Leone: I'm giving up my humanity

Budo's corpse twitched unnaturally twice, then went still for good.

"..."

Watching this, Leone and the other two fell silent.

Though they had been on opposing sides, the world-renowned General Budo had died just like that.

They struggled to recover from the shock for a long time.

"Akame, put the Imperial Arms away."

Lin Luo called out to her as he started walking forward.

"Yes, Master!"

With no owner left, the Imperial Arms were easily removed by Akame, who casually carried them in her hand.

"What do we do next?"

Coming back to her senses, Najenda hurried after him with Leone.

"Let's go see this Empire's emperor."

Lin Luo spoke without looking back.

"Are you going to kill him? But what happens afterward? Running an Empire isn't easy."

Now that she understood Lin Luo's overwhelmingly superior strength, Najenda began considering their next steps.

After all, killing the emperor was easy, but if the Empire simply collapsed without any planning beforehand, there was no telling how much bloodshed would follow.

"Who said I was going to kill him?"

Lin Luo stopped in his tracks.

Najenda immediately bumped into him.

"Oh, you're surprisingly well-endowed."

Lin Luo looked at her, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

"Huh?"

Najenda froze for a moment, then said in embarrassed indignation, "Lord Devil, please take this seriously."

How hadn't I noticed before?

This devil is a pervert.

"What's well-endowed?"

Akame came over and bumped into Lin Luo as well.

Najenda's eyelid twitched at the sight, and she couldn't help saying:

"Akame, you don't need to copy that, do you?"

"Hmm?"

Akame looked puzzled. "Didn't you just do that? And Master seemed happy."

Instinctively, she looked at Lin Luo.

"That's right. Well done."

Lin Luo nodded in approval.

Hearing that, Akame smiled brightly.

"Enough already!"

Najenda covered her forehead, too exhausted to complain any further.

Akame, you're far too adorably clueless.

"Lord Devil, tell us what you're planning."

Seeing the conversation veer off course, Leone had no choice but to intervene. "Why aren't you killing the emperor?"

"Because once he's dead, the Empire will spiral out of control."

Lin Luo stepped forward. "First, I'll use him to control the entire Empire. That's what that minister has been doing, too."

"But will he really obey?"

Najenda murmured under her breath.

"Of course he will. I'm a devil, after all."

"All right..."

The corner of Najenda's mouth twitched.

His appearance was so deceptive that she kept forgetting that detail.

The devils of legend were masters at manipulating people's minds.

They chatted on and off.

For the most part, Lin Luo talked about governing a nation.

Akame's face shone with admiration.

Najenda and Leone wore complicated expressions as well.

This devil was far too versatile.

"Aside from seeming a little lecherous, Lord Devil actually seems pretty decent."

"Yes, he knows an incredible amount about running a nation."

"Boss, he's so handsome and talented. What do I do? I think I'm falling for him."

"..."

The two exchanged looks, until Najenda finally fell silent.

Is my Night Raid going to become this Devil's harem?

Thinking of the two women who would soon report for duty, Najenda felt a headache coming on.

Everyone in the Imperial Palace.

Apart from Budo, they had all been knocked unconscious by the surge of Magic Power.

Their path was therefore completely unobstructed.

Before they knew it, they had reached the emperor's bedchamber.

Seeing the young emperor lying unconscious as well, Lin Luo slapped him without hesitation.

Smack!

The sharp pain made the emperor instinctively open his eyes.

What greeted him was a pair of red eyes, dazzling as gemstones.

They seemed ready to draw his very soul into them.

Illusion magic that controlled others was also commonly used by Devils.

Lin Luo had learned it on the way there.

Gradually!

The young emperor's eyes went blank, and he addressed Lin Luo respectfully. "My lord."

Lin Luo waved his hand. "Stop being an eyesore. Wait for my orders."

"Yes!"

Watching the young emperor leave, Leone asked in astonishment, "That's all it took? You're not going to use that on us too, are you?"

"Would you like me to?"

"W-what are you going to do?"

Leone took a step back, her face full of wariness.

Sure, I like Lin Luo, but it still has to be my choice.

"Relax. Low-level magic like this only works on people with weak wills..."

Lin Luo shook his head and smiled. "Besides, what's the fun in using magic to build a harem?"

"Hey, should you really be saying that out loud?"

Chapter 19: Leone: I'm giving up my humanity

Clang, clang!

In the palace's great hall, Akame wielded an ordinary longsword, moving like a phantom as she attacked Lin Luo relentlessly.

Lin Luo merely raised a hand to block from time to time, remaining firmly rooted to the spot.

"Not bad. Your control over your Magic Power isn't all that precise yet, but you're already starting to draw out the strength of the Knight Class."

Lin Luo evaluated Akame's fighting as he fended off her attacks.

After he took control of the emperor, the earlier unrest within the Imperial Palace had been forcibly suppressed.

As for this training session!

Akame herself had requested it, hoping to adapt to her Magic Power more quickly.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Akame was drenched in sweat and had begun panting heavily.

"All right, that's enough!"

Seeing this, Lin Luo brought the training session to an end.

"Master... am I useless?"

Akame could barely stand, and an apologetic look crossed her face.

Lin Luo shook his head. "No, you're doing very well already. Even though you're a Low-Class Devil now, the vast majority of Mid-Class Devils are no match for you."

"That's right, Akame. Your strength is downright terrifying now."

Leone walked over carrying a jug of wine, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Still, I never expected Devils to have a population shortage. That's a surprise."

She had been there the whole time and had heard most of Lin Luo's explanation of the basics about Devils to Akame.

"What, are you interested?"

Lin Luo glanced at her. "If it's you, I wouldn't turn you down."

"You big pervert. You wouldn't turn down any beautiful woman, would you?"

Leone complained helplessly, but her eyes sparkled with unmistakable interest.

Through Lin Luo's explanations.

She had learned of the many benefits of being a Devil.

Eternal youth, and even immortality, were both possible.

Most importantly, Lin Luo really was her type.

Apart from being a little lecherous, he had practically no flaws.

Ignoring Leone, Lin Luo looked at Akame, who was still gasping for breath. "You've used up all your Magic Power, haven't you?"

"Yes. I'm terribly sorry."

Akame nodded weakly.

"It's fine. I can help you."

Lin Luo stepped forward and placed both hands on Akame's shoulders.

"As your master, it's my duty to replenish my servant's magic power."

Lin Luo spoke with a perfectly straight face.

"Replenish my magic power?"