Northern Empire, Daiken Village.
"Now, everyone who has come here—"
"Please continue to enjoy the highly anticipated performances by our Sabatini Show's newcomers!"
"Dazzling balancing acts and amazing water magic!"
In a small square in the center of Daiken Village, a middle-aged man wearing a black hat and formal suit spoke excitedly to the crowd below.
"Hello everyone, I am Akame!"
"Everyone, please take care of Tsukushi!"
"Yare yare, little Akame and Tsukushi-chan are so popular, big sister can't fall behind!"
Under the endless anticipation of the crowd below, three figures appeared: Akame, Tsukushi, and Martha, dressed in a pure white maid outfit.
As soon as the three women appeared, the crowd cheered loudly. It was clear they were already familiar with the performers, and many had come from far away just to see them.
The three women exchanged glances, took out their props, and began their performance.
Akame threw sharp daggers into the air, catching and spinning them continuously—much more thrilling and exciting than the usual clowns juggling eggs in a circus! Tsukushi took out a round jar-like object and spun it on her head, shoulders, hands, and even her little feet. The two even cooperated, with Akame jumping onto Tsukushi's shoulders and performing one exciting and difficult stunt after another.
While the two performed energetically, Martha did not lag behind. Her already enchanting face showed a seductive smile that almost made some of the men in the audience's eyes pop out.
Like magic, streams of water appeared out of nowhere, swirling around Martha. The audience gasped repeatedly as the water changed shape—sometimes a beautiful fountain, sometimes a roaring water dragon. In the sunlight, a small rainbow even appeared above, fascinating the crowd.
Watching the crowd cheer and throw coins, the middle-aged man in the black suit smiled broadly. He thought to himself that he had really found some treasures this time. In less than a month, the money earned was equivalent to what he used to make in a whole year!
Of course, everything would be perfect if it weren't for that brat!
Thinking how these beautiful, cute, and capable girls belonged to that lazy and extremely annoying brat, and how they were inexplicably loyal to him, the middle-aged man felt a mix of anger, jealousy, and hatred!
…
Backstage of the stage:
"Incredible, Akame-chan and Tsukushi-chan are one thing, although their acts are very difficult, with years of practice it's possible. But how does Martha's water magic work?"
A tall girl with fiery red hair flowing like a waterfall behind her, a member of the Sabatini Show named Amuria, said.
"Yeah, as an appetizer, it's not bad, but it's thanks to me, the main course, that we became popular!"
A girl with golden twin tails and crystal earrings, also a member of the troupe, named Natalia, said with a tsundere tone. Anyone paying attention could tell from her voice.
"They're all excellent, but why do they have such a degenerate and hateful troupe leader!"
Seemingly thinking the same as the middle-aged man, both girls showed a "hashtag" mark on their foreheads and simultaneously looked to one side.
"Um… oh… put a little more strength, hmm…"
Making strange noises, Sora, sitting in a chair enjoying Cornelia's gentle massage, noticed Amuria and Natalia's gaze and felt a bit displeased.
"Hey! Hey! Amuria, Natalia, what's with those bug-looking eyes? Don't look at me like that. As the leader of Akame and the others, I have it tough too!"
Seeing others look at him with such con, Sora naturally had to defend his image, but his words seemed so weak compared to what he was doing at that moment.
"Tch, as expected, no one named Sora is a good person!"
Natalia curled her lips disdainfully.
"Huh? Natalia, you can't say that lightly, or you'll lose your head!"
"Hmph, it's just the same name. You really think you're that demon general of the empire? Even if he came, I wouldn't be afraid!"
"Yoho, little girl, do you know saying that will bring you retribution?"
"Karma my foot! I, miss…"
Seeing these two enemies about to start arguing again, Amuria, standing beside them with a head full of black lines, quickly grabbed Natalia.
"Alright, alright, you two stop fighting. Natalia, we're about to go on stage."
Afraid these two would start quarreling again, Amuria pushed Natalia and hurried them outside.
