"Hmm?!"
Velzard was nearly fuming, glaring at Veldora as if to ask, 'You traitor, whose side are you on?!'
"Ah, I, that, what I meant was..."
Sensing his elder sister's killing intent, Veldora instantly broke out in a cold sweat. "Ahahaha, I, I didn't say anything..."
That was because Velzard's educational philosophy was to beat Veldora senseless whenever he disobeyed.
As a result, Veldora had been 'killed' countless times by Velzard.
Yes, he had been 'killed' by his own sister.
The term 'killed' here didn't mean true annihilation, but rather being forced into reincarnation, akin to a personality reset.
Veldora, being a mass of magicules, wouldn't actually die.
Even if someone beat him down until only his spiritual core remained and sealed it, a new Veldora would still be reborn.
However, the new Veldora would no longer be the same Veldora.
Because even his spiritual core would have changed.
The strongest Hero's [Infinity Prison] was a space-time type ability capable of isolating everything, even preventing the spiritual core's return.
If Veldora were to fall, and the spiritual core couldn't return.
Then a new Veldora, Veldora 02, would replace him.
Although this probability was extremely low, it was a result the Frost Dragon absolutely didn't want to see.
After all, Veldora was still her little brother.
At most, she would beat Veldora down to the point that only his spiritual core remained, and then let him reincarnate.
Through this method, Velzard disciplined her little brother and repeatedly reshaped his personality.
Disobedient little brother?
Just beat him to death!
Once he was reborn, he'd still be her brother, just with a different personality.
Then, she would check to see if his new personality met her standards.
If not?
Kill him again and wait for the next reincarnation.
Cycle after cycle, Veldora's fear of his elder sister surpassed even the laws of reincarnation, deeply etched into his spiritual core.
No matter how many times he was reborn, no matter what kind of personality he took on, the Frost Dragon would always be the invincible Demon King in Veldora's heart.
So when he saw Rin, another little brother figure, daring to talk back to Velzard,
Veldora was beyond impressed!
Good kid, you've got guts!
Seeing Veldora constantly giving him eye signals like a wagging husky, Rin was amused.
Honestly, this version of Veldora's personality suited Rin's taste quite a bit.
And judging from the way he looked, Rin was fully confident he could bring him into the Monster Nation and make him its Guardian Dragon God.
"Alright then."
Rin stopped Velzard from threatening her little brother and said, "Two against one. I accept!"
"Eh?"
"Wait, what did you say?"
Velzard blinked. "You accept?"
"Are you serious?"
Velzard was clearly surprised. She hadn't expected Rin to actually agree to such a condition.
"Of course, but I have conditions too."
Rin said, "I can accept a two-versus-one, but you also have to accept the stakes I propose."
"What stakes?"
"If I lose, then I'll call you 'Big Sister' as you wish, or Sister Velzard."
"But if I win..."
Rin looked serious. "I want you and Veldora to join my Monster Nation and serve as the Guardian Dragon Gods of the Monster Nation."
"..."
The two siblings exchanged glances. Velzard in particular hadn't expected Rin to set his sights on her.
But as a wager, there was really nothing wrong with it.
Don't think calling someone 'sister' is an easy way out.
On the contrary, making a Demon Lord or someone of great power bow their head was a very serious matter.
That was also why Rin had the right to propose conditions.
If you want me to bow my head, then I want you to serve me. That's only fair, isn't it?
"I've got no problem with that."
Veldora was the first to declare his stance.
After being released from his seal, Veldora had no place to stay other than the Great Jura Forest.
Joining Rin's Monster Nation and being with his own brother was totally acceptable to him.
As for helping Rin fight or guarding the nation and the like—
Those trivial matters were nothing.
He, Veldora, had plenty of magicules and overwhelming power.
If anyone dared to mess with his brother, Veldora would show them what a true natural disaster looked like!
"What about you?"
Rin gave Veldora a reassuring look, then turned to Velzard. "What's Miss Frost Dragon's answer?"
"..."
After a moment of silence, Velzard sighed. "I'm sorry, I can't agree."
Velzard turned Rin down.
It wasn't because the conditions were bad, or that she lacked confidence in her strength.
Rather, Velzard had a mission she still had to fulfill.
Long ago, the oldest Demon Lord, Guy, had completed his awakening.
The Star King Dragon had appointed Guy as the world's guardian and dispatched the Frost Dragon to keep an eye on him, making sure Guy's overwhelming power didn't threaten the world.
Because of that, Velzard couldn't abandon her duty and just go play with Rin.
"If you're worried about Guy..."
Rin said, "I think you're overthinking it."
"What?!"
Velzard was shocked. "How do you know about that?"
She had never told anyone that she was the monitor sent by the Star King Dragon.
"What do you think?"
Rin didn't answer. He knew Velzard would draw her own conclusions.
"That's true."
Velzard recalled Rin's identity. "You're big brother's successor, no wonder you know this secret."
"So what?"
"I still have to monitor Guy. What nonsense are you saying?"
"Guy's power is beyond your imagination."
Velzard said, "That guy has enough power to destroy this world!"
She felt Rin was being overly confident.
Don't think that just because you've awakened as a True Demon Lord, you can ignore the other Demon Lords.
That's Guy!
Even she couldn't beat him!
"Indeed, I haven't seen the true power of the Dark Emperor."
"But!!!"
Rumble!!!
Terrifying magicules surged like a tsunami, engulfing both Veldora and the Frost Dragon.
"Have you seen my full power?!"
"!!!"
In that moment, not only Velzard, but even Veldora was stunned by the sheer volume of magicules Rin unleashed.
"This is truly..."
After the shock passed, Velzard instead felt excitement and anticipation.
The corners of her mouth curled upward unconsciously, her eyes locking onto Rin like a hunter spotting prey.
(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.)