After successfully completing our wedding ceremony and receiving blessings, we stopped by the Royal Capital’s Hunter’s Guild to finalize Mana’s Wing Crest membership.
News of Mana’s marriage had apparently spread throughout the Royal Capital soon after yesterday’s ceremony concluded. The moment Mana joined the Hunter’s Guild, she was congratulated by many men, while an equal amount of resentful glares were directed at me. Some even attacked me, refusing to believe I was an Ancient Human. I politely knocked them out.
Later, Emperor Reinhardt, Bout, and the Head Hunter’s Master helped mediate, and despite the extra trouble, the procedures were completed. From there, we came to the Ideal Mountain Range.
Oh, and Roena, Sajanka, Yuri, Rika, Apricot, Ed, Marina, and Fiana, who attended, traveled to Amagi Castle by Royal Family’s Beast Carriage. The Fallheight couple returned home, and Dianos headed to the Order’s Guild Headquarters.
“To reiterate, this is the closest entrance to the Ideal Mountain Range from the Royal Capital. However, even at the entrance, high-rank monsters often attack, so if you let your guard down, it won’t just be an injury… or so it should be,” said Bout Wooz, the leader of Trial Hearts, with an exasperated tone. The reason was simple: a S-rank monster, the Storm Liger, and a C-rank monster, the Rock Boar, lay dead at my feet.
“I had heard, but you really defeat them so casually…”
“A Storm Liger chasing a Rock Boar, they say you should run away immediately if you see one…”
Emperor Reinhardt and H.R.H. Maruca also sighed deeply in exasperation.
Storm Ligers are carnivores and constantly hunt for prey. Of course, they sleep and rest sometimes, but they are usually hunting, so they are said to attack any prey they encounter. In particular, a Rock Boar, once targeted by a Storm Liger, is almost certain to be hunted. Therefore, if you hunt a Rock Boar that is unaware and fleeing from a Storm Liger, you will almost certainly encounter a Storm Liger and likely become a victim. So, the rule of not interfering with a Rock Boar being chased by a Storm Liger is common knowledge not only for Hunters but also for the Order.
Yet, I had defeated them both, the Storm Liger and the Rock Boar, in one go. And with the Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green, no less. I only cut off the Rock Boar’s head because its hide is needed by the Order’s Guild, but the Storm Liger was beautifully bisected right down the middle. I think my skill is quite remarkable.
“Being an Ancient Human, and having accomplished something like that, I suppose a mere Storm Liger wouldn’t be much of a threat, but…”
“To see it split so cleanly in half… I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Muttering with a mixture of surprise and exasperation were the high-class members of Trial Hearts. The first to speak was Myra, a Hydragonewt, followed by Real, a High Elf who could easily be mistaken for male at first glance. Incidentally, Myra is one of Bout’s wives.
“Speaking of which, Bout, it’s not just this one, but this Winged Tribe over here also has similar abilities, right?”
“That’s true, but we can’t fight in a place like this. If we’re going to fight, we need to go a bit deeper, you know?”
Soul, a High Lixy, seemed curious about Prim’s abilities as well.
Since Trial Hearts is a Raid that Emperor Reinhardt is on good terms with, there’s a possibility of it becoming known by chance, so we had already informed them about the Alliance and Prim’s situation. Of course, it’s because they were trustworthy hunters, and they are also one of the strongest forces in Amister, so they are prepared to lend a hand if necessary, but that’s true for us as well.
Currently, Prim is refraining from combat. The entrance to the Ideal Mountain Range is only an hour or so from the Royal Capital, so there’s a high chance someone might come by. If their combat were witnessed, it would be realized that they are different from ordinary high-class individuals, which could then lead to the speculation of them being an Ancient Foxy. Rumors spread like a game of telephone, and it’s possible that by the time the Beast King and Leonas, a former prince, hear about a rumor of them possibly being an Ancient Foxy, it might have evolved into “they are an Ancient Foxy.” Even if they were found out, Amister’s response wouldn’t change, and neither would mine, but it would definitely cause some trouble, so we want to avoid giving them any unnecessary information. After all, former Prince Leonas may have a bad reputation with women and a short temper, but he is apparently charismatic, so it’s almost certain he’d do something he shouldn’t. Therefore, it’s a shame for Prim, but we decided she would have to be discreet until we reach a less public area. Of course, that’s unless danger approaches.
