"No, no, no, no!"
"No, that's absolutely not okay."
Jiang Lihua jumped up from the ground, waving her hands continuously.
She wanted to say something, but was trembling too much to speak.
She wanted freedom, it was true.
But destroying an entire country and such... was far too terrifying.
"Calm down."
CC spoke at the right moment: "With Devils, you need to express your meaning accurately."
Hearing this, Jiang Lihua took deep breaths, finally prostrating herself: "Mr. Devil, the freedom I want is not like this."
"I see."
Ayato rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and said: "I feel like you don't really understand what you truly want."
"Is that so?"
A look of confusion appeared in Jiang Lihua's eyes.
"You are the Empress, but you are under house arrest here."
Ayato's eyes flickered, and he spoke slowly:
"Then, simply put, you just need to end the house arrest to gain freedom, right?"
Hearing this, CC gave him a look, 'You're clearly changing the concept.'
To this, Ayato just smiled casually.
He actually had thoughts about this world.
This world's technology was very advanced. The data on those mechs could definitely yield a lot of Origin Points.
Last time he came, just seeing some mechs had earned him Origin Points.
Even without that, the backing of an entire world meant an endless stream of resources.
The Empire World had already proven this.
While he didn't need those things himself, his servants needed many resources to improve their strength.
So,
This empress who had delivered herself to his door was a good choice.
A puppet and such didn't matter at all.
As long as she had legitimacy, it would save a lot of trouble.
"I-is... is that so?"
Jiang Lihua's expression was blank, somewhat confused.
Ayato continued: "After all, you don't want to leave here and then live in constant fear, being hunted by the Federation, do you?"
Jiang Lihua: "..."
That's right, why hadn't she thought of that?
She didn't understand anything. Even if she escaped, how would she live?
She thought for a moment, then finally said seriously: "Then, Mr. Devil, what should I do?"
Since she had already summoned a Devil, she might as well go all in.
Anyway, the outcome would be better than destroying an entire country.
"Although those eunuchs are corrupt, they hold most of the power in this country."
A look of dimness flashed in Jiang Lihua's eyes.
She had thought about taking back power and truly doing something for this country.
But...
It was too difficult.
The entire Federation, from top to bottom, was already controlled by those eunuchs.
She hoped Mr. Devil could come up with a good idea.
"Power and such... to me, it's even more useless than a fist."
Ayato smiled and said: "Since they hold power, just kill them all."
Jiang Lihua: "..."
'What's happening? How did the topic come back around?'
'Why was it all about killing, killing, killing?'
'Couldn't Mr. Devil come up with some ingenious strategy?'
'Or was this the legendary Devil's way of doing things?'
"You've got one thing wrong."
Ayato gave Jiang Lihua a head-pat and said gently: "So-called power can be held by anyone."
"Once those people are dead, the power vacuum will naturally be filled by others."
"So sometimes, killing is the fastest and best way to solve problems."
"Huh?"
Jiang Lihua's expression was stunned.
When it was put that way, she felt it actually made a lot of sense.
After thinking for a long time, Jiang Lihua bowed again: "Then, I'll leave everything to you, Mr. Devil."
"Don't thank me so quickly. Granting wishes comes at a price."
"Price?"
"That's right. I'm a Devil, not some great philanthropist."
Jiang Lihua's body trembled again.
'It's over!'
'Everything is ruined.'
'How could I forget that?'
'What would I use to complete the transaction?'
'After all, besides the title of Empress, I had nothing.'
'Even ordinary people were probably richer than me.'
"Don't think too much."
Ayato smiled warmly: "It's not something you can't afford."
"After all, I'm only interested in you."
"Wh-what?"
Jiang Lihua's eyes widened.
'So I was really going to be eaten?'
"Don't let your imagination run wild. I just want you to become my possession."
Ayato quickly spoke: "To be precise, to become a Devil, my servant, serving me as your master."
"Like this, you will be freer than anyone else in this world."
"Freer than anyone?"
Jiang Lihua murmured softly.
'If I became a Devil, I would indeed no longer be bound by humans.'
'That would be good.'
'But if I gave up my human identity...'
Thinking this, she looked back over her life and fell silent.
'What kind of life was this puppet existence?'
'If that was the case...'
'I had to make a change.'
'Perhaps Mr. Devil's appearance was a gift from heaven.'
Gradually, her gaze became firm.
"I leave it to you, Master."
Jiang Lihua took a breath and said solemnly: "Let me become the freest person in this world."
"Even if it means becoming a Devil, I don't care."
'This little girl... caught on quickly?'
Hearing the change in address, the corner of Ayato's mouth curled up.
"Oh dear, Ayato-sama."
Just then, CC smiled and said: "What a scumbag, tempting a young girl like this. That's not right."
"Is that so? You don't say that at night."
"Well, the situation is different."
CC smiled charmingly, with an expression that said 'want to try again'.
"I'll let you off for now."
Glaring at CC, Ayato said to Jiang Lihua: "In that case, let's begin the Reincarnation Ceremony first."
"Yes, how do I do it?"
"First, take off your clothes."
"Ah?"