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Hearing Edgar's words, Najenda's pale ears flushed red.
Almost without meaning to, Leonai's teasing voice popped into her mind:
Boss, this is the weapon I picked out for you. Don't waste the chance—can't keep falling behind, you know.
The thought alone was enough to send a pink glow spreading across Najenda's cheeks.
But still—It was time. She had to make up her mind.
A spark of determination flickered in her eyes.
Edgar raised an eyebrow at her expression.He'd only been joking around… but it looked like he was about to get something extra out of it.
"Master, wait here a moment," Najenda blurted, and then she all but bolted out of the hall.
"…??" Edgar blinked.What just happened?Did she just ditch me?
But before he could think too hard about it—
Tap, tap, tap.
The sharp echo of footsteps carried through the chamber. Najenda returned, her figure reappearing in the doorway.
And this time… her outfit was completely different.
Her silver-white hair framed two upright, snowy rabbit ears. Tight black leather clung to her body, every curve outlined with dangerous precision. At her lower back, a fluffy tuft swayed lightly, unmistakably a rabbit's tail.
A bunny girl.The words formed instantly in Edgar's mind.
"Um… it looks weird, doesn't it…?" Najenda's skin flushed pinker by the second.Of course it was a mistake listening to that idiot's nonsense. This was way too embarrassing.
"No. Like this, I really like you," Edgar said as he stepped closer, sliding an arm around her and pulling her against him. His hand brushed over her rabbit ears, gently squeezing.
The lightest graze of his fingertips made Najenda's body jolt.
Edgar leaned down, his voice low at her ear."Be honest. Whose idea was this?"
"I–It was all Leonae! She just gave it to me!" Najenda's breath quickened as she confessed without hesitation, betraying her comrade on the spot. Her face burned scarlet, like an apple ripened past its peak.
Seeing her like this, Edgar straightened unconsciously. The contrast was so strong it almost threw him off balance.
"…Anyway. Since your arm regenerated, you're probably not used to fighting with it yet, right? You can ask me anything." His tone shifted back to serious.
"T-Thank you, Master. I… I do have some doubts," Najenda admitted with a small smile. Then, after a beat of hesitation, she dropped into a fighting stance.
Her movements were quick, sharp—but to Edgar's trained eyes, openings were obvious. With a quick step, he caught both of her long rabbit ears between his hands.
"As expected of Master… you're too strong," she panted, sweat soaking her back, though her eyes still burned with resolve. She refused to give in.
And under her relentless effort, her aura began to climb steadily, stronger with every exchange.
Her strikes came faster, heavier, her power exploding outward in wide, sweeping attacks. Paired with her unnatural regeneration, she fought like an unstoppable beast.
Even Edgar had to frown slightly, raising his strength to match her.
The training was brutal—but the results spoke for themselves.
[Najenda]
[Race: Demon]
[Master: Edgar Lucifergus]
[Level: 29]
[Skill: Rapid Regeneration]
[Rapid Regeneration: As long as a single drop of blood remains, flesh and bone can be restored.]
"Not bad. Went up two whole levels." Edgar nodded to himself, satisfied with her growth.
"Haa… Master…" Najenda opened her eyes, fighting spirit still crackling in their depths.
Edgar inhaled through his teeth.
Edgar drew in a sharp breath.
Super-speed regeneration… terrifying.
Inside the dining hall, Mine and Sheele both flinched at Najenda's voice, which rang out like a harsh note in the air.
Across from them, Eriri's pretty face had flushed red, her breathing uneven.
Mine's gaze turned curious at the sight.
Noticing her stare, Eriri stiffened, her cheeks blazing even hotter.
N-no way. She waved her hands frantically, as if to explain, but no words came out.
Damn it, there's no way I can explain this.It's all that guy's fault.
He's been way too relentless lately.
These past few days, she hadn't been acting like herself at all.
Sheele tilted her head, blinking innocently. "Miss Eriri, are you okay?"
"Are you sick? Do you need Dr. Lubbock to take a look at you?"
Mine's eyelid twitched at that.
Her level of cluelessness was honestly absurd.
"Mine, it's not what you think."
"But Miss Eriri really doesn't look well," Sheele pressed, her expression filled with concern.
