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

Along with his companions, Allen welcomed Shea, who had undergone trials at the temple of the Beast God Garm in the Paradise of Primordial Beasts. The trial took a full month, bringing them into early August. Allen was just two months away from turning 17.

[Allen's Age and key events]-00 years: Allen is born-01 year: Acquires a grimoire-08 years: Becomes a servant of the Granvel family-12 years: Enrolls in the Kingdom of Latash Academy-14 years: Participates in the Rosenheim War-15 years: Conquers the S-Class Dungeon and defeats the cult leader Gushara-16 years: Invades the Prostia Empire, conquers the Gate of Judgment, and is currently in the process of conquering the Divine Realm*Some events span across different ages

Allen and his companions used the Bird A's Awakened Skill [Homing Instinct] to teleport to their next destination, one of the ghost swarms in Shandar.

The S Rank Beast Summon, which had been summoned to intimidate the Beast God Garm, was returned to its card. Likewise, the Dragon King Matildora and Haku, who had come to impose their presence, circled in the air before slowly landing on the cloud-like ground.

"This is quite the fortress... I see, it has changed significantly."

Shea remarked at their arrival.After a long absence, Shea stood on the stone floor within the fortress, gazing up at the towering outer walls that extended in all directions and reached far into the sky. The walls, appearing as if they had been carved from a single slab of rock, stretched 50 meters high and potentially kilometers wide, a feat achieved through the power of earth spirits.

The fortress walls stretched endlessly across Shea's field of vision, turning sharply at certain points. Surrounding her on all sides, the colossal walls formed a complete enclosure.

Unlike in the Paradise of Primordial Beasts, the ground was made of clouds, and dragonkin could be seen emerging from buildings nestled within the fortress. Shea quickly realized that Allen had teleported them to the fortress constructed in front of the ghost swarm in Shandar.

However, unlike the hastily constructed, modest fortress near the ghost swarm where they had previously recruited Grahan, this one was entirely different. The earlier fortress was built primarily from wood and had a makeshift appearance, lacking in grandeur or permanence.

(A fortress of this magnitude is rare even on the Central Continent.)

Typically, fortresses were built by carving and assembling stone blocks from rocks, but this fortress's walls were seamless, with no visible joints or cracks.

"The renovations on this fortress are finally complete, thanks to Sophie."

"I put my heart into it! This is the least I could do to show my gratitude for collecting the Spirit Stones!"

The ghost swarm in Shandar was a source of relentless enemies. No matter how many were hunted, more would always appear. The dragonkin had built and defended this fortress for years, but at great cost.

Over 100000 dragonkin wardens from Shandar went to hunt ghosts in the Paradise of Primordial Beast, but many remained to defend the fortress. Though there were supposedly around nine million dragonkin in the divine realm, the number of guardians capable of hunting ghosts was limited.

As a gesture of gratitude for collecting the Spirit Stones, Sophie had agreed to reinforce the fortress, ensuring that the dragonkin left behind wouldn’t struggle even if the ghost swarm became more aggressive.

With her extensive equipment and the buffs provided by her comrades, Sophie Mana and Spiritual Power exceeded 300000. The strength of the fortress created by the earth spirits depended on how much Mana she infused into them. By adding Spiritual Power, the spirits' creation became even more formidable.

[Spirits that Sophie can manifest]-Fire Spirit Salamander-Water Spirit Kelpie-Wind Spirit Ealr-Earth Spirit Colbockle-Water Spirit Nymph-Wind Spirit Gale-Earth Spirit Pigmy-Wood Spirit Dryad-Water Great Spirit Tonies-Lightning Great Spirit Jin-Space Great Spirit Jigen-Light Great Spirit Light

The group took a moment to once again admire the formidable fortress that Sophie had constructed. Despite its enormous size, the fortress's strength far surpassed that of any ordinary rock or mineral. Even S Rank monsters or demons would find it nearly impossible to breach.

"This is truly impressive, Allen!"

Abigayle, the overseer of the fortress, emerged from one of the buildings within the U-shaped enclosure. It seemed that one of the guardians had notified him of Allen's arrival.

"Ah, Abigayle. Thank you for greeting us. Have you completed the discussions on your end?"

"Not entirely, but we've made good progress on the selection of personnel."

"Thank you. We'll also need to provide updates to General Lucidral."

"Indeed."

As they continued to converse, Allen and Abigayle made their way through the building, constructed from the very stone materials that Allen had provided. Only Shea, who had spent the past month undergoing the trial of the Beast God Garm, seemed out of the loop. She perked up her ears, trying to piece together the situation from Allen and Abigayle's conversation.

Once they reached the meeting room, the group sat around a circular table, ready to discuss their plans.

"So, Abigayle is joining Allen's Army?"

Shea asked, attempting to confirm her understanding.

"No, Abigayle has been helping to select and coordinate the dragonkin who will be joining our forces. He's been working with the priests from the Dragon God's village."

