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

Chapter 615: Giran's 2nd trial, countermeasures

Allen's group had started a religion survey to discover why the Mythical Bird Rame had not become a God yet.

They found out that Gods had to become constant parts of the lives of people to maintain their spot.

"And you have a way to deal with it then, Master Allen?"

Sophie looked at Allen and noticed he did not look discouraged yet.

She knew he was already thinking of what to do now that the survey results were out.

(That's right. I'll start with the hardest part first though.)

Allen looked at Sophie, then at the royal family and the prime minister.

"Alright, let me talk about our countermeasures then. Since we're trying to get Rame to become a God, we can't exactly repeat what happened in Albahar, but we can still use it as a basis."

"Hmhm, but exactly what are you thinking of doing then?"

"Well, first of all, the princess will undergo a Talent Change."

"Huh?! Me! A Talent Change?"

(She's a really high spirited princess, huh.)

The princess reacted with a really exaggerated pose.

"Yes. I'm sure you already know, but there's a Talent Change Dungeon in Latash's Academy City. That's where you'll be undergoing Talent Changes."

"Huhh…and what's that going to accomplish?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? We'll just tell the people that just like how the Beast King of Albahar receives a good Talent, Rame also gave you one."

Allen had plenty of Talent Change Points saved up, so he could use those for the princess.

On top of that, if she got a healing Talent she could help healing people, and if she got a fighting Talent, then she could demonstrate her value as princess by defeating a powerful monster.

Essentially they would be fabricating a miracle from Rame, which made everyone go pale.

"Hey, how is that even alright?! You'd just be lying to everyone!!"

"Yes, Cecile. We'll lie to everyone, but it'll certainly help make Rame a God."

They would try to replicate what was already happening in Albahar.

(Maybe I should also come up with some hard trial and claim it's from Rame. Everything's falling into place now.)

"I don't know… Could we really do something like that?"

The prime minister was also hesitating about it.

"Of course we can. And that's not all, since we've discovered people aren't praying often enough, you should also make mandates so people pray more often in public spaces, festivals, and schools."

[Allen's countermeasures]

-Give the princess a Talent

-Increase the times when people pray to Rame

Allen already knew what steps to take to turn Rame into a God.

"Hmm, I see."

It was then that the king's swaying head stopped moving and his eyes opened wide awake.

He turned to look at the princess with a reassuring smile, then looked at Allen again.

"Is something the matter, Your Majesty?"

Allen asked the king, feeling his gaze.

"Allen, I understand what you're trying to accomplish, but I'm sorry. Under my name of Oolon Von Rameciel, I'll have to reject this plan."

The king firmly denied Allen's plan.

"Could I ask why?"

"I can't manipulate the faith of my people. They all have a right to freely choose who they want to pray to."

Now it was time for Allen to respond.

(Oh right, I forgot there's a lot of emphasis on freedom of religion in this world.)

As Kenichi in his past life, Allen had never been very religious, and never saw the religious aspect of celebrating christmas or going to shrines for new year.

But everyone was free to choose what they believed in.

In this world that was the same, and no one had ever told him which God to pray to, not even when Allen was a serf. There were churches, and people went to those they wanted.

The churches would have a statue of the God of Creation Elmea in the center, but there were many other statues surrounding that one.

Allen's birthday was the 1st of October, which was also a harvest festival for the God of Harvest Mormor.

Whether it was Elmea's order or not, most countries let everyone choose their religion freely.

But Allen would not give up so easily either, and everyone awaited his response.

"Isn't it the duty of the royal family to lead by example, including with which Gods to pray to? We'll do everything we can to turn Rame into a God."

Allen gave a firm response. He believed that the leader, whether of a country or an organization, should always be leading by example.

Allen used that to try coercing the king, essentially saying he would agree if he truly venerated the Mythical Bird Rame.

"Father…"

Tears rolled down the princess' eyes as she looked at the king with uncertainty.