"Cornelia, I advise you to join our troupe instead of sticking with that stinky guy! That guy is good for nothing…"
Although being pushed outside by Amuria, Natalia still seemed somewhat unwilling. Hearing the girl's voice gradually fading away, Sora's mouth twitched.
That stubborn Natalia actually dared to poach right in front of him—she really didn't take him, Kong, seriously at all!
"Hee hee hee, Master, Natalia is really interesting, and so is Amuria."
Seeing no outsiders around, Cornelia rested her head on Sora's shoulder, smiling mischievously.
"Ah, yes indeed!"
The previously feigned angry expression had disappeared. Watching the two girls' disappearing backs, Sora's lips curled into a sinister smile…
Since making the contract, under his training, the girls' abilities had improved by leaps and bounds. The usual training no longer had much effect on them; what remained was their own accumulation.
About a month ago, after many twists and turns, Sora finally found the traveling troupe from the original story that was wiped out by Gozuki and his Elite Seven, and through various "coincidences," temporarily joined them.
Though they appeared to be a group of traveling performers, their real identity was intelligence agents for the revolutionary army. Although Sora had little interest in the so-called revolutionary army now, for his next target, he had to make use of them first!
…
Night, inside the inn.
"Since Miss Martha and the others joined, business has been booming. It's about time to consider their pay, right, Captain?"
A burly bald man in his twenties, named Dangan, a member of the Sabatini Show, said to the middle-aged man sitting above, troupe leader Sabatini.
This guy seemed quite innocent; when mentioning Martha, his face even flushed slightly. Sora, watching from the side, found it amusing—Martha, that little demon, had been "eaten" by him countless times already. Buddy, you don't stand a chance in this life!
"Yeah, Captain, I've been spending a lot lately buying gifts for Amuria!"
Also in his twenties, but much more handsome than bald Dangan, another troupe member named Kouga said.
"You rotten kids, all you ever think about is asking for raises. Now that the troupe has some funds, you just have to take it all!"
Though his tone was a bit nagging, the middle-aged man, troupe leader Sabatini, was not stingy and tossed a bag of gold coins to each of them.
"Hehe… Uncle Captain, I don't need a raise. According to our previous agreement, we split the earnings fifty-fifty. No matter what, my little Akame and the others have contributed a lot!"
Though he didn't care much about the small money, Sora still took the appearance fees for his Akame and the others.
"You brat, here's your share!"
Sabatini also threw a bag to Sora, looking a bit annoyed.
"Sora, how about the matter I mentioned last time? If you're willing to hand over Akame and the others to our troupe, just say your terms!"
This wasn't the first time. Every time Sabatini thought about those capable girls being wasted on this brat, his heart bled!
"Hehe… Sorry, Uncle Captain, Akame and the others are my treasures I won't give them to anyone!"
With a chuckle, Sora didn't want to linger here. Rather than wasting time with these old men, he'd rather go back to comfort Cornelia and the others!
"That bastard only treats Miss Martha and the others as money-making tools and does nothing himself. How hateful!"
Watching Sora leave, the bald Dangan slammed his fist on the table, furious.
"Dangan, this guy is not simple. Miss Martha is good, but don't forget our identity. Don't act rashly!"
Kouga, with a flash of sharpness in his black eyes, calmly warned Dangan.
"Dangan, Kouga is right. You should hold back for now. Let's confirm they're real no threat before making a move. Meanwhile, keep an eye on them."
"Besides, I think that Natalia girl isn't bad either. Why do you only have eyes for Martha?"
Sipping tea, troupe leader Sabatini's voice was calm and steady. His demeanor showed he was a very composed and scheming man.
"Natalia?"
Dangan's bald head flashed with images. Though she looked cute, in his memory, that tsundere blonde twin-tail girl was always fierce—once even carving his bald head with a throwing knife used in performances! No matter how he looked at her, that girl was a far cry from his ideal wife and mother!
Ah, Martha is better—gentle and beautiful…
Well, if one day this bald guy knew that his ideal gentle and beautiful wife and mother figure Martha was actually a cunning, sly, and sometimes scheming little demon, who knows what he'd think…