The three women held equal status, and asking one another for favors would naturally incur debts of gratitude.
Thus, Frey intended to use this opportunity to elevate Carrion, binding their interests tightly together!
In plain terms, she was recruiting a fighter for herself.
Frey would handle the strategizing.
As for charging into battle... or, ahem, fighting... that was for Carrion.
Wasn't Carrion proud of being a combat expert?
Then let him fight every day to his heart's content!
"The final, and most troublesome, issue."
"What to do about Milim?"
Though Artoria and the Snow Empress didn't know Milim well, their battle with Velzard gave them some understanding of her strength.
"Lady Velzard, having evolved into a dragon god, surpasses Milim in power."
At least, as long as Milim didn't lose her rationality, Frost Dragon God could suppress her.
However, with the Lord of Wrath, Milim's magicule furnace allowed her to infinitely amplify her magicules... at the cost of losing her sanity.
Still, Artoria and the Snow Empress believed Velzard was stronger.
Damien had told them that the current Frost Dragon God stood at the pinnacle of the Cardinal World.
Unless the Star Dragon King were reborn, no one could defeat her.
At least until Feldway unleashed his full power, Frost Dragon God would hold the peak spot for a long time.
"If she could match Velzard…"
"No, not even match."
Even if Milim in her normal state had just a tenth of Velzard's power, the Snow Empress wouldn't stand a chance.
Having recently fought Frost Dragon God, the two women knew all too well the might of a dragon god.
Even together, they couldn't defeat Velzard in her normal state... it was an utter, crushing defeat!
Their ultimate skills couldn't even breach Velzard's defenses.
In return, the overwhelming magicules of her divine domain left them in despair.
Indeed, Velzard had defeated them without even using an ultimate ability.
Relying solely on her magicules and enhanced physique, she had crushed them.
"No, it's different."
Frey said, "Milim in her normal state is far weaker than you imagine."
"At the very least, she's significantly below Lady Velzard in her normal state."
After all, a Dragon God Velzard could effortlessly destroy a universe.
Milim, only in her frenzied state, could barely reach Velzard's current level.
The difference was clear as day.
"Milim…"
Suddenly, a voice echoed in the minds of the three women: "I'll handle her."
"Lord Damien!!"
"Master!"
"My Lord!!"
The three were surprised but not alarmed.
Their private discussion was never meant to be hidden from Damien.
Afterward, they planned to present the details of their conversation to him in writing.
Only with Damien's approval could they proceed with the plan.
"Have you been eavesdropping?"
"No, I only just arrived."
Damien's figure appeared before the three women. He said, "I noticed this conversation when you mentioned Milim and heard the plan you were discussing."
"Then…"
Frey looked at Damien nervously. "What's your decision?"
"I approve."
Damien had no reason to reject Frey's efforts. "When the time comes, I'll leave the nation's affairs to the cabinet."
What cabinet?
Weightlifting champion Rimuru could only think: The entirety kingdom rests on my shoulders!
"But regarding Milim…"
The Snow Empress hesitated. "Is it not too dangerous for you to handle her personally?"
"Perhaps let Velzard deal with her."
Milim's uniqueness lay in her mastery of Stardusts.
Stardusts were akin to creation matter.
Attacks based on them could potentially breach even Damien's defenses.
"Don't worry, I'll bring her along."
Damien was confident but not arrogant.
Who wouldn't bring a super bodyguard like Frost Dragon God?
Especially someone as cautious as Damien.
"Besides, in this world, no one is better suited to deal with Milim than me."
Damien also wielded the power of Stardusts.
Milim's invincibility was limited to the Cardinal World's framework.
In a sense, Damien, who controlled Stardusts and could harness the powers of other worlds, was Milim's natural counter.
Especially now, with his magicule capacity increased, Damien facing Milim would likely resemble a father disciplining his daughter.
The only caution was to avoid pushing Milim into a frenzy, where she might unleash Stardust cannons at him.
Even Damien was wary of those.
"Alright."
Damien instructed, "Artoria, prepare for any movements from the Kingdom of Falmuth."
"When the time comes, I'll have the Star Wolves and ogres follow your command."
"Yes!"
Artoria's hand tightened slightly on her sword's hilt.
She only hoped the human nations would send some formidable opponents.
Otherwise, this battle would be far too dull…
"Snow Empress, you and the Ice Empress will guard the eastern side of the Jura Forest."
Damien continued, "If Clayman's forces launch an attack, annihilate them without hesitation!"
"Understood."
The Snow Empress accepted her task and turned to Frey.
"Master…"
Frey awaited Damien's orders, then hesitated before saying, "Carrion and the Beast Kingdom of Eurazania…"
"No need to worry. I bear no ill will toward the Beast Kingdom of Eurazania, and I admire warriors like Carrion."
Damien was willing to recruit Carrion.
Not only Carrion but even Milim... Damien wanted to make her one of his retainers.
This way, Monster Kingdom would gain another Dragon God and a True Demon Lord.
"Proceed with your plan."
"As you command!"
Frey bowed, her eyes gleaming with joy. "I will deliver the Beast Kingdom of Eurazania and Carrion's loyalty to you!"
Afterward, Damien offered a few more words of encouragement to the three women before dispersing his thought projection (a form of mental avatar).
"Bo-ne?"
Seeing Damien suddenly close his eyes, Ogerpon, who was accompanying him to inspect crop growth by the fields, looked over curiously. "What's wrong, Damien?"
"Nothing."
Damien said, "Just that we might be heading to war."
"War?"
Ogerpon asked, "Like the one with Frey?"
"Indeed."
Damien replied, "Only this time, we might have quite a few opponents."
***
Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well. I just wanted to let you know that right now I'm working on a really good and promising fate fanfic. If you're interested in reading it, feel free to give it a try:
[Fate/Max Level Returner]
Synopsis:
What if you took your max-level account and replayed the entire story from the beginning?
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