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The night spilled down like water through the window. Moonlight mingled with the warm glow of the lamps, bathing the room in shifting colors.
Edgar rolled his shoulders and pulled up Anna's status window.
[Anna]
Race: Demon
Master: Edgar Lucifergus
Level: LV13
Skill: Eye of Insight
Effect: Sharply heightens perception, allows prediction of enemy movements, and can replicate an opponent's actions.
"Not bad," Edgar murmured, lips curling into a faint smile. "Jumped up four levels in one go, huh? Guess my training wasn't wasted on you."
Freya, curious, tried to sneak a look at the display, but Edgar caught her and yanked her close. His palm pressed her down before she could protest.
"Since you're here," he said casually, "how about cleaning up before you leave?"
Smack!
That all-too-familiar sting spread across her cheek. Freya froze—defying her master wasn't even a thought she dared entertain.
"Here, here, and here," Edgar pointed around the room with deliberate slowness. "Every corner spotless. And don't even think about slacking off… or I'll get very upset."
"Y-yes… understood, Master…"
Her meek smile bloomed instantly as she moved into action. The proud princess she once was no longer existed—what remained was a servant, wholly owned by her master. Cleaning came naturally now, almost second nature.
But still… her body felt different. Stronger. The power coursing through her veins grew by the day. Freya's expression twisted into something unreadable. She had fallen so far, and yet… she couldn't deny she liked it more and more. The leaps in strength she'd gained during this time were beyond anything she'd ever imagined possible.
"Haa…"
Edgar let out a long breath. The benefits of having vassals were undeniable—so many tasks no longer needed his direct hand.
—
The next morning, Anna stirred awake, stretching lightly before her eyes fell on Freya. Her face drained of color.
"Freya… you…?"
She stared in shock at Freya's battered state, but before she could speak further, she felt Edgar's gaze cut toward her. Panic flashed across her features.
"M-Master, um… I'll go make breakfast!"
With that, Anna bolted from the room like a startled rabbit.
"This girl…"
Edgar chuckled, shaking his head. He made no move to stop her. After all, she'd only just broken through to a mid-rank demon last night—pushing her further so soon would be dangerous.
Stretching lazily, he turned his eyes toward Freya, who was doing a very poor job of pretending to still be asleep.
Smack!
His hand came down again, leaving yet another red mark layered atop the countless others.
"Hhhss—" Freya hissed, sucking in a sharp breath. She looked up at him pitifully, eyes glistening.
"Master… please, have mercy…"
"Relax. That's enough for now." Edgar chuckled softly. "Oh, right—you wanted to learn cooking, didn't you?"
"Go help Anna out."
Freya let out a quiet sigh of relief the moment Edgar gave the order. Powering up was great and all, but if it went on nonstop, it was just… exhausting.
She straightened her clothes and hurried toward the kitchen. Almost immediately, the sound of chaos erupted—pots clattering, chickens and dogs practically flying everywhere, and every so often… a small explosion.
By the time Edgar was finally called in for breakfast, an entire hour had passed.
He stared down at the plate set in front of him. The food was pitch-black, completely unrecognizable. Silence stretched.
"…This is what you made?"
"I'm sorry, Master," Anna murmured, guilt written all over her face.
"Master," Freya added quickly, "we used up all the ingredients… Should I run out and buy more?"
"No need," Edgar said, shaking his head. "We'll eat outside. There are more important things to do today."
"Important things?" both Anna and Freya echoed in unison, curiosity sparking in their eyes.
Edgar didn't bother to hide it. He laid out everything he knew about the so-called Star Spirit.
"To think… there's actually a Star Spirit in this region."
Freya tilted her head thoughtfully. "So then, Master… you want to claim the power that the spirit grants?"
"Of course not," Edgar replied easily, lips quirking with amusement. "I'm only interested in the spirit itself."
"…"
The two girls exchanged a look, each seeing the same thought mirrored in the other's eyes. Their master really was, without question, a hopelessly lustful demon.
—
After their less-than-successful breakfast, the trio set out for the forest.
The woods were dense, filled with hidden dangers and prowling monsters. Even seasoned adventurers often steered clear of going too deep.
But for Edgar and his two companions? It was barely worth mentioning.
Anna led the way, clearing a path with steady confidence. When the stronger beasts showed themselves, Freya would step in to finish the fight.
[EXP +10]
[EXP +36]
[EXP +39]
As the glowing notifications flickered before his eyes, Edgar's gaze sharpened with interest.
"These monsters are stronger than I expected," he muttered. "At this rate, Anna will level up again in no time. Even I'm getting a decent share of experience out of this."
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Not bad… this place might just be the perfect training ground. I should bring Shihō and the others here sometime to grind."
He let his awareness expand, senses spreading through the forest like a net. Somewhere in here, hidden by the trees, was the lake where the Star Spirit was said to reside.
The exact location wasn't clear. He'd have to find it himself.
It didn't take long before something caught his attention—an area shrouded in an invisible aura, a protective force that kept the monsters at bay.
"There," he said, his eyes lighting up. "Head that way."
Freya and Anna fell in step behind him as they pressed forward.
And then, at last, the forest parted to reveal it: a lake, crystal waters rippling with light, beautiful beyond words.
"No doubt about it. This is the place."
By now, Edgar had lost track of how many monsters they had slain to get here.
Edgar rubbed his chin, a faint headache tugging at him."Summoning a spirit isn't exactly simple… what a pain."
"Forget it, maybe brute force would be easier."
"Wait, Master—let me try."
Before Edgar could make up his mind, Freya quickly spoke up. "I've studied some spirit language before. It might work."
His eyes lit up instantly. "Perfect. I'll leave it to you, then."
Freya stepped forward, facing the quiet lake. Her lips moved, reciting words in an ancient, mysterious tongue. The sound was soft yet powerful, carrying a weight that didn't seem to belong to this era.
Almost at once, the night sky shimmered as if scattered with countless stars.
A brilliant pillar of blue light erupted above the lake, piercing heaven and earth as though it connected dimensions themselves.
And within that light—
A graceful figure slowly appeared, her form unfolding like a vision. Transparent wings spread behind her, shining faintly.
The woman's pointed ears marked her unmistakably as an elf. Her long emerald hair cascaded freely, framing delicate features. Her beauty was fresh and innocent, yet carried an alluring charm that lingered beneath the surface.
Draped in sheer white silk that wound around her body, her perfect proportions were revealed in all their elegance.
She opened her eyes, her voice soft and clear."Mortals, I am the Spirit of the Stars. Tell me, what is it that you seek?"
But halfway through speaking, her tone shifted in surprise."Wait… you aren't human? That's strange. Your presence is unlike anything I've ever encountered. What race are you?"
"Sharp senses," Edgar chuckled. "We're demons."
"Demons…?" Her brows furrowed. "No. You're nothing like them. Completely different."
She shook her head, then straightened. "Whatever the case, if you're not human, then I have no reason to entertain you."
She turned, ready to vanish back into the light—
But froze.
Her breath hitched. For a moment, her body wouldn't move.
Because she had met Edgar's gaze.
He wasn't doing anything—just looking at her with calm, steady eyes. Yet it sent a chill through her, like icy fingers closing around her heart.
A suffocating pressure wrapped around her entire being.
Her pulse raced wildly, her chest tightening until she thought her heart might burst. Sweat soaked through her silk robes in an instant.
"..."
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