The Great Spirit Mouton spoke with derision as he detailed the history of dark elves, and the decision Fabre made which led to that conclusion.
"..."
Formar listened silently, while Sophie, a descendant of the Praying Maiden, looked at the Spirit God in silence. The Spirit God also did not say anything about the matter.
Allen's group had only ever heard the elves' side of the story.
During their adventurers they got the dark elves to join them, including the high dark elf Luck, who was an important party member.
Now they felt like they were hearing a side of the story that was never mentioned.
(I believe there were many cease-fires followed by more war.)
Allen tried to remember the story Sophie had told about the elves and dark elves.
After the Praying Maiden was born, the elves pushed the dark elves back, and there were constant cycles of cease-fire agreements and war, until 1000 years later the dark elves were chased off from Rosenheim.
The Great Spirit had just told what led to that first agreement, and what they had been planning.
'We could've won if we just retreated from LaPolca like the elder wanted, or if we followed the general and fought back!!'
The Great Spirit's Mouton's voice became louder. He believed that Fabre's decision had lost the dark elves the war, sending off 2000 capable dark elves to die in the Gates of Trials.
'...'
Fabre listened silently on the table.
(Alright, the story should be over soon enough, so maybe it's time to step in. I'd really like them to talk things through, but this matter is way too big for that.)
Fabre's silence fanned Mouton's rage, who began to splatter mud and noxious gasses, so the windows had to be open to avoid the smell.
As the leader, it was Allen's role to step forward now. But before he could say anything, Luck raised his voice, so Allen returned to his seat.
"Stop blaming Fabre so much."
Luck hugged Fabre as if protecting her.
'Does the son of the dark elf king know nothing of this then…'
Mouton could not believe Luck was reacting that way.
"You can say a lot of things knowing what happened afterwards, but Fabre, the elders, and the generals could not find a solution, but she tried her best!"
'Hmm?!'
Luck's reasoning was right. It was impossible to know what the right choice was in that war.
Mouten stepped back, he seemed to be a rather emotional spirit.
"Yes, those leading have a lot of responsibility, but it's not fair to blame someone once everything plays out."
Allen also agreed with Luck.
"Yes, that's true. Though those who lead others should also take responsibility."
Cecile also agreed with Allen, though she also believed some responsibility still fell on Fabre.
(Cecile was raised as a noble, so I can see why she says that. Fabre is still in her position as Spirit King after all.)
Allen had also gained a large responsibility to fight the Demon King's Army.
He would often wonder what would happen if he made a wrong decision.
His strategies had already cost the lives of elves in Rosenheim, and various members from Allen's Army and the Hero's Army in Prostia.
The enemy would often charge with high numbers a little strategy as well, which made it hard to avoid losses.
(I wonder what my father thought back then.)
When Kurena Village was being built, Rodan used half of a Great Boar to survive winter.
After that, he decided to regularly hunt Great Boars to sustain the serfs.
That way everyone had something to eat and could survive until the next year.
But he had also lost a close friend doing that when he was still young.
That was the price of his decision, nothing guaranteed all successes had no losses.
Maybe many more serfs could have died hunting boars, or maybe they could have just returned to their previous village to comfortably wait out winter.
There were countless possibilities.
But there was reason for Mouton to resent Fabre as well. His partner had been killed in the Gate of Fang's second level.
It was said that the dark elves were the first to break the cease-fire agreement, but after the elves provoked them. Everything reached a point where it could not be solves so easily.
"I understand the situation, Great Spirit Mouton. Was it Megadeth who told you about their failure?"
'Hm? Yes, it was him.'
Half of the dark elves and dragonkin in their group had died on that level.
Mouton had remained there until Megadeth came to him, telling him the attempt had ended in failure and that the Hero Astel had died.
Mouton just said 'I see' and stayed there for 3000 years. After a long time, he became a Great Spirit.
"Then you aren't aware that the Dragon King Matildora is currently sitting in front of the Gate of Judgement?"
'Oh? No, I wasn't. Wait, I see now! I was being deceived!!'
He became enraged again, his body bubbling and splattering. Allen decided to nickname that state [Bubble Mouton].
Mouton also did not know what had happened with Fabre after that. He was enraged to find she had somehow saved herself, but seemed incredibly suspicious hearing the Dragon King was alive too.
(Maybe it would be best to hear that from the Dragon King, but we can't get an audience.)
