Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 133

“So, I ended up forging this,” I said.

“No, forging what?”

Two days had passed since the hunt with Emperor Reinhardt and his party.
We went hunting in the Ideal Mountain Range again today, but unfortunately, very unfortunately, our haul was rather meager.

We managed to hunt nearly twenty Feather Drakes, as we found a flock on our way there, but only three Heavy Shell Grizzlies near the Treasure Tree.
I didn’t expect any Gryphons, but the Treasure Tree is over 100 meters tall, and its trunk is as wide as, if not wider than, a Noble’s mansion. So, there should still be monsters around.

Hmm?
Wait a minute.
We’ve hunted quite a few monsters in the past few days. Even if they nested in the Treasure Tree, the number we hunted doesn’t make sense for a space of that size.
The Treasure Tree is huge, yes, but it’s probably only about half the size of Tokyo Tower.
There were only four Gryphons, so that’s not an issue. But Sky Serpents are over five meters long, and we hunted over fifty of them alone. Logically, even if they nested in the tree’s branches, they wouldn’t all fit.
Is there some reason for this?

…Oh well.
Even if there is a reason, we won’t be going to the Ideal Mountain Range for a while, so I’ll investigate it next time.

With that, we sold off our catch, including the Feather Drakes, at the Hunter’s Guild and returned to Amagi Castle. As I was relaxing in the salon, Ed approached me with a nonsensical statement.

It’s good that I refined new Lapis Laz.
Since I’ve already presented all of it to His Majesty, I’ll have to refine more if I want to use it.
But why am I forging a Rapier with that Lapis Laz?
Also, this Rapier’s design is different from the one His Majesty made for Princess Eliss the other day, isn’t it?

“Hey, aren’t you heading to Valentia the day after tomorrow? While it might be fine for you guys, isn’t it a bit much for Lord Rika of the Order to go completely unarmed?”

I couldn’t argue with that. Rika is going to Valentia as one of my fiancées, and I don’t think she needs to fight unless absolutely necessary.
However, I do agree that it’s better if she has at least one weapon.

“I think so too. Rika is part of the Order, after all, so she shouldn’t be unable to use a sword. It’s just not right for her only means of self-defense to be the engagement dagger that Yamato gave her.”

Marina backed him up, and I had to agree.
Rika is a C-rank Outsider, but she is registered with the Order’s Guild.
As an Outside Order member, she’s not obligated to perform regular Order duties or training, but she’s required to fight in emergencies, so she can’t be unable to fight.
While she was in the Royal Capital, she was busy with Feel and managing the handover of her territory, but during the Valentia visit, she’ll be free except for audiences with the Dragon King and the Holy Mother Dragon. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for her to level up then.

“You’re right, I was being thoughtless. My bad, thanks for pointing it out.”
“No worries. I’m enjoying myself too.”
“Me too, just like Ed.”

Still, their help is invaluable.

“Is this enough?”
I flicked a Platinum Coin, taken from my storage, towards Ed with my thumb.

“That’s way too much.”
“Considering you had to refine the Lapis Laz first, isn’t this about right? Especially since Ed forged it, not His Majesty or old man Richard.”

If it were a sword forged by His Majesty, a P-rank Crafter, or Richard, an A-rank Crafter, I would have added another Platinum Coin.
But I know that the sword Ed made has sufficient practical performance. It’s just that the standard of comparison is Richard, Talos, and His Majesty.

“Besides, this includes my feelings as well. It was clearly my oversight not to make a weapon for Rika, who is part of the Order.”
“I suppose. Alright, I’ll accept it this time. Well, for you, who earns an absurd amount with every hunt, one or two Platinum Coins is probably just pocket change.”

I couldn’t deny that.
Since coming to the Royal Capital, my hunts have already earned me about five Divine Metal Coins, and the awards were about five times that amount. If I return to Feel, I could afford to build a new house, let alone buy one.
Right now, it’s just accumulating because I don’t have any immediate use for it, but I’m starting to feel like I might be stifling the country’s economy if I don’t spend some soon.

But this Rapier will be helpful, so I’ll give it to Rika later.

“Also, regarding Lady Carol, it seems she succeeded in persuading Count Donato.”
Fiana told me about Lady Carol, whom I had rescued the other day.
So, she succeeded.

“I kind of figured she would. But still, how did Count Donato, who dotes on his daughter, agree to it?”
“Well, she became an S-rank Healer for Raus’s sake, and apparently, Lady Sayuri went to persuade him. So, even though her daughter is her world, she probably relented. It’s said that she outright declared she wouldn’t let her daughter get married, as her excessive doting would make her miss her chance to marry and would only be detrimental to Carol.”
“No, if you don’t let her get married, your family line will simply die out.

