Light novels in Japan have both a web version and a bunkoban (paperback) version.
The web version can be understood as the author's draft posted online. Its content is rough and incomplete.
The bunkoban is usually reviewed by editors, with adjusted plots, fixed logical loopholes, or new chapters added, while the web version retains the author's original creative state.
As for the light novel books, they are the bunkoban version.
And in the web version.
Yuki obtained the Lord of Greed.
The possessor of this Unique Skill, as long as their ambition is great enough and desires are numerous enough, can become infinitely stronger.
In the end, Yuki even surpassed the Demon Lord, becoming the final boss of the entire story, possessing world-destroying power.
If the Demon Lord hadn't been cast into the void and then absorbed enough energy from the void to evolve into a god surpassing the Star King Dragon, Yuki would have been the ultimate victor.
"However, those were just the initial settings of the web version."
"Even if Yuki truly had that potential," Rin said, "his Lord of Greed, which allowed him to ascend to a divine throne, is now in Justeaze's hands."
And according to Rin's analysis of Justeaze he found that this Ultimate Skill was not truly limitless.
From this, it could be seen that the real-world Yuki did not have the potential to reach the web version's heights.
"Let's put some more pressure on him."
"Find a way to leak the news of Hinata's defeat in the Jura Great Forest to him."
"This is not difficult."
With Violet's computing power, subtly manipulating fate was effortless.
As for Rin's true goal...
"As soon as that guy reaches the Eastern Empire, he can die."
Yes, Rin's plot against Yuki was not for Yuki himself, but for the Scorch Dragon, Velgrynd, who was still in the Eastern Empire.
To ensure Velgrynd's physical presence, Rin had gone to great lengths.
He wanted her to learn some information about the Monster Nation from Yuki's mouth.
According to Violet's calculations,
If Velgrynd learned about the Velzard and Veldora, there was a high probability that she would travel from the Eastern Empire to the Jura Forest.
In that case, Rin wouldn't have to wait for any follow-up. He could capture her immediately.
Of course, the method by which she obtained the information had to be carefully arranged.
Simply leaking it to her would only raise her suspicions and make her more cautious.
That was Yuki's value in Rin's eyes.
As long as that guy entered the Empire, he would definitely be controlled by Rudra, and Velgrynd would also learn about Rin from him.
Given her personality, there was an eighty percent chance she would be drawn over.
"I hope that guy can be of some use."
Rin disliked narrow-minded people like Yuki. "It's a pity for those clowns around him, Tear and Laplace, and the Curse Lord. They're all good workers."
But it couldn't be helped. They were the ones who chose to follow Yuki.
Whether in the original work or now, Yuki was not a good boss.
Following him would only lead to a dead end.
"Can the gate to the Campione World be entered now?"
"Still a little short."
Violet said, "According to our plan, you will soon be able to descend to that world as a projection."
The method Rin chose for this reincarnation was the same as the one used in the Type-Moon World, both involving projection descent.
However, compared to the Heroic Spirit projection of the Type-Moon World,
The projection in the Campione World was much weaker, only able to maintain the level of an ordinary human.
Yes, an ordinary human.
The reason was not that Violet couldn't open a larger gate or usurp more authority.
Rather, Rin needed to slay gods as a mortal, and then, through this method, fully integrate into the Campione World.
Only by doing this could Rin carry out his future plans and maximize his gains.
Of course, a projection was not a clone.
Essentially, it was like Rin doing two things at once, or playing a VR game. It was the safest way to descend.
"The timing is just right."
Rin looked at the accumulated soul energy in his hand and, through the soul corridor, notified Shuna, Shion, Benimaru, Souei, Souka, Geld, and Hoshiga to gather in the great hall.
All seven of them, regardless of where they were, rushed to the Demon Lords Castle's great hall at once, awaiting Rin's command.
"My Lord, may I ask why you have summoned us?"
Benimaru stepped forward to ask on behalf of everyone.
"No need to be nervous, it's good news."
Rin smiled. "In the previous war with the Kingdom of Falmuth, Souka, Geld, and Hoshiga, you all performed well."
"After Justeaze's purification, I've obtained enough soul energy for all of you to awaken."
"All of us?!"
Everyone looked at each other, stunned.
One must understand, there were seven people here.
To perform the True Demon Lord awakening ritual for seven people at once was truly shocking.
Only during Rin's own awakening last time had the Four Primordials, Artoria, and others received similar treatment.
"Thank you, Rin-sama!"
Among them, Souka and Geld were the most excited.
The two were the most recent members to join.
Logically, such a benefit should not have fallen to them.
But to their surprise, Rin had not forgotten them, even specifically including them alongside the Oni and Starfang clans.
"Are you ready?"
After waiting a moment, Rin spoke. "Then let's begin."
"Do not resist. Relax your minds as much as possible and feel your souls' transformation and sublimation."
Under Rin's guidance, the seven closed their eyes and began to experience the liberation and transformation of their shackles through Rin's soul energy.
The awakening ritual for all seven went very smoothly.
The first to complete it was Benimaru, the strongest among them.
[Benimaru]
Race: Oni God
Magicules: 5 million EP
Ultimate Skill: Lord of Blazing Sun, Amaterasu (Mid-tier Ultimate)
Benimaru's awakened Ultimate, named Amaterasu, belonged to the mid-tier among Ultimate Skills, with abilities and potential second only to the seven virtues and seven deadly sins.
Of course, while there were differences among Ultimate Skills.
The final outcome still depended on how the user wielded them.
Just like Hakurou.
Even without possessing an Ultimate Skill, he could still contend with Special A-rank powerhouses as an A-rank.
That was skill—a factor capable of causing qualitative change in combat ability.
(To be continued.)
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◇ 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.)