The morning after conquering the Instant Labyrinth and inviting Emperor Reinhardt and his party to Alka, Flam, Fiana, and Sayuri-sama and I went to the Crafter’s Guild. We placed an order for a single-edged straight sword made of Jade Silver for Chris-san, Dart, and Riala, and relayed our feedback on the test Beast Carriage and opinions from the Alliance.
Malan-san, the Vehicle Chief of the Production Department, seemed surprised to hear the Alliance’s opinions at this time. As a result of accepting the Alliance’s feedback, the deck was extended by about two meters, requiring the main body and chassis of the Beast Carriage to be newly constructed. However, the hull is still in the stage of repeated trial and error, so we agreed to convey specification changes later.
Regarding the hull, which is proving difficult to develop, a decision was made based on Sayuri-sama’s proposal to further increase its size to facilitate combat on board. My initial idea was for the Beast Carriage to simply be placed on top of a boat, but for stability, it was determined to be better to build a ship and mount the main body on it. The cabin would remain the same as the Beast Carriage, so it would be less like placing the main body on the ship and more like fitting it into the ship. Considering the overall balance, the driver’s seat was to be set up separately, creating a distance from the cabin, but there was nothing that could be done about it.
By the way, the planned specifications for the hull are a width of 5 meters, a total length of 20 meters, and a depth of 2.5 meters. The front deck is to be expanded by approximately 3 meters, and the rear deck by approximately 5 meters. This will secure about 20 square meters of space on the front deck and about 50 square meters on the rear deck, which should be sufficient for shipboard combat.
Since they will be creating another new prototype, and they need more data, we decided to take custody of the test Beast Carriage and chassis. The new prototype body will have a gently curved, trapezoidal bottom to make it easier to mount on the chassis and hull, and its height will also be reduced. The current prototype, including the chassis, is nearly one meter tall up to the cabin, which was a factor in the difficulty of developing the hull, as it was designed with operation as a ship in mind. Therefore, by lowering the height of the main body and creating a gentle curve at the bottom, it will be easier to mount onto the hull while maintaining the shape that Athena and Eos can easily hold.
As we are entrusting them with troublesome development, and the completion date is completely unknown, we decided to pay the costs incurred for the current Beast Carriage, including the hull, at the reception desk, and also provided a generous supply of sake. Although it amounted to 8 million El, which is quite a bit of Magic Silver sunk into Veil Lake, we were able to pay for it immediately thanks to the considerable profits we made in the Solpreza Labyrinth and the Instant Labyrinth.
Then, the very next morning, we successfully received the swords at the Crafter’s Guild. It was a sudden request, and an extremely urgent one at that, for three custom-made swords. We were charged an additional 30% fee, but there was no helping it. After receiving the swords and paying the fee, we transferred to Float. We had heard from Emperor Reinhardt that the appointment ceremony for the new Order’s Master and Sub Order’s Master of Memoria would be around noon, and we were also to escort them to Memoria afterward. One of the reasons was to register Memoria with the Gate Crystal while we were escorting Chris-san and the others. It wasn’t necessary for everyone to accompany us, so this time, besides myself, only Mana, Yuri, Meena, and Athena were going. The other Hunters were on hunts, the Crafters were crafting, and the Butler was managing the Hinomoto Mansion in Alka.
Speaking of Raus, Rebecca, and Carol, who wanted to contract with Battle Horses, unfortunately, there weren’t any compatible individuals at Feel’s ranch, so they weren’t able to form contracts. Therefore, they expressed a desire to visit Respect, the capital of Count Sofia’s territory, which possesses vast Battle Horse ranches. The Marquisate of Amatista is immediately to the north of Count Sofia’s territory, so perhaps we should record Respect on our way back.
“Congratulations on your inauguration as Sub Order’s Master.”
I was allowed to attend the appointment ceremony as an O-rank Order, so I am still wearing my Arc Order’s Coat. Meena is wearing her Crest Armor, while Mana, Yuri, Rika-san, and Athena are in dresses. Mana and Yuri are members of the Royal Family, so this is natural. Athena’s Armor Coat is not yet finished, so she is attending as the daughter of the Holy Mother Dragon this time. As a substitute, we gave her a replica Armor Coat made from Feather Drake leather, but it is inferior to the Crest Armor Coat in both appearance and performance. Rika-san, being the Lord of Memoria, was very interested in who the new Order’s Master and Sub Order’s Master would be. Therefore, she obtained permission from Count Sofia and Viscount Archlight to accompany us this time.
“I’d like to say thank you, but I still think it’s really that okay for a young guy like me to be a Sub Order’s Master.”
That’s just how it is. But since you’re a High Class and His Majesty, the Grand Order’s Master, and the Associate Order’s Master have approved your appointment, Dart, you shouldn’t worry about it too much.
“Here.”
“A sword? What’s this?”
Dart looked at the sword presented without preamble with a puzzled expression.
“As Sub Order’s Master, you’re a P-rank Order, and you’ve received your Platinum Order’s Coat, haven’t you?”
“Well, it’s allowed for Sub Order’s Masters to wear it.”
“That may be magnificent, but your sword is not much different from your old one, so you’ll certainly look out of place. Not that it’s the only reason, but I brought this as a congratulatory gift for your appointment.”
The Platinum Order’s Coat is longer than the Order’s Coat, reaching above the knees. Although the pauldrons are magnificent, the breastplate and abdominal plate are designed to be worn under the coat, making it appear to have low defensive capabilities at first glance. However, the coat fabric is made of Feather Drake leather, and the pauldrons, breastplate, abdominal plate, and even the gauntlets and boots are made of Jade Silver, so their defensive capabilities are high, contrary to their appearance.
