**Side Marina**
Raus looks exhausted, I wonder if he’s okay?
Well, I know why, so all I can say is “Hang in there.”
“Speaking of which, Yamato-san. What happened to Duke Reine?”
Fiana is asking Yamato about the fate of Duke Reine, who was planning to attack Esperanza with the Anti-Beast King Organization and kidnap the Pope.
“Who knows? I heard he was transferred from Esperanza to Float, but I don’t know the details.”
You should at least ask about that.
No, he sided with Solemne, so I can pretty much guess the outcome without being told.
Duke Reine is the head of the Estait Baronial territory, which is centered around Estait. However, the Estait Baronial territory has been annexed by Amister.
I heard that Duke Reine’s relatives came to Float to appeal directly about succeeding him, but there’s no way Emperor Reinhardt would approve of that.
However, beyond that, I have no idea what happened to the former Estait Royal family or what will happen to Duke Reine himself.
Well, if I ask Emperor Reinhardt, he’ll probably tell me.
“By the way, Raus, what about Seras-sama?”
“Please don’t bring up something that was just put on hold.”
“No, we can’t just let it go. If Seras-sama is going to be engaged to Raus, she’ll have to join the Union.”
“That might be true, but is that okay?”
“Whether it’s okay or not, I’m in the same boat. Right, Ed?”
“Don’t put it on me.”
Well, that’s true.
Fiana, Fiana’s younger sister, and Reina seemed to have joined on a whim by Yamato, but in the end, Fiana got engaged to Ed, and Reina got engaged to Raus, so I think Seras-sama will join too.
Right now, only Mako and Aria are free, but Mako is a guest like Yamato, and Aria is a shrine maiden to deliver divine prophecies to Yamato, so I think she’ll end up with Yamato.
However, Ed will have two more wives, and Raus will have two or three more, so if Seras-sama and Rebecca’s compatibility is good, Raus just needs to do his best.
“For now, I’ll draw out the specifications for the Twin Swords. It should be fine to ask about weapon designs casually.”
“What kind of casual talk is that?”
“They’re Order and Swordsmen, so it should work out. Oh, and let me know when it’s decided? I’ll make it between progresses.”
Yamato and Ed are laying the groundwork, but they’re relentless.
Well, Raus is like a younger brother to both of them, so they’re probably fond of him.
“You guys are cruel too. Well, I can understand the Princess of Libertà being for Raus-kun.”
“Right?”
Saya-san, the leader of Lily Wish, is looking at them with a bewildered expression.
The children rescued from Libertà were entrusted to the orphanage where Lily Wish was raised, and a B-rank Hunter named Camellia, who was protecting them, is also staying there. So, after explaining the situation, we asked Lily Wish to come as well.
“I never thought I’d be able to enter Sayuri-sama’s mansion from Alka.”
“It’s fast, isn’t it? Of course, it’s not usually possible.”
“Of course. If outsiders could easily enter and leave Ou Renten Street, the security of Amagi Castle would be compromised.”
It seems Saya-san and the others have also been invited to Ou Renten Street several times.
I heard that Sayuri-sama provided the building and gathered people for the orphanage where Lily Wish originated.
Sayuri-sama herself apparently visited often, so she is like a mother, a friend, and a benefactor to Lily Wish.
Because she has been taken care of by Sayuri-sama since childhood, her level has risen quickly, and before she knew it, they became known as the top Union in Amister. However, Saya-san and the others don’t seem to like that appellation.
“So, what’s happening with that Hunter?”
“I heard she’s trying to join the Deseo Conquest, so she’s directly appealing to the Hunter’s Guild.”
“The Head Hunter’s Master must be in a difficult position.”
In the first place, all the Hunters from Amister participating in the Deseo Conquest have already moved to Rio in Torencia.
Holy Grave 12 people (7 people) (1 person)
Gracious Lynx 16 people (5 people)
Falcon’s Beak 10 people (4 people)
Black Army 13 people (5 people)
Wise Rainbow 14 people (5 people)
Snow Blossom 10 people (5 people)
Sacred Bird 19 people (4 people)
Riot Flag 14 people (4 people)
Lily Wish 16 people (9 people)
Trial Hearts 13 people (5 people)
Wing Crest 24 people (12 people) (4 people)
These 11 Unions, totaling 156 people, including 65 High Class and 5 Ancient Class, will participate in the Deseo Conquest as Amister’s Hunters, but there are only a little over 30 B-rank Hunters.
