The Sacred Bird Kuwatoro appeared in front of Allen.
"Oh, Sacred Bird Kuwatoro, are you coming to the divine realm too? We'd appreciate it if you could lead us to the Village of Primordial Beasts then."
Allen felt like the Sacred Bird Kuwatoro had been waiting for him to open the door.
So he decided to ask if the Sacred Bird would take to Garm's Village of Primordial Beasts, where many Sacred Beasts lived.
'No, Allen. I've been watching your efforts, and how you even bargained with the Gods to lead your men forward. You have the worth I was looking for.'
"Hm? Worth?"
'Yes, as we agreed, I've come to become your Sacred Beast. Bring out the item you showed me before, and hold it towards me.'
Everyone was confused, but Allen had no complaints if he would get a new summon so he brought out the Sacred Beast Stone.
"So like this?"
'Yes. Also please refer to me as Kuwatoro from now on. I'll become your eyes and travel alongside you.'
The Sacred Bird Kuwatoro entered the Sacred Beast Stone, and soon enough the Grimoire showed something.
'Bird S has been unsealed. You can now summon Bird S.'
"Ohh I finally got the Bird S summon!"
"Yayyy!"
Kurena celebrated with him.
(A new summon on top of a new area. I'm so excited I'm almost shaking.)
Allen could not stop thinking about it.
"Alright, let's go to the divine realm then!!"
Kiel also wanted to get there. They all hurried to gather in front of the gate, and there Luck noticed some weight off his shoulder. Fabre had jumped off.
"Hm? What happened?"
Luck asked Fabre, who was on the floor looking away.
'Luck, I can't allow myself to enter the divine realm.'
Fabre turned around, looking sadly at Luck.
'Spirit King…'
Mouton seemed to notice something.
'I've already corrupted the future of dark elves once. I'll stay here, so you can go and watch over dark elves for me, Mouton.'
'Hm?'
'I'm sure the Great Spirit God will make you a Spirit King. Please watch over Luck too.'
She also would step down from being a Spirit King. She had already made the arrangements with the Great Spirit God of the Spirit Paradise to have Mouton take her place.
(I guess that's her way to take responsibility.)
She had decided she would do that while they went through the Gates of Trials.
There were many elves and dark elves in Allen's Army, and they all watched silently, letting Luck decide what to do. He was the prince of Fabraze after all.
He went up to Fabre, who looked like a black weasel, and firmly picked her up by the scruff.
'Huh?! Wait, Luck!!'
Her legs dangled and kicked around wildly.
"What are you talking about? Let's go already."
He placed her on his shoulder like always and returned to Allen's party.
"I guess Luck is also really worth it then."
"...I feel like he'll grow up splendidly."
Allen and Sophie seemed to have a similar impression of him. Sophie especially, she smiled imagining what the future held for dark elves.
(Hm? Is the light looking at me?)
"What's wrong?"
Kiel noticed that Allen was thinking of something.
"No, it's nothing."
Allen was looking at the Gate of Judgement. The sunlight within seemed to be far more bright than on the human realm, and Allen felt like it was looking back at him.
But he doubted that was possible so he tried to convince himself.
"It's a new adventure!!"
Kurena was also excited.
"The Gate of Judgement has opened! Let's go to a new world!!"
Allen's eyes twinkled with excitement, just like when a new area was added in an update to a game.
＊＊＊
They crossed the Gate of Judgement and gazed at a vast world filled with light above clouds.
But there was someone else who was watching Allen gather strength to defeat the Demon King.
That someone was not in a world filled with light and hope, but a dark world.
There were ruins and dark forest spreading as far as the eye could see.
All the trees were withered and looked straight out of a horror movie, black birds with menacing glowing eyes on their branches.
This was not the human realm or the divine realm, it was the Dark World.
Atop a hill there stood a large castle. A throne was placed in the largest room inside, and a large woman stood there, rather than sit.
Figures were kneeling nearby, demons who worked for the woman.
The woman looked like she was over 50 years old, but her skin did not look wrinkly yet, and darkness seemed to emanate from him.
'Hahahah!! This is hilarious!! Just look at Desperado's face!!'
The woman roared in laughter, but the demons remained silent, as the figure standing next to her, the castle's lord, calmed her down.
'Are you looking at the outside world again? What put you in such a good mood?'
There was also what looked like a human head next to the demons, quite aged, but it was still alive, and it spoke to the woman.
'Ah, Axilion, It seems someone managed to enter the divine realm.'
The woman called the old head Axilion.
'Oh? So the dragonkin have finally succeeded.'
'That's actually not quite it, from what I've gathered it was mainly a human, but there were others.'
She had noticed there were various races present in the Dragon King's temple.
If she concentrated her sight, she could somehow see the Dragon King's state.
'Hmm, that reminds me, I heard my beloved horse also is on the move. I guess a lot is happening.'
The head seemed to remember his horse as well.
'Yes, Pharnemes is also on the move now.'
When the woman and Axilion finished talking, a demon entered the room.
"The Dark Knight Iruze has returned and requests an audition."
'Ohh I see, so my knight is back.'
"Dark Knight Iruze, go in and report to the God of Darkness."
The woman was the God of Darkness that ruled over the Dark World.
Receiving permission, the demon let the Dark Knight Iruze enter.
The Dark Knight Iruze wore full armor and walked straight to kneel in front of the throne.
'So how's the distortion going?'
"I'll report right away! We've been creating more distortions in space since yesterday, now they're numerous and some can be created right next to cities!!"
'Oh, looks like your research is going smoothly. Have you found a hole yet?'
The God of Darkness seemed really interested by that.
"No, they're just distortions. So far we haven't found anything that came out of them. Though there have been demons that went missing near distortions…"
All of Iruze was hidden under armor, but there was plenty of anger in the report.
'...So you only want me to send those with little value then, is that it?'
The woman understood what was going on from that report.
She slowly stood up and raised her hand, which was soon enveloped in darkness all the way to the wrist.
"..."
Even through the armor it was clear that Iruze was shaking.
'...There's still a lot left to research. Desperado's barrier is really well made.'
'Oh, so the barrier hasn't been broken yet?'
Only Axilion remained calm in the presence of the God of Darkness.
She looked at Iruze again.
'Now, my cute knight. Tell me again if anything happens.'
"Yes! God of Darkness Amante!!"
Iruze bowed deeply before leaving the throne room.
Once Iruze was gone, the God of Darkness looked at the distance again.
It seemed like Allen noticed her gaze, as he looked right back at the light.
She stood up thinking of something, before breaking into laughter which shook her entire body.
'I see, so things are finally moving again. It seems like something fun is about to begin. Does everyone have their tickets? It's time to spread chaos!!'
The God of Darkness shouted loudly inside the castle, her face contorting with madness.
While Allen headed to the divine realm, the rest of the world was moving too.
