The little girl's story was simple—
She was born in the northern borderlands of the Empire, the daughter of the chieftain of the Baruts tribe, a people who specialized in hunting Danger Beasts.
She lost her mother young. In the harsh environment and under her father's teachings, the belief of survival of the fittest became deeply ingrained.
One day, returning from a solo hunt, she discovered her tribe had been slaughtered by northern foreigners. From then on, she was convinced that to survive, one had to become strong.
She believed Zeroy was indeed powerful, and the safety Zeroy provided was no small matter.
She never doubted Zeroy's strength; anyhow, survival given by another had no meaning, for Zeroy could always take it away. Even without that, countless unexpected events could still happen.
"So I must become strong myself!"
The little girl spoke with words born of deep insecurity.
Considering her past, this was unsurprising.
Regardless, Zeroy had little interest in taking disciples.
"Hmm... how about this. I can give you a path to strength, but the price is that everything about you, including yourself, will belong to me completely. You must obey me in full, with no thought of defiance."
"To become your slave?"
The girl frowned, but almost without any hesitation, agreed.
"No problem. The weak obey the strong, the strong rule the weak—that's only natural!"
"Not a slave. I just don't want to raise another pest who hurts the innocent."
Her survival-of-the-fittest mindset wasn't wholly wrong; even so, left unchecked, she could easily grow twisted.
"The innocent... you mean those people?"
The girl looked toward the execution ground where the people still raged.
"Exactly. The weak are to be protected. Even if not protected, they mustn't be trampled or abused—enemies are an exception."
"Or think of it this way: if I had happened to be passing when your tribe was massacred, would you want me to reach out to save the weak Baruts, or join the foreigners' side to slaughter them faster and more cruelly?"
"..."
The girl fell silent, her face twisted with struggle.
According to her upbringing, the strong ruled the weak, and the weak were to be trampled.
Then Zeroy should have trampled the weak Baruts.
But... wasn't that the same as wishing her people and father dead?
She couldn't say it.
"I... I'd want you to save them..."
Her lips trembled. With each word, her head hung lower.
Just moments ago she had boldly declared survival of the fittest, and now she contradicted herself. Shame, guilt, and self-consciousness spread through her.
"Remember this feeling."
Zeroy reached out and gently rubbed the top of her head.
"Everyone is weak at times. If you don't want to be trampled, then don't become someone who tramples others."
"If we follow only the jungle's law of the strong, how are we any different from beasts?"
Well, granted, what she was doing now was trampling pests.
And the reason those pests were trampled was simply their weakness—morality or virtue had nothing to do with it.
Today she was here, she hated pests, so they were trampled.
Tomorrow it might be an evil god. If that god liked the pests, then others would be trampled instead, and the pests would be favored.
"..."
After a while, the girl raised her head with a serious look.
"I understand. I'll listen to you!"
"Good—"
Zeroy lifted her head and waved to Patchouli, who was watching.
"Patchi come quick, I need your help"
"..."
The girl froze.
Zeroy's demeanor was utterly different from before.
Earlier, her face had been all cold indifference—whether during the massacre or the nobles' punishment.
Even when speaking to her, her expression had softened yet never shown the radiant, heartfelt smile she now wore.
So... beautiful... so cute...
Patchouli floated over, giving the girl a sidelong glance.
"What is it this time?"
"I plan to help this child grow stronger. That said, to keep her from straying, help me with a binding contract~"
Zeroy naturally hugged Patchouli as she drifted close.
"With Patchi, I know you'll have the magic for this."
"A disciple?"
Patchouli finally looked properly at the girl, who had snapped out of her daze and now stared at her curiously.
"Hmm... not exactly, but maybe."
Zeroy replied uncertainly. She didn't mind taking on a disciple, even though it might be fun.
However, her power couldn't be taught, and she lacked the time to raise one.
"You really know how to make trouble for me."
Patchouli sighed, though her grimoire was already flipping open.
"What's her name?"
"Oh right. What's your name, little one?"
Zeroy only then realized she hadn't asked.
"My name is Esdeath."
"Esdeath?"
That sounded familiar.
"What is it?"
Patchouli looked at Zeroy, who had fallen into thought.
"Hmm... let me think..."
Zeroy didn't explain, only searched her memory.
Ah—she remembered.
Esdeath, from Akame ga Kill, that old series infamous for blades and blood, a work as old as it was notorious.
She'd heard it was full of the author's malice and cruel taste, the sort that loved tormenting protagonists. So in her past life, she hadn't watched it; regardless, the name was famous.
Esdeath was one of its most popular villains.
She didn't know much, only that the character was a uniformed dominatrix type, seemingly a sadist.
Same name? Or...
Zeroy studied the little girl.
No, not the same name—this was her as a child.
The girl's appearance was quite different. In Akame ga Kill, Esdeath was a commanding, domineering woman; this girl looked rather cute.
However, the pale blue hair was the same.
"Nothing. Let's sign the contract."
If they were to be around each other often, Zeroy would keep an eye on her.
She much preferred this cute little girl; the grown Esdeath, less so.
So—don't grow up twisted. In every sense.
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]