Hellmode ~A Hardcore Gamer Becomes Peerless in Another World with Retro Game Settings~

Chapter 533: Fourth Day - Allen's Solution

While Sophie and Luck presented their suggestions, Allen checked on Merus with Sharing.

'The conversation has progressed somewhat, but it'll probably take around 5 days. Don't expect too much just yet.'

(I know, don't worry. But there has been progress then, right?)

'If you can call it that. Can I give you my opinion after living 10000 years though?'

Merus had lived for 10000 serving the God of Creation, so he had a wealth of experience.

(Hm? What is it?)

'I believe the Great Spirit God Easley has made all the conditions clear in one way or another.'

(So he's already made up his mind?)

'Yes. The elves and dark elves stand at a very important crossroads, and you're involved too, obviously. So you need to deal with it really carefully, and if I can be blunt, I don't really recommend the way you're doing things.'

(I see. I guess I have to be more prepared then.)

'...Right, I guess you have to prepare.'

That was not the response Merus had expected, but he decided not to continue arguing.

Merus stopped focusing on talking to Allen, and went back to work.

(Now I have to work here too.)

Allen changed his focus to look at Tonies, who sat at the same round table.

"Tonies, just in case, there is a way to heal a Spirit Beast back into a spirit, right?"

Tonies had mentioned something like that when they went into the Spring of Life.

Sophie and Luck turned to look at Allen, wondering what he would say next.

'A way to heal them? There's no point in considering that. But well…I guess there's no harm in saying it. I've heard there's a Mirror of Truth at the peak of the Great Spirit God's mountain, which when held on top of a Spirit Beast will turn it back into a spirit.'

An item called the Mirror of Truth was sunk in the volcano-like crater atop that mountain, where Dew of Life sprouted.

"You heard that… So you haven't seen it yourself before?"

'Of course not. It's a sacred location that Ponzu and Konzu protect with their lives.'

"Could your spirit magic allow us to take it though?"

Allen thought they could go into a bubble to go into the crater and take the mirror.

'That's impossible. That's the source of all life in the world. It absorbs all spirit magic, so if I tried going there, I'd become a Spirit Beast too.'

(I see, so it's an important place where human and spirit life comes from.)

Allen knew that the World Trees granted blessings to the world, so he could easily guess what the Spring of Life and its source meant to the world and the Spirit Paradise.

All life was made possible thanks to the Dew of Life sprouting from that mountain.

For some reason, the mirror to turn Spirit Beasts back into spirits was there too.

"I see… But at least it's technically not impossible then."

Hearing that, Allen decided he would try to think of a way around the restrictions to get it.

"Allen, do you actually have another suggestion?"

Luck asked Allen, his eyes brimming with expectation.

"Luck, you aren't satisfied yet?"

The King and Queen felt there were no other options, so they were willing to go with Luck's plan.

"Yeah, I still don't like that my village has to suffer no matter what…"

"I've actually prepared a different solution for this matter as well."

Hearing Merus' report, and Tonies' reply, Allen had thought up another solution.

Everyone at the round table looked at him with shock hearing that.

"Huh? Then why didn't you say that sooner! And you'll spare my village, right? Tell me! It'll be safe, right?!!"

"Of course. The Dark Elf Village will be safe."

(I hope.)

"Yayy!!!"

Hearing Allen's response, Luck raised his fists in celebration.

"Excuse me, Master Allen. I've thought about this for so long, but I can't think of anything else…"

Sophie still believed her solution was ideal, though she also regretted saying that while Luck was so happy.

"At first I also felt like there was no other solution to fix this issue between elves and dark elves. But that was something I also didn't like to accept."

"You didn't like to accept that?"

Sophie did not quite get what Allen was getting at.

"I don't like how we have to do things. It feels like this is what the Great Spirit God Easley wanted and is forcing us to do, so I want to go against that."

(I don't care about the Great Spirit God, I'll find my own answer.)

Everyone gasped hearing that, their shock making it hard to understand exactly what Allen had said. The Queen even became pale hearing that.

"Hold on a minute! What are you thinking? That sounds like we're going to oppose the Great Spirit God!"

"Well, maybe it'll ultimately end like that, but just think of it as objecting to his decision."

"Huh? That's alright, I guess. Wait no, is that something we can even do?!"

The Queen was struggling to calm down.

(I'll have to explain a bit more about the issues with their solutions before I can talk more.)

"Let's say we go with Sophie's suggestion, and it's conducted in a timely manner. How much bloodshed do you think that'll lead to?"

"Huh?!"

The queen looked baffled by Allen's question.

"I'm not fully opposed to her idea, but after seeing what happened during the last Five Continents' Alliance meeting, I'm worried about potential conflicts."

Allen believed the Great Spirit God's intended solution was similar to Sophie's.

The last Five Continents' Alliance Meeting was held in Rosenheim, and there was some friction between elves and dark elves then. Gatoruga and the dark elven elders and generals were constantly at each other's throats. There was no serious incidents, but it was not peaceful either.

"I'm sure they'll all understand if we explain the whole situation to them."

Cecile felt like Allen was exaggerating.

"Well…I'm prepared to see some bloodshed."

But Sophie knew the relationship between elves and dark elves better, and she thought differently. The Queen also knew that there would be conflict between the two races.

"We'll just have to exert our authority as King and Queen. Even if it's a bit forceful."