“I feel bad about it, but for now, I’ll have to leave it to Yamato.”
“Well, I’ve heard the circumstances, and it’s definitely going to be troublesome, so I suppose it can’t be helped.”
“Besides, with the monsters around here, Yamato-san can handle them all by himself, can’t he?”
Don’t say unnecessary things, Rebecca.
“That’s true. Even if he were thrown into the center of the Ideal Mountain Range, he’d probably survive normally.”
“Bring back an An as a souvenir or something.”
Ludia and Lydia are also playing along. If I were thrown into a place like that, I’d surely die!
“Tch, you noisy bunch. Even though we’ve come all this way, don’t you think your tension is too low?”
Lux, a High Human, frowns. They are here to hunt, and he seems bothered by us appearing so careless. He has been hostile towards me since we were introduced, and I’m starting to get quite annoyed.
“Hmph.”
“Huh?”
Lux glares at me with a puzzled look after I suddenly throw an Ice Lance. But the next moment, a B-rank monster, a Camophleon, that was targeting us, dies behind Princess Eliss. The Ice Lance pierced its forehead, its head almost completely frozen. I’d be surprised if it survived.
“Wh-What!?”
“Wh-When did…?”
It’s not like they were careless, but the fact that no one noticed it coming this close was definitely dangerous.
“Thank you, Yamato-kun.”
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
It was behind Princess Eliss, so it was definitely targeting Princess Eliss. I don’t know why the Camophleon targeted Princess Eliss, but it might have simply been the closest.
“Lux, weren’t you too focused on him, and let your guard down?”
“…Annoying, but that’s probably true. Tch, so he’s not just some kid who got carried away because he’s an Ancient Human.”
Ah, so he thought I was just showing off. It’s probably not just that my existence was bothersome, but he’s also prone to making assumptions. He seems to think Mana is in love with him, so jealousy is likely mixed in.
“This won’t do. I’m sorry for accepting your invitation, but we’re returning today. At this rate, it’s questionable if it will only be an injury.”
“That would be a great help to us.”
Prim, Mina, and the others also seemed offended by Lux. Mana has acted with Trial Hearts for a while, so she has a complicated expression.
“Your Majesty, I apologize for this, as it’s been a while since our last hunt.”
His Majesty and the others were looking forward to their first hunt in a while. I was only targeted with hostility but still felt remorse.
“It can’t be helped. I understand Lux’s feelings, too.”
“But brother, if we end up forming an Alliance in this state, it could be the worst-case scenario.”
“I know. If we form an Alliance with them now, Lux will be left behind.”
That would be a great help to me.
The worst-case scenario Maruca mentioned isn’t being killed by monsters or the Alliance being wiped out. Of course, that’s also the worst, but Maruca is referring to Lux stabbing me in the back or attacking me under the guise of an accident. Of course, if he were to do such a thing, he couldn’t complain even if he were killed, but if it led to the failure of the Alliance, the responsibility would extend to the Raid as well. Naturally, the relationship between the Raids would deteriorate, and things would become awkward within the Raid, possibly leading to its dissolution. However, many of the Hunters participating in the Alliance are high-class individuals, so some countries apparently do not pursue responsibility.
“Wait, Leader. Don’t say things like that on your own.”
“Of course. Alliances can sometimes be a matter of national survival. Can I bring someone who is clearly going to be a hindrance on such a critical mission? If you disagree, then prove it.”
“Grrr…”
Does Lux realize it himself? He’s still glaring at me, so I’m about to lose my temper as well.
“Bout-san, I’m sorry, but could you take Lux’s weapon away?”
“The weapon, you mean the Jade Silver one?”
“Yes. I can’t trust him.”
Did Prim say it before I did? But I agree. I don’t think he’d steal it and run off to another country, but I still don’t want him using it.
“That’s what she said. Lux, hand over your weapon.”
