Time flew by, and before they knew it, half a year had passed.
A lot can happen in six months.
The first major event: Just like he had done for Tsukushi and Pony, Haruki specially crafted two vials of blood containing his cultivation memory legacy—one for Chelsea and one for Cornelia. After drinking it, both of them transformed into Progenitor Vampires, just like Tsukushi and Pony.
Originally, Haruki had intended to wait until the story reached its end before giving any of the girls his blood. However, the strength gap between Cornelia, Chelsea, and the others had become too significant—especially Chelsea, who, at best, was only slightly stronger than a regular person.
Since Haruki couldn't always stay by their side to protect them, and he would sometimes be away, he ultimately decided to give the blood to Chelsea and Cornelia in advance—for their safety, and to prevent them from feeling inferior as the weakest in the group. The blood would not only significantly boost their power in a short time, but also greatly enhance their vitality.
As for Taeko, ever since Haruki had broken down the situation regarding the Prime Minister and the Revolutionary Army for her, she had grown even more quiet. She became like a "no reaction" girl—no expression, no emotion, no presence. At Haruki's mansion, she was practically invisible most of the time.
Over this long stretch of time, Taeko had also come to know a great deal about Haruki and his affairs, so letting her leave was not an option. In the end, Haruki made her a bloodkin under Cornelia.
The second major event: A few days ago, a rebellion broke out among the Northern Tribes, and Esdeath once again led her troops to war.
Though she firmly believed in survival of the fittest and viewed the downfall of the Partas Clan as a result of weakness, there was still deep hatred in her heart. After all, she had grown up alongside those who died, and her father—the one who trained and raised her—had been killed beneath the Northern Tribes' iron hooves.
So when the news of the rebellion came, Esdeath was thrilled. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
It seemed that this time, the Northern Tribes were in for a tragedy even worse than what happened in the original timeline.
...
That day, Haruki was strolling through the city streets with Gin, Kurome, and Chelsea. Since the other girls were occupied with their training, he hadn't brought them along.
Among the women in Haruki's circle, Gin was originally the strongest—her power comparable to Esdeath's. But because of the natural limits of her human physique and potential, it was hard for her to make any major breakthroughs in a short period.
As for Kurome, ever since Akame's defection, she had become increasingly dependent on Haruki—clinging to him wherever he went. Shopping trips especially always featured Kurome, and right now, she could be seen bouncing between various food stalls.
Then there was Chelsea—never one for serious training. She always gravitated toward noise and crowds. After Haruki returned her Teigu "Phantasmagoria," she enjoyed using it to play pranks. With her talent for masking her presence, and considering that the women at Haruki's mansion weren't always on high alert, someone was bound to fall for her tricks now and then.
There was no denying it—since Chelsea had moved into Haruki's mansion, especially after becoming one of his women, the whole place had become much more lively. The moment she heard Haruki was heading out, she insisted on tagging along.
...
As Haruki and the group of four wandered the streets without much of a goal, a commotion suddenly erupted ahead of them.
"Brother, it looks so lively over there. Let's go take a look,"
Chelsea said cheerfully.
Ever since becoming one of Haruki's women, she'd started calling him "brother" at his request.
As Haruki's group approached, the crowd on the road instinctively parted to let them through. Most people in the Imperial Capital recognized Haruki, and even those who didn't could tell from his attire and bearing that he wasn't someone to be trifled with. Everyone stepped aside respectfully.
When Haruki reached the front of the crowd, he finally saw the source of the commotion.
A large, burly man in a chef's uniform stood there holding a kitchen knife, his face twisted in anger.
Facing him were a young man and woman.
The boy wore black pants and a yellow shirt faded from washing. His short hair was neatly kept, and he stood with a straight posture, exuding a disciplined air—clearly someone who had undergone some form of training.
The girl had long, glossy black hair and large, bright eyes. Her complexion was fair—she was naturally beautiful. She wore a black dress with white trim and white socks. Though clean, her clothes showed signs of long use.
Just from their looks and attire, Haruki immediately recognized them. These were the two childhood friends of the original story's protagonist—Sayo and Ieyasu.
Although they met their end in the very first episode, they were key figures who helped set the story in motion.
In the original, it was their deaths that pushed Tatsumi to become an assassin and dedicate himself to purging the Empire's corruption.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake