World of Kurome ga Kill.
"Ren, wake up." The girl gently patted Ren's cheek.
"Why are you waking up so early?" Ren pulled Kurome into his arms. Ever since he inherited the memories of the Pirate Ren, he had started feeling restless again.
With the power boost from both worlds, he was eager to test his current combat strength.
By the afternoon, Ren got up from bed looking quite satisfied.
Meanwhile, Kurome, who had undergone rigorous training, was left completely drained on the bed, unwilling to move, even though their traces were scattered all over the sheets.
"Lord Ren, the evidence of the Heli family's corruption has been fully investigated. Shall we take action?" Chelsea pushed the door open and entered, ignoring the pale figure lying on the bed and the lingering scent in the air.
"Heh. If they accept the judgment, we won't need to act. If they don't, we'll move in tonight. I'll join as well." Ren sneered.
In this world, killing off all the nobles wouldn't even be considered a crime.
"Ren, no, you can't go." Kurome struggled to sit up from the bed. She trusted Ren's leadership and strategy, but not his physical strength.
"Be good. I'll make you a dessert later."
"Even if you do, it's still a no."
"How about five portions?"
Kurome started seriously considering it. After a moment, she said, "Then you're not allowed to go too far from me."
Ren gave his order. "Chelsea, there's a noble party tonight. I want you to go on my behalf. Use your Teigu (Imperial Arms) to disguise yourself as me and gather the nobles' dirty secrets."
"Lord Ren, according to our intel, the little emperor is just a puppet. The real power lies with the minister. That bastard is also the most corrupt one of them all. So what's the point of our Inspection Bureau?" Chelsea looked a little lost. She couldn't understand the meaning behind their actions anymore.
"Our Inspection Bureau was created to monitor the nobles and has the authority to punish them. And we answer directly to the Emperor. That's why, even though our path to growth is full of obstacles, as long as we gain the support of powerful ministers, we'll still have a way forward." Ren smiled.
"But…" Chelsea looked anxious.
"I know what you're trying to say. Doesn't that just mean the minister gains even more power?"
"Exactly. No matter what we do, aren't we just helping evil flourish?" Chelsea spoke faster now.
"Our faction must grow stronger. To do that, we have to use the ministers' power. Only when we become powerful enough will we have the right to change things from within."
Ren clenched his fist.
In the past, he had no real strength, so he had no choice but to rely on others' authority.
Though he held the title of Inspector General, the organization was already full of holes.
Every department had spies working for the other side.
He had barely managed to establish a foothold in the capital.
But things were different now.
He had real strength—enough to suppress others with force alone.
"Lord Ren... I understand."
Chelsea looked a little disappointed.
The Revolutionary Army had contacted her before, and she had wanted to bring change from within.
But the Empire was rotten to the core.
Continuing to work here would only help the enemy and serve no real purpose.
"Chelsea, after tonight's banquet, begin quietly removing the spies from the Inspection Bureau. I'll handle the pressure from the ministers."
Ren knew if he didn't act now, he'd lose his second wife.
"Yes."
Chelsea's eyes lit up.
Ren's decision meant he was finally cutting ties with the ministers.
And if that was the case, she would become his sharpest blade—clearing every obstacle in his path.
"Also, leak the list of corrupt officials and other criminals to Night Raid. Don't expose our involvement. We'll use Night Raid's name to carry out the purge. Since we've chosen to change the Empire from within, we must not betray it on the surface."
"Understood. I'll handle it myself."
Chelsea felt a renewed sense of confidence.
"And don't get too attached to the Revolutionary Army. At the end of the day, they are rebelling against the empire. They don't have the strength to fight head-on, so they chose to work with foreign tribes. For the sake of rebellion, they'll use anyone they can. Kurome, give it to her."
Kurome shifted uncomfortably.
Chelsea walked over to the bed.
She noticed the marks and the strong scent in the room, and her cheeks turned red.
Kurome pulled a file from under the pillow and handed it to her.
Chelsea opened it casually and skimmed through it.
"Lord Ren, this is..."
"Evidence of the Revolutionary Army working with foreign tribes, and the reason behind the destruction of the border villages."
There was no way Ren would let them steal his people away.
"This..."
Chelsea fell silent.
"You can check the authenticity of the intel yourself. With your abilities, it won't be hard."
Ren wasn't going to let the Revolutionary Army brainwash his woman.
There was no way he'd let her risk her life for them.
"Lord Ren, I'm sorry. Please punish me." Chelsea bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
"Chelsea, would you be willing to become part of my family? Just like Kurome—to truly be my family." Ren smiled as he made the invitation.
"Ah... Lord Ren, I..."
"You don't have to answer now. Take some time, watch my actions, and then decide, okay?" Ren interrupted gently.
Chelsea breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, memories of Ren flashed through her mind.
He was a good husband.
Kurome was spoiled like a princess under his care.
He treated women with respect, unlike other nobles.
He was definitely someone worth marrying.
"Close your eyes. It's time for punishment."
Chelsea shut her eyes.
She felt her breath quicken, fists clenching, and her eyelids squeezing tighter, as if bracing for some rough treatment.
But Ren didn't take advantage of the moment.
He didn't kiss her.
He disdained such tactics.
He wanted her to give herself to him willingly.
A long moment passed.
"Is it over?" Chelsea slowly loosened her clenched fists.
She suddenly felt a warm sensation on her forehead.
Startled, she opened her eyes and saw Ren standing a short distance away.
That confused her a little.
"Chelsea, remember—from now on, we're facing ministers. There could be danger at any moment. Your life comes first. If it gets too dangerous, I permit you to abandon the mission. Understand?"
"Yes…"
"I'm serious. In the end, I care about Kurome. I care about you. I don't care about the others. So, could you please protect yourself—for me?"
"Okay." Chelsea blushed, then quickly fled the bedroom as if escaping.
"Ren, hmph." Kurome turned over and lay with her back to him, no longer looking at him.
Of course she knew that a noble wouldn't have only one wife.
But being jealous was her right.
"Kurome, what kind of dessert would you like?" Ren sat beside her on the bed, gently stroking her black hair.
"Cake."
"Alright, I'll make it right away. You get some more rest." Ren got up and left the room.
"Hah, in the end, strength really is everything." Ren stepped into the courtyard and clenched his fists.
Unlike the Rens from Naruto or One Piece, he didn't possess overwhelming power, nor had any Teigu chosen him.
If he wanted to establish himself in this world, he needed influence and cunning.
So in the early stages, he chose to align himself with the Minister, becoming a pawn among the nobles—a lightning rod for their hostility.
As long as the nobility didn't openly break with the Minister, he wouldn't die. In fact, he might even live comfortably.
Even Kurome had been handed over to him without resistance, just because he casually said he wanted her at the Minister's place.
But if he failed, the Minister would abandon him without hesitation, and the nobles would tear him to pieces.
He had always been dancing on the edge of a blade.
But now he had power—the power to resist, and the power to protect.
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