Here are the glossaries:
* **Kobold Emperor**: コボルト・エンペラー
* **Field Cosmos**: フィールド・コスモス
* **Magma Light Breath**: マグマライト・ブレス
* **Ancient Elf**: エンシェントエルフ
* **Ancient Class**: エンシェントクラス
* **S-rank Monster**: Ｓランクモンスター
* **Wing Line**: ウイング・ライン
* **Element Class**: エレメントクラス
* **Goblin King**: ゴブリン・キング
* **Temellario Great Sky Wall**: テメラリオ大空壁
* **Hunter’s Guild**: ハンターズギルド
* **Mace Quake**: メイス・クエイク
* **Lapislazurite**: ラピスラズライト
* **A-Rank Healer**: Ａランクヒーラー
* **Helios Orb**: ヘリオスオーブ
* **Side: Mako (Female)**: Ｓｉｄｅ・真子
* **Caladbolg (Sacred Sword)**: カラドボルグ
* **Traveling**: トラベリング
* **Nidh**: ニーズヘッグ
* **Valentia**: バレンティア
* **Dragunia**: ドラグニア
* **Human**: ヒューマン
* **Healing**: ヒーリング
* **Mylight**: マイライト
* **Carol**: キャロル
* **Kobold**: コボルト
* **Goblin**: ゴブリン
* **Hunter**: ハンター
* **Feel**: フィール
* **Memoria**: メモリア
* **Raus (Male)**: ラウス君
* **Lydia (Female)**: リディア
* **Ludia (Female)**: ルディア
* **Rebecca (Female)**: レベッカ
* **Summon Contract**: 召喚契約
* **Unique Magic**: 固有魔法
* **Telekinetic Magic**: 念動魔法
* **Barrier Magic**: 結界魔法
* **Fusion Magic**: 融合魔法
* **A-rank**: Ａランク
* **C-rank**: Ｃランク
* **S-rank**: Ｓランク
* **Athena (Female)**: アテナ
* **Alka**: アルカ
* **Elf**: エルフ
* **Guild**: ギルド
* **Flam**: フラム
* **Prim (Female)**: プリム
* **Mana**: マナ様
* **Meena (Female)**: ミーナ
* **Raus**: ラウス
* **Rest (Male)**: レスト
* **Yamato (Male)**: 大和君
* **Catastrophe Species**: 災害種
* **Father**: 父さん
* **An**: 異常種
* **Demise Species**: 終焉種
* **El**: エル
* **Rio**: リオ
* **Rika (Female)**: リカ
* **Demi-human**: 亜人
* **Regeneration**: 再生
* **Yamato**: 大和
* **Pregnancy**: 妊娠
* **Japan**: 日本
* **Beast Carriage**: 獣車
* **Mako (Female)**: 真子
* **Maoh (Female)**: 真桜
* **Confirmation**: 確認
* **Material**: 素材
* **Barrier**: 結界
* **Usugre (Pale Green)**: 薄緑
* **Asuka (Male)**: 飛鳥
* **Magic Power**: 魔力
* **Monster**: 魔物
* **Magic Stone**: 魔石
* **I**: 俺
* **Island**: 島
* **Sky**: 空
***
**Side: Mako**
After finishing the Goblin King subjugation with Mylight, I was surprised to hear from Lydia and Ludia that a Kobold Princess had been born in Valentia.
I thought we should go and subjugate it immediately, but they told me that the Kobold Princess was said to inhabit a small island floating in Sapphire Lake, south of Valentia.
Since the island is near the center of Sapphire Lake, even the Kobold Princess couldn’t leave it, which is why there haven’t been any victims despite its birth.
The island is apparently less than an hour away by boat, and there are no formidable monsters in Sapphire Lake. Besides Kobolds, Forest Fungus, Treants, and Earth Rocks also inhabit the area, allowing even normal hunters to earn a decent amount if they are veterans.
So, the first to confirm the Kobold Princess was a hunter, and it seems several people became casualties during that encounter.
However, by the next day, the situation had taken an unexpected turn.
“What? A Demise Species Kobold has been born?”
“Yes. Fortunately, Mr. Raibert and his wives are unharmed, but Miss Calis had her wings cut off, and both Cretah and Mr. Raibert, who rushed to her aid, were severely injured.”
This is the worst possible outcome. I heard this from Lydia and Ludia yesterday, and now a Demise Species has been born, and even Raibert’s party, the Dragones Menage, who went to investigate, were severely injured. This is clearly a job for Yamato. But Yamato is currently inspecting Memoria as Rika’s proxy and cannot move immediately. Moreover, Maoh is accompanying him, so I’m hesitant to call him back without good reason.
“Shall I go?”
“Asuka? We’d be grateful, but are you sure?”
“Yes. Nidh is also a Demise Species, just like that Kobold, isn’t it? The class is different, but I can still get a feel for it. Besides, Yamato doesn’t have his sword right now, so even he would have a hard time.”
