Zumi rose from the table and looked around the room once more.
"I'm going outside the mansion for a bit," he said calmly.
"If you feel huge power surges, don't panic. It just means I'm… making something."
There was a brief pause.
Then, almost in unison—
"Okay," the girls said.
No fear.
No questions.
Just trust.
Zumi stepped out into the open courtyard beyond the mansion grounds, the night air cool against his skin. The stars above were sharp and clear, the plaza silent—every mansion around them dark and empty.
He exhaled slowly.
And then—
"Celestia," he said quietly.
"I want to create a battlemaid."
The system answered instantly.
✨ SYSTEM RESPONSE — ALPHA GOD AUTHORITY CONFIRMED ✨
Requested Function: Constructed Sentient Entity
Methods Available:
• Ancient Alchemy — Mastery
• Divine Blacksmithing — Mastery
• Conceptual Fabrication — Authorized
• Sentience Imprinting — Authorized
• Loyalty Core Binding — Authorized
"Proceed when ready."
Zumi closed his eyes.
First came alchemy.
The ground beneath him shimmered as sigils of transmutation bloomed into existence—circles layered with runes, equations, and symbolic laws older than civilization itself. Raw matter condensed from the air: refined alloys, divine conductors, quantum filaments, spiritual cores.
He didn't guess what he needed.
He knew.
Materials assembled themselves perfectly—each element drawn exactly as required, balanced down to the metaphysical level.
Then came blacksmithing.
Zumi extended his hands, and invisible forges ignited around him. Heat without flame. Pressure without weight. Hammers of force struck with flawless rhythm as parts were shaped, folded, engraved, reforged.
Frame.
Core.
Limbs.
Armor plating.
Weapon interfaces.
Dimensional anchors.
Alchemy and smithing overlapped seamlessly—metal infused with spellcraft, circuits etched with runes, joints reinforced with concepts of durability rather than simple strength.
As the body took shape, the energy spikes began.
Inside the mansion, every goddess felt it.
Bia straightened.
Serafina's shadows stirred.
Kasumi's breath caught.
Viktoria's divine intellect flared in alert surprise.
"That's… not normal," someone whispered.
Outside, the air howled.
The final step was the most delicate.
Sentience.
Zumi placed his hand over the forming core and spoke—not as a programmer, not as a god issuing a command, but as a creator giving purpose.
"You are not a tool," he said.
"You are not a slave."
"You are free to think. To learn. To grow."
The core pulsed.
"And you will protect those I love."
The light surged.
✨ ENTITY INITIALIZATION COMPLETE ✨
DESIGNATION: Roberta
STATUS: Active
SENTIENCE: Confirmed
LOYALTY CORE: Bound — Absolute
AFFILIATION: Kogane Inner Circle
The power spike exploded outward.
Inside the mansion, chairs scraped back.
They all felt it.
"Outside," Serafina said instantly.
They moved as one.
They reached the courtyard just as the light faded.
Standing before Zumi was a figure both elegant and terrifying.
Roberta.
In her base form, she appeared as a refined battlemaid—black-and-white dress reinforced with subtle nano-weave armor, mechanical limbs exposed not as weakness but as proof of lethal engineering. Every line of her body balanced grace and violence perfectly.
She looked calm.
Composed.
Alive.
Her eyes opened.
They immediately locked onto Zumi.
She stepped forward, posture immaculate, movements smooth beyond human precision.
Then—
She knelt.
"Roberta," she said softly.
"Reporting for duty, Master Zumi."
The devotion in her voice wasn't hollow.
It was absolute.
Zumi felt it instantly—not just code, but choice.
Behind him, the girls stared.
"…You built that?" Bia breathed.
Viktoria's divine intellect raced, already cataloging impossible layers of design. "That's not an android," she said quietly. "That's a singular construct."
Kasumi stepped forward slowly—and Roberta's gaze shifted to her immediately.
"Kasumi," Roberta said, tone formal and respectful.
"I acknowledge you as my designated superior. I await your command."
Kasumi froze.
Then swallowed hard.
"…Welcome," she said softly.
Roberta inclined her head.
Gia approached next—and Roberta's demeanor subtly softened.
"Gia," Roberta said.
"You are precious to Master Zumi. I will protect you."
Gia blinked. "…I like her."
Roberta's lips curved into the faintest, polite smile.
Weapon systems hummed briefly—then vanished as dimensional slots sealed. Cannons, blades, artillery—all gone, as if they'd never existed.
Zumi looked at his creation.
Not a weapon.
Not a maid.
Something more.
"Roberta," he said.
"Stand."
