Allen's group stood in front of the Gate of Judgement, which Kurena and Haku fought to open.
Now it created a path into the divine realm, so Allen gathered all the armies in the temple.
After negotiating with the God of Space and Time Desperado, it was decided only 100 people would enter, so they decided it would be Allen's party Abandoned Gamers, the hero's party Sacred, and Galara's party Stinger that would go.
"Alright, let's go to the divine realm then."
(We won't gain anything from waiting here.)
"Right, let's get going!"
Dogora also wanted to go, after spending a long time training in the darkness of the S Rank Dungeon's last floor. There was light from magic devices there, but they did not get close to being as bright as the sun.
"So we aren't splitting the party this time."
"No, we're all going together Cecile."
Only Peromus would stay behind, everyone else went together for once.
(Hm? Ahh, right.)
The Dragon King and the dragonkin priests were also looking at them.
Allen turned around and walked to the Dragon King.
'Hm?'
The Dragon King looked confused seeing Allen get closer and the dragonkin raised their guard.
Haku and Kurena had worked hard to get the Gate of Judgement open, but that had been harder because of the pact between the God of Space and Time Desperado and the Dragon King. The dragonkin had also pointed their weapons at the rest of the party so the fight was fair.
Seeing Allen approach them like that made all of them nervous.
"We don't have too many spots open, but would some of you like to come with us?"
'Wha-?!'
"Don't get that excited just yet. I'll only be able to take like ten of you there."
(Seriously, even closed betas give out codes to more people.)
Allen still did not feel satisfied. Usually when a new game started a network test or closed beta they would give out invites to far more than just 100 people.
There were still around 60 spots available for Allen, so he felt like 10 was a safe number.
Bump
(Hm?)
The Grimoire suddenly appeared in front of Allen. The cover was lined with silver lines of logs.
'Allen's party current size: 15, Helmios' party current size: 10, Galara's party current size: 15. There's 60 remaining spots to enter the Divine Realm.'
The God of Time and Space had put a hard limit on how many could enter, and the Grimoire showed how many more could go. But Allen mentioned 10 so they were more like a party.
(Huh, without Peromus we should be 14 here, or are they counting Tam-Tam too?)
[Abandoned Gamers' 15 members]
Allen, Kurena, Cecile, Dogora, Kiel, Sophie, Merle, Formar, Shea, Luck, Peromus, Rosalina, Ignomas, Haku, Tam-Tam.
After obtaining a soul from Digragni, Tam-Tam became a proper party member, so he would have to tell Merle and Tam-Tam later. For now he waited silently for the Dragon King's response.
'Kurena and Haku fought so you could take those men with you. I can't allow my selfishness to take away from those efforts.'
Saying that, the Dragon King closed his eyes. Maybe his response would have been different if Astel was there.
"I see…then…"
Allen could tell the Dragon King had been looking forward to that for 3000 years.
He could easily say yes, but instead he opened his eyes and looked at a dragonkin priest.
'I see, while we were secluded in our small village a new hero was born. Listen Tegsano.'
"Yessir!!"
The priest replied just as Allen turned to look at him.
'I, the Dragon King Matildora, have decided that I want to see the future brought by Haku. Go and tell the entire Dragon God's Village that we're all supporting Allen now!!'
The Dragon King announced in a thunderous voice that shook the temple.
Allen wished he spoke with a lower voice, as he was right next to him.
"That's Allen for you. And oh right, I almost forgot I had something for you, here, an invitation."
Helmios sounded almost tired of Allen's actions, but he still praised him.
Then he took out what looked like a piece of parchment from his magic bag.
(Seriously? It's only been 3 months since the last one. Though I can imagine what they want to talk about.)
"A meeting again?"
Allen made his disgust obvious.
"Don't look at me like that. It's an invitation for the Five Continents Alliance, you got one before right?"
Allen looked at the rolled parchment with a bored look.
"That means Master Allen has gotten so important that the meeting can't start with him!"
Sophie seemed excited by the news.
"Of course, Allen is humanity's hope after all."
Helmios knew how much of a name Allen had made for himself after Rosenheim, the S Rank Dungeon, the Evil Cult, and Prostia's crisis.
Now Allen had gotten rid of the strongholds that existed for 60 years, and before those news spread he had opened the gate to the divine realm. That quickly prompted a meeting.
