Allen's group was in the Gate of Scale's third level, at the end of which they would challenge the Gatekeeper.
The third level also had separated spaces like the first two, but there was no lightning there.
(Why is our Agility going down?)
Allen noticed a change in their stats, as well as a large number of monsters in that space.
"Everyone, our Agility has gone down by a third. Tighten our formation and keep Haku in the circle. And Kurena, that means we've become really slow."
"Got it!!"
Kurena beamed a smile in response.
'Gau!!'
Everyone moved as ordered.
Some spaces in the third level lowered their Agility. Looking at his clock, he noticed it was moving slower as well. That did not affect the monsters that attacked them however.
The formation kept the rear guard protected, keeping everyone tightly together.
The enemies there were mostly S Rank too .
Even Tam-Tam was under that time slowing effect. Only Haku, who had gained Space and Time Resistance, could move like normal.
He was the one fighting back the most against the monsters attacking them from the front.
"I'd really like to finish this level tonight."
The group could easily defeat S Rank monsters, especially Cecile with her newly gained power.
They had started going to the Gates of Trials in January, and March was about to end now.
Allen spoke to Cecile as they flew mounted on a Bird B summon.
"Let's try to find the Gatekeeper's gate soon."
"Mhm. Also, shouldn't you go back to Latash soon?"
"Hm? I guess, maybe I'll do that one of these days."
"What do you think the Princess wants from you?"
"I don't know, I haven't been told enough."
Cecile recalled something that happened many days before. Duke Grandvelle had asked Allen to return to Latash, as Princess Leirana had something to discuss with him.
But they did not tell him what that was.
He was told to return when he could, so he just focused on the dungeon.
"Oh! That looks like it!!"
After moving through a few more spaces, Kiel shouted happily seeing the gate in the center.
Everyone dismounted the Bird B summons and went to the gate.
'...'
Fabre looked nervous at Megadeth, who floated in front of the gate.
"Don't worry, Kurena and Haku have gotten stronger. It'll be alright."
'O-okay…'
'So that's the last gate of the Gates of Trials. I've finally seen it for myself.'
Luck rubbed Fabre's head while Mouton looked at the gate.
'This is the first someone has gotten this far in around two months.'
Megadeth received them with a wide smile.
"It was all thanks to my friends. Could you tell us how strong the Gatekeeper is before the fight?"
Allen asked the same question he asked every time before.
'Well, I'm a servant of a God, so I'm many times stronger than Roadmerk from the second Gate of Trial. You should make sure you're ready enough before the fight.'
Megadeth detailed his strength with a suspicious grin.
"You?"
'Yes, I'm the guide of this dungeon, as well as the last Gatekeeper. Good job getting this far.'
"Wait, why didn't you mention it sooner?! There's no way we can defeat a God's servant!!"
'Well, these are the Gates of Trials, they're meant to challenge the strength of a dragon and Rider, if they want to.'
Cecile shouted at him, but Megadeth continued grinning, telling them it was not obligatory to fight.
'...'
(I guess Fabre got this far the previous time, considering her reaction.)
Allen noticed Fabre and Rosen looked uncomfortable. They knew who the last Gatekeeper was.
Fabre had gotten there before, after sacrificing many lives.
"Fighting a God's servant does sound rough. What dragon are you, by the way?"
Allen continued asking questions, trying to not let his true emotions show through.
The first Gatekeeper was a light dragon, the second an ancient dragon, but they did not know what Megadeth was.
'I'm a Dimension Dragon, Desperado's servant.'
Megadeth announced, sounding convinced he would win.
"Kurena, Haku, do you want to fight?"
"Of course."
'Gyau!!'
Kurena and Haku wanted to do it.
"Well they say they want to. But I feel like the Rider isn't fully prepared yet, could we have time to get her ready?"
'Hm? Of course. Take as long as you want.'
(Huh, he sounds certain he'll win.)
Megadeth had seen how fast Kurena and Haku defeated the previous Gatekeeper, but he remained confident.
Allen wanted time to prepare before fighting a boss, just like he did in games in his previous life.
They went out of the Gate of Trial and everyone surrounded him.
"What should we do, Allen?"
Cecile did not know what they could do now.
"He's pretty strong if he's many times stronger than Roadmerk."
"That's true. We can't help them either, so do you have any plan, Master Allen?"
Sophie looked pensive as she spoke to Allen.
He had the help of Helmios when fighting the Demon General Razel, and many champions from all continents gathered to clear the S Rank Dungeon.
But they all knew that Allen sometimes had ideas no one else could come up with.
"Hmm, Kurena and Haku should go to the S Rank Dungeon first, and we'll go to Heavy User Island. I'll tell you my plan while we travel."
Allen wanted Kurena and Haku to continue Leveling Up while he thought of a plan.
"Okay! Good plan Allen!!"
Kurena sounded impressed by that.
(I missed this feeling. Enough time to prepare for a boss battle can always secure a victory..)
He went through his old memories to find a solution to win the fight.
Kurena and Haku would be fighting Iron Golems to raise their Levels. Allen would do something else in the meantime.