They had only met the Dragon King once. They had tried meeting him again countless times, but were always turned away, being told that the Dragon King was resting.
"So what are you going to do now, Mouton?"
(Hm? Oh?)
While Allen thought about the Dragon King, Luck spoke to Mouton.
'Wh-what do you mean?'
He was talking like he had no intention of doing anything in the future.
"We're going through the Gates of Trials, come with us."
'Wha-?!'
"Don't look so surprised. Just do it, you never got to the end either, right?"
'I never got to the end… so that's why I never left too…'
He stopped bubbling and slowly turned to look at Luck, then at Fabre in his arms.
"I don't really know what you mean. I just know I'll keep going, Fabre is coming too, so you should join us."
Luck poked at Fabre as he said that. He was already thinking of introducing Mouton to the dark elves and spirits in the Dark Elf Village.
(That's a great help. I guess Luck just proved his worth.)
Allen had already thought of recruiting Mouton before Luck said anything.
'I see, so the current prince has that will too. Alright, I'll go along with you.'
Mouton sounded like he had finally found the answer he searched for all those 3000 years.
"Nice! Let's do it then!!"
'Then hold your hand to me, the Great Spirit Mouton.'
Everyone watched as Luck rubbed Mouton's head.
Poof
A magic circle appeared and covered Mouton and Luck in light.
Bump
Allen's Grimoire appeared in front of him, a new log on the cover.
'Lucktod has formed a pact with the Great Spirit Mouton. He has obtained the Extra Skill [Noxious Tsunami]'
"Ohh! Luck has gotten stronger."
"Hey, let me see!!"
Cecile pushed her way to look at the Grimoire, which was showing Luck's stats.
[Name] Lucktod
[Age] 16
[Blessing] Spirit King (inactive)
[Talent] Black Sorcerer
[Level] 60
[Strength] 1839
[Mana] 2552 + 1200
[Attack] 1067
[Endurance] 1067
[Agility] 1544 + 1200
[Intelligence] 2902 + 1200
[Luck] 1307
[Skills] Black Sorcerer (6), Fire (6), Ice (6), Mud (6), Dark (6), Mountain Demon (2), Archery (4)
[Extra Skills] Manifesting Great Spirit, Noxious Tsunami
-Skill Levels
[Black Sorcerer] 6
[Fire] 6
[Ice] 6
[Mud] 6
[Dark] 6
Luck had gained a new power in the form of an Extra Skill.
A person only could get 3, and he had unlocked his second one. He had already maxed everything, and could hardly wait for April and the Talent Change Dungeon.
"The fight isn't over yet. Let's conquer the Gates of Trials with Fabre too!!"
Luck did not forget to pet Fabre's head.
'Luck…I…I'm…'
She had been brought to tears by Luck's words.
"It's fine. I know you can't talk about it, so I won't ask either."
(A lot happened, but Luck managed to get everything under control. After a dragon, a slime is in the party now too.)
Allen felt like a slime was a staple of any adventure or story.
＊＊＊
Many days later over in the Dragon King's temple, the dragonkin priests brought him his food, which was an A Rank bison monster, roasted whole.
The Dragon King began devouring it from the head down.
"M-maybe you should stop there for today…"
The priests were worried that eating too much would worsen the Dragon King's health.
'Hm? No, this isn't enough. Bring me more!!'
That was the tenth monster he was eating today, but he asked for more, shouting so loudly putting his body under stress and tensing all his muscles.
His body was covered in wrinkles, but looked better than when he met Allen.
The priests ran out, and in their stead came Megadeth.
'Oh, Megadeth. Are Allen and his party proceeding smoothly through the gates?'
'Yes, they are. They picked up Mouton a few days ago, and today they went through the third level of the Gate of Fang. They're going faster than any other group before them.'
He explained how Mouton joined Allen's party.
'I see. That's good to hear.'
The Dragon King's eyes glinted under the light of the surrounding magic lamps, while blood from the monster he ate dripped onto the floor.
'It might not take long before your wish gets granted as well.'
'Thank you for telling me…'
The Dragon King bowed to Megadeth, who then left that place.
The Dragon King did not follow Megadeth with his eyes, and instead turned around to look at the Gate of Judgement behind him.
He seemed excited, waiting for someone.
With no one in the room to see him, the Dragon King Matildora grinned with greed and ambition.
