Chapter 10: Vincent

Tseng finally joined us, and we wasted no time moving out to infiltrate the Shinra Manor. Honestly, he could have arrived a little sooner. Because of the wait, I ended up stuck in a long conversation with Claudia, and poor Cloud—who was standing right there the whole time—looked like he was in agony. I mean, having to listen to your mother and your boss talk about you right in front of your face? That’s a special kind of torture.

"I will enter through the front first to distract the Science Department employees and the caretaker currently managing the estate. Use that opening to slip inside," Tseng instructed.

"Understood. Cloud, if any Experimental Specimens show up, I’m counting on you."

"I won't let them lay a finger on you, Lady Scarlet."

A few minutes after Tseng entered the manor, a blank message arrived on my phone. Right, in this era, it’s still a flip-phone, not a smartphone. Anyway, the signal is here. Time to infiltrate the Shinra Manor with Cloud!

"Do you have a lead on the documents we're looking for?" Cloud asked.

"I want the records, but my real prize is something else entirely. Sorry, Cloud, but just follow me and keep your mouth shut for now. Also... if a man jumps out of a coffin, he’s not an enemy. Don't attack him."

"A coffin?"

Cloud looked skeptical, but he nodded without pressing further. That’s my Cloud—always knows how to read the room!

There are likely security cameras and dangerous creatures in the research areas, but the sections used by general employees are clear of those. We need to stay as far away from the high-risk zones managed by Hojo as possible. I have zero interest in fighting a Lost Number, so I’ll be extra careful not to touch that safe.

After heading deeper into the manor, we found it: a cryptic room with a coffin sitting right in the center. This is it. This is what I was looking for.

"A coffin... Lady Scarlet, what is this?"

"This is the man I came for. Wake up, Vincent Valentine!"

The coffin remained still, showing no reaction to my voice. Wait... don't tell me he's not in there?! I know it’s way too early to recruit him, but he shouldn't have anywhere else to go. Oh no, this is embarrassing. I tried to act all cool by calling his full name and now—nothing. If Vincent isn't here, all my plans are going to fall apart.

Just as I was about to give the coffin a kick to check the contents, the lid suddenly flew into the air, and something leaped out from within. I lost my balance and nearly fell on my tail, but Cloud caught me. He immediately leveled his sword, staying alert as the man landed near the coffin.

"You know my name... Who are you?"

Long black hair, dark clothes, and that iconic red mantle draped over his shoulders as he leveled his gun—this was the man. A former member of the Turks who failed to stop the woman he loved, Lucrecia Crescent, from participating in the Jenova Project. The man who confronted Hojo only to be subjected to human experimentation, saved by the woman he loved, and who chose to live in a nightmare, viewing his transformed body as a penance.

"I am Scarlet, Head of Advanced Weaponry for the Shinra Electric Power Company. I’m the woman who has come to offer you a chance at redemption."

He seems wary, which makes sense. If a Shinra executive suddenly showed up to see you, you’d be suspicious too. Help me out, Cloud—I’m actually pretty terrified here, so if anything happens, I’m counting on you!

I have watched the nightmare for a long time. I could not stop the scientists consumed by their lust for discovery, and I have continued to accept the punishment for that causality. This body remains as it was in my twenties, as if the flow of time has been severed from the rest of the world. I accepted this, believing that being trapped in this prison of eternity was the "Crime and Punishment" assigned to me.

"A coffin... Lady Scarlet, what is this?"

"This is the man I came for. Wake up, Vincent Valentine!"

There should be few left who know my name, yet someone has intruded upon this manor. Judging by the footsteps, a man and a woman. The man seems to be guarding the woman as they move; he is clearly capable. Perhaps a fellow member of the Turks?

And the woman’s name sounded familiar. It was an old memory, but I recall hearing that a young woman of only seventeen had been appointed as the Head of Advanced Weaponry. Back then, I was preoccupied with the Science Department and was soon remodeled by Hojo. We never met, and many years must have passed since then. Likely, that young girl has grown into her role as an executive.

However, even if she is from a different division, the Advanced Weaponry Division is still a den of scientists. I cannot lower my guard. I kicked the coffin lid away, using it as a screen to reveal myself and assess the two.

Her design has changed significantly, but this woman wearing a suit similar to a Turk's must be Scarlet. And beside her, the man whose eyes never leave me as he protects her... perhaps a junior of mine from the Turks? He is dressed like a standard Security Officer, but the sword he wields must be incredibly heavy, yet his center of gravity does not waver. More than anything, his conduct as a bodyguard is refined. Even if I were an assassin targeting Scarlet, I doubt I could succeed while ignoring this man. To have such a honed body and technique at such a young age—he must be elite even among the Turks.

Even if this woman came here to dismantle my body for parts, this man would undoubtedly prioritize protecting his charge over capturing me. Fighting him head-on would be troublesome, but if I focus on escape, he likely won't pursue me recklessly.

For now, I am grateful that, unlike Hojo's other specimens, they are capable of conversation. Extracting information from dialogue and deducing the truth is a fundamental Turk skill. Though it is a heavy task for someone who hasn't spoken to a soul in decades, I must do what I can.

"You know my name... Who are you?"

First, a confirmation. Who is this woman who knows who I am?

"I am Scarlet, Head of Advanced Weaponry for the Shinra Company. I’m the woman who has come to offer you a chance at redemption."

So it is indeed the woman from the rumors.

"Cloud, you can stay alert, but lower your weapon for a moment."

