He was her benefactor and brother, so Mumei didn't want to watch him be destroyed by going up against Ayame and the others.
Seeing Mumei's silence, Horobi also fell quiet. She pitied the girl. Mumei knew nothingjust a tool in the young master's hands. Horobi, on the other hand, understood Biba's entire plan, and she supported him out of admiration and respect, no matter how dark his intentions.
Suddenly, they arrived at a luxurious manor.
"The young master's inside," said Horobi, stopping in front of the building.
"Alright."
Taking a deep breath, Mumei resolutely stepped through the door, Horobi following close behind.
Inside that lavish room stood a man with flowing pink hair, dressed in aristocratic finerycompletely unlike the commoners outside. He was busy inspecting a firearm.
The click of footsteps made him look up and set the weapon aside.
"Young Master!"
"Brother!"
Mumei and Horobi knelt on one knee in respect. This man, with his cold pride and aloof demeanor, was none other than Amatori Biba.
He didn't spare Horobi a single glance, instead narrowing his gaze at Mumei.
"Mumei, in the Koutetsujou, did you hear stories about the 'God' and 'Priestess of God'?"
"!"
Mumei's body tensed. He was bringing this up right away, which meant he'd probably received some information from his own sources.
She pressed her lips together and answered truthfully:
"Yes I have."
"Have you seen them?"
"I have."
"Oh?"
Amatori Biba's eyes gleamed.
"Tell me everything."
Mumei hesitated, meeting her brother's piercing gaze. Finally, she pleaded,
"Brother, please, don't make them your enemies. They're very strong."
"..."
Biba was taken abackthis was the first time Mumei had avoided giving him a direct answer.
"Interesting."
He let out a slight laugh. Mumei's reaction only made him more curious about these "God and Priestess" on the Koutetsujou.
Casually, he waved his hand.
Clang!
A heavy iron syringe filled with some kind of black fluid dropped to the floor near Horobi's feet. Horobi froze at the sight.
Biba's voice was icy:
"There's been a change of plan, Horobi. Use it here. Let me see the Koutetsujou's so-called gods for myself."
"Understood!"
In Mumei's confused gaze, Horobi grabbed the syringe without hesitation and plunged it into her own neck.
"Mumei, you're coming with me."
Biba turned and gave the order to his sister.
~~~
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Chapter 193: Mumei Desperate Plea... (Bonus Chapter)
"Brotherwhat happened to Horobi?!"
Seeing Horobi's face twist in agony after injecting that black fluid, Mumei realized the Kabaneri heart inside her was glowing fiercely. A vague sense of danger pulsed through the air.
Biba explained flatly, without a shred of emotion:
"That's Black Plasmaa drug that greatly increases the virus's activity."
"She'll become a Black Smoke. I need her to test exactly what kind of 'god' is on the Koutetsujou."
He showed no sign of concern or guilt for what he'd done to Horobi, who so deeply revered him.
"."
Horobi, in her last shred of sanity, looked at Biba's unmoved expression. There was no pain in her eyesonly resignation and relief.
"Aaaaaaahh!!!"
Black liquid burst forth from her heart, and Horobi let out a terrifying scream. Her eyes burned red with madnesscompletely losing all reason.
"Black Smoke!!!"
The horrifying transformation made Mumei's blood run cold. She knew what a Black Smoke was.
"Brother, whywhy do this?"
She couldn't understand why the brother she revered would inject such a bizarre drug into Horobi, who had done nothing wrong.
Biba's eyes remained icy.
"For my revenge. I can't afford any mistakes."
"Aaaaahhh!!!"
Horobi roared mindlessly, her body mutating.
"Let's go."
Biba turned to leave the house, knowing the birth of a Black Smoke here was dangerous. But after a few steps, he noticed Mumei wasn't following him.
She stared at him, eyes dim.
"I'm sorry, Brother, but I can't abandon my friends."
She pulled away the ribbon on her neck, gave Horobi a complicated look, then rushed past Biba in a blur.
She had to warn Ayame and the others.
".."
Biba watched Mumei's retreating figure for a long moment before turning away, expression grim.
At the same time, the presence of the mutated Horobi attracted a large horde of Kabane converging on Iwato Station.
Late Night at Rei Ao's Place
Sora and Ilia were sound asleep, stomachs filled with contentment.
Tohru, however, was pouting.
"Damn it, Mai She said she wouldn't join."
She glared at Mai, who was lying face-down and too exhausted to retort, making Tohru even more annoyed. She reached out and pinched Mai's flushed cheeks.
"Tch!"
