Chapter 459: Shea's decision
Shea had announced her stance against her father.
(She said it after all, and the Grimoire has her name as simply Shea now. It looks like the other beastmen countries want to see Albahar's reaction now.)
The Grimoire stopped displaying Shea's name as being part of royalty.
All the representatives had accepted Shea's renunciation to the throne.
The representatives wanted to know what would happen with Albahar.
All the allied countries from that continent were present as well.
That included the current king of Brysen.
Brysen's Beast King Gil had fought with Bek three times, the last of which took his life.
When Bek carried out his coup, he was following the Demon King's Army's plan.
But then Bek gave up his life to stop the Demon King's Army.
Everyone from that continent wanted to know if Albahar would make an announcement now.
Prince Zew was also present, so they believed Albahar would announce their new Beast King.
They wanted to know if it would be the reasonable Zew, or Shea who wanted to war.
Whoever was chosen would determine the future of the continent.
"Shea, are you sure about that? Are you sure you want to give up the throne?"
Prince Zew asked her.
"Yes. You can be the next Beast King. I just have other things to worry about now."
Shea had feared Bek, but she held a deep respect for Zew.
(Well, Shea always wanted to be Beast Empress, not Beast King. Becoming Beast King was merely a way to get there. Though hmm, what should I do about her Extra Skill now...)
Shea's goal remained the same. She wished to unite her continent as an empire.
Allen had gotten involved with solving the coup in Albahar to obtain the Beast King's Emblem.
On top of that, he believed that Shea would enter Extra Mode and also become able to use [Full Beast Mode] like the Beast King did.
(Hmm, she still has the [Beast Mode] Extra Skill.)
Allen saw that Shea's Extra Skill was still there among her stats in his Grimoire.
He knew the Beast God Garm decided who obtained the Extra Skill and who did not.
It seemed like Garm had not taken it away even after hearing her decision.
"B-but-"
"That's enough, Zew. Shea wants to step down, there's no reason for you to oppose that if you want to become the next Beast King!"
The Beast King's voice thundered in the meeting room.
He silenced Zew, who was still trying to get Shea to reconsider.
Everyone was tense, as if a wild animal had appeared inside the meeting room.
"I-I'm sorry, Father."
"What's your intention keeping the Beast King's Emblem though? Do you even know what that represents?"
"Of course, Father. It's an emblem to commemorate how our founding king risked his life freeing us from the humans."
The Beast King and Shea continued talking.
No one asked for Latash's king's permission to talk anymore.
"Yes. 1000 years ago a valiant hero wore that armor to fight for beastmen freedom. It's not just some pretty accessory. Do you really have what it takes to wear it?"
The Beast King said that there was a reason why the emblem was a set of armor.
It signified the history of beastmen and how they fought for freedom.
"There's something I realized after watching Bek fight for beastmen."
"Hm?"
The Beast King looked confused by that answer.
Shea continued talking about Bek, he was the oldest brother, and had lived constantly fighting.
He worried about the future of beastmen more than anyone else.
As soon as he came of age, he went to dungeons and fought in the Martial Arts Display.
When Dogora's Talent reached Level 7 he obtained the [Formation Break] Skill.
Now Allen believed that the party needed to be split in two, one team would go to the Dragon God's Village, while the other would train in the S Rank Dungeon.
She would not go to the village, but would undergo intensive training in the S Rank Dungeon.
Allen looked at the Grimoire Attentively, trying to find out how to get [Full Beast Mode].
"Thank you very much, Beast God Garm."
A tear fell down Shea's Cheek. She knew what had just happened with her.
"Hm? Shea, could it be-?!"
The Beast King also understood what she had muttered.
"Yes, Lord Garm gave me new power. I know my path."
The Beast King was lost for words. But he quickly decided what to say.
"I see. Then I'll hold off on deciding who the next Beast King will be until your return."
"Father?"
"I'll continue ruling over Albahar, and choose the next ruler depending on how you act."
Even though these meetings were boring, the Beast King would continue attending them.
"B-but I'm stepping down."
"I've said what I said! And that applies to everyone!! Anyone who disagrees can challenge me!!"
The Beast King waved his furry fist to the representatives.
He chose to ignore Shea's resignation.
(Hm? Shea's royal name is back.)
The Grimoire showed her full name again.
The Beast King's decision had reinstated her as a royal.
The Beast King sat down again when no one stepped forward to challenge him.
Not even Zew said anything about the Beast King's decision.
(So this is the life Shea chose. It reminds me of Merle.)
Allen had constantly wondered how he would make Shea Beast King and obtain the emblem.
When Shea announced her resignation, he feared she would never enter Extra Mode.
But Shea's decision had actually changed her life for the better.
Now she could still become Beast King, obtained the emblem, and reached Extra Mode.
Allen was the party leader, but he would not force a different life on his friends.
He could not simply give Commands to his party members.
The closest thing to that were orders when fighting.
(Merle's decision gave life to Tam-Tam too.)
Merle had spoken to Digragni herself, which was how Tam-Tam obtained a soul.
That had been different to the reward Allen had wanted from Digragni.
All Allen thought about was chaining Digragni to Merle to make her stronger.
But Merle had chosen a path for herself.
That had led to an even better reward than what Allen had initially hoped for.
"So they're finally done. I almost can't believe they're father and daughter."
Kiel looked baffled by the conversation between the Beast King and Shea.
"Yeah. Oh, now that I think about it, you also did that."
"Hm? What are you talking about, Allen?"
"Oh nothing, it's just that I feel like life always has surprises in stock."
Kiel looked confused hearing that.
Back when Allen was a servant, the Carnel family had been taken prisoner and stripped of all their mythril mining rights, which went to the Grandvelle family.
But after Kiel made a name for himself fighting the Demon King's Army, he decided to wager all his achievements to take out his parents from prison.
In a way, that showed Kiel's own way to live.
Allen smiled, once again reminded of what life with his friends was like in this world.