When I first met you, I thought you were a seasoned veteran, but hearing you talk like this, you just sound like a father who dotes on his daughter.

“Lady Carol is aware that she is the successor and understands that she will eventually have to bear children. However, she apparently wanted to get married if possible, and it seems she sometimes found her father bothersome.”

I figured.

She already wanted to get married, and after Raus saved her, she came to see him as her intended spouse. It’s a story as old as time, even on Earth, where an overprotective father ends up being disliked.

I don’t know if that’s how Lady Carol felt, or if she disliked him, but Count Donato must have suffered considerable damage.

“And I was at Amagi Castle until just now. I was having a mock battle with Raus.”

What is that Count doing to a sick person?

Moreover, if I recall correctly, Count Donato is a High Ogre.

Raus hasn’t evolved yet, so there’s no way he could win, even in a mock battle.

“It seems the purpose was to observe Raus-kun’s abilities. Even so, according to the Associate Order’s Master who served as the judge, he apparently put up a good fight.”

Dianos-san was judging? I feel a bit bad about it, but Count Donato is an S-rank Outside Order. He also knows Raus is a B-rank Hunter on the verge of S-rank, so he might have wanted to see his true strength. Even so, putting up a good fight against a High Ogre, Raus is quite something.

“Count Donato didn’t expect to receive a single blow from a child who, while skilled, is only 13 years old and hasn’t evolved yet. That’s why he eventually acknowledged the engagement with Raus and permitted him to accompany us to Valentia.”

So that was approved too. Lady Carol is 15 years old, but Raus is only 13, so even if they get married, it will be after Raus reaches adulthood. Raus’s birthday is coming up soon, but I heard Rika’s is after the new year, so it’s possible Lady Carol’s marriage might come first. That’s a matter for them to decide, not something I should interfere with.

“So, with that, Lady Carol will also join the Wing Crest, right?”

“She is officially engaged to Raus, isn’t she? That’s fine. Ah, the Armor Coat, huh.”

Since the Armor Coat is standard Union equipment, Lady Carol will need one if she joins. Marina is the one making them, so it’s natural to confirm.

“Yeah. Fortunately, we still have some Winger Drake hide from what Yamato and the others hunted the other day, but we can only make about three more.”

“I’ll go to the Ideal Mountain Range again tomorrow and look for it there. The monsters haven’t appeared near the Treasure Tree lately, so it’s worth a change of scenery.”

We don’t let just anyone join the Union, but the possibility of Ed and Raus gaining more wives exists, and it’s possible for people we get along with to join. Therefore, we can never have too much Winger Drake hide. What? My wife? There’s no way it’ll increase beyond this, hahaha.

“Ah, right. I believe Lady Carol is only registered with the Healer’s Guild, isn’t she?”

“That’s what I’ve heard. However, given the location of Count Bernstein’s Territory, she has considered registering with the Order’s Guild.”

That makes sense. In that case, it might be a good idea to have them forge a weapon for Lady Carol to use. And another thing.

“Then Ed, please make Lady Carol’s weapon out of Lapis Laz as well. And can you make Yuri something like a staff using a Magic Stone? Even as a healer, it’s a problem if she can’t fight at all.”

“That’s true. In that case, besides a healing magic Magic Stone, a water attribute magic Magic Stone would be safe.”

A water attribute magic Magic Stone, huh? I believe the Sky Serpent’s Magic Stone was water attribute. It’s a G-rank Monster’s Magic Stone, so it shouldn’t be bad. I’ll give it to him later.

“However, I’ll manage to get Lady Carol’s Armor Coat ready before we depart, but I can’t possibly finish her weapon in time, you know?”

“We’re traveling by ship, so I think it will be done by the time we reach Valentia.”

“That’s fine. I’m sorry to trouble you, but I’ll leave it to you.”

Alright, I’ve requested weapons for Yuri and Lady Carol, so I should head back to my room. I need to give this Rapier to Rika-san.

“Oh, you were here. I was looking for you.”

“Hm? Oh, Tolman-san. Is something wrong?”

Just as I thought that, Tolman-san came looking for me. Huh? Has that silver coat been finished already?

“Oh, that’s the Sky Knight coat made from Gryphon hide. It suits you very well.”

“Thank you. I’m receiving envious glances from the Orders, which makes me a bit embarrassed.”

Marina also seems to think it’s magnificent, not just being polite, and I agree.
Moreover, not only does Tolman wear a coat made of Gryphon leather and Jade Silver, but he also sports a magnificent sword of Lapis Laz given to him by His Majesty. This truly makes him look like a knight.

