Despite their slow-looking gait, the two Danger Beasts Haruki had captured covered incredible ground with each step, easily spanning over ten meters.
Thanks to that, what had taken Haruki and his group nearly three days on horseback was completed in just half the time on the return trip. By the next morning, the city where the Empire's forces had previously been stationed came into view.
When the ten soldiers patrolling outside the city walls saw two enormous beasts approaching with people riding atop them, they panicked. Thinking it might be an invasion from a foreign tribe, they rushed to report it to the city lord.
Though these soldiers hadn't fought on the front lines themselves, they'd heard tales of some southwestern tribes taming Danger Beasts through mysterious means and using them in combat.
Upon hearing the report and assumptions, the city lord was alarmed and quickly led his men up to the walls.
A few days earlier, Esdeath and Najenda had led a full force of 100,000 soldiers deep into enemy-held territory after taking a brief rest in the city. Now, with defenses thin and the army gone, an invasion by tribal forces or the Revolutionary Army would spell disaster for the city lord.
From atop the wall, he scanned the horizon. Seeing only the two massive Danger Beasts and no sign of a larger allied force, he visibly relaxed. Two beasts alone weren't nearly enough to threaten a fortress of this size.
Taking the telescope handed to him, the city lord peered through and immediately froze in surprise. Then, to everyone's astonishment, his face lit up with joy.
When Haruki had left the city with Gin and the others last time, the city lord had tried his best to persuade him to stay. Of course, it wasn't out of goodwill. With Haruki's standing in the Capital, any mishap occurring in his city would land him in serious trouble. Haruki's departure had left him in constant worry.
"Open the gates immediately! Notify every official in the city to come and welcome the Minister of Security!"
He barked orders to the people beside him.
After all, even in the Imperial Capital, the Minister of Security was second only to the Prime Minister and the Great General in terms of actual power. In a remote southwestern border city like this, his presence was no small matter. The city lord's actions were more than justified.
"Welcome back, Minister of Security!"
As soon as Haruki and the others reached the gates, a dense crowd of officials greeted them with a loud, unified chorus.
Upon reaching the moat, Haruki and the group dismounted from the Danger Beasts and prepared to enter the city on foot. Though the gate was relatively wide, it still wouldn't have accommodated creatures of that size. Besides, from this point on, the road back to the Imperial Capital was well-established, and they no longer needed the Danger Beasts for transport.
When Haruki released the two beasts, Akame and Kurome both voiced their displeasure, feeling like he had just let a juicy piece of meat slip away. Haruki could only offer a wry smile. He had no choice, those two had carried them the whole way without complaint. He wasn't about to repay that loyalty with cruelty—and besides, they had no shortage of meat.
"Hmph, typical corrupt official. Making such a big show just to enter the city."
Haruki caught Chelsea muttering behind him. Ever since he'd put the collar on her, she'd been openly hostile, constantly grumbling and throwing jabs his way. She hadn't shut up the entire trip. Haruki simply chose to ignore her every time, though that only seemed to fuel her complaints further.
In contrast to Chelsea's constant complaining, Taeko remained silent the entire time, quietly following Haruki without saying a word.
During their journey, the two of them had already come to understand the full effect of the collars Haruki had placed on them. At this point, neither had any thought of escaping or trying to take revenge for Babara while his guard was down.
As they walked through the city, Haruki and his group led the way, with the city lord and his local officials closely following behind.
From the city lord, Haruki learned that Esdeath had already marched out on campaign. He wasn't the least bit surprised—knowing her personality, it would've been strange if she had stayed in one place this long.
Since Esdeath was no longer around, Haruki had no intention of sticking around either. After resting one night at the city lord's mansion, he set off early the next morning, leading the women on horseback back toward the Imperial Capital.
The return journey would take at least a month under normal circumstances. On the way here, they'd been too focused on keeping pace with the main army to enjoy the sights. Now, Haruki planned to take it slow and show the women some of the scenery. In fact, the whole reason he brought them to the southwest in the first place had been for a relaxing trip—he just hadn't expected so much chaos along the way. Taking everything into account, the journey back would end up taking around two months.
Not wanting a bunch of men to ruin the romantic atmosphere, Haruki left Gozuki, Najasho, Green, and Guy behind in the city.
They would wait for the army's return and then head back to the Capital together.
After witnessing Haruki's incredible abilities, the four of them had become completely obedient. In the days they'd spent following him, Haruki had shattered their sense of reality more times than they could count.
And so, with a relaxed pace and no particular rush, Haruki and the women spent two and a half months on the road before finally returning to the Imperial Capital.
But not long after Haruki arrived back at his estate, a maid came to report that a high official had come to visit. Considering he'd returned with a group of stunning women, turning heads wherever they went, it was hardly surprising that word had spread fast.
"What brings the Minister here?"
Haruki assumed it was just another visit to curry favor, so he didn't pay it much mind. But the next words out of the Minister's mouth made Haruki, who had been lounging casually, suddenly sit up straight.
"Lord Haruki, just two days ago, General Esdeath sent an emergency message from the front. During a solo operation against the Revolutionary Army, Najenda led her troops in a defection. Though Esdeath caught up with her and took one of her eyes and an arm, the Revolutionary Army arrived in time and managed to rescue her."
Haruki's reaction wasn't because he was shocked by Najenda's betrayal.
What truly excited him was that the plot of the original story was finally starting to unfold.
After all, in the original, the assassination group Night Raid was founded by Najenda following her defection.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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