"Is that so?"

Allen then elaborated on the current state of affairs for Shea, who had just rejoined them.

Originally, Allen's army had aimed to unite elves, dark elves, and beastmen. Over time, however, the army had grown significantly, incorporating dwarven golem drivers and magic engineers as well, thanks to Allen's expanding influence and contributions across the world.

[Current composition of Allen's Army]-1000 Humans-3000 Elves-3000 Beastmen-2000 Dark Elves-3000 Dwarves-3000 Mermen-2000 Birdmen-2000 Dragonkin

Nations across the world, recognizing Allen's pivotal role in saving the human realm and influencing global events, began to extend offers of cooperation. The soldiers joining his forces were elite units, most possessing rare 3 Star Talents, and had completed Talent Changes to Talents as powerful as Sword Saints.

Recently, requests had also come in from birdmen and dragonkin to join Allen's army. This was largely due to Allen's efforts allowing the Mythical Bird Rame to become a Bird God.That was a matter of great importance to the birdmen royal family. Although the birdmen were not as numerous as other races, they still contributed a considerable number of soldiers to the cause.

Meanwhile, in the Prostia Empire, which Allen had liberated from the Demon King's Army, Empress Rapsonile sent troops with an ulterior motive, to keep an eye on Ignomas, a member of Allen's party. Ignomas had orchestrated a successful coup, killing Rapsonile's father, the Emperor, in the process. Although the coup was later revealed to have been influenced by the Demon King's Army, led by Sinorom, Ignomas' actions were still unforgivable. Despite his capture and subsequent recruitment into Allen's party due to his ambition, trust in him was still lacking. By sending troops, the Empress sought not only to monitor Ignomas but also to curry favor with Allen.

The Baukis Empire, originally contributing only a few hundred golem drivers and magic engineers, now sent a full-fledged army. This was made possible by the increase in the number of 3 Star Magic Rock Generals within the empire, a development spurred by the success of Allen's Army and the Hero's Army, which secured enough Mithril Golem Stone Slabs. However, the Baukis Empire's actions were not purely altruistic; they saw their contribution as an investment. Should Allen's army defeat the Demon King, the nations that had sent troops would be in a prime position to assert dominance.

The Baukis Empire was not just supporting Allen's army but was also sending many golem drivers to the fleet of Admiral Galara, who was working closely with the Hero's Army. The empire's strategy reflected its shrewdness, befitting a great power.

"Allen's Army is really coming into its own. Hmm? I don’t see Admiral Galara and his team... Are they still in the Earth Labyrinth?"

Shea remarked as she noticed the absence of Admiral Galara and the rest of the Stinger party.

"Please, have some tea and sweets."

"Thanks, but I'd prefer some meat."

"Certainly, I'll have some prepared."

The fortress housed not just soldiers but also many commoner dragonkin who worked there.One of them offered some tea and sweets to Shea, but she asked for meat instead, as she was still weary from undergoing the Beast God Garm's trial.

"Yes, more and more forces are joining us. The dragonkin have also agreed to contribute to the army."

Allen had built the fortress as a way to repay the dragonkin for their help in gathering spirit stones. Additionally, he had fostered cooperation between the dragonkin tribes and freely shared valuable materials obtained in the Paradise of Primeval Beasts, which were considered precious in the divine realm.

Although many dragonkin were eager to contribute soldiers to Allen's army, Dragon King Matildora from the Dragon God's village opposed the idea. As if summoned by the mention of his name, Matildora joined the conversation from outside the window.

'This is a matter concerning the human realm. We cannot allow the Demon King to do as he pleases.'

Matildora asserted, emphasizing that the issue was strictly a human affair, offering men from the Dragon God's Village and rejecting Abigayle's idea of involving the dragonkin wardens.

With Allen summoning the Dragon God Magra, Matildora had made up his mind on what to do. Whenever Allen was absent, Matildora would take command of the Allen army in his place.

"Hm? The Dragon King?"

Shea sipped her tea and gave Allen a piercing look.

"Is there a problem with that?"

"It's good that the army is growing. But Allen, what about Lud, my right hand…"

"Lud is aware and has accepted the decision. We selected someone with more experience, and Matildora agreed with that."

Lud had been with Shea since she was small, but Allen had picked Matildora instead.

'Hmph, Don't dwell on it. But leading such a diverse group will be no easy task,'

"Hmm?"

"Shea, I hope you understand."

Sophie added, trying to appear wise while sipping her tea, and then nodded while placing her index and thumb on her chin, even though she did not really understand either.

"Of course. We already had issues between the elves and dark elves. I don't intend to cause any more problems."

Shea responded, which relieved Sophie.

Allen's army had grown immensely, incorporating numerous races.

Initially, it was formed to gather items and information and strengthen the Five Continents Alliance. However, as Allen's influence expanded, so did the army, becoming a large, diverse force.

With everyone gathered, the discussion about their future activities continued.