Spirit Empress and Spirit Queen, the difference wasn't particularly large.
If anything, Spirit Empress sounded slightly more noble than Spirit Queen.
"Compared to Treyni, Snow Empress, you're actually more suited to handle the Sorcerous Dynasty."
"The Sorcerous Dynasty?"
Snow Empress responded calmly, "Very well, I'll handle it."
"No, no, I was just joking."
Rin had no intention of altering his strategic plans.
Sending a True Demon Lord to deal with the Sorcerous Dynasty would be serious overkill.
And with Snow Empress's personality...
If she were truly sent to resolve it, it would likely end in a massacre.
In that regard, Snow Empress and Testarossa were cut from the same cloth.
They held no particular value for human lives.
To fulfill Rin's commands, they wouldn't hesitate to resort to extreme methods.
"Xue'er, don't take it from me."
Treyni came to Snow Empress's side, smiling as she spoke softly, "Let me and my sister handle this. Please, please."
"Fine."
Perhaps because they were both of the Spirit race, Snow Empress and Treyni had a fairly good relationship.
In truth, when it came to diplomacy, it was still best left to the Immortal Spirit Sisters.
As for the others here, aside from Artoria, Rin wouldn't dare let them run around unsupervised.
"You've all become True Demon Lords now. Your status is above that of the Four Heavenly Kings."
"Thus, I confer upon you a new title.'"
After the Four Heavenly Kings, Rin established a new title—the Eight Marquis Kings.
The name originated from a group of Hell demons Rin once read about in Blue Exorcist, children of the final boss, Satan.
Oni God King · Ogerpon
Star Spirit King · Artoria
Divine Demon King · Diablo
Nature King · Snow Empress
Annihilation King · Testarossa
Cruelty King · Ultima
Destruction King · Carrera
Immortal Spirit King · Treyni
Sky King · Frey
Just like the Four Heavenly Kings numbered five, the Eight Marquis Kings numbered nine.
However, because Frey ruled her own country,
She was a hidden Marquis King, unknown to outsiders.
"That's enough briefing for now."
"Violet will handle the detailed arrangements."
After concluding the awakening report, Rin shifted his focus to the Sealed Cave in the western part of the Great Jura Forest.
There, two Dragon Kind sharing his bloodline were awaiting his arrival.
"You plan to go alone?"
Snow Empress asked, a bit concerned. She wanted to accompany him but was stopped by Rin.
"This time is different."
Frankly speaking, this was a family gathering.
When siblings meet for a meal, who brings a whole army?
Even if it turned into a fight, Rin didn't need anyone's help.
Only by defeating White Ice Dragon and Storm Dragon with his own strength could Rin establish his position among the Dragon Kind.
Backing down would only make him look small-minded.
Besides, Violet had already informed him of Velzard's willingness to protect the forest voluntarily.
This greatly improved Rin's impression of Velzard. He no longer harbored resistance toward her.
For that, Rin was willing to accept her goodwill.
"However, if you're inviting me over, don't think you can send me away without offering something."
Velzard wanted Rin to call her "sister," while Rin wanted to conquer both her and Storm Dragon, making them the guardian Dragon Gods of the Monster Nation.
Which made this battle critically important.
"Then, I wish you success in battle!"
Diablo understood Rin's intentions. Meeting fellow Dragon Kind wasn't something they should interfere in.
"Go for it!"
Ogerpon clenched her fist and made a cute cheering gesture.
"Don't worry. I'll win."
Rin set the flag with ease, completely unfazed.
Just like that, Rin departed the town and headed west toward the Sealed Cave.
His movements were swift.
Though he appeared to be walking, each step was essentially teleportation. His presence blurred from sight.
"...Hm?"
Suddenly, Rin stopped.
He had detected human presences in the forest.
"What a coincidence."
He quickly identified the group.
It was Elyun's party, and with them was Shizue Izawa, whom Treyni had guided to rescue them.
"Haa... haa..."
"That was close, I thought we were done for..."
"Shizu-san, sob... sob..."
Elyun clung to Shizue, crying with snot and tears. "Thank you so much! We'd have died out there if not for you... sob sob sob..."
"Ugh..."
Shizue looked awkward, even a bit uncomfortable.
Rustle...
Don't wipe it on me...
Still, seeing that Elyun was genuinely shaken, Shizue couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh.
She just kept patting Elyun, trying to comfort her and calm her down.
"Should I check on them?"
Rin wasn't in a rush to confront Velzard. After some thought, he stepped out without hesitation.
Now, there was no longer any need for him to tread carefully.
In the Cardinal World, no one could truly threaten him.
This was the confidence granted by his dual Divine Ultimate Skills.
"Who's there?!"
The moment Rin lifted his aura concealment, Shizue sensed him and called out sharply.
"Someone?"
"Ah, there really is someone!"
"An Adventurer? Is he here to explore like us?"
Elyun and the others were stunned by the sudden appearance of a young man walking out from the forest. He gave off an indescribable vibe.
Even though he was clearly visible, it was like a mist veiled him. They couldn't see him clearly at all.
"Who are you?"
Shizue wasn't like the three behind her. She had decades of experience as an adventurer on this continent, far beyond theirs.
The moment Rin appeared, her instincts sounded the alarm.
And it wasn't just her. Even Ifrit, the Greater Fire Spirit sealed within her, cowered and hid deep within her soul.
'Monster.'
'Absolutely do not make an enemy of him.'
Shizue had visited the Great Jura Forest many times.
But never once had she encountered an existence like Rin.
No, not even in her imagination had she conceived of such a being.
"Haa... haa..."
Rin's presence made her head spin.
Still, she gritted her teeth, forced down the fear, and stood in front of the group protectively.
'No magical energy...'
'Is he concealing it?'
Shizue slowly drew the blade at her waist, the action expressing her full resolve as a veteran.
"Shizu-san?"
"Stay quiet!"
Her tone was sharp and unwavering. "This man is not someone you can deal with."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ 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.)