Mai glared back as best she could, though her eyes were glazed with fatigue.
"Hmph, that's what you get for breaking your promise. After Sora and Ilia were done, the rest of the time was supposed to be MINE!"
Tohru put on a pitiful expression, but Rei Ao only chuckled from where he was "driving."
"There's always next time, Tohru. Since Mai finally let herself go, there was no way I could miss out on this chance."
"W-What chance?" Mai asked hazily. She'd barely managed to see or think straight under all that noise. With Tohru and the others going at it so energetically, she couldn't possibly sleep, and when she opened her eyeswell, she'd ended up getting involved.
But Rei Ao's words sounded ominous, making her tense up.
He leaned down, raising the intensity of his movements as he whispered in her ear:
"The chance to push your limits, Mai. I'm hoping next time Megumi and the others join in, too."
"Eh?!"
That bombshell left Mai stunned.
Sure enough, it started with just her. Then Tohru. Now Sora and Ilia. She really had been slowly coming to accept more and more.
Realizing that, her entire body stiffened. It felt like she was being gradually trainedwillingly entrapped in a net Rei Ao had woven.
"Hmm?"
Rei Ao suddenly frowned. It wasn't because of the sensations from the "connector" they were using but rather because of a message from the Ayame World chat group. Mumei had @mentioned him.
Mumei: "@Rei Ao, Rei Ao-sama, are you there?"
This surprised himMumei had rarely contacted him, so whatever happened must be big.
He said in a low voice,
"Mai, something came up. This is the last round!"
"!!!"
Mai felt the bed move beneath an intense surge of force. She completely lost control of herself as Rei Ao delivered an overwhelming final rush.
"Gulp!"
Tohru, who'd been watching, swallowed hard.
If one "sewing-machine speed" was the standard, Rei Ao's phantom-like movements had reached triple that rate, at least.
But Tohru wasn't afraidshe was envious. If Mai hadn't joined, it would've been her enjoying that final burst.
"Hah"
Rei Ao let out a breath. Even in his finishing moments, he swiftly responded to Mumei:
Rei Ao: "What happened to make you contact me all of a sudden?"
Mumei was thrilled to see his reply:
Mumei: "Rei Ao-sama! You can turn Kabane back into humansdoes that mean you could also revert a Kabaneri who's become the core of a Black Smoke?"
Her heart pounded in her chest.
"Mumei"
Yukina patted Mumei's shoulder in silent support.
Before them lay the massive body of a Black Smoke. However, the entire creature was frozen in place, every part of it sealed under ice arrows fired by Ayame's frost bow. At level 23 now, Ayame could slay a Black Smoke in an instantbut she'd held off at Mumei's plea because the being at the core was someone Mumei knew.
Everyone waited anxiously for Rei Ao's response. If it was "no," Ayame would immediately fire another ice arrow to destroy the Black Smoke's core.
But thankfully, Rei Ao didn't refuse:
Rei Ao: "It probably won't be a problem."
What he couldn't do before might be possible now.
Mumei: "Thank goodness! That's such a relief!"
Tears of joy rolled down Mumei's cheeks. Though Horobi was just a "colleague" and not really a friend, Mumei still couldn't bear to watch her die so miserably at Biba's hands.
Rei Ao: "So you want me to bring this Black Smoke's core back to human form?"
Mumei: "Please, Rei Ao-sama, save her!"
[Ding! Mumei has sent a trade request!]
[Trade Details]: Restore Horobi, the Black Smoke's core, to human form.
[Ding! Please choose your trade terms!]
~~~
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Chapter 194: Restoring a Kabane easily...
"Horobi?"
Rei Ao recognized the name, albeit with some difficulty.
Even though she was a relatively minor character in Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, she was memorable enougha tragic figure who willingly allowed her "prince" to use her as a pawn to become a Black Smoke, ultimately helping Amatori Biba breach the walls of Kongoukaku. She was one of those supporting characters who showed up briefly, changed rapidly, and then met a sorrowful fate.
However, Rei Ao had one small concern.
"Have Ayame and her people already reached Kongoukaku?"
Based on the time they left Aragane Station, it shouldn't have happened this quickly.
While pondering, he also set the trade conditions. From Mumei's side, there wasn't really any ability or item he wanted. So, as usual, it came down to "body usage rights."
The moment he confirmed the condition, Mumei on the other end accepted.
[Ding! Trade initiated!]
[Trade Partner]: Mumei
[Trade Content]: Restore Horobi, who has become the Black Smoke's core, to her human form.
