Hell Mode: Volume 9, page 12
While watching the scene unfold, Regalfaras realized that Allen was starting to influence the Five Continent Alliance. Ratash, Rohzenheim, and even Baukis were willing to help the Allen Army. The Giamutan emperor had also realized exactly what Allen was planning when he had mentioned hunting down monsters for those who required his aid.
Regalfaras whirled around to face Helmios, but the Hero smiled calmly at the emperor’s irate glare.
“I told you about Allen, didn’t I?” Helmios said.
“I must speak with you later,” Regalfaras replied through gritted teeth.
Muza, who had kept his eyes closed and his arms crossed, finally opened his eyes to speak. “Are you done with your speech?”
Allen noticed that the question had been posed to him. “Yes, that will be all. And I’d like to thank you again for lending me Shia and the beastkin.”
The Summoner had ignored Muza up to this point, but the Beast King’s question had necessitated a response. That being the case, Allen had decided to thank the monarch for letting Beast Princess Shia and the two thousand beastkin soldiers join him, but Muza’s reaction to his gratitude was unexpected.
“Stop uttering nonsense, you insolent fool,” Muza growled in a low voice. “It’s been a millennium since my ancestors moved to the Garlesian Continent. There will never come a time when beastkin are lent to humans. We don’t need to discuss this matter further, Shia. Pack your things. We’re returning to Albahal.”
“Father—no, Your Majesty,” Shia interjected. “I decided to cooperate with the Allen Army of my own accord. He might have not explained the situation in its entirety, but that’s everything he wanted to say.”
The Beast King of Albahal unfolded his arms and grabbed the armrest of his chair as he stood up. “Then it is you who is mistaken, Shia. Do you truly think that you can go against my word and leave Albahal?”
No one failed to grasp the meaning behind his words. The Beast King was against Shia joining the Allen Army.
Chapter 5: Shia Settles Matters and the Battle Against the Beast King
“I have already reached adulthood,” Shia said quietly as she gauged her situation. “I would like to make decisions for myself.”
“A little girl like you, who was once satisfied with acting like a knight in shining armor, has certainly learned how to talk,” Muza said coldly. “But what of it? If you truly believe you can be responsible for yourself, you must first prove that you can. Else, you’ve done nothing but spout pretty words. So come. Show me.”
The room was overpowered by the two’s conversation, and everyone fell silent. Allen noticed that even Regalfaras had shut his mouth. The Giamutan emperor’s scared. I’ve heard that Beast King Muza thinks with his muscles and is quick to pick a fight with people he dislikes, he thought. Muza had clobbered Hero Helmios in front of the leaders of various nations. No one had the moxie to go against his words—save for one daring lady.
“Beast King, I would like to challenge you to a duel,” Shia said, firmly voicing her dissent.
Did Shia know this was going to happen? I mean, they’re father and daughter. Seems like stuff like this happens frequently. Allen recalled the solemn expression Shia had worn before she had entered this conference. She had looked as though she were going off to war. In hindsight, she must have predicted this outcome.
Allen had also heard from Shia that Muza never held back against people he did not like. Even when his ministers brought him policy proposals, he would inspect each of them himself and refuse to approve them if he spotted any portion he did not agree with. Not once had persuasion worked on this king, and if one were desperate to approve a policy, they would need to challenge Muza to a duel. If one showed the resolve to cross fists with him, the Beast King was willing to reconsider his thoughts.
Several times a year, these duels would occur, and ministers would give it their all in hopes of getting their policies approved. Needless to say, it was common for ministers to be gravely injured during these bouts, and some had even perished in the process.
“Very well,” Muza said. “Sir Regalfaras, I would like to borrow an arena.”
“R-Right now?!” the emperor cried.
Allen recalled seeing a square-shaped training facility beside the imperial castle when he had stepped off the magic ship. I see. That was an arena.
“Right now,” Muza replied. “There’s no need for us to humor this impudent fellow any longer, is there?” He stood up to leave. Boasting a height that was at least two heads taller than Allen, the towering monarch dwarfed Dogora in every way.
