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

: Shea's Dream (1)

Shea turned back into a 5 year old, and Luvanka to his old 30 year old self before he became a sacred beast.

'What's this? Is it the power of Lord Garm...?'

'Most likely. It seems he wishes to show you my past…'

Just a moment ago, Shea vaguely remembered falling asleep in the magic tent's bed.

She had slept in the Beast God Garm's Temple for several days, and now she was retracing her memories in her dreams.

'Is this your past then? And this temple... Ah, it must be the Appraisal Ceremony.'

Shea was wearing a ceremonial dress, and she remembered wearing it when she was 5 years old for the Appraisal Ceremony in the Beast God Garm's temple.

Luvanka had Allen's memories, so he also recognized the crystal and black board.

"Lady Shea! Great news, you're a Fighter Beast Saint!!"

The appraisal itself was already done, and the results were displayed in silver letters on the jet black board. Commander Lud, who looked much younger then, celebrated the news.

There were also other beastmen priests who worshiped the Beast God Garm there.

Shea, now a child again, and Luvanka, who looked like a beastman in his prime, watched from a distance away.

'Huh? They don't seem to notice us, nor do they touch us.'

'Hmm.'

As the Appraisal Ceremony went on, they tried to touch the young Sha's body, but their hands just passed through her body.

Shea and Luvanka tilted their heads in confusion, not knowing what was happening.

Lud cried of happiness, celebrating as if it were his own achievement, and the priests around him applauded and praised Shea's Talent.

Only 1 in 10 million were born with that Talent, so it was a rare Talent comparable with a Sword Saint in the Central Continent.

"Hehe, really?"

The young Shea smiled happily.

'You were much cuter back then.'

'Shut up.'

Sha retorted to Luvanka's honest impression.

"Well then, we must inform the Beast King of this wonderful appraisal result. I'm sure we can still obtain an audience today."

Shea's father was not present.

Shea recalled that it was a rule that members of the royal family could not attend the Appraisal Ceremony.

As a result, they had to report the results to her parents later.

First, they need to report to the Beast King, Muza, who was in the audience hall.

"I know, but I'm not a child anymore… Hey, don't run so fast!"

Lud carried Shea and ran off, and would not listen to her words.

He was like a proud father, rejoicing in his daughter's achievement.

They rushed out of the temple, and Lud rushed into the royal castle, shaking the floor stones.

Immediately, he applied for an audience, and permission was granted when he mentioned he wanted to report the appraisal results.

Then, the scene shifted to the audience with King Muza.

'Our view is changing.'

'It feels strange.'

Shea was surprised, and Luvanka voiced his discomfort.

Shea and Luvanka, who were watching from a distance, seemed to be moving without really moving. Their view changing constantly.

In the middle, Bek, who had been given a trial by Muza, appeared holding the head of the A Rank monster Albaheron King with both hands. Zew looked surprised at his feat.

'Oh yeah. Bek's life took a big turn that day. I was really looking forward to seeing him again after so long though.'

With a few screen changes, the reunion with Bek was over, and Shea looked disappointed.

After they reported Shea's results in the audience, Bek reported the results of his trial to Muza.

Bek then requested to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, and Muza approved.

The scene with the Beast King at the audience ended with several still images, and Shea moved to a corner of her private room.

This was an area where the royal family resided within the royal castle, and although Shea's room was separate, she went to the neighboring room with Lud.

'...Hmm, it was a while since we last saw each other.'

'Huh? Who's there beyond this..?'

'My mother.'

'It seems you didn't get along well…'

'That's not exactly it… Well, you'll see in a bit.'

Despite Luvanka's impression, he was still confused, wondering if they really were mother and child.

"Lady Shea?"

Lud, who was standing next to her, asked that to Shea, who froze in front of the door.

"I know! Don't rush me!!"

Young Shea hesitated for a moment in front of the door, even though she knew it was best to move.

Knock knock

"Who's there?"

"It's me."

As soon as they knocked, a tiger beastman maid opened the door slightly, but when she saw Shea through the gap, she opened it wide.

"Lady Shea! And Captain Lud? Does this mean…"

She seemed to have understood why Shea came with such a bright expression.

"Nile. Is Mother here?"

Nile was a tiger beastman just like Shea, and she replied with a gentle voice.

She immediately understood why they were there when she saw Lud with Shea.

When the door opened, they saw many other tiger beastmen, knights and maids, all of which looked nervous until they saw who had come.

"Of course I'm here. But how many times have I told you to not come here?"

Behind the door, there was another tiger beastman in a dress who closely resembled Shea.

She was Mea, the concubine of the Beast King Muza and Shea's mother.

They were very similar, not only in appearance, but also in name.

At first, Shea thought her mother had named her that way to resemble each other.

