Five days passed since Allen reached Summoner Level 9.
He spent those days using his [Growth] Skill nonstop.
Merus was not helping this time, Allen kept his promise and let him rest.
He was already doing that before the day his Skill Level increased, and kept doing it right after as well, which left Merus completely baffled, and could only say "He's lost his mind."
Merus wanted to rest for at least ten days.
Merus could no longer return to the Divine Realm with his own power, but he could still travel to various other places and take it easy.
But Allen spent all his time leveling up [Growth].
He was currently at Skill Level 7.
Once he obtained 1000'000'000 Skill Experience Points, he would reach Skill Level 8, and he would be able to double the Blessings from his A Rank summons.
That meant his stats could be boosted by about 100'000 with [Growth].
His abilities in battle would become much more vast, showing just how powerful [Growth] was.
But not only were his physical abilities boosted, his mana pool could also become bigger.
With the right equipment, he should be able to go over 50000 mana.
That would make the Mana Regeneration Ring's effects even more useful, and he would earn Skill Experience at an even faster rate than ever before.
Allen's Army had been active for half a year as well, and their routine was largely defined.
It was hard to think there was a way for him to run out of Magic Stones.
They were also undergoing joint training with the Hero's Army, largely completing his first goal of assisting Allen's improvements.
His budget was also plentiful.
The many adventurers and soldiers visiting the Talent Change Dungeon also supplied a steady stock of Magic Stones to the market.
That was enough to maintain Allen's large expenditure of Magic Stones.
Allen was glad knowing that all the information he gave to the Guild about how to get through the Talent Change Dungeon safely was paying off.
He assumed that this was the weakest of the three Skills he obtained after reaching Summoner Level 9, so he really wanted to unseal the rest.
"Should I really be here as well?"
(I feel like he says that every time this happens.)
"Well, I think it's best if you're here, Peroniki."
Peromus was kneeling next to Allen, still unsure about being present there.
Allen was used to that happening every time, and answered the same way too.
"Silence, please. You're in the presence of Emperor Ignomas!"
Prime Minister Agiley warned the two who were chattering between them.
That reminded Allen of the times he would be talking with his classmates and his teacher would get angry.
They bowed deeply and Ignomas sat on the throne.
The servants and knights that came to check the magic device had told them to come to the palace today.
Ignomas really wanted to hear the status of the magic device directly from them.
Allen, Peromus, Shea, Luck, Princess Carmin, and Knight Commander Iwanam were there as well.
"Hm? Is that the fashion on the surface now?"
"I-I wonder?"
Ignomas was curious noticing the prawn and crab on Sophie and Luck's head, they were Rosen and Fabre in disguise.
He asked Agiley if that was the new fad outside.
But Agiley did not know how to answer, so Ignomas quickly lost interest.
(So he really doesn't pay attention to small details. That's common amongst the fighter type.)
Allen had been watching Ignomas through a Fish D for a long time, and had an idea of his personality.
He had made Rosen and Fabre ride on their heads just to confirm that as well.
"So you're the ambassador Alec. So tell me, how's the magic device faring? You're taking quite a long time with your maintenance, it's been half a month already."
He seemed to have a short temper, speaking to Allen with clear annoyance in his voice.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly."
(He asked without even greeting me. I guess that's the only thing he's interested in.)
Allen said there was no issue or setbacks with regards to the magic device.
Ignomas had not greeted them or even mentioned Clebeur, instead jumping straight to asking about the magic device.
"That's what you say, but would you say the same if your life was on the line?"
Ignomas wanted to know how certain Allen was about his answer.
He squinted a little as he looked at Allen.
The knights standing next to the throne also glared together with Ignomas.
"Yes, there are no issues. The preliminary investigation is already done, in fact."
Allen did not let himself get overwhelmed by the situation, answering with a flat voice.
"Oh? Then why haven't you brought it here yet?"
Allen spoke bluntly, which seemed to irk Ignomas, who felt like he was being deceived and being made to wait for half a month for nothing.
Prime Minister Agiley also looked confused hearing that.
"Because we want to make sure it's a suitable event for you of course, Your Majesty."
"An event? …Tell me more."
He was confused, but the word 'event' had piqued Ignomas' interest.
"As you may know, the Songstress Contest will be held half a month from now, and it'll be the perfect event for you, Your Majesty, to show your power to your ministers and people. We're running all the necessary checks and tests to make sure the device will run at its full capabilities for that event."
Ignomas had always been wondering when the magic device would be ready, Allen knew that much from his spying with the Fish D summon.
The reason for his desperation was a sort of competition in half a month, the Songstress Contest.
When asked, Princess Carmin said that it was a major annual event that happened in Prostia.
Most large countries had such events, like Albahar's Martial Arts Display.
Famous singers from all over the empire would gather in the capital Patlanta.
Many influential people would attend the event, as well as a majority of the population.
Ignomas wanted to flaunt his power and the magic device during that event, since everyone in the empire would be watching.
"So you were planning ahead that much. I hope you realize the consequences if the magic device fails during the event though."
