"Devil-sama, can you really grant my wish?"
"Tell me."
Akame's expression was serious. She said solemnly, "Can you... change this country?"
"Of course."
Ayato smiled and nodded.
He had some understanding of the country Akame mentioned.
Changing it would simply require power.
After thinking for a moment, Ayato said, "But how exactly do you want it changed? Do you have any ideas?"
"..."
Akame's expression was somewhat lost.
She had never thought about that.
She had always just trusted the Revolutionary Army.
She killed whoever the Revolutionary Army told her to kill.
But how to make the country better, to let all the people live in peace... she had never considered it.
'Devil-sama is surprisingly considerate?'
Leone and Najenda's eyes flickered.
'Unlike the legends, this Devil seemed to genuinely be thinking for us.'
Akame frowned slightly, then finally said, "Devil-sama, do you have any suggestions?"
"The easiest way, of course, is to simply destroy this country. What happens after that is none of my concern."
Ayato showed a meaningful smile. "After all, that would still count as changing the country."
"..."
Other than Akame, Leone and Najenda were already starting to panic.
'As expected!'
'A Devil is a Devil.'
'Thoughtfulness... that had been our illusion.'
'But to speak of destroying the country so casually... just how powerful was this Devil-sama?'
'Even the Empire's two strongest couldn't possibly do that.'
Akame shook her head seriously.
"That naturally won't do. The country I wish to change is one where people can live in peace."
She sat up straight and bowed deeply. "Devil-sama, I beg you to create such a country."
"If that's the case, it's a bit troublesome."
Ayato pretended to look troubled. "Governing a country would probably waste quite a bit of time."
He sized up Akame, revealing his true intentions.
"For such a large undertaking, what kind of price should you pay?"
For him, another world was a huge treasure trove.
New supernatural knowledge.
People with considerable strength, worthy of becoming powerful servants.
Akame before him definitely had the qualifications and aptitude.
Hearing Ayato's words, Akame was slightly stunned.
She finally recalled that wishing upon a Devil always comes with a price.
She had almost forgotten that.
'But what could I offer?'
'Other than killing, my life had no value.'
'Would Devil-sama need such a skill?'
Leone said urgently, "Akame, don't agree to this Devil."
Najenda stepped forward, shielding Akame behind her. "That's right, please leave, Devil-sama."
The two were very wary.
The prices demanded by Devils in legends...
...all made one's life worse than death.
They absolutely would not allow that to happen.
"Well, what is your choice?"
Ignoring the two, Ayato looked at Akame with a gentle expression. "Friendly reminder: from the moment you summoned me, the contract was already established."
'Threat. This was definitely a threat, right?'
'So-called Devils really are all treacherous.'
'Even though he looked so handsome.'
The corners of Najenda and Leone's mouths twitched.
They exchanged glances.
'If we fought... could we win?'
Remembering his words about destroying the country, the two fell silent.
"Don't worry about me."
Akame nodded to the two, then said firmly, "Devil-sama, whatever the price, just take it."
Her gaze did not waver in the slightest.
To get something, you have to give something.
It was the same principle as getting paid for work, a universal truth.
Especially when dealing with a Devil.
And besides, if it was just her alone, it would be worth it to save the country and let the people live in peace.
"Akame..."
Najenda and Leone wanted to say more but finally just sighed quietly.
They knew Akame's personality well.
Once she decided something, no one could change it.
"As expected of you."
Ayato looked at Akame deeply and smiled.
"Don't worry, it's not a harsh price."
"Just serve me for life."
'Serve?'
Najenda and the other woman were bewildered.
'Was this 'serve'... proper?'
Unconsciously, they looked at Ayato with changed eyes, as if looking at a pervert.
"Is that all?"
Akame blinked, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"If that's the case..."
"...then please take care of me from now on."
'If it was just serving, that meant following Devil-sama's orders, right?'
'It didn't seem any different from my current life.'
She thought this way.
"..." Najenda.
"..." Leone.
'This child... was too naive. She'd probably help the Devil count his money after being sold by him.'
'But thinking about it carefully...'
'...it wasn't like we had any room to refuse.'
"Very good. You've made the right decision."
Ayato raised his hand, and an Evil Piece appeared in his palm.
Akame stared at the piece. "This is?"
"This is an Evil Piece. It will reincarnate you as a Devil."
Ayato smiled faintly. "You didn't think just any ordinary person could serve a Devil, did you?"
"I see."
Akame nodded. "So what do I do?"
"I'll help you."
"You need to lift your shirt. I can do it myself."
"..."
Ayato fell silent.
It was the first time he had encountered someone so cooperative. It made him a bit uncomfortable.
Watching Akame's movements, he said, "Just take off your outer clothes, so I can place the piece easily."
"Oh."
Akame blinked, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Although she was a bit airheaded...
She wasn't completely ignorant.
Her earlier actions were just due to her personality.
"I'm starting."
Warning her, Ayato directly placed the piece in the appropriate spot.
The piece he chose for Akame was the Knight Piece.
She possessed the one-hit-kill sword, Murasame. The Knight Piece, which enhanced speed, was undoubtedly the most suitable for her.
Hum!
A crimson magic circle began to appear beneath Akame.
As an excellent assassin, she knew her own body like the back of her hand.
Akame could feel her muscles, bones, and even all her organs beginning to undergo earth-shattering changes.
All her physical strength was increasing at a visible rate.
"So this... is the power of a Devil?"
Thinking this, she felt an itch on her back and near her tailbone.
"Hmph."
She grunted softly and, following the feeling, tried to control it.
The next instant,
Devil wings resembling a bat's, and a long tail, extended from her.
"Th-this..."
Leone and the other woman standing by were dumbfounded.
It had all happened so fast that they hadn't even had time to process it.
'Akame... had become a Devil?'