However, the sword, although its design was slightly altered when it was reforged with Jade Silver, was only slightly changed. Therefore, it looks out of place, especially with the Platinum Order’s Coat, let alone the Order’s Coat. Orders are permitted to prepare their own swords and shields, and it seems that Order’s Masters and Royal Orders are increasingly commissioning custom orders from the Crafter’s Guild.
“Seriously? No, I appreciate it, but is it really okay?”
“Of course. This one is Riala’s, and this one is Chris-san’s.”
Dart’s appointment as Sub Order’s Master and Riala’s subsequent marriage meant that they were moving to Memoria quite suddenly. Therefore, we were able to determine that Dart and Riala had not yet placed custom order requests, so we prepared them. We didn’t know about Chris-san, but her husband is a High Hunter and her wife is a Trader, so we thought she would prioritize her husband’s weapon and prepared it accordingly.
“You even have swords for us. Well, I certainly appreciate it and am happy about it, but is it really okay?”
“Yes, please accept them without hesitation.”
“Thank you!”
Riala was the first to accept her sword. Although Riala is a G-rank Order and still wears her Order’s Coat, the design is the same as Dart’s. Both are slender swords, with the guard designed to resemble a Pegasus spreading its wings, which is the origin of their family name. Chris-san’s sword has a pure white, wide blade, and is decorated with embellishments on the guard and up to the middle of the blade.
“Well then, Chris and Dart, change your clothes, and then we’ll head to Memoria.”
“I heard from His Majesty that you would be accompanying us, Yamato-kun. Is that truly alright?”
“It’s fine. Rika is also concerned about Memoria, and we have our own reasons to go as well.”
“Thank you. Then please excuse us as we hurry to change. Dart.”
“Understood.”
As an O-rank Order and an A-rank Hunter, the fee for escorting me would normally be astronomical. However, since we also have reasons to go to Memoria, and the fact that these three are being assigned to Memoria is not something I can ignore, I proposed this arrangement from our side. I also feel a good rapport with Dart.
“Speaking of which, Riala, what about your residence?”
“We’ll decide that after we get to Memoria. It will probably take a few days, so until then, we’ll be staying at the Order’s Guild dormitory.”
“Is that so?”
“When an Order is assigned to a branch, they can either live in the dormitory or a rented house. Single individuals often stay in the dormitory, while married couples tend to rent houses. Oh, and for Order’s Masters and Sub Order’s Masters, it’s common to provide a sufficiently spacious detached house.”
I didn’t know that. Even though it’s a transfer by order from above, they expect you to find your own place to live. Having a dormitory available is probably a benefit.
“So, will Chris-san also be staying in a rented house?”
“I believe so. Chris-san’s husband is a Hunter, and her wife is a Trader. Their children will soon be adults, but her wife’s child is still only five years old, so they’ll likely be staying in an inn for a while.”
I seem to recall hearing something like that. The Order’s Guild dormitories are primarily for single individuals or those on temporary assignments, so they aren’t very large. Two people could manage, but it wouldn’t be suitable for the newly married couple Dart and Riala, much less for Chris-san with her family.
“No, Chris had already identified a potential rental house when she visited Memoria before.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. Although she was there for an inspection, she had already been unofficially selected to be appointed Sub Order’s Master at that time, so she should have a few candidates in mind. My mother was consulting with her about it.”
Come to think of it, Chris-san had already been pre-selected for the Sub Order’s Master position when she was dispatched to Memoria. While it’s possible for an inspection to find issues and prevent an appointment, the very fact that an inspector is dispatched usually means there’s a problem with the current Order’s Master or Sub Order’s Master, and in over 90% of cases, one of them will be dismissed and a new one appointed. Considering the circumstances under which Chris-san was dispatched, her appointment was 120% confirmed, and Chris-san understood this, so she naturally would have considered where she would live in Memoria. The fact that she consulted with Elisabeth-san, Rika-san’s mother and the acting Lord, suggests that Elisabeth-san is also welcoming of Chris-san’s appointment.
“Should we also consult with Mother about Riala’s new residence?”
“Please do.”
Riala’s preference is for a rental house close to the Order’s Guild headquarters, and preferably close to guilds and shops. No, those are the conditions anyone would want, right?
“Those conditions will be quite strict. I understand how you feel, but given the location, even if such a place existed, the rent would be quite exorbitant.”
See? However, there are times when you can find bargains, so it might be worth having it looked into.
After a while, Chris and Dart returned, having changed into their Platinum Order’s Coats. All that’s left is to travel to Memoria. Dart and Riala are ready, but Chris needs to pick up her family. They know about today’s departure, so I assume they are prepared, but her husband is a High Hunter and a member of a Union. They’ll be moving the entire Union to Memoria on this occasion. I thought it was quite a bold move for their Union, Blade Knights, but they apparently discussed and decided on it when Chris was dispatched to Memoria as an inspector. Blade Knights have already departed for Memoria, and only Chris’s husband remains on Float. By the way, Blade Knights is a Union consisting of one G-rank Hunter, three S-rank Hunters, three B-rank Hunters, two C-rank Hunters, three Traders, and two Healers.
It will take less than three hours to travel to Memoria, but given that the days are getting shorter, it will be evening by the time we arrive. Respect is not far from Feel’s place either, so perhaps we’ll go another time.
