"What do you think?"
Frey said, "With our strength, the Sorcerous Dynasty of Sarion is no match."
Damien's elite forces... Artoria, the Snow Empress, and the half-awakened Frey... were formidable.
As for armies, the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia could muster a million troops if pushed.
"I'm not planning to move against other forces for now."
Damien didn't hide his thoughts, stating plainly, "First, it would make me a target. Second, there's no need."
"I understand the first reason."
Attacking the Sorcerous Dynasty of Sarion from the Jura Forest, win or lose, would complicate diplomacy.
Neighboring nations would grow wary and fearful of Damien.
That wasn't what he wanted.
"But what do you mean by no need?"
Frey asked, "What does that mean?"
"Because I have other options."
Damien explained, "You know I can travel to other worlds."
"With so many worlds out there, surely there's a place to gather plenty of souls."
"With the ability to open doors to countless worlds, why obsess over a corner of the cardinal world?"
Moreover, avoiding conflict in the cardinal world had another benefit.
Even if Damien waged wars of conquest, they'd occur in other worlds.
"In the cardinal world, I position myself as a peace-lover, not initiating aggression." Damien said, "but striking back with thunderous force when provoked."
"I see."
Frey admired Damien's foresight.
Develop quietly in the cardinal world, act boldly in other universes.
"Have you found such a place?"
"Heh…"
Perhaps used to Damien's gentle demeanor, his sudden chuckle made Frey realize she'd overstepped.
"S-Sorry…"
Such questions weren't for a newcomer like her to ask.
"Alright, Frey, head back for now."
Damien didn't keep her, needing her to return safely to reassure the forces watching.
The Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia's stability also depended on her.
"As long as you perform well, I'll conduct your Harvest Festival."
Damien added, "As my familliar, it'd be embarrassing if you didn't have True Demon Lord strength."
"Yes!"
With Damien's promise, Frey was elated yet more cautious.
She left his base, racing toward the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia's capital.
Her speed was astonishing, shattering space for a dimensional leap, returning in mere seconds.
This showed how seriously she took stabilizing her nation.
"Hm?"
But upon reaching her palace, Frey spotted a familiar tiny figure.
"Ah!! Frey!!"
"You're back~~"
Seeing Frey descend, Milim rushed over. "I came to hang out!"
"I heard from your subordinates you got beaten. Is it true?"
Milim bared her little fangs. "Want me to beat them up for you?"
Though aware of their friendship, Frey was touched by Milim's visit.
Sadly, she knew nothing about the golden tree.
Milim's visit was partly to check on her but mostly to find the source of that spectacle.
As for her subordinates' report about her defeat…
'Damn it! Who was it?'
Frey, annoyed, asked Milim, who described the culprit.
'Luchia?'
It was her right-hand woman, the minister of internal affairs.
Frey could guess why Luchia told Milim... to save her.
'Really now.'
Frey felt helpless; Luchia had acted out of loyalty.
"Frey, Frey, did you know?"
"That golden tree just whoosh covered the sky!"
Milim grew more excited, eager to find Damien and challenge him.
'Milim wants to fight Damien?'
Frey's heart raced with anxiety, sidelining her interest in the golden tree.
"Lord Damien, I have something to report."
Without hesitation, she informed Damien of Milim's presence and her intent to spar with him.
At that moment, Frey felt no trace of her earlier desire for revenge.
Instead, she was terrified Damien might get hurt.
Not because she'd grown fond of him.
Their fates were now intertwined as master and familliar.
The familliar contract was absolute.
No matter how strong Milim was, she couldn't undo it.
If Damien got injured in the process, what good would it do Frey?
Besides, Frey wasn't fickle.
She had her own convictions and vision.
Damien was a worthy investment.
To prove she hadn't misjudged him, she wouldn't let anyone hinder his path.
"Milim's coming for me?!"
Meanwhile, Damien, playing with Egorpon, was shocked by the news.
At first, he thought Frey was stirring trouble.
But after accessing her memories, he realized it was unrelated.
Milim's presence was pure coincidence.
"Milim, huh…"
Through telepathy, Damien and Frey's thoughts accelerated to a terrifying degree.
"Now's not the time to meet her."
Damien wasn't afraid of Milim.
If Rimuru could tame her in the original story, so could he.
Food, comics, hot springs, games…
Handling a childish girl was easy, right?
'But the timing's off.'
Per his plan, Damien intended to meet powerhouses like Milim and Guy only after becoming a True Demon Lord with an Ultimate Skill.
Milim wasn't too dangerous.
But the idea of his life hinging on appeasing a little girl made him uneasy.
***
If you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)