Side: Prim
A night has passed since we defeated the Solemne Army and a swarm of Antlions.
As planned, after breakfast, we informed the Solemne Army prisoners about their treatment upon arrival in Deseo. Then, myself, Wing Crest, along with Ms. Saya, Ms. Shazara, and Delfina, boarded our Tenju Manufacturing Beast Carriage and headed to Deseo, with Eos carrying me.
The Allied Forces’ Ancient Class has grown to 26 individuals. However, it’s impossible for all of us to go, so we’ve split into two groups of 13.
Since it’s problematic to go with only Hunters, Delfina, from the 7th Squad’s First Order, has been designated to accompany us.
Mr. Rex is a General Order, and Ms. Rosemary and Ms. Muse are Secondary Orders, so they cannot leave the main unit.
Ms. Miranda also has the responsibility of organizing the Royal Order. Moreover, the Royal Order also serves as the Imperial Guard, and with the current situation of 3,000 prisoners, it’s impossible for them to move.
Therefore, with the remaining Ancient Orders, Delfina was the only choice.
“Even after a night has passed, I still can’t believe I evolved into an Ancient Class.”
“Me neither. To begin with, the only person who evolved into an Ancient Class in the Inside Order was Lady Jeanne. Yet, here we are, with five new additions all at once.”
Lady Jeanne Kirschlicht. She was an O-Rank Order from the same era as Mr. Kazushi of Torencia, Ms. Eliel, and Shinichi of Bacion. Historically, she was the first Inside-Ancient Order. She was female, and her race was supposed to be Elf. It’s said that because she was an O-Rank Order, she continuously refused the position of Grand Order’s Master, but she eventually took on the role of Associate Order’s Master. She lost her life in a battle against the Disaster Dragoon, an A-I Rank monster that appeared during Retisencia’s Labyrinth Flood. Since then, the relationship between Amister and Retisencia has deteriorated further, with Retisencia unilaterally making unreasonable demands.
“Since Lord Yamato is involved, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“That’s right.”
“Hey, hold on. Can you stop blaming everything on me?”
Yamato’s expression is displeased, but I can’t defend him on this matter. My Unique Magic, Extreme Flame Wing, was completed based on Yamato’s advice, and it’s the same for everyone else. I believe that without Yamato, evolving into High Class or Ancient Class would have been impossible. This is not only true for us but also for the Amister Alliance and the Order’s Guild that participated in this war.
“Not only did we evolve into Ancient Class, but we also managed to strengthen our Unique Magic. However, while Eisen and Cliff at least received Dragon Hide from Yamato and his group, isn’t it difficult for the Orders?”
Ah, that’s true, as Ms. Saya says. When El evolved into Ancient Harpy, we sold the M-Rank Monster hides we possessed at a low price to other Amister Alliance High Hunters who had the potential to evolve into Ancient Class. They’ve already completed their equipment and have been using it for several days, but the problem lies with the Orders. Mr. Rex’s Arc Order’s Coat, and Ms. Rosemary’s and Ms. Muse’s Platinum Order’s Coats have been re-tailored, but Ms. Miranda’s Platinum Order’s Coat and Delfina’s Order’s Coat remain as they are. If this continues, a problem will arise in the near future.
“That’s true, but while swords and shields are one thing, coats are issued by the Order’s Guild, so we can’t just do as we please.”
“The issued items are enviable, but it’s inconvenient at times like this.”
Hunters have to prepare their own weapons and armor, but the Orders are provided by the Order’s Guild. This is natural since Orders also exist to protect the country, but because of this, the equipment is standardized, and individual modifications are not permitted. Well, it seems that weapons and shields are a different matter.
“But the Solemne Army is virtually annihilated, and the Antlions should have been wiped out as well. As for those coats, don’t you think we can consider them after returning to Amister?”
“That’s the only option. Especially for Delfina, she’s likely to be promoted, so having her Order’s Coat re-tailored is probably unavoidable.”
