The three of them walked under the soft glow of streetlamps, their footsteps echoing lightly across the empty sidewalk. The night air was cool, crisp, carrying the scent of distant rain.
Emily held her brother's hand, her other hand loosely gripping her bag. Noah walked proudly between them, occasionally skipping to match Zumi's pace.
Zumi kept to Emily's left — always between her and the street, a natural protector's instinct.
Emily stole a glance at him.
He really walks like someone who is used to shielding others…
Their conversation started lightly, then deepened as the streets grew quieter.
"So…" Emily asked softly, "what do you want to do in the future? Long-term, I mean."
Zumi exhaled through his nose, hands slipping into his pockets.
"Everything," he said simply.
"I want to be a tycoon… own businesses across the city… build an empire that can help people instead of stepping on them."
Emily blinked.
"That's… a very big dream."
He shrugged lightly.
"A big dream is only scary if you don't take the first step."
Noah nodded vigorously like he understood something profound.
Emily giggled softly.
"What about you?" Zumi asked her.
She hesitated.
"…I want Noah to grow up safe," she admitted.
"And I want to finish school, get a job, maybe earn enough to move us somewhere quieter."
Zumi nodded once — firm, approving.
"Those are good dreams," he said.
"And achievable."
There was something in his tone… something steady, like a promise.
Emily felt warmth bloom in her chest.
But then—
Noah tugged on Zumi's sleeve.
"Hey, Zumi… do you like superheroes?"
Zumi's expression softened instantly.
"Of course," he said. "I used to read tons of comics."
"Really?! Which ones?"
"Anything with cool transformations," Zumi smirked. "Or crazy abilities. I liked the characters who refused to stay down no matter what hit them."
Noah's eyes sparkled.
"I like heroes with fire powers! And lightning! And—and—!"
"Oh, same here," Zumi chuckled.
"Fire powers were always my favorite. Lightning too. And flight… and super strength… and telepathy… and shapeshifting—"
"You like everything!" Noah laughed.
Zumi nodded confidently.
"Absolutely."
Emily watched the two of them… and her heart ached a little.
Not from sadness.
But from something warm.
No guy has ever talked to Noah like this.
Every man who tried to flirt with her ignored her brother completely.
Some even seemed annoyed he was around.
But Zumi?
He didn't treat Noah like a burden.
He treated him like a person.
Like a friend.
Emily hugged her notebook closer to her chest, eyes softening.
This… this is the first time I've seen someone connect with Noah like this…
Zumi and Noah continued excitedly theorizing about made-up powers, transformation sequences, battle scenes, and hero arcs.
Noah's laughter rang through the night.
Emily had almost forgotten what that sounded like.
Eventually, they turned the final corner and reached a small, modest apartment building. The lights in nearby windows glowed warmly.
Emily stopped walking and turned toward Zumi.
"This is us," she said quietly.
Zumi nodded.
"Good area," he said. "Safe enough — but call me if you ever need anything."
Emily's heart fluttered.
"Thank you… for tonight," she said.
"For everything. It was… really nice."
Noah held up his fist.
"Bye, Zumi!"
Zumi tapped his fist gently.
"See you soon, buddy."
Emily reached for the door, but before entering, she glanced back at him with a shy but sincere smile.
"I'll… see you at school tomorrow?"
Zumi gave a small smile in return — the warm kind that hit deeper than he realized.
"Yeah. Tomorrow."
Emily's cheeks warmed.
She nodded once and slipped inside with Noah.
The door closed softly behind them.
Zumi walked down the block casually until he was far enough from their apartment.
Then—
RIPPLE.
He activated his ring mid-step, his body phasing through space.
His foot touched pavement—
and then carpet.
He appeared in the mansion living room, seamlessly, as if he had always been standing there.
Every head snapped toward him at once.
"ZUMI!!!"
"Welcome back!"
"Where were you?!"
"We missed you!"
Voices layered over each other — joyful, relieved, excited.
Bia practically tackled him onto the couch.
Serafina slid beside him gracefully.
Kasumi, Hina, Sakura, Jasmine, Bethany, Ana, Reina, Kathy, and Gia quickly surrounded him, some sitting beside him on the couch, others on the floor at his feet, all leaning in close.
He was a king returning to his court.
A sun returning to its orbiting stars.
They touched him gently — shoulder, arm, hand — all trying to reassure themselves he was back.
