As December draws to a close, a new year is almost upon us, and with it, my eldest daughter, Saki, will turn one. It’s been about three and a half years since I came to Helios Orb, but this year has been the most tumultuous by far. Not only do I now have four children—Saki, Asma, Tsubaki, and Mizuki—but the Holy Mother Dragon Gaia also had a premonition this year. Beside the invasion of Abaricia and the true identity of the Divine Emperor, the most surprising thing was that the “Human” in that premonition turned out to be my own father and mother; I never would have imagined it. Still, life has been relatively peaceful since then.
“No way, with seven Demise Species slain this year alone, you can’t call this peaceful,” Ed said, his voice calm.
“Not only is it not normal, but it was considered impossible to defeat them,” Raus added.
Ed and Raus retorted with their usual calm, but I had to admit they were right; it wasn’t peaceful. The Demise Species defeated this year were Nidh, Kobold Emperor, Cetus, Zirko, Ouroboros, Phoenix, and Sleipnir—seven in total. Seven Demise Species defeated in a single year is an impossible number. However, there are still reports of several others evolving, and about the same number that seem likely to evolve, which is troublesome.
“Even so, everything else has been peaceful, that’s for sure. Satsuki was born too,” Marina said.
“And I got engaged to Raus and decided to live here too,” Aurora added.
As Marina and Aurora said, it’s true. Aurora, in particular, has officially announced her engagement to Raus and has moved to the Golden Tiger Mansion, which is now Raus’s residence. A Gate Stone has also been installed in her private room at the Flügel Beast Duke’s Castle. However, only the engagement has been announced; Raus’s and his companions’ levels remain undisclosed.
“That’s true, but wasn’t there some trouble at the academy because of that?” Prim asked.
“There was…” Rika replied.
“It’s not really trouble, it’s more like a problem that could be solved if Raus’s license were public,” Prim added.
As Prim mentioned, problems at the academy occur several times a month. However, most of them are related to Raus. Since the monster subjugation training held in the autumn, no practical training has been conducted outside the academy. Although there is a plan to conduct one after the new year, the forest west of Memoria, which is the planned location, is currently being thoroughly investigated. However, during the autumn training, hunter students who witnessed Raus single-handedly defeat the Goblin Queen have been increasingly acting out. They’re either trying to get a look at Raus’s license or disregarding classes unrelated to hunting. The former is a problem, but they’re already being ostracized by other students as those who violate etiquette. As for the latter, Mako, who is teaching the healing class as a part-time instructor, has even summoned them once to give them a direct warning.
“That’s why I told you, as part of the hunter class, I’ll be in charge of combat training, and we’ll have mock battles with everyone who wishes to participate. After that, the licenses will be revealed, won’t they?” I asked.
“Still, I don’t think that will solve everything. On the contrary, the jealousy towards Raus might become quite intense,” Mana said.
“Ah, that’s likely,” Mako replied.
While the concerns raised by Mako and Mana are valid, there’s not much one can do against Raus. If they cause trouble, we can simply expel them on that grounds. I know it might seem harsh to do that in the first year, but that’s precisely why a firm stance is necessary in the first year. Well, directly attacking someone in the Ancient Class would be suicidal, so if anything happens, it will likely be directed at those around them.
“If they attack royalty, it won’t just be expulsion, will it?” Rika asked.
“At best, it would be criminal slavery. So, the most dangerous person will be Reina,” Mako replied.
“Well, Reina is Level 42, and she’s trained in close combat, so she should be able to escape, at least,” Raus said.
“She also has a Gate Crystal. Reina, I’ve told you many times, don’t hesitate to use it if you have to,” I added.
“Roger that!” Reina responded.
Royalty, including Aurora, have hired exclusive butlers, and File accompanies Seras as her lady’s maid to the academy, so it’s not impossible that they could be targeted. However, they must know that attacking a royal butler would be problematic, so from that perspective, Reina is the most vulnerable. That’s why Reina is equipped with a waist pouch-type storage bag, which contains her celestial globe Grifis Light Star, a Gate Crystal, and several other magical tools for security. Her older sister, Fiana, was particularly proactive in preparing it. While Reina is not the only one, Seras has also reached Level 40, and could evolve at any time.
In addition to wars and labyrinth investigations, everyone’s levels and Guild Ranks have risen thanks to the training from my father and mother, though it’s been more modest compared to previous times. Prim, Mana, Rika, Flam, and Fiana were pregnant, so they all held back from flashy hunts.
