Side: Lyra
While the Grand Order’s Master is engaged in the subjugation of Sleipnir, the Philias Allied Forces are being led by my husband, Lucas, who has been appointed as the Secondary Order.
The Ritter’s Guild, which dispatches Ancient Classes, is solely focused on Orders, so his appointment was quite a makeshift one.
Still, he has experienced the Slume Lord subjugation, the Solemn Campaign, and the Linea Great Battle, and he is indeed an Ancient Class. Lucas has no room to escape.
“Even so, when it comes to Catastrophe Species, it’s safer for us to stay out of it.”
“Don’t say that. I wonder when Rex will be back…”
Lucas let out a big sigh at my muttering.
What Lucas and I are currently facing is a P-C Rank Monster, Demon’s Drake.
A few High Classes could defeat it, but the number of monsters is still high, and the town of Kobaldia is being destroyed bit by bit.
The imperial citizens, who should have transformed into demons, are also falling victim one after another. It seems unlikely that the reconstruction of Kobaldia’s outer regions will be possible.
Kobaldia is meant to be annihilated along with the demons, so there’s no need to worry about reconstruction.
“Clara is waiting too, so let’s finish this quickly and go back!”
“We’re getting married when we get back.”
“Don’t make a promise flag here!”
When I casually made an obvious death flag, Lucas got mad at me.
It’s true that it’s inauspicious and not something one would normally say. However, I don’t think Lucas would fall behind a P-C Rank at this point.
“I said it knowing that. Because Lucas, you were so tense trying to fulfill your duties as a Secondary Order.”
“Huh?”
That’s why I said it, but he really hadn’t noticed.
For Lucas, who was just an Order and the son of a Feel’s innkeeper, being suddenly given such a big responsibility would only bring tension.
So, to help him relax even a little, I deliberately made lighthearted remarks. Now that Lucas has noticed, perhaps he’ll be able to loosen up a bit?
“Ah, so that’s what it was. Sorry, Lyra.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s a first wife’s duty, after all.”
Yes, yes, that’s more like it.
Clara’s birthday is actually today.
That’s why I had planned the wedding ceremony at the Arch Priests’ Guild Headquarters in Float for today, but given the current situation, it will have to be postponed.
Therefore, this final battle against Retisencia is something I absolutely must win and return alive from.
“Well then, Lucas, let’s quickly take care of this mere Demon’s Drake!”
“Clara is waiting, so that’s even more reason to!”
Yes, his expression has improved.
He still seems a little strained, but I think this much is fine.
“Take this!”
With a surge of spirit, Lucas readjusted his shield and used his Unique Magic, Guard Edge Blazer.
While it looks like blade work using a shield, it fuses all elemental magic, beast magic, and barrier magic through Fusion Magic. This makes it long-lasting and usable for both offense and defense.
Lucas extended his Guard Edge Blazer and swung it down at the Demon’s Drake from a high position.
Of course, it’s meant to be dodged, and that’s what we factored in. Even without specific coordination, I know what I need to do.
“Opening!”
I, having dispelled my humanization magic, spread the wings on my arms and flew up using Flying.
As I did, I re-equipped my sword to my right leg and my shield to my left leg’s talons. However, since the shield is difficult to hold, I don’t forget to use Telekinetic Magic to assist.
When I reached directly above the Demon’s Drake, I stored my sword and used my Unique Magic, Thousand Slicers.
It’s the first Unique Magic I ever created, using countless blades made of wind and water attribute magic, kept within an area by Barrier Magic.
Now, I’ve also gained proficiency in ice attribute magic, so I’ve added ice blades. And since I’m also using Knight Magic, Purification, it’s perfect for fighting undead.
There are no undead here, though, so it’s useless.
As my Thousand Slicers rained down, the Demon’s Drake was not only immobilized but also received countless wounds all over its body.
Towards the Demon’s Drake, whose movements were sealed by Thousand Slicers, Lucas thrust a stake embedded in the tip of his shield into its chest and channeled magic power.
“Eat this—!!”
With Lucas’s roar, the tip of the stake shot out with great force.
