The next morning, after breakfast, Haruki took Gin and Yuki to the Security Department.
Although Yuki had learned human language at Haruki's request, she had never lived in human society before, so everything still felt foreign to her.
Just yesterday at dinner, she didn't even know how to use chopsticks, let alone a knife and fork. Fortunately, as a being who had lived for over a thousand years and surpassed even Super-Class Danger Beasts, Yuki had an exceptionally high intelligence. She picked up new things after seeing them just once. Otherwise, Haruki would've really felt like he was raising a child. He brought her out this time specifically so she could experience more of the world.
"Minister!"
As they arrived at the gate of the Security Department, the guards standing watch quickly saluted and greeted Haruki.
He gave a casual nod and gestured for them to open the door with code "640."
But just as the two guards opened the doors, a girl in a security uniform burst out. She had brown hair tied in a long ponytail and wore thigh-high white stockings. Haruki also noticed a dog-like creature trailing behind her.
The moment he saw the girl, Haruki froze in surprise. And right then, the girl ran straight into him.
Bang!
She was launched backward almost along the same path she had charged out on, and the unfortunate little dog was yanked along with her. The chain around its neck was still in her hand, so it got flung too—landing directly underneath her just before she hit the ground.
"Liver!"
The dog-like creature let out a miserable yelp. Even Haruki and the others at the entrance winced when they heard it.
Only then did Gin, standing beside Haruki, lower his leg.
As it turned out, the girl hadn't actually collided with Haruki. The moment Gin saw someone rushing toward him and realized Haruki hadn't reacted, he instinctively kicked her away. But Haruki could tell that Gin hadn't used much strength. With his sharp eyes, Gin had clearly seen that the one running over was just a girl—and that she hadn't meant to attack.
It had all happened in a flash.
Once things settled down, the two guards who had opened the gate finally came to their senses.
"Minister, are you alright? Seryu, apologize to the minister at once!"
They asked Haruki anxiously while shooting urgent looks at the girl, clearly signaling her to apologize. It was obvious that she was well-liked in the department.
By the time the two guards finished speaking, the girl had already gotten back on her feet.
"Reporting! Imperial Capital Security Force officer Seryu Ubiquitous. I sincerely apologize for my earlier offense. Please forgive me, sir!"
Prompted by the guards' reminder, the girl—who'd just been kicked senseless by Gin—suddenly recalled who Haruki was. As a member of the Security Department, how could she not know who the Minister was?
She quickly bowed, introducing herself and offering an earnest apology.
But even without the introduction, Haruki already recognized her.
Seryu—she was that girl from the original story, the one with a warped sense of justice who proclaimed herself a champion of righteousness. In his previous life, anime fans had often jokingly nicknamed her "Dog Girl."
It was seeing Seryu so unexpectedly that had caught Haruki off guard and made him momentarily freeze—almost getting himself run into in the process.
"Seryu, you're in such a hurry—where are you off to?"
Haruki didn't blame her and instead asked with interest.
"Reporting! I'm heading out on patrol to rid the Imperial Capital of all evil. Oh, and Minister, this is my partner in justice, Koro."
Seryu responded seriously and introduced the dog-like creature beside her. But right now, the creature was acting oddly—trembling in her arms as if it had encountered something terrifying. Anyone watching might've thought she had crushed it just moments ago.
"Koro, what's wrong?"
Noticing something was off, Seryu pulled Koro out of her arms and examined it closely while asking.
But unexpectedly, once Koro was out of her arms, it started trembling even harder, leaving Seryu unsure of what to do...
In truth, only Haruki understood the real reason.
The creature in Seryu's arms was none other than the Teigu Magical Beast Transformation [Hekatonkheires], one of the extremely rare Biological Teigu Haruki had created back in the day. It looked like an adorable little dog but could transform into a massive creature in battle. As long as its core remained intact, it could regenerate endlessly—an incredibly rare Teigu.
The Super-Class Danger Beast used to create it had been personally slain by Haruki. Its fierce offensive capabilities and absurd regenerative powers had led to devastating losses for the army dispatched to capture it.
All Teigu possess a degree of self-awareness, and this one could clearly sense the overwhelming pressure from the three standing in front of it—especially Haruki and Yuki. Though they concealed it well, the beast's instincts as a once-mighty Super-Class Danger Beast let it feel Yuki's aura as a dominant being. As for Haruki, it could sense the presence of the very one who had once killed it.
The pressure from the trio left it without even the will to resist. All it could do was hide in Seryu's arms, trembling uncontrollably.
Haruki didn't harbor much animosity toward Seryu. She had simply become mentally twisted after losing those close to her—ultimately a tragic figure shaped by her era. If it were someone else, Haruki might not have intervened. But Seryu was an important character from the original story—and a beautiful one at that—so Haruki decided to help her.
"Seryu, come to my office first. I have something to discuss with you," Haruki said, then led Gin and Yuki toward his office in the security department.
Although Haruki almost never visited the place, he still had an office there as the Minister of Security.
"But…"
Seryu tried to call out to him. After all, she had planned to patrol the capital today and sweep away its evil. Just then, two guards stationed at the gate noticed her hesitation and quickly stepped in.
"Seryu, the minister's calling you—just go. You know how bad his temper can be."
"…Alright."
Seryu tugged Koro along and hurried after Haruki.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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