She glanced back at Eriri. "I'm right, aren't I, Miss Eriri?"
Eriri: "…"
Where's a hole in the ground when you need one? She wanted to crawl in and disappear.
Seeing Eriri's mortified look, Mine quickly shifted the topic. "Miss Eriri, could you tell me more about Lord Edgar?"
They had only just joined Night Raid.
All they knew was that Lord Edgar was the one in charge. Beyond that, nothing.
Which was exactly why she wanted to know more.
Even Sheele's face showed interest.
Eriri looked as though she'd just been pardoned and quickly began to explain.
But every so often, a sharp, almost strained sound escaped her, cutting off the conversation and leaving the air awkwardly heavy until it passed.
"So that's how it is." ×2
By the time she finished, Mine and Sheele's eyes were wide with shock.
Lord Edgar… was actually a demon?
And all the women they'd seen around him were his familiars?
But soon, their expressions softened.
The revelation didn't really bother them.
Because both of them understood—
Whether someone was good or bad… didn't depend on what they were born as, or even what they claimed to be.
It depended on what they actually did.
The Empire's officials and nobles—they had looked polished and respectable, but inside they were cruel monsters. That was the real kind of devil.
Lord Edgar, on the other hand…
Even as a demon, he had truly changed the country for the better.
He was, without a doubt, a good man.
And being a demon came with overwhelming power.
Immortality, eternal youth—never having to grow old.
At that thought, Mine's chest sank a little.
If she hadn't been invited to become his familiar… did that mean she wasn't worthy?
At that moment, Sheele reached out and gently patted her head.
Mine blinked at her in surprise. "You don't have to comfort me, Sheele. It must be because I'm not good enough yet."
Sheele tilted her head again, as though puzzled.
Then she whispered softly, "Do you… want to become Lord Edgar's familiar?"
"I… I've thought about it, but…"
"Then why don't we just ask him directly?"
Mine: "???"
Sheele blinked her big eyes and smiled. "Isn't asking him better than overthinking?"
Mine: "…"
…She had a point. Mine found herself completely unable to argue back.
Eriri's face was full of question marks.
What on earth was going on?
All she did was try to steer the conversation in another direction.
How did things escalate into… this?
Wait a second. Did that basically make her the one helping her master build a harem?
The next morning.
Edgar stepped out of his room refreshed and energized.
His accelerated regeneration really was incredible. But luckily, his skills were sharper still.
He headed for the dining hall, and when he saw the long table covered with dishes made by the Danger Beasts, his appetite instantly kicked in.
He had been away for a while, and honestly, he'd missed their cooking.
Twice as much, in fact.
But before he could even pick up his chopsticks, there was a loud thud.
"Hm?"
Edgar turned his head and saw Mine dragging Sheele down.
Thud!
Another sound followed as Sheele was pulled onto her knees.
"…???"
Edgar blinked. "What are you two—"
"Lord Edgar, please let us become your dependents!"
Mine and Sheele spoke at the exact same time.
"That straightforward?"
Eriri was dumbfounded.
Yesterday they'd just talked it over, and today they were already throwing the fastball?
"And why do you two want to become my dependents?" Edgar asked, looking down at them.
"To better help build this nation."
"I want to stay with Mine."
Edgar nodded slightly, not saying anything more, only watching them in silence.
The mood in the dining hall shifted.
Every other dependent had set down their chopsticks, quietly watching how this would play out.
Najenda staggered in just then and caught sight of the scene.
Those two—she was the one who had personally approved their recruitment into Night Raid.
Of course, aside from her master's demand that every new recruit be a beautiful girl, she had carefully assessed their personalities and convictions as well.
Her impression of them was nothing short of excellent.
If they wanted to become dependents alongside the others, she would raise both hands in support.
But ultimately, the decision rested with her master. All she could do was watch.
Najenda glanced at Edgar with a slightly odd expression.
Given his personality, there was no way he'd reject them. Otherwise, he would've turned them away yesterday after their first meeting.
Was this… another way of "eating the fish"?
Among everyone present, only Belmode wore a half-smile.
A stick in one hand, a sweet date in the other—
That trick? She knew it well.
"..."
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