"Step. Step. Step."
Walking through the Tokyo branch of the Historical Compilation Committee, Rin strolled leisurely, as if he had returned home, showing no restraint of a newcomer.
Behind him, Yuri followed closely, looking around as if it were her first time there.
This was only natural.
Yuri had just graduated from middle school. Even if she knew where the Historical Compilation Committee was located, she could not possibly have visited it.
Especially this place.
A group of high-ranking officials were gathered here, including the head and elders of the Sayanomiya Family, as well as the heads of Tokyo's major zaibatsu and prominent families.
Those who could enter this place stood at the very top of Japan's social pyramid.
What right did Yuri, a Hime Miko treated like a tool, have to speak with them as an equal?
Even Kaoru, because of her gender, was not particularly valued by them.
"The Seventh King."
At that moment, a group of middle-aged and elderly men dressed in kimonos appeared before Rin.
There were seven of them, all looking at him with guarded expressions.
The one at the front was Kaoru's grandfather, the current head of the Sayanomiya Family.
"May I ask why you came from afar?"
The head of the Sayanomiya Family stepped forward and bowed. His tone fully displaying the bearing of a powerful family leader.
The others behind him also maintained calm and composed expressions.
This scene did not look like an audience with a Campione.
It was more like a meeting between politicians of two nations, beginning with polite greetings before moving into detailed discussions.
However.
"Boom!"
The authority of Pride among the seven deadly sins instantly transformed into boundless gravity, pressing heavily upon everyone's shoulders.
In an instant, the sound of knees striking the ground echoed one after another.
Only Kaoru was spared.
Having experienced it before, she had already knelt in advance, avoiding the sudden oppressive force of Pride.
"Are you speaking to me?"
Rin smiled faintly and stepped forward. The gravitational pressure doubled instantly, and some of them began to cry out in pain.
"This is truly eye-opening."
"Have I been too merciful?"
"Allowing you to show such disrespect toward me?"
As he spoke, the gravity increased again. The weakest among the seven had their bones shattered and lost their lives under the silent pressure.
Those slightly stronger fainted as their flesh collapsed from the strain.
Only the head of the Sayanomiya Family remained, barely enduring.
"Oh?"
Rin showed a hint of surprise. It was said that the strongest among humans possessed the power to defeat divine beasts.
However, the head of the Sayanomiya Family was far from relaxed.
Kneeling under the crushing gravity, he frantically consumed the Magic Power within his body to resist.
In just a few dozen seconds, he was already close to exhaustion.
"Boom!"
Before he could beg for mercy, an even more terrifying surge of Magic Power sealed his mouth.
The old man was forced flat onto the ground, his head slamming heavily against the floor.
"You have some potential."
Rin stepped down, placing his foot on the old man's head, his voice indifferent.
"But not much."
"Rumble."
"Crack."
Magic Power, endless Magic Power, surged like a tsunami.
The old man lying prostrate on the ground began to shed tears of blood.
This was a sign that he had consumed too much and was starting to burn his life force.
As the highest-ranking Sorcerer in Japan, his strength was not inferior to Paul of Italy.
Yet even he, standing at the pinnacle of Sorcerers, was like a lone boat in a violent storm before Rin, in constant danger of capsizing.
No.
Not constant.
The only reason he could still endure was that Rin had used only a trace of his Magic Power.
If Rin had been even slightly serious, all seven people present would have been crushed into pulp.
Instead of the current outcome, where only a few died and the stronger ones merely fainted, barely clinging to life.
Watching this scene, Yuri remained silent.
It could only be said that no one truly liked those in power.
"Seventh King, please forgive our rudeness."
Seeing her grandfather on the brink of death, Kaoru hurriedly said, "Whatever you command, we are willing to obey."
As she spoke, she looked at Rin pleadingly, hoping he would grant them another chance.
"This is the last time. Do you understand?"
"Thank you very much!"
Hearing Rin relent, Kaoru quickly nodded.
As he withdrew his aura, the terrifying pressure vanished instantly, leaving only the white-haired old man lying in a pool of blood, gasping for breath.
In that brief moment, he felt as if he had walked through the gates of hell.
Just a little more.
He would have died.
If not for his granddaughter's timely plea, he would have followed those behind him.
"That is right."
The white-haired old man finally realized the situation.
The person before him was not some fortunate individual who could be manipulated at will.
He was a reckless figure like Marquis Voban and Luo Hao.
"Please calm your anger."
At this point, the head of the Sayanomiya Family had no intention of testing Rin anymore. Only fear remained.
"The Sayanomiya Family is willing to offer everything in this country to you."
"What do you desire?"
"No."
Kaoru quickly took over her grandfather's words.
"It is the honor of the Sayanomiya Family to serve you, the Seventh King."
"Oh?"
Rin looked at the well-behaved Kaoru.
Her attitude was completely different from how she treated Godou in the original story.
Godou was also a Campione.
Even if he was not as strong as Rin, he still possessed the power to sweep across the entire Japan.
But in the original story, what treatment did Godou receive?
He was assigned tasks by the Historical Compilation Committee, endured tests from Susanoo, and was constantly ordered around.
In Rin's view, Godou in the original story was less like a Campione.
And more like a dog raised by Japan.
He solved problems for the country's upper echelons, maintaining a servant's mindset.
Now look at the Campiones of other countries.
Luo Hao acted without restraint in China. Marquis Voban was unbridled in Europe.
Salvatore Doni stood above all, and the Black Prince, though cautious about provoking other Campiones, was absolute within his own territory.
Only Godou completely disgraced the title of Campione.
He possessed the greatest power, yet was reduced to a mere worker. The stronger he became, the more he was looked down upon, as if anyone could step over him.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)