A moment later,
in the Imperial Palace's grand hall,
Kurome's ears were completely red.
Her gaze darted around, not daring to look into Linde's eyes at all.
She had just been… been seen.
A wail of despair echoed in Kurome's heart.
Being seen by a man—this was the first time such a thing had happened.
Linde looked at Kurome and smiled, "Do you still have any questions now?"
"No… but it's still somewhat incredible."
Kurome's expression was a bit complex.
Demons, such beings actually existed.
No wonder he could so easily take control of the Empire.
How could humans contend with such creatures?
However… she secretly glanced at Linde.
This Lord Linde seemed completely different from the demons in legends.
According to legends,
shouldn't demons be filthy and ugly?
But Lord Linde was the complete opposite.
"Since there are no questions, have you thought it through?"
"Hmm?"
Kurome was a bit confused.
"About becoming my Retainer/Subordinate."
Linde looked at her with a hint of helplessness.
He remembered that Kurome shouldn't have a natural airhead trait, right?
Kurome also reacted, then seriously said, "Lord Linde, is this an order?"
"If it were, how would you respond?"
Kurome knelt on one knee and seriously said, "Then I will obey your will."
"..."
Your personality is a bit broken, isn't it?
For a moment, Linde was at a loss for how to express himself.
Noticing Linde's complex gaze, a strange emotion rose in Kurome's heart.
For her, orders were everything.
But now...
Lord Linde's gaze was something she had never seen before.
This feeling was so peculiar.
Just as Kurome was at a loss, Linde spoke, "Actually, I would prefer you to become my Retainer/Subordinate out of your own free will."
"No, that..."
Kurome subconsciously wanted to explain, but Linde interrupted her.
"Actually, becoming my Retainer/Subordinate has many benefits."
Linde's gaze was profound as it met Kurome's beautiful, pitch-black eyes.
"Immortality, eternal youth."
"And even gaining greater power to bring your sister back."
As soon as this sentence was uttered, Kurome's lifeless eyes lit up.
That's right.
There's also Akame, that naive girl.
If I had the power, I could keep my sister by my side forever.
She took a deep breath, staring at Linde without blinking.
"I want to become stronger."
"I don't want to lose anything ever again, even if it means becoming a demon, I don't care."
"Very good."
Linde's lips curved into a smile as he spoke, "Then take off your outer garment."
"Ah?"
Kurome's eyes widened, and her earlobes were already flushed red.
Is it already time to join the harem and offer herself?
General Esdeath is still here.
Isn't that a bit too bold?
Thinking this, Kurome still cautiously took off her outer garment.
A black undergarment accentuated her smooth, fair skin, making it appear as luminous as jade.
Seeing this, Linde also extended his finger and dripped blood onto her.
Buzz!
A brilliant light flashed, and a heart-shaped pattern briefly appeared on her skin.
Countless mysterious characters emerged above the light.
Thump! Thump-thump!
Her heartbeats grew more intense.
Kurome felt her body undergoing drastic changes.
Whether it was her flesh and bones or her internal organs, everything was transforming.
Especially the areas on her back and coccyx.
"So... itchy..."
Kurome's eyes widened, "It feels like... something is coming out..."
As her words fell.
The skin on her back rippled.
Pfft!
A pair of slender black wings had already burst forth from her body.
A small, exquisite heart-shaped tail tip shot out directly, poking Linde's chest.
Linde subconsciously grasped it in his hand, gently kneading it.
"Hiss..."
Kurome's legs went weak, and she plopped onto the ground, her thighs clenching slightly.
Her gaze gradually became hazy.
"???"
Linde was a little surprised and released her tail.
"Whew!"
Kurome quickly retracted her tail, feeling as if the world was spinning.
"It seems your tail, Kurome, is very special, one-qi-eight-passed-qi-four-gull."
Linde gave Kurome a deep look.
He had grabbed the tails of Esdeath and the others before.
But their reactions weren't this extreme.
"Interesting..."
Without knowing what he was thinking, Linde's lips curved into a smile, and only then did he focus his attention on Kurome's attributes.
[Kurome]
[Race: Demon]
[Master: Linde Lucifergus]
[Level: LV27]
[skill: Corpse Manipulation]
[Corpse Manipulation: Can use one's own power to modify corpses and control them at will.]
...Looking at Kurome's skill.
Linde's expression was somewhat subtle.
Good heavens.
Among so many Retainer/Subordinates, a skill befitting a demon has finally appeared.
Then!
Linde thought of himself.
[Corpse Manipulation] and [Infinite Magic Power]
These two skills combined.
If he had enough corpses, couldn't he form an army by himself?
"Lord Linde, what are you writing?"
Kurome, having recovered, asked curiously.
"Your attributes."
After a brief explanation, Linde handed over the copied data.
Kurome subconsciously took it and began to read.
"Corpse Manipulation..."
Looking at her skill, Kurome blinked.
It seemed to overlap with the ability of March of the Dead: Yatsufusa.
However, this skill was clearly stronger.
She glanced at the sword in her hand.
Sorry, from now on, you'll just be an ordinary weapon.
Subsequently!
Kurome's gaze moved up to her level.
LV27.
She asked curiously, "Master, how can I raise my level?"
"Under normal circumstances, you can gain experience by slaying enemies."
Linde smiled, a hint of something unreadable flashing in his eyes, "However, there are other ways if you want to level up quickly."
"What way?"
Linde did not answer, but instead, through practical action, placed the secret to becoming stronger before Kurome.
"???"
Kurome blinked.
This is the secret?
Is something not right here?