“Wh-While our matter with the Allen Army has been cleared away, there are still a few other problems that haven’t been resolved...” Regalfaras said.
Muza paid the emperor no heed and stomped out of the room, leaving the conference behind. Shia followed him.
“This is a bit of a problem,” Helmios muttered as he stared at the Beast Princess. “Miss Shia won’t get out of this unscathed.”
“Is it that bad?” Allen asked.
Helmios silently nodded in response.
“We should go as well,” Lenoatiil said quietly as she rose to her feet. “This involves the future of the Five Continent Alliance.”
The Beast King of Albahal had the power to command the beastkin. Were Muza to forbid them from entering the Allen Army, the order would be followed. Furthermore, a duel with the Beast Princess, who had claim to the throne, would affect the kingdom’s future greatly. At the very least, the Five Continent Alliance, which had banded together to fight against the Demon Lord Army, was not completely uninvolved with this affair.
The other leaders of the Alliance were guided by Helmios to a nearby arena. Allen and the rest of the No-life Gamers tagged along, and they spotted Shia seated beside the ring, her eyes closed and her fists clenched. As they approached, she opened her eyes and looked up at Allen.
“I knew this would happen one day, but I couldn’t seem to find the opportunity to tell you so,” the Beast Princess said. “I’m sorry.”
“Well, this is a fight between you and your dad,” Allen replied. “I won’t stop you, but don’t push yourself.”
“I know.”
Allen glanced at Muza, who was already standing in the ring. He doesn’t have any gear on. The Beast King had neither a weapon nor armor. In fact, even when Allen used his Bird E to inspect the monarch, there were no rings, bracelets, or magic gear to be found. Muza was walking into this match with nothing but his raw stats and power.
“Krena,” Allen said, turning to his friend. “Could you lend Shia your bracelet?”
“Sure,” Krena replied.
Allen tried to prioritize the victory of his party member over Shia’s determination to settle matters herself. The Beast Princess shook her head at the offer.
“No need. His Majesty has no equipment,” Shia said, setting aside her brass knuckles and armor before approaching the ring. She faced her father with the leaders and representatives of the Five Continent Alliance as her audience.
“Have you said your farewells?” Muza asked.
“That won’t be necessary,” Shia replied firmly.
“Oh?”
“I will be Albahal, the Country of Beastkin’s—no, the Garlesian Continent’s first Beast Emperor. To make that happen, I will walk alongside my party. And so, I must bid you—and only you—farewell, Your Majesty.”
Shia spoke quietly, but she was no longer gauging her father’s mood. Her convictions were clear.
The Beast King’s face contorted. “Your stance and mannerisms...have grown to resemble Mia’s.”
“Don’t you dare speak my mother’s name,” Shia growled, her face twisting with choler. No child would usually direct such a livid expression at their parent. “You mobilized the Corps, father. Her death might as well have been at your hand.”
“Correct. I did. Your hateful glare is also reminiscent of Mia’s.”
Despite Shia’s request, Muza could not help but say his late wife’s name. He did not deny her claims, but a forlorn glimmer filled his gaze. Unfortunately, Shia failed to catch it. What’s going on? What’s happening? Clearly, the pair of beastkin royals shared some sort of past that Allen was not privy to.
“If you think you can use me however you wish like you did with mother, you’re gravely mistaken!” Shia spat.
“If you think you can, do it,” Muza said. “Use your fists to deny my way of life.”
The Beast King took a deep breath, then went limp. Shia took her chance and pounced. She acted like she was leaping forward, but she landed just short of Muza and crouched low. From that position, she punched upward, trying to bury her fist into her father’s stomach.
BOOM!
“What?!” Shia cried, her voice echoing throughout the arena.
She had not expected her father to just stand there and take her attack; she had come up with a plan for when he dodged her punch. His action caught her completely off guard.
Muza sighed, then spoke in a booming voice. “You talk a big game about settling matters yourself, yet your resolve is pathetic!”
