BAMN: Chapter 161/163

Chapter 161: Naming

"And it was quite rude."

Imagine Artoria visiting another territory.

The other side brings people and says, you won't leave here alive today.

Even a saint like Artoria would draw her sword without hesitation and show the other party how sharp her sword was.

"Is that so?"

"Unfortunately, Ice Empress acted too fast!"

Snow Empress felt very regretful, and at the same time blamed Ice Empress for killing him.

If Shu had been left alive, Snow Empress could have used it as an excuse to skip all procedures and directly bring about the descent of the Ice God in the Tengu Hidden Village.

"Ah, this..."

Snow Empress felt wronged because Rin's hint to her was to pulverize him.

"Alright, I told Ice Empress to do that."

Rin helped Snow Empress out of her predicament, and Momiji, who heard their conversation, then realized what Rin had done.

His decisive and ruthless actions actually protected the reputation of the Tengu Clan.

Otherwise, if Rin had taken it seriously, it would have been a war between two forces, and who knew how many people would have died.

That idiot Shu was practically joking with the lives of tens of thousands of Tengu.

And those old fogies in the hawk faction.

Did they even know how much disaster provoking such a force would bring to the Tengu Clan?!

"Shu's attitude, and that of the person behind him, is absolutely not what we intended!"

Momiji immediately distanced herself. "Please believe us, we genuinely want to join."

"Mmm, I believe you."

"Phew~"

Upon hearing this, Momiji finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In the face of racial righteousness, individual sacrifices are unavoidable.

Additionally, Momiji found it very strange.

Why was Shu's reaction so strong?

What exactly did they want to do?

After all, Rin had already arrived, what couldn't be discussed at the meeting?

Just as Rin said.

If there were any issues, they should just bring them up.

Rin would not be stingy with his help if he could assist.

'Saying nothing, not even willing to attend the meeting...'

'No!'

Momiji realized something. 'They are simply looking for trouble on purpose.'

The result of looking for trouble was offending Rin, which would lead to the inability of both sides to continue peaceful negotiations.

'Damn it!'

'These old geezers, they only cause trouble for others!'

While Momiji was secretly distressed, Rin was also pondering the same question.

Why did this happen?

He didn't recall Rimuru in the original work encountering any obstruction from the hawk faction Tengu.

'Moreover, a character like Shu doesn't seem to have appeared in the original work.'

'Although this is the real world, it's impossible for everything to be exactly like the original work.'

'But is the Tengu Clan overly hostile towards me?'

Rin searched his memories and discovered something. 'I remember in the original work, when Rimuru sent Benimaru to visit the Tengu Clan, their reaction to Albis was very strong.'

Then he looked at Shu and the reaction of the hawk faction behind him.

'Heh, so that's how it is.'

Rin understood. 'What hawk faction, what staunchly upholding Tengu dignity, it's all nonsense.'

This group of people, most likely, were the traitors hidden within the Tengu Clan.

'The novel mentioned that Frey once invaded the Tengu Clan.'

However, the Tengu Mountain's different space, not to mention its defense, its concealment methods alone were not something ordinary people could break through.

It was true that Artoria could see through it.

But whether she could enter was another matter.

The reason a different space is a different space is that its entrance can change at any time.

If it were Rin, with his spatial mastery, a mere different space would be nothing.

But did Frey have such means?

Perhaps she did, perhaps she didn't.

Rin leaned towards the latter.

'So, there were collaborators who caused the invasion war that might have happened next.'

'Resulting in heavy losses for the Tengu Clan, making them unable to protect themselves in troubled times, which is why they chose to rely on Rimuru's Monster Nation.'

Having sorted all this out, Rin finally understood the cause and effect.

'Sure enough, no matter where, there are always such parasites.'

Rin didn't know what benefits Frey had given them to make them betray their own people.

It was just that, with this, Rin had a faint feeling. 'Will Frey come?'

Because of Shu's interlude, the rest of the journey was very silent, and no one was in the mood to enjoy the scenery.

"Rin-sama~!"

He was already waiting at the entrance, and upon seeing Rin, he immediately bowed respectfully.

The place where Kaede lived was a Japanese-style garden.

The architectural style and cultural customs here also seemed to have been introduced from the Ogre Clan about three hundred years ago.

"Mmm, let's go inside and talk."

"Yes."

Soon, Rin led everyone into the reception room.