But it didn't take long for her to realize that her name had its own meaning.

And by now, she cursed the weight that name carried.

"So, did you come to report on the appraisal ceremony? How did it go?"

With a dignified expression, Mea, who stood tall, spoke to her daughter, her voice filled with stern severity that seemed too harsh for a 5 year old.

The Appraisal Ceremony was a sacred ritual for the Beast King's family.

Relatives were not allowed to step in during the appraisal ceremony to ensure that no one with power interfered or tried to force a better outcome.

It was customary to have a trusted attendant present to conduct the appraisal, and Lud had been chosen, as he was the captain of the Beast King's Royal Guard, and had been Shea's appointed guard and mentor since childhood.

Then, during the audience, the Beast King was present, but Mea, who was just a concubine, did not have the qualifications to enter the hall. So they went to her chambers personally to report the results to her.

The Beast Queen who sat beside the Beast King in the audience hall was the mother of Beck and Zew.

"Well..."

"Lud. You be quiet. I'm asking Shea."

A ferocious stare was directed at Lud.

Although Mea was two sizes smaller than Lud, she was incredibly intimidating.

"...I apologize."

Lud took a step back, and Shea took a step forward towards Mea.

"Mother, I have the Fighter Beast Saint Talent!"

The way Lud had celebrated, and the fact that King Muza praised him for the first time in a long time during the audience ceremony, had given Shea confidence.

Shea tried to stop her younger self, but she could not change what was happening.

"What? That's it? Isn't that the same Talent as Zew...? What are you boasting about with such a Talent?! Do you think you can become the next Beast King with that?!"

This was a completely different harsh rebuke directed at Shea, unlike the one directed at Lud earlier.

Nile, who was watching, involuntarily shrank back.

Shea was so shocked she could not say anything back.

Instead, tears began to overflow from her young eyes.

"Don't cry!"

"Huh? What?"

"I said don't cry! A Beast King never cries!!"

She scolded Shea even more.

No one around, including the maids and knights, could intervene.

"That's going a bit too far..."

"Lud! Who said you could interrupt? I am Mea, the Beast King's concubine!"

"No, you're overstepping too much!"

Lud's deep, low voice enveloped Shea.

His attitude changed as he began protecting the trembling Shea in front of him, refusing to back down.

Lud was the former winner of the Martial Arts Tournament and the captain of the Beast King's Royal Guard, and had the Hammer Beast King Talent.

There were many other guards and knights there who noticed the change in Lud's attitude, but they knew they would not be strong enough to do anything against him.

"...Oh well, whatever you wish."

After Mea pulled back, Lud bowed slightly in apology.

"Lady Shea, are you alright? There's still something more to report, if you can do it."

"Of course… Mother, Lud is no longer the captain of the royal guards. He'll be serving me now."

"Oh, that's wonderful!! Is it true?!"

"Yes, he's my first subordinate!"

With a sudden change in expression, Mea clapped her hands together and her expression turned to one of joy.

"I'm prepared to dedicate my life for Shea's sake."

Upon learning that Shea possessed the talent of a Fist Beast Saint, Beast King Muza immediately relieved Lud of his position as captain of the Beast King's Royal Guard on the spot. And then, he ordered him to serve as Shea as his main duty.

Lud had become Shea's first subordinate.

He was the winner of the Martial Arts Tournament, the captain of the Beast King's Royal Guard, and when it came to leading the army, Lud was entrusted with the role of general. It was common for promising young Beast King heirs to have excellent individuals as caretakers and guards in this manner. However, it was rare for the youngest child to receive such privileges, so Shea's future was looking brighter.

"You must never lose to Bek, got it? You have the blood of Barrio flowing within you. That blood is fitting to rule this continent of Garresia."

Mea reiterated to Shea, already used to those words.

"Yes, Mother."

She had no choice but to nod. Shea had spent her childhood pretending not to know why she was given the name Shea, but she knew it was because of the immense expectations from her mother.

"So, can I assume that you will be gathering more subordinates from now on?"

"Huh? Ah, yes."

Although momentarily puzzled, Shea had become accustomed to say yes by reflex whenever Mea spoke like that. If Lud became her subordinate, it also meant that Shea could gather and recruit her own private army.

"Very well. Never forget, this castle is like the wilderness. You can't afford to be alone, you need your own pack, gather all the power you can. That way, even the reconstruction of the ruined Beast Kingdom of Barrio will be possible..."

"Lady Mea, is it appropriate to make such remarks in the castle...?"

Lud instinctively interrupted Mea's words, and the maids and knights present glared at him. He could only shake his head slightly after that, showing he would not say more.

"...I apologize. I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."

But he showed no signs of regretting his words.

With her feline eyes narrowed, Mea smiled slyly without concealing her ambition.