Capturing Akame

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, finally easing the pain.

Seryu looked up at Lind, her eyes filled with terror.

It was as though she could already see her future.

If this continued...

Forget taking revenge.

She would not even be able to kill herself.

"Looks like you've learned to behave."

Lind smiled faintly and warned her, "You'd better not get any more funny ideas."

"You know perfectly well what will happen otherwise."

Seryu trembled at his words.

Hesitantly, she sank to her knees and bowed to him from a distance.

"Master, I'll do my best."

"Good girl."

Lind patted her head and looked at her stats.

[Seryu Ubiquitous]

[Race: demon]

[Master: Lind Lucifer]

[Level: L22]

[Skill: Demon Beast Familiar]

[Demon Beast Familiar: Constructs familiars using the user's own magic power. The more the user knows about a demon beast, the more perfect the construct.]

"She's gained a level."

Murmuring to himself, Lind took out a pen and paper, copied down her stats, and handed the sheet to Seryu.

"Master, what is this?"

"A perk of becoming my servant."

After a brief explanation, Lind strode outside.

As his figure disappeared from view, Seryu let out a huge sigh of relief.

"From now on, I'm a demon."

"And he's become my master..."

At that moment, Seryu wanted nothing more than to cry.

But she had lost so much fluid that no tears would come.

Her eyes twisted with fury, and she was about to curse him silently.

But almost immediately...

She stopped herself.

Her body began trembling involuntarily.

This was not punishment from the contract, but sheer terror.

Pain that came from the soul surpassed any torture in the world.

Then...

She remembered that imposing figure amid her suffering, and the relentless waves of overwhelming impact.

To her sorrow, Seryu realized she really was going to submit.

Then!

She looked at the sheet listing her stats.

"Demon familiar..."

Seryu murmured softly, her eyes gradually lighting up.

Could this skill bring Koro back to life?

And besides...

She clenched her fists, realizing that she was already several times stronger than before.

"Is this because of Master too?"

The look in Seryu's eyes grew increasingly conflicted.

First the stick, then the carrot.

The scales in her heart tipped once more.

"If I can't hate Master, what about other people?"

Without thinking, Seryu looked toward Esdeath.

After all...

The person who had actually killed her mentor was Esdeath.

No reaction?

Seryu checked for a response, and delight spread across her face.

It was as though someone was telling her from beyond her senses.

As long as she did not try to kill her, she was free to attack.

"Hm?"

Sensing the malice, Esdeath instantly woke.

She stared at Seryu for a moment, then curled her lips into a cold smile.

"Looks like someone's made another bad decision."

"Shut up! I'm going to avenge my mentor."

The next instant...

The two figures collided.

The dull thuds of fists and feet striking rang out in quick succession.

But before long...

They gave way to Seryu's screams.

"So noisy..."

Pouting, Kurome yawned and opened her eyes.

The sight before her made her eyelid twitch.

Esdeath was giving Seryu a thoroughly one-sided beating.

"You're awake, Kurome."

An unreadable glint flashed through Esdeath's eyes. "Well? Want to join in?"

"N-no, thanks."

Kurome waved her hands, hurriedly dressed, and slipped out in silence, closing the door behind her.

"Oh my, weren't you acting all high and mighty just now?"

"Now I'll teach you a proper lesson on Master's behalf."

Hearing Esdeath's delighted voice, Kurome involuntarily quickened her pace.

Sure enough!

Only when she was with Master...

Did Esdeath stop being that sadistic queen.

Chapter 31: Capturing Akame

The palace.

The dining room.

Lind cut his steak with his knife and fork, enjoying his lunch.

He had to admit...

The palace chefs were excellent.

With meat from Danger Beasts to work with, their dishes easily outclassed those of the master chefs in his original world.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Footsteps approached.

Esdeath and Seryu walked over.

"Why are you dressed like that?"

Lind looked at Seryu's outfit in surprise.

She was wearing a pale blue maid outfit.

Her delicate, adorable face looked pitiful, as though she had just been crying.

Some of her orange hair fell in front of her, framing her impressive bust.

Lind was well qualified to comment on that.

Though it was not obvious at a glance, Seryu definitely had more than a handful.

Most importantly...

With this particular bicycle, Lind could stand up and pedal, without any need to handle her gently.

So, in a certain sense, she felt the best.

"L-Lady Esdeath told me to."

Seryu shuddered and answered timidly.

She was truly frightened now.

Esdeath was simply terrifying.

If she had not been Master's servant, she could hardly imagine what would have happened.

Esdeath cast her a sidelong glance.

"What, is there a problem?"

Seryu trembled, then wisely lowered her head. "No, this outfit suits me very well."

Tsk, tsk... Looks like she got quite a lesson.

A smile tugged at Lind's lips.

He had sensed Seryu attacking Esdeath.

After doing something like that...

She deserved the beating.

Just then, Kurome came over, looking rather excited.

"Master, based on the information you gave us, we think we've located Night Raid's base."

There was no hiding the excitement in her voice.

Sister...