[Generally speaking, those who appear kind on the surface often harbor a violent side. Conversely, those who seem fierce might actually be quite amiable. Judging someone's nature by appearances is the most flawed approach. Yet humans have grown accustomed to this method, leading to countless misunderstandings. Whether kind or wicked, outward appearances always seem to be the primary standard by which people are categorized.]
"Perfectly normal. Sayings like 'inner beauty is what truly matters' are just naive nonsense. If anything, bad people usually stay bad, while good people don't necessarily remain good."
Just like in the movie 'Se7en', where the protagonist, a detective, ultimately commits the sin of executing the criminal himself...
[I assume you're familiar with 'Akame ga Kill'? I find it quite an interesting anime... at the very least, it doesn't follow the usual trope of 'pretty girls and boys being invincible'. No matter who you are, mistakes must be punished.]
The Supreme Deity's meaning was simple, and 'He' emphasized one point:
[If some beautiful girl were to offend me right now, no matter how stunning she is, I'd tear her apart limb by limb. Which do you think is better; ripping off her legs or peeling off her nails?]
"Stop asking such twisted questions! If I had to choose, maybe stabbing needles under the nails? Ripping them off just feels too much... Oh, but piercing eyeballs is acceptable."
[Your standards are bizarre. Normally, when people see someone else's wounds, they instinctively 'feel' the pain, their nerves simulate the sensation. Anyway, this time, your role is quite a good one...]
'A good role? What does that even mean? Probably some insignificant NPC, right?'
[...First, your mission is to collect 'Ten Imperial Arms'... as for your role, you'll be the Prime Minister's–]
"That's basically a villain, isn't it?!"
[...One of the executioners under the Prime Minister, a member of the Four Rakshasa Demons...]
"Ohhh?! That's pretty impressive. Staying with the Imperial Army should make collecting the Imperial Arms a breeze..."
[I'm not finished. Your role is the intermediary for the Four Rakshasa Demons, the one who relays orders between them when direct communication isn't possible.]
"...In other words, a glorified errand boy?"
The Supreme Deity fell silent for a moment before continuing:
[Don't say that. You're an errand boy with status. Like you said, staying with the Imperial Army makes obtaining the Imperial Arms easy, but only if you're close to the center of events. As a messenger, you'll have access to that, right?]
That was true...
By staying close to the Prime Minister, someone who held vast amounts of information, Haruya would effectively have access to it all.
In other words, he'd know the movements of Night Raid, Esdeath, the Minister, and the Imperial Army. It was the perfect position!
[As a bonus before the mission starts, you'll receive one Imperial Arm. That means you only need to collect nine more to complete the task.]
"Now that's more like it... If I start with an Imperial Arm, plus my Checkpoint ability, wouldn't I be practically invincible?"
Though it sounded exaggerated, having an Imperial Arm would undoubtedly boost his combat power. Combined with 'foresight', he'd be close to unbeatable...
[Then take this Imperial Arm: King's Moonlight (Dragon's Claw)... Once activated, it will reveal its true form.]
Before Haruya appeared what looked like an ordinary iron gauntlet, though its surface was engraved with dragon motifs and spell-like patterns.
Given that it came from the Supreme Deity (who was clearly an anime enthusiast), the chuuni name wasn't surprising.
Haruya had gone through a chuuni phase himself, but after getting into a fight over it, he'd abandoned the act... 'Ah, the bittersweet folly of youth...'
"But wait, wouldn't it be weird for a messenger like me to have an Imperial Arm?"
[Ah, I forgot about that...]
"Are you kidding me?!"
Faced with Haruya's question, the Supreme Deity replied like a character from a comedy skit:
[...But don't worry. There's always an explanation. If the people in that world can't accept you having an Imperial Arm, just hide it. I could forcibly alter their memories, but that wouldn't be good for you, right?]
"Small changes... leading to massive storms. That's what you mean, huh?"
Haruya sighed and nodded.
"Fine, whatever. As one of the Prime Minister's men, the treatment shouldn't be bad. Rather than enforcing justice, I'd rather take it easy."
[A fine answer, that's assuming you can stick to it, Nangou Haruya.]
No becoming a hero, no preaching justice, just completing missions as required...
....
After resting for a while, Haruya tested the Imperial Arm in the Deity's Domain. Once he entered the next world, there'd be no time for leisurely experimentation.
After some testing, he roughly understood its abilities.
As an offensive weapon, it had two main functions. Its form would change when activated, expanding to cover his right shoulder and arm, with blades and crimson-black patterns appearing alongside it.
First Ability: 『Multiplier Enhancement』
As the name suggested, it could amplify physical capabilities at the cost of mental energy. The upper limit was 100x, but Haruya could barely handle 20x before canceling it.
Second Ability: 『Twin Claw Strike』
Not as literal as it sounded... it allowed a single attack to land twice. Simple enough.
Finally, the defensive skill 『Moonlight Dragon』 boosted overall resilience, redirecting all damage to 『Multiplier Enhancement』...
In short, it was like a buffed counterattack...
No matter how he looked at it, this was a close-combat-focused Imperial Arm...
