[244] Envy

[244] Envy

After spending some time with the World Tree sapling, all the maids had mostly recovered.

August also gave orders that from now on, this little sapling was the boss in this world. It was his treasure, and it must be nurtured with magic every day and taken care of with diligence.

The twenty maids understood. This little sapling had absorbed all their demonic power for such a long time. If something went wrong with it, their lives would be at risk.

Before leaving, August chatted with the naive little sapling, exchanging some affection.

Listening to the soft voice in his mind, August felt obligated to comply.

After bidding farewell to the sapling, August left the microcosm.

"My lord, how did it go?"

Hilda was the first to approach August upon his return, inquiring anxiously.

"Everything's resolved. It's not a bad thing; it's a good thing."

"That's a relief, my lord."

Hilda breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing August's words.

Yolda also relaxed, a smile appearing on her face. As long as her lord was safe, everything would be fine.

As for Sona and Rias, they were quite dissatisfied. They were called here, yet you say nothing's wrong?

"Oh right, since you're here too, Rias, this is for you. It's specially left for you by Sona."

With that, August took out the Moa Moa no Mi, originally intended for Rias today, but it had been absorbed too much by the sapling, leaving him drowsy.

"What's this?"

"The Moa Moa no Mi. Eating it grants augmentation abilities, theoretically with no upper limit."

"Isn't that similar to Boosted Gear?"

"Of course not. The abilities of the devil fruit need to be developed by you, with the limits depending on you. Whereas the sacred gear, it feeds on human thoughts, depending on the user's beliefs and enlightenment."

"Uh... I don't quite understand."

"Just eat it. It's good stuff."

August rolled his eyes. If it weren't for Rias's potential for power of destruction, he wouldn't want to give it to her.

"Then why didn't Sona eat it?"

Rias looked at Sona suspiciously. If it's so good, why would Sona give it to her?

Rias looked at Sona and spoke. August had already mentioned that Sona had eaten one yesterday. That meant she definitely knew how bad this devil fruit was.

"Yes, I knew. But precisely because I knew, I didn't tell you. If I did, you wouldn't have eaten it, right?"

"Sona, you despicable person."

"Rias, it's for your own good. The Moa Moa no Mi's abilities are quite potent."

"You're just gloating."

Rias glared fiercely at August and Sona, then struggled to take a second bite.

It took Rias more than half an hour to finish the whole devil fruit. After eating it, she lay on the sofa, motionless, breathing shallowly, as if she had lost half her life.

August didn't expect the devil fruit's power to be so strong that it would reduce Rias to this state.

"Rias, how do you feel?"

"I'm not talking to you."

She didn't want to deal with the person who was laughing at her misfortune right now.

"Rias, after eating the fruit, you should feel a change. Try to feel it."

"Hmm?"

Rias calmed down and sensed the new power within her.

"Moa Moa no Mi: Double Demonic Power!"

Rias conjured a magic ball, and under her gaze, the magic ball doubled in size.

This surprised Rias and then delighted her.

With this ability, her strength would improve significantly.

The augmentation from the Moa Moa no Mi was comprehensive: strength, speed, defense, attack, even objects like rocks could be enhanced.

In combat, she could amplify her power of destruction, making it easier to face stronger opponents.

All the unpleasantness from before was now forgotten.

Seeing Rias happily oblivious to her surroundings, Sona chuckled. Her good friend was indeed amusing.

But after the laughter, came envy.

Yes, envy. The ability of the Moa Moa no Mi did make her envious, but it was too late for her.

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