He exhaled slowly, letting their warmth settle.
They went quiet — waiting.
Wanting.
Ready to hear everything.
Zumi leaned back, surrounded by his wives, his girls, his family…
…and finally spoke.
"Alright," he said, steady and calm.
"Let me tell you everything that happened tonight."
And every girl in the room hung onto his words before he even began.
The room quieted as Zumi leaned back into the couch, all the girls curled around him like a constellation orbiting its sun.
His voice was calm, deep, steady — yet everyone felt the weight behind every word.
"First… to the Gale brothers."
The girls listened attentively.
Zumi folded his hands, elbows resting on his knees.
"Jonathan and Sebastian will have everything ready. The casino opens tomorrow."
Bia perked up.
"Ohhh, that will be fun."
Serafina smirked.
"A den of vice… fitting."
Carmella crossed her legs elegantly.
"And profitable."
Zumi continued.
"There will be new security systems. New card systems. New staff hierarchy. And the Kogane Dragons' Second Division will be the official protection."
He turned his gaze directly to Kathy.
Her spine straightened instantly.
"Kathy… since you're the head of security, listen carefully."
Everyone else went still.
Kathy nodded once — sharp, serious, ready.
Zumi explained in detail:
"Your card — and eventually Rachel's — will be the gold-trimmed high-access card. It opens every door in the casino, hotel, private floors, vaults, staff rooms, everything."
He tapped the arm of the couch thoughtfully.
"The guests get fingerprint-coded access cards. They can't be used by anyone else. If someone tries… it locks down."
Kathy's eyes gleamed.
"That's perfect," she said softly. "Absolutely perfect. Thank you, Zumi."
"You earned it," he said.
She flushed lightly at the praise.
Zumi shifted slightly, brushing Serafina's knee with his.
"As for all of you," he said, tone softening, "you won't need cards. Wherever I go, you go. The Gale brothers know your faces. You will always have complete access."
A warm ripple moved through the girls — affection, gratitude, pride.
Gia leaned against him, arms around his waist.
"We're really building something incredible," she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head.
"We are."
And then Zumi said:
"Now… about what happened on the way home."
Every girl in the room instantly straightened.
Kasumi, sitting close at his knee, tilted her head.
"You met her again?"
Zumi nodded.
"I saw Emily at a small restaurant I used to want to visit back when I was just a normal guy. She was with her little brother, Noah."
The girls leaned in closer.
He continued, telling them everything:
• inviting her to sit with him
• how she opened up
• how Noah bonded with him
• the way she listened to him
• how genuinely sweet she was
• how carefully she carries her brother through life
• how spiritually sensitive she seemed
• and how she calmed her aura again — with zero training
By the time he finished, every girl had the same expression:
Oh… she is absolutely falling for him.
Carmella spoke first.
"Oh she likes you. She definitely likes you."
Bia crossed her arms smugly.
"Knew it. Saw the way she looked at you today in class."
Serafina tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"That girl's walls are built from trauma… not arrogance. And you're already slipping past them without trying."
Gia smirked with gentle pride.
"Of course she's opening up. You treated her like a human being, not an accessory. Her heart probably doesn't know how to process it."
All the girls nodded.
Kasumi giggled softly.
"She's toast."
Then Zumi exhaled, his eyes sharpening with contemplation.
"But there's something more."
The goddesses subtly shifted — sensing the seriousness in his tone.
Zumi continued:
"I was close to her. Talking. Watching her aura. That girl has no training, no idea what she's doing, yet she stabilizes her aura flawlessly. Twice."
He met each pair of eyes in the room.
"That doesn't happen naturally. Not ever."
The air thickened.
Zumi leaned back into the couch, voice dropping lower.
"…I think a goddess may be reawakening inside her."
A beat of stunned silence.
Then—
Serafina, Bia, Hina, and Leafa all exchanged looks.
All divine.
All knowing.
All serious.
Finally Serafina spoke, her voice low.
"That… is possible."
Bia nodded once.
"Reincarnation through dormancy. Some goddesses hide within mortal shells until the world needs them."
Hina whispered, "Or until their destined king awakens them."
Leafa pressed a finger to her lips.
"Spiritual awareness without training is one of the first signs."
Even Jasmine — ever calm — murmured,
"That would explain the purity of her aura."