“That’s all well and good, but Lord Yam, His Majesty is summoning you. They’ve finished yours too, and plan to formally present you with this Arc Order’s Coat. However, since you’re already registered as an O-Rank Order, it will be a simplified ceremony,” Yamato said.

Ah, true, I am a Sky Knight, but I haven’t received any newly produced equipment, so such an excuse is necessary.

It’s troublesome, but I guess I have no choice but to go.

“So it’s called an Arc Order’s Coat, then?”

“Yes. For common orders, it’s just an Order’s Coat, and for those of P-rank and above, it’s the Platinum Order’s Coat. To make them easier to register with the Statering system, the gauntlets and greaves are also collectively registered under this name.”

I see.

Since it’s assumed they’ll be worn with Ee-quipping, it’s only natural they’d be registered with the Statering system, so the name is important.
Wait a minute?

Does that mean I’ll be bestowed gauntlets, greaves, and trousers too?
Well, the ones I’m using now match the color of my Armor Coat, so they wouldn’t go with a white coat, which is a relief.

“Furthermore, although you are an Outside Order, you are also a Sky Knight. Therefore, this Arc Order’s Coat will serve as your formal attire as an Order, and you are requested to wear it during ceremonies and audiences.”

I suppose that can’t be helped.
Although it uses the same Jade Silver, the Arc Order’s Coat uses Gryphon, while the Crest Armor Coat uses Winger Drake. Even for everyday wear, the Arc Order’s Coat has better performance, but if it’s to be my formal attire as an Order, I should probably refrain from using it.

Functionality aside, I prefer the Crest Armor Coat in terms of design, and I’ve grown quite attached to it.

“Grand Order’s Master, regarding the Platinum Order’s Coats, they are being tailored collectively in the Royal Capital, aren’t they? What’s the progress on that?”
“Some of those are also complete. They’ve already been delivered to the Order’s Master and Sub-Order Masters in Count Bernstein’s Territory, so they should reach the Royal Orders within a few more days.”

There are about 500 P-rank and M-rank Orders combined, so it’s understandable that it takes time.
Of course, the ones that take the most time are the common orders, of which there are close to 10,000.
Since they’re being completed and distributed sequentially, there’s the question of who gets them first. However, they’ve decided that they’ll be distributed all at once after all of them are completed, which certainly avoids problems.
I heard that the Crafter’s Guilds in various regions are handling the tailoring collectively, and with about 100 people per branch, completion should be on schedule.

As we talked about such things, I was led by the Grand Order’s Master into the Audience Chamber.
My own members are already assembled, and I see Apricot, Carol, and Count Donato as well.
Wait a minute?
I can see Emperor Reinhardt, but where is His Majesty?

“His Majesty is engrossed in the production of the Platinum Order’s Coats. They’ve been delivered to Count Bernstein’s Territory and Count Crystallos, so His Majesty only has three more to make. However, they were slightly delayed because the Arc Order’s Coats were prioritized,” Prime Minister Laina informed me.
So, the Arc Order’s Coats are indeed made by His Majesty.
And yet, despite being His Majesty, there’s a quota…

“The Platinum Order’s Coats are being contracted by the best craftsmen from the main headquarters of the Crafter’s Guild, with each of them undertaking to make five. Those are expected to be finished in a few more days, and then they should be distributed to the Royal Orders.”

So that’s how it is.
And with only three left, could it be that they are for Rosemary, Muse, and Iris?
The numbers match perfectly, and that would avoid any issues with distributing them to the Royal Orders and other branches.

“There’s nothing we can do about that. So, after this, please show my father your appearance clad in this Arc Order’s Coat.”
“Ah, yes, I understand.”

That much should be fine.
By marrying Mana, His Majesty has become my father-in-law.
Ah, something has come to my mind now.
After this ceremony is over, I’ll ask Emperor Reinhardt about it.

“Let us begin. O-Rank Order, Yamato Hydrangea Mikami. It is with fresh memory that I recall granting you the title of Sky Knight and appointing you as an O-Rank Order. Therefore, this time, I shall bestow upon you a coat created for the Sky Knights.”
“I gratefully accept.”

The plan is for me to change into it afterward and have it presented here in the Audience Chamber.
It’s embarrassing, but Tolman told me it’s a duty befitting a Sky Knight and an O-Rank Order. Besides, since this Arc Order’s Coat will be my formal attire from now on, it’s definitely better to get used to wearing it as much as possible.
“Prime Minister, please guide me,” Lord Yam said.

