The prototype communication device was successfully completed.
It’s still large, so spatial storage like a storage or inventory is necessary for carrying it around. However, since the communication device becomes unusable when put into spatial storage, there are quite a few challenges for the future.
In my excitement, I even tested if it could be used in the Instant Labyrinth, and it worked without problems even on the second floor, so I think it’s safe to assume that it can connect to the outside world even within a labyrinth.
“Oh, it’s finished?”
“It’s just a prototype, for now. Ideally, I’d like to make it usable with one hand like an engraving tool, but since it uses not only Lapis Laz but also materials from high-ranking monsters, it’s probably best to start by lowering the cost.”
The materials used for the prototype communication device were Lapis Laz for metal, and monster materials of at least P-rank, including An and Catastrophe Species.
P-rank monsters alone make the cost ridiculously high, but with the inclusion of An and Catastrophe Species, it feels like it’s become more expensive than most mansions.
“If it’s to be circulated generally, we’ll need to establish proper legal systems.”
“But given the current situation, widely distributing it would only cause trouble, wouldn’t it?”
That might be the biggest problem.
With a communication device that allows long-distance calls regardless of distance, not only military actions but also anti-authoritarian schemes could be carried out in secret.
If I were to spread the existence of such a thing while governing Solemne, a country that is anti-deity and anti-Amister-Torencia, there’s no telling what they might do.
There are only three prototypes, they are quite large and heavy, and since Solemne citizens cannot use Inn magic, they can’t be easily stolen. However, Solemne engineers have a track record of creating Steam Battleships without using Inn magic.
While I don’t think it can be easily replicated, I still believe the concept of long-distance communication should not be introduced.
“For the time being, keeping it secret among only those involved seems the safest bet, but in emergencies, there often isn’t time to hide things, so I think we need to discuss that thoroughly.”
“That’s the only way.”
Just as Mako and Ludia said, that’s all I can think of right now.
“By the way, was His Highness Maruca’s illness alright?”
The communication device is a problem, but the fact that His Highness Maruca had fallen ill is an even bigger issue.
His Highness Maruca is one of Amister’s queens.
Princes and princesses are ranked by birth, regardless of gender, but queens are not.
The king’s siblings are also not ranked, and after Emperor Reinhardt’s Coronation Ceremony, Mana and Yuri’s titles will change from Second and Third Princesses to Queen’s Younger Sister, respectively.
“Yes. She did get sick, but it couldn’t be helped.”
“Rather, you came hunting despite knowing you weren’t feeling well, that’s what was reckless!”
Mako and Carol’s words make it sound like her illness was unavoidable but coming hunting was wrong, which stings the ears of someone who unknowingly hunted alongside her.
“My sister-in-law Maruca was four months pregnant.”
Ah, I see.
…What, she was pregnant!
“No way?! I mean, it’s happy news, but she was hunting in that condition?!”
“And four months! Isn’t that close to the stable period! How could you not notice?!”
Not only I, but Fiana, whose mother is pregnant, are surprised.
More importantly, it’s astonishing that she not only hunted but also participated in battles in that condition.
“I think she’s probably referring to morning sickness, but it varies quite a bit from person to person. Some people don’t notice it at all until the stable period or even close to giving birth.”
“My sister-in-law Maruca also had no morning sickness. She thought she might have gained a little weight recently, but her appetite had also increased, so she thought it was just due to that.”
“Emperor Reinhardt was also at a loss when he was told about Her Highness Maruca’s pregnancy.”
“Of course. If you told your husband that your wife, who not only hunted but also marched with you, was actually pregnant, how would he even begin to react?”
“Grandmother Sayuri also thought she had just become pregnant, so she was understandably surprised. Therefore, my sister-in-law Maruca has been forbidden from hunting until she gives birth.”
“Naturally, that’s expected.”
