Chapter 53: Reunion and Departure!
The shockwave of magical energy that had heralded Ram's arrival slowly dissipated, leaving behind only the faint scent of ozone and the heavy, electric silence of the captain's cabin.
Just as the pink-haired maid materialized, solidifying from pure mana into flesh and blood, a cold, mechanical notification chime rang out in Suzaku's mind. It was a sound that cut through the emotional atmosphere like a knife.
[System Notification: Summoning Mechanics Tutorial]
[Clarification regarding 'Advanced Summon' Results.]
[Host, please note: The summoning of 'Albedo (Overlord)' in your Novice Package was a result of the 'New User Protection Mechanism'.]
[Mechanism Details: The first single draw is guaranteed to trigger the 'Rare/SSR' probability table, which is normally locked behind a 0.01% chance threshold in standard Advanced Summons.]
[Current Probability Table:]
[Normal Item/Consumable: 60%]
[Advanced Character/Ability: 39.99%]
[Rare (SSR) Entity: 0.01%]
Suzaku read the floating blue text in his retina, and the corner of his eye twitched violently. The touching emotion of the reunion was momentarily overshadowed by the rage of a veteran gamer.
So that's how it is...
He gripped the edge of his desk, his knuckles turning white. I thought my luck was just defying the heavens. I thought I was the chosen one. But it turns out Albedo was just the 'First Top-Up Bonus'? The system literally handed me a cheat code to ensure I didn't die in the first chapter.
A cold sweat trickled down his back as the realization hit him.
That means, under normal circumstances, I would have to grind Legend Points and perform the Advanced Summon ten thousand times just to statistically guarantee another entity on Albedo's level? Ten thousand times... at 2,000 points per summon... that's 20 million Legend Points!
What kind of predatory, pay-to-win, scamming gacha mobile game template is this?!
He wanted to scream at the System, to demand a refund on the unfairness of the universe, but a soft, trembling voice from the center of the room pulled him back to reality.
"Rem... is that... Rem?"
The air in the room seemed to freeze. Ram, the older twin, stood amidst the fading particles of light. Her posture, usually so poised and arrogant, was broken. Her hands hung loosely at her sides, and her reddish-pink eyes were wide, staring intently at the girl kneeling on the floor before her.
It was a gaze that ignored the strange ship, the unfamiliar energy, and the man standing behind the desk. It focused solely on the one soul that completed her own.
"It is Rem! Elder Sister!"
Rem's voice cracked, filled with a mixture of uncontrollable excitement and a sob that had been held back for too long. The mist in her blue eyes condensed into large, crystal-clear tears that spilled over her cheeks.
She didn't wait for permission. She didn't check with her Master.
Rem launched herself forward.
"Nee-sama!"
Ram reacted instantly, her body moving on pure instinct. She stepped forward, extending both hands. The moment their fingers touched, it wasn't just physical contact; it was a circuit closing. Their fingers interlocked tightly, palm against palm, in a grip that promised never to let go again.
"Rem... my cute Rem..." Ram whispered, her usual sharp tongue dissolving into pure affection.
Rem was beside herself. The usually composed and perfect maid was jumping up and down like a giddy child, swinging her sister's hands. Her face radiated a brilliant, blinding smile—a smile so pure and unburdened that Suzaku, who had been watching silently, felt his own heart skip a beat.
It was a smile she had never shown him. It was a smile reserved only for the other half of her soul.
"You're here! You're really here! Rem missed you so much! Rem thought... Rem thought she would be alone!"
"Ram is here. Ram will not go anywhere," the pink-haired sister affirmed, her eyes softening with infinite tenderness.
Suzaku leaned back against his desk, crossing his arms. The gamer rage vanished, replaced by a warm, satisfied feeling in his chest. He watched the two small twin sisters, identical in every way except for the color of their hair and the parting of their bangs, crying and laughing in their own little world.
Unconsciously, the corners of his mouth lifted into a gentle, paternal smile.
Worth it, he thought. Even if the gacha rates are hell, spending 2,000 points to see this scene? It's a bargain.
While the sisters indulged in their emotional reunion, Suzaku quietly activated his [Observation Haki] to scan the new arrival, simultaneously pulling up her attribute panel via the System.
[System Analysis: Target - Ram]
[Status: Subordinate (Contracted)]
[Origin: Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World]
[Constitution: Elite Grade]
[Description: A prodigy of the Oni race, born once in a century. Even without her horn, her basic physical fitness, reaction speed, and combat intuition far surpass ordinary humans. However, due to the loss of her mana organ (Horn), her stamina regeneration is severely compromised. She suffers from rapid mana depletion and physical exhaustion after prolonged high-intensity combat.]
