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The entire military camp...
Fell completely silent.
Every soldier held their breath, eyes locked onto the battlefield.
"That kind of power…"
Esdeath stepped forward, her long legs cutting a striking figure as an intense, icy aura radiated from her body.
The ground around her began to freeze at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"This is just... so exciting."
Her body trembled slightly, as if every cell was quivering in joy.
"Let's keep going."
Edgar stood calmly in place, a light smile on his face.
"I've already figured out the right amount of force.""You don't have to worry about me accidentally killing you."
"..." ×N
The soldiers watching couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.
What kind of attitude was that?
It was the first time they'd seen anyone talk to General Esdeath like that — so arrogant, so casual.
"Hahaha, you've got a big mouth, don't you?"
Esdeath's eyes grew sharper, more dangerous. Her flawless, jade-like hand slowly lifted.
Buzz!
The cold energy gathered instantly, forming dozens of razor-sharp ice spears that sliced through the air with a screech.
"I'm just stating facts."
Edgar replied as he casually took a step forward.
Flash!
A flicker of magical light swept across the space — the incoming ice spears all froze mid-air, then shattered into glittering shards.
Through it all...
Edgar hadn't even lifted a finger.
That display made a flicker of unease flash through Esdeath's eyes.
So the rumors were true.
This so-called "demon" really did possess powers she couldn't understand.
"In that case..."
Esdeath leapt into the air, her freezing aura exploding around her.
Without a sound...
The sky turned pitch black.
A colossal hailstone, larger than anything seen before, began forming above — it completely blocked out the sky.
It fell toward Edgar like a meteor, carrying immense, crushing force.
"Pointless."
Edgar lightly tapped the ground with his foot and launched himself like a cannonball.
With a single punch, he smashed the massive hailstone into pieces.
Countless fragments scattered through the air, glinting beautifully under the moonlight.
His figure broke through the icy storm and landed right in Esdeath's line of sight.
In a flash...
His hands had already landed on all her vital points.
A powerful burst of force sent her flying.
Boom!
A dull thud echoed as the ground cracked — a deep pit formed where she landed.
Esdeath lay there, a dazed look in her eyes.
Edgar was just too fast.
She didn't even get a chance to counterattack.
As much as she hated to admit it...
The gap in power between them was overwhelming.
For the first time in her life...
She had met a man who utterly crushed her in every possible way.
"You've still got other tricks up your sleeve, right?"
Edgar landed at the edge of the crater, smiling faintly.
"Like Mahapadma, for example."
"Or your Ice Cavalry. Feel free to throw everything at me."
He wanted to completely conquer her — not just physically, but in spirit.
She had to be utterly convinced.
As for the risk of going too far?
Edgar wasn't the least bit worried.
Whether it was her Ice Cavalry's swarm tactics or Mahapadma's time-freezing ability...
None of it scared him.
For a demon king, numbers meant nothing.
And even broken powers like freezing time still depended on the difference in strength between the two sides.
"Where did you hear that name?"
Esdeath slowly got to her feet and shook her head.
"The abilities you mentioned... I don't even know how to use them yet."
Edgar blinked, then chuckled in realization.
So he'd arrived before the main storyline timeline.
That explained it.
"I see. So... do you still want to keep fighting?"
"No. I'm clearly not your match."
Esdeath shook her head, then asked seriously,
"But I want to know — what's your true power like when you go all out, Demon Lord?"
"Oh, that?"
Edgar casually raised one hand.
"If you're curious... I'll show you."
Buzz!
As soon as he finished speaking, a dark red magic circle shimmered into existence in mid-air.
"Lightning Strike."
A blinding light flashed — and a massive blue thunderbolt, like divine punishment itself, came crashing down, completely devouring everyone's sight.
BOOM!!
The bolt struck a distant mountain, unleashing an explosion so powerful it shook the world.
The nearby mountains trembled violently.
Smoke and dust surged into the air, thick and choking.
No one knew how much time passed.
But when the lightning and smoke finally cleared...
The mountain was gone.
A bottomless chasm was all that remained.
Every soldier's hair stood on end, their faces pale with shock.
"A-Am I dreaming...? Can a human really have that kind of power?"
"Is that... an Imperial Arm? No, impossible! Not even Imperial Arms are that ridiculous!"
"Who the hell is this guy?!"
The crowd exploded.
Panic and disbelief spread like wildfire.
"That power... is insane."
Esdeath turned her head, staring at Edgar — her eyes burning with admiration.
A while later...
Inside a private tent.
Esdeath respectfully poured Edgar a glass of wine.
Her gaze was soft, almost reverent — like a devout believer before a god.
Edgar took a sip and said,
"Now that I've granted your wish... let's talk about the price."
Esdeath stood before him and nodded.
"Demon Lord, go ahead. Name it."
"Huh... You're just accepting it, just like that?"
She didn't even flinch at his words — her expression calm, eyes unwavering.
After all, it was a deal.
Give and take.
That was only fair.
Esdeath took a deep breath, her tone resolute.
"Demon Lord, whatever you want — you can have it."
"Even if it's me."
As she said that, her eyes briefly flicked toward Edgar.
Honestly...
He was pretty damn handsome.
And far stronger than her.
In a way, he was her perfect partner.
Edgar met her eyes — then chuckled softly.
"I have to say, I'm starting to like you more and more."
"You're right. What I want... is you."
Esdeath blinked.
Then a smile crept onto her lips.
"In that case..."
"From now on, I belong to you."
"..."
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