Side: Prim
Having captured Tiger’s Pain, we handed them over to the Order and returned to where Laberna was measuring Fluorite and Jade.
Oh, Fiat is here too.
“These two are good. I’ve heard from Mina and Fiat about the situation when you contracted them, and it seems they’re already being influenced.”
“What do you mean?”
“First, their magic power. For cubs only a few months old, it’s considerable. Though, since no one has likely seen a hippogriff cub of that age, it might not be accurate.”
“No, I agree with the Crafter’s Master.”
When the Crafter’s Master and a top-tier breeder say something in unison, it feels undeniably true.
“Also, this is based on my experience, but familiars contracted through strong trust, like the two of you, tend to grow larger in addition to having more magic power. The body length of a hippogriff is usually just under 3 meters, but Jade and Fluorite have the potential to grow to almost 5 meters.”
This is unexpected.
But if they’re more susceptible to our magic power, does that mean these two have the potential to evolve into Anomaly Species or Catastrophe Species in the future?
“Does that mean they have the potential to evolve into Anomaly Species or Catastrophe Species?”
“Yes. They’ve already evolved into rare species, so at least by the time they reach adulthood, they will likely evolve into Anomaly Species. As for evolving further into Catastrophe Species, since there are no precedents, I can’t say for sure, but there is a possibility.”
They’ve already evolved.
Does that mean these two aren’t hippogriffs anymore?
“Yes. I confirmed it through Contracting. I was honestly taken aback because it was a race I’d never heard of.”
“I saw them too. Rare hippogriff species, like griffins, grantpus, and wyverns, become Hippogriff Lords, but these were different. They’re more akin to demi-humans.”
“Demi-humans? Like Kings or Queens?”
“Correct. Jade has become Hippogriff Philius, and Fluorite has become Hippogriff Philia.”
I recall that in the language of their guest world, it means Prince and Princess, right?
They do seem somewhat demi-human-like, but not quite. I wonder why they ended up with those species names?
“I don’t know why they became Philius and Philia instead of Hippogriff Lord, but it’s certain that your magic powers have something to do with it. The fact that they are still cubs only a few months old might also be a factor.”
There’s no denying either of those possibilities.
However, this could become problematic.
It’s almost a certainty that they will grow larger than ordinary hippogriffs, so we’ll have to consider the possibility of remaking their Beast Gear eventually.
“Laberna, does this mean we’ll have to remake their Beast Gear when they become adults?”
“It would be best to do so. I didn’t anticipate this either, so I’m not entirely sure what will happen.”
So it’s as I suspected.
They are currently considered rare species, but they are expected to evolve into Anomaly Species by adulthood, and potentially even Catastrophe Species. It’s impossible to know how large they’ll get, so this is unavoidable.
Wait a minute.
Does that mean the Beast Enclosure within the Beast Carriage will also need to be made larger than planned?
“Fiana, doesn’t this mean we’ll have to make the Beast Enclosure section larger?”
“Rather, we’ll need to make the Beast Carriage itself larger. They won’t fit if it’s the usual size.”
That makes sense.
We’ll really have to brace ourselves for the Divine Metal cost.
“If we refer to the vehicles from my world that are in my Engraving Tool, I think we can create something that is both stylish and practical. Let’s not rush and think about it slowly.”
“That’s true. It was surprising that Fluorite and Jade had evolved, but it’s also helpful to know they have the potential to grow larger than we expected.”
It would be disastrous if they grew too large to fit after we’ve already built the Beast Carriage.
We’ll decide on that later with Fiana.
“There you are. Yamato, Primrose, can I have a moment?”
Just then, Sub-Order’s Master Rosemary appeared.
She seemed to be looking for us. I wonder if something happened regarding Tiger’s Pain?
“The last raiders, Noble Sword, have barricaded themselves in the Trader’s Guild. They’ve taken the Trader’s Master hostage and are demanding that the two of you be brought here.”
So that’s how it is. I can easily predict the development from here.
They’ll summon us, hold us hostage, and then use subservient magic tools on us, who won’t be able to resist. Since Noble Sword includes several people, including their leader, who are nobles from Retisencia, they likely intend to hand us over to the Imperial King of Retisencia to ensure their own safety.
“If that’s the case, we’ll go. We can apprehend them quickly, and this will conclude the Hunter Capture Request.”
Yamato seems to be thinking the same thing as me.
In fact, if it’s Yamato, he can apprehend them without question, even with hostages, so Noble Sword’s plan is bound to fail.
“I apologize. Normally, we wouldn’t agree to such a transaction, but we’ve asked a great deal of the Trader’s Master, so we can’t choose to abandon them now.”
Indeed, the Trader’s Guild must have been under immense strain due to the effective blockade in Feel. Food, of course, and clothing are necessary, as are luxury goods to prevent stress and claustrophobia. Arranging all of it solely from Feel would be difficult, and they couldn’t excessively raise prices without impacting the livelihoods of the townspeople. Moreover, they couldn’t obtain cooperation from the Hunter’s Guild. I can only imagine the hardships the Trader’s Master has endured.
