"When interests are infringed upon, and someone stirs the pot…"
Frey asked, "What will happen?"
"War!"
Artoria could already envision Falmuth dispatching armies to invade the Jura Forest.
"Exactly."
Frey added, "This is what Clayman wants to see."
"And it's what the Western Nations need."
Though these events had occurred in the original story, Damien hadn't shared those memories with the three women.
This demonstrated Frey's wisdom and cunning, truly befitting her title as the Sky Queen.
"It sounds like Kingdom of Falmuth is being used as a pawn to test us?"
Yet Artoria sensed something peculiar in the scheme.
"It's probably jealousy."
The Snow Empress said, "After all, Falmuth is quite wealthy, isn't it?"
Tariffs and trade taxes were, in essence, a means of siphoning wealth from other nations.
The Western Nations had likely been resentful of Falmuth for some time.
"I see."
Artoria said, "Push Falmuth forward to test the waters of the Jura Forest."
"If they succeed, Falmuth's national strength will be weakened."
"Then, whether through intimidation, redistributing the spoils, or seizing Falmuth's position outright, it'll be much easier."
"If they fail, the Western Nations gain intelligence on us without any cost."
Kingdom of Falmuth was indeed in a pitiable position.
Not only was Demon Lord Clayman using it, but even its human allies in the Western Nations were looking to take a bite out of it.
As the three women deliberated, a vast web, centered on the Jura Forest and encompassing nearly ten nations, quietly descended.
"What do we need to do?"
"Hm."
Frey said, "Artoria, you're the military commander Master trusts most."
"If war breaks out, Master will choose between you and the ogres for the role of commander."
Compared to the inexperienced Benimaru and Ogerpon, Artoria, the King of Britannia, was the superior choice.
"So my opponent is the Kingdom of Falmuth?"
Artoria had no moral qualms about killing humans.
If they brazenly invaded, they were enemies, plain and simple.
Against enemies, her Sword of Promised Victory would not hesitate for a moment.
"Correct."
Frey said, "I want you to strike with lethal force!"
"Exterminate them completely?"
Artoria's brow furrowed slightly, but only slightly... she didn't voice any objections or doubts.
On the battlefield, mercy was not an option.
She despised schemes and subterfuge.
But if it meant crushing the enemy head-on, fairly and squarely, Artoria wouldn't hesitate to annihilate them entirely.
"Very well!"
Artoria declared, "No matter who the enemy is or how many come, once they step onto the battlefield, they must be prepared to fall by my blade!"
"That's the spirit."
Frey was pleased with Artoria's resolve.
Worthy of the woman who had defeated her... she was indeed to Frey's liking.
"And me?"
The Snow Empress asked, "What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to play the role of the Jura Forest's final boss."
"What?"
The Snow Empress was puzzled. Wasn't the ruler of the Jura Forest Damien?
"Master isn't suited to take the stage at this moment."
Frey sighed, then offered a peculiar reason: "He's simply too strong…"
The current Jura Forest was like a formidable ancient empire.
One universal entity, two dragon gods, nine ultimate skill wielders, and a host of Demon Lord Seeds.
Such a lineup was excessively extravagant.
If Damien revealed his full power, it would undoubtedly provoke widespread fear and suspicion.
At that point, the world's response would be binary: either kneel in submission or resist to the end!
"But if the Jura Forest deploys only a few Demon Lords (Artoria, Snow Empress, etc.), the outcome changes."
Having the Snow Empress repel the combined forces of the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia, City of the Forgotten Dragon, and Puppet Nation of Jistav would temporarily lower the vigilance of other factions.
Then, all Damien needed to do was demonstrate a willingness to ally with the West against the Eastern Empire.
After all, opposing the Eastern Empire was the politically correct stance for the Western powers in the Cardinal World.
"The Jura Great Alliance, formed by multiple Demon Lords, will serve as a natural barrier for the Western Nations against the Eastern Empire's invasion."
At that stage, the coalition of the Ten Great Demon Lords would lose much of its significance.
Not to mention others... just Artoria, the Snow Empress, and Frey, three true Demon Lords, would be enough to stand equal to the remaining Demon Lords.
"You mean to keep Master from becoming a Demon Lord?"
"Of course!"
Frey said, "The so-called Ten Great Demon Lords sounds impressive."
"But why should there be multiple Demon Lords?"
"Or rather, if it's not the sole Demon Lord, does the title hold such great value?"
In Frey's mind, Damien was unique.
He didn't need to share his title with others.
That would be an insult to the master she revered!
"Rather than letting Master become one of the Demon Lords, we should become the Demon Lords ourselves."
Frey declared, "And let Lord Damien be the master of the Demon Lords!"
Frey's proposal made the Snow Empress's eyes gleam.
Artoria nodded slightly in agreement, deeply convinced.
"However, I have a suggestion."
"Include the Beast Kingdom of Eurazania in the Monster Kingdom as well."
Though Frey looked down on Carrion, she acknowledged his strength.
If he submitted to Damien, he would instantly become a True Demon Lord.
Truth be told, Frey had a feeling.
Carrion's strength after awakening would likely surpass her own.
"Can you manage that?"
"I'm confident."
Frey had some rapport with Carrion. "From what I know about Carrion, direct surrender is impossible."
Carrion was stubborn, unyielding even in the face of death.
"The best approach is to beat him into submission, making him understand the gap between us."
In the original story, it was Milim who crushed Carrion.
But here, Frey decided to take matters into her own hands!
There was an old saying: Strike your younger brother early.
Otherwise, once he grows up, you might not be able to.
Carrion was someone she had watched rise to the ranks of the Ten Great Demon Lords.
In a sense, their relationship was almost sibling-like.
Frey also had her own motives.
Under Damien's command, her forces were spread thin, especially in terms of combat strength... she lacked the power to charge into battle.
This wasn't something that could be resolved simply by allying with the Snow Empress and Artoria.
***
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