"Rin-sama, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Kaede."

Kaede knelt and bowed to Rin.

"My body is not well, so I couldn't greet you personally. My sincerest apologies."

"It's fine."

Rin sat cross-legged opposite Kaede.

He didn't like kneeling, the reason didn't need much explanation.

As for the others, it was entirely up to their preference, Rin never demanded anything in such matters.

Soon, everyone entered the reception room.

Artoria stood behind Rin, holding her unsheathed Sword of Promised Victory, ready to perform her guard duties.

Shion and Shuna knelt on either side of Rin.

Snow Empress and Ice Empress did not stay inside the room but were on the adjacent veranda, staying with Momiji.

As for Ogerpon.

As soon as the little one entered, she jumped into the garden outside the corridor and began searching for flowers and plants she had never seen before.

"How much do you know about the situation here, Rin-sama?"

"Not much."

Rin said, "I'll trouble you to explain it to me in detail."

"It's my duty."

So, with Rin's assistance, Kaede informed him of the current situation of the Tengu Clan and expressed her stance.

She and her daughter, Momiji, were willing to lead their people to join Rin's command and become his subjects.

"Mmm."

Rin was very satisfied with Kaede's attitude, and he said, "I see your sincerity."

"If you don't mind, I will resolve your physical problems."

As he spoke, Rin raised his hand, and surging magicules gathered at his fingertips like obedient sheep.

That was not an attack, but a blessing, a priceless treasure for any monster, naming.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 162: Kunitsu-Tribe

"My Lord!"

Hakurou bowed down gratefully. "Thank you for your benevolence..."

"Are you going to give me a name?"

Kaede naturally didn't want to refuse, but she was worried that it would harm Rin.

After all, her situation was different from Hakurou's.

Before Hakurou received his name, he was only a B+ Rank monster, and the magicules required for naming were only a few thousand.

B Rank to A-Rank, A-Rank to Special A-Rank, Special A-Rank to Demon Lord Seed, two hundred thousand.

But Kaede, don't look at her now with very little magicules left.

However, after inheriting the mountain god's power as an elder of the Tengu Clan, Kaede's magicules had broken through one hundred thousand.

This meant that if Rin wanted to heal her,

At least two hundred thousand magicules would be needed to instantly raise her from her current dangerous state of a few thousand magicules to the level of a Demon Lord Seed.

How could two hundred thousand magicules be given so easily?

Kaede thought Rin was young and impetuous, not understanding the risks involved.

But seeing Rin and the several women present unchanged, she realized that Rin was serious.

"You are Hakurou's wife, and by extension, you are also my subordinate."

In the Cardinal World, there was also the custom that when a woman married, she belonged to her husband's family.

Previously, Kaede had to nurture Momiji and could not stay by Hakurou's side.

Now it was different.

Momiji was already independent, so it was time for Kaede to be with her beloved.

"This..."

Kaede couldn't refuse Rin's statement. "Thank you for your recognition."

She and Hakurou truly loved each other.

So, not to mention the other members of the Tengu Clan, if it was just Kaede herself, she could indeed accept Rin's statement.

"It's just that my abilities are humble, and even with your care, I can't help you much."

Kaede said, "Instead of wasting magicules on me, it would be better to let Hakurou serve you better."

"It has nothing to do with strength or ability."

In response, Rin shook his head. "Since I have the ability, how can I stand by and watch the family of my subordinate lie sick in bed?"

To be honest, Kaede was truly moved by Rin's words.

It wasn't for her ability, nor for the Tengu Clan.

It was because she was Hakurou's wife.

Saving her was for Hakurou's sake, not for any other reason.

"But, but, Mother's illness requires far more than two hundred thousand magicules."

Momiji's body trembled slightly, with excitement and emotion.

But more than that, it was self-reproach and regret.

Kaede's name was given by her parents.

However, Kaede's parents had long passed away, so Rin could name her again.

Momiji, on the other hand, was named by Kaede.

This also meant that to overwrite Kaede's name, all the named monsters under her command would have to be named again.

"I know, so it's not just Elder Kaede, but also Momiji."

Rin said, "I will conduct the naming ceremony for all at once!"

The naming here will not change the two women's names, but rather overwrite them.

Rin's will and power will cover their original true names, thereby establishing a Soul Corridor.

The naming must be agreed upon by both parties.

