Chapter 429: Frey Really Wants to Make Progress

After learning that Demon Lord Carrion had died, only to be resurrected by Takumi and become a member of the Takum Empire, Frey had completely lost any thought of resistance.

Against an enemy this powerful, what ability—or even what right—did she have to resist?

Seeing Frey’s despair, Kagali spoke again.

“You don’t need to worry. My Master is merciful, and the soon-to-be-revived Charybdis will serve as proof.”

“I know it’s the natural enemy of your Winged Race, so we can eliminate it for you as well.”

“Once Charybdis is dead, your Skywing Nation will formally come under the Takum Empire and become one of us. What do you think?”

First came force, then courtesy—a heavy blow followed by a sweet reward.

With those final words, Kagali had also given Frey a proper justification.

If she had simply demanded that Frey surrender her entire nation out of nowhere, Frey herself might have agreed, but her people probably wouldn’t.

After this combination of intimidation and favor, however, every problem could be resolved naturally.

The arrangement was so thorough that Frey had virtually no way to refuse.

As expected of the seasoned Curse Lord!

Come to think of it, the Curse Lord always wore a mask, and that hoarse voice made it impossible to tell whether they were a man or woman.

So this is what she really looks like. I guess she even changed her appearance specifically to please the ruler of this place.

My looks probably don’t need changing, but I’ll still have to figure out some way to please this empire’s ruler.

As Frey muttered to herself internally, more and more black lines appeared across Kagali’s forehead.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

What does she mean, “seasoned”?!

She’s making me sound like some vicious, scheming old monster!

And she thinks I changed my face? What complete nonsense!

This is what I actually look like!!

Kagali suddenly had the urge to slap Frey across the face a couple of times.

She promptly shut off the irritating [Mind Reading] skill and pretended she had heard none of it.

Noticing Kagali’s rapidly changing expression, Frey began complaining internally again.

Not only is she some ancient monster, she’s emotionally unstable too.

I absolutely can’t afford to offend someone like this!

Frey obediently sat on the sofa and stopped speaking.

Kagali took a deep breath, calmed herself, and immediately notified Takumi.

Having just given Kumara another round of accelerated “growth,” Takumi received the message, threw on a coat, and headed over.

As he walked, Shadow Demon maids of all different figures and appearances activated their magic to create matter from thin air.

Tough strands of thread materialized one after another, weaving themselves together and fitting perfectly around Takumi’s body as he continued walking.

By the time he leisurely reached Kagali’s office, everything had already been taken care of—a pure-white suit, tailored trousers, even his overall grooming.

Completely refreshed, Takumi radiated an otherworldly handsomeness.

The moment he pushed open the door, the gloomy Frey looked over.

Her eyes immediately lit up.

So handsome!!!

She had guessed that the empire’s ruler was a man.

What she hadn’t expected was for Takumi to be this handsome.

At their very first meeting, Frey felt her instinctive desire to reproduce being stirred.

Her face flushed red as she shakily rose to her feet and immediately lowered her head respectfully.

“I am Frey, Queen of the Skywing Nation. I have come to pay my respects to the Emperor of the Takum Empire.”

“Mm~ Looks like Kagali has already explained everything to you.”

Takumi walked in at an unhurried pace, naturally crossed the room, and took the main seat.

Kagali expertly moved aside for him, almost dropping to her knees out of sheer habit.

Remembering that Frey was present, however, she shifted her steps and instead stood behind Takumi.

Seeing Kagali—who had carried herself so loftily moments ago—now assume such a humble posture made Frey lower her head even further.

Unfortunately, the ample curves in front of her practically propped her head back up.

Takumi raised a hand and gestured casually.

“Raise your head. There’s no need to be so restrained, Queen Frey.”

“Queen… I’m hardly worthy of such a title before you. Please just call me Frey.”

“From this day onward, the Skywing Nation will become part of the Takum Empire, and all of us Winged Folk will be your subjects, my Lord!”

Listening to Frey’s earnest and extremely formal declaration left Takumi momentarily dazed.

Who taught her to talk like this? She sounds so official—and so eager to “make progress.”

Takumi instinctively turned toward Kagali behind him.

Kagali silently shook her head, indicating that she had nothing to do with it.

Frey, meanwhile, was secretly delighted with herself.

These were phrases she had picked up from subordinates who normally flattered her.

She hadn’t remembered much of it, but at least it was finally coming in handy!

“Hahaha~ Frey, since you’re becoming one of my dependents, naturally I’ll reward you.”

Takumi raised a hand and condensed a Divine Envoy piece before sending it toward Frey.

The moment Frey received it, she chose to fuse with it.

As an immense surge of power poured into her body, her eyes widened in shock.

Only now did she truly understand just how insignificant her former self had been!

At the same time, Takumi checked Frey’s status.

[Name: Frey]

[Rank: Divine Envoy Sky Queen]

[Level: Demon Lord-class]

[Traits: Divine Envoy (Gold)… Winged Race Bloodline (Purple)…]

“Her potential is decent. She’s only a step away from the Super Demon Lord-class now.”

“The traits are passable too. Without the Divine Envoy piece, her future strength probably would’ve capped out around the Demon Lord Seed level.”

Takumi examined her for a moment, his expression remaining unchanged.

Newer Demon Lords like Frey were only so strong.

Expecting them to possess traits as exceptional as Milim’s was obviously unrealistic.

Compared to that, Takumi appreciated her bearing as the queen of an entire nation much more—as well as her identity as a member of the Winged Race.

“From now on, Frey, you’ll remain the governor of the Skywing provincial capital. Your status won’t really change.”

“The only difference is that from now on, you’ll have to obediently serve me.”

“Yes, my Master!”

Without the slightest hesitation, Frey immediately dropped to her knees and declared her loyalty.

The power now surging through her body alone was enough to make her submit wholeheartedly. From the bottom of her heart, she already felt immense gratitude and admiration toward Takumi.

Just as she was about to step forward and demonstrate some of her “loyalty,” green vines suddenly sprouted from the floor.

In the next moment, Treyni’s graceful figure appeared inside the office.

She bowed respectfully before reporting,

“The Calamity-class monster Charybdis has revived.”

“What?!”

Frey’s expression changed dramatically.

After all, she had only just grown stronger and had no concrete understanding yet of exactly how powerful she had become.

Because of that, she still instinctively feared Charybdis, the natural enemy of the Winged Race.

Takumi, on the other hand, merely nodded upon hearing the report, treating it as an insignificant matter.

Receiving his signal to continue, Treyni explained the situation in full.

She raised a hand and pointed, causing live footage to appear before them.

Charybdis had activated its intrinsic ability [Monster Summoning], calling forth flying shark monsters known as Megalodons and unleashing them to wreak havoc.

After a certain amount of time, the temporary bodies formed from magicules would naturally collapse.

Even so, their formidable A-minus-class strength could not be ignored.

At the very least, to ordinary monsters and the surrounding nations, they would have been exceptionally dangerous enemies.

Huh? What do you mean all the neighboring countries have already been destroyed?

Then never mind.