One week after the Slume Lord subjugation battle, hunters and Orders stayed in Bestia for an extended rest.
During that time, Rex and I were busy. We dispatched the second division of the Order, which had been dispatched to Rio, to Krater. We also brought some A-rank healers from Amister and reported on the Slume Lord subjugation battle at Amister’s Amagi Castle with the Raid Leader and Delfina. I don’t recall getting much rest.
We even brought Emperor Reinhardt to see the Slume Lord’s magic stone after its dissection and presentation to White Demon Castle.
By the way, the Slume Lord’s magic stone was ice-attribute, so it was white. It was a dull, deep, almost gray color. The Avalanche Howl’s magic stone was pure white. Considering the magic stones of the Orc Emperor and Orc Empress, it seems the magic stones of Demise Species tend to have intensified colors.
Furthermore, we asked Ed and the others to craft Hilde’s weapon and coat, and also started production of a Beast Carriage using branches from the Heavenly Tree.
Oh, right. Hildegard and I are now engaged, so I’ve been allowed to call her Hilde. At first, I thought about calling her Hilde since she’s the same age as Mako, but she told me, “Since I’m to be your wife, please call me by my name,” so I ended up calling her Hilde.
Incidentally, the wedding ceremony between Albert and Brunhild (Female) was just held. Albert’s wife and children have now moved to the royal family’s residential area in White Demon Castle, and they are scheduled to move to Snow Demon Castle once Brunhild (Female) is enthroned.
That’s about it for resuming combat training for Ed and the other Crafters. In the Crafters’ combat training, Fiana has finally evolved into a High Harpy, surpassing Ed and Marina in level. Since woodworkers often get opportunities to imbue mirroring, she was overjoyed. The healers, under Sayuri (Female), are also diligently studying and taking promotion exams. However, Yuri (Male) and Carol reportedly only barely achieved P-rank promotion. In contrast, Mako (Female) was effortlessly promoted to A-rank healer. Being an Ancient Healer capable of Extra Healing, she was welcomed with open arms not only by Emperor Reinhardt and Hilde but also by the Orders and Hunters dispatched to Torencia. They even held a celebratory banquet for her promotion in Bestia. Everyone understood the importance of Extra Healing after the Slume Lord subjugation battle.
The first and seventh divisions of the Hunters and Orders, having recovered from their injuries and magic depletion, and feeling that further inactivity would dull their skills, departed for Rio this afternoon.
“So this is Rio.”
Caesar, the leader of the Black Army, was visiting Torencia for the first time on this dispatch. The cityscape of Rio felt like a large port town with many stone buildings. Being closest to the Philia Continent, it also served as the gateway to Torencia. Although the Golud Great Glacier is nearby, it’s not adjacent like Krater, so the threat from monsters isn’t as high. Still, it’s close, and S-rank monsters are apparently hunted occasionally.
“S-rank? Not G-rank?”
“You can find them if you go to the Golud Great Glacier, but around Rio, S-rank is apparently the toughest.”
The Golud Great Glacier is about an hour away from Rio, but you need to cross a river. Perhaps because of that, G-rank monsters don’t appear in the vicinity of Rio. Apparently, the rare few that wander from the Golud Great Glacier are hunted by all the hunters in Rio.
“That’s a bit anticlimactic. Well, I just need to go to the Golud Great Glacier then.”
However, for this Alliance, hunting S-rank monsters is effortless, and they can even hunt G-rank monsters individually. After all, by coordinating, they’ve defeated the M-I rank Icequake Tiger in their respective raids. Furthermore, with Faris (Female), the Alliance Leader, having evolved into an Ancient Fairy, she can probably defeat monsters up to around G-I rank on her own.
“You can do as you please in that regard, but we’ve been asked to refrain from anything too flashy.”
“You’re telling me that, Yamato (Male)?!”
“Right?”