B-rank Hunters are said to be the most numerous, forming the backbone, but this time, the Alliance has the most S-rank Hunters, due in part to Yamato, Prim, and Mako’s combat training. This has led to a bizarre situation where even S-rank Hunters cannot be considered the main force.
Hunters from Torencia are also expected to join, so eventually, not only B-rank but also C-rank Hunters will increase. However, if they wanted to, this Alliance alone could take Deseo.
Of course, that would cause nothing but problems, so they’re not doing it.
“I understand how they feel. But that’s why we can’t have Lily Wish join, can we?”
Since everyone in Lily Wish is from the same orphanage, their bonds are strong.
Camellia is also from an orphanage, so she understands their feelings well, but that’s precisely why if Camellia goes rogue, there will be no deterrent, so Saya-san and the others have no intention of letting Camellia join Lily Wish.
Camellia is from a different orphanage, and if one were to be suspicious, there are plenty of reasons. This is only natural.
“I understand that. If it comes down to it, we’ll take care of it. Of course, if they tell us it’s over after defeating the Emperor, we’ll have to give up.”
“That’s true.”
As Yamato says, it depends on the answer, but they intend to have Camellia join the Wing Crest.
It’s more of a response to Prim, Fiana, and Fiana’s opinions than Yamato’s, but they can’t just let her join unconditionally, so they need to get a clear answer from Camellia.
“This is it. Oh, it’s quite lively.”
“Isn’t it that she made friends with the children she brought from Estrella?”
“Ah, that’s possible.”
Sayuri-san said that and opened the orphanage door.
“Oh, welcome back.”
“S-Sayuri-sama!?”
Standing there was the former Queen, Sayuri-sama, who is a guest like Yamato and Mako.
Several orphans are clinging to her, so she must have been playing with them. I never expected Sayuri-sama to be here.
“Weren’t you at Feel?”
“That’s settled for now, and I was curious about the children too. More importantly, Saya, weren’t you supposed to be dispatched to Torencia? Why are you here?”
“That’s what I should be asking you… but I suppose it’s more natural for us to be here.”
Sayuri-san said that and explained the situation.
“So that’s what happened. That girl, Camellia, is apparently at the Hunter’s Guild. She left before I arrived, so she should be back soon.”
She’s going to the Hunter’s Guild again.
When Estrella was attacked by Solemne’s Steam Battleship, several cannonballs hit the orphanage where Camellia grew up, and the orphanage collapsed.
Camellia and the Red Bracelets nearby fought hard to protect the children, but only seven children were able to be rescued, and the others were lost.
Some children were blown away by cannonballs right in front of Camellia, so I can understand Camellia’s desire to participate in the Deseo Conquest.
“Then we’ll wait a little while. We were also concerned about the children’s condition.”
“Do that. Everyone, Saya-neechan and the others are back!”
“Huh? Saya-oneechan?”
“Oneechan!”
As Sayuri-sama called out, the children came out all at once.
Lily Wish is holding the children and crouching to meet their eye level. They’re really good at this.
“Saya-oneechan, who are these big brothers?”
“They are friends of your older sisters. Come on, they brought those children.”
“Ah, I see!”
Fortunately, it seems they’ve made friends with the children from Estrella.
I was worried about whether the children from Estrella had any emotional scars, but we can only tell by observing their progress.
However, after they were rescued, the Red Bracelets kept them away from the orphanage, and it might be a relief that none of the other children witnessed the deaths of their companions.
“I’m back…”
As they were playing with the children, Camellia returned.
She looks very dejected, but I guess she was rejected by the Hunter’s Guild again today.
“Welcome back. We’re just visiting.”
“Huh? Yamato-san? Why are you at the orphanage?”
“I had some business. I heard you were at the Hunter’s Guild?”
“Yes. However, they told me that the members for the Deseo Invasion Alliance had already been decided and that they had already departed from Float…”
She seems to have appealed directly to the Head Hunter’s Master, saying she could follow later, but there’s no way she would be accepted.
In the first place, the Alliance is already gathered in Torencia, so it’s a matter of not even being able to follow them.
