Side: Frederica
Upon receiving the report from the Order’s Guild, I nearly collapsed again.
It was one thing to hear there was a possibility of an An species, the Murder Bee, appearing; I had already received reports suggesting this was possible.
And that Yamato and Miss Primrose were the ones who subjugated the Murder Bee was also quite understandable, considering their past combat achievements.
However, the fact that these two captured an important figure from the Retisencia front-line base, and that this important figure turned out to be the first princess and thus the successor to the Retisencia Imperial King, was far beyond anything a Provincial Governor could handle.
There were so many issues that I needed to directly address, such as the circumstances of the capture and the fate of the other agents besides the first princess, that it had become necessary to gather everyone at my mansion once again: the Provincial Governor, Count Bismarck, the Guild Masters of each guild, and the two involved parties.
Although, in principle, Provincial Governors are treated equally regardless of their title, it is an unspoken understanding that such gatherings take place at a marquis’s residence.
Normally, this would happen maybe once a year, but with so many tremendous problems surfacing in recent days, the frequency of these gatherings at my mansion has become too high. I feel I am placing too much of a burden on my contracted butlers, and the expenses are mounting due to the need to uphold our status as a marquis family.
“That’s how it is. Even we didn’t expect to encounter someone of such importance,” Yamato shyly confessed after he and Primrose had finished their report.
Everyone present put their hands to their heads.
Naturally.
It was undeniable that a member of the Retisencia royal family had been leading the operation, which provided sufficient grounds and evidence to condemn Retisencia.
However, the problem of what to do with the first princess remained.
The general consensus among the Provincial Governors was to execute her as a form of atonement, but His Majesty’s decision was uncertain.
Of course, execution would inevitably lead to war with Retisencia, but that was already a strong possibility given the current situation of holding their first princess.
Especially since Retisencia was known for picking fights over trivial matters, it was highly likely to result in war unless something extraordinary prevented it.
But that wasn’t the core issue.
“I never imagined Retisencia would stoop to such actions. As the Crafter’s Guild, we cannot overlook this,” voiced the Trader Master.
“The Trader’s Guild feels the same. Trade has always been difficult in Retisencia, as guilds are generally looked down upon. The reason the Trader’s Guild can still operate in Retisencia is due to the goodwill of the Trader’s Guilds in various regions. Even though they look down on us, Retisencia benefits from our services. If they act like this without understanding that, perhaps that country deserves to perish,” said Mikasa, the Trader Master. Mikasa’s extreme statement stemmed from her own experience of being taken hostage along with the Trader’s Guild, so it was understandable that she held no positive feelings towards Retisencia.
“The same goes for the Crafter’s Guild. The Crafter’s Guild’s expansion into Retisencia is a recent development, only in the past few decades. Retisencia has always disdained and belittled crafters. Naturally, the Crafter’s Guild is also looked down upon, and rumor has it that some crafters were enslaved, weakened, and died without adequate food or sleep. Therefore, the Crafter’s Guild plans to withdraw completely from Retisencia in the near future, and that decision will likely be expedited. Whatever happens to Retisencia as a result is their own doing, and we won’t shed a tear.”
Labelna, the Crafter’s Master, spoke with similar intensity. It was widely known that Retisencia was a nation that disregarded artisans and prioritized nobility. I had heard that the Grand Crafter’s Master at the time had adamantly refused to expand into Retisencia until the very end. I didn’t know the internal reasons behind the decision to eventually expand, but given the current situation, it was highly unlikely the Crafter’s Guild would ever establish a presence in Retisencia again.
“Our Healer’s Guild has not expanded into Retisencia, nor do we have plans to do so. However, now that this has happened, I would like to report to the Grand Healer’s Master that we will contact our branches and prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.”
“The Butler’s Guild will do the same. It is likely that the Butler’s Guild will also consider withdrawal. Since the Butler’s Guild only dispatches staff and instructors, withdrawal should not cause major disruption and would proceed smoothly.”
Master Safia of the Healer’s Guild and Master Orkis Servant of the Butler’s Guild would also act after reporting to their respective Grand Masters. It was appreciated that they would handle it that way, as any undue interference from them at this stage would be problematic.
Oh, and Master Orkis of the Butler’s Guild is also a woman. Aside from Saches of the Hunter’s Guild, Linus, and Order’s Master Rex, all the Guild Masters in Feel are women.
“From the Order’s Guild’s perspective, we will immediately strengthen our defenses along the Retisencia border. Depending on the judgment of His Majesty and the Grand Order’s Master, we may consider sealing the border.”
As Order Master Rex stated, reinforcing the border defenses was a given. Closing the border was also understandable.
“As for the Priest’s Guild, we have pilgrims to consider. If the border is to be sealed, it would be greatly appreciated if pilgrims could still pass through.”
Priest Master Milia, who also held the rank of Bishop, spoke apologetically. S-rank Priests, who are also Bishops, are obligated to make pilgrimages to various locations, which would include traveling to Priest’s Guild branches located within Retisencia. Retisencia was already a dangerous place, and Priests were often looked down upon. While pilgrims are typically accompanied by Hunters for protection, sealing the border would prevent them from leaving Retisencia. It was indeed an undesirable situation for the Priest’s Guild.
