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Ddraig took a deep breath, staring hard at Edgar."I acknowledge you. You have the qualifications to be the host of the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet."
Edgar's eyes stayed cold.
From the start, he'd intended to deal with this dragon soul—having a male dragon constantly tagging along was… bothersome. At first, since they had no personal grudge, he'd considered transferring the soul somewhere else. But now? This was even better.Killing him outright would be quicker and cleaner.
"So, there's nothing to discuss then?"
When Ddraig didn't get a response, his expression darkened to pure menace."If that's how it is… don't blame me for what happens next."
A surge of overwhelming power exploded from within him.
"ROAR!"
Flames erupted from Ddraig's body like a tidal wave, rolling outward in every direction.The world's temperature spiked like crazy—Ddraig became a volcano on the verge of eruption, radiating heat so intense it made the air itself shudder.
The fire didn't just burn matter.It burned everything—air, sight, sunlight itself.For that moment, the world turned into a red-lotus hell, where all life would be reduced to ash.
"I don't know who—or what—you are, but under my [Blazing Inferno of Blazing Truth]… this is where you end."
His voice echoed as the flames gathered, ready to annihilate Edgar.
But Edgar simply lifted his hand. A deep, black radiance pulsed in his palm.It wasn't a skill. It wasn't even magic—just a pure release of raw mana.
Yet in his current state, that was enough to shake the heavens.
RUMBLE!
The deafening crash lasted only a second—then, all that endless, world-consuming fire vanished without a trace.
"My flames… my blazing inferno…"
Ddraig froze, unable to believe what he was seeing.
And then—
Flash!
Edgar's figure flickered and reappeared above him. He pressed a single hand down.
VMMM!
A brilliant magic circle spread out, covering everything.The suffocating pressure of soul-erasing power descended on Ddraig in an instant.
"—"
Eyes wide with terror, the dragon couldn't move. His colossal body crumbled like burnt ash, dissolving into nothingness—leaving behind only the purest essence of power, which scattered into the world.
The black mana around Edgar faded. The scenery shifted.He was back in the familiar living room.
"Phew…"
He let out a long breath, his whole body drenched in sweat like he'd just been pulled from a river.
"Master, are you okay?"
Shiho Miyano and the others hurried over, worry written all over their faces.
"I'm fine. Just… burned through too much energy."
He waved them off, though the weakness seeping from deep in his soul was impossible to ignore.
As expected—he was still too weak.Transforming into his Progenitor Demon form for even that short a time had nearly drained him dry.That move could only ever be used as a trump card.
Still… it was worth it.
He glanced at the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet in his hand and pressed it against his chest.
Hum!
Scarlet light flared—and the gauntlet slowly faded, merging into his body.
"Looks like it's completely mine now."
Without the dragon soul inside, he'd basically unlocked the gauntlet's highest authority without restriction.
"Feels like I got a good boost in strength too…"
His eyes lit up as he opened his status panel:
**[Experience + ]
Edgar Lucifugus
Race: Progenitor Demon
Level: 60
Authority: Progenitor Demon Transformation
Servants: Grayfia, Shiho Miyano, Akemi Miyano, Esdeath
Skills: Demon Contract, Demon Summon, Infinite Mana, Heart of Magic, Magic Gunner, Demon's Spear, Demon Mask, Absolute Zero, Corpse Control, Slash, Monster Familiar, Super Regeneration, King of Beasts…
"Oh, right. Ddraig's worth a mountain of EXP. And the King of Beasts buff will help my body too."
A satisfied smile crossed his face.In his normal state, he was now in the Super Devil tier.With the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet, he could finally stand on equal ground with the top powers of this world.
"Master, maybe you should take the day off at home instead of going to the office," Shiho suggested, relieved to see some color returning to his face.
"It's fine. We'll stick to the plan."
Edgar's Exorcism Agency
With Asia left behind to mind the place, Shiho led Edgar and the rest of his servants to the office building—a modest two-story structure.
The first floor was an ordinary workspace: bookshelves, desks, and a few computers.
But the second floor… was a different story.
Edgar stepped up and paused, momentarily surprised.There was only one room on the entire floor—and it was lavishly decorated with a very personal touch.
Soft purple lights set the mood.In the center sat an enormous waterbed.Across the room, a wardrobe was stuffed with outfits and props: maid uniforms, teacher outfits, schoolgirl costumes… and a variety of "accessories" from eye masks to ropes and candles.
Through the glass wall of the adjoining bathroom, a massive jacuzzi gleamed invitingly.
Edgar's lips curved into a faint smile.
Sensing his mood, Vermouth beamed."Master, I handled all the design work here myself. And I left space to add anything you'd like later."
"You've done well."
He stepped onto the soft, handwoven wool carpet and sat on the waterbed, shifting slightly to test its feel—pleased with the result."You put in this much effort… of course you deserve a reward. You're at your level cap, right? Let's break you through it."
Vermouth's heart leapt, and she walked toward him without hesitation."Thank you for your grace, Master."
In her eyes, his figure loomed impossibly tall, completely owning her body and soul.
"Speaking of which," Akemi Miyano said quietly, "isn't today the grand opening for our agency? We still have a lot to do."
"You can handle that, sis," Shiho replied casually. "It's not like you're in a hurry to get stronger."
"Akemi-senpai, we'll leave everything to you. The three of us can't act without Master's orders," Vermouth added.
"…"
Akemi stared blankly at them—at her Master, standing like a war god, personally training his favored servants.
An ache welled in her chest.
Aside from Shiho, she'd been the first to join him.So why… why did it feel like she was being left out?
The thought left her oddly hollow.
"..."
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