The Imperial Capital was located slightly north of the empire's center. Haruki planned to begin his journey with Nina in the northern region, then travel clockwise through the empire—starting from the northeast, then east, southeast, south, and finally the southwest.
The northern border of the empire was cold and barren. Over the years, the Danger Beasts that Haruki had hunted to near extinction a thousand years ago had begun to reappear, and powerful ones were now seen more frequently. What's more, the Northern Tribes often launched raids into the region. Aside from a few fiercely independent tribes, few humans could survive in such a harsh environment.
Before their downfall, the Partas Clan had been the strongest tribe in the north.
To the east and southeast, the empire bordered the sea. Across the ocean lay a few island nations, though they were considered relatively undeveloped and were often labeled uncivilized lands.
The south, southwest, and northwest of the empire were similar to the north—hostile environments, frequent tribal incursions, and a harsh life for the locals.
To the east also stretched a vast ocean, beyond which legends spoke of another powerful nation, the only one said to rival the empire in strength.
...
Time passed quietly amid Haruki and Nina's laughter and adventures. In the blink of an eye, it had been nearly three years since they'd left the Imperial Capital.
Nina was now eleven. In an era where girls often married and had children by fourteen or fifteen, she was no longer a child. Recently, she had started looking at Haruki in a strange way—something that left him utterly confused.
After all, Haruki was a man from the 21st century. There was no way he'd harbor any improper thoughts toward an eleven-year-old girl. Back in his original world, he was a lifelong virgin well into his twenties, having never had a girlfriend. Understanding a girl's feelings? That was way out of his depth.
At the moment, Haruki and Nina were traveling through the dense forests on the empire's southwestern border. The area teemed with Danger Beasts, and from time to time, they even caught glimpses of massive beasts nearing the level of Super-Class Danger Beasts.
But the moment Haruki released just a trace of his aura as a True Ancestor Vampire, all nearby creatures fled in terror. Within a hundred-meter radius, not a single beast remained, forming a vacuum of silence around them.
"Nina, are you tired? I see a village ahead. Do you want to stop and rest for a while?"
Spotting a village in the distance, Haruki turned and asked.
"Okay—but only if you cook for me,"
Nina said with a playful pout.
Over the years, Haruki had learned advanced cooking through the System for convenience. After trying roasted Danger Beast meat for the first time, Nina had instantly fallen in love with the flavor and never stopped pestering him to cook for her.
Watching her act spoiled so adorably, Haruki found himself momentarily entranced.
"Alright, I'll cook. But you'd better watch how much you eat, or you'll turn into a little fatty. Then you won't be able to find a husband! Haha."
Haruki teased her.
"I don't care—so long as you don't mind," she replied softly, cheeks turning red. But when she glanced up and saw Haruki's nonchalant expression, her heart sank just a little.
"Hmph, big brother always treats me like a kid," Nina thought, a bit annoyed.
...
Soon, they arrived in front of a small inn at the edge of the village. But along the way, Haruki had sensed something off. The villagers acted friendly and cheerful, but the air was undeniably tense—something even their smiles couldn't hide.
For someone like Haruki, no detail could escape his senses.
Sure enough, the moment they stepped through the door, a flash of steel swung down toward him.
But in the very next instant, the attacker realized something was wrong. Though the blade had seemingly cut through Haruki's neck, there was no blood—no sensation of hitting flesh. Then, a brutal strike landed on his back, sending him flying into the inn's wall, blood spraying from his mouth.
He hadn't struck Haruki at all—just an afterimage left behind by Haruki's movement. In the blink of an eye, Haruki had appeared behind him, holding Nina safely in his arms.
In truth, Haruki had already gone easy on him. Had he not held back, the man would've been nothing but a mist of blood by now.
The only reason Haruki restrained himself was because he recognized the blade the man held—it was none other than the Teigu, One-Cut Killer: [Murasame], a weapon Haruki himself had forged a thousand years ago.
Staring at the man struggling to get back up, Haruki silently tossed a token at his feet.
When the man saw it, his expression changed drastically. Forgetting his injuries, he immediately dropped to his knees.
"I am Gozuki, instructor of the Empire's Assassination Unit. I deeply apologize for my reckless attack. Please, Lord Haruki, forgive my offense."
Haruki said nothing in response. Just from Gozuki's actions, he already knew—this was the very same instructor of the Seven Elite Assassins from the original story, and a loyal subordinate of the Prime Minister. His immediate reaction to the token confirmed it.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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