The King was also ready to use some force to restrain the elders and generals.

Meanwhile Cecile looked shocked to realize she was taking things too lightly.

The Queen and King were ready to bear a strong burden if they chose Sophie's suggestion.

"I don't know either of your races well enough, but I can tell there would be bloodshed. Once Sophie and Luck grow up and become heroes the story might be different though."

They had been fighting for thousands of years, so having to live in Rosenheim out of the blue would send the Dark Elf Village into chaos.

It was hard to tell just how dissatisfied the people would be after that.

(That solution is too sudden to work properly.)

But once Sophie and Luck became heroes that helped defeat the Demon King, both of their people would trust them and go along with the idea.

The elders and generals would listen as well, since Luck would gain more trust.

After then, and after some time to get accustomed to the idea, both races would live together.

'You raise an important point…'

Tonies had been silent so far, but now he nodded. He had watched the history of elves and dark elves unfold, so he knew Allen was right.

"But going against the Great Spirit God is really the solution to that?"

"Yes, Cecile. I doubt he's giving us a fair attempt anyway."

"I appreciate your concern, Allen. But we're willing to give up some lives for the Spirit Gods."

"Don't forget we're doing this for Lord Rosen as well."

"Our lives exist for the Spirit God's sake…"

"Let me repeat something Rosen said. 'I did everything for the elves. I won't deny or try to conceal that fact'. He always wanted you to be safe, so why should you risk your lives just to entertain someone like the Great Spirit God?"

Everything started when the Great Spirit God judged Rosen, which in itself was unfair.

(Though maybe I'm also exaggerating a little. Maybe if Rosen at least apologized he would have been let off more easily.)

Allen felt like Rosen's attitude had worsened his judgment, though he did not know if Rosen simply felt that certain about his own choices, or if he did that for Elize's sake.

"I don't care how much blood we shed if it's for Fabre."

The King also voiced his determination towards Fabre. She was also a key figure in the Dark Elf Village.

"King Arbus, think of who you've venerated all this time. Think of who made your village flourish and become abundant, and brought more spirits to your side."

"Are you questioning our true beliefs then…"

"I just want you to really think it through, whether you'll choose Sophie's suggestion, Luck's, or mine."

"But exactly how are you planning on solving the Spirit Paradise's problem?"

Cecile wanted to know that before formulating a decision. Hearing that, Allen's face became gradually more menacing, while the Queen held back her breath, waiting nervously.

(If upstream and downstream don't work, then there's only one more option.)

"The way to solve this issue is very simple, we just do this, then that, and a bit of this, and everyone will be happy ever after. Merus is already working on <em class="chakra-text css-0">mumble mumble mumble"

The Queen, the King, and Allen's friends all became pale.

'I-I can't believe this. How do you even think of something like that? You're the devil, if we do that, then Spirit Paradise will be…'

Tonies was completely baffled, voicing his immediate thoughts.

"Th-that's unthinkable, we'll never be forgiven. Rosenheim will…"

"Your Majesty? M-Mother?!"

"Your Majesty?!"

Sophie and Formar rushed to the Queen's side as she fainted and fell to the floor.

"So we have to decide which of the three options we choose…"

They had three options, Sophie's, Luck's, and Allen's.

"Yes, that's what we have to decide now."

The Queen's room fell silent for a bit, but soon after it was broken by Luck.

"I like that! I think Allen's suggestion is the best!!"

"Luck?!"

"I'm sure you think that too, right Father? If we go with Allen's idea our village will be safe!"

"But…but…"

The King felt the same, but he could not allow himself to make such a choice in front of Luck.

"I think Master Allen's suggestion is the best as well. What do you think, Cecile?"

"I'll also go with Allen's idea. You should've told me sooner you were onboard."

Cecile nodded strongly after Sophie, all of Allen's friends were on board.

"Wha-?! Lady Sophiarone…"

"Formar, I thought you said you'd align yourself with whatever I said?"

"I did, but…"

Sophie also agreed to Allen's suggestion as she held up the Queen.

Formar hesitated for a bit, but eventually gave a strong nod in agreement.

They were ready to protest against the Great Spirit God. Now Formar was looking at the Queen, hoping she would provide some resistance at least.

"That way we'll protect Lord Rosen's honor, rescue him, and no elven or dark elven blood will be shed, right?"

The Queen realized that Allen's idea would solve the issues with the forceful unification of both races, and Luck's reluctance to let go of his village.

"What do you say then, Your Majesty?"

"I want to show my resolve as Queen, so let's proceed with your idea. But…please always remain respectful to the Great Spirit God, that's all I ask."

"I'll keep that in mind. Are we in agreement then?"

"Yes. Thank you for keeping in mind the well-being of both elves and dark elves, as well as Lord Rosen's."

It was an unthinkable plan, but the Queen had made up her mind. Meanwhile the King slowly opened his mouth, while looking at Luck.

"...Well, we're counting on you then. Please come back alive."

The weight of the decision and conflicting emotions made him close his eyes. Having to weigh the life of his son and the future of dark elves against each other took a toll on him.

"Ohh! Let's go Father!!"

Hearing his father's approval, Luck had an outburst of joy.

"Alright, if we're going with my idea then we have to hurry, we don't have much time left. Let me explain the strategy in detail."

Everyone nodded, ready for what was about to come.