Asuka says this, but what he really wants is to fight for practice. It’s true that Yamato has lost Grenteam and his replacement sword isn’t ready yet, so his combat power has been greatly reduced. He has the Wingbit Liberator’s blade, but it’s a dagger, not a longsword or katana, so the usability is very different, and that difference can be fatal against a Demise Species.
However, Asuka is constantly generating the sacred sword Caladbolg and is at an inhuman level of 221. There’s no way Asuka can’t defeat an enemy that Yamato could defeat.
“Are you sure about this?”
“As I said, we have our own objectives. I understand it’s a dangerous monster, but I think we can manage.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Thank you, Father-in-law.”
His tone is light, but his eyes are sharp, indicating he’s entered combat mode. Still, I can’t bring myself to leave it all to Asuka, so I’ll handle the surrounding Kobolds. He’s motivated, and even if it’s just for practice, we should head to Dragunia.
To think that not only a Catastrophe Species but a Demise Species has been born is truly beyond my expectations. Honestly, Maoh saying that unnecessary thing actually made it a self-fulfilling prophecy. And since she mentioned it only yesterday, the fulfillment is incredibly fast.
We decided to head to Dragunia with myself, Asuka, Mana, Prim, Meena, Flam, Lydia, Ludia, Athena, Raus, Rebecca, and Carol. Mana’s sense of intuition hasn’t returned yet, Prim and Flam are pregnant, and Rebecca is incapacitated due to the aftereffects of her recent evolution. Ideally, I would have wanted them to stay put in Alka, but when they said they wanted to see Asuka fight, I had no choice but to yield. Asuka will return to Japan someday, and I can’t blame them for wanting to see him fight at least once. Rebecca has seen him before, but I only remembered that after we departed, so it’s unavoidable this time.
Since Mana is accompanying us, we will use the Lapislazurite Celestial family’s beast carriage for travel within Dragunia. Lydia and Ludia have been to Sapphire Lake before, so we will travel there by Traveling, and Athena will transport us to the island. Since we are facing a Demise Species this time, Lydia will be the driver.
According to the Hunter’s Guild, Raibert’s party has managed to return to Dragunia. The Demise Species apparently did not try to leave the island, which is why they were able to escape. However, Calis’s back wings were severed, and Cretah, who transformed into a dragon in her stead, sustained severe injuries to his right arm and left leg. Raibert himself not only lost both legs and his left arm but also his tail, and is in critical condition, unconscious. Fortunately, his life is not in danger, and Dragunia has several A-Rank Healers who can use Extra Healing, so it’s fortunate that his limbs and tail can regenerate.
I want to visit them, but the priority is subjugating the Demise Species, so let’s head to Sapphire Lake first. Oh, Raibert and his party confirmed it was a Kobold Emperor.
“Is this Sapphire Lake? The water is beautiful.”
“It really is.”
Sapphire Lake isn’t very large, but its water is clear blue. Apparently, the monsters are only up to C-rank, so many nearby residents make a living by fishing. For such a lake, the appearance of a Kobold Emperor on the small island in the middle would make fishing impossible.
“Dragon form complete.”
“Understood. Athena, please.”
“Leave it to me!”
Athena, now in dragon form, takes off with the Lapislazurite Celestial family’s beast carriage. Given that it takes an hour by a normal monster-pulled boat with the Helios Orb, it should take Athena about ten minutes. However, as the island draws closer, several Kobolds emerge into the sky as if to intercept us. With the Kobold Emperor, there must also be W-rank monsters here. There are six P-W-rank Werewolf Kobolds and two G-W-rank Kobold Princesses. I didn’t expect there to be two Kobold Princesses, but since they are princesses, they are female, so it’s easier for abnormalities, let alone rare species, to be born. Moreover, since they are also the super-rare W-rank, we should assume there are several more normal Kobold Princesses.
“This is like a full-scale subjugation level swarm, isn’t it?”
“Even for an Ancient Class, it would be difficult with just a few people. Let’s annihilate them quickly.”
“Yes!”
The island isn’t particularly large, perhaps slightly smaller than Alka. It will clearly become saturated eventually, and once that happens, the W-rank monsters will be forced to leave the island, leading to greater civilian casualties. However, considering there are eight W-rank monsters, the swarm size is likely at least triple that.
“Father-in-law, I apologize, but could you leave the Kobold Emperor to me?”
“I’m the one who suggested it. And Mana, don’t overdo it, okay?”
“Thank you for your concern. Here I go!”
Mana jumps out of the beast carriage first, and everyone follows. I remain in the carriage and deploy my Unique Magic, Field Cosmos, to prevent the W-rank monsters from leaving Sapphire Lake. Even if they escape, I can pursue them, but it’s undeniable that unnecessary damage could occur during the pursuit, so I absolutely will not let them escape. Oh, and of course, Prim, Flam, and Rebecca are staying in the carriage. Who would make pregnant women fight?
