"Rin-san?"
Soon after, Benimaru and the other three followed Ogerpon into Rin's wooden house, kneeling respectfully on the floor.
The four of them had originally wanted to ask why Rin had called them.
However, the moment they looked up, they noticed something different.
This…!
What an overwhelming aura!
How did Rin suddenly become so much stronger?!
Rin's evolution left Benimaru and the others deeply shaken.
They knew that once a monster broke through its bottleneck, it would undergo a transformation called evolution.
But Rin's evolution was far too quiet.
They had seen Rin not long ago.
Yet now, only an hour or two later, his aura had risen from its earlier B-Rank to its current state.
10,000 magicules versus 9,999—only a difference of 1 point.
But that single point brought an oppressive pressure that even the Ogre Clan could tangibly feel.
"Oh, sorry, sorry, I almost forgot."
Rin restrained his magicules, which he still couldn't control well due to the recent evolution, and brought his presence down to the level of a B-Rank monster.
This made the members of the Ogre Clan feel much more at ease.
At the same time, it also gave them a new perspective on Rin's sudden increase in strength.
Was Rin hiding his true power all along?
That explains it!
Benimaru thought silently, How could such catastrophic-level magic be released by a mere B-Rank monster?
If he was concealing his aura, then it all makes sense.
The more Benimaru thought about it, the more convinced he became. He began to speculate about Rin's real strength.
A-Rank?
That much was clear. The oppressive pressure from earlier had already reached that level.
But Benimaru didn't think that was Rin's full strength.
Could it be… Special A-Rank?
The moment this thought emerged, he couldn't suppress it.
Yes, even Ogerpon is A-Rank. So her master, Rin, must be even stronger.
Special A-Rank.
That was the highest level Benimaru could imagine.
Beyond that were the legendary Demon Lord Seeds.
"Don't be nervous. I called you here to talk."
Rin calmed them with a warm tone, then said gently, "I want to invite you to become my dependents. Are you willing?"
"Dependents?"
"Ah, like Ogerpon."
Rin thought for a moment, then explained in a way they could understand. "You can think of it as followers or vassals."
With the Unique Skill Capturer, and his current strength already surpassing the four, Rin could have forcibly captured them.
But first, Rin didn't like using force.
Second, he wanted to earn true loyalty.
"Dependents are different from regular followers. They're more like my companions."
Rin didn't mention any benefits or enticements. He simply conveyed the relationship he hoped for.
In his view, a dependent should not be bound by benefits.
Saying something like "become my dependent and you'll get stronger" would cheapen the bond and stain the oath.
"I am willing!"
The first to speak was not Benimaru or Souei, but Shuna.
"It would be my honor to become companions with Ogerpon."
Shuna continued, "At that time, if Rin-sama hadn't acted, I would've already died in that Insect Monster's jaws."
"I can never repay the grace of having my life saved."
"I am willing to serve by your side."
After speaking, Shuna bowed gracefully before Rin.
"Uh…"
Rin hesitated for a moment but didn't refuse.
Regardless of the reason, Shuna's intent was genuine, and that was enough.
"Ahem. Well, no need to be so formal."
"Become my dependent, and we'll be family from now on."
He smiled. "Then, welcome to the family."
"That's too sly, isn't it?"
When Shion saw that Rin had truly accepted Shuna, she turned to Benimaru and said, "Sorry, Young Master. I also want to become Rin-sama's dependent."
"I understand."
Although Benimaru was known as the young master of the Ogre Clan and the future heir of the village, that was in name only.
At least, Shion and Souei had never formally sworn loyalty to him.
To be more precise, the four of them had grown up as childhood friends, not as lord and vassals.
Shion's reason for choosing to follow was the same as Shuna's.
At that time, the two girls had been in despair, and it was Rin and Ogerpon who saved them.
The grace of having one's life saved outweighed anything.
Now that Rin wanted to recruit them, what reason did Shion have to refuse?
And Rin had said.
He wanted companions, not servants.
That sincerity alone was enough to move anyone in the Ogre Clan, let alone Shuna and Shion.
"May I ask what your plans are?"
It was the normally silent Souei who spoke. He wasn't opposed to following Rin.
The Ogre Clan had originally lived as mercenaries in the Great Jura Forest.
Becoming Rin's vassal wasn't much different, it just meant turning a temporary job into a permanent one that required complete loyalty.
Rin's strength. Ogerpon's power.
That aligned perfectly with a monster's instinct to follow the strong.
Of course, if it were only that, then Gelmud in the original story wouldn't have failed to subdue the Ogre Clan.
What truly moved Souei was Rin's explanation of what it meant to be a dependent.
Not a servant. Not a subordinate. But family.
If Rin was really that kind of lord, then Souei was willing to follow him to the end.
"As for future plans…"
Rin said, "I plan to accumulate strength… and eventually become a Demon Lord."
Demon Lord!!
At those words, the four all revealed stunned expressions.
"You… do you really have that kind of ambition?"
Souei's face was serious, but his voice was full of sincerity.
"I'm willing to become your shadow. I will help you achieve the feat of becoming a Demon Lord!"
To find a master like this… and to devote his life to him…
This was the future Souei had always dreamed of!
Seeing Souei's serious face, Rin could only nod and say, "Alright, then I'll count on you."
(To be continued.)
***
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