Hellmode ~Gamer Who Likes to Speedrun Becomes Peerless in a Parallel World with Obsolete Setting~
Vol. 12 - Ch. 713 - An Achievement that surprised even the Sword God

Abigail turned down Allen's offer. 

"I appreciate your help, but announcing this lie would be akin to denying all the effort of dragonkin. Whatever lies ahead for us, dragonkin, and the role we have been given---it's something for us to work upon."

"I understand. Then I will respect dragonkin's will. Let's just announce we had managed to emerge victorious with dragonkin's support."

"You really are quite fussy when it comes to spoils and rewards, huh, Allen?"

"But of course. A war isn't all about the battle fought on the frontline. Even the glamorous clothes you wear require effort from an artisan."

"Hmm, that sounds convincing. Deep conversations are beyond Rosalina though."

Allen had no memory of being a worker or artisan even as Kenichi. Even now, he had been carrying over the same lifestyle of gathering comrades, simultaneous growth, dungeon captures, and slaying bosses. 

He couldn't imagine the effort dragonkin must have put in to gather hundreds of thousands of spirit stones. And it was by virtue of this contribution that they'd succeed in amassing the equipment, upgrading their skills that played a pivotal role in defeating Nestirad.

"However, I am heartened to see your care for the dragonkin. It's visible that this event would raise the status of dragonkin for sure, so we're just as grateful. And, err, I am not trying to force you, but we would appreciate your appearance in the Soul Rite Festival."

"Soul Rite Festival?"

"Nestirad was a spirit beast with incredible power, and at long last, his soul has been put into the embrace of the cycle of souls. So I have been hoping to invite the people of power in the Divine Realm and pray for the soul's safe journey in the afterlife. Maybe, we may even get to have gods showing themselves."

It wasn't a new situation per se. Allen had heard from Merus that spirit beasts are the lost souls who have strayed from the cycle of life in the human realm or divine realms.

So the dragonkins' role stood to hunt them, and correct their lost trajectories. 

(Hmm, it would be a big deal if even Divine Realm's people would be joining. ---No, damn it. I completely forgot to tell Nestirad has become my summon beast! I fear this will bring some ruckus too, since technically summoned beasts are kind of living beings. And that reminds me, I am definitely going to slam by complaint. How could we haven't a single level up after defeating such a stacked boss! Heck, they didn't even inform me that 250 is the limit of level up!!)

«......»

With his consciousness shared with Allen, Leon quietly listened to the conversation from inside Grimoire. 

Allen had some vague recollection of waiting days to have an audience with the King of Heavenly Kingdom. At least, the Soul Rite Festival wasn't a matter of today or tomorrow. So he affirmed Abigail that he would show himself once they'd decided on a date. 

But on the other side, Allen was incensed with the outcome of their battle. They had defeated, and collected the soul of Nestirad, and yet, they didn't level up by any margin at all. With past precedent, this battle should've earned them at least 10 level up. Maybe, he wouldn't have been bitter about the lack of level up if Nestirad hadn't been so badly nerfed. All his status started at the baseline of 50,000 only. What injustice! 

Well, he was looking forward to Leon's growth now that he had heard what could make him stronger. But the minimum baseline was, Leon could be been more strong! 

Maybe there was some kind of restriction that put a max limit on starting status, and the creation skill exists for that very reason? If so, whoever put this had really thought things through. 

Afterward, the team moved to take a bath and a short rest. And after having lunch, they sprang up to the next series of action.

"Hey, hey. Rosalina wants more time to sleep!"

"Relax. Just follow us, and your sleep will vanish in an instant."

«Gaww!»

After the bath, Rosalina had skipped lunch, and was taking a nap in the nap room of the fortress. When Kurena found her in that state, she rolled her into a futon like a bedworm and carried on the back of Haku. 

Rosalina tried to twist or jump around, arguing in a miffed tone, however Kurena was like a stone against whom every effort of her was ineffective. 