[Trade Condition]: "Body usage rights, once"
[Duration]: 24 hours
"Huh?"
Tohru, seeing that trade come through, instantly looked crestfallen. First, she had yielded some time to Sora and Ilia. Then she'd had to give some to Mai. Now Sora and Ilia were satisfied and asleep; Mai had blissfully passed out in ecstasy, leaving Tohru pitifully neglected. And her precious time was about to be taken by some nameless individual called "Mumei." What rotten luck!
Her unfulfilled desires churned as Rei Ao grabbed his charging cable from Mai.
"Nnngh, Rei Ao, I still haven't"
He could only shrug apologetically.
"Tohru, it seems we'll have to stop here for tonight. I need to head out."
"Eh?"
Tohru wanted to at least get a taste, but Rei Ao was already dressed and gone in a flash.
".."
Tohru genuinely wanted to roast this "Mumei"whoever she wasto ashes for interrupting her fun. Seething, she turned to glare at Mai, who lay there with eyes rolled back, breathing evenly.
With a smack to Mai's soft skin, Tohru cursed under her breath.
"Damn you, Mai!"
But Mai, having been ravaged by that triple "sewing machine" speed, was out cold. She couldn't hear Tohru's grumbling, nor could she feel Tohru drawing on her with a marker in petty revenge.
...
In the Group Chat
Frieren: "So the trade partner is Mumei, right? She seems to be someone from Ayame's side."
Frieren: "Anyone still awake to check on this?"
Shizue Izawa: "I'm not asleep."
Akame: "Same here."
Shinoa Hiragi: "You guys have such weird schedules. Isn't it the middle of the night for you?"
She only happened to see the notifications because she got up in the night.
Shizue Izawa: "It just so happens I'm out training."
By "training," she meant leveling up. She was exploring a forest teeming with monstershunting down the vicious ones. For all her strength, she was still a kind-hearted soul.
Frieren: "I'm on a journey too. Normally, I'd be sleeping by now."
Akame: "Mine's a mission from Najenda. I'm carrying it out with Leone."
Even though the Empire had changed hands and now belonged to Rei Ao, it wasn't easy to reform such a deeply corrupt system overnight. Building a new empire still required massive effort.
Military and security matters had been entrusted to Esdeath, who was establishing a reformed "Jaeger" squad led by Kurome. Administrative affairs were handled by Najenda. Night Raid was now a legitimate organization, shining its light in the country.
Shinoa Hiragi: "Sounds like you're all worn out."
She herself had been busyher classes and her proctor duties had become haphazard. Mostly because now she could wield Shikama Dji without needing "Shi." She even had the power of the original vampire progenitor behind it. But since her body couldn't fully handle that power yet, she'd started intense training, hoping to master Shikama Dji completely before departing.
Shinoa Hiragi: "Anyway, back to the main topicwhat's this deal with Mumei? Anyone able to fill me in?"
Frieren: "A perfect explanation would be a livestream. @Rei Ao, @Yomogawa Ayame!"
Yomogawa Ayame: "Understood, I'll do it."
[Ding! Yomogawa Ayame has started a livestream!]
Everyone joined. Immediately they were greeted by a completely naked Rei Ao, casually slipping on his clothes.
Frieren: "Wow, I think there's a phrase from your world for this Mai and the others called it an "thunderbolt opening," right?"
Rei Ao scowled, eyes twitching.
"Frieren, have you realized you've become a bit too urbanized?"
He couldn't believe the once-aloof elf was quoting terms like "thunderbolt opening." She must have been eavesdropping on Mai's slang.
Frieren: "Huh? Urbanized?"
Shinoa Hiragi: "That term's surprisingly apt definitely an "thunderbolt opening."
Akame: "I'm not seeing the problem."
Frieren: "Maybe you're just used to it, Akame. I guess I've gotten used to it too."
Frieren: "@Rei Ao, why'd you arrive naked anyway?"
Yukina and Mumei wondered the same thing. While they stood there waiting, Rei Ao had suddenly materialized in all his natural glory, startling them.
Rei Ao shrugged.
"Nothing I could do. I was in the middle of an, uh, 'exchange' with Mai and Tohru. The situation came up unexpectedly."
Shinoa Hiragi: ""Exchange"? Are you saying"
Frieren: "He's obviously talking about that. You'll get used to it eventually."
With Ayame's help, Rei Ao finished putting on his clothes, then turned to Mumei.
"All right, let's go see your friend."
"Mm!"
Mumei, her cheeks still pink from embarrassment, nodded and led him out of the Koutetsujou carriage.
