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Edgar's Villa.
A flash of light.
Edgar and the others materialized inside the magic circle.
"Master." ×N.
Sensing Edgar's presence, Shiho Miyano and the others immediately rushed over.
He'd just gone out for a little "job"... and then vanished for an entire day and night.
And here they were, still desperate to get stronger.
Irina Shidou's voice trembled with both fear and anger as she demanded,
"...What exactly do you want from us?"
Shiho and the rest stiffened.
Alright then. Looks like Master had been off handling business again. And, judging by the situation, he'd brought back a few more "companions."
Edgar's lips curved in a half-smile."Obviously—to make you pay the price for your actions."
As he spoke, he raised his hand, golden blood seeping from his fingertip.
"My advice to the two of you—behave yourselves."
The moment the words left him, Rinali moved without hesitation. She tugged at Xenovia's and Irina's clothing, exposing skin with a disturbingly practiced motion.
The sight made Eriri's eyelid twitch.
"Uh, sis, isn't this... going a bit too far?" she muttered.
"You're new, right?" Rinali tilted her head, smiling sweetly. "When I was first brought in, Master did the exact same thing to me."
"And now, I couldn't be more grateful for his gift."
Eriri: "..."
Good grief.
Something about all this felt seriously wrong. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but... Rinali's behavior was getting less and less normal by the day.
"Nicely done, Rinali."
"Thank you, Master!"
Her eyes sparkled like a starry sky. "Then, for the next 'first batch'... could you give it to me?"
"Of course."
Edgar nodded, then, without further hesitation, let drops of his golden blood fall onto Xenovia's and Irina's skin.
"Ugh..."
"Ahh—!"
Two very different cries spilled out as the markings took shape.
Buzz!
Golden light flared, mysterious runes glowing across their bodies.
A wet ripping sound—
Dark wings burst from their backs.
A slender tail tipped with a heart-shaped barb slipped free of their white robes.
Edgar ignored the transformations themselves, instead focusing on the data that appeared before him.
[Xenovia Quarta]
Race: Demon
Master: Edgar Lucifer
Level: LV14
Skill: Natural Holy Sword Wielder
Natural Holy Sword Wielder: Any weapon you wield can transform into a holy sword.
[Irina Shidou]
Race: Demon
Master: Edgar Lucifer
Level: LV13
Skill: Rubber Body
Rubber Body: Your physique gains properties similar to rubber.
Edgar nodded to himself. Not bad at all.
The Holy Sword Wielder ability—combined with sword skills, that could be terrifying. If they ever got their hands on a real Holy Sword... who knew how strong it would be?
As for Rubber Body—looked pretty useless on the surface, but in fights between familiars, it could be surprisingly handy.
Glancing downward, Edgar's lips curved again. Looked like he'd just acquired his own personal Ruyi Jingu Bang.
"You... what have you done to us?"
Xenovia stared at his demonic wings, his whole world crashing down around him.
Edgar casually undid their restraints, answering lightly, "As you can see—you're demons now. My familiars."
"Here's a piece of advice."
Rinali chimed in sweetly, "If you two don't want to suffer, you'd better not entertain any thoughts of betraying Master."
It wasn't kindness. Far from it.
With two more in the fold, the share of Master's potions might shrink. So naturally, she had every reason to hope these newcomers learned their place quickly.
"You've got to be kidding me. Turning me into a demon—this is blasphemy against God, you—ahhhhhh!"
Xenovia's furious roar broke off into screams of raw pain.
Irina said nothing, but her glare was burning with pure hatred, malice boiling inside her.
..
Naturally, punishment followed.
"Ahhh!"
Xenovia and Irina trembled, their bodies shaking as they struggled to endure the pain.
To show such disgrace in front of a devil…What a joke.They were warriors of the Church. They wouldn't be underestimated.
Edgar clapped his hands lightly as he watched the two holy sword wielders grit their teeth in defiance.
"I'll admit, your willpower isn't bad. I'll give you that."
He stepped forward, pressing a hand down on Xenovia's shoulder.
An indescribable pressure spread through the room.
Her body was forced down, crashing against the sofa.
Looking down at her from above, Edgar said calmly,
"But what's the point of it all? After all, your God has been dead for a long time."
The words stunned not only Xenovia and Irina, but even Asia froze on the spot.
The impact of his statement was too great.
"No… impossible. You're lying. You'll never shake my faith in the Lord!" Xenovia forced the words out, her voice rough with pain but still defiant.
"I don't lie," Edgar replied. "Think carefully. Haven't you noticed? At some point, the angels your God created stopped producing new life. Haven't you seen countless devout believers mysteriously fall, branded heretics, abandoned by God? Did you never question it?"
Each word landed like a hammer blow, striking deep into the hearts of Xenovia and Irina.
On the side, Asia's eyes rolled back and she fainted outright.
Edgar tilted Xenovia's chin up, locking eyes with her. "So what exactly is it you're clinging to?"
Her expression shifted completely. She wanted to refute him, but everything he said was true. Once, long ago, she'd harbored the same doubts. She just hadn't dared to face them.
With a strangled cry, she shouted, "Lies! All of it's lies! You're trying to trick me!"
"Is that so? I happen to have a witness. Isn't that right, Raynare?"
Raynare unfurled her black fallen angel wings, speaking with sincerity. "The master is telling the truth. That's why we fell in the first place—because we knew God was gone."
That was the final straw.
Tears spilled silently from Xenovia's eyes as she glared at Edgar her voice hoarse. "If the Lord is no longer here… then becoming a devil doesn't matter anymore."
"In that case, let me see your resolve."
Edgar brought forth the Proof of Loyalty and placed it before her.
"From this moment, my servants—and I—will all be your family. Make your choice, and you'll have a home once again."
For the first time, Xenovia's eyes lit with a fragile spark.
Her breathing grew heavier, her heartbeat pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.
"A home… I can have a home again…"
Slowly, she reached forward, her pale, slender hand trembling.
Seeing her decision, Edgar's lips curved into a smile of satisfaction.
"Feel it, Xenovia. Once you cross this step, you'll grow stronger."
Her gaze firmed. She swallowed hard.
In an instant, the pain that wracked her body vanished, replaced by an endless surge of power welling up inside.
"This strength… I'm growing stronger…"
Xenovia marveled at the change, casting off the last shred of hesitation.
"Liars… the Church, they're all liars!"
Irina's face twisted in anguish. She looked like a wounded puppy as she instinctively stumbled toward them.
She nearly fell, but Edgar caught her gently, steadying her.
He stroked her twin pigtails with a soft hand and whispered, "From here on out, your good days begin."
"..."
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