"Interests are being violated. If someone adds fuel to the fire at this point..."
"What will happen?"
"War."
Artoria had already envisioned the Kingdom of Falmuth dispatching troops to invade the Great Jura Forest.
"Yes."
"That's exactly what Clayman wants to see."
Frey added, "And it's what the Western Nations need."
Although these events took place in the original timeline,
Rin never shared this portion of his memories with the three women.
That alone proved Frey's insight and strategic acumen were indeed worthy of her title as the Sky Queen.
"Why does it feel like the Kingdom of Falmuth is just a chess piece being used to probe us?"
Artoria sensed something off about the situation.
"They must be jealous," Snow Empress said. "Isn't it said to be a very wealthy kingdom?"
Things like tariffs and commercial taxes were essentially just a way to drain other nations dry.
It was likely the Western Nations had long been dissatisfied with the Kingdom of Falmuth.
"I see."
"First, they push the Kingdom of Falmuth forward to test the waters of the Great Jura Forest." Artoria added.
"If they succeed, the national power of Falmuth will also be severely depleted."
"At that point, whether by coercion to redistribute profits or by directly replacing Falmuth's role, it'll all be much easier."
"On the other hand, if they fail, they'll still obtain our intelligence without paying any price."
It had to be said, the Kingdom of Falmuth was quite pitiful.
Not only did Clayman want to exploit it, even the Western Nations, its supposed human allies, were eager to tear a piece of flesh off it.
As Frey and the two other women continued discussing, a massive net centered on the Great Jura Forest quietly spread across nearly ten surrounding countries.
"Do you need us to do anything?"
"Yes."
"Artoria, you are Master's most trusted military commander."
"Once war breaks out, Master will choose between you and the Oni for the commander position."
Compared to the youthful Benimaru and Ogerpon, Artoria, the King of Great Britain, was clearly the optimal choice.
"So, my opponent is the Kingdom of Falmuth?"
Artoria had no moral concerns about killing humans.
If they initiated an invasion, they were the enemy.
And towards enemies, the sword of the King of Knights would never hesitate.
"That's right."
"I hope you kill them all." Frey said with a slight smile.
"Annihilate them completely?"
Artoria frowned slightly, but it was just a furrow of her brow. She voiced no objection.
On the battlefield, there was no room for mercy.
She hated schemes and manipulations.
But when it came to defeating the enemy head-on with honor, even if it meant total annihilation, Artoria would never waver.
"Understood."
"No matter who the enemy is, no matter how many they are, if they dare step onto the battlefield, they must be prepared to be cut down by me."
"Good."
Frey was very pleased with Artoria's response.
As expected of the woman who had defeated her before, she suited her tastes perfectly.
"What about me?"
"Do you need me to do anything?" Snow Empress asked.
"I need you to play the role of the final boss of the Great Jura Forest."
"Huh?"
Snow Empress was confused. Wasn't the ruler of the Great Jura Forest Rin?
"Master isn't suitable to show up at this time."
Frey sighed and gave a baffling reason, "He's just too powerful..."
One Creator, two Dragon Gods, nine Ultimate Beings, and a host of quasi-Demon Lord-level powerhouses.
The lineup was simply too extravagant.
If Rin were to display his full strength now, it would undoubtedly attract overwhelming fear and suspicion.
At that point, the world would have only two reactions:
Either surrender immediately, or resist to the bitter end.
"But if the Great Jura Forest only sends out a few Demon Lords like Artoria and Snow Empress, the outcome will be different."
If Snow Empress could repel the combined forces of the Harpy Queendom, City of the Forgotten Dragon, and the Puppet Nation of Jistav, it would temporarily ease the vigilance of all sides.
Then, Rin's side would only need to express a willingness to cooperate with the West in resisting the Eastern Empire.
After all, resisting the Eastern Empire was the politically correct stance for the Western Nations in the Cardinal World.
"The Jura Great Alliance, formed by several Demon Lords, would serve as a natural shield for the Western Nations against the Eastern Empire's invasion."
By then, the so-called Ten Great Demon Lords would have lost their meaning.
Just Artoria, Snow Empress, and Frey, these three True Demon Lords, would already be enough to suppress the remaining ones.
"You mean, Master won't become a Demon Lord?"
"Of course not."
"The so-called Ten Great Demon Lords sounds impressive."
"But why are Demon Lords plural?"
"Or rather, if one is not the only Demon Lord, how much value does that title really hold?"
In Frey's eyes, Rin was unique.
To let him stand alongside others would be a humiliation.
"Rather than making Master one of the Demon Lords, it's better if we become the Demon Lords."
Frey said, "And let him be the Master of Demon Lords."
Frey's suggestion made Snow Empress's eyes sparkle.
Artoria also gave a slight nod of agreement.
"But I have one more suggestion."
"Let the Beast Kingdom of Eurazania join the Monster Nation as well."
Although Frey disliked Carrion, she acknowledged his strength.
If the Lion King were to submit to Rin, then Rin would immediately gain a powerhouse on the level of a True Demon Lord.
To be honest, Frey had a gut feeling.
Once Carrion awakened, his strength would definitely surpass her own.
"Can you do it?"
"I'm confident."
Frey and Carrion still had a friendship: "From what I know of the Lion King, there's no way he'd surrender outright."
The Lion King was extremely stubborn and would rather die than yield.
"The best way is to defeat him first and make him understand the gap between them."
In the original work, the one who beat Carrion was Milim.
But now, Frey had decided to go herself.
How did that old saying go again?
Beat your little brother while he's still small.
Otherwise, once he grows up, you won't be able to beat him.
Carrion was like a younger brother to Frey. She had watched him rise into the ranks of the Ten Great Demon Lords.
In some ways, their relationship really was that of siblings.
Frey also had her own selfish motives here.
Under Rin, she was surrounded by monsters who were stronger than her in pure combat power.
Even forming a group with Snow Empress and Artoria wasn't enough to make up the gap.
(To be continued.)