Allen's group had to flee from the fight with Nestiad.
Learning how dangerous the divine realm could be was a terrifying experience.
Since they were already at the [Nest] next to the Gate of Judgement, Kurena and Haku could easily leave to Level Up in the S Rank Dungeon with Merus.
Allen's summons would also help them, so 3 days should be enough for them to reach Level 90.
Formar had stopped complaining after being scolded by Sophie and remained silent like always.
They were all in the Dragon King's temple in the human realm now.
'I see, so the dragonkin have been treated like that.'
Abigayle and Katakuchi were kneeling in front of the Dragon King.
"No, we're just trying to fulfill the duty given to us."
The Dragon King turned to look at Allen, who was standing behind Abigayle.
'Allen, my entire village is in full support of you. You can tell me anything you want.'
"Thank you very much. I'll relay the details later then."
Allen also bowed as he thanked the Dragon King.
'Alright.'
"The Five Continents' Alliance meeting is also drawing near. I'd really appreciate it if you could assist as well, so I'll send Merus here to guide you later."
'Thank you.'
(It's important to make sure everyone takes part in the meeting.)
Allen thanked the Dragon King and the various priests, then returned to the divine realm with Abigayle. Just as they were crossing the gate, Cecile decided to voice her dissatisfaction.
"Hey, I really don't understand why you're doing this. Is the patriarch's decision really that important?"
"No, not really. Let's just say that things were flowing along pretty nicely."
(So come with me and let's ride this big wave.)
"Seriously?!"
"Anyway, I wonder if they're done collecting the Spirit Stones?"
After they ran from Nestiad and while they talked to the Dragon King a lot of time had passed.
The sun was about to set, so they decided to head to the fort next to the ghost swarm.
Calm and peace had returned there, and they were still patiently picking up the Spirit Stones.
Nestiad never came out of the forest, as apparently he was searching for something inside.
Allen had no reason to doubt the stories about Nestiad he heard from Abigayle.
If ghosts as powerful as that constantly attacked the fort, things would be much different.
Next Allen asked why he was called Nestiad, and was told it was the local word for 'heart'.
Everyone spent the night at the fort, then the next day they returned to Boaso.
They went to the patriarch Somei's mansion, where they were made to wait in a large room.
The patriarch had not expected them to be back so soon since they were getting Spirit Crystal Stones, so it took him some time to be free of chores and available to talk.
'Mogumogu, munyamunya.'
The Spirit God was back into his squirrel shape, eating Hukama in his sleep.
"So the Spirit God still hasn't woken up."
Cecile had already finished eating breakfast, and now she just poked at Rosen's cheeks.
"Yes… I guess he overused his power back there."
Rosen had not woken up since the encounter with Nestiad, but somehow it could still eat.
At least it seemed like he would get better eventually, so Allen's delayed judgment did not have lasting effects.
After a bit of waiting, the patriarch entered the room.
"So you really are already back?! Hm? Ohh, you came too Abigayle."
He spoke as soon as he saw them. It was rare to see the wardens in the city, as the forest was far away.
"Yes, he has something to report about the ghost swarm."
"A report? Hmm…tell me then."
Allen decided it was best for Abigayle to talk about the ghost swarm, since he was more familiar with it, and Allen did not know how it looked usually.
"It's been a while, patriarch."
Abigayle and the patriarch had not seen each other in a long time.
"I know, I'm sorry I haven't been visiting the ghost swarm as much lately."
The patriarch apologized.
"Don't say that. The letter you sent saved our lives."
"Hm? What do you mean by that?"
"Yesterday the ghost swarm began acting up…"
He reported everything that happened the day before.
Nestiad's palpitations had gotten stronger, which riled up all the ghosts in the forest.
Just as thousands of ghosts gathered around the fort, Allen had arrived and helped them.
"So Nestiad is causing that…"
"Yes. This is the first time the ghosts gathered in such a large crowd. We don't know exactly what caused everything, but it seems to be something serious."
It was an extremely irregular situation.
(The timing seems a bit too convenient. Though I'm happy since we get all those Talent Change Points.)
Nestiad would always walk around the forest, but he rarely was aggressive or released palpitations. But as soon as Allen entered the divine realm they increased.
At the same time, Talent Change Points only became available recently and Allen needed them, so conveniently now he could get plenty of them from ghosts.
After Abigayle's report, Allen brought out the large Spirit Crystal Stone.
"Ohh! What a large Spirit Crystal Stone!"
"Here, what we promised."
He gave it to the patriarch, who gasped as he looked it all over.
"Wait, could it be that you took down a Great Angel Rank ghost and not an Angel one?"
"No, that's from a Demigod Rank ghost. Nestiad was too strong for us to defeat though."
"...Wh-what do you mean?"
