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Hitagi Senjougahara stood frozen, stunned by the sight before her.
Snow-capped peaks stretched endlessly, their ridges folding into each other like layers of silk. Between them, a ribbon of rivers wound through the forests, weaving the whole scene into something breathtaking.
The beauty struck Hitagi so deeply that her mind went blank.
But the illusion didn't last.
A monstrous beast burst forth, its roar ripping through the stillness.
In an instant, the mountains quaked and rippled, the rivers surged as if the earth itself were overturning. The beast rampaged without restraint, tearing apart the serene world around them.
"This…"
Eriri jerked awake, shaken.
She saw the senior members—women she respected—crying out in agony, their voices a mix of pain and regret. Fear clung to them, but so did shame.
"I was wrong… I really was wrong.""We never should've thought a handful of us could stand against Master.""Next time… next time I'll gather more. I'll prove to him that our strength means something."
Hearing their faltering words, Edgar's cold laugh cut through the air.
Weight Control, Rubber Body, and Iron Flesh—three skills merged into one, his power concentrated at a single point.
They could talk big all they wanted. Even dare to plot gathering more forces against him. But defiance had to be answered.
They needed to learn the price of rebelling against their master.
With the fusion of his skills, his strikes landed like thunderbolts.
A shrill sword-cry split the air. One by one, figures collapsed under the blow.
At that moment, Eriri fully snapped back to herself.
She realized the truth: she'd been dragged too far into this.And maybe it was her fault—she'd wasted too much time hesitating.
The only relief was that she'd at least achieved part of what she'd come for. Shiho, her senior, had kept her word.
But now… now she could only blame herself for being so slow.
Then, warmth.
A long, steady hand reached out and gently cradled her head.
The instant their skin touched, Eriri's pupils trembled. Like a fledgling dove returning to its nest, she threw herself into Edgar's chest.
Edgar felt the small shock of her body pressing against him.
"Master… let me keep doing the cleanup work."
Eriri looked up, cheeks burning, eyes wide with pleading. She wasn't ready for real combat—not yet.
Edgar tilted his head down, locking his gaze with hers.
"That won't do. To grow stronger, you need more than effort—you need a strong heart. You've already taken the first step, Eriri. Don't fall behind the others. Am I right?"
His warm, steady words blurred her vision with tears.
"You're right… Master. I'll take another step forward. I will."
Her voice was trembling, but the determination in it rang clear.
Edgar smiled faintly. His hand slid further across her head.
And without hesitation, Eriri gave her most resolute answer.
As she fully merged into his circle of vassals, joy surged through her—happiness so complete it overflowed into tears.
The others, watching, all shared the same knowing smile.
On the other side, Hitagi Senjougahara was unraveling.
Who am I?Why am I here?What in the world is happening?
She pressed her palms against her face, peering through the cracks between her fingers. Her cheeks burned crimson, heat flooding her whole body.
Beside her, Itsuki Shima—who had been silent all this time—finally stirred and stepped forward to Edgar.
Hitagi's lips parted, then closed again, her eyes conflicted.
If this kept up, wouldn't she be the only one left out?
Under Edgar's gaze, Itsuki suddenly dropped to her knees, performing a flawless bow of submission.
"Master, I want to keep growing stronger too. I want to stand with the others."
She clutched at Edgar's trouser leg, her face desperate, needy, pleading.
After everything that had happened yesterday, her heart was already broken down.
She understood now: Edgar wasn't just powerful. He was the one true god she should devote herself to.
And for her divine master, she would gladly give up everything.
Even herself.
Both her body and her soul already belonged to her master.
Edgar's lips curved into a faint smile as he looked at Itsuki Tsutoma.
He pinched her delicate cheek. "Alright then, go lend Eriri a hand for now. You both just broke through to lower-class demon, so your strength should be about evenly matched."
"As you command, Master."
Hearing their exchange, Eriri let out a startled cry.
She could immediately feel Tsutoma's support—it really did make things much easier.
But…
She had always been the one in the supporting role.
Now that their positions were reversed, the shame of it made her cheeks burn.
Still, these were her master's orders. She had no right to object.
[EXP +15][EXP +36]
[Edgar Lucifergus]
[Race: Progenitor Demon][Level: 61]
[Authority: Progenitor Demon Transformation]
[Vassals: Grayfia, Shiho Miyano, Akemi Miyano, Esdeath]
[Skills: Demon Contract, Demon Summoning, Infinite Mana, Heart of Magic, Arcane Gunslinger, Demon Spear, Demon Mask, Absolute Zero, Corpse Control, Blade Arts, Beast Familiar, Super Regeneration, King of Beasts, Curse of the Madonna, Power of Light, Fallen Angel Form, Demon Paintbrush, Innate Holy Sword Wielder, Rubber Body, Destructive Mana, Eyes of Ruin, Death-Defiance, Phoenix Body, Phoenix Tears, Steel Body, Stealth, Weight Manipulation, Mystic Eyes of Enchantment]
Reading through the glowing text, Edgar felt his grasp of power deepen yet again.
"Finally… another breakthrough." He let out a low sigh.
But ever since becoming a Super Demon Lord, leveling up had slowed to a crawl.
Sensing the shift in his aura, the church trio hurried over.
"Let us help too, Master! We want to be useful to you as well!"
That made Edgar's heart warm.
Every step he'd taken to reach this point… he owed to the effort of his vassals as much as his own.
With that thought, he turned his gaze toward Hitagi Senjougahara.
"So? You're the only one still stuck at lower-class demon. Do you want my help breaking through?"
Hitagi stiffened as if waking from a dream. Her slim body trembled.
B-breakthrough? Was he kidding?
She stumbled back several steps, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, stammering, "Uh… M-Master, everyone must be hungry, right? I'll… I'll go make breakfast."
Edgar's eyes gleamed with amusement. "In that case, I'll leave it to you."
"Y-Yes, of course. That's my duty."
Before he'd even finished speaking, she was already scurrying away in a panic, tripping over her own feet as she bolted for the stairs.
Thud!
The moment she reached the kitchen, Hitagi collapsed onto the floor, clutching her chest as her heart pounded out of control.
"So hot… the weather's way too hot…"
She fanned her flushed cheeks with both hands, but that sticky, damp sensation clinging to her body was unbearable.
The girl gripping a kitchen knife could only seethe helplessly at her own flustered state.
Later that afternoon…
"Damn this heat."
Soft sunlight streamed in through the tall windows.
Edgar walked into the dining hall feeling fresh and invigorated. His vassals' strength had made remarkable progress—yet he was still ahead of them all.
"Master, where are the other seniors?"
Hitagi, busy preparing dishes, shot him a complicated look.
So long? He lasted that long? Her master wasn't human.
Wait. Right. He was a demon. That explained it.
Just as Edgar was about to answer, his expression shifted.
The Demon Summoning skill was flaring with light.
"Perfect…" A smile tugged at his lips.
"I wonder what world it'll be this time."
"..."
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