Senjougahara Hitagi stared in shock at everything before her.
Snow-capped peaks layered one after another, and forest streams connected into a single expanse.
Such a beautiful scene had completely mesmerized Senjougahara Hitagi.
But very quickly...
...ferocious beasts rampaged out.
In an instant...
...the mountains trembled with ripples, and the streams churned violently.
The beasts invaded without restraint, destroying everything.
"This..."
Eriri was completely startled awake.
She saw several seniors, seemingly crying profusely from pain.
As if in fear, or perhaps regret, they were wailing.
"I was wrong, I was truly wrong."
"We shouldn't have thought that with the strength of a few people, we could challenge Master."
"Next time, next time I will gather more people and let Master see our strength."
Hearing the faint words of Shiho Miyano and the others, Linde sneered.
Weight Manipulation and Rubber Body, combined with Iron Body, concentrated his power at a single point.
They spoke nicely.
Yet they still wanted to gather forces to attack him.
It seems he must assert Master's authority this one time.
To let them know the price of insubordination.
With the combined force of the three skills, and his waist and stance aligned, they were already sent flying.
"Ah ah ah ah!"
Amidst the ear-piercing clang of swords, several figures successively fell to the ground. 257
At this moment, Eriri fully recovered her senses.
She now realized that she had ultimately been drawn in.
It was also her own fault; she had lingered for too long.
The only thing worth being relieved about was that her goal had been more or less achieved.
On this point, Senior Shiho had indeed kept her promise.
In this situation, she could only blame herself for being too slow.
And at this moment...
...a long, warm hand reached out and gently cupped Eriri's head.
The moment of contact, Eriri's pupils constricted deeply.
Like a young pigeon returning to its nest, she nestled into Linde's embrace.
Immediately, Linde felt the impact of the young girl.
"Master, I'll still be in charge of cleaning, right?"
Eriri looked up, gazing at Linde pitifully, her ears slightly flushed.
Participating in a companion's battle...
...she still hadn't mentally prepared for it.
Linde lowered his head, gazing into Eriri's eyes.
"That won't do. To increase your strength, you must have a strong mind."
"Since you've already taken that step, don't fall behind others, am I right, Riri?"
The gentle and warm words made Eriri's eyes unfocused, and tears welled up in her developed tear ducts.
"Master... you're right... Riri also needs to take another step forward."
A timid voice rang out, but it was full of determination and resolve.
Linde smiled slightly, his large hand already pressing down on Eriri's head.
Without any hesitation, Eriri gave her most resolute response.
After completely integrating into the Retainers, a sense of happiness, from within and without, filled her entire body, and the joy of growing stronger transformed into tears.
Watching this scene, all the other Retainers showed knowing smiles.
Knowing that Linde was helping a companion integrate into the group, they did not disturb him.
On the other side, Senjougahara Hitagi was completely dumbfounded.
Who am I?
Why am I here?
What in the world is happening to this world?
She covered her face, but her eyes were wide, peering through the gaps in her hands at everything.
Senjougahara Hitagi's cheeks were flushed, feeling intensely hot.
Beside her, Izuki Tomo, who had remained motionless, finally came to her senses and approached Linde.
"You..."
Senjougahara Hitagi hesitated, her eyes filled with complexity.
If this continued...
...wouldn't she be the only one who didn't fit in?
Looking again, Izuki Tomo knelt on both knees, performing a standard dogeza.
"Master, Tomo also wants to continue getting stronger, together with everyone in the Retainers..."
She clutched Linde's trouser leg, her face full of humility and flattery.
After everything that happened yesterday...
...her inner self had long since been broken.
She understood that Linde was the true deity she should worship.
For the great goddess, she willingly offered everything she had.
Although...
...both her body and soul already belonged to Master.
Looking at Izuki Tomo, Linde's lips curved upwards.
He pinched her pretty face: "How about this, you can assist Eriri for now. You both just broke through to Lower-rank Demon, so your powers should be just right."
"Yes, Master."
Listening to their conversation, Eriri let out a surprised gasp.
She felt Izuki Tomo's help, and it was indeed much easier.
However...
...all this time...
...she had been the assistant.
Now that the roles were reversed, it felt strangely embarrassing.
But all of this was Master's command; she couldn't object.
experience 15
experience 36
Linde Lucifergus
Race: Progenitor Demon
Level: LV61
Authority: Progenitor Demon Transformation
Retainers: Grayfia, Shiho Miyano, Akemi Miyano, Esdeath
skills: Demon Contract, Demon Summoning, Infinite Magic Power, Heart of Magic, Magic Gunner, Demon Gun, Demon Mask, Absolute Zero, Corpse Manipulation, Slash, Magical Beast Familiar, Super Regeneration, King of All Beasts, Curse of the Holy Mother, Power of Light, Fallen Angel Form, Demonic Brush, Innate Holy Sword Wielder, Rubber Body, Destruction Magic Power, Destruction Demonic Eye, Living for Death, Phoenix Body, tears of the phoenix, Iron Body, Stealth, Weight Manipulation, Bewitching Eyes.
Looking at the text information, Linde only felt that his understanding of power had deepened another layer.
"Finally, there's been a breakthrough."
Linde let out a sigh.
After becoming a Super Demon Lord, the leveling speed was truly getting slower and slower.
Sensing the change in Linde's aura, the Church trio also hastily gathered around.
"We want to help too, we also want to be able to help Master."
At this moment, Linde was touched.
His achievements today...
...were entirely due to the efforts of himself and his Retainers.
Thinking of this, he turned his gaze to Senjougahara Hitagi.
"How about it? Now you're the only Lower-rank Demon among the Retainers. Do you need my help to break through?"
Hearing Linde's words, Senjougahara Hitagi seemed to come back to her senses, her delicate body trembling violently.
Break... break through?
Are you kidding me?
She suddenly retreated a few steps, twirling her hair with her fingers, and stammered:
"Um, Master, everyone must be hungry now, right? I'll go prepare breakfast for you."
Linde's eyes were playful as he looked at her and said, "In that case, I'll leave it to you."
"This, this is what I should do."
As her words fell, Senjougahara Hitagi was already running towards the stairs, arms and legs moving awkwardly, in a panicked state.
Thud!
As soon as she reached the kitchen, Senjougahara Hitagi plopped onto the floor, feeling like her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
"It's so hot," she said.
She took a breath, fanning her flushed cheeks with both hands.
Also, that damp feeling was too unbearable.
"This damn weather."
The young girl, who had picked up a kitchen knife, could only rage helplessly.
That afternoon.
Soft sunlight streamed through the French windows.
Linde walked into the restaurant feeling refreshed.
His Retainers' skills had indeed made significant progress this month.
But he was still superior.
"Master, where are the other seniors?"
Senjougahara Hitagi, who was preparing the meal, saw Linde, and her expression became complicated.
That long?
Her Master was simply not human.
Wait.
Her Master was a demon, so it was fine.
Just as Linde was about to reply, his expression shifted slightly.
He saw the Demon Summoning skill shining.
"Excellent…"
A smile appeared on Linde's lips.
"I wonder what kind of world it will be this time?"