In the next moment, he blew Shia back.
“Gah!” she grunted.
She had used her arm to guard her stomach, but by the time she felt Muza’s shin hit her, she was already soaring toward the edge of the arena. While protecting the arm that had gone numb from the pain, she used the arm that she had punched her father with to strike the arena and change directions. The Beast Princess managed to land on her feet, and she immediately rushed back toward Muza.
Unfortunately, her fists would never reach him again. She stopped just short of Muza and stepped to the side to attack from his blind spot, but the Beast King crouched low and swung his foot out, knocking her into the air. He then lowered his massive fist onto his daughter.
Shia could not hide her shock as her body bounced across the arena, but Muza would not let up. His fists showered her as he attacked from her side, and she desperately raised her arms to defend herself. Such a flimsy defense could not hold up against the king’s barrage and kicks, however.
“What’s wrong?!” Muza roared. “Were you not going to settle matters yourself? And you call yourself Mia’s child?! Or have you finally realized that what you’ve been doing until now was just masquerading as a knight in shining armor?!”
Shia’s adventure had started when General Rudo, Muza’s loyal retainer, had been placed in charge of her. She had gathered soldiers and made her squad larger, earning her the sobriquet “War Princess,” which she was rather proud of. As her desire for the throne had grown, she had been bestowed a trial to complete before she could become the Beast King. The Beast Princess had pursued the Pontiff of Daemonism and become experienced in combat, but that still was not enough to best her father.
“Ngh?!” Shia grunted.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest before being struck by the Beast King’s knee, but her body flew into the air, and she plummeted back to the ground without being able to defend herself.
“Shia, stop it already!” Beast Prince Zeu called out, unable to stand idly by for much longer. He had been in the audience before the match had begun, but he was now at the edge of the ring. “Just apologize to the Beast King!”
Muza glared at his son. “Stop acting pathetic, Zeu.”
“Your Majesty, please forgive Shia.”
Allen had never heard such desperate cries coming from Zeu, and Muza howled like never before.
“Don’t you ever speak like that again!” Muza roared. “One who is trying to become a Beast King must never beg for forgiveness! That impertinent human dares to ask that my countrymen and your younger sister be loaned to him! You claim to have friendly ties with that insolent whelp, but you must protect your citizens from acting in such a shameless manner! That is the kind of Beast King you all must aim to be! Those who go against that must not be shown mercy! Especially those who actively fight against these teachings! Absolutely unheard of!”
Huh. Maybe that’s why Beast Crown Prince Beku was recommended for the throne. A Beast King must be stern. Beku, the eldest son of the royal family, was looking to invade the Central Continent. Perhaps one needed to be ruthless at times if they were to lead and protect the beastkin. Both Zeu, who was worried about his sister, and Shia, who dreamed of loftier pursuits without facing reality, lacked such heartlessness. And yet, both Zeu and Shia were given trials by Muza himself. Is dueling the Beast King one of those trials, maybe?
Muza’s Children with Claim to the Throne Competing to Become Beast King
Beku, the eldest son (Beast Crown Prince)
Zeu, the second son
Shia, the youngest child
“But Your Majesty—”
“Your behavior is appalling, Zeu,” Muza replied. “You’ve been tamed by not only that impertinent human, but even by the Empire of Baukis and the Central Continent. Your shallow-mindedness has only led you to misunderstandings.”
Muza was aware that Zeu was lauded as a hero for having cleared the Rank S dungeon in Baukis and having fought the Demon Lord Army on the Central Continent, alongside the Ten Heroic Beasts. The Beast Prince was seen as a friendly force. If Zeu let all that go to his head, he could never become the Beast King.
“That’s not the case,” Zeu replied.
“Then why don’t you step into the ring?” Muza challenged. “If you think you can do better than Shia, then by all means, face me.”
He approached his daughter, who was struggling to get back up.
“What?! Me?!” Zeu asked.
