Upon our triumphant return after defeating the Slume Lord, we were met with immense cheers not only in Krater but also in Bestia.
Furthermore, two A-rank healers in Bestia first regenerated the lost limbs of Bout and Delfina, allowing them to participate in the presentation, which then seamlessly transitioned into an award ceremony in the audience chamber of the White Demon Castle.
“For the Slume Lord subjugation battle this time, your participation allowed us to achieve victory without suffering significant casualties. I express my sincere gratitude.”
As planned, two Icequake Tigers were awarded to the hunters per raid, and three were given to us, Wing Crest, as rewards. In addition, prize money was disbursed according to the Hunter’s Guild regulations.
For Normal Class ranks S and below, it was 50,000 El. For High Class S-rank, it was 100,000 El, G-rank 200,000 El, P-rank 300,000 El, M-rank 400,000 El, and A-rank 500,000 El. This represented a considerable expense for the Torencia Royal Family.
Additionally, each raid received an extra 3 million El in prize money from the Royal Family.
“We are also truly grateful to the members of the Order’s Guild. While not a reward, three of the Icequake Tigers you defeated, and one Avalanche Howl, will be presented to the Amister Royal Family. Lord Rex, I request that you personally deliver them.”
“Yes. I will undoubtedly present them to Emperor Reinhardt.”
This was also according to plan.
Furthermore, those who participated in the Order would receive 100,000 El for High Class and 50,000 El for Normal Class.
“Saber’s Guild, Krater Branch, G-rank Saber, Albert Rioskudo.”
“Yes!”
“Your Krater Branch not only repelled the Slume Lord’s sudden attack but also displayed remarkable performance in the subjugation force. Therefore, each Saber who participated will be awarded prize money.”
“We are deeply honored.”
“Furthermore, for your unexpected but capable leadership in this Alliance, you have performed beyond expectations. To reward your efforts, I hereby appoint you a Mystic Knight.”
Mystic Knight is a title within the Saber’s Guild. Apparently, receiving this title grants promotion to A-rank Saber. However, similar to the Sky Knight of the Order’s Guild, it is also a knightly title that fundamentally signifies being a Grand Saber’s Master. Of course, there have been instances where individuals other than Grand Saber’s Masters have received it. The first Mystic Knight was Kazushi, who was also the only O-rank Saber.
“It is an honor far exceeding my worth.”
“And, Hilde.”
“Yes, Sister.”
However, when it was Albert’s turn, Princess Brynhild unexpectedly stepped forward.
“Your Highness?”
“Albert, I don’t know if this is considered a reward, but have you considered marrying me?”
“……What?”
“Do you intend to make me say it again?”
This was also unforeseen by me. I never imagined Princess Brynhild would propose to Albert. Albert himself seemed to be struggling to find the right words to answer.
“To be clear, I have already obtained the consent of your wives. Even I cannot offer myself as a mere reward without permission.”
“Um… Your Highness, are you truly certain about marrying someone like me?”
“What deficiency can be found in a hero who led the subjugation force against the Demise Species?”
That’s true.
“However, we haven’t achieved any particular significant accomplishments…”
“Yes, I am aware. But it is a fact that you defeated an M-I rank monster, the Icequake Tiger, isn’t it? In Torencia, even G-rank subjugations are rare, let alone P-rank. However, you defeated an Icequake Tiger, which is considered equivalent to A-rank, so it is a sufficient accomplishment, wouldn’t you agree?”
I didn’t know that. While I understood the Golud Great Glacier was an exception, Torencia had few G-rank monsters? Certainly, Aura Island, where Torencia is located, has no difficult terrains other than the Golud Great Glacier. Furthermore, the sea freezes in winter, so the variety of monsters is not particularly large. This is why we could maintain a state of vigilance against the Slume Lord in Krater and focus our attention on Solemnes vigilance in Rio.