Once everyone had gathered, Allen and his team arrived at the Divine Realm's Arena, their first stop. 

Divine Arena was a sanctuary for the gods to test out their armaments and weapons, and was governed by Sword God Sestavinus. 

Of course, the other gods of armaments possessed their own Martial Arenas too. 

The double-door to the Arena opened up, bringing the sight of angels refining their sword techniques.

«One-Two!»

«One-Two!»

«One-Two!»

«Firmly close your armpits! And you there! Your steps are missing the energy!! ...Hmm? Oh Allen.»

(It's like encountering a scene in an RPG.)

The Archangel Murai had been observing the trainee angels, correcting them whenever he found their mistake when he noticed Allen and his team's arrival.

"Yes, we're here again. Some of us would be accompanying Helmios-san on his trial."

«Again? You really are putting Martial God Ophario-sama on a tough spot by pushing the trial in the crowd. ...Oh well, follow me.»

Opposite of the main entrance Allen's team had taken, there stood a second entrance, leading them through a passage connected to several arena rings as they passed through. 

Soon, the group stopped before one of the arena ring---Sword God's martial hall. At its entrance, First Angel Kelvin played as its guard. 

Noticing the arrival of Murai and Allen's entourage, he quietly shifted several steps sideways. It appeared the entry was permissible. Murai knocked on the door.

«Hmm, enter.»

«Excuse us.»

Kelvin bowed respectfully as he pushed open the door, and inside, they saw the woman sitting at the centre of the arena in seiza posture---basically, kneeling with the top of the fleet on the floor. She was dressed in sleeveless attire, a sword fastened to her waist

The woman was the one they'd come looking for---the Sword God Sestavinus, the youngest among the three war god sisters, and a Higher God. 

«...So you're here to help out that hero brat as well?»

«This is certainly our intention.»

«Very well, then show your splendour in-between. Be aware that I wouldn't cut slack regardless if you're merely a supporter.»

(Phew, her bloodlust really never fails to impress me.)

In contrast to what Sestavinus appearance exhibited, a vivid beauty with a ponytail, her sharp words kept the team at their toes.

«Dogora, pump yourself. Ophoria-sama isn't something to be taken with half-hearted measures.»

"Oh? Just perfect to spice things up."

The sacred artifact Kagutsuchi warned Dogora from behind his back, who flashed a pose from his cross-armed stance, seemingly saying 'I will have it wrapped in my hand.'

It appeared after acting as vanguard in the battle against Nestirad, an enemy that had boasted unbelievable strength, Dogora's confidence had skyrocketed. 

"Dogora, Freya-sama is saying do not let down your gua---whoa?! What it might be, Sword God?"

Allen saw Dogora didn't truly understand the warning, and tried to follow up when he suddenly felt the intense gaze of Sword God. 

He turned to gaze in that direction, however instead of an answer, he found her suddenly approaching right in front of his face. 

The sudden blink of Sword God from the distance to appear right at his face startled Allen, his step faltering back.

«...Hmm-mm. You said your name is Allen, right? You seem to have changed. Did something happen?»

Her expression drew a serious outlook as she inquired.

"Huh? Ah, I guess. We had just defeated Nestirad in the Heavenly Sandal Kingdom."

Allen parroted the general situation, and kept away the part about him turning his summoned beast.

«Huh? Ohh!! ...Now you have me shocked. You hunted down that immortal spirit beast? And it doesn't seem like you're joking...»

(Huh, Immortal? Are you telling me even for divines, he was something they couldn't defeat? I mean, with how even we had managed to pull it... who are far away from them.)

Allen hadn't expected to hear that there was someone who even the gods---who, for all that matter, could be called the children of Creation God Elmea---the leader of Eight Armaments God couldn't defeat. He reeled back at the revelation.

"Ah... er, well, I guess. It was something we had to do since we had to achieve the Goddess of Magic's quest. However I would say as much effort we had put, Beast God support had been one of the key aspect. He had to be one of the toughest enemies we have fought."