I completely agree with Marina. A pregnant woman hunting is an act that even someone with suicidal tendencies wouldn’t do. If she had fallen ill during the hunt, not only would a miscarriage be possible, but her own life would also be in danger, so being prohibited is only natural.
“In that case, Emperor Reinhardt will also have to refrain from hunting.”
“About that, I’d like to have my elder brother evolve into an Ancient Elf before the federation is established.”
“Why?”
When Princess Elis became pregnant, both Emperor Reinhardt and His Highness Maruca abstained from hunting, and apparently didn’t go out much.
Although not hunting at all is also problematic, Princess Elis advised them, and their hunting frequency dropped to about once a month.
So, although I thought it would be the same this time, Mana suddenly suggested that Emperor Reinhardt should evolve into an Ancient Elf.
“When Torencia was founded, didn’t the Royal Ancestor Kazushi and Eliel evolve into Ancient Human and Ancient Vampire, respectively?”
“Ah. And when Hilde was able to evolve into an Ancient Vampire, it was the first time since Eliel that a royal family member became an Ancient Vampire, so Bestia was practically in a festive mood.”
Although it’s a situation where the throne has almost been passed to Princess Brynhild, Hilde still holds the position of Queen of Torencia, so Bestia has been bustling with celebrations for days.
“That’s right. My brother doesn’t mind, but Sister Hilde, Hildo, and Grand Duke Liar have mentioned that it’s problematic for the first Celestial Emperor of a new federal nation to be of a lower level than the kings of the federated countries. Therefore, even if the level isn’t an issue, if he could at least evolve into an Ancient Elf, it would preserve his dignity as the first Celestial Emperor and also serve as a deterrent to the participating countries.”
That’s another troublesome situation. I understand what they mean, but evolving into an Ancient Class isn’t something that can be done easily… No, Emperor Reinhardt is level 63, so it might not be that difficult.
It’s still undecided, but the declaration of the federal nation’s establishment might happen at Emperor Reinhardt’s Coronation Ceremony, so it might be possible if it’s by then.
“Therefore, if possible, they’d like him to evolve by tomorrow.”
“The deadline is sooner than I expected!”
I couldn’t help but shout, but why by tomorrow?
“The day after tomorrow, we’ll announce the establishment of the Soldier’s Guild. It will be a subordinate organization of the Order’s Guild and Saber’s Guild, so the Grand Order’s Master and Grand Saber’s Master will also participate. Since it’s also a state institution, my brother and Sister Hilde’s participation is decided. So, their hope is to have it done by then.”
The day after that is a grand conference inviting the Dragon King of Valentia and the Duke-King of Alegria, so they want to announce that the new nation’s Celestial Emperor is an Ancient Class there as well.
No, it’s not like we’re forcing them to participate.
Even without doing such a thing, Amister has nearly 20 Ancient Classes, so any country understands that initiating a war means certain destruction.
Rather, it seems like they want to boost their national prestige by highlighting that the first ruler is an Ancient Class, just like Torencia.
“I don’t mind that, but bringing Emperor Reinhardt to hunt for an Ancient Class evolution immediately after His Highness Maruca was forbidden from hunting seems like it will only cause problems.”
“Yes. That’s why my sister-in-law Maruca will also participate. She’ll be forbidden from close combat and will only provide magical support from a Beast Carriage, but considering she’s pregnant, it’s a significant concession.”
No, making her participate in combat, even if only for support, is fundamentally wrong. However, Grandmother Sayuri will also accompany them, and since we’ll be there, they seem to trust that we can handle any serious situations. I guess I can’t refuse.
“In that case, I’ll do my best to meet their expectations and trust. So, is the location the Instant Labyrinth?”
“No, the Krater Labyrinth. It’s optimal not only for the founding of Torencia but also in terms of friendship.”
Following the history of Torencia’s founding, it’s a perfectly valid choice. Moreover, Torencia is Amister’s most friendly nation, so it’s optimal from that perspective as well.