“The Hunter’s Guild can’t do anything until Saches is apprehended. I don’t know what reports have been made to the Royal Capital or Headquarters, but with these further developments, the Grand Hunter’s Master might even decide to come here in person.”
“Did you call me?”
Everyone turned in surprise towards the voice. The speaker had just entered the room, without even knocking.
“My apologies. They were about to knock just now, but when they heard your surprised voices, they decided to surprise you further by opening the door quietly.”
“My apologies. I take full responsibility, so please do not blame her.”
Next to Myun stood a winged male Ulfy, appearing to be around thirty years old. A winged Ulfy with jet-black wings… there could only be one person who fit that description. Had he really come? And how?
“If it is not too much to ask, allow me to introduce myself. I am Gathering Bias, the Grand Master of the Hunter’s Guild Headquarters.”
Just as I suspected! He was a Level 73 M-rank Hunter and the only Ancient Class individual in Helios Orb. It was even rumored that Solemn was struggling to conquer the island nation of Alegria because of him. Why would the Grand Hunter’s Master be at my mansion?
Side: Yamato
I never expected the Grand Hunter’s Master to arrive at this particular moment. He was of the same winged tribe as Prim, an Ulfy like Raus. However, he was currently the only evolved Ancient Ulfy in Helios Orb and a Level 73 M-rank Hunter. I had thought I might meet him somewhere eventually, but I never imagined it would be here.
“When did you arrive in Feel?” Linus, that old man, also seemed genuinely surprised by the Grand Hunter’s Master’s appearance.
Traveling from Alegria to Feel would involve taking a ship to Libertà and then traveling overland through Retisencia to Amister, or taking a ship to Valentia and traveling overland, or undertaking the perilous journey over the Mylight Mountains. Traveling overland would take over a month, making it impossible to arrive after receiving this report. Even if he had flown here by Wyvern, someone would have reported it. Since no one did, the situation was completely baffling.
“Linus, you know, don’t you? I arrived using Traveling.”
With that single statement, everyone understood. Traveling, a Long-distance Teleportation Magic, was said to be usable by only a handful of people, with few even knowing how to perform it. The reason for this was its immense magic consumption; individuals with average magic power would suffer Mana Depletion before they could even use it. Despite the staggering amount of magic power required for Traveling, it seemed that an Ancient Ulfy of the winged tribe might not have issues with magic power.
“This is my first time meeting a user of Traveling, but I never expected you to arrive in Feel so quickly. Please excuse my delay in greeting you. I am one of Feel’s Provincial Governors, Frederica Amattista.”
“I am also one of the Provincial Governors, Sofia Tulumina. Pleased to meet you.”
“My name is Arklight Diamante. I am honored to meet the Grand Hunter’s Master.”
Were the three Provincial Governors acting rather tense? Well, encountering an Ancient Class individual was something that happened perhaps once in a lifetime, so I could understand their feelings. Still, I didn’t think they needed to be *that* nervous.
“Thank you for your introductions. We of the Hunter’s Guild offer our sincerest apologies for the considerable trouble caused by our guild’s negligence.”
“Not at all. Furthermore, while we were unable to do anything, thanks to them, the worst possible outcome was averted.”
“Ah, so you are the two young G-rank Hunters who were reported. I have heard the reports. Linus, regarding the matter of the inspector you requested, there is no longer a need to report it to Headquarters. Consider it completed. I will be staying in Amister for a while, so even if Saches returns, there will be nothing he can do.”
“Understood. I will proceed with the completion of the request later.”
Oh, so it’s okay now? On second thought, the matter of the assigned inspector originally requested by Linus only needed to be reported to the Hunter’s Guild Headquarters in Alegria. So, with the Grand Hunter’s Master here to receive the report, it was indeed possible to consider it completed.
Moreover, the Masters of the Crafter’s, Trader’s, Healer’s, Butler’s, Order’s, and Priest’s Guilds were all stiff with tension and had fallen silent. Was that alright?
Ah, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I should probably do that before I forget.
“And you two are G-rank Hunters Yamato Mikami and Miss Primrose Hydrangea, whom we have received reports about. You were promoted to G-rank on your very first day of Hunter Registration, and it is reported that you have defeated numerous An species, as well as the Catastrophe Species Black Fenrir and Goblin Queen.”
I thought so, but they already knew my name. I felt a bit deflated since I was about to introduce myself.
“We didn’t fight them head-on for the most part. And I don’t possess that level of skill. It was all thanks to his cooperation.”
No, while I did provide support, I know that even a slight attack wouldn’t work on an An species, so Prim’s ability to defeat them with just that is incredible.
“I believe luck played a part. And we were fortunate with the timing.”
“That may be so. However, I too wished to meet you both. It has been decades since we have seen young individuals with the potential to evolve into Ancient Class. I certainly didn’t expect you to have already evolved.”
The air grew tense.
Wait a minute. What did he mean, evolved? Who evolved? Ah, Prim… that’s unlikely, so it must be me, right?! No, if I had evolved, they would have noticed during the check at the gate. I get my License checked every time.
…Hold on. Today, after all that happened with that woman, I don’t think I was checked for confirmation. I don’t remember handing over my License.
Huh?