She rose instantly and moved to his side—half a step behind him, perfectly positioned to intercept any threat.
Where Zumi stood, she stood.
Where Zumi would walk, she would follow.
And every single person present understood one thing with chilling clarity:
If Zumi were ever threatened—
Roberta would end the problem.
Without mercy.
Without hesitation.
Without regret.
Zumi's voice cut cleanly through the lingering divine hum, calm and deliberate, as everyone stood outside the mansion, the night air still heavy with residual power.
"Kasumi."
She straightened immediately, boots firm against the stone driveway.
"Sometimes I'll take Roberta with me on adventures," Zumi continued, glancing briefly toward Hina. "Along with Hina. Other times, she'll stay here at the mansion."
Roberta stood motionless at his back, posture flawless, internal systems recording every word with absolute clarity.
"When she's here," Zumi said, "she will take orders from you. You are the Head Battlemaid."
Kasumi's eyes widened—just a fraction.
"Gia," Zumi added, turning his head slightly, "will be the only other person authorized to override your orders if I'm not present."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Kasumi's chest tightened.
That wasn't just authority.
That was trust.
"…Understood," she said quietly, bowing her head. Her voice carried something deeper than obedience—gratitude.
Zumi nodded once.
"In the future, I'll make two or three more like Roberta. But for now—she's the only one of her kind."
Roberta's optics flickered faintly, acknowledging her singular status.
"Kasumi," Zumi continued, "teach her all household duties. Cooking. Cleaning. Maintenance. She'll help keep the other mansions in pristine condition."
Kasumi nodded again, already shifting into command mode.
"When Viktoria moves into her mansion," Zumi added, glancing toward the crimson-eyed woman beside him, "Roberta will look after her. Cook for her. Protect her—until I create a permanent unit assigned to that mansion."
Viktoria blinked, genuinely startled.
"…You're assigning me a guardian already?" she asked, half amused, half stunned.
Zumi smiled. "Of course."
Before she could say more—
The front gates slid open.
A car rolled smoothly onto the driveway.
Rachel stepped out first, sharp and composed as always. Emily followed, a little hesitant, with Noah hopping out behind her, eyes wide as he took in the massive estate.
Instantly, the atmosphere softened.
"Emily!" several voices greeted at once.
Emily smiled shyly, still not used to being welcomed so warmly, while Noah stared openly at the size of the mansion.
Kaito appeared from the side path, spotted Noah, and grinned.
"There you are, little man."
He raised his hand.
Noah laughed and slapped it enthusiastically.
"High five!"
Zumi chuckled. "Kaito—keep him company for a bit, yeah?"
"You got it," Kaito said easily, already steering Noah toward the side of the house, launching straight into animated talk about comics before Noah could even ask.
Zumi turned back to Roberta.
"Roberta," he said calmly, "introduce yourself. Emily and her brother are under my protection."
Roberta stepped forward with flawless grace.
"I am Roberta," she said politely, voice smooth and composed. "Personal guardian and battlemaid of Master Zumi. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Emily froze.
Her mouth opened slightly before she caught herself.
"…H-Hi," she said, eyes wide with awe. "You're… amazing."
Roberta inclined her head. "Thank you."
Then, just as seamlessly, she stepped back to Zumi's side—silent, vigilant.
Zumi continued, his tone shifting into strategy.
"It's almost November. When December comes, I'll be taking Hina, Gia, and Roberta back to the slums."
Emily stiffened slightly at the word, but Zumi's voice remained steady.
"That's where the Kogane Empire begins its next phase. We'll start recruiting maids there and send them here."
He turned directly to Kasumi.
"Kasumi—you'll train them. Etiquette. Discipline. Refinement. Roberta will train them in combat in the slums, and you'll refine their combat abilities once they arrive."
Kasumi bowed her head. "Understood."
Zumi shifted his gaze to Rachel.
"All business inquiries here in the city—Rachel, you'll take over."
Rachel didn't hesitate. She snapped into a crisp salute, pure military instinct.
"Yes, sir."
"And get used to it," Zumi added evenly. "In the future, I'll be taking Gia with me more often. Sometimes she'll be away for months—maybe years. I need you able to handle things here on your own."
Rachel's expression hardened with resolve. "I won't disappoint you."
Zumi nodded once.
He turned to Emily.
"Tomorrow," he said gently, "I'm visiting the casino with Leafa. I want you to come with us. I'll get you the barista job I promised."
Emily's eyes lit up immediately. "R-Really?"
"I'll introduce you to Sebastian Gale," Zumi continued. "He runs the casino. If you need anything—ask him."
