Eos was incredibly fast, arriving at Amister’s royal capital, Float, around 4 PM.
Eos’s visit to Float wasn’t an issue; we’d received a letter from Rosalie, the ambassador to Valentia, and she hadn’t been mistaken for a monster. In fact, we’d been instructed to come directly to Amagi Castle upon arrival.
We reunited with Emperor Reinhardt, H.R.H. Elis, and H.R.H. Maruca in the reception room of Amagi Castle. I reported on the events in Valentia, my engagement to Athena, Mana and Eos’s Dragon Resonance Contract, the conquest of the Solpreza Labyrinth, and Narlstadt’s rebellion with Abarisia’s involvement.
Once the report was mostly complete, Prime Minister Laraina informed us that the Head Butler’s Master, Head Hunter’s Master, and Grand Crafter’s Master had arrived and were immediately ushered into the reception room.
“So, you’ve formally contracted with Yuria. Understood, I will handle the procedures later.”
Head Butler’s Master Shail offered to handle the procedures with a kind smile.
Technically, with Yuria’s grandmother, Mikana, accompanying us, we didn’t need to visit the Butler’s Guild. However, after seeing my grandmother again for the first time in a while, I had no intention of spoiling the mood with such a mundane task.
“This gives me a real headache…”
“I agree. I never expected them to bring in this many Dragoons into the equation…”
Head Hunter’s Master Sierra and Grand Crafter’s Master Alfred, Ed’s father, sighed heavily while looking at the monster list from the Solpreza Labyrinth.
“I totally get how you feel, Dad.”
“Right?”
Ed and Marina showed sympathy towards Alfred, but weren’t they the ones who were overjoyed every time we hunted something?
“From this list, the ones we can purchase are…
One Desert Drake
Four Winger Drakes
One Evil Drake
One Sword Drake
Ten Velociraptors
Three Allosauruses
One Protoceratops
One Brachiosaurus
One Titanosaurus
Three Macronarias
One Sky Scorpion
Two Whipper Monkeys
One Grand Deathwurm
One Blueleaf Ent
One Fortress Whale
One Lesser Dragoon
One Lake Dragoon
One Moonlight Dragoon
One Spark Dragoon.”
“That’s a decent number, but it’s small compared to the number of Dragoons you’ve defeated. Ed, what’s going on?”
Sierra and Alfred’s wife, Catherine, tilted her head as she looked at the purchase list.
“It’s simple. The Crest Armor Coat we’re currently using can no longer withstand the magic of Yamato and Prim. However, the Arc Order’s Coat seems to be fine, so we plan to make new coats for everyone using these Dragoons.”
“I see. If I recall, that coat uses Winger Drake hides, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. Winger Drakes are S-rank monsters, so I think they can’t handle their magic.”
Alfred, Aeris, and Catherine seemed to understand, but at the same time, Ed, Marina, and Fiana were pierced with envious gazes.
It was natural to be envious when they could use Dragoon materials as they pleased.
“If you put it that way, the Hunter’s Guild can’t exactly force you to sell them.”
“The Crafter’s Guild feels the same, but even so, aren’t you keeping too many for yourselves?”
“We have our reasons.”
Marina’s plan was to use Gold Dragoon hide as the outer layer, Disaster Dragoon hide as the lining, and then connect hides of other attribute Dragoons according to each person’s preference. This would not only improve defense but also enhance affinity and utility with elemental magic. The Gold and Disaster Dragoons were close to 50 meters long, so even with test production and gifts for the Emperor and his family, there was plenty to spare.
“Also, Your Majesty. Regarding Yamato’s Arc Order’s Coat, there are signs of slight deterioration on the areas using Winger Drake hide. We will offer all the Gryphons we acquired, so could you ask His Majesty the King to remake it?”
“Is that so? Well, indeed, the Arc Order’s Coat also uses Winger Drake hide, so if that coat cannot withstand Yamato and Prim’s magic, then it’s only natural.”
Emperor Reinhardt showed a surprised expression at Fina’s report. To prevent magic fatigue and deterioration of the Crest Armor Coat, I had frequently used the Arc Order’s Coat in the Solpreza Labyrinth. While it hadn’t deteriorated as much as the Crest Armor Coat, I was hesitant to continue using it as is. The Arc Order’s Coat used Winger Drake hide for the gauntlets, greaves, trousers worn under the armor, and the cape. If I offered the two Gryphons in storage, they should be able to manage it.
“Understood, if that’s the case. His Father can also utilize the Gryphons, and it will also ensure Yamato’s safety, so he will likely begin the work immediately.”
“Thank you.”
“Since you’re offering Gold and Disaster Dragoons for our sake, this is the least we can do. However, it will likely take some time.”
His Majesty the King wasn’t exactly idle, after all. I was grateful just to have it remade.
“That’s not something we can get involved with, but what about this side of things?”
