★12
SAI'S POV
Even from this distance, I could see the vast empire as I approached, step by slow step.
So this is the strongest human nation… according to Lady Ramiris.
If they're truly the largest and the mightiest, then surely they must have something worthy of my Lord.
I continued toward the gates.
Noticing me, the guards stopped me.
"What brings you to the Great Eastern Empire, sir?"
"Something personal."
"Be specific, please."
"I'm here for work."
"What work?"
"Enough with the questions, newbie. I apologise for his rudeness, for he's just a kid. Please have your way."
The head of the guards bowed apologetically.
"Thanks."
I passed through the gates, eyes sweeping the streets for any hint of a slave market. Before I could look further, a small figure broke from the crowd, a little boy, stepping cautiously toward me.
"Hey, mister. You're new here, right? "
"Yes kid."
"What are you looking for? I can show you anywhere around. Just name it."
<
"Show me the inn, please."
I took a different route.
"Inn? Ah, I see, you're a foreigner. We call them hotels here."
The boy laughed as he replied.
"Oh, really."
"Yeah. What's your name, mister?"
"Sai... just call me Sai."
"Nice to meet you, Sai san. I'm Ryota Fujimaru."
We introduced ourselves as we continued toward the hotel, and I kept my senses sharp, ready to react the moment they picked up someone or something worth my attention.
"Ryota kun..."
"We're here."
"Can you come with me?"
"Sure."
He nodded and slipped into the hotel lobby, heading straight for the front desk. I stayed back, keeping the boy close as I watched him handle the reservation.
A moment later he returned with a key, and led me down the hallway. The floors were polished, the lights warm but dim, quiet enough that every footstep echoed.
When we reached my room, he opened the door and guided me inside, making sure no one had followed us before closing it behind us. Well, I pray someone follows us.
The space was simple but clean: a single bed, a wooden table, soft lantern light, and thick curtains that shut out the outside world.
"How long will you be staying here, Sai san?'
"I don't know. When I'm done, I'll leave immediately. You helped me, how can I pay you? Do you want money?"
Money is a currency in this world. It's the norms humanity uses for payment at times like this.
"Sure."
I took out a small stack of golden coins, more than enough for a simple guide. A child wouldn't escort a stranger through a crowded city out of kindness alone.
When I placed the coins in his hands, his eyes lit up immediately, the dull fatigue on his face melting into pure excitement.
He clutched them tightly, as though afraid they might vanish, and for the first time since we met, he looked genuinely relieved.
"Thank you mister. This will last us throughout the week."
<>
"Is there something wrong?"
"I… it's my mom. She's ill, and I have to earn money for her treatment… and to buy us food."
He said softly.
"Here. Take it."
I handed him the entire purse, heavy with golden coins. I don't need them anyway.
His breath caught.
"R-really? You're giving me all of this? Thank you... thank you so much!"
He bowed deeply, voice trembling. Tears gathered at the corners of his eyes, shining in the lantern light as he clutched the purse to his chest.
<
"No problem, you can go now. Take care, ok."
"Sure, I'll see you around."
He waved and ran away.
<>
I vanished from sight, shadowing Ryota from a distance. He walked as though heading home, until he suddenly veered toward the outskirts of town.
At the edge of the settlement, he stopped. A small group of people waited there, half-hidden in the dim light. Ryota approached them cautiously and pulled out a the purse of coins I'd given him.
"Th-this… this will do, right?"
His voice was low, strained with fear.
"Whoa, you really brought in a lot today, kid. Where'd you get this?"
"This is too much for a little kid. Did you steal it?"
He asked.
"That's gotta be it. No one would hand you that much money."
"You gave us what we asked for, but stealing is still stealing. So you get punished."
The three, Dante, Goro, and Elric, closed in on Ryota. A moment later, fists and kicks rained down on him.
"N-no, I swear I didn't steal it!"
He cried, voice cracking as he tried to explain. But his words meant nothing to them.
Standing invincible beneath the light, I remained unseen, watching like a silent specter as they continued their assault.
"Shut up, you lying brat!"