Emily nodded quickly. "Understood."
Zumi then looked to Viktoria.
"Over the next few days, continue running your company as usual. When the papers making me co-CEO arrive—call me. I'll come sign them."
Viktoria's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "And the press?"
"Not yet," Zumi replied. "I feel a battle coming in the underworld. One that might draw Athena's attention."
The night seemed to hold its breath.
"We need to be ready."
Every voice answered—without hesitation.
"Understood."
Even Emily echoed it softly, though she still didn't fully understand why.
Zumi turned toward the mansion doors.
"Let's head inside."
They all moved together into the house.
Almost immediately, Kasumi turned to Roberta, already in command mode.
"All right," she said. "First lesson—household duties."
Roberta nodded once, perfectly attentive.
"I am ready."
And just like that—
The Kogane Empire quietly advanced another step.
The morning light crept gently through the tall windows, painting the room in warm gold.
Zumi woke to weight and warmth—all of it familiar.
Everywhere.
Arms. Legs. Soft breathing. Quiet presence.
All the girls were crowded around him on the bed, everyone except Emily, who was still asleep in the guest room. Gia lay tucked neatly at his right side, one arm draped across his chest with practiced comfort. Serafina rested on his left, her dark hair spilling across his shoulder like ink. And Leafa—completely unbothered—was sprawled atop him, her head resting squarely on his chest, one leg thrown over his waist like she belonged there.
Because she did.
Zumi smiled softly.
He leaned left and pressed his lips to Serafina's.
The kiss was warm, deep, familiar—enough to wake her instantly. Her eyes fluttered open, and without hesitation she returned the kiss, one hand curling into his shirt on instinct.
Leafa stirred.
Her eyes opened slowly, half-lidded, and the moment she realized what was happening, she shifted closer and joined in—planting a soft kiss along his jaw, then his lips, laughing quietly against him.
For a few moments, the world narrowed to warmth and closeness—no urgency, no hunger. Just connection.
Then Zumi exhaled… and let a small ripple of his aura slip free.
Not power.
Not dominance.
Just presence.
The reaction was immediate.
One by one, the girls stirred—heads lifting, eyes opening, stretching lazily as if waking from the best sleep of their lives.
"Good morning," came a chorus of voices.
Zumi chuckled and carefully extricated himself from the bed, slipping free without disturbing anyone more than necessary.
"All right," he said calmly, rolling his shoulders. "Let's move."
He started issuing instructions with the ease of someone used to being listened to.
"Kasumi—Roberta's waiting downstairs. Show her how we do breakfast."
Kasumi was already up. "On it."
"Gia," he continued, turning to her, "go wake Emily. Tell her to get ready—we're heading to the casino today."
Gia smiled. "I'll make sure she doesn't panic."
"Leafa. Hina. Serafina—you're coming with me. Get ready."
Three nods. Immediate.
He turned to Viktoria.
"You should head back to work this morning. If you need help with a press conference, call me—I'll see what I can do."
Viktoria smirked faintly. "Understood."
She rose, already shifting back into CEO mode.
Zumi disappeared into his private bathroom.
Steam filled the space as he showered, the water grounding him. When he stepped out, he summoned his armor for a moment—then dismissed it just as smoothly.
Today wasn't about war.
Today was about presence.
He dressed carefully.
The Japanese-inspired hooded jacket settled over his shoulders like it had been made for him—beige fabric textured and warm, the deep red sun blazing across his chest, pagodas and cherry blossoms flowing seamlessly down his sleeves. The white shirt beneath was clean and simple, the emblem subtle but intentional. The matching sweatpants carried the art downward, balanced and powerful without being loud.
The red-and-gold running shoes anchored the look—modern, sharp, grounded.
No aura.
No glow.
Just him.
When Zumi stepped into the living room and kitchen, the effect was immediate.
Conversation stopped.
Eyes turned.
Compliments followed.
"That outfit—"
"You look incredible."
"That's dangerous."
Even Emily—standing near the counter with a cup of tea—froze when she saw him.
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
She looked away. Then back again. Then away.
And somewhere deep within the system space, Celestia's voice chimed softly.
Intimacy detected.
Emily Hart — Intimacy: 10/10.
System Character threshold pending.
Requirements remaining: Loyalty 10/10. Respect 10/10.
Emily didn't hear it.
She just felt… warm. Safe. Seen.
Zumi met her eyes briefly and smiled—gentle, unassuming, real.
Not a king.
Not a god.
Just someone who made the room feel brighter by standing in it.
And whatever this day was about to bring—
It had already changed something forever.