Side: Meena
Last night was my turn, so I showered you with plenty of affection. Of course, everyone else did too.
Even though it’s decided that we’ll go to Valentia, it’s not happening immediately. So, as planned, we boarded Yamato’s Jade, Prim’s Fluorite, and Mana’s Sirius, heading from the sky towards the Ideal Mountain Range.
It’s already been about four hours since we left the Royal Capital, but the results are quite significant.
“Hey Flam, how many did you hunt just now?”
“A total of 67. How would you like the breakdown?”
“I’m scared, but tell me.”
“Yes. 12 Rock Boars, 4 Storm Ligers, 5 Spike Turtles, 2 Cyclone Ligers, 30 Feather Drakes, 3 Winger Drakes, and Tempest Ligers.”
Mana and Flam explain the results with exasperation, but for those who live in the Royal Capital, this outcome is unthinkable.
“So there really were Tempest Ligers… We’re on high alert when Cyclone Ligers appear, and then there’s even one above that…”
Mana is surprised, though exasperated, and it’s understandable. Tempest Ligers are anomalies. Storm Ligers are S-rank monsters, but they have no higher variants. The rare Cyclone Liger is G-R ranked, and an anomaly of that Liger species would be a P-rank Monster. If such a monster descended to the city, there’s no doubt it would cause immense damage even to the Royal Capital.
“The Ideal Mountain Range has unexplored areas, and hunters don’t exactly flock to climb it. Isn’t it plausible that anomalies exist there?”
“It’s possible,” Yamato agrees.
I understand what Prim and Yamato are saying. There are many places like the Ideal Mountain Range, and most of them are so difficult that even high-rank hunters avoid them. The reason is that the monsters are too strong, and low-rank hunters would only be a burden. Although the purchase price per monster is quite high, the cost of replacing weapons and medical expenses are inevitable, so in total, it often results in a deficit, which is another reason for avoidance.
Therefore, for such places, although not on a regular schedule, alliances are formed with considerable frequency to conduct surveys and cull the monster population.
“Huh? You’re culling them, but there were anomalies?”
“It’s not that difficult. The center of the Ideal Mountain Range is an area even the Alliance only observes cautiously and doesn’t venture into.”
“Ah, I see. So, it’s not strange for anomalies to exist in the center, then.”
“That’s right.”
Mana explains this to Raus and Rebecca, and indeed, they are spot on.
There are various theories about how anomalies are created. The two most prominent are that they evolved to consolidate increased numbers of their own species or evolved from monster magic pools. I think there were others too.
“I see, so the monsters in the center of the Ideal Mountain Range, near the World Tree, are largely untouched?”
“Not largely, completely untouched… Wait a minute, Yamato. Don’t tell me you…”
“N-no… aren’t monsters in places like that likely to descend upon the Royal Capital or surrounding towns at any time? I thought it would be best to hunt as many as possible…”
Yamato becomes evasive when Mana presses him. I understand what he wants to say and the reasoning, but his true motive is to secure materials, isn’t it?
“But I understand how you feel too.”
I didn’t expect Flam to side with Yamato, but both Yamato and Flam are considering registering with the Crafter’s Guild when they return to Feel. It’s likely they want to secure rare materials for that purpose. I don’t know what Yamato intends to do, but Flam seems interested in being a tailor or seamstress, so monster hides and fur would be necessary.
“Speaking of which, Yamato, aside from crafts, what exactly do you intend to make?”
“I have a vague idea, but there’s something I want to try making.”
“Something you want to make?”
“Yeah. Like a communicator.”
A communicator, you say? What kind of thing would that be?
“From there. Currently, communication and information exchange rely on birds, Wyverns, or familiar magic. However, there are still problems, aren’t there?”
The birds referred to are I-rank monsters, contracted specifically for information transmission. They are very convenient, but being I-rank, they are often preyed upon by aerial monsters. For this reason, even summoners who contract them rarely use them for communication.
“Yes. Birds can be preyed upon by aerial monsters, and Wyverns are similar. While communication using familiar or summoning magic is convenient, it can only be sent to cities with Repetrating or Returning registered. This makes it difficult in emergencies, unless it’s for an Alliance. But Yamato, are you saying a communicator can solve these problems?”
Mana realized it first, but I still don’t quite understand. Only Prim seems to grasp it.
“It’s not a complete solution, and I’m not sure if it’s even possible. Essentially, it’s a magic tool that allows direct conversation with distant, arbitrary locations and people. If that’s possible, the speed of information transmission would increase, and accidents would likely decrease.”
“That… is certainly true.”
After listening to Yamato’s explanation, I finally understood. If such an amazing magic tool could be created, information would travel instantly, and misinformation could be prevented. I’ve heard that the Hunter’s Guild and Crafter’s Guild have such magic tools, but even they can’t allow direct conversation.
“However, such a magic tool, if it were to be completed, would cause significant problems! Solremne, in particular, would undoubtedly do anything to obtain it.”
“I know. It would make troop movements and response to unforeseen circumstances easier. If Solremne were to obtain such a magic tool, their invasion would become even more aggressive than before.”
Solremne again here. The alloy Yamato proposed, and the reason why it hasn’t been revealed to other countries yet, is precisely because Solremne would act. It’s expected they would launch large-scale military operations, causing nothing but chaos. Even though teaching them the manufacturing method would be difficult for Solremne, who cannot use Inn, I once considered simply giving it to them. However, Yamato mentioned that it would be possible if they prepared the equipment, so I no longer think that way. Retisencia has few people who can use Inn, but the Crafter’s Guild has already withdrawn from there, and they likely cannot prepare the necessary equipment like Solremne. Furthermore, there is no reason to teach advanced technology to an enemy nation.