After taking turns beating him until he could barely lift his head, the trio finally stepped back, satisfied, and began to walk away.
"H…hey… the money's complete now. Where's my mother?"
Ryota's voice shook, fragile and desperate.
"Huh? Who knows, maybe she's already dead."
They laughed, not even looking back as they continued walking, leaving the boy collapsed in tears.
Then.. thrum.. an invisible wall erupted in front of the three, stopping them cold. The impact rippled through the air, and their laughter died instantly.
"Hey, what's going on?!"
"It's a barrier... but who-?"
Goro stammered, his bravado faltering, while Elric's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
Dante, the third, whipped around and froze. Before them stood a tall man, imposing and calm, draped in a flowing light-blue kimono. His long black hair tumbled down his back like a dark waterfall, framing a presence that seemed to absorb the very air around him.
"Hey, who are you?!"
Dante asked, drawing the other's attention to the scene ahead. But I paid no attention to them as I was talking to Ryota.
"Don't worry, Ryota kun. We'll find your mother ok?"
"S...sai... san?"
<
Because Sai is a clone, he doesn't have the full life experience of Antares, only the emotional residue: mistrust, suspicion, cautiousness.
Sai is a psychological echo of Antares, but filtered through distrust of mortals. He tolerates evil, but any violation of trust or norms triggers severe retribution.
His morality isn't neutral; it's principled yet harsh, reflecting Antares' long-term experience from betrayal.
"Yep, I followed you."
I ruffled his hair gently, and with a single touch, healed the bruises and cuts marring his small frame.
"Hey, who are you? Are you the one who activated this barrier?"
Asked Elric.
"Ryota kun, close your eyes and cover your ears, okay."
I gave him a warm smile, and he obeyed without hesitation. Rising to my feet, I turned to face the three fools.
"Where's his mother?"
My voice dropped, cold and sharp, chillingly close to my master's tone.
Elric sneered and swaggered forward. Without a hint of caution, he planted his grimy hand on my shoulder.
"Like you give a fuck."
In a flash, a dagger from Babylon materialized in my hand.
One clean swing and his arm hit the ground before he even registered the movement.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands."
Elric toppled, clutching the gushing stump, screaming as the sound ricocheted through the alleyway.
"Elric? What do you think you're doing?"
"You'll pay for what you did!"
They approached me with their weapons.
Dante lunged with his sword, but he was sluggish, predictable. I slipped under his guard, sliced a clean cut through his armpit, then plunged two precise, non‑fatal stabs into his back. They were meant to disable, not kill.
Goro swung his axe wildly and missed. I caught the blade with one hand, used it for leverage, and drove my fist hard into his temple. He stumbled, dazed. Before he could recover, I reclaimed my dagger from his wavering grip.
"Where's his mother?"
My voice left no room for lies.
"S‑she's in town… in an underground cell! Please... don't kill me!"
Goro's voice cracked as he dropped to his knees, begging for his life.
"How far is it from here?"
"A bit far."
"Get up, we're going now."
I ordered, kicking him.
"O....ok. What about them?"
"I don't care, let them bleed out. I'll kill them once I'm back anyway."
Goro was terrified because he was the only one who remained unharmed.
"You, do not play dead. You are also coming with me."
I gesture to Dante with my dagger.
"S... Sure."
He cried, his face filled with tears and snorted. I went over to Ryota and knelt.
"Take this key and go to my room. Lock the door, I'll come and get you, okay."
"Ok."
He nodded.
"Where are you going?"
"To get your mother back. Now go."
Ryota ran away leaving us.
"Now lead the way."
Dante and Elric moved ahead, limping and trembling, guiding us through the empire's winding streets while keeping their heads low to avoid drawing attention.
At the edge of a deserted alley, they stopped and hurriedly pulled aside a concealed panel. Beneath it, a narrow staircase spiraled downward, opening into the hidden underground.
"Go first and don't think about running."
I said. He swallowed hard, before leading the way.
"So... the Emperor knows about this place?"
I asked, my gaze sweeping the dimly lit tunnel.
"N...no."
<
"You do all your dirty work here don't you?"
"Y... yes."
"And I suppose you're not alone."