Even by itself, it has enough power to defeat monsters, but Lucas has also imbued it with fire and lightning attribute magic.
It’s not yet a complete Unique Magic, but its power is immense, with flames and lightning erupting from the Demon’s Drake’s back.
The Demon’s Drake died there and then. It’s truly a brutal shield.
Oh, this shield was made almost as a joke by Yamato and Maoh.
It’s called a Pile Bunker, I think.
It’s built-in, so it can also be used for offense.
Initially, Lucas, who was concerned about his lack of attack power, used a shield with a hidden blade, similar to Raus’s Lapis Ride Shield. However, because his combat style differed from Raus’s, it was incompatible and he couldn’t use it effectively.
Hearing this, Maoh suggested it, and Yamato enthusiastically developed it into a shield of Lapis Laz, named the Lapis Bunker Shield.
When Maoh saw the finished product, she was delighted, and when Lucas actually used it, she was incredibly excited.
“Next?”
Although it’s a peculiar shield, it seems compatible with Lucas’s combat style, which doesn’t involve much movement, and the Lapis Bunker Shield. Lucas also seems quite fond of it.
Perhaps because of this, he’s been fighting more stably than before, and since Lucas is aware of this, he’s still vigilantly searching for the next monster.
“There’s a Dark Breath Bull over there. It doesn’t inhabit Retisencia, so I assume it’s a familiar or a summoned beast…”
“You managed to contract with it.”
I truly think so too.
The M-I Rank Dark Breath Bull, originally an S Rank Grayrock Bull, but I’ve heard that Hunters in Retisencia can barely fight even C Rank Monsters, let alone B Rank. So, I think it’s quite an achievement to have an S Rank Monster as a familiar.
“Either way, let’s take care of that too.”
“Right.”
The troublesome aspect of the Dark Breath Bull is that it uses its third eye on its forehead to immobilize our movements.
Even at the rare Saedeye Bull stage, Normal Classes apparently have no way to resist it. When it’s an Aberrant Species, even Ancient Classes, let alone High Classes, cannot afford to be careless.
In fact, many Ritters are having their movements impeded by the Dark Breath Bull’s third eye.
Still, I admire that the formation hasn’t collapsed yet, as they’re cooperating to create openings.
However, it’s only a matter of time. I used Flying to soar directly above the Dark Breath Bull and decided to use Thousand Slicers.
“As expected of a Catastrophe Species, it’s incredibly tough!”
Although Thousand Slicers sends out countless blades, they aren’t that large, so they aren’t able to cleave through the Dark Breath Bull’s hide.
It was my mistake to use it with the same expectation as before. However, changing the size now, even if not significantly, would expose a vulnerability, so I have no choice but to continue attacking until Lucas arrives.
Just as I thought that, I saw Lucas’s Unique Magic, Ride Break Fang, charging towards us.
Although it was completed recently, it’s a giant flaming tiger created by fusing Beast Magic, Earth Attribute Magic, and Fire Attribute Magic through Fusion Magic. It can also carry Lucas while charging.
Beast Magic is exclusive to beast races, creating monsters of the same species and allowing for a certain degree of command. That’s apparently why it can do that.
Lucas is running alongside it this time, but since Ride Break Fang is also Lucas’s magic, it means he can achieve incredible coordination even alone, which is something Yamato and Mako praised.
The Ride Break Fang plunged without hesitation into my Thousand Slicers and bit into the Dark Breath Bull’s neck.
The Dark Breath Bull is trying to shake its body and use magic to escape the fangs of the Ride Break Fang, but because it’s a magical opponent, the resistance is weak, and it recovers quickly, so it has no effect.
After confirming this, I stopped Thousand Slicers and used Scaffolding to stand in mid-air. I wrapped my right hand’s sword with wind, water, and ice blade work and thrust it with all my might towards the Dark Breath Bull directly below.
The Dark Breath Bull, distracted by the Ride Break Fang, didn’t react to my attack and slowly fell, spewing a large amount of blood from its neck.
Side: Yamato
Upon defeating Ouroboros and rejoining Emperor Reinhardt, Mako had already returned.
“Good work on defeating Ouroboros.”