“That’s right,” Muza replied. “If you defeat me, you shall be the next Beast King. Surely, this is the fastest route to save Shia’s life?”
His massive hand grabbed Shia’s head, and he slowly lifted her in the air. The Beast Princess’s back, waist, knees, and then her toes were raised off the floor to float above the arena.
“Brother, I ask that you don’t interfere,” Shia said from within Muza’s grasp. “I must overcome the Beast King. This...is still my fight!”
She raised her arm and grabbed her father’s. But a single swing of Muza’s arm allowed him to shake her off as she dangled in the air. She was helpless within her father’s grasp, and she no longer had the power to fight back.
“What will you do, Zeu?” Muza asked. “Will you fight? Or will you allow Shia to perish before your eyes?”
Though he understood the Beast King’s ultimatum, Zeu’s legs refused to move.
“Clearly, I’ve overestimated you,” Muza spat. He raised his other arm in the air and made a large fist, preparing to hammer a deadly blow into Shia’s body.
“Grr... L-Let go,” Shia muttered, but her voice made it clear that she no longer had any strength left.
“I-I challenge you...” Zeu stammered as he placed a hand on the arena ring and prepared to climb on top.
“You bastard!” From beside Allen, a loud voice filled the arena. “Leave Shia alone!”
“Who the hell are you?” Muza asked, turning toward the voice.
“Didn’t you hear me?! Let go of her, dammit!”
A young man with a bumpkin face trembled with anger as he stepped into the ring. That young man, Dogora, stomped toward the Beast King, glaring at the monarch with bloodshot eyes. It seemed he could no longer sit back and watch after seeing Shia get absolutely clobbered. He cared not about ranks or claims to the throne—there was something more important to him. But even as Dogora stormed his way over, Muza refused to move. The two scowled at each other, the air between them crackling as they did.
“Do you know what it means to stand before me?” Muza asked.
“I do. No father should raise a hand against their daughter,” Dogora growled.
Dogora’s father was a taciturn man. Every day and night, he continued to toil away in his weapons store. The man was honest to a fault, and not once had he ever scolded his son. In fact, he had never made any comments about the boy’s decisions or actions whatsoever. Dogora had done as he had pleased, and his father had never butted in. However, when he had mentioned that he wanted a weapon one day, the next morning, a club made out of a freshly carved log lay by his pillow. That was the kind of person Dogora’s father was. Thus, the young man could never stand by and watch as a father hit his daughter, no matter the reason.
“Ah, you’re the one with the Blessing of the Goddess of Fire,” Muza said, recalling the results that he had seen earlier. He released Shia from his grip, and Dogora managed to catch her before she fell to the ground.
“Don’t...butt in...” Shia croaked, her vision blurry from the pain as she looked up at Dogora.
“No can do,” Dogora replied. “I can’t just sit around and watch my party member get punched.”
He whirled around, shocking everyone present so much that they all gulped nervously. No fool would dare turn their back to the terrifying Beast King. But contrary to their expectations, Muza did not move a muscle. He silently gazed at Dogora’s back as the boy slowly made his way to the edge of the ring, then jumped down and headed back to his party.
“Keel, could you heal her?” Dogora asked.
“Got it. All Heal,” Keel chanted.
Sophie and Krena carefully laid the limp Shia down as Keel cast his magic. Dogora turned his back on the healed Beast Princess and stared at the ring while removing his armor.
“Don’t do this, Dogora,” Helmios said. “You’ll die. I’m pretty sure the Beast King went easy on Miss Shia.”
Dogora ignored the Hero’s warnings and removed his bracelets and rings.
“Don’t worry. I won’t die,” Dogora said.
Helmios watched as the young Destroyer, the upper half of his body naked, walked back into the ring.
“Mr. Helmios, did you lose to the Beast King in this same arena?” Allen asked.
“That’s right,” Helmios replied. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned about your friend?”
“And the Beast King didn’t have any equipment, I take it?”
“None. I was wearing orichalcum armor and using an orichalcum weapon, and I still didn’t stand a chance against him.”
