"There's no need for us to clash, is there?"
Queen Frey said, "The Tengu is useless to me. If you want to subjugate them, I won't interfere."
"Moreover, I can speak on your behalf at the Walpurgis, helping you better rule the forest."
In her view, this battle could be avoided entirely.
At least for Frey, if Damien agreed to cooperate, she would withdraw her forces and form an alliance with him.
"What's your goal?"
Damien asked, already knowing the answer.
"Help me secure a path through the Kusha Mountain Range, establishing a route across the forest to the Sorcerous Dynasty of Sarion."
Frey, sensing this might not be enough to sway Damien, added more to the deal: "When the time comes, we can attack the Elven territory together and seize souls as we please!"
Her final words were cloaked in spatial magic, audible only to Damien.
Frey believed no majin could resist the temptation of becoming a True Demon Lord.
'As expected, it's about souls.'
Damien confirmed Frey's intentions and asked, "Violet, what her chances of awakening as a True Demon Lord?"
[29%]
Less than a third. Damien shook his head inwardly. 'Even a 99% chance of awakening as a True Demon Lord carries significant risk if that 1% is missing.'
With a 71% failure rate, it was practically a death sentence.
According to Violet's calculations, Frey's odds of becoming a True Demon Lord on her own were minuscule.
"So, what's your answer?"
Frey wasn't like Clayman; she didn't suppress newcomers.
If she had approached Damien before hostilities began, proposing an alliance, he might have agreed.
But now, Damien wanted Frey herself.
Cooperation? Sure.
But only if he was in charge!
Frey, however, wasn't one to be controlled. She would never agree.
That made things simple.
In the world of majins, strength ruled.
If she wouldn't submit, they'd settle it with a fight, letting victory speak!
"Your terms are indeed tempting."
Making his decision, Damien spoke amidst the worried gazes of the Tengu: "Not only could we avoid war, but I'd gain an ally for free."
"Then... "
"But I refuse!"
"What?"
Frey froze, clearly baffled by Damien's logic.
Weren't the terms appealing? Why refuse?
"I, Damien, love nothing more than saying 'no' to self-righteous types!"
"…"
In that moment, Frey felt utterly played.
And she was right... Frey caught the mocking smile on Damien's face.
She didn't understand memes, but the teasing tone in his words infuriated her. "You wretched brat, daring to toy with me like that!"
"No matter."
Frey raised her hand, her fingers cracking ominously. "I'll teach you how to respect your predecessors, you insolent pup!"
She had no intention of killing Damien.
A powerful Demon Lord candidate like him was a rare find... a gift from the world.
In the future, Clayman would toil to nurture the Orc Lord.
Frey needed to do nothing but use Damien's conquest of the Jura Great Forest as her excuse.
Could anything be better?
What?
Was Frey worried about losing?
Laughable!
She was the Sky Queen, Frey, Demon Lord of the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia.
How could she possibly lose to a fledgling Demon Lord like Damien, who'd only awakened months ago?
Boom!
But just as Frey, brimming with confidence, prepared to teach Damien a lesson, an overwhelming, ferocious killing intent surged from directly below her without warning.
"What?"
Frey caught only a fleeting glimpse of gold.
The next moment, a razor-sharp wind blade appeared before her at an unimaginable speed.
Swish!
A single slash, and Frey heard a crack like something shattering.
The Sky Queen's eyes widened in shock.
The spatial barrier she'd set up around herself for protection had just been forcibly shattered.
'Impossible!'
Frey tried to focus and assess the situation.
But the invisible wind blade, which she thought she'd dodged, erupted with a sudden vortex.
Propelled by this gust, the blindingly fast slash twisted its trajectory, aiming for her neck once more.
'So fast!'
Frey had no time to speak, only marveling inwardly at the attacker's swordsmanship as she dodged on instinct.
But!
Swish, swish, swish!
One slash followed another.
No matter how she evaded or defended, the blade clung to her like a parasite, relentless.
Left, right, above.
Frey felt trapped, as if locked in a cage forged of sword edges.
"Your Majesty!!"
In the distance, Luchia and the other Harpies, seeing their queen ambushed, rushed to aid her.
But before they could act, the shattered Tengu's spatial barrier was swiftly encased in a layer of shimmering ice crystals.
The barrier was repaired and reinforced, now far sturdier than the original sacred mountain barrier.
Clearly, the Snow Empress had intervened…
"What is this?!"
Luchia didn't hesitate, leading the Harpies in an immediate assault.
Unfortunately, this barrier was crafted by the Snow Empress himself.
For them to start break through would take at least several minutes of continuous attacks.
And that time was more than enough to settle the battle within.
"You can't interfere with their fight."
Led by Benimaru, Shion and Shunaappeared at the entrance to the spatial barrier.
"Let us be your opponents."
Shuna spoke, offering a graceful bow to the Harpies in the sky.
"Hah!"
Shion slammed her fist into her palm. "Why waste words? Just crush them all!"
"Show some restraint, Shion." Shuna rubbing her forehead with exasperation. "This is Lord Damien's order."
"Tch!"
Shion, unwilling to defy Damien's will, grumbled, "Fine, I get it!"
Three Special A-rank warriors, each wielding a host of unique skills.
Together, they could defeat the 200,000-strong Harpy army... it was only a matter of time.
***
If you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)