"Using reparations to sever the debt of gratitude."
Luchia thought Frey's approach was wise.
More importantly, in the cardinal world, climbing high and going far required more than schemes and tricks.
Like naming.
In other worlds, one could grovel or beg for mercy.
As long as they won in the end, they'd write history as victors.
But in the cardinal world, such actions would earn a label from the Voice of the World, tainting even the soul.
Of course, this no longer concerned Frey.
Her 990,000 capped magicules said it all.
'I'm already his. Using Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia's resources to support him is only reasonable, right?'
"Tch, tch, tch."
Receiving Frey's message, Damien found her the perfect employee.
Not only did she delay Milim's visit with a few words, but she also secured substantial startup funds for his nation's early growth.
Frey's competence pleased Damien.
His earlier dissatisfaction had vanished.
Such an excellent worker... how could he not value her?
Value her, he must!
"From now on, Frey is officially part of our team."
With Frey's matter settled, Damien turned to the Dryad.
To celebrate the Tengu's integration and Frey's reparations, Damien held a banquet in town, inviting Treyni and her sisters.
The Jura Forest had more than one Dryad.
But Treyni was the eldest.
"Become your familliar?"
After the meal, clutching a bag of chips, Treyni received Damien's private invitation.
In their talk, he expressed his desire to make her a familliar.
Treyni was the first Special A-rank Majin Damien met.
Over the past month, she frequently visited, enjoying the majins' chips.
Moreover, she personally helped with farming.
This endeared her to Damien's majins.
From Goblins to Kijins, all held her in high regard.
[Treyni]
[Race: Dryad]
[Magicules: 600,000 EP]
Six hundred thousand magicules was impressive.
But given Treyni's situation, Damien felt they were somewhat meaningless.
Her true form was a massive ancient tree.
The girl walking about was merely a projection.
Without a physical body, even with Demon Lord Seed-level magicules, Treyni couldn't unleash her full potential.
"Are you serious?"
Treyni didn't refuse but asked if Damien was joking.
"I sincerely invite you to join my team."
"…"
Treyni looked at Damien. "You must know something about my situation, right, Mr. Damien?"
"Your sacred tree body?"
"Yes."
Treyni said, "My true form can't move."
"If you want my influence in the forest, I'd help you even without becoming your subordinate."
Treyni liked Damien and adored the town's majins.
In terms of lifestyle, she was already part of the nation.
Every crop in the fields bore her effort and care.
"That's exactly why I want you as a familliar."
"What?"
"My Unique Skill, [Capturer]."
Damien briefly explained its power. "Of course, I don't mean to force anything on you, Miss Treyni."
"I trust your character, Mr. Damien."
Treyni wasn't lying. As a Dryad, she could sense goodwill and malice.
In her perception, Damien held affection, gratitude, and care for her, but no malice or ill intent.
"Thank you."
Damien smiled. "As my familliar, you'll undergo a transformation."
Unlike Rimuru's body reconstruction, familliar transformation was a restructuring.
With Violet's help, Damien could enhance Treyni further.
Eliminate flaws, amplify strengths.
This wasn't exploiting a vulnerable woman but reciprocating her kindness.
"Is that so…"
Treyni understood, thought briefly, and agreed. "Then, I'll be in your care, Lord Damien."
"You won't be disappointed."
Damien extended his hand, and Treyni didn't hesitate, linking their magicules and souls.
Unlike Frey's forced capture, Treyni's transformation was gentle, almost effortless.
Whoosh~~
Green fluorescent specks appeared around the Dryad.
Her body began to dissolve into particles, vanishing completely.
Rumble~~~
Damien sat calmly, feeling the trembling earth, a faint smile on his lips.
"An earthquake?!"
"What's happening? Is someone attacking?"
"Such powerful magical fluctuations, what's…"
"Huh? Huh??"
"This aura… Miss Dryad?"
"What's going on? Why is Miss Dryad's magic…"
The town's majins were startled by the disturbance from the Jura Forest.
They deployed magic perception to trace the source.
But Treyni's aura permeated the entire forest.
Even her sisters couldn't discern what was happening to her.
"Lord Damien?"
"No need to worry. It's normal."
Damien's calm demeanor instantly reassured his majins.
His familliars already knew Treyni was joining.
But the magnitude of the reaction surprised them.
***
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