That was not mentioned in Abigayle's report, so the patriarch looked at him.
"Allen wanted to see strong ghosts."
Abigayle explained how Allen wanted to defeat powerful ghosts, and ended up running into Nestiad. They could not do anything against Nestiad though.
"You should also thank them though, we won't have to suffer any form of humiliation in front of the divine people now."
"You're right. Thank you very much, you've really helped us."
The patriarch thanked them as he continued spinning the Spirit Crystal Stone around.
He would be offering that to the Heavenly King later.
"Don't mention it, I believe that taking care of souls that strayed off their path is just the right thing to do."
Allen's words quickly took a strange tone. Cecile just sighed, realizing Allen had started again.
"Are you really sure though, Allen? You're giving us so many materials, even though we barely participated in the fight against Danies."
The patriarch did not notice the change in Allen's attitude. Instead he mentioned what Abygayle had just told him.
"Yes, I'm sure. My objective is to defeat the Demon King. That's why I'm hunting ghosts and gathering Spirit Stones."
He repeated what he said at the fort the day before. He would just gather Spirit Stones from ghosts, the wardens could take everything else.
(The divine realm doesn't have many materials or weapons after all.)
There were no mines or monsters in the divine realm, so it was hard to acquire materials.
The ghosts were all specters, plants, or minerals, some of which could be used.
But if they felled too many trees from a forest with a ghost swarm, the ghosts would leave and attack other places. On top of that there were few dragonkin hunting ghosts now.
"I see, then I'll gladly accept your gratitude…"
There were thousands of defeated ghosts, the materials from which would help greatly.
"Still, I prefer a collaborative relationship. I hope you don't mind if I see this as you owing us a favor."
"A favor?"
The patriarch turned quizzically to look at Abigayle, but he just nodded.
Abigayle already knew what Allen would ask for.
"We'll also keep hunting ghosts, I'm sure that'll help you as well.'
Allen wanted as many Spirit Stones as possible, as they greatly restored Spiritual Power.
The dragonkin were also tasked with protecting everyone from ghosts in the divine realm, so that request would benefit everyone.
"Help us, hmm…"
"Yes, I'll explain a bit more. I'm sure we can help all of you."
Allen had been hatching a plan since he heard dragonkin were tasked with defeating ghosts.
[Things Allen can offer the dragonkin]
-Weapons and magic devices obtained in the S Rank Dungeon or Gates of Trials
-Help with making them stronger through the Talent Change Dungeons
-Overall support to the Dragon God's Village
Allen had a full army, and they were still hunting Gordino daily, while some still searched for Divine Techniques and other items in the Gates of Trials.
On top of that, when Allen tried bringing Abigayle back to the human realm, he was able to return to the divine realm without issue, and without affecting Allen's limit of 100 people.
Though the Dragon King Matildora looked at him suspiciously wondering why he kept crossing from one side to another as he tested that.
(Maybe Desperado just didn't think of that.)
Allen hoped he would be forgiven if he had just found a loophole in the gate's usage rules.
"It's not that I doubt you, but are you sure I can return if I visit the world below?"
The patriarch was worried about that.
"Yes. And we have plenty of people who will look after you there."
Though Allen would not look after the dragonkin if they decided to move permanently to the human realm. They also had to keep in mind that if they married someone there, they would not be able to bring their spouse to the divine realm.
"Patriarch, I believe we should accept. I want to know what the whole Talent Change thing is about, and their equipment is leagues ahead of our own. Even the Dragon King has offered his support."
Allen's equipment was made of orichalcum, but the dragonkin's were at best mythril.
If they worked with Allen, they would have access to better equipment.
The Dragon King had also heard about dragonkin while Allen tested how to bring people from one side to the other.
Once the Dragon King learned how poorly dragonkin were treated in the divine realm, he was quite shocked, wondering if that was the reality of the dream he had with Astel.
But he also said he would help them with everything he could.
"Our goals might be slightly different though. I just wish to protect my world from the Demon King."
Allen reminded them what his own goal was.
"Alright…I'll help you with everything I can."
"Thank you very much. Then I'll take the Spirit Stones, and you can take everything else."
There were multiple tens of thousands of warden dragonkin, all of which would assist Allen in the divine realm.
(Good good, now I'll get as many Spirit Stones as I want. I'll just have to defeat strong ghosts. Oh right, I'll also have to get the patriarch to inform the forts of other ghost swarms.)
The wardens would be in charge of the weaker ghosts. Cecile noticed his smirk, and just sighed saying "First yesterday, and now this today."
"Alright. I'll go write a letter to the Heavenly King now, so wait a moment."
The patriarch had said he would write a letter for the king when Allen's group left earlier, but he had not done that yet, so he went now.
And so Allen successfully got help with getting Spirit Stones, and had a path to reach the Heavenly King.