"Ugh, this sucks..."
[Well then, it's time to depart. Don't let yourself be shackled by past convictions. The world of 'Attack on Titan' is over for you.]
"No it's not." Haruya rejected the Deity's words.
The reason? He still had a Checkpoint Saved for 'Attack on Titan', though its location was... questionable.
In short, given the chance, he could return.
[You really don't know when to quit...]
"Let's just get started. Even if my role is on the side of evil, I can still mess around a little, right?"
Haruya examined his right hand, planning to conceal the Imperial Arm under a cloak.
The reason he wanted to 'mess around' was simple... to collect the Imperial Arms, he couldn't just sit back.
Even with the Prime Minister's intelligence network, staying a mere messenger wouldn't cut it.
<<...World confirmed... Transfer commencing...>>
A monotone voice rang out. Haruya closed his eyes, ready to enter the next world.
To return to the past, to change the present, he had to keep completing these missions.
This was his duty, his obligation, and an adventure brimming with excitement.
Was anyone looking forward to such a life?
Did anyone desire such developments?
Haruya couldn't answer. Right now, his feelings toward his circumstances were a mix of love and hate...
....
~Nighttime~
Before him was a cliff, below which stretched an endless sea of trees and towering mountains that blocked the view.
The wind brushed past him.
From the forest behind came the sounds of various animals. Amid the chilly woods, a narrow path wound its way through.
The moon was obscured by thick clouds, leaving only a dim, hazy glow. The wind swayed the treetops, producing a slow, rustling sound.
The forest was dense... no matter where he looked, he couldn't see far into its depths.
However, the map and letter in his hands provided some clues.
The map wasn't detailed, but it was easy to understand, marking a route out of here.
Tucking the map into his coat, Haruya examined the unaddressed envelope.
Without hesitation, he opened it.
<...Mission complete. The dissenting officials and their families have been disposed of as ordered; 'drowned in the river'. Those who fled have also been confirmed dead...>
The recipient was undoubtedly Prime Minister Honest. The sender? One of the Four Rakshasa Demons?
As he pondered, Haruya...
<< Checkpoint: Reload >>
...Loaded a Checkpoint...
The envelope in his hands returned to its unopened state. {T/N: That's a dope application of his cheat...}
"What a dark world..."
Truly, humans were the most terrifying monsters.
With that thought, Haruya stored the envelope and map, then turned toward the forest.
Along the way, he wrapped his right arm in bandages to conceal the Imperial Arm. {T/N Imperial Arms = Teigu... I may interchange between the two from time to time...}
"It's pretty far..."
After walking for some time, Haruya finally reached a main road.
Since this was a secret missive, was he not even allowed to take a carriage?
Just then, he heard cries for help from around the bend.
"Who are you?! What do you want?! I– I don't have much money! No, stop! Someone, help us!"
Quickening his pace, Haruya hid behind a tree and spotted a carriage stopped by the roadside. The coachman's corpse lay beneath the driver's seat.
Nearby were two children and their mother, or so it seemed to Haruya.
The assailants numbered only three, dressed in rough clothing and armed with swords and cleavers, just ordinary bandits.
One of them was tearing at the woman's clothes, leering obscenely.
'People like this exist everywhere...'
Haruya looked at his right hand, "Might as well test it out."
Uncertain of his control, he opted for a stealthy approach, circling behind one of the bandits.
*Crack!*
A twig snapped underfoot. The shortest bandit immediately turned.
"Who's there?!"
"P-Please! Help me!" The woman, desperate, cried for aid without hesitation.
Since he'd been spotted, Haruya decided to strike first.
He dashed from the shadows, closing the distance in an instant.
Pulling back his right fist, he aimed and then swung...
*Thwack!*
Was the sound of flesh being pierced.
Haruya's fist tore straight through the bandit's torso. Blood gushed forth.
"Wha–"
The bandit's words died in his throat.
One down, two to go.
"That's... stronger than I expected."
Wiping blood from his face with his left hand, Haruya remained unfazed. If anything...
"It's stuck..." His arm was lodged inside the bandit's body.
'If the punch was that powerful, shouldn't the hole be bigger?'
The remaining two bandits finally reacted, raising their weapons and charging.
"Come on!"
With a sharp tug, Haruya yanked his arm free, bringing with it something grotesque.
A spine, and bits of organs...
"...."
Drenched in blood, gripping viscera, bathed in pale moonlight... Haruya looked like a bloodthirsty demon.
The two bandits froze mid-charge, their weapons lowering.
""G-GHOST!!!""
They turned and fled into the forest.
The woman and children cowered behind the carriage.
Haruya tossed the gory remains aside and softened his tone, "You're safe now."
Trembling, the woman stepped forward. When she saw the carnage beside Haruya, her face turned even paler.
Noticing her attire (which he hadn't clearly seen in the dark) Haruya tilted his head, "A nun?"
"Y-Yes..." She nodded shakily, pointing ahead, "Our church isn't far... Um, you are...?"
"A passing hero."
'Could I call himself that?'
Haruya pondered, then looked at his fist, 'Just what else can this right hand crush?'