"Security Force member Seryu Ubiquitous, reporting for duty."
Just as Haruki and the others stepped into the office, Seryu arrived right behind them and reported from the doorway.
The office was spotless. Although Haruki rarely visited the Security Department, his reputation in the Imperial Capital was unmatched. When he executed the former Security Minister and his family, many senior officers and guards were present. Since then, no one in the department dared cross him. Naturally, everything related to Haruki was handled with the utmost care, including daily cleaning of his office.
"Come in. No need to be so formal."
Haruki replied while flipping through the pile of documents stacked on his desk—papers he was supposed to handle himself.
In fact, updates from the Security Department were always delivered to Haruki's desk promptly. If he didn't check them in time, they would be sent to his residence, where they were usually handed over to Taeko for processing.
"Yes, sir. May I ask what you needed me for?"
Seryu asked cautiously, clearly aware of Haruki's fearsome reputation.
"A few days ago, Captain Ogre of the security team was assassinated. I heard he was your mentor?"
Instead of answering her question, Haruki asked one of his own.
"Yes. My master was murdered by those vile Night Raid assassins. I will make every last one of them pay! I'll cleanse the entire Imperial Capital of its 'evil' with my own hands. Those criminals all deserve to be fed to Koro. I am a partner of justice!"
At Haruki's mention of Ogre, Seryu's tone became agitated. When she spoke of Night Raid, her expression twisted with rage. Haruki noticed it immediately—her hatred toward those assassins ran deep.
Seryu's father, a former official and friend of Ogre, had also been assassinated. It was no surprise she harbored such intense hatred for killers.
Her self-proclaimed identity as a "partner of justice" and her vow to eliminate all "evil" in the Capital likely stemmed from a deep-seated fear and insecurity, born from losing everyone she cared about one by one. In truth, all she wanted was revenge—but she had broadened the target of her vengeance to include all who broke the law.
"Oh? Then what do you think justice is? And what about evil?"
Haruki questioned calmly.
"The Empire is justice! Those Night Raid assassins and every criminal who breaks imperial law—they're all evil and deserve to die!"
Seryu didn't even pause before answering.
"By that logic, I, as an Imperial official, must be just. And your mentor Ogre, as captain of the Security Forces, must also have been righteous."
Haruki wasn't surprised by her response. He already knew from the original story how warped Seryu's sense of justice was. She never once questioned the Prime Minister's actions—because he was an official. Yet a commoner who stole a bun out of hunger would be branded evil in her eyes. Any trace of crime, and she'd kill without hesitation.
"Of course! You and my master are both officials of the Empire—why wouldn't you be just?"
Seryu looked confused by Haruki's question and asked with a puzzled expression.
"Well, let's not talk about me for now. Here—take a look at this."
Haruki pulled out a stack of documents from behind the desk and handed them to her.
As Seryu read through the material, her expression darkened by the second. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
The documents contained detailed records of Ogre's crimes. Not only had he accepted bribes to shield corrupt noble heirs, but he had also colluded with the oil merchant Jamil to amass illegal profits. When their dealings were uncovered, they had framed innocent civilians to take the fall—costing many lives.
"Impossible… no, that can't be true… Minister, you're lying to me, aren't you?"
The documents were thorough—down to specific times, names, and exact amounts of money. Deep down, Seryu knew most of it had to be true.
But she just couldn't accept it. She didn't want to believe that Ogre, the man who had taught her everything, who had treated her like a daughter, could be such a vile criminal.
Her entire worldview felt like it was crumbling.
"It's all true. I have no reason to lie to you about this. Think for a moment—if you were facing Ogre himself, would you still eliminate him without hesitation, the same way you've dealt with those you call 'evil'?"
Haruki pressed her.
"I…"
This time, Seryu faltered. When it came to strangers, she could easily justify feeding them to Koro in the name of justice. But if the one in question was someone like Ogre, who had been like family to her, she couldn't bring herself to decide.
"You don't know what to do, do you? The truth is, there's no such thing as absolute justice in this world. Maybe to many, Ogre was someone to be feared—but to you, he was someone deeply important.
You're mourning his death, but those who lived in fear of him are probably celebrating. In that sense, you view Night Raid as evil—but to those people, Night Raid might be justice."
Haruki's words seemed to spark something in her.
"Then… what should I do?" Seryu asked.
"I'm afraid that's something you'll have to figure out on your own. But here's what we'll do—you'll stay by my side from now on. And from today forward, you'll be responsible for handling the documents in front of me. Maybe you'll start to see things you've never seen before."
Haruki pointed to the small stack of files on his desk. These weren't ordinary records—they documented hidden, unspeakable truths.
"Alright. From now on, I'll stay by your side."
Seryu's voice was firm.
Looking into her determined eyes, Haruki felt a twinge of guilt. He realized he was getting better at spinning logic and persuading people. Taking advantage of Seryu's shaken beliefs, he'd managed to draw her in.
But he didn't regret it.
Thinking of the tragic fate that awaited her, Haruki felt like he was doing the right thing. After all, Seryu hadn't been altered yet—she was still just a normal girl.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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