Ding ding ding
They were near the center of Heavy User Island, near the dwarven workshops.
Ten dwarves led by Habarak were fortifying weapons for Allen's Army.
"Hello, Allen."
Habarak greeted him when they entered the workshop.
"How're you doing, Habarak? Are the weapons and armor coming along?"
"Yeah, working on them is so fun I can't stop myself from doing more every day."
Swinging his hammer made life worth it to Habarak, and working on orichalcum and adamantite was really fun for him.
"There's a few things I'd like you to make."
"Oh? What do you need?"
"I want something like this."
Allen copied onto parchment the image he had on his Grimoire.
"Hm? Ohhh, this looks quite complex. It'll take some time."
Habarak understood what Allen wanted.
"That's no problem. I'll be busy with something else for a few days, so take as much time as you need."
"Alright then. This will still take priority though, I'll tell everyone else."
That was all Allen had to do with Habarak.
"That's an incredible idea, but it does look like it'll make them stronger."
Cecile was impressed.
"I know. Next we'll check in with Kasagoma."
"Huh? Ah, right. We did find that thing, are you sure it won't be a waste though?"
Cecile recalled the thing they obtained the day before in the third level.
"Maybe, but Kurena's victory is more important. We can't really afford to penny pinch."
Everyone nodded hearing that. They headed to Kasagoma's workshop in Coure.
"Oh, Commandant Allen. What do you need today?"
"I have a request actually."
"A request?"
Kasagoma took them to a table to discuss what Allen wanted.
"So what is it that you want from me?"
"I'd like you to use this and make magic trinkets."
Allen placed a glowing rin on the table.
"Hm? What is this?"
Kasagoma held his glasses with one hand and examined the ring from closer.
It was a bit too big compared to regular rings, and seemed to be made mainly of light.
"We picked it up in the Gates of Trials. It's called a Magic Crafter's Divine Technique."
Allen explained how he expected the item to work, after seeing Cecile gain new power.
Kasagoma could not believe it at first, but quickly came to terms with it.
Allen commanded this floating island, could summon Makris, and was trying to reach the divine realm.
"So you want me to use this. But you'll also expect something back… Is there really any way I could repay fairly though?"
Kasagoma took it as a trade. That item would allow him to craft accessories never seen before, which he could use for his own monetary advantage.
"No, I'm giving it to you for free."
"Hm, for free? Hmm, I know you're the Commandant of an army, overseeing a lot of things… I even heard you've started selling orichalcum weapons and armor…"
Kasagoma was one of Patlanta's most influential merchants, so he had a good idea of everything Allen's Army was selling and buying.
He was worried for Allen, wondering if giving such an item away for free would eventually block the sustainability of his army.
"Thank you for worrying, but I can't afford to worry about that when we have to fight the Demon King. Not to mention that we would benefit from you becoming more skillful too."
Allen believed entering the divine realm was indispensable to fight the Demon King's Army.
So he was willing to give Kasagoma that ring for free, he already had a 4 Star Talent, Magic Master Craftsman. He was in Heavy User Island under the request of Empress Rapsonile.
But his only products Allen could use were Sacred Beads.
With the help of the ring he just obtained, his work would likely rival the accessories found in the S Rank Dungeon.
At the very least rings to boost stats by 5000, and necklaces that boosted them by 3000.
"So use this, enhance your skills, and create accessories never seen before."
Allen would help his skills grow for free.
"Hmm, you're giving this away just so you can obtain accessories later?"
Kasagoma felt like that would be a more fair trade.
Both understood what the other wanted now.
"Kasagoma, we're about to enter the divine realm."
"I've heard, and I can see why you would want better gear for that too."
"Yes, your skills could get us there, and I might be able to bring you completely new materials back."
(I'll go to the divine realm no matter what. I'm sure there are good materials there, and Kasagoma will be able to use them. I…I can't wait…)
Allen was almost drooling thinking about that.
"I see you prioritize some things above money, and I feel more comfortably taking it now. Wait-?!"
Kasagoma understood that Allen was like a hero, having other things he valued more.
He picked up the Magic Crafter's Divine Technique and his entire body began to glow.
"That's just like me."
"Well, it was made by the same God after all."
Isiris governed over magic, magic devices, and magic trinkets.
That was why the Magician's Divine Technique and the Magic Crafter's Divine Technique had been found in the same place as well.
"Wh-what just happened."
Kasagoma clenched and relaxed his hands after the light was gone.
"You should be hearing a voice now. Repeat them to activate your new Skills."
"E-err… Ultimate Magic Crafter? Hyah?!"
Kasagoma activated the Divine Technique.
Once he calmed down, Allen explained more about it.
Then Allen asked him to make new accessories and left the workshop.
"Well, I think that went well enough."
Allen was doing everything to beat Megadeth, the last Gatekeeper.
Cecile felt like they were getting closer to accomplishing that goal.
"Yes, but there's still more we can do on the island."
"There is?"
"Yes, there is."
Allen grinned menacingly as he said that.
His friends knew he was planning something crazy again.