Truly, it was a battle with many turns, and hardships. Allen murmured to himself.

«I see. So that's how it happened. Well, it make sense if that monkey Garm did help out. ...Anyway, but do not think the trial of a weapon god would be any easier just because of this.»

Dropping that remark, Sword God turned, approaching the shrine behind Allen's team. 

The shrine was fashioned after japanese style, ornating it was a picture of three goddesses, performing a ritual dance to pay their respect to Creation God.

«Come on!»

(Uh-wow, she's really so casual in handling that. Is it because he's her father, so she knows she doesn't need to be zealous?)

Sword God Sestavinus casually peeled off the painting, revealing a hidden void space behind it. It appeared that this space led to the divine territory of the Martial God Ophario.

"We should be able to see Commander Garara I guess.»

Commander Garara was a member of «Stinger» party, and now, they'd been tackling the trial of Martial God together with the Brave Helmios's party «Sacred». Even Dragon King Matildora had accompanied them, hoping the remaining silver of his old age could propel them in their endeavours.

Meanwhile, Rosenhelm, the strongest man, had returned to the human realm after Earth Labyrinth, stating he must be there to protect the queen. 

"...Alright, we're going ahead then. Wait for our return."

"Good luck, Keel. Party's command rests in your hand."

The leader of the party in the absence was generally Keel, and so the same situation follows right now. 

(Heh, the void space doesn't look any bigger than a grown up person from a general perspective, but even 100m Magla can easily pass through unobstructed. If I have to guess, this is the work of Space-Time God Desperado, isn't it?)

Allen murmured in amaze as he saw the giant body of Haku effortlessly vanishing from the spot when he reached out for void space. Soon, the remaining teammates also followed and stepped into the divine territory of Martial God.

«Hold on your horses, girl. Why are you jumping in when you couldn't do much in earlier battles, even after borrowing my Ascalon?»

"...Uh, err, Nestirad was... strong."

«Are you kidding me? How would I be able to speak in front of others if my trained human is only at such a midget level, despite borrowing my power!?»

Kurena had about to join them, but was stopped by the Sword God, her words faltering apart at the end.

She had been down since the battle with Nestirad. While Nestirad was obscenely strong, she perhaps found it frustrating that she couldn't contribute too much.

(Eh, she put great effort though. I would bet she had been more helpful than Dogora. It's just that Dogora's attack had helped much in combo count, otherwise she definitely triumphs above him.)

"Damn you, Dogora!"

"What the heck was that, Allen?! Why are you suddenly cursing me!!"

It's because you're being that pompous Kurena is blaming herself! Allen's unreasonable outburst at him left Dogora perplexed. 

"Yes, I am ashamed of my incompetence. I would like to train once again."

«Good grief. You know there's no hope off this ride, eh? You better prepare yourself.»

"Thank you very much!!"

"Well, so Kurena would be practising under Sword God. Kurena, if you find yourself free at the end, join Hero on his trial."

"Sorry, and I will."

"Come one, the trials are there for everyone to become strong. You don't have to apologise. You should always train yourself if you see there's something to improve!"

"Thank you!"

A smile broke out on Kurena's face when Allen spoke.

At the end, it was just Allen, Sophia, Luck and Formar left, who would be next heading out to Goddess of Magic's territory, to offer the Nestirad's heart which would help Cecil in her advancement.

Overall, more than half of their party was now supporting Helmios on his trial.

"Good luck."

Peromas uttered. He had his plan to return to the human realm, though he ended up tagging along with the rest to see the team off. He shook his hand to wish fortune on them.

Inwardly though, he was exhilarated. At last, he no longer had to jump himself into danger anymore, and could finally return to the human realm and meet his wife Fiona. A wave of emotions washed over Peromas, but---

"Hmm? What are you saying? You're coming with us."

"Huh? What, stop, Dogora!"

The hand of fiend Dogora suddenly grabbed his petite body by the collar and lifted him up, causing his legs to dangle in the air.