“…….”
—Could it be that he really knows?
Rin gripped her dagger tighter as she grew suspicious.
“……you really are beating around the bush. Why not let’s get it out in the open shall we? Although I may not seem like it, I’m actually quite busy you know?”
“Mhm, Sor, Sorry. Then, I shall state my conjecture bluntly. His Highness is working for a goal that is —-totally different from the organization of [Ouroboros]?”
“Hah—?”
“There should be at least two major factions that are present and backed by a structure built behind them in your organization. The first would be the faction that wiped out my faction three years ago and the second would be the faction led by you guys. Initially I thought that it might have been a change of leadership but if it were the case, it would have made the title of ‘His Highness’ sound strange. So that would mean that the current leader is still in power.”
“!”
“So I’ve deduced that Rin and Maxwell, you guys are the private army under the command of His Highness and there are others in the organization who are higher in the hierarchy who are issuing the commands to you guys.”
“…..What’s this got to do with the previous conjecture of yours?”
“You should know full well don’t you? After all, you’ve been following the side of His Highness from the get-go.”
“Sorry, I really don’t catch it. Could you make it plainer?”
The grip over the dagger’s handle tightened further.
Recognizing that his beating around the bush method of conversing would spell the end of his life, Jin frantically explained:
“He, His Highness! Isn’t, Isn’t the type to follow under others. If there’s someone sitting on the throne above him, he will definitely vie for it with all his might! Moreover— he’s not the kind of person who would willingly place his life into the hands of others right?”
—Am I right? Jin tilted his head.
Rin was shaking her head in her heart in refutation.
His Highness is indeed not the sort to be suitable for battles orchestrated by another’s control. That was a point that Rin could agree to but that is not the belief held by His Highness. He has only fought in battles while carrying the burdens of their expectations upon himself. Rin gave a bitter expression as she lowered her dagger while scratching her head in a troubled manner.
“……saying all that with such conviction but isn’t it all speculation based on my self-mutterings earlier?”
“Mhm, it is. I had only just arrived at that conjecture with such confidence due to your words.”
Jin then gave his usual undependable smile to cover it over. It was then that Rin finally realized.
This smile was actually a Poker face used to hide his real thoughts.
“……I don’t like that kind of smile. Where did you pick that up?”
“It’s from the person I’ve respected. Actually, that person often showed this pretentious slight smile on the surface……but the real expression is much crueler than anyone else.”
“Hmph” Rin gave a listless response.
But for Rin, Jin’s initiation of this conversation was a good thing as well.
(The Origin Candidate and [Genome Tree]. Having these two as comrades would definitely be much more reassuring. Moreover, the [No Name]s have great ties with the [Floor Master]s.)
Leaving aside [Salamandra] and [Onihime] Alliance for now, having the support and connections with Shiroyasha of [Thousand Eyes] and Kouryuu, who currently stands in as the Honorary Guest member, would definitely be a benefit.
Especially since the latter has the [Great Sage who Pacifies Heavens] Bull Demon King and [Great Sage who Leaves Heaven in Disarray] Roc Demon King as his relatives. Those two Demon Lord powerhouses, who were born with a congenital God-class spiritual power, also had a sizable population of Heralds and Beast devotees that cannot be ignored.
When things come down to a difference between a milliliter and a gram in the power levels, they would then become the strongest shield if they were willing to lend a hand.
“……I’ve a question.”
“What?”
“The other time, we’ve failed in our mission and we cannot return empty handed. If I do not take this inheritance left behind by the Dragon King of the Sea of Stars…… I will require a substitute.”
“Then, just take me.”
The reply was immediate that Rin had trouble responding to it as quickly.
Jin placed a hand over his chest as he took a step forward.
“[Genier Contractor]— is a very rare Gift that can give commands to a Demon Lord without their ability to resist the control over them. In addition, you will be getting me, the leader of the [No Name]s who have been obstructing your plans all these while……Although it is incomparable to the inheritance of the Dragon King of the Sea of Stars, this sort of accomplishment would surely allow you to escape the gallows right?”
“Are…Are you serious? You may be killed immediately when I bring you before them, you know?!”
“Yes, I’ve already mentally prepared myself for that possibility.”
—Jin had already set his mind on it from the start.
If [No Name] were to be in trouble, he would put himself before the rest to protect them. This is the oath from his heart.
“Just take it that I’m begging you, Rin. Fabricate a reason to temporarily put a hold to this Game and kidnap me as a substitute. We can then set up a secret negotiation with Izayoi-san and the others, telling them about the terms of needing their help for the plans to overthrow the ones in power—That you will return my comrades, Flag and Name of my Community.”
Jin quietly took a step closer while extending his hand towards her.
Looking at Rin directly and meeting her eyes with his honest gaze, he declared:
“Form an alliance with us. Then, we shall destroy the real Demon Lord Alliance with our own hands.”