It’s only been a few days since we came to Feel, but they helped us during the Evil Drake subjugation as well. We definitely have to save them.
Side: Yamato
“Get down on your hands and knees! If you resist, the Trader’s Master’s life is forfeit!”
Prim and I have arrived at the Trader’s Guild.
It’s partly due to Rosemary’s request, but more importantly, I don’t intend to be the kind of person who abandons those who have helped me.
Noble Sword knows we’re G-rank Hunters, so our Mithril Blades and Mithril Halberds have already been confiscated. However, since my Engraving Tool, the Mirror Ring, looks like a regular bracelet, it’s already been equipped.
At this point, Noble Sword’s fate is all but sealed, but since some of them are Retisencia nobles, I’ll listen to them for a bit.
“I have one question, is that okay?”
“What is it?”
“I understand you want to use subservient magic tools on us, but what would be the point?”
It’s a simple question, but it also gets to the heart of the matter.
Most likely, we’ll be handed over to the Imperial King of Retisencia, but even then, it won’t change the fact that we’ll face sanctions from Amister and the Hunter’s Guild. We are G-rank Hunters, but there are over ten G-rank Hunters in Amister, and above them, there are P-rank Hunters, though only three. Apparently, there are about ten Orders over Level 50 as well. Even I can’t simultaneously face all of them. Moreover, the Grand Hunter’s Master is the world’s only M-rank Ancient Hunter, so once the Grand Hunter’s Master makes an appearance, it will all be over. I believe even their deficient brains can comprehend that.
“It’s decided. We will overthrow the feeble Imperial King and seize control of Retisencia. If Lord Saches becomes the new Imperial King, not only Amister, but even Solemne and Libertà will be insignificant.”
A coup d’état?
And for the former Hunter’s Master, Saches, to become Imperial King means he’s not just a collaborator, but the ringleader.
“First, Amister. Having gone this far, merely ceding Mylight won’t be enough. At the very least, we’ll demand the Royal Family’s heads. And of course, the nobles who follow them. We will also crush that bothersome Heavenly Tree at its roots with our might.”
Still, they talk a lot.
Perhaps it’s because they believe they can enslave us, but it’s still too careless.
“I-It’s fine about me, but capture these people! There are others who can replace me, but you can’t replace yourselves! So…”
“Silence. Or shall I make an example of the staff’s lives instead of yours?”
Human Trader’s Master Mikasa Sailor calls out, but she’s not the only one being held hostage.
With the lives of the staff threatened, Mikasa has no choice but to remain silent.
There’s no need to play along any longer.
I secretly activated Niflheim and lowered the temperature around Noble Sword.
“Now, to use the magic tools on them… What? It’s getting cold…”
“Maybe the air conditioning magic tool is malfunctioning?”
“We’ve had so many hot days this year, it’s no wonder it’s acting up. For example, it might just freeze you guys, or something.”
“W-What!?”
It’s too late to realize it now.
Besides, if Prim hadn’t pointed it out, you wouldn’t have noticed anyway. Neither of you could have done anything to us.
“I-Impossible! Magic that freezes only us?! You bastards! If you resist…!”
“You can’t move your bodies anymore, so you won’t be able to harm the Trader’s Guild members. From the start, we had no intention of becoming slaves, nor of sacrificing anyone. And of course, we don’t intend to let you escape.”
“If you kill us, the Retisencia mainland won’t stand by and do nothing! Do you understand!?”
They have to be incredibly stupid.
They were plotting a coup, so why would they expect their enemies to help them?
“It’s already too late. Even if you add more people now, Amister’s will and the Hunter’s Guild’s will won’t waver. Besides, since you are nobles from Retisencia, we have no intention of killing you. You seem to be quite familiar with Retisencia’s internal affairs, so please tell the Order’s Guild everything.”
“That’s right. Sleep well.”
“Y-You fiend…!”
I increased the intensity of Niflheim, freezing all of Noble Sword simultaneously, and then released the effect.
“That’s everyone. It was resolved faster than expected. All that’s left is Patriot Pride.”
“There’s nothing we can do about that since they haven’t returned to Feel yet, but for now, it’s over.”
Our request was to apprehend or kill all hunters except ourselves and Patriot Pride. Fortunately, we managed to capture them all alive. However, since nearly half of Patriot Pride have evolved into High Class, it won’t be easy.
“Thank you, you saved us.”
“Are you injured?”
“Yes. Everyone is unharmed. I never imagined you would capture Noble Sword with a method like that, but thanks to you, we are safe. Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad you’re all safe.”
I didn’t expect them to barricade themselves in the Trader’s Guild and take the Trader’s Master and staff hostage, but with this, all the hunters in Feel, except for us, Wind of Prada, and the Order who are registered as Hunters, have been captured. Saches and Patriot Pride still remain, but since they haven’t returned to Feel, there’s nothing more we can do. Of course, we’ll deal with them when they return, but at least the immediate problem is resolved, and we can finally relax.