One-sided desire and forced bestowal are not permissible.

Therefore, for the monsters being named,

Once they accept Rin's naming, it is equivalent to swearing allegiance and they can never betray him.

Magicules are the energy that constitutes monsters.

Giving magicules is equivalent to bestowing flesh and blood.

This is no different from being a parent who regenerates them.

It is precisely because of this relationship that naming is an unbreakable oath between the upper and lower classes of monsters.

"Can, can you really do it?"

Momiji undoubtedly loved her mother.

If the other party could truly save her mother, Momiji would sell herself to him without a single complaint.

"If it were a bit later and your magicules exceeded two hundred thousand, then for me, it would indeed be very stressful."

Rin smiled. "But for now, it's just right."

In the original work, when Momiji appeared, her magicules were not much weaker than those of Carrion.

So, to make her break through her limits again, it would require nearly eight hundred thousand magicules to break through a million in one go.

Adding Kaede's two hundred thousand, that equals one million magicules.

Consuming a million magicules for a newcomer like Momiji, who just joined, the Rimuru group would certainly not agree.

It's hard to say about the future, but at that time, Momiji had made no contributions.

The Tengu Clan was an alliance, not a subjugation.

In such a situation, no matter how kind Rimuru was, it would be difficult for him to proactively suggest treating Elder Kaede's foundational issues.

"Your one hundred thousand, plus Elder Kaede's two hundred thousand, makes three hundred thousand magicules, which I can still provide."

Seeing Rin's confidence, Kaede and Momiji looked at Hakurou in unison.

Hakurou had nothing to say but to bow to Rin.

Tears welled up in the old man's eyes.

To have met a liege like Rin in this life, he had no regrets even if he died.

'Well...'

Watching this scene, Benimaru sighed inwardly.

"Let's begin."

Rin ignored Benimaru's grumbling and said, "Oh, and Hakurou, it's also time for you to get a boost."

"Otherwise, among this family, you'll be the weakest, and that doesn't look good."

"Thank you, my liege."

"Boom!!!"

Thus, under the shroud of Rin's power,

Hakurou, Kaede, and Momiji.

The magicules of the family of three surged, instantly meeting the requirements.

[Kaede]
Race: Kunitsu-Tribe
Magicules: 200,000 EP (Special A-Rank Demon Lord Seed)
Unique Skill: God's Favored One

[Hakurou]
Race: Oni
Magicules: 200,000 EP (Special A-Rank Demon Lord Seed)
Unique Skill: Martial God

[Momiji]
Race: Kunitsu-Tribe
Magicules: 200,000 EP (Special A-Rank Demon Lord Seed)
Unique Skill: Ape Maiden Sovereign

The magicules of the three increased by a total of around five hundred thousand.

Naming them provided Rin with 15% of the magicules, which means a feedback of 75,000 EP.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 163: Arrival At The Mountain

However, due to Violet's 50% discount, the actual magicules consumed by Rin were only 250,000.

With this addition and subtraction, the magicules truly reduced for Rin were only around 170,000.

One hundred seventy thousand magicules in exchange for a whole family of loyal subordinates was actually not a loss.

Moreover, Rin already had an endless supply of magicules.

He never hesitated to bestow it when he found an opportunity.

It was still the same saying.

Magicules do not disappear, they merely change form and are stored within the bodies of his subordinates.

"My body..."

Soon, Kaede was the first to notice her change. "So light ~!"

"How long has it been since I felt this light and at ease..."

Her originally weak body had now shaken off its previous fatigue and was filled with power.

Now, she felt better than ever before.

Even her somewhat aged face had regained its youth, appearing like a beautiful woman in her early thirties, still full of charm.

"Thank you for your grace, my liege."

Without any hesitation, Kaede rose and bowed to Rin.

Hakurou and Momiji joined her.

Hakurou's appearance had become much younger, reverting from an old man of around sixty to a middle-aged state of about forty.

This is different from Hakurou's situation in the original work.

Hakurou under Rimuru, due to exhausted potential, could not bear too many magicules and could only fight with superb martial arts.

However, Rin's situation was different from Rimuru's.

His abilities were not limited to the Cardinal World.

He also possessed power from Konosuba, Type-Moon, Soul Land, Pokémon, and other universes.

Therefore, even for the same character,

Under Rimuru and under Rin, they would walk two completely different paths.