“U-understood. If my wives have consented, then I have no objections. Princess Brynhild, I look forward to our future together.”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
Loud applause filled the audience chamber. For a royal marriage, the nobles of Torencia were remarkably restrained.
“Albert, please take good care of my sister.”
“Yes! I will protect her with my life!”
The marriage proposal of Princess Brynhild has been settled without a hitch. It feels a little unfortunate for Albert to have it settled in such a setting.
“Wing Crest Leader, Yamato Hydrangea Mikami.”
“Yes?”
While I was thinking that, my name was suddenly called.
“Yamato, for your direct contribution to the subjugation of the Demise Species, I wish to offer myself, albeit perhaps unworthy. Would you accept?”
*Gasp!*
I shouldn’t have been worrying about others! Me, and the one proposing is none other than Emperor Hildegard herself?!
“Let me be clear, we all approve of Sister Hilde joining you.”
“Rika-san too.”
And by the time I realized it, the outer defenses had already been breached! When did that even happen?! And Albert, please stop looking at me with such pity!
“Um, I… I am also an O-rank Order of Amister, so is this alright?”
“We are aware. However, distance is not an issue for you, is it, Yamato?”
In other words, similar to Rika, I’m being asked to install a Gate Stone in my private room at the Snow Demon Palace so I can travel between Alka and Torencia anytime, right? I mean, that’s certainly the most practical solution, but do I really have to marry the Queen of Torencia? Also, Raid Leaders, Mako-san, please stop shaking your shoulders.
“Prim, Mana, are you both truly alright with this?”
“I told you we got permission, didn’t I? And it’s not a bad deal for Torencia either. Considering your achievements, this is only natural.”
“Hilde is marrying Albert, so you are the only one left, Sister Hilde. It’s not an unusual situation.”
Not only the outer defenses but the inner defenses are also breached. It seems there’s no escape. Moreover, since this is considered a reward, refusing would be rude. I suppose I’ll have to brace myself.
“I… I look forward to our future together.”
“Thank you.”
Emperor Hildegard smiled as if a flower had bloomed. Simultaneously, thunderous applause once again echoed through the audience chamber. Apparently, I have a total of twelve wives, so this makes it the tenth. I certainly never imagined I’d end up marrying a queen.
**Side: Aria**
Three days after Yamato transferred the Alliance to Torencia, he returned to Alka for the first time in a while. Well, he had returned a few times to report to Emperor Reinhardt of Amister. So, I knew about his participation and success in the Demise Species subjugation. However, I never in my wildest dreams expected things to turn out like this.
“Another Queen of Torencia? Yamato, what exactly are you trying to do?”
“I’d like to ask you the same thing. This time too, by the time I realized it, not only the outer defenses but the inner defenses were completely breached.”
Yes, just as Edward-san looked utterly exasperated, Yamato was going to marry Hildegard Minato Torencia, the Queen of Torencia. From what I’ve heard, it was Yamato, Prim, and Mako who subjugated the Demise Species, so an ordinary reward wouldn’t be sufficient for their achievements. Therefore, it’s somewhat understandable that a woman from the Royal Family would be given to Yamato. However, her Majesty the Queen herself proposing to marry him was truly unexpected.
“Besides, I understand that Prim and the others have already given their consent. But since the other party is the Queen of Torencia, shouldn’t Emperor Reinhardt’s permission also be required?”
“We have also obtained that permission.”
“R-really?”
Indeed, it was “when did this happen.” Mana-sama and Yuri-sama went to Float on the night the Demise Species was first reported; they also received the Jade Silver sword then. So that’s the only time it could have happened.
“Well, fine. So Emperor Hildegard will also be visiting Alka more often, won’t she?”
“Ah. However, our marriage won’t be finalized until after the war with Solemnes concludes.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Since Yamato is an O-rank Order of Amister, if he were to marry Sister Hilde, he would have to enter the Snow Demon Palace as royalty. But that’s impossible, so the formal wedding will only take place after Sister Hilde abdicates.”
