__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Akio was curious. As someone who had lived through this catastrophe, just how much did Saeko Busujima actually know about the mastermind behind it?
A biohazard outbreak of this scale, spreading across the whole of Japan, should have drawn serious investigation. There was no way no one had looked into it.
Which meant Saeko had to know something.
And sure enough, when Akio asked, she didn't hesitate."I can't say for certain. But I have my suspicions… it's hard to imagine this has nothing to do with the Umbrella Corporation."
Akio clicked his tongue. Just as he thought—Umbrella again.After all, what kind of Resident Evil could there be without Umbrella?
"Why only suspicions?" he pressed.
Saeko explained calmly, "After the outbreak in Tokonome City, some survivors pointed the finger at Umbrella. The government immediately launched an investigation.
"But Umbrella's reach is enormous. It's an international giant, powerful enough to pressure other countries into leaning on Japan. The investigation stalled almost immediately.
"Not long after, the virus mutated. Even people with extraordinary abilities weren't spared. Tokyo's collapse only accelerated, and the investigation into Umbrella was abandoned completely.
"Even before my rebirth, there was never enough evidence to prove Umbrella's involvement. Still… not long after Tokyo fell, their entire branch office pulled out overnight.
"That timing was enough to make a lot of people suspicious."
Akio raised a brow.Umbrella, huh. A company so bold it could pull strings at this level? Not bad.
Interesting.
It looked like he'd have to pay Umbrella a visit himself. But before that…
He turned to Saeko, who was already kneeling before him, and gave her a playful smile."Saeko Busujima, right? I like you. Quick to act, decisive. Just my type."
"How about this—you become my follower, and in return, I'll grant you strength beyond anything you've known."
Saeko blinked, caught off guard. She'd doubted his identity just moments ago, yet here he was, still offering her his hand.
This god was far more magnanimous than she had imagined.
And truthfully, she needed power. If she was going to face the horrors of the outbreak again, she couldn't afford to hesitate.
So she didn't. She dropped to her knees."Thank you for your recognition, my lord. If you can forgive my earlier offense, I offer myself to you completely."
Akio laughed, a rich, amused sound. "That's what I like to hear. A decisive woman."
Placing his hand on her shoulder, he poured a fraction of his radiant power into her.
Ten thousand points of Light—barely a ten-thousandth of his strength.
Yet when Saeko received it, her eyes widened in shock. Suddenly, she understood why Shinzui and Hisako revered this being so much.
Because what he gave was too overwhelming. Too generous.
In her past life, under Erina Nakiri's banner, she had awakened Gourmet Cells and mastered countless combat skills. Her strength had been fearsome.
But compared to this gift, all of that felt pitifully small.
A god who could hand out such power without a second thought… she had never encountered such generosity before.
It was impossible not to yield.
Saeko pressed her forehead to the ground, full prostration, pledging loyalty with all her being. "From this day forward, I will serve you alone, my lord."
Akio smiled lightly. "Good. Now stand."
She obeyed instantly, springing to her feet like a loyal hound awaiting command.
With that, Akio took her hand and led her out of the Light Dimension, reappearing at the gates of Totsuki Academy.
There, Hisako was still waiting anxiously.
The moment she saw them return, relief washed over her. "Lord Akio."
He nodded, gesturing to Saeko. "From now on, she's one of my followers. Treat her as one of your own."
Hisako blinked. Saeko had doubted him openly, yet he accepted her anyway. Truly, his generosity was beyond measure.
"I'll inform the young mistress," she said quickly. "But… what do you think of what Saeko reported earlier?"
Akio's tone was calm, assured. "It's true. One of my shrine maidens, blessed with the highest level of spirit sight, foresaw this very future."
Hisako gasped. Saeko also realized now why he had believed her words without hesitation—he had already seen the disaster to come.
Truly, Akio's followers were extraordinary.
Seeing Hisako's panic, Akio smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'll handle this personally. You just focus on your duties. Everything will be fine."
Then, turning to Saeko, he added, "Come with me."
And in the blink of an eye, both of them vanished.
Hisako immediately rushed back into the academy to report everything to Erina Nakiri.
At first, Erina frowned when she heard Hisako had reached out to Akio over Saeko. But when she learned he had been pleased with the matter, her annoyance faded.
Upon hearing that Saeko, too, had been accepted as his follower, Erina clicked her tongue. "That lucky woman."
But when Hisako repeated that Akio had confirmed everything Saeko said was true, Erina's expression hardened.
Still, once she heard Akio planned to deal with it personally, she relaxed again.
If the god himself had decided to intervene, then the crisis was as good as over.
As Akio said—there was nothing to worry about. The sky wouldn't fall.
"Hisako, come help me," Erina said, brisk and composed. "Before evening, I want a feast prepared to offer our lord."
Hisako froze. "M-Mistress, now? With all that's happening—"
Erina cut her off smoothly. "Exactly. Since our lord has chosen to act, it will be resolved. Our role is to fulfill our duty—by presenting him a proper meal, not by fretting over matters he has already taken into his hands."
For a moment, Hisako stared blankly. Then it sank in, and she broke into a smile. Right—if Akio himself was stepping in, what was there to worry about?
"Yes, Mistress. I'll help you right away."
And with that, the two set about their preparations, determined to honor their god the way they knew best.
"..."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________