"Alright, that's enough shopping for today. Let's head back,"
Haruki said to the girls as the sky began to darken.
...
Back at the mansion, Haruki handed Sayo over to Taeko, asking her to teach Sayo the rules and duties expected of the maids in his household. Meanwhile, he headed to the dining room to eat with the others.
By now, Taeko was essentially the head maid of Haruki's estate.
After receiving her maid uniform from Taeko, Sayo followed a veteran maid—someone who had been working in Haruki's residence for years—to help with cleaning, as arranged by Taeko.
It had to be said, the maid uniform brought out an entirely different side of Sayo. If she looked like a swan now, then at best she had been a rather pretty duckling before. It really made one believe that clothes do make the person.
"Hey there, your name's Sayo, right? You're new, aren't you? I haven't seen you around before," the maid asked while working.
Haruki's mansion was enormous, and each maid had a clearly defined role. Some had worked there for years without ever crossing paths. This particular maid had only asked because Sayo looked so young.
"Yes, I just arrived tonight..."
Sayo went on to explain how the three of them had come to the Capital to earn money and save their village.
"A nobleman saw me on the street and brought me back. Not only did he help me out of trouble, he gave me this job. He's such a kind person."
She answered the maid's questions, her tone filled with gratitude.
"Girl, I can only say you're lucky. You happened to run into a good noble. If it had been someone else, you might not have been so fortunate."
"Huh? Why do you say that? I still believe there are a lot of good people in the Imperial Capital."
Sayo looked confused, asking with innocent curiosity.
"There are good people, sure—but there are even more bad ones. You're too naive. Girls like you don't survive long in the Capital."
The maid paused, then added,
"Since we'll be working together, I'll tell you about the Capital, so you don't fall for any tricks later."
...
As the maid spoke, the Imperial Capital's dark side—rarely seen by outsiders—slowly revealed itself to Sayo.
Through the conversation, Sayo came to realize that the Capital wasn't the land of opportunity she had imagined. For most outsiders, it was closer to a living hell.
But she couldn't help feeling grateful for her luck.
From what the maid shared, Sayo learned a lot about Haruki. He was one of the Empire's highest-ranking officials, generous to those who served him, and notably not someone with any twisted habits. In the Capital, becoming a maid in Haruki's household was the dream of countless commoner girls.
This exchange helped Sayo mature. She wasn't quite as naive anymore, and when she compared Haruki to other nobles, her impression of him grew even better.
...
Meanwhile, at the dinner table, Haruki hesitated for a moment before finally speaking to Kurome and the others.
"Kurome, we might run into your sister in a few days."
Haruki, already aware of the original plot, knew that Night Raid's debut wasn't far off.
And of course, Akame would be there.
"What?"
The moment Haruki spoke, all the girls froze, and Kurome sprang to her feet, visibly excited.
"Brother, where is she?"
Kurome asked urgently.
"Kurome, calm down. I need to know—what do you plan to do when you see her?"
Haruki asked.
"Of course I'm going to bring her back!"
She answered without hesitation. And with her current strength, capturing Akame would be easy for her.
"But then what? Are you planning to keep her locked up forever?"
Haruki countered.
"That... I haven't thought that far."
Kurome faltered, uncertainty flashing in her eyes.
"I'll take you to see her when the time comes, but you have to promise me—you'll listen to me. No acting on impulse. I don't think you need to force her to return. Once she sees the Revolutionary Army for what it really is, she'll understand how much her family matters. She'll come back on her own."
Haruki said.
This wasn't just to keep the plot intact—it was also because he didn't want Akame to see him as some irredeemable villain.
"Alright. I'll do as you say."
Kurome thought it over and nodded, agreeing with his reasoning.
"Good. It should be in the next few days. I'll let you know when it's time. Just wait for my word."
Haruki said, seeing her agree.
...
The next morning, Haruki had just finished washing up and was about to check on the girls training in the courtyard when Sayo appeared before him, her face full of worry.
"Sir, please let me go look for Ieyasu and Tatsumi. I'm really worried about their safety."
After hearing about the dangers of the Capital from the maids the night before, Sayo couldn't shake her fear for her two friends.
"The Capital is huge, and you're unfamiliar with the area. It'd be difficult for you to search effectively. For now, stay here. I was actually planning to go to the Security Department anyway. Just give me a description of your two companions—I'll ask the guards to keep an eye out. That way, we'll have a better chance."
Haruki said.
He had already planned to visit the Security Department. While he had a general idea of when Night Raid would appear, he still didn't know where the noble house from the original story was located. So he intended to have the department check records and assign guards to watch that family's movements.
...
Two days later, just before dusk, a message arrived from the patrol unit. According to Haruki's request, one of the guards had seen a suspicious girl matching his description earlier that afternoon—golden-haired, scantily dressed, loitering around the noble's residence.
It was clearly Leone.
In the original story, she was the one assigned to reconnaissance.
With that confirmation, Haruki knew—tonight was the night Night Raid would make their move. Appearing near that mansion at such a crucial time and matching his description perfectly—there was no doubt.
The girl was Leone.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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