Side: Meena
Three hours after being teleported to Kobaldia, we’ve finally finished exterminating the monsters.
A total of 9,721 monsters, broken down as 2,056 I-rank, 2,256 C-rank, 3,435 B-rank, 1,045 S-rank, 673 G-rank, 132 P-rank, 89 M-rank, 32 A-rank, and 3 O-rank. The sheer number of them surpassed even a Labyrinth Flood, but I wonder if there’s a reason for it?
“Such a large number was, admittedly, beyond our expectations,”
“Even though the Scout Order was monitoring Kobaldia, we could only observe from a distance and couldn’t cover the entire area.”
The Scout Order was constantly monitoring Kobaldia. However, since the residents were all believed to be demon race, they couldn’t enter the city. Moreover, due to the prevalence of abnormal and catastrophe species among the monsters, they could only monitor from afar.
Therefore, they were unable to ascertain the total number of monsters, nor could they accurately determine what species were present.
Even then, they had anticipated the presence of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 abnormal and catastrophe species. However, the actual number was not merely double, but more than triple what they had expected. They also hadn’t anticipated the presence of Demise Species.
It’s almost as if every monster in the Retisencia region had surrounded Kobaldia.
“Could this be coinciding with a Labyrinth Flood, perhaps?”
“Most likely. Although there are no labyrinths near Kobaldia, there are three un攻略 labyrinths within Retisencia. One of them is the Felsar Labyrinth, which released a Disaster Dragoon during the Labyrinth Flood 150 years ago.”
Yamato and my brother surmised that the reason for such an influx of monsters was a Labyrinth Flood.
As my brother mentioned, the Felsar Labyrinth, located about a three-day walk north of Kobaldia, experienced a Labyrinth Flood approximately 150 years ago. At that time, even an A-I rank monster, the Disaster Dragoon, was unleashed.
Even though all five Ancient Class members of that era gathered, O-Rank Order Jeanne Kirschlicht lost her life in the process of defeating them.
Furthermore, there are two other un攻略 labyrinths. If all three labyrinths had experienced a Labyrinth Flood, it would explain the sheer number of monsters that enveloped Kobaldia.
“That possibility is quite high. Especially in the last few years, they’ve been preoccupied with skirmishes with us and even utilizing Hunters. It wouldn’t be strange if fewer Hunters entered the labyrinths.”
“We haven’t entered any of the Retisencia labyrinths ourselves either.”
“There are rumors that, similar to Solemne, all the monsters hunted are collected by the soldiers. That’s why I didn’t even consider going.”
Slay and El agreed with Emperor Reinhardt’s opinion.
The Gagun Labyrinth in the Vald Beast Duchy, which experienced a Labyrinth Flood last year, saw a drastic decrease in Hunters entering it. In the case of the Laofen Labyrinth in the Solemne region, not only Hunters but even Solemne soldiers weren’t entering, leading to a concurrent Labyrinth Flood that we had to rush to suppress.
Therefore, it’s not surprising if the Retisencia labyrinths, which are likely entered even less than those two, are also experiencing Labyrinth Floods.
“Troublesome. The Felsar Labyrinth, the Bulgar Labyrinth, and then… where was the other one?”
“The Rowkoura Labyrinth. However, there’s also the possibility of unconfirmed and newly formed labyrinths. After all, Retisencia is also a country where the Celestial Emperor landed.”
At His Majesty’s words, a shadow of unease crossed everyone’s faces.
Indeed, the Celestial Emperor’s magic corrupted the Treasure Trees, accelerating monster evolution and even giving rise to new Demise Species.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be strange even if new labyrinths were born due to the Celestial Emperor’s magic.
“That’s beyond troublesome.”
“Truly. Since towns and villages have been destroyed, we can’t gather rumors, making it difficult to narrow down their locations.”
“There’s also no guarantee that all the monsters evolved by Demon Crystals have been accounted for. And if Labyrinth Floods are indeed involved, we can’t even estimate how many Flood Species there might be.”
Aizen, Shazara, and Faris also voiced their concerns with grim expressions.
There are three labyrinths in Retisencia, none of which have been攻略.
The labyrinths in Retisencia are concentrated in the eastern part: the Bulgar Labyrinth is a day’s walk west of the Felsar Labyrinth, and the Rowkoura Labyrinth is about a week’s walk north of the Felsar Labyrinth.
Therefore, if new labyrinths have emerged, the western side is not an unlikely possibility. Given that the Celestial Emperor descended upon Kobaldia, the eastern side is also plausible.
Moreover, if these labyrinths were born from the Celestial Emperor’s magic, they might, at worst, possess a difficulty even greater than the Krater Labyrinth, making it uncertain whether even an Ancient Class member could return alive.
If all of these labyrinths were to experience a Labyrinth Flood, the number of monsters that would spill out is unimaginable.