“I’m still not used to it, so I’m not much use as material.”
“It’s fine. At this moment, resolving the situation is the top priority.”
I understand that, but it can’t be helped to feel it’s a waste.
Mako seems to have given a similar report and gives a wry smile.
“However, Your Majesty, while I understand your feelings, I will not permit you to face a Catastrophe Species, especially a W Rank, alone from now on!”
And then, Mako casually warns Emperor Reinhardt.
I was surprised when I heard about it too.
Certainly, I thought His Majesty could defeat monsters up to A Rank alone now, but I never expected him to be hunting a Flood Crane, an M-W Rank.
Mako seemed to have seen it, but from where I was fighting, it was a blind spot, so I didn’t know.
“I won’t do anything so reckless from now on. However, this has given me confidence in myself. I will likely not have another opportunity to hunt high-rank monsters during my reign.”
Ah, so that was another reason.
Emperor Reinhardt, who has been enthroned as Celestial Emperor, is not meant to fight on the front lines. He is to be protected on the battlefield and, in some cases, evacuated with the highest priority.
Therefore, it could be said that fighting is forbidden, regardless of the opponent.
However, for Emperor Reinhardt, who is also an Ancient Elf, retreating from the enemy, no matter who they are, is a humiliation and would render the meaning of his evolution useless.
So, by knowing his own combat capabilities, he wanted to determine the line between fighting and retreating.
Still, even so, I want him to spare me from fighting alone.
Although he says he won’t do anything reckless, he will undoubtedly fight if there’s support.
“If monsters that require Ancient Classes to fight at full power appear frequently, we won’t be able to make a living.”
“I understand that as well. That’s precisely why many Ancient Classes often enter labyrinths.”
We do too, and the deep levels of the labyrinths are home to many high-rank monsters. This makes them valuable for materials, especially for Ancient Classes.
I’ve also heard that Rex and the others have been entering labyrinths more often during their breaks.
Rex and his group have also successfully subjugated Sleipnir. They should be arriving here soon.
As I thought this, I turned my gaze and saw Rex, Rosemary, Muse, and Saya approaching, mowing down monsters as they came.
Even though there are G Rank monsters among them, they’re dispatching them casually.
We’re no different, though.
Upon arriving before Emperor Reinhardt, the four of them saluted in unison, and Rex, as their representative, spoke.
“Reporting in. We have successfully subjugated Sleipnir.”
“I saw. You’ve worked hard, all four of you.”
“Thank you.”
Up until now, only those associated with Wing Crest have succeeded in subjugating Demise Species: myself, Prim, Mako, Father, and Mother.
El from Falcon’s Beak also fits, but she earnestly pleaded with me not to count her, with a murderous glare. So, in cases like this, I don’t include her.
Still, the rumors have gotten out of hand, and among the common folk, El is indeed counted.
“Also, once we return to Float, Rosemary, Muse, and Saya will also be promoted. Along with that, you will be bestowed with the Arc Order’s Coat.”
“W-we, are we…?”
“Since you have succeeded in subjugating a Demise Species, it is a natural progression, is it not?”
Indeed.
Furthermore, the Arc Order’s Coat is not a支給品 (provided item); it’s equipment for personal ownership, so it can be used as formal or combat wear even after retiring from the Order.
Its flaw is that it’s flashy, making it difficult to use for hunting.
Well, Rex’s group’s hunting gear is tailored by Saya using materials from high-rank monsters, so there are no issues.
O Rank Order is the highest Order Rank. The conditions are the title of Sky Knight and having evolved into an Ancient Class.
While the latter is becoming more common, the former is only for those recognized by the Celestial Emperor or Grand Order’s Master. Currently, there are only three of us: myself, Rex, and Tolman, who serves as Associate Beastar’s Master.
However, in terms of achievements, subjugating a Demise Species is more than enough, so Rosemary and the others will likely be promoted.
This will bring the number of O Rank Orders to six. The existence of Lapis Laz is public, and Hihishirokane is also spreading by word of mouth. Perhaps it would be a good idea to add those two to the Order’s Rank.
I’ll suggest it to His Majesty and Rex after this is over.
