However, suggestions could only be suggestions. Ultimately, it depended on Rin's personal thoughts.
And Rin adhered to a philosophy of, "I will not offend others unless they offend me."
It was precisely because of this that Frey needed to adopt a fishing method, first casting out bait to lure those desperate big fish.
"Ah."
Artoria nodded. "If Master intends to do that, I will try my best to dissuade him."
Whether she succeeded or not was one thing.
Whether she tried to dissuade him was another.
At the very least, Artoria did her best.
Risking being disliked, or even detested by Rin, she still spoke up for the weak, and her conscience was clear.
"You really are…"
Frey shook her head and said, "Forget it. From now on, I'll help you advise on such matters."
"Eh?"
"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."
Frey guaranteed, "Sometimes your ideas are good, but in terms of language, they need a little refinement."
"Are you helping Artoria like this because you want to form an alliance with us?"
"You've completely seen through me, Snow Empress."
Frey didn't deny it and directly told the two women her thoughts. "How about it? Will you agree?"
"Why?"
Artoria didn't quite understand these convoluted matters.
But she could feel that Frey wasn't deceiving her.
The other party was serious and genuinely wanted to conspire with them on a great matter.
"Because I don't want to truly leave the political center."
Frey had her own little schemes, but that wasn't a bad thing.
She longed to get closer to Rin and let him see her efforts. That was what every subordinate wanted to do.
"Is it necessary?"
Artoria said, "Staying outside, as the Queen of Harpy Queendom, isn't it more free?"
"What's the point?"
Frey shook her head, completely unconcerned about her position.
After witnessing Rin's power, how could Frey still look upon a mere local ruler in a remote countryside?
Only by going to Rin's side and occupying a higher position in his heart.
Only then could Frey's life value be demonstrated.
She didn't want Harpy Queendom to remain isolated. Instead, she wanted her country and its people, along with the territories of other Demon Lords, to be incorporated into Rin's Monster Nation.
"But I really didn't expect it."
"That the opportunity would come so suddenly!"
Frey had originally sought out the two women to discuss how to gain military merits.
Rin disliked taking the initiative.
But the humans of the Western Nations would not sit idly by and watch Rin grow stronger.
So, as long as the enemy attacked first—
"I see."
Artoria nodded. "If others take the initiative to attack, even I have nothing to say."
"Exactly!"
Frey smiled. "To be honest, I was quite surprised that Clayman sought an alliance with me."
"The reason is the same as what you said. That guy is too lacking in self-awareness."
"But, this is an excellent opportunity."
At this point, Frey's eyes sharpened a bit. "Please look at this."
Raising her hand, a map of the Cardinal World appeared before the three of them.
Frey manipulated the map, zooming in on the central and eastern regions of the continent, showing the location of the Great Jura Forest, as well as the three territories belonging to Harpy Queendom, City of the Forgotten Dragon, Beast Kingdom of Eurazania, and Puppet Nation of Jistav.
"Don't you two feel that there are too many countries in this area?"
Frey's meaning was already very clear. She wanted to use this opportunity to have Rin and his Monster Nation take over the territories of the four Demon Lords at once.
"As expected of you, Frey."
Snow Empress said, "To go to such lengths to please Rin."
"You flatter me."
"I'm also doing it for Master," Frey said. "With his personality, if I don't give him a push, he won't take on this big trouble."
The Great Jura Forest, plus the territories of the four Demon Lords, would almost reach one-third of the Cardinal World.
"How about it?"
At this point, Frey looked at the two women again and asked, "Regarding the alliance, your thoughts…"
"You are very smart, Frey."
Snow Empress praised Frey's foresight. "I have no problem here. Artoria, what about you?"
"Me too."
Artoria, like Frey, was a newcomer to the Monster Nation.
She chose to break free from the control of the Heroic Spirit Throne, still harboring the wish to save Britain.
However, Artoria was well aware of her shortcomings.
She didn't understand human nature.
Sometimes, she would even cause trouble with good intentions.
'If I can get help from Frey and Snow Empress…'
Artoria said, "Let this sword be my witness. I, with you, shall form an offensive and defensive alliance!"
As the girl's voice fell, Frey smiled, and Snow Empress also nodded slightly. She likewise recognized the two girls.
They were worthy of becoming her companions.
"Alright."
Snow Empress asked, "Now, can you tell us the specific plan, and what exactly Artoria and I should do?"
"Don't rush."
"First, look at this."
Frey moved the map towards the countries west of the Great Jura Forest, such as Kingdom of Blumund, Kingdom of Falmuth, and Kingdom of Englassia.
"Western Nations?"
Artoria frowned slightly. "You mean they will invade us?"
"As far as I know, Clayman has some kind of connection with human nations."
"So I deduce that the first to arrive will very likely be a human coalition army."
Frey continued, "Blumund is just a small country, with only 1.5 million citizens, and most of them are free people, adventurers, so they are not to be feared."
"The real trouble is Falmuth, which has tens of millions of people, and Englassia."
"Especially the Kingdom of Falmuth."
"This country has a strict noble system, and before the Great Forest was blockaded by Treyni and the others, Falmuth occupied the main transportation routes of the continent."
This type of commercial hub country had already realized Rin's vision for customs duties.
For years, Falmuth, as a transit point, had earned a fortune.
And the existence of the noble system also concentrated the entire country's wealth in the hands of a very few people.
"Now, the Great Jura Forest is blockaded."
"The first to be affected are these rich nobles."
Frey didn't even need to guess to know how these foolish nobles, whose interests had been violated, would react with fury.
(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.)