Having returned from the other world, Tatsuki didn't immediately arrange everything for his new companions. First, he opened the chat group to check on everyone's status.
Tatsuki: "Nami, Honghong, March 7, you all made it home safely, right?"
Nami: "Yup, I'm safely back."
Tushan Honghong: "I'm in Tushan, Tatsuki-niisan."
March 7: "Hehe, I'm safe too!"
Tatsuki: "Good. Esdeath, you'll have to manage your world on your own for now, since you're about to ascend the throne."
Shinobu Kocho: "A throne? She's going to become a ruler?"
Ainz: "That means truly wealthy!"
Emilia: "That's incredible. A true monarch… If I need advice about governing, can I ask you?"
Esdeath: "Power decides everything."
Emilia: "Um…"
Tatsuki: "Yeah, maybe don't rely on her too much. Her world was so corrupt that I had to intervene, so now she's basically a hands-off figurehead. Actually, I wanted to talk to everyone about the Plunderer."
Exusiai: "Something special about that Plunderer?"
Tatsuki: "Yes, very special. I dominated his memories and discovered he wasn't from Esdeath's world."
Everyone, including Tatsuki, had been taken aback by that revelation.
March 7: "Huh?! So he was an isekai traveler too?"
Tatsuki: "That's what's so shocking – turns out the Plunderer isn't just him. It's a collective term, not a single individual. There's more than one of them. They can travel between worlds. Their goal is to devour or pillage each world they enter; every world they fully plunder ends up collapsing and vanishing."
Saeko Busujima: "A terrifying interworld criminal organization?"
Tatsuki: "That's a concise way to put it. There's also someone or something controlling them in the background, but that part of his memory was sealed by a powerful enchantment, so I can't see it. The Plunderers have levels, seemingly from 1 to 10. The one Esdeath fought was a level-5 Plunderer."
Shinobu Kocho: "Even a level 5 is so bizarre… can't imagine a level-10."
Nami: "Worrying about it doesn't help. All we can do is keep getting stronger. One day, we'll beat them."
March 7: "Exactly! Let's work hard!"
Reinhard: "If that's the case… I'm worried Natsuki Subaru might be one of these Plunderers."
'Subaru, a Plunderer? Hard to believe…' But Tatsuki himself was just as uncertain, given all the chaos unfolding.
Tatsuki: "Try your best to track him down."
Reinhard: "Yes."
With that, Tatsuki closed the group chat. He still had questions swirling in his own mind—what being created this Plunderer organization?
Aside from the Plunderer's secrets, though, this latest Apocalyptic Journey trip had been a big win for everyone.
All participants gained apocalypse points and enhanced their powers; Nami's Rumble-Rumble Fruit reached level 4.
Esdeath became a queen.
Tatsuki gained the Night Raid women and fulfilled their wishes at the same time.
The Empire was overthrown and set on the path to peace.
Everyone had profited tremendously.
…
Tatsuki then turned to address the new arrivals in his own home—Night Raid's seven women. He quickly explained the situation to Tamayo, Kie, and Nezuko, who were initially startled to see so many new, beautiful women. But soon, they accepted them with open arms.
Tatsuki decided to give the first-floor apartment to the new group. He had originally intended to let them pick, but they all chose to live together in the same place (three rooms with big enough space to share). In addition, Tatsuki gave Tamayo and Kie a sum of money to help the newcomers buy whatever they needed. As for the women's legal identities, Tatsuki only had to exert a single command of dominion, and voilà—they were now officially recognized residents of this city.
…
Once all that was settled, Tatsuki remembered his promise: he had to help Yukinoshita Yukino move. He called out to the three from Demon Slayer: Tamayo, Kie, Nezuko, telling them a bit about the day's plans.
And just as Tatsuki was about to head out.
"Tatsuki-kun, what happened this morning? It sounded really lively,"
Sayuri—Eriri's mother—stepped out from her home.
"Not much. Some new neighbors are moving in," Tatsuki replied casually.