"Of course. We operate under an organisation called Cerberus."
"Cerberus? A three-headed beast. So basically there are three leaders."
"Yes."
"Are they always present?"
"No, we've never seen them before."
"If you lie, I'll kill you."
"I... I swear."
"So I expect something like slavery is involved."
"No. Slavery is against the Cerberus principles. We are only keeping people for a short time and letting them go."
"..."
"If the head of the organisation found out we'd be as good as dead."
"Good, I won't kill you but you'll make that confession."
"P...please, don't make us do that"
Dante begins to tear up.
"I must. For separating Ryota from his mother. Why did you take her anyway?"
"Her husband betrayed us and left us..."
"Using her to bring him out. You should've considered the child she had before taking such actions."
"We were on orders..."
"There you guys are, I've been waiting for you."
The words came from a man who was sitting in a chair.
"Boss Sadin!"
"Huh? Where's Elric and who's this guy.."
I closed the distance in a heartbeat, my hand snaking up to his throat before he could even blink. His legs kicked wildly, spasms of a man being hanged, as I tightened my grip until his breath turned to a ragged scrape in his throat.
"The boss, kuh?"
"Wh... who... you?"
"It doesn't matter. You guys should bring Royta's mom and all the prisoners held here."
I ordered the two guys.
"Y...yes."
Dante and Goro rushed to free them. Just then, a new presence sliced through the tension.
"O ya, what do we have here?"
A man stepped from the shadows, long blond hair tied in a neat ponytail, clad in a black eastern-style suit embroidered with gold. Soldiers flanked him, silent and poised.
"Who are you?"
I asked, my gaze fixed ahead, not turning to acknowledge him.
"Sorry, but that's my question. Furthermore, why are you in my domain?
"Domain?"
I released the fat oaf, Sadin, and started advancing toward the new figure on stage. Just then, Dante and Goro returned, each dragging a struggling woman in tow.
"Here they are."
"Good. Which one of you is Royta's mom?"
I asked and one of the ladies was surprised at the mention of Ryota.
"Ryota? Do you know him? Is my son alright?"
"Calm down miss, I promised to take you back to him."
I turned my face and gave her a smile, my legs dragging me to my location.
<
The blonde hair jumped backwards as fast as he could. His eyes were wide open in fear.
<>
He was lost in thought as he saw Sai's murderous shadow.
(I know it's Sai's Pov but I decided to add Damrada's thought without switching the perspective.)
"I'm Sai. Who are you?"
I asked.
"...I'm.. Damrada. Damrada of Gold. One of the heads of Cerberus."
"Ah, so you're one of them. Well, I just came to get this lady out, that's all. Come on, let's go."
I turned around as if nothing had happened, making my way to the two ladies.
"Please, follow me."
They followed me and I stopped halfway.
"Is it true slavery is against Cerberus principles?"
"100%"
"I promise not to kill them if you'll take care of them."
"Leave that to me. I noticed there was something up anyway."
I opened a portal, and the wounded dummy tumbled out before me.
"He's one of them."
I looked down, spoke coldly, and stepped on him, clearing my path.
"You are lucky to be alive."
"You reside in the Empire, Sai?"
"N..."
<
"No"
<
Master flinched.
<
"Join us?"
He invited.
"You? You mean Cerberus?"
"Yes."
"Why me?"
"You have potential surpassing even me, You'll be of use to the Emperor."
"Emperor kuh? I'll think about that."
"Most people will quickly accept without a second thought."
"I'm not 'most people'."
"Hmm, you know where to find me in case you change your mind."
"See you later, Damrada."
We left, leaving Damrada and the other guys.
"Cease them all. You went against the rules and you'll face the punishment."
The soldier grabbed them all.
"Now, Damrada sama please. You can't do this"
The boss cried.
"I just did."
< I need eyes on Sai"
"Yes sir, I'll gather agents to look out for him."
"Warn them to be extremely careful. That guy... is extraordinary."
"I will sire."
<>
Damrada shook his head.
"Nah, I must be overthinking he's nowhere near the rank of a true chosen hero, after all only two of them exist."
He muttered.
