The presentation of the Alliance concluded to great fanfare overall.
As the Raid Leader, I brought out the Orc King from storage, while Faris brought out the Orc Queen. Since it’s not often people get to see Catastrophe Species, a large murmur arose.
Then, we reported the details of the subjugation battle. When it was announced that over 130 Orc settlements had been annihilated by just fifteen people, we received great cheers here as well.
However, the most exciting part was undoubtedly the battle to subjugate the P-C Rank Monster, the Orc Queen, by Holy Grave and Order with thirteen members.
A Catastrophe Species typically requires dozens of High Class individuals to gather, and they often suffer many casualties during subjugation. The townspeople were incredibly excited that it was subdued with a smaller group than usual, and without any casualties.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was the peak of excitement.
Riding that wave, the story shifted to how Prim and I defeated the Orc King single-handedly, but a rather awkward atmosphere settled in.
“As expected,” and “If it’s those two,” were some of the voices I thought I heard here and there. It felt more like understanding than surprise.
It’s a bit questionable that the only ones who seemed genuinely surprised were the Hunters who had only recently arrived in Feel.
It might have been different in other towns, but the people of Feel, for better or worse, are used to us. It seems they had anticipated this kind of reaction. If only they had told me beforehand.
So, unlike Holy Grave and Order who were celebrated grandly, Prim and I were exposed to the public eye while feeling extremely embarrassed.
“Thanks to everyone’s cooperation, this Alliance was a success. I thank you all.”
With that, Rex concluded, and cheers erupted, marking the end of the presentation.
“Good work. This officially concludes the Alliance.”
Rika told me this after we dispersed, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that we had just expended an incredible amount of effort at the very last moment.
“Well, it can’t be helped.”
“Indeed. In the first place, it’s already a miracle that we thirteen managed to subjugate a Catastrophe Species without any casualties. Yet, you managed to achieve even greater results with ease. It’s only because it was Feel that it ended like this; in other towns, it’s questionable if it would even be believed.”
I find the “because it was Feel” part a bit strange, but I guess it just means they’ve gotten too used to us.
For An Species, depending on the rank, there are records of subjugation by a few High Class individuals. However, Catastrophe Species, regardless of rank, are generally subdued by large-scale Alliances of dozens of people, often with casualties, and some can even involve hundreds.
Yet, we not only subjugated a P-C Rank Monster, which typically requires that scale of force, but we also defeated them in passing.
I heard that the Grand Hunter’s Master once subjugated the S-I Rank Monster, the Saggin Prince, alone. However, not only were his weapons completely destroyed, but he also sustained severe injuries. He said it was the result of his arrogance after only just evolving to Ancient Class, and ignoring his Master’s warnings to go into battle. He also mentioned that all the weapons they prepared broke, so he ended up beating it to death.
However, from what I heard, the reason the Grand Hunter’s Master struggled with the Saggin Prince was not only because his weapons broke, but also because his armor couldn’t withstand the Grand Hunter’s Master’s Mana or the Saggin Prince’s attacks. If we use Jade Silver or Blue-Gray Iron, it feels like we wouldn’t have to struggle that much.
This Grand Hunter’s Master is currently back at the Hunter’s Guild headquarters in Alegria, but he’s scheduled to depart for the Royal Capital the day after tomorrow, so he’s expected to arrive in Feel by the evening of tomorrow. We are scheduled to transfer to the Royal Capital with Princess Yuriana, the princess of Retisencia, the former Hunter’s Master, and their escorts using the Grand Hunter’s Master’s Long-distance Teleportation Magic, Traveling. To ensure he makes it in time for the departure, Richard is forging a sword for the Grand Hunter’s Master using Lapis Lazuli Silver. I’ve also commissioned swords for Prince Reinhardt, Princess Manalies’ brother and an S-Rank Hunter High Elf, and for Dianos, Meena’s father and an Associate Order’s Master. I’m considering what to do about Princess Manalies, but since she hasn’t evolved yet and there’s the matter of Holy Grave, I think it would be better to make one using Jade Silver if we do. Incidentally, the King is a P-Rank Crafter, so he’d prefer ingots, and we’ve prepared ingots of Lapis Lazuli Silver, Jade Silver, and Blue-Gray Iron.
“Before we head out, shall we take Ed and the others?”
“Since we’re at it, let’s use the Beast Carriage.”
We haven’t even test-driven the Beast Carriage yet, and the Union members are all here, so this is the perfect timing. The distance from the ranch to Albert Workshop isn’t that far, but we still need to go to the ranch to harness Jade and Fluorite, so it will probably take about an hour.
“A test ride before the test cutting? We’re also curious about the results of the test cutting, so please tell us later, okay?”
“Of course.”
As a Crafter, it’s natural to be curious about how the weapons you made perform.
It’s about a 15-minute walk from the plaza to the ranch. From the ranch to Albert Workshop is a little over 30 minutes on foot, so it would be about 10 minutes shorter using the Beast Carriage. However, if you consider the time it takes to prepare the Beast Carriage, it would be about the same overall.
“Are we using two horses today?”
“It depends on Fluorite’s mood.”
“I’ve thought this for a while, but Prim, aren’t you being a little too lenient with Fluorite?”
Prim answers Marina, who is curious whether only Jade or Fluorite will be pulling the Beast Carriage, but Fiana then gently scolds Prim.