Grand Duke Liar seemed to want to recommend a labyrinth in Libertà, but this is urgent, and since we’ve never been to the labyrinth in Libertà, we can’t use Traveling transfer. So, he had to give up with a look of regret.
I’m interested in the labyrinths of Libertà, especially the Temellario Labyrinth in the Temellario Great Sky Wall, so I’d like to go someday.
“That’s fine, but I don’t think we’ll be able to go further than exploring the second floor.”
“That’s what we’ve explained. Also, a few members of the Royal Order will be assigned as guards, and Feel also requested that Lucas and Lyra be assigned.”
The Royal Order are the king’s knights, so that’s fine. While it might be different for a normal hunt, this is for Emperor Reinhardt’s evolution, and Her Highness Maruca, who is pregnant, will also be present. The participation of the Royal Order is actually a welcome development for us. But why are Lucas and Lyra joining them?
“At the upcoming conference, the establishment of the Soldier’s Guild will be announced, and new Order’s Ranks and Saber’s Ranks will also be revealed. Therefore, the Orders and Sabers who participated in the military campaign will be promoted to new ranks in the near future, but there’s an idea to assign Lucas and Lyra to somewhat special positions.”
So, new Order’s Ranks and Saber’s Ranks have been decided. Naturally, Lucas and Lyra will be promoted, but what kind of special positions are they talking about?
“They will be the contact point for the Wing Crest. If possible, they’d like both of them to reside in Alka.”
A contact point for us… Ah, I see. Although our base is Alka, since we’ve learned Traveling, our range of activity has expanded considerably.
Furthermore, with flying familiars, summoned beasts, and even Dragonians, not only our travel distance but also our travel speed might be the best in Helios Orb.
To contact us, one would have to visit Feel’s Union House or Sayuri’s mansion in Ou Renten Street in Amagi Castle. We could also go to Bestia’s Snow Shrine, but that’s the residence of the Queen of Torencia, and Hilde will be governing Solemne, so its usage will drastically decrease. Moreover, we plan to remove the Gate Stone after Hilde abdicates or retires, so it’s out of the question. Sayuri’s mansion also has the issue that Sayuri herself is often away from Amagi Castle, so using it without permission is problematic. Therefore, the only option is to visit Feel’s Union House, but there’s also the problem that we might not be there. Thus, if Lucas and Lyra reside in Alka and work from there at Float, at least contact from Amagi Castle will be easier. The problem of us being away seems to be overlooked because we are Hunters.
“Lucas and Lyra, huh? I don’t mind, but does that mean they’ll be transferred to Float?”
“Transfer. They will have Royal Order treatment, but their main role will be as our contact, so they will have a relatively free position. They might even be allowed to join the Wing Crest and go hunting with us.”
No way, really? I thought it would be better to make them an Outside Order, but given their role as our contact, that’s not possible. Their salary will increase, and they will usually be stationed at Amagi Castle, but since they will sometimes be away due to matters related to us, their other duties will involve managing the Magic Stones and materials we bring in, as well as paperwork.
“Joining the Wing Crest, can Inside Orders do that?”
“That’s fine. When Orders are off-duty, they go hunting with other Orders, and they even form Raids, you know.”
Mana answers Furam’s question, and indeed, I recall hearing about such Raids. Of course, permission from the Grand Order’s Master is required, but as long as that’s obtained, Orders can participate in Raids and Unions, so Lucas and Lyra will also be able to join the Wing Crest. I don’t really mind, but whether to actually have them join is something I need to discuss with everyone a bit more. Also, the request to have them live in Alka is something I can’t give an immediate answer to. The Vice Palace of the Northwest, Shirasagi Palace, is vacant, but it’s not something I can decide unilaterally, so this also needs to be discussed. Everyone knows Lucas and Lyra, and they rode in the same Beast Carriage during the military campaign, so we’re quite familiar with them. I have a feeling they might end up inviting them here.