Kasumi looked between them all, breath caught.
"A goddess… hidden in Emily?"
Zumi nodded slowly.
"It's only a theory. But signs point toward something divine."
The room fell quiet again, the weight of possibility filling the air.
Until Kathy spoke, a soft smile forming:
"…then we protect her."
Everyone nodded.
No hesitation.
No envy.
No jealousy.
Just certainty.
Emily Hart — whoever she truly was — had now become part of their orbit.
Their protection.
Their world.
And Zumi's theory had ignited something in all of them—
Curiosity.
Excitement.
And the faint, undeniable spark of destiny.
They were all still absorbing the theory about Emily when—
Zumi suddenly straightened slightly on the couch.
"Oh—one more thing."
Every head in the room snapped toward him.
Zumi folded his arms, voice calm… too calm.
"Every mansion in our plaza… all fifty of them, including ours—
I bought them."
The silence lasted exactly one heartbeat.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
All eleven girls shouted at the same time.
Serafina stood half-up, shadows flickering.
Bia grabbed a pillow like she needed emotional support.
Carmella blinked, mouth opening slightly.
Leafa covered her lips with both hands.
Hina froze like someone hit a pause button.
Kathy straightened instinctively, eyes wide.
Sakura nearly dropped her tea.
Jasmine stared, stunned.
Reina's jaw dropped.
Bethany let out a quiet "holy shit."
Catherine nearly choked on air.
Gia didn't even breathe—she simply whispered:
"…all fifty?"
Zumi nodded.
"Yes. Every mansion in this entire gated community now belongs to the Kogane Empire."
The girls erupted again in shock.
He lifted a hand, signaling them to listen.
"Think about it," he said.
"This entire area… this entire community… will become the headquarters of the Kogane Empire."
The words sank in slowly.
"The businesses I'll take over soon? Their CEOs, CFOs, presidents—
anyone who becomes part of my empire—
will move into these mansions."
He tapped the couch arm lightly.
"This entire neighborhood will become our private district."
Serafina leaned forward, eyes gleaming like twin galaxies.
"A city within a city… ruled by us."
Zumi nodded once.
Bia whistled low under her breath.
"You're not building an empire, Zumi… you're building a kingdom."
"But that's not all," Zumi continued.
He pointed to the room around them.
"Each mansion will have its own maids."
Kasumi tilted her head.
"Regular maids?" she asked.
Zumi smirked.
"No. Battle maids.
Every single one of them."
The room stilled.
He held up one finger.
"Five battle maids per mansion."
Two fingers.
"All trained."
Three fingers.
"All combat-ready."
Four fingers.
"All capable of defending their assigned household."
And then he dropped the final piece:
"And every single battle maid in this district—every maid of every household—will serve under one person."
His eyes drifted to Kasumi.
"Their head battle maid… will be you."
Kasumi's entire face went crimson.
Her breath hitched.
"M–me? Head maid… of fifty mansions? Of two hundred and fifty battle maids??"
Zumi nodded.
"You've earned it. And you will lead them."
Kasumi's lips parted in disbelief.
Her eyes shimmered.
Emotion hit her like a tidal wave.
The girl who once lost her path—
the girl who once abandoned her sword—
the girl who believed she had no future—
Was now being handed a dream beyond anything she ever imagined.
She swallowed hard.
"Z… Zumi… I… I don't know what to say…"
Zumi stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on her cheek.
"You don't have to say anything."
Her breath trembled.
"But know this:
I trust you.
I believe in you.
And every single battle maid we recruit… will learn from your strength."
Kasumi's heart shattered—
in the best, most beautiful way possible.
"I won't fail you," she whispered.
"I swear it. I swear on everything I am."
Her voice cracked.
"No—
I offer everything I am… to you."
The sincerity in that vow made every girl in the room soften.
Serafina smirked warmly.
"She's serious."
Leafa nodded, smiling as petals curled around her hands.
"Her spirit is blooming again."
Bia wiped the corner of her eye dramatically.
"Damn it… why is this emotional…"
Hina whispered,
"She's perfect for the role."
Even Catherine nodded approvingly.
"She'll make a good commander."
Gia's voice was full of pride.
"Kasumi… you're going to be extraordinary."
Kasumi lowered her head onto Zumi's chest, tears silently falling.
"Thank you…" she whispered.
"For giving me a purpose again."
