Is This the Secret to Getting Stronger?

Akame nodded without hesitation.

Aside from their disagreements over the Empire, she had never refused any of Kurome's requests.

Seeing her sister agree, Kurome immediately began whispering.

"What are they doing?"

Leone, who had temporarily retreated, blinked and pricked up her ears.

"Sis, listen... when the time comes, you'll wear..."

"Why... like that?"

"Don't ask. Just listen to me..."

"You'll definitely get a reward from Master... no, I mean, get stronger."

The more Leone listened, the more confused she became.

What a load of nonsense.

It's all broken up. I can't understand a thing.

'Clothes,' 'affection,' 'getting stronger,' and stuff like that.

Can those things even go together?

"Hehe, whatever. I'll find out when the time comes."

Leone's curiosity had been piqued.

In the kitchen.

"So that's it. Just as I thought."

Lind snapped a Danger Beast's neck and felt a surge of power flow into his body.

"My strength went up a tiny bit, but it has nothing to do with my level."

He rubbed his chin and murmured to himself.

This skill could make someone's physique far exceed their level. Its potential was truly limitless.

Having found his answer, Lind returned to his bedchamber, satisfied.

Creak—

The moment he opened the door, Lind drew in a breath.

Standing before him were none other than Akame and Kurome.

"Welcome back, Master," they said in unison.

Akame and Kurome bent forward in perfectly executed bows.

They were wearing white aprons trimmed with lace.

The aprons made them look especially suggestive.

The generous expanses of exposed skin left him unsure where to look.

"Kurome, these clothes really are strange. Why do we have to wear them like this?"

Akame's pretty face flushed faintly as she fidgeted helplessly with the hem of her apron.

In a situation like this...

Even she, oblivious as she was, could tell something was wrong.

Lind took a deep breath, brought his surging blood under control, and asked, "Kurome, was this your idea?"

"Yes. What do you think, Master?"

"It's absolutely wonderful."

Lind gave her a thumbs-up.

"I knew Master would like it."

Kurome nodded earnestly, then reached out and gave her sister a push.

Akame stumbled straight into a warm embrace.

Immediately...

She felt Lind's "high praise."

Chapter 38: Is This the Secret to Getting Stronger?

The pattern on the white apron was first marked with red ink.

Then it was soaked through, making the pattern even more vivid.

Stretched taut, the apron demonstrated its strength to the fullest.

But in the end, under an unparalleled brute force, it fulfilled its final purpose.

It turned into fluttering petals that scattered across the floor.

"So... that's how it works?"

Leone, who had crept over quietly, stared with wide eyes.

She had gained a new understanding of getting stronger.

She was just about to slip away when a flash of light flickered before her, and that handsome face appeared right in front of her.

Leone wore purple pajamas, with glimpses of equally purple underwear beneath them. They could not fully conceal her voluptuous figure.

"Since you're here, let me see your Imperial Arms again."

Lind spoke forcefully. "Both Kurome and Akame have improved. You've already fallen behind."

Faced with Lind's domineering attitude, Leone was on the verge of tears.

She had only come to watch the fun.

Who could have imagined she would end up taking a beating too?

Deep down, however, a desire to grow stronger had also risen within her.

"All right."

Leone nodded, and her furry ears and tail emerged.

[Imperial Arms: Lionelle] activated at full power, her entire body radiating an astonishing sense of strength.

"Very good. Let's begin, then."

The next day!

Najenda yawned as she entered the dining room.

This competition is insane. Seriously.

Her room was the closest to Lind's.

But who could have imagined things would turn out like that?

She had thought she could finally get a good night's sleep once midnight came.

Who could have guessed Leone would join the competition too?

Now, whenever she closed her eyes, all she could hear were their voices.

What frustrated her most was...

As she listened to those sounds, she... she had begun imagining things...

"Damn it, what am I even thinking?"

She shook her head fiercely, driving away all those distracting thoughts.

"Oh, you're here."

Esdeath greeted Najenda when she saw her.

"Well? Did you sleep well last night?"

"Ha. Haha."

With dark circles under her eyes, Najenda gave a slight twitch of her lips.

Did I sleep well?

Don't you fucking know?

"Actually, you ought to start putting in some effort."

Esdeath spoke as she ate a pastry.

"I'm sure you're well aware that you're now the weakest among us."

"Akame and Leone have already been working hard to get stronger. If you keep this up, you won't even be able to catch a glimpse of them ahead of you."

Najenda: "???"

She looked utterly bewildered.

That was working hard to get stronger?

Isn't that a bit too ridiculous?

"Right, you only just became one of his familiars. It's only natural you wouldn't know."

Esdeath sighed and began explaining things to Najenda.

"..."

After hearing Esdeath's explanation, Najenda's eyes widened.

She had thought everything that happened yesterday was already fantastical enough.

But the secret she had just learned completely shattered her worldview.

Even for a demon out of legend...

Isn't that a little too...

Yet at the thought of growing stronger, a subtle change came over Najenda's gaze.

At noon that day.

Lind summoned his familiars for a meeting.

In the meeting room.

As Najenda watched the others stagger in, her expression turned strange.

Feeling Najenda's gaze on them, Leone and Akame blushed, not daring to meet her eyes.

"All right, let's discuss something serious now."

Lind clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"I'm sure you're all very curious about where I came from. Since I'm about to leave for a while, I might as well tell you."

"The truth is..."

After listening to his explanation, Esdeath said in surprise, "No wonder no one in this world has ever heard of demons."

"So you're from another world, Master."

Her gaze became even more adoring.

That's Master for you.

He can even travel between worlds.

"Master, can we go to your world?"

Leone's face was full of anticipation.