His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt’s speech concluded, and the triumphant return ceremony ended without incident.
Though I’m used to it, I still don’t relish being paraded around like that.
Afterward, a victory banquet was held in the great hall of Amagi Castle to commemorate the unification of the Philia Continent.
Not only the kings of various nations but also the Ritter and Hunters who had participated in the war, as well as many nobles, were invited, making it a truly lively affair. The Celestial Emperor’s Family was also serving celebratory sake and other drinks from floats. It seemed that many people were raising their glasses in celebration, especially since Retisencia, which had caused them so much trouble, was now destroyed.
“Today is a day to commemorate the unification of the Philia Continent. Everyone, drink and enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content. Cheers!”
His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt led the toast, and the celebratory banquet began.
“I heard about it, but I never imagined three Demise Species would appear.”
“But still, we know about Yamato and Mako, and since Rex and the others defeated them too, won’t it be easier for us from now on?”
Prim, Mana, and Flam, who remained in Alka due to their pregnancies, also attended the banquet. Rika also joined after finishing her duties in Memoria. Yuri and Aria arrived after their school ended, as did His Highness David and his group. They planned to stay overnight in Alka as they had classes the next day, and would return to the Marquis Amatista family via the Gate Stone in the morning.
“I can’t say for sure, but the training Yamato and Maoh received was more intense than the pressure from the Demise Species. I think other Unions might be able to handle them depending on the species.”
“Yeah, I thought so too.”
In fact, Rex and the others said that they weren’t intimidated because they felt far more magic power from Father than from Sleipnir, which was more than enough to keep them from flinching.
“Indeed, Father-in-law overwhelmed even Nidh. You must not be afraid of newly evolved Demise Species if you received training from someone like that.”
“That’s an amazing story in itself, though.”
What Prim and Mana said is true.
“Ah, wait a minute. That means… my older brothers might be able to defeat Demise Species too, depending on the individual?”
“Ah… I wonder? It’s not impossible, but…”
This is where Mana realized something tremendous. It was true that not only His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt but also Princess Elice, Princess Maruca, and Princess Ciel had received training from Father and Mother and had leveled up considerably. Furthermore, His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt had defeated many Abnormal Species and Catastrophe Species, including the W-rank Flood Crane, during the conquest of Kobaldia, reaching level 83. Although Princess Ciel had evolved into a High-Labitry, her combat experience was limited, so even with support, it would be difficult, but Princess Elice and Princess Maruca were Ancient Class, so they might be able to defeat newly evolved Demise Species. I know better than to voice this aloud, as they might actually go fight them.
“By the way, where are Saki and Asuma?”
“Saki is likely sleeping now, as she just finished feeding. Asuma… I wonder?”
“Since Rika is here, they’re probably behaving themselves.”
Saki was asleep, but I wasn’t sure about Asuma. While Rika was working, she entrusted the care to the butler, and Fina was helping out since Satsuki was born, so there was no concern about milk. Fina seemed to be acting like a wet nurse, but since Mana and Rika also breastfed Satsuki, it was probably understandable.
“Well, we’ll be heading back soon, so you can leave Saki and Asuma to us.”
“I want to go home quickly too, but I can’t do that.”
Mana and Rika had to take care of Saki and Asuma, and Prim and Flam couldn’t participate for long durations even at the banquet due to their pregnancies. this time, they had only come to Amagi Castle for a brief appearance and to greet us. Frankly, I wanted to go back with them, but as I was both the central figure and a contributor to the current operation, I unfortunately had to stay until the end. I’ll be busy with meetings starting tomorrow, so I want to see Saki and Asuma’s faces soon and refuel my motivation.
**Side: Shazara**
I am currently drinking wine in a glass with Clare, an Escort Order’s Master.
“This wine really is delicious, isn’t it?”
“Was it 20 years old? It’s the highest quality, aged by burying it at the base of the Celestial Tree. It’s the best, isn’t it?”
Alcohol, including wine, is made by Crafters called brewers. The wine we are drinking, as Clare said, is aged by burying it at the base of the Celestial Tree. Although the base of the Celestial Tree is vast, only five brewers have permission to use it. These brewers meticulously craft the wine, which is then aged by burying it in the void at the base of the Celestial Tree. This is that wine, and what we are drinking is a 20-year-old masterpiece.
“Still, the Engraving Magic used to annihilate Kobaldia was truly incredible.”
While drinking wine, Clare spoke about the Engraving Magic, Tuatha Dé Danann, used by Yamato and Mako.
“Indeed. But they said it couldn’t be used without Emperor Reinhardt’s permission, and he actually sealed it before our eyes. So, no matter how dire the circumstances, that Engraving Magic won’t be used.”
“That’s true. Well, even without using it, it might not make much difference to those two.”
Faris and El joined the conversation here. But I agree with what Faris said.
“Even without using Engraving Divine Artifacts, the abilities of those two are outstanding. I suspect they could have defeated Ouroboros and Phoenix normally as well.”
“I think so too.”