Zumi wrapped his arms around her gently.
"You always had a purpose," he said softly.
"You just needed someone to remind you."
The girls were still buzzing from the revelation when Zumi raised a hand again.
"There's more."
Everyone quieted instantly.
Zumi leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, speaking with calm precision:
"We will need a lot of future battle maids. Two hundred and fifty minimum. More later."
Their eyes widened.
"But our recruitment will follow a very specific system."
Kasumi, still emotional, wiped her eyes and listened intently.
Recruitment Source #1 — The Slums
Zumi's expression softened.
"We'll recruit from the slums first."
The room stilled.
"Not for combat," he added gently.
"Not at first. These women… many of them have no home, no safety, no support. Housekeeping will be their primary requirement."
He looked around the room.
"They deserve a better life. A roof. Food. Security. Purpose."
Even Serafina's face softened — darkness goddess or not, she understood injustice.
"These maids will be trained thoroughly in housekeeping and basic discipline. They'll start clean. Safe. Fed. Educated. And under the protection of the Kogane Empire."
Leafa smiled warmly.
"That's… beautiful, Zumi."
Carmella nodded.
"A true empire takes care of its people."
Recruitment Source #2 — "Spot Candidates in the Wild"
Zumi then looked at each girl, one by one.
"But the higher-ranking maids — the real battle maids — will be chosen differently."
He pointed to his head.
"Throughout our days, when you're out in the city… look around."
Serafina raised a brow. "For what exactly?"
"Potential," Zumi replied.
"Strength. Discipline. Aura. Even just presence."
He lifted his phone.
"If you see a girl who looks capable — physically, spiritually, or mentally — send Gia a picture. Even without a name."
Gia nodded confidently.
"I'll handle the background checks, recruitment methods, and invitations."
Zumi continued:
"No direct approach yet. Not until I secure at least 10–20 companies. Multi-billion and multi-million dollar acquisitions."
Reina whistled softly.
"You're really building an empire."
Zumi smirked.
"I already began."
Then Zumi turned to Kasumi.
The room immediately quieted again.
"Kasumi."
Her breath caught.
"I won't reveal everything yet… but there is a possibility that you may gain a fraction of Agareth's power."
Kasumi froze.
Her face washed white — then flushed red — then white again.
"Ag… Agareth…?"
Her voice cracked.
Zumi nodded once.
"The First Combat Maid. The Mother of All Magic. The Unkillable Blade-Servant."
He held her gaze.
"Her."
Kasumi's eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Zumi… I don't… I'm not worthy—"
He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Kasumi. Out of everyone in this world… you're the most worthy."
She bowed her head, shoulders trembling.
Serafina smiled softly.
"She believed in that legend more than any of us…"
Bia sniffled dramatically.
"She's gonna cry again—hug her!"
Kasumi laughed through tears, overwhelmed.
Zumi's tone shifted — serious, but gentle.
"But listen carefully."
Kasumi looked up.
"If Agareth's spirit truly wants to integrate into you… even a fraction of her power is beyond mortal limits."
Kasumi swallowed hard.
"So you must train. Very hard. Harder than ever before."
He tapped her chest lightly with two fingers.
"Your mortal body needs to be as strong as possible. Because if the time comes—
if Agareth chooses you fully—
I may need to ascend you to divinity."
The room erupted.
"WHAT?!"
"A goddess?!"
"K-Kasumi??"
"Oh my god—!!"
Zumi continued calmly:
"You may need to become at least a Greater Goddess.
And possibly… a Supreme Goddess.
Depending on how much of her power you inherit."
Kasumi was shaking now.
"Zumi… I… I don't know what to say…"
He lifted her chin gently.
"Say nothing.
Just train.
Grow.
Become the strongest version of yourself."
Kasumi nodded rapidly, breath trembling, tears streaming again — but this time full of purpose, determination, destiny.
"I'll do it.
I'll do whatever it takes.
For you. For the empire.
For Agareth."
The girls applauded, cheered, hugged her, smothered her with love.
Leafa's petals swirled around her.
Hina whispered blessings.
Carmella smiled proudly.
Gia wiped her own eyes discreetly.
Serafina placed a hand on Kasumi's back, shadows forming a cloak of support.
Zumi smiled softly at the sight.
Kasumi wasn't just back to her old self.
She was becoming something greater.
Something legendary.
Something divine.