"Are you two alright?"
Linde leaped from the Divine Bird's head, landing in front of Eve and Akame.
As for the Divine Bird.
Even without Linde's suppression, the Divine Bird honestly curled its wings, not daring to move a muscle.
"Master!"
Seeing Linde, both Akame and Eve's expressions were not very good.
"I saw many enemies I had killed before, rushing at me in an endless stream."
"I was much the same. I don't know how many times I killed them before I broke through the illusion."
Both of their faces showed lingering fear.
They were almost killed by those phantoms.
Seeing this, Linde reached out and gave both of them a head pat.
"Well done, you both did great."
A mental illusion created with the power of a Divine Bird of Demon Lord Rank.
Even if it was just a test.
It was not easy for the two of them to break through it.
After comforting them for a while, Linde waved to the Divine Bird.
"Um… who do you need me to recognize as master?"
The Divine Bird cautiously approached.
"…"
Akame and Eve exchanged glances, both seeing a subtle expression in the other's eyes.
Covered in blood.
It seemed to have been disciplined by its master.
Linde pointed to Eve and said casually, "She will be your master from now on."
"Yes."
The Divine Bird nodded, then looked at Eve and whispered, "According to the ancient covenant, I shall recognize you as my master, who has passed the trial."
As soon as its words fell, a mysterious and vast power surged into Eve's body.
In a flash.
A visible Magic Circle already enveloped the Divine Bird and Eve.
A mysterious connection had formed between the two.
Immediately after.
Eve's soft, raven-black hair gradually turned into a sacred silver-white.
Sharp horns extended from her forehead.
Even her black dress transformed into smooth leather armor.
Giving the originally charming Eve a few hints of heroic spirit.
Even the aura around her began to climb steadily.
"experience 10085"
"experience 28885"
"experience 29995"
Linde's eyes lit up as he looked at the text messages that appeared.
"I didn't expect that after contracting the Divine Bird, Eve would instantly advance two levels, directly reaching the level of a High-Class Devil."
Noticing Linde's gaze, Eve smoothed her silver-white hair and whispered, "Master, I haven't become ugly, have I?"
"No, I should say you've become even more beautiful."
Her original long black hair turned white.
This was an instant buff.
"R-really?"
Eve looked at herself, feeling sweet in her heart.
No matter what.
As long as her master liked it.
"Alright, we'll talk about your changes later."
Linde gave Eve a meaningful look and said, "Let's go back first."
As his words fell.
The Magic Circle's light flashed.
Linde and the others, along with the Divine Bird, had all disappeared simultaneously.
Black Wing Clan tribe.
As soon as Linde and the others appeared, they caused a stir.
"Look, Lady Eve is back."
"Wait, isn't that the Divine Bird?"
"It's really the Divine Bird, Caladrius."
With cries of surprise, countless members of the Black Wing Clan around them all knelt down in reverence.
The Star Spirit, along with Akame and Meyn, also ran over when they heard the commotion.
"Wow, Eve, why have you changed so much?"
"Eve, your horns are so cute."
In an instant, they noticed Eve's changes, their eyes lit up, and they all gathered around her.
"Hehe, not at all."
Hearing their compliments, Eve scratched her head shyly.
"But I have indeed become much stronger."
"And all of this is because of Master."
As she spoke, Eve looked at Linde, her eyes filled with undisguised reverence and affection.
If not for her master.
Let alone gaining her current power.
It was likely even her survival would be an unknown.
"Since that's the case, how do you plan to repay me?"
Looking at Eve, Linde spoke in a teasing tone.
"Um…"
Eve's face flushed, then she leaned closer to Linde and breathed a hot breath into his ear.
"Hmm… Master, don't you wish… I… I could try it later…"
"Wow, you're that bold?" Linde's eyes widened, completely not expecting her to proactively make such a request.
"Hiss!"
Although the sound was faint, Akame and the others still heard it and subconsciously tensed up.
Feeling Eve's burning gaze, Linde pulled her into his embrace, about to take further action.
But at that moment.
The ground began to tremble slightly.
Faint shouts of battle were already coming from afar.
"N-no good, the Demon King's Army is attacking."
Meer ran over in a panic.
He didn't need to remind him; Linde's senses had already figured out what was happening.
Not far away.
A large Demon King's Army was marching rapidly.
At this speed.
It wouldn't be long before they reached the Black Wing Clan's tribe.
"The Demon King's Army!!"
Eve, who was still shy, froze and immediately reacted, somewhat flustered.
"My presence here must have been exposed."
"Otherwise, the Demon King's Army wouldn't make such a big move."
"Isn't I here?"
Linde pressed her head, gently stroking her silver-white hair.
"Don't worry, even if the Demon King himself leads them, they won't return."
The next second!
The power of the Dimensional Array activated.
Light flashed.
Linde and the others, along with the Divine Bird, had already appeared out of thin air outside the tribe.
Not far away.
Countless dust clouds rose, and the earth trembled more and more noticeably.
An uncountable Demon King's Army was already faintly visible.
Rumble! Rumble!
Neat hoofbeats kicked up bursts of roars.
In an instant, they had already covered thousands of meters, charging straight ahead with an incredibly brutal momentum.
At this moment, the world seemed silent.
Only the shouts of battle were endless, and the surging killing intent poured out like an overwhelming tide.
"Such power, this is definitely the elite of the Demon King's Army."
Facing such a real battle for the first time, Eve's mind was almost overwhelmed.
The Star Spirit and the others, however, showed no reaction.
They had experienced such scenes too many times.
Even the Star Spirit and Akame had frequently followed the kingdom in conquering territories during this period, and had completely grown accustomed to war.
"How is it, no problem?"
Linde rubbed Eve's head, asking about her condition.
"Whoosh—"
Eve took a deep breath and said firmly, "I'm fine."
She had become so much stronger.
No matter what, she couldn't disappoint her master.
This was Eve's truest thought at this moment.
Linde smiled: "Actually, you don't need to be so nervous."
"Have you forgotten that you now possess the power of the Divine Bird?"
"Divine Bird?"
Eve was stunned, then her face lit up with joy.
"That's right."
The Divine Bird was still by her side.
This was their Black Wing Clan's Divine Beast, rumored to be capable of destroying an entire nation.
However, before she could even give a command, the Divine Bird, already understanding, soared into the sky.
Her master was Eve, that was correct.
But Eve's master was Linde.
Obeying the will of the true boss was absolutely without fault.