"I... I'll kill you all!"
Seryu, slapped awake by Kaiser, thrashed wildly—but the ropes only tightened with her struggles.
Kurome observed coolly. "No use fighting it. That's an assassination unit binding technique."
"The harder you pull, the more it hurts you."
Seryu snarled, "You'd better kill me now—or I'll make sure you face justice!"
"Is that so?"
Kaiser smirked faintly. "Esdeath, lend her a hand."
"Yes, Master."
Esdeath smiled sweetly, stripping away Seryu's outer clothing.
Seryu's face filled with terror. "Wh-what are you doing?"
"Relax. I'm simply making you my servant."
"Impossible—I refuse!"
Though unclear on the details, Seryu's instincts screamed rejection.
"I wasn't planning to ask for your consent anyway."
Kaiser saw no need for further talk. Golden blood welled on his fingertip and dripped onto her skin.
Hum!
Brilliant light flared as a heart-shaped pattern briefly traced her flesh.
"It worked."
Kaiser's eyes lit up at the sight.
In that case...
He could recruit servants regardless of their will.
Of course...
Normally, he'd respect their choice.
Forced fruit wasn't sweet, after all.
But Seryu?
She was an enemy—exceptions applied.
With that in mind, Kaiser checked her stats.
[Seryu Ubiquitous]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Kaiser Lucifuge]
[Level: LV21]
[Skill: Biological Familiar]
[Biological Familiar: Construct a single familiar from your demonic energy. The deeper your knowledge of beasts, the more perfect the creation—and you can remodel it with your power.]
...
This woman really did love playing summoner.
Kaiser stroked his chin at the skill description.
Not bad.
Though limited to one familiar—somewhat underwhelming.
The choice of base creature would make or break it.
A skill with extreme highs and lows.
Meanwhile...
The ritual completed.
Seryu writhed in agony on the floor, her body convulsing violently.
Kaiser turned, expression turning odd.
"Hey—are you alright?"
"I'll kill... aaahhhh!"
Mid-snarl, Seryu screamed in torment, rolling across the ground.
Kaiser's eyelid twitched.
What was happening?
This had never occurred before.
No side effects from the Devil Contract that he knew of.
"I think I know what's going on."
Esdeath spoke up sheepishly.
"Oh? Why?"
"Well... after becoming your servant, Master... I once had a naughty thought about you."
Esdeath admitted weakly. "The feeling back then was similar—just not this intense."
"..."
You were plotting what exactly?
Esdeath smiled embarrassedly. "Nothing much—just wanted to tie you up and see how it felt."
"..."
Fair enough—for a sadistic queen.
"How did you resolve it?"
"That..."
Esdeath shivered, her body twisting involuntarily as her breathing grew ragged.
Kaiser's mouth twitched.
Don't tell me...
It couldn't be...
His expression grew peculiar.
But it made sense.
He was the one who accelerated their growth, after all.
Esdeath leaned close, whispering confirmation.
"It really is that?"
Kaiser murmured, extending his senses.
He discovered...
As time passed...
Seryu's punishment intensified.
It affected not just her body...
But her soul as well.
"So this is the hidden mechanism of the Devil Contract."
Kaiser stroked his chin, nodding inwardly.
Excellent.
It eliminated any possibility of betrayal at the root.
Originally...
If Seryu proved untamable, he'd have eliminated her.
But now...
The contract handled it perfectly.
Kurome glanced at Seryu. "Master—if we don't do something, she'll die."
Even she sensed Seryu's life force fading.
Time for me to step in.
Kaiser nodded, a sense of duty rising as he approached the suffering girl.
Everyone errs.
As her master...
It was his responsibility to offer a chance.
Lost lambs needed guiding.
Even if he was a devil.
He stood before her, speaking calmly.
"Seryu—willing or not, you're my servant now."
"I'm sure you've realized: hostile thoughts toward me trigger punishment."
"I'll ask once—do you seek my forgiveness?"
"Only then can your pain end."
Though resolved, Kaiser didn't act immediately.
Easy mercy wasn't valued.
Seryu forced her eyes open, gazing up at him—her mind reeling from the onslaught.
His figure loomed like a deity.
Her soul quaked, urging worship.
Enduring the agony, she rasped, "P-please..."
At that...
Kaiser untied the ropes without hesitation and claimed her lips forcefully.
The dominant invasion stiffened her body.
Yet the soul-deep torment eased in an instant.
It compelled...
A clumsy response from her.
As time passed, overwhelming pressure consumed her.
She felt herself melt like water—utterly dissolved.
In her haze...
Seryu glimpsed truth—true justice.
"Is this... the god of justice?"
Her faith...
Overlapped completely with Kaiser's towering form.
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