So the Turk beside her is named Cloud. He lowered his weapon reluctantly, but his vigilance did not soften. If I were to level my gun, he would surely throw himself in the way to protect her. Time passes, but it seems the quality of the Turks has been maintained. I wonder if my old colleagues are still in the field. If anyone was promoted, it would be Verdot. Given that man's meritocracy, it makes sense that this young man would be assigned as an executive's guard.

"Now then, a lady doesn't need a gun pointed at her to talk, does she, Mr. Ex-Turk?"

"Hmph. I suppose I am technically the caretaker here. I won't disobey a superior. Let’s hear your business."

Alright! Success! I managed to make contact with Vincent. He’s willing to listen without us having to fight, so I’d say the first impression is pretty good.

I laid my cards on the table, showing him that I knew about his past, the current state of Shinra, and my goal to change the current regime. What surprised me was that Vincent actually knew who I was. We’d never met, but he’d heard my name. Scarlet must have been a legendary prodigy even as a teenager. It’s actually better that we didn't have a personal history; if he had a preconceived notion of the "old" Scarlet, my plan might have smelled fishy to him.

"I see. So you wish to gradually reform Shinra’s reliance on Mako and ensure the WEAPON—the Planet's guardians—do not turn their fangs against humanity."

"To do that, we have to deal with the danger of Jenova. But the President has no intention of letting it go, and it's all being managed by Hojo in the Science Department. Wouldn't it be better to cooperate with us rather than staying cooped up in here having nightmares?"

I can’t read Vincent’s expression, but he isn't flat-out rejecting me. Time to push a little harder.

"Are you really okay with things staying as they are? Right now, I can bring you into Advanced Weaponry. The Vice President is also a collaborator, so the Science Department won't be able to touch you. If you want to return to the Turks, I can pull some strings there too, but..."

"No... I have been away from the Turks for too long. If Verdot is the leader, I doubt things have turned too sour. As long as I am given a degree of freedom to move, I am fine being affiliated with Advanced Weaponry."

"Then it's settled. I’ll squeeze you into my department's roster. Hojo will probably complain, but don't worry—we’ll handle him."

YES!!! He’s officially on the team! This is a man who carries his own spin-off game; with him and Cloud as a double-act, we’re invincible. Look, Cloud is happy too... wait, why is his face so stiff? This is your dream colleague!

"However, my sudden disappearance would be too unnatural," Vincent noted. "From the look of it, your entry here was likely a trespass. What is your cover story, Director Scarlet?"

"Of course, I’ve already thought of that. Also, while we're at the office, 'Director' is fine, but otherwise, feel free to call me whatever you like. You’re technically my senior and older than me anyway. Besides, you’ll be handling a lot of personal requests for me outside of company business."

Being called "Director" by everyone feels good, but it's a bit too good—I’m afraid I’ll let it go to my head. I’ve been wanting someone who can talk to me without being hung up on titles. I’d love for Cloud to be frank with me, but our boss-subordinate relationship and the age gap make it difficult. That’s why someone like Vincent is convenient. He looks like he’s in his twenties, but he’s older than me and has more years with the company. By emphasizing that he's working for me personally rather than the company, it sends a message that he doesn't have to be tied down by corporate red tape.

"Understood. I will be on the company payroll, but for now, consider this a personal alliance. I’ll be in your care, Scarlet."

Spoken like a true former Turk. He understands exactly what I’m asking for, and his communication skills with difficult superiors are perfect. Still... being called "Scarlet" without any honorifics is so refreshing. Heidegger does it, but hearing it from a handsome guy like Vincent would make any girl's heart skip a beat. Even I'm a little moved—what gamer wouldn't be thrilled to be addressed like that by their favorite character? I wish Cloud would do it, but given our dynamic, I can't be too greedy.

Sigh... if I had been reincarnated as Tifa or Aerith, I could have been moved by Cloud calling me by name. Why did I have to be this villainous middle-aged woman? Well, no point dwelling on it. Time to focus.

"Then let’s go over the plan... Cloud, are you listening?"

Cloud looks... annoyed? Does he not like Vincent? Oh no! Maybe he’s upset that I kept our search for Vincent a secret because I didn't want Tseng to find out. Or maybe he sees a mysterious, high-ranking recruit in Advanced Weaponry as a rival threatening his position? No, no! I want you guys to get along! This recruitment was supposed to lighten your load, Cloud! I’m not neglecting you at all—in fact, I want you by my side as my guard for all the important jobs. Please don't pout now!

I’ve never even managed a part-time worker this age before, I might have messed up! But I can’t exactly start sucking up to him now; I can't ruin the progress we've made. I’ll have to follow up with him properly later.

"For now, we’ll claim an Experimental Specimen escaped from the basement. Publicly, Vincent will be the one who handled it, and then the Turks will 'discover' the displaced Vincent and bring him back to the company."

"I know just the one for the job," Vincent said. "One of Hojo’s failures that has been sealed in the basement."

"Leave the system to me. I’ll use my authority to hack in and fix the records."

This way, Vincent’s return to the spotlight looks like a lucky accident. We’re short on time, so I let the terminal guide me and start working my magic. Whoa, Hojo... he reconfigured the defense programs on his own? A regular Shinra employee would be killed if they wandered in here by mistake.

"I’m not well-versed in machinery, but that is impressive work," Vincent remarked. "I assume those were Hojo’s own defense programs?"

"Of course," Cloud interjected. "Lady Scarlet is a first-rate engineer. When it comes to mechanical fields, she is far more knowledgeable than Dr. Hojo."

Thanks for the compliment, Cloud... but are you being a little confrontational?