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Constantly using blessings does come with benefits.
Among them, the strongest one—Esdeath—was especially making the most of her combat talent.
She'd found the best way to use the blessing power in battle.
According to Minato's estimates, Esdeath could now rank among the top even within the subordinate gods.
Even though she was technically only a mid-level demon, most high-level demons weren't a match for her anymore.
If things kept going at this pace, it wouldn't be a pipe dream for her to one day reach the level of Demon Lord.
And then there was Shiyu Kasunokyo, who had the most experience with using blessings. Naturally, she'd gained a lot too.
Her battle instincts weren't as sharp as Esdeath's, but she knew how to play to her strengths—focusing most of her energy on magic.
She'd turned a ton of spells…
…into something beautiful and creative.
She had an incredible imagination.
As for Leone and Akame, after becoming queens and receiving blessings, their close-combat skills weren't far behind Esdeath's either.
Before anyone realized it…
Minato's group of followers had grown incredibly powerful.
Crack! Crack!
At some point, the custom-made throne had completely shattered.
To be fair, the material of the throne wasn't anything special.
Forget about Minato—
Even a follower using their god-blessed powers would completely break it apart.
Luckily… the palace itself was still intact.
Early morning.
Minato was in a great mood, heading out for breakfast.
After blessing them the entire night…
He'd made it clear to Esdeath and the others that even with god-like powers, they still had to keep training and improving.
When he got to the dining room,
Artoria and the others were already eating.
"You're here, Master."
Medusa greeted him with a cheerful smile, holding a ladle. "Esdeath and the others? They're not with you?"
"You already know the answer to that. Who was it that ran off first last night?"
"…"
At that, Medusa and Irisviel both looked a little awkward.
But they quickly got over it.
They were used to rough situations—this was nothing.
Just then, Mine and Sheele walked in.
"Well, look who it is."
Minato raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Weren't you two avoiding me this whole time?"
Mine hesitated a little. "L-Lord Demon… please take me as one of your followers."
Sheele added seriously, "I want to belong to you too, Lord Demon."
"Oh yeah?"
Minato smirked. "I did ask you two before. But you didn't answer me then."
"And now you just say the words, and expect me to agree? Doesn't feel like you're being very sincere."
Mine bit her lip lightly.
"…I get it."
She slowly squatted down, then dropped to her knees, hands on the floor, bowing low in a formal dogeza.
Her head lowered, she said softly, "Please, Master… let me become your follower."
"…"
Sheele blinked, then followed suit, placing her forehead on her hands and kneeling.
"Master, please allow me to serve you."
Alright. That's more like it.
Minato looked down at them, his eyes flickering with interest.
But he didn't say anything right away. He just studied the two of them.
After all, anything that comes too easily is never truly valued.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the dining room subtly shifted. Even Artoria had stopped eating.
They all watched the scene with slightly complicated expressions.
They didn't dislike these two.
Just yesterday, it was Mine and Sheele who had shown them around the palace.
And let's face it, they were both beautiful girls.
Strong, too—capable of living well no matter where they went in this world.
But no one thought Minato was being unfair.
Because—
Minato wasn't just a demon anymore. He was someone who had killed gods.
A king. A conqueror.
Wanting to follow someone like him was practically a blessing in itself.
"Demon Onii-san, maybe you could—"
Sakura Matou tried to speak up, but Artoria grabbed her hand to stop her.
This was Minato's decision to make as their Master.
A proper follower would never put their Master on the spot.
Rin Tohsaka whispered, "Sakura, let the grown-ups handle it. Let's eat cake instead."
"…Okay."
Sakura pouted but didn't argue.
Right then, Minato finally spoke.
"Well, since you two are being so sincere, I'll allow it."
"Thank you, Master!"
"Thank you, Master!"
Mine and Sheele looked like they'd just been pardoned from death.
Just yesterday—
Through their conversations with Artoria and the others, they'd realized something important.
Minato wasn't just any demon.
He was now a god-slaying being.
Even in a world filled with gods and monsters, he stood as a true powerhouse.
As Erika had put it—someone like Minato just had to say the word, and people would line up by the thousands just for a chance to become his follower.
And among his current followers…
They were pretty unremarkable.
At that moment—
They realized that becoming Minato's follower was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
And more importantly—
Minato had never once forced them.
That was a huge plus.
Deep down, they both felt some affection for Minato.
After all, he was the one who had saved their country.
So today—
Faced with a test from Minato…
Even someone as proud as Mine didn't hesitate to show her submission.
"Since you've decided—"
Minato pulled out two demon chess pieces. "You already know how this works, right?"
"Yes, Master."
"I do, Master."
With that, the two of them sprang into action.
Mine bit her lip, her face bright red, but still determinedly took off her jacket, revealing pink innerwear.
Huh. Not something you see often among his followers.
Minato's eyes flashed.
Mine: "…"
The way he looked at her… was weird. She couldn't shake the feeling she'd just lost something.
And then—
Sheele took off her purple coat, and her soft curves jiggled slightly.
"…"
Mine blinked, then her face completely changed.
Damn it!
Now she really knew what she lost to…
"....."