[Haki Mastery:]
[Armament Haki: Intermediate (Awakened via Link)]
[Observation Haki: Advanced (Specialized in Clairvoyance)]
[Abilities & Skills:]
[1. Wind Magic (Mastery: Grandmaster): Capable of manipulating atmospheric pressure to create invisible, razor-sharp wind blades. Can cut through steel and stone with ease.]
[2. Clairvoyance (Senrigan): A unique racial talent. Ram can synchronize her vision with any living creature she has an affinity with, allowing her to scout vast distances and see through obstacles. Currently limited by range.]
[3. Al Fura: A high-tier spell that releases a compressed, destructive tornado.]
[4. Oni Transformation: [LOCKED/UNAVAILABLE] - Requires Horn Restoration.]
[5. Omnipotent Magic Talent: Possesses high aptitude for Fire, Water, and Earth magic for auxiliary use, though Wind remains her specialization.]
[6. Extraordinary Housekeeping (Rank EX): The ability to maintain elegant and efficient logistical management in any environment. Her tea brewing and cleaning skills are absolute.]
[Bond Level: Friendly (Inherited via Rem)]
[Legend Rating: 0]
Suzaku rubbed his chin, analyzing the data.
She's a glass cannon, he concluded. High offense with her wind blades, excellent scouting utility with her Clairvoyance, and high intelligence. But that stamina debuff is a problem. Unlike Albedo, who is an unkillable tank, or Rem, who is a balanced physical fighter with regeneration, Ram is a burst mage.
She needs protection while she casts. A backline sniper.
Just as Suzaku was formulating battle tactics in his head, his intense staring did not go unnoticed.
Ram, despite being in the middle of a tearful reunion, felt the weight of a male gaze. Her instincts as an older sister kicked in instantly.
She abruptly let go of Rem's hands, stepped forward, and placed her petite body between her sister and Suzaku. The tenderness in her eyes vanished, replaced by a sharp, chilly vigilance.
"Rem, stand back," Ram ordered, her voice dropping an octave.
She glared at Suzaku. The air around her began to swirl, invisible blades of wind hissing softly as they cut through the stagnant air of the cabin.
"Who is this fellow?" Ram asked, her tone dripping with polite venom. "Why is he looking at us with such... lewd and calculating eyes? Is he a man with ill intentions towards you, Rem? Has he forced you to do unspeakable things?"
Suzaku blinked. "Lewd? I was looking at your stats..."
"Elder Sister! It's not like that!"
Seeing the wind magic gathering at Ram's fingertips, Rem panicked. She hurriedly leaned out from behind Ram, grabbing her sister's arm and shaking her head frantically.
"Please, stop! This is Lord Suzaku!" Rem explained urgently, her face flushed. "He is our Master! He is the one who saved Rem and brought Elder Sister to this world! Lord Suzaku has always been a gentleman! He... he is the person Rem has sworn to protect with her life!"
Ram froze. She looked at Rem, seeing the absolute devotion and lack of fear in her blue eyes.
"Master?" Ram murmured. "He saved you?"
Just then, the secondary effect of the Summoning—the [World Memory Infusion]—kicked in.
Ram winced, bringing a hand to her temple as a flood of alien concepts rushed into her brain. Grand Line... Marines... Devil Fruits... Haki... The Vermillion Wing...
The headache subsided as quickly as it came. Ram blinked, processing the information. The hostility in her stance evaporated, replaced by the perfect, professional composure of a head maid. The wind blades dissipated into a harmless breeze.
"A... brand new world," she whispered. "And this man is the singularity."
She glanced at her sister, who was looking up at her with puppy-dog eyes, begging her to be nice. Ram sighed internally. If Rem trusted him this much, then he was safe. For now.
She gently pulled away from Rem's embrace, smoothed the wrinkles in her black skirt, and then performed an impeccable curtsy toward Suzaku. The movement was so fluid and elegant it made the pirate captain's cabin feel like a royal court.
"My apologies for the rudeness. My name is Ram."
She lifted her head, her pink eyes locking onto Suzaku's. Although her voice still carried a hint of innate pride and skepticism, her tone was respectful.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Suzaku. Thank you for the care and tolerance you have shown my foolish little sister in this strange world. Since you are her Master, you are also mine. I hope you will continue to look after us in the future."
Suzaku smiled, waving his hand dismissively. "There's no need to be so formal, Ram. And Rem isn't foolish; without her help, I might not have survived the East Blue. I should be thanking her."
He stepped forward, extending a hand—not for a handshake, but as a welcoming gesture.
"My name is Suzaku. As you now know, I am the Captain of this ship. We are the Suzaku Pirates. Welcome aboard the Vermillion Wing, Ram. We're a chaotic bunch, but I think you'll fit right in."