“Well. Let’s see! Anyway, if it’s completed, it will first be presented to His Majesty, and only then will it be given to those whom His Majesty deems worthy.”
Yamato answers while cleaving a S-rank monster, the Hornet Spider, which ambushed him from a tree, with his Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green. No one is surprised anymore.
“That’s prudent.”
“Also, it might be best not to publicize the manufacturing method, even to the Crafter’s Guild. While I don’t think there will be issues, a magic tool that allows conversation with distant people might not only attract the attention of enemy countries.”
I understand Flam’s concern. Nobles, in particular, would definitely want it. If such nobles were colluding with other countries, Amister’s secrets would be leaked. Traders would also want it, but some traders would do anything to make money, which could also become a problem.
“Well, no matter what, it all comes down to whether it can be made in the first place.”
“That’s true. I don’t even know how we’re supposed to try making it.”
I agree with Raus. The very idea of a magic tool that allows conversation with distant people hadn’t occurred to me, so I had no clue how to proceed.
“I’m in a similar boat, but fortunately, I have something that might serve as a hint. The question is, how much of it can I reproduce?”
Do you mean the Engraving Tool as a hint?
“The Engraving Tool is also a communicator. While the Helios Orb can’t be used, everyone on Earth had one. It had been widespread for over 100 years, and people said they couldn’t live without it.”
One hundred years ago, such technology already existed!?
“Your world on Earth is truly amazing…”
“However, because of that, there are many problems. I don’t know everything, but I still need to deal with the problems I can foresee, otherwise it simply wouldn’t be usable.”
You’re thinking ahead about those aspects too.
“That’s commendable, Yamato. But in any case, it all depends on whether this communicator can be made.”
“That’s right. To that end, I need to secure good materials.”
So that’s how it is. Magic tools made with monster materials typically use high-quality, rare materials for prototypes, while commonly distributed magic tools use substitute materials. Because of this, prototypes often have superior functionality, while mass-produced versions may have limitations. Nevertheless, they possess sufficient functionality and are indispensable. So, they are planning to obtain materials from high-rank monsters and try to create them immediately upon returning to Feel.
“If that’s the case, I can’t object. But please don’t do anything reckless! It’s likely there are other monsters that are considered anomalies besides these.”
Come to think of it, the Hunter’s Guild posted notices about precautions when climbing the Ideal Mountain Range, listing several monsters. While there were no sightings, rare species are spotted with considerable frequency, so they must have been gathering information. Well, since Yamato and Prim have already hunted the Tempest Liger, one less concern remains.
“I know. Let’s take a short break and then head towards the center.”
“I agree. I’m curious to see a World Tree other than the Divine Tree.”
I have seen the World Tree on Mount Wilnes, but I haven’t seen any other World Trees of similar size, so I am indeed curious.
There are three types of World Trees: the Divine Tree, the Treasure Tree, and the Cherry Tree. All of them bloom beautiful pink flowers regardless of the season.
The Divine Tree is a colossal tree that also serves as the Royal Castle, and it is said to be the pillar that supports the Helios Orb. It extends beyond the clouds, but no one has confirmed its exact height. The Royal Castle is built within a part of the Divine Tree, utilizing it, hence it is called Amagi Castle. Although it was my first time inside, it was incredibly spacious; Flam remarked it was larger than Prada Village.
The Cherry Tree is about the same size as an ordinary tree, around 5 meters tall. It is a top-quality wood, said to withstand even high-class magic power. Despite its smaller size, it is a World Tree and is strictly managed. Only thinned wood is distributed for lumber.
And then there is the Treasure Tree, which is also a considerably large tree. Although not as large as the Divine Tree, it is said to be tens to hundreds of meters tall. There are said to be a total of 12 Treasure Trees. One of them is hollowed out and used as the headquarters of the Priests’ Guild in Esperansa, the holy city of the Bacion sovereign nation. Others are located in an oasis near Solremne’s imperial capital, a small island near Retisencia’s imperial capital, deep within the Gagun Great Forest of Valentia, atop the Temellario Great Sky Wall of Libertà, on Enigma Island of Alegria, near Seryado Volcano in Torencia, and in the central area of Mount Wilnes and the Solpreza Mountain Range in Valentia. Amister has three: one in the city of Gallia, where Count Bismarck Ballman resides, who also visited Feel; one on the summit of the Mylight Mountains; and one here, in the center of the Ideal Mountain Range.
The Treasure Trees in Bacion, Mount Wilnes in Valentia, and Gallia are cherished and strictly managed as sacred trees by the Priests’ Guild and Dragonians. However, the Treasure Tree in Retisencia is seen merely as a giant tree, and the one in Solremne is treated as mere material. However, it is rumored that touching a Treasure Tree incurs divine punishment, and in fact, Solremne is rumored to have faced divine punishment. As if to prove this, they do not seem to have touched the Treasure Tree.
The Treasure Trees in the four locations other than these were only confirmed from a distance by people who owned flying familiars. They are all extremely difficult areas, and entering them carelessly would be fatal. Even approaching from the sky poses a risk of being attacked by aerial monsters, so no one has landed there. Or rather, it’s better to say that while landing is possible, no one has returned alive.
However, for Yamato and Prim, even monsters nesting around the Treasure Tree would pose little problem. Furthermore, they see them merely as materials, so they would eagerly head there even without a request. That is precisely the situation now.
Normally, as Union members, we would be at a loss, but for better or worse, we’ve grown accustomed to it. And since Yamato would never sacrifice us, we can accompany him with peace of mind. Of course, it’s scary, but we are also curious, and there’s no harm in relying on our husband, is there?
