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With the lottery finally over, the members who would accompany Edgar to Brannica were decided.
The chosen four were the Star Elf, Akame, Setsuna, and Mine.
However… Edgar didn't set off right away.
He had something even more important to deal with.
"Miss Esdeath, can you stop already?"
"Hmph, blame your weak strength."
"Damn it, I'm a mage! How am I supposed to compete with you in physical training?"
"That's why… you should train your body more."
Their loud bickering echoed nonstop through the palace.
Because of various reasons, Esdeath, Norn, and Najenda—who hadn't been able to draw lots—had all come knocking on Edgar's door. And not long after that, others who hadn't drawn spots arrived one after another.
Everyone wanted to squeeze in whatever time they had to level themselves up.
When it came to getting stronger, the entire familia's motivation was practically identical.
During Edgar's absence, his personal chambers had undergone a complete renovation, even expanding in size. The capacity had increased drastically. Freya and the Star Elf even pitched in, leaving countless magic arrays with different effects all around.
Edgar continuously cast Rubber Body, Weight Control, and Iron Skin while coaching the group's training.
"Man… what a life…"
Eventually, he just leaned back against the wall, too tired to bother moving.
He'd already spent most of his energy in the main world.
And now he was basically being forced to work overtime again.
Being the master of a familia was seriously exhausting sometimes.
He sighed lightly and checked his status window.
[Experience +10]
[Experience +30]
[Experience +55]
Watching the numbers climb was his only comfort.
At this pace, he was sure he could break through his next bottleneck soon.
A few days later—
Brannica.
Edgar and his group had arrived.
The sight before him was a city that fulfilled every fantasy he'd ever had about another world.
People in strange clothes everywhere, weapons at their hips. Beast-eared folk and others with animal features blended naturally into the crowds.
"Nice. Now this feels like a real isekai."
Edgar smiled as he took it all in.
Here, even with Setsuna being a demi-human, the five of them didn't attract any real attention. Like a drop of water falling into the ocean, there wasn't even a ripple.
"It's hard to believe a city like this exists in this world…"Setsuna stared at the demi-humans drinking and chatting happily with humans, her face full of longing.
"Don't worry. Once we take over this world, every place will look like this."
Edgar ruffled her hair gently.
In this world, humans, demi-humans, and demons could even marry and have children. In essence, they were just different kinds of humans.
With proper guidance, achieving harmony wasn't difficult at all.
This city was the perfect example.
Poke, poke.
Akame nudged his arm.
Edgar turned, smiling. "What is it, Akame?"
"Meat. I want meat."
"Alright, you glutton. Already found a target?"
"Mhm."
Eyes sparkling, she pointed at a tavern not far away.
"The meat there smells really good."
"Let's check it out then."
The moment Edgar and the others entered, they were hit with a wave of heat and lively chatter. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and roasting meat.
"Welcome, dear guests!"
A well-built demi-human waitress hurried over. After glancing at them, she apologized:
"So sorry, the big tables that seat five are all taken. Would you mind sharing a table?"
"Sure. Just bring me one of everything your tavern is good at."
Edgar followed her to a table.
Their arrival immediately drew murmurs of amazement.
"Haha, lucky guy. Bringing so many gorgeous wives with you."
"Yeah, that's what I thought too."
Edgar hadn't chatted with strangers in a while, so he actually found it amusing and joined in comfortably.
Soon their dishes and drinks arrived.
A few cups of alcohol later, the nearby drinkers began speaking more freely.
"You look like you're from out of town."
"And let me tell you, you came to the right place. Only Brannica lets you live peacefully with your demi-human wives."
Hearing that, Setsuna wagged her tail happily while chewing her meat.
She liked what this man was saying.
"I heard human nations are all at war right now. Real dangerous places."
"Here, human blood is precious nourishment. As long as we donate a set amount every month, the demons protect our safety and our homes."
Mine hesitated. "Doesn't that basically make you livestock?"
"Haha, you could say that."
The man sighed. "But it can't be helped. Ten years ago the humans abandoned us. If the lord hadn't made a deal with the demons, we'd all be dead."
Akame and Mine fell silent.
That moment reminded them of the Empire.
If something as small as donating blood could give people peaceful lives…it was far better than how things were under the Empire.
Edgar was just about to speak when he felt something flicker.
His demon contract was glowing.
He instinctively turned—and saw a slim figure enter his view.
A girl in a black cloak, long black hair falling softly behind her. Her pointed ears and jade-white skin made her stand out even without seeing her full figure.
Her crimson eyes were filled with worry, giving her delicate face a fragile, pitiable look.
Well, now. What a coincidence.
Edgar blinked.
He'd messed with the plot so much he thought he wouldn't meet her anymore.
Yet here she was—the Demon King candidate.
"So this is fate choosing for me… mm."
He rubbed his chin and nodded to himself.
The Star Elf: staring intensely
That look told her everything.
Master had found another target.
But… at that moment, she also thought about herself. Maybe she should find a chance to remove herself from the roster.Otherwise, the number of master's followers was getting out of hand…
Meanwhile, Eve—currently being hunted—hadn't noticed Edgar looking at her.
She handed a few copper coins to the waitress. "Um… could I get some food to restore stamina? Thank you."
"Of course, this way."
The waitress seated her right beside Edgar.
Her arrival didn't stop the drunkards from chatting.
"Hey, did you hear? The Demon King is offering a huge bounty for members of the Black-Winged Clan. If I caught one, I could drink and eat meat every day for years!"
Hearing that, Eve clenched her fists without thinking.
If she weren't exhausted…and broke…
She would've left immediately.
Even with the cloak, the features of the Black-Winged Clan were hard to hide.
At that moment, someone leaned toward her.
"Young lady, interested in getting to know each other?"
"..."
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