I agree with Mako and Mana’s opinions. Ms. Miranda is P-Rank as she belongs to the Royal Order, but Delfina is G-Rank and held no particular position. However, leaving an Ancient Order unchecked is a loss to the country, so it’s safe to say that Delfina’s promotion is certain. I don’t think an O-Rank Order is possible, though.
“The Order’s Guild will probably change its rank system to follow the Hunter’s Guild. With Yamato and the Hunters included, there are nearly 10 Ancient Orders.”
That might be for the best. If they follow the Hunter’s Guild, the added ranks will be Emerald Light and Delight Light. Both are above A-Rank and below O-Rank, but with two new ranks, it will be easier to acknowledge the Orders’ achievements. That’s why Brother Rai is probably contemplating new Order’s Ranks right now. I’m a little curious to see how it turns out.
“The Order’s Ranks are also changing. If that’s the case, other Guilds might follow suit.”
“They might, but isn’t it impossible for the Healer’s Guild? There’s the issue of usable magic.”
Indeed, as Lydia says, it’s difficult for the Healer’s Guild alone to change its rank system.
“No, considering the evolution to High Class or Ancient Class, it might not be impossible.”
“Ah, right. Just like the Hunter’s Guild, if they evolve, they can be promoted to the next rank.”
Ah, that’s true. That was an option. Whether it’s High Healer or Ancient Healer, the treatment fee is determined by rank, so the amount received as compensation doesn’t change, regardless of evolution. However, if they are promoted to the next rank on the condition of evolution, their compensation can be increased. The problem is, if they are promoted to the next rank, what will happen to their healing magic?
“That’s also a troublesome issue. Considering that, it might be easier to handle things for the Crafter’s Guild, Trader’s Guild, and Butler’s Guild.”
“Indeed. Especially the Butler’s Guild, since evolution into High Butler or Ancient Butler is sometimes a condition for rank advancement, it doesn’t seem too difficult to make changes.”
Wing Crest has four Butlers. However, all of those Butlers have evolved into High Class, and Eos has even evolved into Ancient Class. The promotion conditions for the Butler’s Guild are examination and experience, and there are quite a few High Butlers, so even if they evolve, they won’t be promoted unconditionally. Still, I think changes would be easier.
“I feel like the Crafter’s Guild could also go along if evolution is involved. The Trader’s Guild is a bit iffy, though.”
As Ms. Saya says, changing the Crafter’s Guild’s system may not be difficult. Furthermore, there are five Ancient Crafters, including Yamato, Flam, Ludia, Ms. Saya, and Eisen, and at least seven High Crafters that I know of, so the Crafter’s Guild also needs consideration.
The problematic guilds are the Trader’s Guild and the Priest’s Guild.
Due to the restoration of Bacion to Amister, the Priest’s Guild has top-tier O-Rank Priests becoming Grand Priests Master, and the A-Rank Priests immediately below them becoming Associate Priests Master. Even now, they are referred to as Pope and Cardinal, but that is also their rank as leaders of the Bacion Theocracy. It is said that the Priest’s Guild plans to abolish those ranks. The Priest’s Guild is also a religious organization, so there is no difference in treatment whether one is High Class or Ancient Class. It can be rephrased as there being no point in making a distinction. Since Priest Ranks are also the ranks of Priests, changing the system is not easy and there is no point in doing so. The Trader’s Guild is not much different from the Priest’s Guild. Being High Class or Ancient Class doesn’t necessarily mean they have business acumen, nor do they necessarily have knowledge. If they just want to make money, becoming a Hunter would be more profitable. So, High Classes register as Traders only when it’s necessary for the Union. Advancement in Trader’s Rank is determined by research content and taxes paid, so there is little point in changing it.
“Indeed, there’s no need to force changes on the Priest’s Guild and the Trader’s Guild.”
“Rather, I think it would be better to separate pure merchants and researchers.”
“I agree. Even for Traders of the same rank, there seem to be differences based on taxes paid and research content, and there are also issues with research funding.”
