Leveling up through slaughter

And in a sense, this really was a skill suited to Esdeath.

More importantly...

With a thought, Lind summoned his status panel.

[Lind Lucifer]

[Race: Progenitor devil]

[Level: L54]

[Authority: Progenitor Devil Transformation]

[Servants: Grayfia, Shiho Miyano, Akemi Miyano, Esdeath]

[Skills: Devil Contract, Demon Summoning, Infinite Magic Power, Magic Heart, Magic Gunner, Devil's Gun, Demon Mask, Absolute Zero]

There had been a subtle change in the panel.

Not only had Esdeath been added to the servants section, but Absolute Zero had also appeared among his skills.

But most importantly...

His level had risen considerably.

That was the value of a high-quality servant.

Meanwhile...

The Reincarnation Ritual had finished completely.

Esdeath stood in a slight daze, feeling the power slowly flowing through her body.

This must be the power Mr. Demon used earlier.

Besides that...

Her back and the base of her spine felt a little itchy.

If she was right...

Those were probably her demonic wings and tail.

By then, Lind had handed her the stats he had written down.

"What's this?"

Esdeath took it instinctively, looking a little puzzled.

"Your status panel."

Lind briefly explained what the panel meant.

Esdeath nodded and began studying it carefully.

L

Hmm, according to Master, that makes me a High-Class Devil.

Looks like my strength isn't considered weak among Demons, either.

A gleam of determination flashed in Esdeath's eyes.

Now that she had a goal...

She would keep climbing toward it.

Then her gaze moved down, and she saw the skill [Absolute Zero].

"So that's why. No wonder I felt my control over the Demon's Extract had grown stronger."

Reading the description of [Absolute Zero], Esdeath grew excited.

Even though she had only just been reincarnated as a Demon...

She was already several times stronger than before.

"Thank you for granting me such power, Master."

Esdeath dropped to one knee and looked at Lind reverently.

"It seems you're rather obsessed with getting stronger."

The corners of Lind's mouth lifted, an unreadable gleam flickering in his deep eyes.

"If that's the case..."

"I have another way to improve your strength."

Hearing Lind's words, Esdeath grew excited.

"Then please, Master."

"Make me stronger."

The moment she finished speaking, Esdeath realized Lind was already right in front of her.

"???"

Esdeath blinked.

Wait.

Isn't something wrong here?

Mmph—

My mouth... is blocked.

Esdeath felt as though she had become dough, completely kneaded into Lind's body.

Immediately afterward...

She felt an utterly unfamiliar sensation.

Hard and scorching.

Th-th-this...

Panic flashed in Esdeath's eyes as overwhelming emotions completely seized her mind.

She forgot her own name.

She even forgot where she was.

Now...

All she knew was to offer everything to her master.

To fulfill her duties as his Familiar.

Lind's gaze turned solemn.

He began devoting all his efforts to raising Esdeath's Level.

Chapter 22: Leveling up through slaughter

"Master, my strength really has increased."

Esdeath knew her own power intimately.

Even after becoming a Demon...

She still had a reasonable grasp of it.

And now...

It wasn't just her physique that was growing stronger.

Even the magic power flowing through her body had increased considerably.

At that moment, she truly understood just how powerful her master was.

"Esdeath, if you want to improve faster, you mustn't waste any."

"Oh my, my master really is wicked..."

Esdeath gave Lind a sultry look.

Then she obediently began cleaning up, collecting every bit of the miraculous elixir.

Gulp!

As she swallowed, her Level, which had been approaching its threshold, finally broke through.

Over the next few days...

To become stronger, Esdeath could hardly be said to eat or sleep.

In the end, she even neglected her military duties, staying by Lind's side to serve him.

[Esdeath]

[Race: Demon]

[Master: Lind Lucifer]

[Level: L41]

[Skills: Absolute Zero]

[Absolute Zero: control over the power of ice can reach the ultimate limit in this world.]

"Why does it feel like my effect on my Familiars keeps getting stronger?"

Compared with Shiho Miyano and the others, Esdeath's strength was improving noticeably faster.

After all, she was already an Ultimate-Class Devil.

The difficulty of gaining a single level...

Was probably greater than that of a Middle-Class Demon gaining ten Levels.

And yet...

How many days had it been?

She had already gained two levels.

"Could it be because my own strength broke through?"

Lind muttered to himself, feeling a little frustrated.

Because compared with his own Familiars...

His own Level was rising somewhat more slowly.

But...

Remembering that he had more than one Familiar...

He immediately felt better.

"In that case, I'll have to work even harder."

Lind's eyes gleamed as he turned her over.

Feeling Lind's movements, Esdeath's eyes flashed with panic.

"N-no, I can't. I can't take any more."

Lind reached out and held her down, giving her no chance to escape.

"No. Who was it that said she'd pay any price to get stronger?"

Just then...

The thunderous neighing of warhorses rang out.

"The foreign tribes are attacking?"

At the sound, Esdeath felt as though she had been granted a pardon.

"All right, let's take care of business first."

"Yes, Master."

Esdeath stretched, quickly dressed, and fled from the tent.