"Huh?" She blinked.
Tatsuki didn't play coy. "I brought them back from another world, so they're staying on the first floor."
"…"
'Another world… and living here…'
That naturally meant they were his as well. Sayuri forced an awkward smile, asking gingerly.
"They're… also part of your contract?"
Tatsuki nodded. "Yes. Seven of them."
"Seven?!"
Sayuri's mind went blank. If you added Kie, Nezuko, Tamayo, Kanae, plus Eriri… that was already 8 or 9. If she included herself, well, that would be… a big number indeed!
"You can handle it?"
she blurted out, shocked.
Realizing what she just said, her cheeks flamed.
"…"
Tatsuki raised an eyebrow. "Sayuri-san, you're not questioning my capabilities, are you? Even ten more wouldn't be a problem for me."
With primal energy, he could restore both body and stamina. Ten or even a hundred—he'd manage!
"Ugh…never mind! You do whatever you want. I'll go greet them later!"
She stammered, slamming the door shut. But just before it closed, she remembered one more thing.
"Tonight, come see Eriri. The two of you need a proper talk."
Bang!
The door shut.
"Eriri is finally willing to talk to me huh…"
Tatsuki mused as he left.
…
Over at Yukino's place…
She had almost finished packing. There was even a moving truck outside—she only had to load up her luggage. The moment Tatsuki arrived, he easily handled everything. Before leaving, Yukino took one last, pensive look around her apartment.
"Feeling sentimental?" Tatsuki teased gently.
"No… I'm just reflecting on how this is the first time I've made such a big personal decision. I don't know if it's right or wrong."
Yukino admitted she felt a bit uneasy about her own changes.
"If you've chosen a path, walk it and see. Remember how clueless you were at the start of the apocalyptic game? But you turned decisive when we had to kill those aliens."
"…Yes, everything keeps changing. I need to face my choices firmly."
Yukino's eyes shone with determination. Her words held a meaning only she could fully grasp.
Tatsuki shrugged. He wasn't especially skilled at comforting people; he just spoke what felt right. And someone like Yukino, who had strong goals, might take it as a reference, at best.
Locking up, Yukino got into the car with Tatsuki, and they headed off to their new place.
…
At Tatsuki's building.
Yukino had two options: a room on the first floor or one on the third. Tatsuki foresaw a potential issue, if things continued at this rate, they'd soon run out of rooms. "Looks like I'll need a bigger place eventually," he thought.
In the meantime, he felt he should explain to Yukino about the various people living here, and about his relationships with them. Given that Yukino already knew he could travel to different worlds—and that in the spaceship game, he'd hinted at many companions—he didn't hold back. He openly told her about Eriri and the others, plus those brought back from other worlds, leaving nothing out.
"…"
When Yukino heard the entire story, her mind ground to a halt. Anyone would be floored by all this at first. Still, Yukino was quite resilient. She ended up selecting a room on the third floor. Tatsuki carried her things there, and she asked for some alone time to think. He was fine with that.
That afternoon, Kie and the others went shopping with Sayuri to help the seven Night Raid women get used to their new environment. They didn't come back until evening. Aside from Sayuri, they were all quite powerful, so Tatsuki wasn't worried for their safety.
By dusk, Yukino was still in her room, presumably quite overwhelmed by what she'd learned. So, his new maid wouldn't be working today. A pity.
However, he did have something else on his schedule. Sayuri had asked him to visit Eriri that night.
So, he went.
…
Ding-dong!
Click.
The front door opened. Eriri stood there in a green tracksuit and glasses, her blonde twintails drooping. Seeing Tatsuki, she pursed her lips awkwardly.
"W-Why are you here?"
"Aren't you the one who asked me to come?" Tatsuki reminded her.
"…Fine, get in here!"
Her cheeks flushed as she led him quickly to her bedroom.
It was a classic cute-girl's room, albeit with scattered paints, sketches, and canvases. A typical environment for an illustrator—she was Kashiwagi Eri, after all. Wearing glasses meant she'd been drawing just now.