“Why the hell!?”
“Even if it was a gift from His Majesty, the developer says you can’t have it.”
“Don’t screw with me! This is mine! I won’t give it to anyone!”
The weapon bestowed upon Lux is a pair of twin swords made of Jade Silver. Unlike Lydia’s, they have the same design, but this is apparently normal for dual sword users. The strength of dual sword users lies in their ability to unleash attacks from either the left or right with great versatility. While the power of each strike is light, they compensate with the sheer number of hits, and Lux, as a High Human, can easily compensate for the lightness of each blow.
Still, I’m also nearing my limit, so I’m considering forcing him to hand it over, even if it means further damaging my relationship with Trial Hearts.
“You’re quite selfish, aren’t you?”
“What did you say?”
“To begin with, I haven’t even received an apology from you. How can you expect me to trust someone like that?”
Yes, I haven’t heard a single word of apology from Lux. Even when His Majesty bestowed the weapon upon me, he looked displeased upon learning that I was the one who devised Jade Silver. His Majesty the King was at the limit of his endurance and didn’t notice, but if he had, Lux definitely wouldn’t have received it. After all, Emperor Reinhardt noticed.
“You’ve changed since evolving into a High Human, haven’t you? You weren’t like this before.”
“Shut up, Maruca! Just because you’re the Queen doesn’t mean you can get carried away! I can kill you anytime, you know! …Ah!”
Is he an idiot? To say that you can kill a nation’s Queen anytime, and to say it in front of His Majesty, he has no right to complain if he’s killed on the spot.
“…Bout.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty. Soul, Real, Yung, Myra.”
“We understand.”
“Honestly, I can’t let that slide.”
“Even if it’s not your true intention, there are things that are okay to say and things that aren’t. But Lux, how many times have you repeated this since evolving into a High Human? How many times do you think we’ve had to apologize?”
Yung Magnolia, the last high-class member of Trial Hearts, a High Undine, confronts Lux. This isn’t the first time?
“Th-That is…”
“This is your last chance, Lux. Hand over the weapon. Otherwise, I will sentence you here and now for disrespect and attempted assassination of the Queen.”
“…Understood.”
Resigned, Lux plunges his twin swords into the ground and raises both hands. Bout pulls out the swords and hands them to me.
“I apologize for the trouble. I will apologize on his behalf.”
It’s not Bout’s fault, and I didn’t want that, but still.
“Bout-san, what will happen to him?”
“That’s up to His Majesty’s judgment. He may not have meant it seriously, but he said that in His Majesty’s presence. He can’t complain even if he’s executed.”
Indeed. What I wanted to know was whether Lux would remain with Trial Hearts.
“I will not impose any further punishment as this is an exchange between hunters. However… there will be no next time.”
“We are grateful for that, but will he really not be punished?”
“There was no actual harm done… Well, Maruca is hurt, but she wasn’t attacked. If he had pointed a sword at her or something, I would have had no choice but to punish him.”
It’s true that if one points a sword at the Queen, they’d most likely be executed.
“Besides, his weapon has been taken away, so it’s not as if the punishment is insufficient. Having a gift from the Royal Family taken away is nothing short of a disgrace.”
“Indeed.”
“And I apologize, but I will have them escort them today. I know he didn’t mean it truly, but still, that’s how it is.”
“Naturally. Then we will be going. We sincerely apologize.”
With that, Bout said, and Trial Hearts left the Ideal Mountain Range. I hadn’t expected things to turn out this way, but the fact that there was someone jealous of me, that it ruined the mood of the Raid, and that there was someone who could say they could kill the Queen, is something I need to consider. Even so, after his weapon was taken away, Lux’s gaze shifted from hostility to murderous intent, so I don’t think he’ll change. I can’t just stand by and let myself be stared at with murderous intent, so I’ve taken steps, or rather, I’ve secretly implanted a few Engraving Magic spells.
In the end, I wasn’t in the mood to hunt today, and everyone else was also dissatisfied with Lux, so we decided to hunt a few monsters and then return to the Royal Capital. And as suspected, Lux has caused trouble.