The three Demise Species that appeared in Kobaldia were Ouroboros, Phoenix, and Sleipnir. We know they did not inhabit Retisencia before. Therefore, it is presumed that these three evolved due to Demon Crystals or the magic power of the Divine Emperor. This leads to the theory that they haven’t evolved for very long. In the latter case, the Divine Emperor landed in Kobaldia about two months ago, so their evolution would have occurred after that. Yamato has a record of single-handedly defeating a newly evolved Orc Emperor, so I suspect he could have defeated them even without Engraving Divine Artifacts.
“You trust them, don’t you?”
“Well, they’ve saved my life more than once.”
On that point, I agree. The first time I met them was on the third level of the Instant Labyrinth, when they saved us from a Monster’s Trap. The monsters that appeared there were not only G-rank but even P-rank. If we had continued fighting, one of our members would surely have fallen. At that time, I was level 51, and my weapon was Magic Silver, so I couldn’t fight as well as I can now. We were truly saved.
“They have earned His Majesty’s deep trust. And since members of the Royal Family have married into their family or are engaged to them, they have even become a Tenshaku. However, they have no ambition, and the title of nobility is probably more of a burden to them.”
“They’ve said many times that they wanted to live carefree lives as Hunters and Crafters.”
I’ve heard that too. Although they accept it now, I’ve heard they tried to resist when it was decided they would be granted titles. Fortunately, whether it’s good or not is debatable, but they are now acting as provincial administrators for the Esmeralda Baronetcy and the Marquisate of Amatista. It seems they will be granted the territories in a few years.
“A grant, you say? So, perhaps he will be granted the Kobaldia Ruins.”
“Or perhaps Mana. Given how close she was to Raid, Faris often talks about political matters. Because of that, I find Faris’s prediction quite plausible.”
“This is hardly a concern for us Hunters. Rather, the Demise Species are more interesting.”
“That’s true.”
However, as El says, regardless of who is granted the area around the Kobaldia Ruins, it holds little interest for us Hunters. If it’s a good lord, we’ll visit often, but if it’s a bad lord, we simply won’t go. Therefore, newly evolved, or soon-to-be-evolved Demise Species are of higher importance to me.
“I recall the Grand Order’s Master saying that Yamato Tenshaku’s parents were stronger.”
“That’s right. Clare, you weren’t part of their training, were you? It was absolutely hellish. Oh, thinking about it makes me want to cry…”
“That was…”
“Yamato said it was hell, but I truly understood what he meant then…”
Faris, El, and I received training from Yamato’s parents, and it was truly hell. I had trained with Yamato, Prim, and Mako before, and even then I felt it was hell, but Yamato’s parents were on a completely different level… Even I am trembling at the memory…
“W-was it that bad…?”
“If you told me to experience that hell again, I’d rather go fight a Demise Species.”
Faris replied to Clare, who was intimidated by our reactions, but I completely agreed with her opinion.
“They were Arc Humans, so we went all out, intending to kill them. Asuka also said it was fine like that.”
“Not only Hunters but Orders were present, and even Yamato and his Wing Crest group participated…”
“Not only was our attacks ineffective, but we couldn’t even touch them… And the first time, it ended in about 30 seconds…”
“Th-that…”
It was truly confidence-shattering. Except for Mako, Yamato’s Wing Crest group, and even including His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt and His Majesty Emperor Hildegard, over 30 Ancient Class individuals challenged them, but in the first mock battle, they were almost all incapacitated by Asuka’s magic alone. We expected to be able to put up at least some of a fight, even if we couldn’t win, but it turned out to be a complete defeat. Naturally, they reduced their magic power from the second time, as it wasn’t proper training. However, our attacks were easily dodged or blocked, and conversely, Asuka’s attacks were so absurd that being targeted meant the end.
“What’s terrifying is that those who were incapacitated first were subjected to a one-on-one mock battle as a penalty. He wields his sword enthusiastically with just enough magic power to keep us from falling. I honestly thought he was a demon then.”
Even watching from the side, it was brutal. After all, even with over 30 Ancient Class individuals attacking all at once, we couldn’t land a single blow. Fighting one-on-one felt utterly hopeless. Everyone truly thought he was a demon then.
Ah, demons are beings from the guest world, similar to demi-humans of our world, and are said to have horns like ogres. They are legendary beings and are feared by people, so guests have mentioned them since long ago, and it seems to have become a common metaphor with a similar meaning. Although they resemble ogres, demons are considered demi-humans. Elves and Valkyries, and Undines and Sirens, also have similar appearances and have never been discriminated against; Ogres themselves don’t have issues with it either.
“Well, thanks to that, my Burks was able to evolve.”
“Dios of the Gracious Lynx also did, didn’t he?”
Several others from the Royal Order also evolved after experiencing one-on-one combat with Asuka. Facing an opponent stronger than a Demise Species alone as a High Class individual is something no one with a death wish would do, but since it was training and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, in a way, they gained valuable experience. Unfortunately, we Sacred Birds were only able to participate in that training twice, so no member was able to evolve into an Ancient Class.
However, despite being hellish training, it was an extremely meaningful time for us as well. It’s a shame we won’t be able to meet them again, but we must not waste their teachings and must do our best.