I agree. Merchants conduct business and earn money, while researchers spend money for research. Therefore, even if they are both Traders, they can be said to have opposite characteristics. In that case, it might be best to create a new guild and separate the researchers. Depending on the research content, Hunters and Crafters may be involved, so it doesn’t feel right for only the Trader’s Guild to bear the burden.
“Speaking of which, Lord Yamato, what happened with the comprehensive school you mentioned on Float before?”
“Ah, that. The situation has changed, so it’s still just an idea.”
I had completely forgotten. Yamato had previously proposed creating a comprehensive school by consolidating all the Guilds. At the time, it was just a proposal, but Brother Rai seemed keen on it and said he would discuss it with the Grand Masters.
“If we are to separate researchers from the Trader’s Guild, why not include educators there and entrust them with the operation of the school? As the Scholar’s Guild.”
“Rather, separating them completely would make it easier to prevent Trader involvement.”
If the operation of the school is entrusted to them, it’s impossible to completely prevent Trader involvement, and in fact, they will need to be involved. However, the school side, tentatively called the Scholar’s Guild, can choose which Traders to do business with, making it possible to keep out unscrupulous Traders.
“If that’s the case, shouldn’t the Holiner’s Guild also be incorporated into the Order’s Guild?”
Mina, for her part, proposes incorporating the Holiner’s Guild into the Order’s Guild. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, but considering the characteristics of the Holiner’s Guild, isn’t it a bit difficult?
“The Holiner’s Guild was the Holy Knight Order that protected Bacion, and it’s also the Knight Order that protects the Priest’s Guild. While it’s a subordinate organization of the Priest’s Guild, it might be better to make it a subordinate organization of the Order’s Guild as well.”
Is that so?
“Is that right?”
“Ah. As Bacion has detached from Amister, the Priest’s Guild has undergone reforms, and more than half of the Holiner’s Guild has moved to Float. Their primary duty is the security of the Priest’s Guild, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t guard Float. If that’s the case, problems with the Order’s Guild can be anticipated.”
Ah, I see. With Bacion’s restoration to Amister, the Priest’s Guild has established a new headquarters in Float. To protect that headquarters, the Grand Priests Master, and the Associate Priests Master, about half of the Holiner’s Guild has also moved to Float. They are said to cooperate with the Order’s Guild in patrolling Float, but I recall hearing that this is a temporary arrangement due to the Holiner’s Guild’s delicate position. Furthermore, with the establishment of the new headquarters, Amister has donated new equipment under the guise of a gift, so the Holiner’s Guild should have also updated to new equipment using Jade Silver.
“That sounds like an extremely troublesome affair.”
“Incidentally, the Holiner’s Guild’s coats have a different design from the Order’s Guild.”
What Flam showed me was a coat that Marina had slightly modified from a design on Yamato’s Engraving Tool. It’s a long blue coat with a trailing hem, and silver gauntlets and greaves. The gauntlets are designed to be able to use shielding, and the coat looks more like ceremonial robes, but…
“This is for the Grand Holiner’s Master. Common Holiners are this, and Holiner’s Masters are this.”
Looking at the designs Yamato spread on the table, the Common Holiner ones look like normal coats, but all the armor is worn on the inside, and the shoulders look larger due to the shoulder pauldrons. The Holiner Master’s coats are similar to the Grand Holiner’s Master’s coats, but with more subdued decorations.
“So these are the Holiner’s Guild’s coats.”
“Ah. They should be completed by now, so I think they’re wearing them.”
It’s been more than a month since Bacion was restored to Amister, so it’s not impossible for them to be finished.
“There are designs like this too. I’ve seen them, and they’re very helpful.”
Not only Ms. Saya, but everyone in the Alliance has chosen designs from Yamato’s Engraving Tool and made minor changes. Ms. Saya’s coat is similar to the Platinum Order’s Coat, and the armor is worn on the inside, so it might be closest to the Grand Holiner’s Master’s coat. However, it’s a simple design with fewer decorations and looks easy to move in.
Well, I’m happy with our Crest Defender Coats too! They’re easy to move in, comfortable to wear, and I like how they look.