Kaede and Hakurou are the best examples.

Not only did the couple's magicules greatly increase, but they also gained the recognition of the Voice of the World, acquiring the status of Demon Lord Seed.

And with the title of Demon Lord Seed,

In the future, Rin would be able to further advance them into true Demon Lord by bestowing them with enough souls.

"Rise."

Rin said, "Here, I don't have so many formalities."

"How can that be?"

Kaede said earnestly, "Forgive my frankness, but these basic courtesies must never be neglected casually."

As their relationship grew closer, Kaede no longer held back and began to actively uphold Rin's prestige.

"Uh..."

Alright, another traditional elder sister.

However, since Rin was the beneficiary, he couldn't say much.

"Never mind, let's talk about the Unique Skills you've newly acquired."

Rin looked at Hakurou. "Martial God, it sounds like a Unique Skill similar to Snow Empress's Sword Saint."

"Yes, it's almost identical to Snow Empress's Sword Saint."

Hakurou briefly introduced the abilities of Martial God.

Just as Rin said, apart from the name, it was essentially the same skill as Sword Saint.

Hakurou was already a master of swordsmanship and was also very familiar with other martial arts.

Now, Hakurou had directly leaped from a sword master to an all-around grandmaster.

Spearmanship, swordsmanship, fist techniques, leg techniques, close combat, ranged combat, weapons, unarmed combat, anything related to the martial path, he could bring it to its utmost potential.

Coupled with the various professional systems inherited from Konosuba through Rin,

Hakurou is now definitely the backbone of the Monster Nation in terms of skill.

"Then from now on, please continue to serve as the chief instructor of the Monster Nation, Hakurou."

"Please rest assured and leave it to this old man!"

Hakurou was already conceiving hundreds of plans for training new recruits in his mind.

Not only the Oni, but also the wolf kin, and even the Goblins, none would be spared.

He remembered finding a small fellow among the Goblins before.

Although he seemed a bit dull, he was an uncut gem.

"Achoo!"

Far away, Gobta, who was idling in the town, suddenly shivered.

He didn't know what this meant.

He only thought he had caught a cold from sleeping poorly at night.

"Kaede, what do you mean by 'God's Favored One'?"

"Oh, that."

Kaede opened her folding fan, covering her mouth as she chuckled. "It means exactly what it says, someone blessed by a god."

"God?"

"That would be you."

Kaede smiled. "You, who granted me new life, are the only God in my heart."

This Unique Skill, God's Favored One, if it existed alone, wouldn't be very useful.

At most, it would be used to sign contracts with some spirits, demons, or angels, and then borrow their power for combat.

But Kaede is different.

She doesn't need to contract with anything.

Because right beside her is an existence far surpassing spirits, demons, and angels, that is Rin.

"This ability is somewhat like a single-target version of Justeaze's Edict of Heaven."

In terms of range, Edict of Heaven is far superior to God's Favored One.

However, in terms of single-target application, God's Favored One has no limitations.

This means that as long as Rin is willing, Kaede can act as his priestess, unleashing terrifying destructive power far beyond her own.

"A very powerful Unique Skill, and it suits you well."

"And it can be paired with Hakurou."

The couple, one possessing a bug-like close-combat ability, and the other able to cast various divine spells from a distance.

With their cooperation, Rin felt that even a True Demon Lord might be overturned by them if they underestimated their opponents.

"Momiji."

"I'm here!"

Finally, it was Momiji's turn, and she reported somewhat nervously, "My Unique Skill is Ape Maiden Sovereign. According to the information obtained from Rin-sama, this ability seems to come from another world and is the origin of the Tengu Clan."

"Ape Maiden Sovereign?"

Rin pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized. "I think I've heard of it. I remember the progenitor of the Tengu Clan was called Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto, right?"

"Exactly!"

Momiji was also learning this for the first time. "My power comes precisely from this."

Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto, in Japanese legends, is the progenitor of the Tengu creatures.

Coincidentally, after the mother and daughter evolved, their race changed from Tengu to Kunitsu-Tribe.

Kunitsu-Tribe, Kunitsukami.

Rin felt that the Kunitsu-Tribe here was likely related to the Kunitsukami of another world.

According to the setting of the Cardinal World, there is a certain probability that Japanese myths and legends are precisely the monsters from this side who went there and left behind their traces

(To be continued.)