“Yes, My Lord Yamato, this way.”

“Understood.”

We were led to a small room next to the Audience Chamber, presumably a waiting room, where Muse, Riala, and Dart were already waiting. Riala and Dart had recently married, and I believe they decided on the family name Schwalbblanc?

“I’ll help,” Muse said.

“Thank you. Is it okay over there to change my under-armor and trousers?”

“Yes. The room beyond is the dressing room, so go change there.”

“In the meantime, we’ll prepare your coat, gauntlets, and greaves. But hurry. It’s a ceremony, even if it’s a simple one, you know?”

“I know.”

I handed Dart the coat, gauntlets, and greaves, and with the layered Jade Silver armor and trousers I was to wear under the coat, I entered the dressing room. It was surprisingly spacious, enough for about ten people to change at once.

Using the Ee-quipping magic, I stored the Crest Armor set, categorized via a stattering system, into my storage. The under-armor and trousers were designed to be worn as casual wear, so they were normally excluded from categorization. However, since I had to wear them for this occasion, I put them into storage as well.

“Even this much could probably be used as armor on its own,” I muttered.

Although it was layered armor, the Arc Order’s Coat was already quite heavy, so the armor was minimal. It looked like white leather armor, with thicker plating on the chest and joints. The texture was familiar, so I presumed it was made from Winger Drake leather. The trousers were likely also Winger Drake, with splendid decorations around the thighs and knees. The coat reached about my knees, making it essential for lower body defense. Naturally, the armor parts were made of Jade Silver.

“All set. I’m done,” I announced.

“Coming!” Riala replied.

When I finished changing and stepped out of the dressing room, Riala brought me the greaves. They had decorative elements and a long boot-like appearance, with Jade Silver on the exterior and leather or cloth on the inside. However, they were incredibly troublesome to put on, making me not want to take them off until bedtime once they were on. They were made of multiple parts, so just attaching them took a significant amount of time.

With these greaves, I had to split the shin guards vertically, remove the heel section, insert my toes, then reattach the heel and secure them firmly from top and bottom. After returning the split shin guards and securing them, I then attached the decorative outer layers from front and back, being careful not to interfere with the decorations, and that was it. Incidentally, all the armor parts, including the coat and gauntlets, shone with a silvery white luster, and all the connection points could be secured using the Craft Magic, Connecting.

“It really is troublesome, isn’t it?”

“Don’t say that. It would be foolish to get injured by putting them on carelessly. Besides, thanks to Ee-quipping, you won’t have to go through this much trouble next time,” Dart said.

He was absolutely right. The Ee-quipping magic I had conceived allowed for the automatic equipping of items stored in storage or magic tools. Although there was the initial hassle of putting it on myself once, once that was done, equipping and de-equipping took only a moment. This meant I could quickly gear up in emergencies and wear casual clothes on a daily basis. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I was truly glad I had conceived it.

“Here, your coat,” Muse said, handing me a coat tailored from Gryphon leather.

Since I was putting on the armor after wearing the under-armor, I put the coat on by pulling it over my head so that the clasps wouldn’t get in the way. The sleeves only reached between my elbows and wrists, as I was expected to wear gauntlets. Dart fitted the breastplate covering my chest and abdomen, while Riala worked on the backplate from behind. While Dart held the front and back plates firmly, Riala secured them. Once that was done, Muse held the shoulder pauldrons, securing the front and back plates, and from below, the waist armor that Dart had lifted was used to hold them in place. Meanwhile, I slid on the fingerless gauntlets reaching my elbows, which I had received from Riala. My fingers and wrists could move freely. After confirming this, I held the gauntlets in place while Riala attached and secured the decorative elements.

Apparently, these gauntlets were a magic tool called Magic Gauntlets, a technique developed by Grand Crafter’s Master Alfred for freely using one’s fingertips and wrists. Being unable to use my hands could lead to troublesome situations, and for Hunters, it could often be a matter of life and death. By applying enchantment magic to the completed gauntlets and imbuing them with the Magic Power of the metal used as material, the exposed fingertips and wrists, which prioritized mobility, could achieve the same defensive power as the gauntlet itself. The difficulty and required skill were high, and it seemed one could only learn the manufacturing method after becoming a P-rank Crafter, but I had no idea what any of that meant.

What’s more amazing about these gauntlets is that their decorations not only look like shields but also function as shields for using the Knight Magic, Shielding. Shielding is a magic that conjures a giant barrier of Magic Power in front of the equipped shield, so it cannot be used without a shield. I had given up on using it because I didn’t have a shield, but with these gauntlets, even I could use Shielding.
This apparently was devised by His Majesty to allow Rex to use Shielding even without a shield, as his shield broke during the subjugation of an Orc Queen.