I teleported them to the hotel, and the other lady quickly voiced her gratitude.
Alone now with Ryota's mother, I knocked softly on the door.
"It's Sai."
I felt him rush forward, his stumps trembling with urgency. When he opened the door, his eyes widened at the sight of his mother. Without a word, they collapsed into each other's arms, sobbing freely.
"Sorry, Ryota, I left you."
"No...it's ok Mom you're back now. Thank you Sai san"
"You're welcome. Well, this is goodbye Ryota kun."
"Heh? You're leaving already? You just got here."
"Yeah. Since the underground isn't partaking in slavery my mission is over."
"Slavery?"
She gasped.
"So that's what brought you here?"
"Yes, miss. And is it true you're ill?"
"No.i..a."
"Just tell him, Mom, please."
"Y... yes. But you don't have to worry. I'll be ok."
"No you're not, it's a life-threatening disease. I don't want you to die, I don't want you to leave me alone"
Ryota said as he burst into tears.
"Mind if I check it out?"
"Aaa?"
When I put my hands over her head, white light poured down on them, its rays enveloping her.
"What's this? Is this magic?"
Ryota asked but I ignored him and finished healing her.
"How are you feeling now?"
"I'm...better than ever, what did you do?"
"Can we go to the doctor to check you? In case."
"I..I don't have the money to pay him."
"I will, let's go."
We left the hotel and went to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor was leaving but I stopped him.
"A minute of your time."
"Sorry sir, my time is up, You can come back tomorrow."
"Can't do it, I'm here already."
My hand on the door. He knew fighting back was futile so he went in.
"What do you want?"
"Come in."
Ryota and his mom came in.
"Miss Fujimaru?"
I dropped a purse filled with golden coins on his table.
"Run a fast check-up on her, now."
I pressed enough to draw sweat on his face.
"O...ok."
This is a lifetime payment so he can't resist. The doctor took her blood sample and examined it under the microscope. He was surprised.
"H...how?"
Surprised, he made another sample and tested it again.
"What's going on? How is it so pure? I'm surprised what happened to you, Miss Fujimaru?"
He asked, surprised.
"What's the feedback?"
"I don't know how but she's clean, cleanest blood I've ever seen. Her blood can be used to save a lot of lives. What did you do? Even magic couldn't heal such an illness."
"Well, you haven't tried all the magic. Let's go."
I said, setting her remaining blood samples on fire as well as the one under the microscope.
"No evidence."
We got up and left the hospital. That's when she asked.
"I'm grateful for what you did but how? The doctor was right, I've tried different kinds of healing magic and it only purifies some parts which later get infected again."
"Let us just say our magic differs from the magic here."
"What does..."
Her eyes widened, picking up hints I threw up.
"Y... you're an?"
"Sure."
"I see. If that's the case then it's possible."
"I'm not sure why, but people always make that face when an otherworlder is mentioned."
"They're very rare and special, that's all."
"I guess we are."
"I'm sorry. You have done everything, but I will find the money to repay you, I promise."
"Money?"
Sai chuckled.
"I can see money has so much value in this world. Where I come from money or should I say you don't have to pay anything because we can do anything."
"Really?"
"I literally had no money but I used magic to create it, without a replica. In my world, magic is everything."
"Teach me magic Sai san."
Ryota spoke enthusiastically
"You're young. When the time comes, I promise to teach you."
"Yay!"
"So then how will I pay you for what you've done?"
"You don't. This is good.."
< I cleared my throat upon hearing my Master's voice.. This is something I must do to cover up what I did earlier. Before I opened my mouth to speak, Royta's stomach rumbled
"I've heard that sound before. Looks like someone's hungry."
We went to a nearby restaurant and shared a meal, the conversation flowing easily as we ate.
Afterwards, I walked them home, continuing our chat along the quiet streets.
"Good night, Ryota and Miss Fujimaru."
"Mikasa is fine actually. Good night, Sai san."
She bowed and the little boy followed.
"Sure. I'll be visiting soon enough. Please hang on for now."
"Ok, no problem."
They got in and I teleported back to the Star Island.
To be continued...