“Faris told me the same thing yesterday. She said if I don’t train them properly, they’ll eventually cause trouble.”
Trouble caused by familiars can include escaping from the ranch or stables where they are kept, damaging property, or even injuring people. While it might be permissible for self-defense, if they injure someone, in the worst-case scenario, the familiar could be killed, and the master could become a criminal slave. Jade is obedient, and at the ranch, he listens well to Fiat, the groom. However, Fluorite sometimes shows rebellious behavior. While Jade seems to be trying to correct him, not listening to the groom is problematic. Grooms are the people who interact with familiars next to their masters. Many familiars grow fond of them, allowing masters to entrust them with peace of mind. However, grooms also take on training responsibilities, so they may deal with any familiar strictly. If he doesn’t listen to the groom, the risk of an accident becomes significantly higher. Especially since Fluorite has evolved into the rare Hippogriff Filia and is a P-R Rank Monster, the damage in case of an accident would be incomparable to that of a Grantpus or Battle Horse.
“That’s why I’ve asked Fiat to train him a bit more strictly. I tend to be too soft, so I thought it was better to leave it to a professional.”
“I think that’s because you’re spoiling him, Prim. Even if the groom is strict, familiars can sense it if their master is lenient.”
“That’s right. If you don’t get properly angry at least once, it could lead to irreparable consequences.”
Marina is also a Trader, so she interacts with familiars in that capacity. Fiana is a woodworker and builds many Beast Carriages, so she is deeply involved with familiars. Since both of them are advising Prim, it seems necessary for her to take it seriously. After all, if he causes trouble at the ranch, it could lead to the annihilation of all familiars except Jade, and this could include Meena’s Battle Horse, Breeze, and Apricot’s Grantpus, Honest.
“That’s right. When we get to the ranch, I’ll face him properly.”
Prim, with a stern expression, acknowledged Marina and Fiana’s advice, stated it firmly, and we resumed our walk towards the ranch.
Side: Prim
Both Fluorite and Jade had their parents and companions killed by the Evil Drake, and were then targeted by Hunters. As someone who witnessed it all, I couldn’t bring myself to treat them strictly. I was aware that I was spoiling them, but I thought “just a little longer, just a little more,” so maybe Fluorite is sensing my feelings.
However, Fluorite, who has evolved into a rare species, has become something distinct from the familiars entrusted to the ranch. If Fluorite were to go berserk, as he can fly, only Jade could stop him, but even Jade couldn’t unleash his full power. It’s not impossible that the entire ranch could be wiped out.
“Alright, Fluorite? You must listen carefully to Fiat and protect him properly, or things will get very serious. If that happens, I won’t be able to protect you, and worse, I’ll have to kill you. I don’t want to do that, and you wouldn’t want that either, would you?”
“Grrr…”
Fluorite, who didn’t expect to be scolded, looked at me with teary eyes. It’s tempting to break down when he looks at me like that, but I absolutely cannot back down.
We arrived just as Fiat was sternly speaking to Fluorite, but Fluorite was completely unfazed and paid no attention to Fiat. I realized this was serious and made up my mind to get close to Fluorite and scold him properly. Fluorite, who wasn’t thinking anything of the sort, approached me on sensing my presence, even though Fiat was speaking to him. Usually, he would nuzzle his head against me, and I would hug him too, but today I stopped him from doing that and didn’t let him touch me. I have to make him understand that I’m serious.
“Magnificent, Prim. And I apologize. Ideally, I should be the one to explain this clearly to Fluorite and make him understand.”
“No, in the end, it’s my fault for spoiling him. Yamato properly scolded Jade, but I neglected to do so, which is why we’re in this situation.”
That’s right. Yamato did scold Jade properly. When Meena and Flam had just gotten engaged, during a Raid, Jade suddenly dived into Veil Lake and took down a Sky-Dive Shark. Of course, Jade did it to protect us, but from our perspective, he suddenly jumped into the lake, so we were bewildered. Yamato was indeed very surprised. Even if it’s for our own good, if he doesn’t at least give a bark, we have no idea what’s happening, and if there were monsters waiting that even Jade couldn’t defeat, he might take them down. So, Yamato gave Jade a serious scolding. Jade understood that he had done something dangerous and looked contrite while being scolded, but in the end, Yamato petted his head, and Jade nuzzled against Yamato’s head. Since then, Jade hasn’t acted on his own and now barks once to inform Yamato if anything happens.
“I’m sorry for scolding you, Fluorite. But this is for your own good. So from now on, listen carefully to Fiat, okay?”
“Kwaa!”
Fluorite responded energetically, and I petted his head. He then immediately nuzzled against me, seeking affection. This time, I should accept it and hug him gently. From Fluorite’s reaction to being scolded, I could sense that he was lonely from not seeing me and thought that if he troubled Fiat, I would come. We’ve met properly every day since we formed the familiar contract, and we even went hunting together. However, it was only during the last Alliance that we camped together overnight, and he seemed happy about that. It’s a childish thought, but I didn’t sense any intention to harm the ranch, so it wasn’t the worst-case scenario.
After that, as if he had a change of heart, Fluorite agreed to pull the Beast Carriage. We rode in the two-horse Beast Carriage to take Ed and the others to Albert Workshop and then left Feel to test the weapons. We actually wanted to camp overnight, but Fiat advised me that spoiling him right after scolding him would be detrimental to Fluorite, so we will return in the evening.