Allen understood what he meant, Ignomas would slaughter everyone responsible.
"Of course. We'll make certain it becomes a splendid display of your power, Your Majesty, Emperor Ignomas. That's why we're being as thorough as possible with the magic device."
Allen bowed as he answered that way to Ignomas.
Allen deliberately called him Emperor Ignomas.
Ignomas was actually his family name, his full name was Growdel Von Ignomas.
He started life as a commoner, so he only gained his family name Ignomas after succeeding in life.
The name of the empire, Prostia, was also the house name of the imperial family. Now that Ignomas' insurrection had succeeded, it was easy to assume it would soon be known as the Ignomas Empire.
"I see. You may go now."
He had asked and heard everything he wanted, so he told them to leave the throne room.
"..."
Allen was told to leave, but instead he knelt and kept his head lowered.
"Alec, His Majesty has ordered you leave."
Agiley told him, slightly annoyed by his attitude.
"Hm?"
Ignomas also muttered "What is it?" at Allen's actions, the entire throne room starting to feel awkward.
"...I wish I could watch the new dawn for this empire by your side, Your Majesty. As I'm sure will happen after the event."
Allen's face was turned down, hiding the terrifying expression on it.
He had gotten this far, and he had no intention of leaving empty handed.
"What do you mean? Are you trying to obtain some sort of reward?"
Agiley was about to tell him "Go away" when Ignomas raised his voice.
Ignomas had been born as a peasant, and he sensed some familiarity in Allen's actions.
"Please don't misunderstand. I just wish to continue being useful to the empire."
"And what is it you have to offer?"
"I could fund your armies."
"Oh? Are you sure you're capable of that?"
Ignomas' countenance changed the moment he heard the word 'funds'.
It was like he finally had an interest in Allen as a person.
He leant forward a little as he instructed Allen to continue speaking.
"I have trading connections on the surface, mainly with Baukis, but also with most other countries. And Peroniki who's next to me has an eye for items of quality."
Allen had also told Tynome at the port that he did a lot of trading with Baukis.
Peromus also had a Talent that allowed him to see the value of items, which was an invaluable trait for any merchant.
Talents governed over everything in this world.
"Go on."
Ignomas took a look at Peromus, then told Allen to continue.
"I can tell you're an ambitious man, Your Majesty, and I believe you won't find the empire to be big enough for your tastes. War funds are indispensable for conquest, which is why I would be more than willing to sell the products from the Ignomas Empire to the rest of the world at very favorable prices.."
Saying that, he raised his face, showing his face to Ignomas.
Seeing Allen's demonic expression made Agiley recoil in shock.
Allen knew that Ignomas was spending a lot of money in buying up the nobles nearby.
If he truly wanted to conquer the surface, as Duke Drescalay had claimed, he would need a lot more money.
Ignomas had been spending most of the treasury kept by the Prostia family.
He did not have enough money to both appease Prostia and conquer the surface.
He needed considerable war funds to gather enough soldiers to storm the surface.
It was likely he would need to gather many tens of thousands of soldiers for that.
"And just how much can you offer me?"
Ignomas wanted a more specific number.
"If I'm given free reign, as much as you need. In more concrete numbers, I could bring in ten million gold coins a year."
(That still isn't enough to fund such a large army though.)
"That's outrageous! How can you claim a new ambassador like you can gather that much!!"
Prime Minister Agiley shouted loudly.
It was one thing to gather that much money, but ten million gold coins in profit only was an incredible sum.
"I assure you, on my life and Peroniki's."
"Wha-?!"
Peromus blurted, hearing his head being put on the line without his permission.
"Ten million… I wonder if that would do? Agiley, would that be enough?"
"Hmm, regardless of the sum, I don't believe we can wait a year before attacking. N-nevermind, I don't believe it wise to go into such details here…"
Ignomas had asked without putting much thought into it, so Agiley replied instinctively, before realizing this was no place to mention their plan of attacking the surface.
He told Ignomas they would discuss that in private later.
"Yes, I believe a year would take too long. Get me ten million in three months."
(Hmhm, three months. That sounds like he plans on forming his army right after the event and attack as soon as possible.)
"Understood."
"W-wait, do you realize what you're agreeing to here?!"
Allen agreed without hesitation, which thoroughly baffled Agiley.
"I have plenty of connections on the surface, and Peroniki here is the best accountant I know of. As long as we aren't limited in any way, I assure you we'll bring the ten million gold coins."
"Oh? I see. If you truly manage to bring me that sum, I'll assign you both as my trusted confidants."
Even if they did not gather the ten million, they would have to offer everything they had.
Any sum was helpful when funding an army.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Allen bowed deeply again.
(Alright, my negotiations are complete here. Time to step up, Princess Carmin.)
Everyone in the throne room felt like the conversation was over, so Agiley was about to tell them to leave again.
"U-umm, is…is Duke Drescalay in good health?"
Princess Carmin realized it was her turn to speak.
"Hmm?"
Before Agiley could say anything, Princess Carmin's voice filled the room.
