"Um… you've misunderstood something, haven't you?"
Kaiser chuckled at Asia's expression. "I only meant for you to become my peerage member."
"In other words, reincarnate as a devil."
Asia paused.
"Not… marrying you?"
"That interpretation works too," Kaiser smiled. "After all, a peerage member serves their master."
So it was that.
Asia inwardly wailed.
Serving him meant falling into devilhood?
Sighing, she nodded. "Fine. Make me a devil."
"You're agreeing just like that?" Kaiser looked surprised.
He'd prepared a whole arsenal of persuasive lines.
Now unused.
"Because I already promised you," Asia smiled softly. "And you saved my life—that's a fact."
Most importantly…
Mr. Devil was a good person.
Thinking it through, despite her firm faith, she'd ended up here—abandoned by the Church, hunted by fallen angels.
Devils seemed her only refuge now.
Kaiser didn't press. "Then remove your outer robe."
Asia: "???"
Her eyes widened, pupils contracting.
She wanted to speak but hesitated.
Did becoming a devil require undressing?
She longed to ask, but only sighed.
She'd made her choice.
"Phew!"
Asia breathed deeply, hands trembling as she shed her nun's habit, left in pure white undergarments.
Her body quivered, gaze averted, unable to meet Kaiser's eyes.
"Good, let's begin."
Kaiser pricked his finger without delay, blood welling.
Any longer, and the poor nun might faint.
It's over?
Hearing him, Asia exhaled hugely in relief.
Next moment, searing heat touched her skin.
She glanced down, catching fleeting mysterious markings.
Her body heated rapidly, power surging within.
Blood and cells remade themselves; she bit her lip against it.
No!
She couldn't cry out.
Too embarrassing.
[Asia Argento]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Kaiser Lucifuge]
[Level: LV9]
[Skill: Twilight Curse]
[Twilight Curse: Convert healing ability into damaging power.]
…
Twilight Curse.
Kaiser's expression turned odd.
If memory served, Asia's Sacred Gear was Twilight Healing.
This skill was its complete opposite.
Tailor-made.
It bolstered her offense.
Meanwhile, Asia felt dazed.
She… was a devil now?
Her body felt much stronger.
And…
She sensed wings and a tail.
Lost in thought, a chill snapped her back.
"My habit!"
Asia yelped, face flushing as she hurried to redress, finally relaxing.
"How's it feel?" Kaiser asked.
"Hard to describe." Asia's expression mixed, then she sighed, clasping hands in prayer. "Almighty Lord, forgive me—I haven't forsaken… ah… ouch ouch ouch…"
"…"
Forgot about that.
This girl really didn't get it.
Watching her near tears, Kaiser reminded gently, "You're a devil now. If you don't want pain, stop praying."
"How can that be…" Asia went blank.
They'd stripped her right to pray.
She deflated like a punctured balloon, color draining.
Then a paper appeared before her.
"Look at this to shift your mood."
"What is it?"
"Your attributes."
Kaiser briefly explained the panel.
Surprised, Asia thought: Devils get something this magical?
She scanned it.
First, Kaiser's name.
So that's my master.
A strange feeling rose; she glanced at him instinctively.
Her heartbeat quickened; she shifted focus to her skill.
[Twilight Curse].
Asia's pupils shrank.
The skill felt… delicate.
She disliked fighting.
Was heaven pushing her toward a new path?
Creak.
The villa door opened.
Shiho Miyano, just home, spotted Kaiser instantly.
Her eyes brightened.
He'd been gone so long.
Finally back.
But then she saw Asia beside him, stiffening slightly.
Vermouth chuckled behind her hand. "Looks like a new companion."
Akemi Miyano sounded surprised. "A nun?"
Had their master's tastes evolved this far?
Not even sparing nuns?
"Mm." Kaiser nodded. "Introductions."
Asia smiled politely. "Hello, everyone. I'm Asia. Please take care of me."
"I'm Shiho Miyano—call me Shiho."
Shiho responded, then approached Kaiser.
Hmph.
New girl or not?
After his absence, compensation was due.
"Something wrong?"
"Of course." Shiho cupped his face with slender hands.
"Master, I just finished training…"
She smiled slyly. "My magic power's low."
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