Side Manalease
After announcing Yamato and Athena’s engagement and my dragon resonance contract with Eos at the Dragon King’s Castle, we headed to the Hunter’s Guild.
We needed to go through the registration process for Athena, of course, and also to have Eos join the Wing Crest.
“Hey, brat. This isn’t a place for the likes of you. If you value your lives, hand over your money and weapons, and maybe a woman, then scram.”
However, the moment we stepped into the Hunter’s Guild, Yamato, Ed, and Raus were surrounded by several men.
They probably assumed we were newcomers, given our appearance, which didn’t exactly scream “hunter.” But if you let looks deceive you, you won’t last long, you know?
“I can’t believe guys like that actually exist.”
“It reminds me of when I first registered…”
“It’s better than that… no, they’re both scum either way.”
Yamato and the others must have had a headache.
Still, by showing their licenses, Yamato was handling it all things considered.
“E, an Ancient Human!?”
“Not only that, but he’s an M-rank Hunter and also an O-Rank Order of Amister too!!”
The hunters who had accosted us scattered as if they had seen a ghost, spreading their surprise throughout the guild. Yet, some of them must have known Yamato.
They likely held back, wanting to see how Yamato would deal with the situation.
It wasn’t that uncommon; sometimes, someone kind-hearted would step in to mediate.
And there were scumbags who’d do it just to feel indebted, but Amisters were generally good-natured, so such individuals were rare.
“So there are scumbags like that in every country.”
“That’s true. Still, it’s better they didn’t resort to physical violence.”
Prim and Rika were right. The mere existence of people who act like that is a huge problem.
It was usually those who had just been promoted to B-rank, but occasionally it was High Hunters who engaged in such behavior. If you carelessly took the bait, you’d be the one to suffer, making it difficult to discern the situation.
“Remy.”
“Ah, Ludia. And everyone else. What brings you here today?”
As we approached Remy at the reception, she greeted us with a very wary expression.
I understood her apprehension, as we had somewhat forcefully made her our 담당 (assigned staff member).
“I have something to report to the Hunter’s Master. Could you connect us?”
“I’ll go right away!”
Without another word, Remy dashed up the stairs.
She probably thought she could just dump it on the Hunter’s Master, but you’re involved too, remember?
Fortunately, the Hunter’s Master, Kaname, was in the Master’s Room, so we were shown in immediately.
Of course, Remy accompanied us.
There, we reported Yamato and Athena’s engagement and my contract with Eos, and proceeded with Athena’s Hunter Registration and her and Eos’s induction into the Wing Crest.
Remy handled the paperwork. It seemed that a union with two Dragonians was unprecedented, aside from the Dragoness Ménage, and especially one from another country, making it a first.
“That concludes the procedure. Please confirm.”
“This is my license!”
Athena happily examined the Hunter’s License handed to her by Remy.
Athena Willness Earthlight Tomari
84 years old
Lv. 34
Dragonkin – Dragonian
Dragon Name: Earthlight Dragonian
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Dragunia, Republic of Valentia
Hunter’s Rank: B-T
Eos Willness Green
117 years old
Lv. 52
Dragonkin – Hydragonian
Dragon Name: Greendragonian
Union: Wing Crest
Butler’s Guild: Dragunia, Republic of Valentia
Butler’s Rank: G
Hunter’s Guild: Dragunia, Republic of Valentia
Hunter’s Rank: G
Since they had just registered, their rank was T, but they could properly level up and increase their rank after going to Feel.
Ed would be forging their weapons next, so for now, they would be using the Mithril Spear that had been stored in Prim’s storage.
Eos’s combat style, wielding two hand axes, was the same as Maruca’s older sister, but since he had evolved into a Hydragonian, his needs took priority.
Yamato chose his preferred design from the engraving tool, and Marina made minor modifications. They were already working on it.
“If Lady Athena and Eos are also going to Amister, that means you’ll be visiting Float as well, right?”
“Is it really better to do that?”
“Since you’re engaged to Lord Gaia’s daughter, and His Highness Manalease has formed a dragon resonance contract with a Hydragonian, I think a direct report to His Majesty is in order, don’t you?”
So that’s how it’s going to be.
I, Yamato, and Prim had intended to convey the news via letter, but Yuri and Rika insisted on a direct report, leaving us in a quandary.
It wasn’t the visit to Float that was problematic; it was simply that we wanted to avoid getting entangled in troublesome affairs.
“It’s troublesome, but unavoidable. I’ll ask Lady Rosalie to send a letter ahead.”
“Let’s do that. It will delay our departure for Feel, but with Eos able to fly, the time difference will be minimal.”
Eos mentioned he could fly to around Feel in just two days.
It would take an extra day to visit Memoria, but it would still be significantly faster than using a ship or beast carriage.
“So today, we’ll take on a suitable quest to raise Athena’s rank, and then ask the embassy to send a letter, is that right?”
“Let’s do that. Oh, and…”
“Hunter’s Master! It’s an emergency!”
Yamato accepted Prim’s suggestion, but as he was about to continue, the door to the Master’s Room was rudely knocked open.
They said it was an emergency, but what could have happened?
As Kaname granted permission, a female employee from Loxy rushed in, clearly flustered.
“We just received a report. An Elephant Boar has been sighted!”
“What!?”
The Elephant Boar was an abnormal variant of the Long-Nosed Boar and I believe it was an S-I rank monster.
Yamato had hunted several Jumbo-Nosed Boars, B-R rank monsters, so there was a possibility, but it seemed it had already appeared.