Allen would also be important to fight the Demon King's Army later, and all countries knew that the Demon King was the tyrant emperor of Giamut resurrected, so Allen's help was needed to talk with Albahar, since they no longer trusted Giamut.
"Ughh, I really want to go to the divine realm now though."
Allen was acting like a child told to do homework instead of playing games.
"It'll happen in Rosenheim's Fortenia, so Sophie feel free to attend too."
The date was written on the parchment, so Allen could already start thinking of what to say.
"Ah, I see…"
Sophie seemed moved to hear that the meeting would happen in Rosenheim.
(So they're in Rosenheim next. It seems like they're really getting back on their feet there.)
Now that all strongholds had been destroyed, they needed to discuss how they would proceed.
Even Albahar's Beast King was willing to talk if it involved the future of everyone.
They also chose Rosenheim as the next meeting location to work around Albahar's doubts.
But that also meant that Rosenheim had recovered from the Demon King's Army's attack enough to host the meeting again. That was also thanks to Allen.
"Lord Dragon King, if you could, please take part in the meeting as well."
Helmios approached the Dragon King next. The Dragon God's Village had been absent from the war so far.
'Alright, I'll go with my servants, so reserve me a seat.'
Allen glanced at Sophie, then just nodded in resignation as he went to address his army.
They were starting to overstay their welcome there, so he just gave the generals a short outline of his next plans, and told them he would give them more details later.
"I'm sorry, I really wanted to go with all of you, but there's a limit. I'll tell you more about the meeting, and how to strengthen the army further through Okiyo later."
He told Lud he would use a Wraith A summon to communicate.
"Understood. Please take care of Lady Shea."
"Yes, also can I entrust you with a message in case you return to Albahar?"
"Hm? What is it?"
Lud seemed intrigued by that message.
"There's still open spots to enter the divine realm. It'd be a waste if no one takes them, so if the Ten Heroic Beasts want to, they can come as well."
"Hm?"
Lud seemed a bit confused at first, so Allen explained further. The Ten Heroic Beasts had helped him go through the S Rank Dungeon and later when fighting the Demon King's Army.
Prince Zew and the Ten Heroic Beasts had also helped with Rosenheim's defenses afterwards, so Allen wanted to thank them for all that.
"And tell them that Sophie asked me to do that for them."
"...Master Allen…"
Sophie felt a pang in her heart realizing why Allen was giving her the credit.
Cooperation was crucial to fight the Demon King's Army, so all races would get along better if an elf like Sophie did that, rather than a human like Allen.
"General Lud, we'll also visit the Village of Primordial Beasts. So please tell the Ten Heroic Beasts that there's plenty for them to gain too."
And if other beastmen countries also wanted to go, Allen would reserve a few spots for them.
(He's been quiet for a while now.)
As Lud started to understand what Allen was saying, he stiffened up.
"I'll do my utmost to fulfill that request."
After a while, he gave a firm reply as tears formed in his eyes, then he looked at Shea who stood next to Allen.
"Good, then make sure to give the heroes the send-off they deserve."
"Yes, Lady Shea! Listen up everyone! These heroes are about to depart to the divine realm! See them off with all the fanfare they deserve!"
Clap clap clap
There were loud claps coming from all over the temple.
"More. Clap louder!!!"
Lud shouted with all his might, his voice louder than the claps even.
Now the claps were so loud the temple almost shook in response, and even the dragonkin joined in.
"Somehow this reminds me of a graduation ceremony."
"Allen? What are you talking about?"
Cecile could not understand what Allen was saying.
Allen remembered how students clapped during graduation ceremonies in middle school and high school.
Staying there for too long would get awkward, so Allen urged Helmios and Galara's parties to come with his as they crossed the Gate of Judgement.
As they crossed through the gate, it slowly closed behind them.
The claps also became distant and soon enough could not be heard anymore.
All they could see was a vast world of clouds now.
"Oh, you can actually walk on top of the clouds."
Allen walked on the clouds, feeling like he was stepping on marshmallows.
"Anyway, can you explain what's going on now? I've been curious for a while."
Helmios asked Allen shortly after they arrived, and Galara also looked at Allen wondering that.
"Ahh, right. Let me explain that, and what we'll be doing here."
After what Allen thought looked like a graduation ceremony, he began explaining everything in detail to them.