Tatsuki sat on her bed while Eriri went to get him some tea. He picked up a stack of sketches lying nearby.
"Here's your—"
She walked back in, tea in hand, only to see Tatsuki holding the pages in silence.
"Uh… what's wrong?"
she asked, noticing how he was staring at her with a strange expression.
Tatsuki gazed at Eriri for a while before blurting out, "Eriri, your art has gotten even better."
"Eh?! You… you didn't read my manuscript, did you?"
Eriri panicked, cheeks burning. Because these particular sketches were… well, based on her, her mother, and Tatsuki. She never intended to publish them—just keep them as her private indulgence. But being found out by Tatsuki was just too embarrassing.
Yes, Tatsuki had indeed seen it. And he recognized all three characters drawn in that explicit, taboo scenario—a sight that made him stand up in more ways than one.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat. "Let's talk about what's important," he said, setting the sketches aside. "You must already know about Kie and the others."
"Mm…"
She nodded.
"Then tell me your thoughts. I respect your decision."
Tatsuki wanted her to make the choice herself. He wasn't about to force Eriri into anything.
Without answering right away, Eriri removed her glasses and walked slowly toward him. She climbed onto his lap, straddling his legs, and locked her watery eyes on his.
"Tatsuki, will you like me forever?"
she asked, voice trembling. Even if she could accept his situation, a part of her was lost and anxious. She wanted reassurance—a promise from him.
Tatsuki dismissed all other thoughts. In that moment, only Eriri filled his eyes and mind. Memories, both sweet and tumultuous, never to be forgotten, flashed by.
"I will always love Eriri."
He spoke with genuine conviction. And then he did one more thing: he transmitted his innermost thoughts directly into Eriri's mind. Let her see his truest feelings and fantasies at this very second.
"…"
She felt wave after wave of his emotions and visions, tears sliding down her cheeks. Yet they were tears of relief. She wept and smiled at the same time.
"See, I knew you couldn't live without your Princess Eriri, you jerk."
"Of course. A knight isn't a knight if he doesn't have his princess. Eriri is—and will always be—my princess."
"And you're always my knight."
Two hearts in perfect understanding, colliding.
Two individuals who truly knew each other, fully embracing—
No tracksuit could mask the surge of love between them…
…
Meanwhile, downstairs.
"Ah, I'm so exhausted!"
Sayuri unlocked her house door and collapsed onto the living room couch. She'd been running around all day, plus the mental strain of meeting and helping the new arrivals. She'd learned these women were assassins from another world, but after hearing about their tragic backgrounds, she was moved rather than judgmental.
Even though they had come from darkness, they were good people at heart. Once again, she found herself marveling at Tatsuki's kindness. He was truly a hero who saved worlds, a gentle soul.
Each of the seven Night Raid women had a distinct personality, and with a little conversation, Sayuri found she got along with them quite well—particularly with the sweet, gentle Sheele, the bright and playful Chelsea, and the confident Najenda. Leone was outspoken and easy to talk to, and the silly-eater sisters Akame and Kurome were adorable. Lastly, there was Mine—oddly reminiscent of Eriri, in both personality and look.
"Sigh, Tatsuki-kun is just piling up more sins," Sayuri murmured ironically, though affectionately. They were all good girls, and she sincerely hoped Tatsuki would treasure them. Then she remembered something.
What about Eriri? Had her daughter eaten dinner yet?
"Eriri, have you eaten?"
She called out, but no answer came. Tired, she dragged herself to Eriri's door.
"Haa—!"
She froze, hearing noises inside: rhythmic scuffling and hurried breathing. Tatsuki and Eriri's voices…
Her face went scarlet. She knew exactly what those sounds were—she should leave, right? But it was like her feet were glued to the floor. Perhaps from sheer exhaustion, she slumped against the door and glanced at her outfit. A simple long dress—her hands could easily slip beneath the hem…
"Mmph!"