The dining hall hung heavy with tension.
Time ticked by.
Mine felt despair creeping in.
But then Kaiser smiled. "Since you ask so earnestly, I agree."
"R-Really?"
Mine looked up, eyes shining with joy, even misting slightly.
"Thank you, Lord Kaiser, for this chance. I'll serve devotedly."
Longing fulfilled felt like ascending from hell to heaven.
Gratitude overwhelmed her instinctively.
"I'll look forward to it."
Kaiser ruffled her pink hair gently.
Meanwhile, Sheele blinked, still catching up.
Right—Lord Kaiser agreed.
No separation from Mine.
Realization dawned on her face.
"…"
This friend—airheaded beyond belief.
Without her, sold and counting money for the buyer?
Mine sighed, signaling urgently.
Sheele: ???
Oh—plan.
Sheele reacted, hugging Kaiser's leg.
"…"
Strange waves assaulted; Kaiser's gaze turned odd.
No emotion—all technique.
This girl—surprisingly readable.
He eyed Mine meaningfully.
Deceptive appearance—well-prepared.
Planned to string them along.
But so proactive.
Fine.
Sooner or later same.
Goal achieved.
Kaiser covered Sheele's head, fingers rubbing lightly.
Other hand extended finger; golden blood seeped. "Last warning—my peerage members become devils."
"Body and soul mine."
"Yes, Master."
Mine and Sheele nodded eagerly, switching titles seamlessly.
Good coordination.
Kaiser smiled. "Then remove outer clothes."
No hesitation; Mine and Sheele stripped.
Mine unaware of ritual details—why undress?
But Lord Kaiser's command—unquestionable.
She'd resolved before coming.
Sheele simpler.
Pre-discussed with Mine.
Scripted—follow plan.
Unscripted—copy Mine, infallible.
Soon done.
Kaiser inhaled sharply.
Mine clutched clothes to chest shyly.
Red lingerie—revealing cutouts.
Vast fair skin exposed, intensely alluring.
Sheele in matching, full figure outlined perfectly.
Overwhelming vistas.
Eriri gaped, fully flushed.
H-How could they…
Never noticed.
Regret hit.
Why not align earlier?
Shiho's group eyed differently.
These two—no pushovers.
"Master, next?"
Mine asked timidly, face red.
Kaiser felt blood surge, smiling. "Nice outfits—who chose?"
"Oh, Mine picked. Said might need."
Sheele answered honestly, faint blush finally.
Even airheaded—she was female.
First male exposure—shameful.
"Good taste."
Kaiser stroked chin, dripping blood onto Mine and Sheele's skin.
Hum!
Brilliant light; heart patterns flashed.
Thump! Thump thump!
Heartbeats deafening.
Something emerging?
Mysterious runes appeared on skin.
[Mine]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Kaiser Lucifuge]
[Level: LV26]
[Skill: Death March]
[Death March: Heavier wounds, stronger power burst.]
…
[Sheele]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Kaiser Lucifuge]
[Level: LV26]
[Skill: Iron Body]
[Iron Body: Body turns steel-like, vastly boosting defense.]
…
Solid skills.
Kaiser nodded inwardly, stroking chin.
Mine's [Death March]—clutch reversal god-tier.
Sheele's [Iron Body]—intuition said not ordinary steel.
Long experience showed: seemingly plain skills grew with user.
"Here—review."
Kaiser handed transcribed info.
"Oh."
Mine and Sheele, ignoring dressing, read eagerly.
Eyes fixed on skills.
"Death March."
"Iron Body."
Descriptions thrilled them.
Two skills.
For current Kaiser—rarely needed.
But in their hands—game-changing.
"Death March perfect."
Mine excited.
Her Pumpkin—stronger crises, stronger blasts.
With Death March—fight any odds.
Sheele loved [Iron Body].
With Extase—many foes just attack.
Most importantly—they were devils.
Bodies multiplied strength.
Pulsing power within—magic, per Eriri.
All from great Lord Kaiser.
Mine looked up earnestly. "Master, I want rapid growth."
"To fulfill promise—serve you well."
Skin matched hair in red.
"…"
Others' expressions odd.
Well now.
Underestimated.
They were here.
Such resolve—worthy Night Raid assassins.
Facing request, Kaiser smiled. "With such spirit, how refuse?"
Produced level elixir, warning: "But painful."
"Prepare…"
Mine snatched it before finish.
"…"
Warning wasted.
Kaiser ignored, forking steak.
Breakfast overdue—who knew delayed.
Restore stamina first.
Kaiser ate heartily, clearing multiple portions.
Sated, he leaned back, glancing over.
Elixir reacting; timing ripening under Mine's prep.
Though novice, theoretical experience clear.
Some peerage member's work.
Full, Kaiser drowsy.
Time passed.
Mine felt power flooding.
"This… leveling? I'm stronger?"
She swallowed, eyes excited.
Devil wings fluttered; gust woke Kaiser—he slapped lightly.
"Behave."
"Yes, Master."
Mine tucked wings carefully, not disturbing nap.
But level rise emboldened her…
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