________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A short while later.
The Imperial Palace's grand hall.
Black Eyes' ears were already burning red.
She kept avoiding eye contact, unable to look Edgar in the eyes at all.
Just now… she'd been… seen.
Her heart cried out in embarrassment.
This was the first time a man had ever seen her like that.
Edgar looked at her and chuckled."So, do you still have any doubts now?"
"…No… but it still feels hard to believe."
Her expression was complicated.
Demons — they actually existed.
No wonder he could take control of the Empire so easily.
How could humans possibly fight against creatures like that?
But…
She secretly stole a glance at Lord Edgar.
This Lord Edgar didn't seem anything like the demons from the stories.
According to the legends, demons were supposed to be filthy and ugly…
But he was the complete opposite.
"Since you have no more questions, have you decided yet?"
"Huh?"
Black Eyes blinked, a little lost.
"About becoming my subordinate."
Edgar gave her a helpless look.
From what he remembered, Black Eyes wasn't supposed to have the "airhead" trait.
She finally realized and asked seriously,"Lord Edgar, is this an order?"
"And if it were, how would you answer?"
Black Eyes dropped to one knee, voice firm."Then I would follow your will."
Edgar: "…."
Wow, your personality really is a bit broken.
For a moment, Edgar didn't even know how to respond.
Sensing the strange look in his eyes, Black Eyes felt an unfamiliar emotion rise in her chest.
For her, orders had always been everything.
But now… Lord Edgar's gaze was something she'd never seen before.
This feeling was… strange.
Before she could figure it out, Edgar said,"I'd actually prefer if you became my subordinate by choice, from the heart."
"No, it's just—"
She tried to explain, but Edgar cut her off.
"Actually, there are a lot of benefits to becoming my subordinate."
His eyes were deep, locking onto her pitch-black, beautiful gaze.
"Immortality. Eternal youth."
"And even greater power — enough to bring your sister back."
The moment those words left his mouth, her lifeless eyes lit up.
Right…
And then there was Akame, that innocent fool.
If she had enough strength, she could keep her sister by her side forever.
She took a deep breath, staring at Edgar without blinking.
"I want to become stronger."
"I don't want to lose anything ever again. Even if I have to become a demon, I don't care."
"Good."
Edgar's lips curved into a smile."Then take off your outer coat."
"…Huh?"
Her eyes went wide, and her ears turned crimson.
Was this… already the "join the harem and offer yourself" step?
But General Esdeath was still right here!
Wasn't this a little too bold?
Even as she thought that, Black Eyes carefully slipped off her outer coat.
Her black inner clothes made her pale, smooth skin seem almost like polished jade.
Seeing this, Edgar extended a finger and let a drop of blood fall.
Buzz!
Brilliant light flashed, and a strange sigil appeared briefly on her skin.
Countless mysterious characters floated within the glow.
Thump! Thump-thump!
Her heartbeat grew faster and heavier.
Black Eyes could feel her body undergoing a massive transformation — flesh, bones, even her organs were changing.
Especially her back and tailbone.
"Ah… it itches…"
Her eyes went wide."It's like… something's about to come out…"
As she spoke, the skin on her back writhed.
Rip!
A pair of sleek black wings burst out from her body.
A small, delicate demon tail shot out as well, poking Edgar right in the chest.
Without thinking, Edgar grabbed it in his hand, gently squeezing.
"Hhhhhh—"
Black Eyes' legs went weak, and she plopped onto the floor, thighs pressing together.
Her gaze grew hazy.
"???"
Edgar blinked, letting go of her tail.
"Haah—!"
Black Eyes hurriedly pulled her tail back, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
"Looks like your tail is pretty unique, Black Eyes."
Edgar gave her a deep look.
It's not like he hadn't grabbed Esdeath's tail before — but none of them reacted this much.
"Interesting…"
He smiled faintly, then shifted his focus to check her stats.
[Black Eyes]
Race: Demon
Master: Edgar Lucifergus
Level: LV27
Skill: Corpse Manipulation
Corpse Manipulation: Can modify corpses using her own power and control them freely.
Looking at her skill, Edgar's expression became a bit strange.
Well now… out of all his subordinates, she was the first with a skill that truly fit a demon.
Then!
He thought of himself.
Corpse Manipulation + Infinite Mana…
As long as he had enough corpses, couldn't he literally form an army all by himself?
"Lord Edgar, what are you writing?"
Black Eyes, now recovered, asked curiously.
"Your stats."
He explained briefly, then handed her the written data.
She took it without thinking and began reading.
"Corpse Manipulation…"
Her eyes flickered — this was similar to her Eight-Room skill, March of the Dead.
But obviously, this was stronger.
She glanced at the blade in her hand.
Sorry, but from now on you're just going to be a regular weapon.
Then her gaze moved up to her level.
LV27.
"Master, how do I level up?" she asked curiously.
"Normally, killing enemies earns you experience."
Edgar smiled, a strange light in his eyes."But if you want to level up quickly… there's another way."
"What way?"
He didn't answer — instead, he simply put the secret to getting stronger right in front of her.
"…???"
Black Eyes blinked.
This was the secret?
Something felt… off.
"..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________