Chapter 680: Chapter 680
Shea seemed disappointed at the idea of Dragon King Matildora taking command of the army.
'Don’t look at me like that. I intend to handle this with enthusiasm.'
Matildora snapped, dismissing Shea's disheartened gaze.
Understanding Allen's intentions from his expression, Matildora willingly assumed the role of supreme commander.
The discussion continued about who should lead the Allen army. They ultimately decided to appoint Dragon King Matildora, who had lived for 10000 years, as the commander.
The demon race apparently controlled the connection between the human world and the dark realm, while the dragonkin governed the link between the human world and the divine realm.
(Will the Dragon King dominate the human world once the Demon King is gone?)
'That will not happen... I have no such ambitions at this age. Do not entertain such foolish thoughts.'
Matildora responded, once again reading Allen's mind. The Dragon King's ability to read even the subtlest changes in human expression was likely a result of his 10000 years of life experience.
"But in the end, I never got the chance to command the army! How disappointing!"
Kurena lamented as she munched on some sweets.
"Not at all! You're our Commander of Special Attack Units, Krena!"
"Yes, sir! Commander of Special Attack Units, reporting for duty!"
Kurena instinctively stood up and saluted, spurred by Allen’s overly enthusiastic encouragement.
Kurena had her reasons for expressing discontent about Matildora leading the army. When Allen formed his army, he had envisioned his companions taking on high-ranking roles and leading the troops. In fact, they had undergone extensive training in the S Rank Dungeon, where they had practiced commanding over 1000 soldiers for Allen's Army.
[Positions of Allen's Party in the Army]
"Allen, I'm always ready to take on a high-ranking position. With the blessings of the God of Water Aqua, and the God of Spears Gaidark, I am more than suited for a prestigious role."
Ignomas declared confidently, his voice resonating through the meeting room as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. Behind him, the trident tip of his Divine Artifact [Calypso] gleamed with an eerie, wet sheen.
(Now that I think about it, when was it that Ignomas first demanded a position?)
Allen mused, recalling the time when Ignomas had joined the party and soon learned about the Allen army. Ignomas had immediately requested titles like General or Marshal, insisting they were befitting his stature. However, Allen had politely refused, reasoning that their current setup was functioning well without such changes.
Allen didn’t entirely dismiss Ignomas' way of life or his ambitions, but he wasn't so lenient as to hand over command to someone who had led a rebellion in the Prostia Empire.
"Come on, let's move on already\~ Ignomas’ position doesn’t really matter\~"
"What’s your problem!!"
Rosalina, who had joined them at the same time as Ignomas, mumbled with a bored voice hearing Allen's response, putting her elbows on the table and playing with her bangs.
Hearing that, Ignomas stood up with indignation and began arguing with Rosalina.
"Ignomas, your sacred weapon is meant for the battlefield, not as a decoration for leading armies from the rear. And Rosalina, calm down. Let’s get back to the main topic."
(Though all of this has been the main topic.)
Hearing all of that, Shea started to arrive at a conclusion.
"I see, this means the battle with the Demon King’s Army is drawing near."
Allen confirmed that, and everyone else there nodded.
"Oh, we're gonna smash the Demon King to pieces!"
Luck exclaimed, his enthusiasm overflowing as he downed his glass of milk and thrust his fist into the air.
"But first, we must overcome Cecile’s trial. That’s why we’ve gathered here, isn't it?"
Sophie added, with a tone that suggested she had everything figured out. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NovᴇlFɪre.nᴇt
"Exactly. This is our [Final Trial]."
[The God of Magic's wishlist]
At the temple of the Sun God Amante, Allen and his companions had acquired the Shard of the Sun. They had obtained the Horn of the Dragon God Magra in the Earth Labyrinth, they had secured Garm’s Tail and the Shard of the Moon from the Beast God Garm's temple. The only remaining item needed was the heart of the ghost Nestirad, located in the ghost swarm.
“Wow! The [Final Trial]! That has such a nice ring to it!”
Kurena exclaimed, clearly enamored with the phrase.
“That’s right. So, I want everyone, including you, Shea, to rest up. I’ll be taking these materials we gathered today to Isiris with Cecile.”