“Hiyah!”
Meena’s Mace Quake immediately crushes the head of a Werewolf Kobold. Following Meena, Lydia and Ludia cut down Werewolf Kobolds with Blading. Raus also unleashes Heavy Fang Cloud on a Kobold Princess and defeats her with Blading, but Carol, who has only recently evolved into an Ancient Class, seems to be having a bit of trouble. However, Athena’s Magma Light Breath hits the Kobold Princess Carol is fighting. Magma Light Breath incorporates Telekinetic Magic, so even if it’s dodged, Athena can pursue it with her will, and because of that, the Kobold Princess is focusing her attention on Magma Light Breath, making her careless about Carol.
“Hyaaaah!”
Seizing that opportunity, Carol’s Unique Magic, Garnet Lines Blaster, pierces the Kobold Princess’s body.
She only recently evolved into an Ancient Elf, so she hasn’t incorporated her newly acquired lightning attribute magic and barrier magic yet. However, she can create wind blades and spears similar to the B-class spell Wing Line that I and Yamato use, and she fuses fire attribute magic using Fusion Magic. It also incorporates Mirroring, so even if dodged, she can make it follow a trajectory as if reflected in a mirror by her will, giving it high homing capabilities.
That Garnet Lines Blaster strikes and pierces the Kobold Princess’s chest perfectly.
“Thank you, Athena.”
“You’re welcome. While I hate to say it, you should incorporate your new aptitudes sooner rather than later.”
“Yes. I’ll try to do that when we get back.”
Enhancing and improving Unique Magic is essential for hunters. Especially after evolving, they are granted new attribute magic and divine magic, so enhancement can be done relatively easily. The type of improvement depends on the individual’s sense and experience.
“That’s settled. Now for the Kobold Emperor… Eh!”
“Whoa… That’s insane…”
Yes, it’s astonishing. Asuka is blocking a single sword strike from the Kobold Emperor, who is at least three meters tall, with Caladbolg.
“Blocking an attack from a Demise Species? Neither I nor Yamato have ever done that.”
“Even with Abnormal Species and Catastrophe Species, their physical strength surpasses humans.”
Prim and Flam are surprised, and I am too. The physical strength of monsters, even low-ranked ones, is often greater than that of humans. The same applies to demi-humans; in terms of simple physical strength, even S-rank monsters are said to be equivalent to or surpass Ancient Classes. While this can be overcome with body enhancement magic like Physickering, there are limits, and against an O-A rank Demise Species, no matter how hard an Ancient Class tries, they can’t surpass it, and even Element Classes probably couldn’t. But Asuka is an Archhuman and at the super-high level of 221, so even against a Demise Species like the Kobold Emperor, he can counter its physical strength.
“It seems the surroundings are finished. Well then, let’s finish this quickly too.”
Asuka mutters this and further increases his Magic Power. He completely eclipses the Kobold Emperor. I can’t help but doubt if he’s truly human. A desperate atmosphere emanates from the Kobold Emperor, but it shows no signs of fleeing. It seems to have subordinates, younger ones, so even if it can’t win, its resolve to protect its companions is palpable.
“I feel reluctant to defeat you, who have done nothing yet, but it will be too late after a sacrifice. I’m sorry, but I will defeat you.”
Asuka says this in a cold voice, then rapidly approaches the Kobold Emperor and slashes with Caladbolg. At that moment, all the blood gushes from within the Kobold Emperor, and a moment later, it falls to the ground with a sorrowful expression.
“W-what was that…?”
“That’s Asuka’s nonsensical S-class non-attribute spell, Mist Inflation. It instantly expands and ruptures all blood vessels, a spell that Asuka, who excels against living beings, is most proficient in.”
In fact, it can rupture not only blood vessels but also water cooling pipes and plumbing in machinery, making it effective against more than just living things. Furthermore, he developed a modification in his student days to inject water and cause expansion, so it might even work on the Helios Orb’s golems and puppets.
“Even if it’s a monster, it feels bad to defeat something that has a sense of camaraderie with its own kind.”
“I understand how you feel, but humans and demi-humans cannot coexist. Communication is impossible, and we cannot form familiar or summon contracts.”
Unlike monsters, which can be used as resources, only Magic Stones can be obtained from demi-humans. Moreover, they cannot be controlled, so the relationship between humans and demi-humans is purely adversarial. While some level of coexistence is possible, like with the Temellario Great Sky Wall, it’s ultimately based on mutual caution, and there are many towns and countries that have been overrun by demi-humans. We just have to accept this reality.
“Indeed, if we don’t think that way, we can’t be hunters.”
“Yes. That’s why we will thoroughly crush the lower settlements as well.”
Even if we spare them out of pity, demi-humans will not feel gratitude. They will inevitably bring harm eventually, and some of those harmed might be people close to us. Therefore, however heartless it may seem, we will annihilate the demi-human settlements. Even if there are children, not a single one will be spared.