It seems that hunting only high-rank monsters can normalize expectations, leading to troublesome consequences later. Even though I only conveyed a message from Emperor Reinhardt and Rex, Slei said this, El agreed, and the others nodded deeply.
“You’re wearing a displeased expression, but considering what you’ve pulled, that’s only natural, isn’t it?”
“Right. For Feel, materials from supposedly rare high-rank monsters were sold cheaper than usual. I was surprised.”
Cliff and Saya (Female), the leader of Lily Wish, threw words at me that were fatal to my interests.
“Ah, well, we’re based in Feel.”
“Even so. Feather Drakes were practically being given away!”
Saya (Female) and the others in Lily Wish often act as Sayuri (Female)’s guards. They are also associated with the orphanage where they grew up, and their base is Float. As they are considered the best in Amister, they have enough skill to annihilate several B-rank Feather Drakes without difficulty. However, to hunt them near Float, they need to ascend the Ideal Mountain Range, so they don’t hunt them often. Other hunters are similar, so Feather Drake is usually a high-value item sold at a considerable price.
However, in Feel, because we hunted them excessively, their prices have crashed to levels comparable to C-rank monster materials. Because of this, Lily Wish purchased Feather Drakes during their stay in Feel to upgrade their equipment.
“Well, well, as long as the equipment could be reinforced, that’s good, isn’t it?”
“That’s true. So, it’s okay to go to the Golud Great Glacier, right?”
“Yes. However, for transportation and overnight stays, you’ll have to make your own arrangements until the Beast Carriages are completed?”
As additional compensation for the Torencia dispatch, all the raids requested finished versions of the prototype Beast Carriages we were using, and production has already begun. However, it seems it will take a few more days to complete. Surprisingly, due to contributions made in the Slume Lord subjugation battle, branches from the Heavenly Tree are even being used in part for their construction, which has sent the morale of the Torencia Department of the Crafters’ Guild – Feel Branch soaring. Originally, they should be produced at the Float Crafters’ Guild, and would be completed faster there. However, because I applied 50x Mirroring to these Beast Carriages, it was deemed that this information should not be widely disseminated, and therefore the Crafters’ Guild – Feel Branch, where I am based, took on the contract. The exterior is already complete and has undergone Mirroring; only the interior remains. Our own Beast Carriages are being postponed because of this. However, we have two prototypes and one other unit, so this is unavoidable.
“I heard it will be completed in a few days, so it’s no problem.”
“Right. Oh, Yamato (Male), could you?”
“Understood.”
As we were talking, we arrived in the city of Rio. Cliff, who was driving, called out to me. I retrieved the letter jointly issued by the King of Amister and the Queen of Torencia from my storage and disembarked from the Beast Carriage to greet and explain to the gate guards.
“It’s been a while. We’ve been waiting.”
Upon entering Rio and arriving at the Saber’s Guild, we were greeted by Sori, the female High Foxy leading the third division’s First Order, who had taken over from Rex and the second division’s First Order, and Sekia, the Saber Master of the Saber’s Guild – Rio Branch and a High Fairy.
“Yes, it has been a while.”
“Welcome back, General Order. Congratulations on your success in the Slume Lord subjugation battle.”
“Thank you.”
Sori had also been informed of our participation in the Slume Lord subjugation battle. After all, the first division was dispatched from Rio, there were not a few casualties, and the Slume Lord was successfully subdued. Even without a report, the news would surely reach them. The Alliance’s dispatch to Rio was also delayed.
“I apologize for being away from Rio for nearly ten days, though it was due to sudden circumstances.”
“Please don’t say that. In any case, the situation in Krater should have been prioritized. Though, I was quite surprised when a letter of success from His Majesty arrived by Wyvern.”
Sekia praised Rex, and as expected, that’s how it would seem.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sekia Manatial, Saber Master of the Saber’s Guild – Rio Branch. We are grateful for your reinforcements.”
With that, Sekia bowed to us Hunters.
