Chapter 336: Team Allen 4, Gratitude (1)
Allen's group caught up to Princess Shea, and joined her in battle against the Pagan Worshippers and monsters.
The enemy kept coming without rest for three hours. After that Princess Shea finished organizing the troops and set them forth to spread their line of defense.
Around 1500 of her men joined Allen in moving out to fight the monsters.
They all had Talents, which was a big help for Allen.
They would have no issue taking down Pagan Worshippers or B Rank monsters.
There was strength in numbers.
Allen needed the help of many others to protect Clebeur's evacuees and widen the safe area around them as quickly as possible.
The more people could help with planting Gold and Silver Beans to stop monsters from getting closer, the better.
They were all trained soldiers as well, so they moved swiftly and efficiently.
Bird B summons were available to Allen and Kiel's teams.
That was because Allen and Merus could get rid of them or summon them at will.
At the same time, Allen could also free a slot that way, which could let him call a Fish type summon to buff Princess Shea and her troops.
Clebeur was not a very big kingdom.
Pagan Worshippers had taken over two thirds of it, but in just three days that decreased to just one third.
Pagan Worshippers could increase their numbers again if even one remained alive, but at least now they felt safe enough to start looking for cities that might still have survivors in them.
It seemed they would finish cleaning up faster than Kiel in the ruined Carvalonea, or Sophie in the desert.
At the same time, it was only thanks to Princess Shea and her men that this small country had managed to survive so far.
Kiel's team was the next one with good progress.
Merus had gathered the soldiers in the fortification and said 'Tomorrow I'm going into Carvalonea to rescue any survivors and exterminate the Pagan Worshippers. I'll need help, so raise your hand, those of you with a Talent.'
Those without a Talent could still help with sheltering the survivors that reached the border, and could learn to use Aromatic Vegetables, as well as Gold and Silver Beans.
The same would happen with the 20000 soldiers in reinforcements that would arrive later.
"So...do I really need to go too?"
"Of course, it's the duty of the royal family to express their gratitude to those showing courage in battle. You're really exactly how Prince Zew described you."
Seeing Allen displeased with that answer, Shea recalled that he was described as someone with little esteem towards the royal family in Prince Zew's letters.
They were currently in the fortified city of Carulo, which was located on Clebeur's border with other countries.
Thanks to Allen's help in the battle, the people of Clebeur and the royal family had arrived at Carulo safe and sound the night before.
Princess Shea and Allen's group had been called to a large building in the center of the city.
The scouts had brought a report for the princess that morning.
Apparently Clebeur's royal family wanted to thank them.
Allen figured his group would just have to listen to a few words, and then they would return to the frontlines.
"Please follow me."
A servant of Clebeur's royal family led them into a room.
There was a table inside, and sitting at it were three mermaids, the king, queen, and princess of Clebeur.
There were knights keeping guard behind them as well.
(Hm? Somehow this feels different from a regular audience hall, I guess it's because Princess Shea is here too.)
The building did have a proper audience hall as well, but they were brought to what seemed like a big conference room instead.
They probably figured it would be rude to treat Princess Shea like a commoner requesting an audience with the king.
For Shea, forming an alliance with Clebeur was the first step in reaching Prostia.
Allen was pondering who would be better on the throne, Zew or Shea, when plates with seafood were brought into the room, as it was also lunch time.
A large fish roasted with fragrant herbs was placed on the table, already sectioned into various pieces.
(Woahhh, this looks so good!)
Allen had always been eating meat in this world, so fish had slowly turned into his favorite dish.
He had been taken to that room basically against his will, so he decided to make the best of it and began eating in large bites.
Seeing how engrossed he was with eating, Shea decided to take the speaking role and explain their current situation.
"J-Just three days more..? I...I can't believe it! Are you certain of that estimate, Princess Shea?!"
"That's incredible, truly incredible!!"
The king was lost for words.
Princess Carmin was the same. They had barely arrived in Carulo after fleeing the capital fearing for their lives.
They had called Princess Shea and Allen to thank them for their service and to hear how the fight was going, and were told the capital could be regained in just three days more.
The king and princess were still under the impression that there were bloodthirsty monsters following closely after them.
"Of course I'm certain. I would never doubt that while having the first S Rank Adventurer in twenty years on our side."
Shea spoke like there was nothing to be surprised about.
There were many Insect A summons, bees the size of dragons, defending Carulo from attack.
Thinking about it, even the king could see how powerful Allen was.
"That's impressive, I must say. You said your name's Allen, yes?"
"Yes. I'm just glad I could be of service to everyone in Clebeur."
(The fish was yummy too.)
They also had to mention it would take a few more days to really extirpate all remains of the monsters from the country.
It was imperative they knew of the importance of killing every last one Pagan Worshipper, and how long that could take.
That also meant that the royal family would need to get accustomed to living in Carulo for a while longer.
"You seem to know your way with words, Allen."
Princess Carmin seemed very interested in Allen.
He was just an adventurer with no noble blood, yet he knew how to be polite with his words.
She had expected him to be far more uncouth and rude.
"T-there's no need to mention that, Carmin. He's helped our country so much, don't be rude to him."
"My apologies. Still, I believe that as the royal family we owe them a reward at least."
"A reward?"
Allen felt her gaze on him as she mentioned a reward.
He turned to look at the king, who nodded in agreement.
It seemed they had planned on doing more than simply saying thanks.
"Yes. Is there anything you wish from us?"
"Umm, err..."
"Please, ask for anything you wish."
"I'm truly sorry, but I can't accept such a reward."
"""What?"""
While the king, queen, and princess listened in shock, Allen lowered his head and bowed, rejecting the reward.