“This side?”
Sierra looked exasperated, but which side was she referring to?
“Yes, most people will be ranking up, right? How are you going to handle the procedures for that?”
“Indeed. Furthermore, Marquis Frederica can be promoted to B-rank Order, and Mina can even be promoted to S-rank Order. Promotions will happen, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be problems.”
Ah, that. That was certainly the case.
Rika’s Order’s Rank was being handled by Tolman later, and while Crafters, Healers, and Butlers wouldn’t rank up without taking exams, the problem lay with the Hunters. Many of them were at a level where they could be promoted to G-rank, and Prim was M-rank. However, if word got out that they all ranked up immediately after returning from Valentia, it would surely cause trouble. There was a school of thought that it would be better not to proceed with the promotions until we returned to Feel. Moreover, Mina, in addition to becoming a G-rank Hunter, would also become an S-rank Order, so it was bound to cause issues.
“It won’t make much difference even if you do the procedures at Feel. In fact, it’s more likely to cause problems there. You are based in Feel, so not only would the common folk, but even spies from other countries could infiltrate.”
“Why?”
“You see, the fact that you’ve based yourselves in Feel has already spread throughout Amister and even to other countries. Because of that, there are rumors that several raids are heading towards Feel. While it’s not a bad thing to have fewer Hunters in Feel right now, there are rumors that these include Hunters from Alegria, Torencia, Valentia, and Libertà, and even High-Class ones. High-Class individuals have connections with their country’s upper echelons, so if you made such a flashy mass promotion there, it would surely cause a stir!”
Ah, that was certainly troublesome. And if that were the case, since we were based in Feel, we’d have nowhere to run.
“That’s certainly troublesome. But if you rank up here, it will raise suspicions about Valentia’s involvement. What do you think about that?”
“That’s a headache for me as well, but the fact that H.R.H.s went to the Solpreza Labyrinth is undeniable, so we’ll have to push through with that.”
It was true that everyone’s levels had increased due to hunting in the Solpreza Labyrinth, so it wasn’t a matter of pushing through, but rather the truth itself. Or rather, it depended on the country whether they chose to believe it. Torencia’s queen was said to be like a sister to Prim and Mana, and Alegria had the Grand Hunter’s Master, so I didn’t think they would do anything too unreasonable. The problem lay with the Hunters from Valentia and Libertà. We hadn’t yet released the manufacturing methods for Jade Silver and Blue-Gray Iron to Libertà, so that might be their motive. However, the real issue was the Hunters from Valentia. Considering their potential connection with former Prince Leonas, there was a possibility of hostile Hunters appearing, not just friendly ones.
“If I may add, I believe everyone, including Prim, should rank up on the spot. We won’t actively spread the news, but you can’t stop people from talking. Therefore, by letting the rumors spread from Float, we can deter other countries, especially Valentia. Furthermore, since the promotions are happening in front of me, we can strongly argue that you are under Amister’s protection.”
By ranking up in front of the King of Amister, His Majesty could accurately grasp our levels and ranks, and the entire Union would be under Amister’s protection. Well, with me, an O-rank Order, present, unless someone was incredibly foolish, they wouldn’t consider hostility.
“If that’s the case, I request it. And everyone else?”
“No objections.”
It seemed everyone had no objections to ranking up. This would mean Prim M-rank, Mana, Mina, Lydia, Ludia, and Raus G-rank, Flam and Rebecca S-rank, and Athena B-rank.
“Two M-ranks, six G-ranks, and three S-ranks, all High-Class, and with Ancients among them. This is undoubtedly the strongest raid, no, the Union before the Helios Orb.”
“I don’t really care.”
“I agree. Although, if they try to lay a hand on us, we’ll make sure they pay a suitable price.”
I agreed with that.
“Regarding that, I can only say to not go too far.”
“Indeed. In any case, the rank-up procedures will be handled after our conversation is concluded.”
They said after the conversation, but it was almost over. I assumed the next step would be selling the monsters from the list at the Hunter’s Guild. We’d be staying at Amagi Castle tonight, but tomorrow, I had to visit Rika’s mother in Memoria to offer my congratulations on my engagement. I’m nervous but need to prepare thoroughly starting now.
“No, the conversation is already over. Head Hunter’s Master, Head Butler’s Master. I apologize for the trouble, but please proceed with the procedures.”
“Understood.”
Shail instructed Mikana and presented the contract he had brought before Yuria. Sierra received Mana and the others’ licenses and began the rank-up procedures using Hunter Magic. With this, the Hunters were promoted, and Yuria officially became a member of the Wing Crest.
Now, all that’s left is to go to the Hunter’s Guild and sell the monsters from that list. We’ll be staying at Amagi Castle today, but tomorrow I have to pay my respects to Rika’s mother for our engagement in Memoria. I’m nervous, but I need to properly think about it starting now.
