
If this was the kinder version from the animated series, everything would probably be fine.
However, if she resembled her game counterpart...
Grey shuddered.
In that case, there was a high chance that Alola was heading toward an apocalyptic disaster.
Perhaps he should play along with Lusamine for the moment.
That would allow him to discover what she was really planning.
Having reached a decision, Grey replied.
[Dojo Annihilape: All right. You can consider me family.]
[Lusamine: Wonderful. Since you've officially accepted me as your sister, I can't allow my new brother to lose out. Treat that 100 million Pokédollars as a welcome-to-the-family gift.]
Grey stared at the screen.
So he still had to accept the 100 million Pokédollars?!
[Dojo Annihilape: Lusamine, that's hardly fair. Didn't you say that if I became your honorary brother, I wouldn't need to accept the money?]
[Lusamine: Those are two different things. The 100 million Wicke offered was compensation for taking care of Lillie. The 100 million I just mentioned is your welcome-to-the-family gift. Now that we're family, I can't possibly allow you to suffer a loss.]
[Lusamine: You don't have to take the money. I own an enormous luxury penthouse in Saffron City. If you don't mind, I can transfer it directly into your name. You can use it as a future home after you get married.]
That enormous penthouse was worth even more than 100 million Pokédollars.
Grey was forced to accept the money.
[Dojo Annihilape: Fine. I'll take the welcome gift. Just don't try to trap me like this again!]
[Lusamine: Of course. Shall we discuss the important matter now?]
[Dojo Annihilape: Go ahead.]
[Lusamine: Messaging is inconvenient. Let's switch to a video call.]
The instant she finished typing, Lusamine initiated a video call.
Grey pressed the answer button.
A blonde woman sitting behind an office desk immediately appeared on the screen.
Her bangs covered her right eye, and her beautiful face possessed a cool, elegant quality.
It was difficult to imagine that this woman had given birth to two children and was already over forty years old.
There was nothing to criticize about her appearance. She was undeniably beautiful.
Unfortunately for her, Grey was not attracted to married women.
"Grey, I'll get straight to the point."
Lusamine gently pursed her red lips before continuing.
"The Alola region experiences a unique type of spatial distortion. Its formal academic name is an Ultra Wormhole. You've seen an Ultra Wormhole before, haven't you?"
"I have. There were also Pokémon inside that were completely different from anything in our world. The one I encountered was an enormous red mosquito covered in muscles. I managed to catch it and decided to call it Buzzwole."
Grey recalled the Buzzwole he had encountered not long ago.
Very few Trainers could deal with a creature like that.
Every one of them possessed at least Elite Four-tier strength, while their leader, Necrozma, had a minimum strength somewhere around the lower reaches of battle-legend tier.
"My, I never expected you to successfully catch one. You even gave it such a lovely name. That's certainly impressive. The Aether Foundation has encountered the same Pokémon and designated it UB-02 Absorption. Since you've already named it Buzzwole, we can simply use that name from now on."
Lusamine deliberately acted surprised before asking, "What do you think of that Pokémon's strength?"
Grey did not conceal his opinion.
"It's extremely powerful. Only Elite Four-tier Pokémon can fight it on equal terms."
"Exactly. That is what makes Ultra Beasts so terrifying. Among the Ultra Beasts we have discovered, many possess strength comparable to Buzzwole. There is also an exceptionally powerful Pokémon among them that could enter our world at any moment."
When Lusamine reached this point, her voice became unusually grave.
"That Pokémon can rival, no, it can surpass most first-class Legendaries. There is also another matter I need to tell you about. Team Rocket has arrived."
"Team Rocket really went to Alola..."
Grey's expression changed.
Necrozma alone was manageable.
Team Rocket alone was also manageable.
However, if those two forces came together, the situation would become extremely dangerous.
A single mistake could lead to a disaster capable of destroying the entire world.
"That's right. Team Rocket has reached the Alola region, and it is obvious that they intend to make their move against Alola..."
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