Therefore, it seems all the new gauntlets this time have this function.

While the defensive power is lower than a real shield, being able to use it without carrying a shield is a significant advantage.

There’s also a similar magical equipment called the Magic Circlet that serves as a helmet, and I was given that as well, so I put it on properly.

Since the Magic Circlet is also made of Jade Silver, it has the same effect as wearing a helmet made of Jade Silver, which is amazing.

Helmets obstruct vision, and in some cases can even block it entirely, so I absolutely didn’t want to wear one.

“This will be the finishing touch. Turn around.”

Finally, I put on a cloak tailored from Winger Drake leather, and it’s finally complete.
Oh, and I need to properly fasten my Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green to my waist.

“Oh.”
“Wow, he looks cool!”
“You suit it, Yamato.”
“Really? Thank you.”

I look at my reflection in the mirror, but honestly, I can hardly say it suits me.
Besides, the Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green is a Japanese sword, so it feels out of place.
However, it was originally designed for a game, and it worked with a Western-style armor and sword combination, so it’s not a fatal mismatch.

Putting it on was troublesome, but it’s more comfortable to move in than I expected, and the fit is good too.
With this, I can fight just as I always have.

“It seems you’ve confirmed the feel of it. Then, let’s head to the Audience Chamber immediately. We can’t keep His Majesty waiting too long.”

As Muse said.
I changed into this in the first place to be seen by His Majesty and the others.

“Understood.”

Accompanied by Muse, I arrived in front of the Audience Chamber. The three of them entered not through the front, but through a side entrance.
I was wondering what that was, when Rylaina came out from there.
I later learned that to check the inside and outside of the Audience Chamber without opening its main doors, a separate entrance was created, and someone would thoroughly check and inform from there.
When I thought about it, it made perfect sense, and I couldn’t help but agree.

“When the doors open, please proceed to the same position as before. This is also a Presentation of the Arc Order’s Coat, so you do not need to kneel.”

Is that so?
I thought so, but it seems people usually do kneel.
This is a simplified ceremony, and only close associates are attending, so they decided it wasn’t necessary to go that far.

“It’s opening. Now, please proceed.”

At Rylaina’s signal, I started walking.
I’m curious to see how everyone is looking, but I’m more embarrassed than I was at the previous ceremony.

“Oh, it suits you well. Don’t you all agree?”

When I reached my designated spot without incident, Emperor Reinhardt said that.
This is the Audience Chamber, isn’t it?
Is it okay to ask everyone for their opinions?

“Yes, it suits you very well.”
“Indeed. No matter how you look at it, you’re a splendid O-Rank Order.”

Princess Eliss and Maruca praise me without reservation.

“I thought it looked good in the illustration, but it looks even better in person.”
“It suits you better than I expected, but the sword’s design feels a little out of place.”
“Even so, it’s not as much as I expected, so I can say it suits you well.”

Ed, Marina, and Fiana seem concerned about the combination of my Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green and the Arc Order’s Coat, but Ed is praising the Arc Order’s Coat rather than me, isn’t he?
Moreover, you must be laughing hysterically inside your head, right?
Since my wife and fiancées are praising me wholeheartedly, I don’t mind if they want to laugh.

“This is the formal attire and battle garb of a Sky Knight, but how you use it is up to you. However, you probably can’t go hunting in such flashy attire, so I imagine it will be kept in storage most of the time.”

Emperor Reinhardt says with a wry smile.
It uses Gryphon leather and Jade Silver, so its performance is undoubtedly superior to the Crest Armor, but its extravagance makes it impractical in many ways.
I feel bad for His Majesty who crafted it, but I don’t think I’ll be using it for daily wear unless it’s a dire situation.

After this ceremony, I went to show this attire to His Majesty. However, I was pierced by incredibly envious gazes from the Royal Orders I passed on the way, especially the women.
The Royal Orders will be receiving their Platinum Order’s Coats in a few days, so please hold on until then.

Thinking this, I arrived at the workshop in Amagi Castle to find His Majesty collapsed.
Apparently, he had been working through the night for days again, and collapsed after completing one Platinum Order’s Coat.
So, the presentation to His Majesty has been postponed until tomorrow.
You didn’t have to push yourself so hard. No, you were using materials that are normally difficult to obtain, like Jade Silver, Winger Drake, and even Gryphon, so you were probably just so exhilarated that you worked without regard for sleep.

Can this be considered enjoying a Crafter’s life?