“Where?”
“It’s near Norte. Initially, the report went there, but Norte has no High Hunters, so it was forwarded to Dragunia.”
“That’s not good. Report the details.”
“Yes. It was confirmed yesterday evening. A B-rank raid, White Snow, witnessed an Elephant Boar attacking a Saber-Liger. There were also several Long-Nosed Boars, so it’s likely the horde of Long-Nosed Boars was ambushed by the Saber-Ligers and repelled.”
For Saber-Ligers, Long-Nosed Boars are a good target, so the story of them attacking a horde makes sense.
However, the presence of an Elephant Boar in that horde was unfortunate for the Saber-Ligers.
The Elephant Boar, being an abnormal variant, was a G-rank equivalent monster, and its large size meant even an S-rank monster like the Saber-Liger couldn’t stand against it.
“Since it’s about 30 minutes from Norte, Norte is currently gathering hunters and guards to establish a defense system. Fortunately, a Wyvern was present, and Norte’s guards headed to the Dragon King’s Castle for emergency assistance, from where a messenger came, leading to its discovery.”
“So, the Dragon King is also aware?”
“Yes. The Dragon Knights are already preparing for its subjugation.”
They’re moving fast.
Norte is the northernmost city in Valentia, but it’s also the gateway to Baliente and Torencia. They absolutely couldn’t afford to let any damage occur.
Norte has a barrier, so I don’t think the Elephant Boar will get through, but it’s not foolproof. Even with the Dragon Knights mobilized, if it isn’t dealt with quickly, the economic damage would be significant.
“Kaname-san, shall I go?”
“If you’re willing to go, that would be a great help, but it will take some time to prepare the reward.”
Yamato volunteered, but as it was an emergency expedition and he was an M-rank Hunter, the reward would be no less than 500,000 El, even conservatively estimated.
Furthermore, with P-rank Prim, G-rank Eos, and S-rank High Hunters like myself, Lydia, and Ludia, it would undoubtedly cost over 2 million El.
Even the Hunter’s Guild couldn’t pony up that much cash immediately.
“Regarding that, could the reward be all the Elephant Boar’s remains, including the magic stone?”
“The entire corpse, including the magic stone… I understand.”
Kaname hesitated at Yamato’s proposal.
Magic stones from abnormal variants were usually presented to the Royal Family or Lords. However, the Elephant Boar was a relatively common monster that appeared, so the Dragon Royal Family likely already possessed them.
Still, the magic stone of an abnormal variant held significant value, worth hundreds of thousands, or even millions of El depending on the rank.
Its thick, tough hide made for excellent armor, and its meat was delicious, so buyers would surely appear quickly. The long tusks, when combined with other materials, could reportedly double the length of whips or multi-jointed swords, making them highly coveted by some.
Honestly, I wanted them myself.
“We don’t need any monetary reward. We need the materials from the abnormal variant.”
The reason Yamato was so insistent on the abnormal variant materials was that the Winger Drake-made Crest Armor Coat he was currently wearing was no longer able to withstand the magic power of him and Prim.
Winger Drake was an S-R rank monster, but High Hunters like myself could use it without any problems.
However, Yamato and Prim were Ancient Class, and when they reinforced it with mana rings, they felt a stagnant sensation from their magic.
It hadn’t been like this at first, but after visiting the Treasure Tree in the Ideal Mountain Range, they began to feel it. This indicated that materials from S-R rank monsters could no longer withstand the magic of Ancient Class individuals.
Fortunately, or perhaps not, Prim didn’t fight extensively due to the issues in Baliente. Yamato, on the other hand, possessed an Arc Order’s Coat made from Gryphon leather, bestowed upon him in Float.
A Gryphon was an M-rank monster, and it seemed capable of containing Yamato’s magic power.
“If that’s the case, I have no choice but to agree. If we’re paying a reward and then losing the materials, the Hunter’s Guild would be operating at a severe deficit.”
And so it would be.
Even if a normal High Hunter hunted an abnormal variant, they would obtain some usable parts and always obtain its magic stone. Thus, even a deficit wouldn’t be too severe.
However, to Yamato, an Elephant Boar was no different from a normal monster, allowing him to hunt carefully while considering the materials. If those materials were taken away, along with the reward, the Hunter’s Guild would suffer a significant loss.
Of course, this was preferable to the damage caused by abnormal variants, but those materials also contributed to reconstruction funds, and abnormal variant materials sold quickly at high prices, so the Hunter’s Guild would want to secure them if possible.
However, due to the issue with the armor of Yamato and Prim, we also needed the materials.
In the unlikely event that their armor broke during combat due to magical fatigue, causing Yamato or Prim to be severely injured or killed, the consequences would be far greater. Therefore, Kaname had no choice but to agree.
“We will issue an urgent request for them. You, on the other hand, will report to His Majesty the Dragon King immediately. And do not forget to mention that all the materials from the abnormal variant, including the magic stone, will be the reward.”
“Understood!”
The Loxy employee quickly left the Master’s Room.
“Now then, Remy, the request form, please.”
“Understood.”
As it was a designated urgent extermination request, a request form detailing the target and reward was prepared for Yamato, who then signed it.
Prim looked envious, but if they were to defeat an Elephant Boar here, their levels would likely increase, leading to further complications.
Therefore, Prim would have to refrain for a while longer.
“The acceptance is now complete. We wish you good fortune.”
The contract was now in effect.
We had to hurry to the area near Norte and find the Elephant Boar.