It had been about three months since Allen and his companions arrived in the Divine Realm. Thanks to the Divine Compass Lottery, they had gained permission to enter the temples of various Gods and had successfully overcome numerous trials along the way.
[Abandoned Gamers' Modes and Gods that gave them Blessings]
Even with Kiel gone for his Trial, Allen continued pulling from the Divine Compass Lottery, gaining access to more of the divine realm. As a result, many of his companions were able to overcome multiple trials and now possessed the Blessings of several Gods.
(We might not have the luxury to train to our limits, but prioritizing Helmios' matter is crucial.)
It would be possible to continue obtaining Divine Compasses and gain more Blessings for his companions, but there was the risk of losing the optimal timing to defeat the Demon King if they took too much time.
Allen firmly declared the upcoming battle as their [Final Trial].
(Kiel did pull quite a few Divine Compasses for us, though.)
Even though Allen had stated this as the final trial, there was still the option to take on more trials if needed.
“Now, Shea, I’ll be taking the [Shard of the Moon] and [Tail of the Beast God Garm] that you obtained to the research facility of the God of Magic Isiris. I want everyone else to rest.”
Shea had just undergone the trial to overcome Beast God Garm, and resting was necessary so she could recover her strength and reset her Divine Techniques and Skills.
“And what about Zew and the others? Will they also join the battle?”
“Hmm? Shea, don’t worry. We all intend to lend our strength to Allen,”
Zew reassured her, finally realizing the purpose of their gathering.
“That’s right. We are united with Lord Zew in this.”
“Wait, seriously? Are we really going to face another trial already?”
“Lepe! You wretched…!!”
“Please, just send me back to the Beast Kingdom alone…or kill me already!”
"Oh I will kill you already. Lord Zew, please let me crush him with my hammer!!"
As Hobah held Lepe by his collar and raised a fist, Zew intervened to stop them.
“Wait, Hobah! Don’t act rashly!”
Tears welled up in Lepe’s eyes as he looked to the heavens, still held by the enraged Hobah.
“Shea, let’s continue. Currently, Helmios is undergoing the trial of the God of Armaments Ophoria. I’d like Zew and the others to assist with that trial.”
“What? Is that true? That’s excellent news…”
Shea's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing that the Hero Helmios was undertaking the trial of the God of Armaments Ophoria, one of the Higher Gods.
"To think we pulled the Divine Compass of a Higher God like the God of Armaments-"
(I know, I know! It's not like I said it was me who did it!)
"Yeah, it was just a coincidence. Why are you glaring at me, Allen?"
Cecile interjected, cutting into Allen's explanation to downplay any implication that Allen had been responsible for pulling the Divine Compass.
Kiel, after overcoming the trial of the Potion God, had drawn a lot for the God of Armaments Ophoria, the second sister among the 3 Combat God Sisters.
When they were deciding who would take on the God of Armaments' trial, Helmios’ party eagerly volunteered.
[The 3 Combat God Sisters]
The frontline fighters like Kurena, Dogora, Shea, and Ignomas were considered in Allen's Party.
"Helmios's trial is extremely challenging. Moreover, facing Nestirad will be even more difficult for those who haven’t passed a god’s trial."
Allen explained why Zew and the others would need to assist.
"I understand. So, we should assist Helmios with his trial. Is that why Admiral Galara and Helmios's party are not here?"
The only other party member there was Temi, who had been silent the entire time. The other two parties were nowhere to be seen.
"Yes, everyone is currently helping Helmios with his trial," Allen confirmed.
(Helmios has the [Skill Master] after all, so he's probably fine.)
Helmios has the all-purpose Extra Skill [Skill Master], which was different from how Summoners could utilize multiple summons, or spirit masters could form pacts with spirits of different elements.
"Zew!? Isn’t it dangerous without Extra Mode?"
"Danger is part of the deal. Everyone, our next trial is to assist Helmios. Reporting to the Beast King can wait until after."
Zew declared, fully committing to aiding Helmios.
T/N - Sorry everyone, an error popped up yesterday so I couldn't update in time. I will try to stay on schedule.