The Laofen Labyrinth had about 500 monsters, but in the Gagun Labyrinth, the monsters heading towards the town of Mistol alone numbered over 1,000, and including those heading towards the Gagun Great Forest, it would have been over 1,500.
While the number of monsters spilling out varies depending on the size and攻略 status of the labyrinth, it’s likely that these three labyrinths received almost no human intervention. If we also consider unconfirmed and new labyrinths, the number would surpass what we just defeated.
“Regarding the labyrinths, I will commission Ancient Hunters after the fall of Kobaldia. While I am concerned about the unconfirmed labyrinths, for now, I want them to攻略 the three known labyrinths to secure at least some degree of safety.”
His Majesty’s intention is only natural.
Not only is the path to the labyrinths unknown, but their structure and the monsters inhabiting them are also unclear, making it a difficult task even for High Hunters.
Furthermore, since the Felsar Labyrinth once unleashed a Disaster Dragoon, it’s reasonable to assume that its Guardian is of a comparable rank.
“That goes without saying.”
“The confirmed labyrinths all seem to be quite deep. It should be fine for a while, but with the precedent of the Disaster Dragoon, if we don’t攻略 them quickly, they will only become a major problem.”
“Whether we can攻略 them remains to be seen, but we will do everything we can.”
“I don’t intend to ask you to do anything reckless. I plan for the three labyrinths to be entered with two or more raids. However, if you deem it impossible, retreat. It is imperative that we do not lose anyone in such circumstances.”
The Hunters understand the importance of攻略ing the Retisencia labyrinths, but His Majesty continued, urging them not to overexert themselves.
攻略ing the labyrinths is also part of tidying up after Retisencia. Losing everyone for such a cause would be an immeasurable loss for the Federation Heavenly Empire.
Therefore, I believe His Majesty’s words encompassed such a meaning.
“Now then, Rex, I intend to commence our march towards the Imperial Palace. What is the status of everyone?”
“Thanks to the cooperation of Lady Mako, all the injured, including the Beastars who sustained numerous injuries, have been treated. Furthermore, thanks to the support of the Ancient Hunters and the Order’s Masters, miraculously, there were no fatalities.”
The treatment of the injured was completed all at once by Mako, who simultaneously used the divine-class Engraving Magic, Lia Fal, and the healing magic, Noble Healing.
There is also a healing magic called Area Healing, which, depending on the user’s magic power, can exert healing comparable to High Healing.
However, High Healing cannot heal critically injured individuals or restore missing limbs.
If even a small part of a limb remains, Noble Healing can restore it, but if nothing is left, Extra Healing must be used. If it was congenitally absent, a magic called Reviving must be used.
Despite this, Mako, in conjunction with Engraving Magic, simultaneously used Noble Healing to heal everyone, including Ritter and Hunters who had lost limbs.
Afterward, she even used Extra Healing, combined with Lia Fal, on several individuals whose limbs had been eaten, and she apparently still had more than half of her magic power remaining. This shows how incredible the magic power of an Element Class is.
It was surprising that there were no fatalities, but with the support of the Ancient Hunters, and Order’s Master Claire, who had recently evolved into an Ancient Lamia, was also fighting across the battlefield independently. It seems these factors have led to this outcome.
“That is for the best. Claire, this is your first large-scale battle since your evolution, but are you alright with your magic power?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I have more leeway than I anticipated, so it will not hinder my future actions.”
Claire, who evolved last month, is, as a Lamia, among those with a large amount of magic power even among the Ancient Class.
Therefore, despite fighting independently across the battlefield, she doesn’t appear to be depleted.
Incidentally, Claire is the direct superior of Muse, who was formerly my sister and part of the Escort Order.
“Then Rex, we shall commence our advance.”
“Yes! Announce to the Allied Forces! We will now depart for the Imperial Palace! The enemy soldiers will likely come out to meet us, but as long as they do not approach us, you may ignore them! The same applies to the civilians!”
There’s no need for mercy against the demon race, but if we strike carelessly, our own casualties cannot be ignored.
Therefore, the order is to ignore them as long as they don’t attack. However, the attackers might not exclusively be soldiers.
Normally, civilians would be incapacitated without being killed, but with the demon race, there’s no such luxury. More importantly, since they are divine enemies, we cannot allow a single one to survive.
Dealing with that situation, even Ritter can feel a mental burden, so ignoring them if they don’t attack is the wisest course of action.
Ultimately, we will use the divine-class Engraving Magic, Tuatha Dé Danann, created by Yamato and Mako, to annihilate Kobaldia along with it. Therefore, there’s little point in fighting here.
Ah, it seems they are ready.
The Hunters have boarded their Multi-functional Beast Carriages, and the Ritter have boarded the Multi-functional Beast Carriages owned by the Order’s Guild.
Confirmation has been made, and now we are finally beginning our march towards the Imperial Palace.
With this, the conflict with Retisencia will also come to an end, so I will do my best!