"I'm sorry, but Melissa is my only and most important daughter. If something immoral has to happen, I'm the only one who should shoulder it. I can't accept this."

The king continued to refuse, saying it was also for the princess' sake.

He could not allow himself to use his daughter to deceive the people.

(So it's for the people and his daughter. He really is a virtuous ruler.)

Allen realized just how righteous the ruler of Rameciel was.

"Allen, I think you should give up."

Cecile found herself agreeing with the king.

"Your Majesty, please forget this conversation ever happened. I apologize for making such impertinent demands."

Cecile's words finally pushed Allen into bowing to the king and apologizing.

"Allen, I'm sorry I can't think of any alternatives too. Prime Minister, we should try to think of something ourselves. We should be able to increase the number of festivals at least. I'll use my own wings to look around all our cities too."

"Right away!!"

The two would try to find more things to do to help Rame.

"I'll also continue thinking of other ways. This is something I have to accomplish for my own family after all."

(I really don't know how much time we have left now.)

Allen was determined as well. If he lost to the Demon King's Army, the Central Continent would be the first one to fall, as it was the closest one to the Forgotten Continent.

He had left his family behind in Albahar to fight the Demon King's Army.

"Right… As long as there's no forcing of deceit, we'll gladly help you. Don't forget that."

(I guess I'll have to give up for now. At least I got the answer I needed.)

"I appreciate that. If I think of anything I'll contact you."

"Good. Now, prime minister, it's getting late, so we should head to bed. We'll have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

The royal family and the prime minister left the room.

Allen, Cecile, and Sophie were left there.

"Hey, Allen, you really took it too far there. You said you'd just be a little forceful, but don't you feel bad for the princess at least?"

Allen had discussed that plan with Cecile before, and she scolded him for how he handled it.

Cecile believed he always took things way too far when it concerned a royal family or Gods.

"I'm sorry, Cecile. But I had to be a little forceful to know what the royal family wanted."

"I guess. They do want Rame to become a God, and they're going to keep trying to help."

"Right. And they said they'll help as long as there's no deceit."

"So that's what you wanted them to say. Is there a lot we can do within those constraints though?"

Cecile was starting to feel like completing Giran's trial was getting harder.

Sophie soon joined their discussion.

"So this meeting was to see how far they were willing to go… Does this mean you already have a different plan, Master Allen?"

"Yes. There's two main ways to turn someone into a God. One is to obtain enough prayers, and the other…"

"Would be to stop the prayers to an existing God, right Master Allen?"

Sophie grinned, making a menacing face.

"Exactly."

(It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's her fault that Rame hasn't become a God yet. That damn Kiel actually pulled the Divine Compass just for this.)

Allen also grinned menacingly as he took out a silver rod from his Grimoire.

It was the Divine Compass of the God of Wind Ninlil.

That was one of the Four Great Gods, and the God that was prayed to the most in Rameciel.

"Stop the prayers to an existing God…you don't mean-"

"Cecile. Think of completing this trial as a requirement to complete your own trials."

Allen looked firmly at Cecile as he said that.

They had to complete Shea's trial to be able to move on with Cecile's fetch quest.

"Okay I get it! You don't have to keep repeating that all the time!!"

Cecile raised her arms defensively as her face reddened, seemingly out of embarrassment.

"I'll do everything to keep my party alive, and I'll protect my family at all costs. I don't care how much I get vilified, and if I have to go to hell for it, then so be it."

Allen said, seemingly adding to what the king had said earlier.

"Master Allen, I'll follow you everywhere, even if it's to hell."

Sophie would never stop following Allen.

"Alright, then I guess it's my job to stop you from going too crazy. Anyway, we're going there next then?"

"Yeah, we'll go meet with Ninlil."

"You mean the God of Wind Ninlil, right? I hope you'll tell us what your plan is before we get there though, we're supposed to be a party after all."

Cecile placed her hands on her hips and stood imposing in front of the two, ready to reel them in if needed.

And so the three of them talked late into the night discussing their next plan.

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