Chapter 46: Madam, You Wouldn't Want To

Aether Paradise is an artificial island located at the center of the Alola region, serving as the base of the Aether Foundation.

Many injured Pokémon find refuge here, and besides protecting Pokémon, the Aether Foundation also conducts research activities here.

As for what they research? What else could the Aether Foundation research?

Of course, it is the Ultra Beasts that Lusamine dreams of and longs for day and night.

Mamen set foot on the soil of Aether Paradise today, and Lusamine came out personally to welcome him.

Lusamine's mansion is located behind Aether Paradise; if one wishes to go there quickly, taking a car or a helicopter is the fastest way.

"Mr. Mamen, why the sudden visit to Aether Paradise today?" In the car, Lusamine asked Mamen with a calm expression.

She had no good feelings toward Mamen; his gaze was very impolite, that unrestrained wild look making Lusamine extremely uncomfortable.

It was as if she had been stripped naked; it had been a very, very long time since anyone dared to look at her with such eyes.

But Lusamine could not vent her anger at will, because the other party was Mamen, the leader of the Alola Rocket Team.

"Of course, to discuss some rather important matters. Chairman Lusamine, won't you show me around Aether Paradise?"

Mamen, wearing a baseball cap, replied casually, his gaze fixed on the buildings outside the car window.

He had originally wanted to see if, upon his visit to Aether Paradise this time, an Ultra Beast like Nihilego would appear just as in the game.

He did not expect that Lusamine would not take him to tour Aether Paradise at all.

"Mr. Mamen, do you have no self-awareness at all?" Lusamine replied very coldly.

"Oh?" Mamen glanced at Lusamine.

"Dr. Kukui and Hala specifically called to contact me, asking the Aether Foundation personnel to keep an eye on your whereabouts."

Lusamine said coldly; if it were not for the fact that she indeed had a request of the Rocket Team, she would absolutely not want to get involved with them.

Especially with Mamen, this dangerous element; once Kukui and the others discovered that she had contact and dealings with the Rocket Team, the reputation of the Aether Foundation would plummet.

"If I take you on a tour inside Aether Paradise, guess whether your identity would be exposed?"

Although Aether Paradise was established by her own hand, not all Aether Foundation employees were her loyal subordinates.

After all, many people joined the Aether Foundation because of the foundation's prestige and her, Lusamine's, charitable reputation.

"I see." Mamen was not too surprised.

The traces of the Aether Foundation are spread throughout the entire Alola region; it is only natural that Kukui and the others hope Lusamine will help.

"Those guys like Dr. Kukui are really making such a big fuss about it." Mamen smiled, not taking it seriously.

Lusamine glanced at Mamen; Mamen's careless expression was not feigned; he truly did not take Kukui and the others to heart.

Is he that confident?

Lusamine's eyes flickered slightly; she did not know what she was thinking.

Soon the car arrived in front of Lusamine's mansion; it was a very luxurious and grand house. Lusamine certainly lived well.

The two entered the mansion.

"Then please speak directly, Mr. Mamen, your purpose for coming today." On the living room sofa, Lusamine sat down elegantly and got straight to the point.

She did not want to interact with Mamen much; her intuition told her that this young man was very dangerous!

In every sense of the word.

"How cold. After all, we are partners, Chairman Lusamine."

Mamen leaned carelessly against the sofa, surveying the living room; to say it was resplendent with gold and jade was no exaggeration.

"Truly worthy of Chairman Lusamine. The foundation must have earned a lot of money, right? To achieve this level alone is truly admirable to me."

The founder of the Aether Foundation was Lusamine's father, but the one who truly developed the Aether Foundation to its current scale was Lusamine!

Lusamine's ability was beyond doubt; even Mamen had to admit that Lusamine was a very capable woman.

"Thank you for the praise, Mr. Mamen. You are also young and promising." Lusamine remained unmoved, raised her teacup, took a sip of tea, and said calmly.

She had heard such words far too many times; her heart was completely unmoved.

"Then let us discuss some serious matters. I heard that you, Chairman Lusamine, and your Aether Foundation have always been researching Ultra Beasts, correct?"

Mamen changed the topic.

Lusamine's arm holding the teacup paused, but she immediately returned to normal.

"That is correct, indeed so." Lusamine admitted openly.

The Aether Foundation has always been researching Ultra Beasts and Ultra Wormholes. Ordinary people might not be clear, after all, ordinary people do not even know what Ultra Beasts are.

But the high-ups of the Alola region all know, such as Dr. Kukui and others; this is not much of a secret.

"Ultra Beasts pose a great threat to Alola. Discovering the mystery of Ultra Beasts early is a matter beneficial to the development of Alola." Lusamine said calmly.

"Tsk~ Chairman Lusamine, you are truly great."

Hearing this, Mamen could not help but make a "tsk" sound.

But the words carried a tone of sarcasm inside and out, causing Lusamine's face to sink immediately.

"If Mr. Mamen you understood what Ultra Beasts have done in Alola in the past, you..."

"There is no need to say such high-sounding words to invite ridicule, Lusamine. Do you think I do not know your thoughts?"

Mamen tilted his head slightly, interrupting Lusamine's words; he had lost all interest in listening to Lusamine "perform" here.

For the sake of Alola? This woman's skin is truly thick.

"What do you mean by this?" Lusamine's expression instantly turned icy; her pupils lost their Gao Guang and gradients, becoming emptily and terrifyingly chilling.

This was Lusamine's physiological instinct; whenever she displayed paranoid tendencies, she would be like this.

"Must I explain it clearly, Lusamine?" Mamen surveyed this mature Chairman of the Aether Foundation leisurely, his tone relaxed and carefree.

Lusamine stared coldly at Mamen.

"Why did you entrust us to find Lillie and Gladion? It is not because they are your children, but because of Cosmog and Type: Null, correct?"

Mamen spoke with a smile, paying no attention to Lusamine's gaze lacking any warmth and her cold expression.

"You found them?!" Lusamine suddenly understood.

"That's right. Perhaps no one would have guessed that President Lusamine, who appears so full of love for Pokémon on the surface, is secretly a woman feared by her own children, one who has almost lost her humanity."

Mamen slowly curled his lips at the corners, watching Lusamine's grim expression.

"Nonsense!" Lusamine suddenly stood up, speaking in an angry voice. She loved Lillie and Gladion so much.

"Don't get agitated, Lusamine. I know, you have many 'treasures' hidden in the basement beneath your house, don't you?"

Mamen twisted his neck, his tone very gentle, yet the words he spoke made Lusamine's whole body turn ice-cold.

Lusamine's pupils lost their Gao Guang once more, and a deep chill rapidly spread from the soles of her feet throughout her entire body.

The 'treasures' in the basement... How is that possible? How could this person know?!

A whisper like that of a demon quietly sounded in Lusamine's ear.

"Madam, you wouldn't want this secret to be known by the Pokémon League, would you?"

(End of this chapter)