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Najenda hesitated for a moment before finally asking,"Mr. Edgar, can I ask why you chose us to be your subordinates?"
After all, before making any decision, there are certain things you need to understand.
Leone chimed in,"Yeah, tell me something I like to hear. Like… you picked us because we're super talented or something."
"Well, talent is definitely part of it," Edgar replied seriously. "But the biggest reason… is that you're all beautiful girls."
He wasn't joking in the slightest.
If it were some hideous beast, he wouldn't even be able to bring himself to do it.
Najenda: "..."Leone: "..."
Akame, on the other hand, fell into deep thought.
Uh…She thought about Esdeath, Kurome, and Seiryu.Yeah… that actually checks out.
Akame mumbled to herself,"So the reason you made me your subordinate… is because I look good."
Najenda sighed,"Mr. Edgar, you're surprisingly honest about your desires. Should I say… that's exactly what I'd expect from a demon?"
Even though she said that, a thoughtful glint flashed in her eyes.
Her gut told her—Edgar wasn't lying.
And if that's true…Her ideals might not be as far out of reach as she once thought.
Whatever she was thinking about, it made her eyes shine brighter.
The man standing before her… was currently the ruler of the Empire.If she joined him… maybe things could actually be different.
Najenda took a deep breath and looked straight at him.
"Mr. Edgar, if I agree to become your subordinate… can we work with the Revolutionary Army to change this country?"
If she had his help, they could definitely do it.
"Changing the country? No problem," Edgar said with a faint smile. "I want the nation under my rule to prosper as well."
"But working with the Revolutionary Army? That's a no."
"Why?" Najenda asked, startled. "If we had their support, we could implement reforms much faster. There are many talented people among them."
"My nation doesn't need others meddling in its affairs," Edgar said coolly. "Besides… do you really think the Revolutionary Army is that great?"
"In my eyes, they're just another group of parasites on the Empire—making noise about justice, but really just after power and control."
"No, that's—" Najenda started to defend them, but Edgar cut her off.
"Let me put it more plainly," his eyes locking with hers.
"In the end, the ones truly pulling the strings in the Revolutionary Army… are just the same old nobles from before. Do you really think your ideal Empire needs them?"
Najenda froze.
Leone and Akame also fell silent.
They couldn't deny it.
As Night Raid, their contact with the Revolutionary Army wasn't constant,but it was impossible not to know about the shady things happening inside.
They were still fighting to overthrow the Empire,yet some members had already started oppressing civilians and abusing their power.
It was hard to argue with Edgar's point.
Najenda asked seriously,"Then, Mr. Edgar… how exactly do you plan to change the Empire?"
"I have no interest in governing a country myself. I'd leave all of that to you," Edgar said with a faint smirk. "Whatever ideas you have—you can implement them directly."
"Me? I can really do that?" Najenda whispered.
Got her, Edgar thought. His smile softened.
"Of course you can. Don't think of yourself as powerless—you'll have me backing you."
"And I can give you the strength to grow strong enough to change the entire world. With it, you could overthrow and rebuild the Empire by your own hand if you wanted."
Edgar wanted to conquer the world,but most of his subordinates had no interest in running a country.
Najenda, however, was different—she was the kind of talent he couldn't afford to lose.
Hearing his words, Najenda was completely swayed.
To be honest, he had just opened a whole new path for her.
She hadn't joined the Revolutionary Army because she believed they could change the nation—it was simply because, in a world this rotten, they were slightly better than the Empire.
But now…If she could change the country according to her vision…
On the side, Leone had been listening the whole time—from initial confusion to complete disbelief.
This demon…was actually giving a serious, feasible answer.
Was he even a demon?He was starting to sound more like a god.
Najenda took another deep breath and declared firmly,"Then, Mr. Edgar, please help me change this country. If it means achieving that… I don't mind offering you my soul."
She was prepared to pay any price to achieve her ideals.
Edgar looked at her intently, the corners of his mouth curling upward.
"In that case… from this moment on, you belong to me."
"So… what do I need to do to be reborn as a demon?"
"It's simple," Edgar said. "First, take off your outer coat."
"Huh?"
Leone blinked, interrupting instinctively,"Is this ritual even legit?"
"The coat gets in the way—it's not convenient for marking the seal," Edgar shrugged. "That's all there is to it."
"O-okay…"
Blushing, Najenda removed her coat, now only in her black underclothes.She hugged the coat to her chest, covering some of her bare skin.
"You're still covering the spot," Edgar said helplessly."The marking area's completely blocked."
"F-fine…"
Her face felt burning hot.Right now, she was seriously wondering if becoming a demon had been the right choice—this ritual was way too embarrassing.
Her thoughts scattered instantly when she felt Edgar's blood touch her skin.
"Mmm…"
A flash of light—she could feel something changing inside her.Like a wave of heat welling up from the depths of her soul.
"..."
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