“That’s right. The Alliance that was originally dispatched as reinforcements to Torencia ended up participating in the Deseo Conquest.”
“R-really? And who are you?”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Saya, the leader of Lily Wish.”
“What!?”
Camellia should have heard that this orphanage is where Lily Wish was raised, but she looks surprised that Lily Wish would return at this timing.
“We called you because we had no other choice. Lily Wish will also participate in the Deseo Conquest, so we don’t have much time.”
“S-so then!”
Her face brightened, as if she had found a glimmer of hope.
“Don’t misunderstand, we have no intention of letting you join Lily Wish. Rather, we are here to confirm what you plan to do after Deseo falls.”
“Eh…?”
“Everyone in Lily Wish is from this orphanage. I heard you were also an orphan, but that’s precisely why we can’t let you join. You understand the reason, don’t you?”
“…Yes.”
Camellia seems to understand what Saya-san means.
Even if she were to join Lily Wish, Camellia would be the only one from a different orphanage, so she wouldn’t escape her loneliness, and she might even start suspecting that her own opinions aren’t being heard.
This would only be detrimental to Lily Wish, so we never intended to let her join Lily Wish from the start.
“To continue, Camellia, assuming you participate in the Deseo Conquest and it falls, what will you do afterward?”
“Even if you join some Raid, you can’t just say goodbye when it’s all over. You know that, right?”
“Of course. That’s why I wanted to continue being a Hunter, if allowed, by remaining in the Raid. …Though, I might just be thinking that.”
I don’t expect her to have an easy answer, as she hasn’t even processed her emotions yet.
“This is a mean question, but your answer isn’t just a pretext to participate in the Deseo Conquest, is it?”
Saya-san asks a truly cruel question, but this is something that absolutely must be confirmed.
Depending on her answer, Camellia may not be able to participate in the Deseo Conquest.
“…I don’t know. But to avenge the children, I want to go to Deseo. I want to strike back, even at the cost of my life. Whatever happens after that…”
It’s heavy, but it’s as expected.
If she can get revenge on Solemne, Camellia is willing to risk her own life.
Rather, she intends to participate in the Deseo Conquest with the intention of sacrificing her life, so she hasn’t thought about what happens afterward.
It’s understandable, as they are like younger siblings to her, but there’s no need to waste her life for someone like Solemne.
“Yamato, is that alright?”
“Yeah.”
After confirming with Yamato, Ed took out a sword forged from Jade Silver from Fiana’s storage and offered it to Camellia.
“Huh? This sword is?”
“It’s proof.”
“Proof?”
To Camellia, who looked confused, Yamato continued.
“Camellia, absolute obedience to orders. If that’s acceptable, we’ll take you.”
“R-really!?”
“However, if you violate orders, I will immediately send you back to Float, and in some cases, I will cut you down. If that’s acceptable, then.”
“I don’t mind. Please!”
Camellia bowed deeply to Yamato.
“I’m glad it all worked out.”
“I’m sorry, Saya-san. Thank you.”
“We understand how you feel. If this place were attacked, we would fight with all our might.”
All of Lily Wish nodded at Saya-san’s words.
Well, it’s famous that Lily Wish comes from this orphanage and still takes care of the children, so I don’t think there are any idiots who would do such a thing.
Making an enemy of Lily Wish, known as the top in Amister, would be the same as suicide.
“More importantly, Camellia, it will be tough until you join Wing Crest, as we depart for Deseo in a few days.”
“Huh?”
Camellia, who had just taken the sword from Ed, looked bewildered.
The rumors should have reached Libertà, but Camellia only registered as a Hunter a month ago, so she might not be that familiar with it.
As Saya-san explained, Camellia’s face turned paler and paler.
Camellia is a B-rank Hunter at level 32, which is average by general standards, but unfortunately, compared to the Hunters participating in the Alliance, she’s closer to the bottom.
In fact, the only Hunter with a lower level than Camellia is Reina.
The situation would be different if Hunters from Torencia joined, but she only registered a month ago, so she can’t compete in terms of experience.
Therefore, tomorrow, we plan to take her to Seryado Volcano for reconnaissance as well.
Of course, Ed and I, as well as Sir Yuri, Viola, and Yuria, want to evolve into High Class if possible, so it will be quite tough for Camellia.
Of course, we don’t intend to push Fiana, Reina, and Aria too hard.