“And that abdication cannot happen until the war with Solemnes is over.”
That’s also quite a troublesome matter. In the first place, Emperor Hildegard did not initiate the war with Solemnes. Rather, Solemnes declared war arbitrarily and is attacking. Therefore, to end the war with Solemnes, the Imperial Capital Deseo must be captured, and her Majesty the Queen will accompany the troops on that occasion. It is said that she will be able to declare victory by ruling the captured Imperial Capital. Emperor Hildegard is a High Vampire, so she can handle minor issues herself. However, her younger sister, Princess Brynhild, although level 40, has not evolved into a High Class. If an accident were to occur, it could lead to the interruption of the Phantom King’s lineage. Therefore, Princess Brynhild will likely be busy with succession issues rather than military matters.
“Another troublesome affair. Well, it’s undeniable that the war with Solemnes should be concluded as quickly as possible.”
“Indeed. But right now, the sea is frozen, so the advance towards Solemnes will likely be in spring, won’t it?”
“That’s the problem. Torencia, considering the reduction in Sabers after the Slume Lord subjugation, would prefer spring. However, Amister, due to Retisencia and the Anti-Beast King Organization, wants to defeat Solemnes as soon as possible.”
“However, the Slume Lord subjugation battle also resulted in significant casualties among hunters and orders, so it can’t be done immediately. More importantly, we cannot deploy ships due to the sea ice.”
That is indeed a problem. Invasions from Retisencia seem to have halted due to the snowfall, but once the snow melts, they will undoubtedly attack again, this time with a large army of demons. Furthermore, with many prominent hunters and orders dispatched to Torencia, Amister’s military strength has been reduced. Normally, this would not be an issue, but with the forbidden magical artifact known as the Demon Crystal, Amister has no choice but to heighten its vigilance.
“One option is to seek cooperation from Libertà. We could transfer the Sabers, Orders, and Hunters to Libertà and then launch our incursion from there.”
“Since it’s on land, even Steam Battleships would be useless, so it sounds like a good idea?”
“It’s tricky. In that case, the Libertà army would also participate, leading to issues regarding the division of spoils afterward. Furthermore, to mobilize the Libertà army, parliamentary approval seems to be necessary.”
“Ah, I see. Amister and Torencia don’t particularly need Solemnes’ territory, but if Libertà were to take it all, that would also become a problem.”
“Ah. More importantly, in that scenario, the blueprints for the Steam Battleships would leak to Libertà. If possible, I’d prefer their existence to be erased entirely.”
“Why?”
“While partly for personal reasons — they don’t fit with the Helios Orb — it’s also possible that Libertà could become a hegemonic power. And, most importantly, if those blueprints were to fall into the hands of Valentia’s Anti-Beast King Organization, it would lead to an extremely troublesome situation.”
Yamato and Mako seem intent on eradicating the Steam Battleships from Helios Orb. Indeed, if Libertà or the Anti-Beast King Organization were to operate Steam Battleships, they would pose a greater threat than Solemnes. Fuel and ammunition could be stored in Storage Bags, and with Craft Magic, installing and removing cannons might become easier. While the magic spells “Flying” and “Scaffolding” have been proposed as countermeasures, facing Libertà or the Anti-Beast King Organization, who can use Inn magic, could lead to them being isolated.
“So, collaborating with Libertà is out.”
“Unless something extraordinary happens, yes. Another option is to use Transfer Stone Tablets to teleport near Deseo, but while it offers high element of surprise, the Steam Battleships would remain intact. I’m truly at a loss.”
That is indeed a major issue. Solemnes needs to be dealt with quickly, but Retisencia and the Anti-Beast King Organization cannot be ignored. However, we cannot fight on three fronts simultaneously, so it seems we must deal with them in order: Solemnes, the Anti-Beast King Organization, and then Retisencia.