“No, it took nearly ten days longer than planned, so we felt uneasy about it.”
“You also participated in the Slume Lord subjugation battle, so that is understandable. Rather, we are only grateful that you were able to participate there as well.”
There were many opinions within the Rio Saber’s Guild advocating for sending reinforcements to Krater. However, Rio is also the final defensive line to prevent Solemne’s landing, so they could not afford to reduce their forces, even against a Demise Species. Still, Sekia apparently didn’t think they would actually succeed in subjugating it.
“So, the returning first and seventh divisions will remain stationed in Rio?”
“Yes. Although the numbers have decreased, everyone has leveled up to some extent, so their overall combat strength should be unchanged.”
Rex discusses Rio’s defenses with Sekia. Indeed, all members of both the first and seventh divisions have leveled up. Rex and Muse (Female) are level 60, Rosemary (Female) is level 56, Delfina is level 58, Lucas, who is on good terms with us, is level 55, and Lyra is level 52. There are also many High Orders over level 50. Although there are casualties, reducing their numbers, their overall combat strength has increased. Naturally, I wouldn’t say this out loud as it would be disrespectful to other Orders.
“Also, the Alliance is generally free to act as they please. However, as per the regulations, you will need to apply for overnight stays, and you must inform the gate Guards and Sabers, even if it’s just a rough idea, of your destination.”
“Ah, we know. We came all the way to Rio for the war against Solemne, after all.”
It’s a hassle, but the six raids participating in the Alliance are required to report to the Orders and Sabers when leaving the city. As Faris (Female) said, if they were to leave Rio without permission and Solemne were to invade during their absence, it could potentially be construed as desertion in the face of the enemy. Even if it wasn’t considered desertion, if Solemne attacked while they were away and the battle concluded, regardless of the outcome, their purpose for coming would be nullified.
“Furthermore, to His Highness Manalease and Faris (Female), congratulations on your evolution to Ancient Class, albeit belatedly.”
“Thank you.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“By the way, Sori, what are the monsters like around Rio?”
“It’s relatively peaceful. When they do appear, they’re mostly C-rank. Oh, the day before yesterday, an S-rank Long-Footed Ear Scythe appeared.”
A Long-Footed Ear Scythe. It’s a rabbit-like monster, less than a meter tall, with unusually long hind legs. Because of this, its vertical jump is said to be nearly 50 meters. With such leg strength, a kick could inflict serious injuries even on a High Class, and its ears are said to be as sharp as sickles. Also, it’s omnivorous and apparently eats humans, so early eradication is highly recommended upon sighting. However, there are hunters who avoid them, not just Normal Class but even High Class.
“Ho. And what happened?”
“What do you mean? It jumped at me, and I cut it down from the front.”
Well, of course. Sori is a level 52 High Foxy, but since her equipment was upgraded, she commissioned a Jade Silver sword from the local Crafters’ Guild. Using that sword, she has apparently leveled up twice, and during that period, she also defeated S-rank monsters several times. Therefore, she apparently defeated the Long-Footed Ear Scythe without particular difficulty. Not just Sori, but Rex, Rosemary (Female), Muse (Female), and Delfina could probably defeat them similarly, as could the Alliance’s High Hunters.
“When it comes to S-rank monsters, it used to be quite difficult.”
“I agree. But now we have alloy weapons, and more importantly, thanks to Yamato (Male), our levels have also increased.”
“Indeed. Thanks to that, it looks like we can take it easy here in Rio.”
Faris (Female), Slei, and Caesar are saying this, but is that true? Well, regarding monsters, even G-rank ones can be dealt with, so it might indeed be easy. We need to keep a close eye on Solemne’s movements, but since Prim (Female) and I have sunk over 50 Steam Battleships, I don’t think they can do anything immediately. Still, I don’t think we sunk all of them, and they might have new weapons, so we can’t let our guard down. Surely, they wouldn’t have airplanes, though.