Ram nodded, accepting the welcome. "I shall do my best to ensure your tea is up to standard, Barusu... ah, pardon me. Lord Suzaku."
"Did you just almost call me Barusu?" Suzaku raised an eyebrow.
"You must have misheard due to the altitude," Ram replied with a straight face, though a tiny smirk played on her lips.
Suzaku chuckled. The "Toxic Tongue" was definitely intact.
He gestured to the door. "Well, let's not stay cooped up in here. There are others waiting to meet you."
He walked past the twins and reached for the heavy oak door.
He pulled it open with a swift motion.
"Oh dear!"
Thud!
A black figure stumbled forward unexpectedly as the support of the door vanished.
Albedo, the Great Overseer of the Guardians, the majestic succubus, stumbled into the room. She had clearly been pressing her ear firmly against the wood to eavesdrop on the "surprise" taking place inside.
She flailed her arms, her large black wings knocking against the doorframe, before she managed to catch her balance in a pose that was anything but dignified.
"A-Ah..."
Caught red-handed, a rare flash of panic crossed her stunningly beautiful face. Her golden eyes darted around the room, landing on Suzaku, then Rem, and finally the new arrival, Ram.
She quickly straightened her dress, coughed into her fist, and masked her embarrassment with her usual mask of haughty superiority. However, the tips of her pointed ears were glowing a bright, betraying red.
"I... I was merely conducting a security check of the captain's quarters!" Albedo declared, lifting her chin. "Ensuring no assassins had infiltrated through the... ventilation!"
Suzaku looked at her, finding the excuse both pathetic and adorable. "Ventilation? In a wooden sailing ship?"
He sighed, shaking his head with a smile. "Since you're already here, Albedo, make yourself useful."
He stepped aside, revealing the pink-haired maid standing behind him.
"This is Ram. She is Rem's twin sister. Starting today, she is our new comrade and the ship's second maid."
Albedo's eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed Ram. A new woman. Another servant. And a twin to the one she already viewed as a minor rival.
Ram returned the gaze, her expression equally critical. A succubus. High threat level. Smells of desperation.
Sparks seemed to fly between their gazes, invisible lightning crackling in the air.
"Albedo," Suzaku interrupted the silent stare-down, his voice firm. "Take Ram to meet Nami and Ulquiorra. Show her around the ship. Have Nami explain the navigation charts and Ulquiorra... well, just make sure Ulquiorra doesn't scare her."
"Understood, Suzaku-sama," Albedo bowed deeply, her demeanor instantly switching to obedient servant. She turned to Ram, her smile dazzling but not quite reaching her eyes. "Follow me... newcomer."
"I shall be in your care... cow-woman," Ram muttered under her breath, too quiet for Albedo to hear, but loud enough for Rem to gasp.
As the three women left the cabin—Rem excitedly chattering, Ram observing everything with critical eyes, and Albedo leading the way with aggressive elegance—Suzaku walked out onto the deck behind them.
The sun was beginning to dip, painting the white clouds in hues of orange and gold. The air was thin, but it felt electric with potential.
Suzaku walked to the helm. He placed his hand on the wooden wheel of the Vermillion Wing. He could feel the ship humming beneath his touch, eager to move.
He looked at his crew.
Nami was at the bow, checking the Log Pose, which was frantically spinning, trying to lock onto the next island. Ulquiorra was leaning against the mast, silent as a grave. Albedo, Rem, and Ram were gathered near the galley.
His crew was growing. His power was growing.
"Alright, everyone!" Suzaku shouted, his voice amplified by Haki, ringing out across the deck and startling the cloud-fish below.
"The brief rest is over! We've conquered the East Blue. We've touched the sky. Now, it's time to remind the world below why they should fear the name Suzaku!"
He spun the wheel hard to starboard.
"Nami! Set the trajectory for the descent! We're leaving the White Sea!"
"Aye, Captain!" Nami yelled back, grinning wildly. "Everyone, grab onto something solid! The descent from seven thousand meters isn't a gentle slide!"
"Albedo, adjust the sails! Rem, Ram, secure the cargo!"
"Yes, Lord Suzaku!"
The Vermillion Wing tilted forward. The nose of the ship dipped past the edge of the Imperial Cumulus cloud.
Gravity took hold.
Whoosh!
The wind roared. The ship plummeted from the heavens, diving out of the sea of clouds like a falling star. The white world vanished, replaced by the dizzying, terrifying, and beautiful blue expanse of the Grand Line stretching out infinitely below them.
"Here we go!" Suzaku laughed, the wind tearing at his hair. "A new adventure awaits!"
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