“Speaking of Reina, if someone were to attack her, not only Raus but Yamato would get involved, right? They’re in the same Union. Don’t they know that?” Ed asked.
“It hasn’t been made public. Some people know, and the teachers have been informed, but we’re keeping it quiet within the academy, and at the Memoria Guild as well. Raus and his companions’ enrollment was kept secret until the last minute, so among the students, only those related to royalty and a few noble children know,” I explained.
Since Raus and his companions enrolled as royal guards, the royal family naturally knows. However, as they are guards, their names are not publicly disclosed. Because of this, no nobles who had gathered information before their enrollment seemed to have learned about them, and the same applies to hunters and traders. Of course, as they are guarding royalty, they must be competent. Some nobles will likely be thinking of recruiting them after they graduate, even if they can’t now. Conversely, there may be those with ill intentions, so some might have investigated the guards’ backgrounds. If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be strange for some nobles to know that Raus and his companions have evolved to at least High Class, or possibly Ancient Class. Picking a fight with someone who might be Ancient Class is nothing short of suicidal. Moreover, if they knew that Raus and his companions were in the same Union as us, they would be even less likely to do anything foolish. I admit it myself, but with their record of defeating many Demise Species, Helios Orb’s first Element Class, and the highest level record holder in Helios Orb, topped off with the hereditary right to succeed the Celestial Emperor, they are of Tenzoku status.
“Ah, I see. So, it’s out of fear of Yamato’s retaliation that nobles who know Raus and his companions’ background won’t actively spread the information?” Camellia asked.
“That’s precisely it,” I replied.
Unless something extraordinary happens, I wouldn’t take retaliatory action like Camellia mentioned. However, it’s also true that those who are likely to mess up might do something extraordinary. So, if my name serves as a deterrent, I don’t mind that much. Well, rumors are circulating, though. The story of Raus single-handedly defeating the Goblin Queen during the monster subjugation training in the autumn is also circulating as a rumor.
“About that rumor, even though they saw it with their own eyes, they’re thinking it was a fluke, aren’t they?” Lydia asked.
“I’m not sure of the details, but that sounds about right,” I replied.
“They’re spreading the story that he defeated it with a complete surprise attack, calling Raus a coward. If that’s how it is, they think they can defeat it themselves,” Mina said.
“As you said before, they really have no foresight…” Lydia sighed.
Lydia and Mina are exasperated, and I feel the same way from the bottom of my heart. Even if it’s a Goblin Queen, it’s impossible to defeat it in one hit, even with a perfect surprise attack from a High Class, let alone a Normal Class. In fact, even if they inflict heavy damage, it’s clear they’ll suffer fatal counter-attacks. When the Goblin Queen was successfully defeated solely by Normal Classes, many hunters and Ritters who attacked it either died or sustained severe injuries that left them incapacitated. Despite this, these individuals have an unfounded confidence that they can do it themselves and only believe what suits them. Even with MARS, their perception hasn’t changed. They will undoubtedly fail to become great hunters and will likely lose their lives within ten years at the latest. Even though the General Academy exists to reduce the number of such hunters, I am shocked that there are students in the first year who do not understand its purpose.
“That’s fine about them, but what about you, Yamato? You’ve been approached about conquering several labyrinths, haven’t you? What are you going to do?” Ed asked.
Ed, Marina, Fiana, and Mina, who lived in Feel, have a cold attitude towards hunters who engage in problematic behavior, as they were harassed by hunters in Retisencia three years ago. It’s understandable, as their very lives were in danger, not just their livelihoods. That’s why Ed isn’t interested in those hunters now. He seems more interested in the labyrinth conquests that have been proposed to me.
“Once Prim and Flam are done with their rehabilitation and have some free time, I plan to go. However, with the children and my work, it might be difficult for everyone to go together,” I replied.
“What about taking them with you?” Ed asked.
“Taking them to the lower floors might be fine, but I’m not sure about the deeper levels,” I said.
The labyrinths we’ve been asked to conquer are the Krater Labyrinth, Gagun Labyrinth, and Varie Labyrinth. There are other unconquered labyrinths as well, but these three are predicted to be highly difficult. If a Labyrinth flood were to occur, it could cause immense damage. Gagun Labyrinth has already experienced a Labyrinth flood, and Varie Labyrinth is also presumed to have had a Labyrinth flood along with a conquered labyrinth in the Retisencia region. Krater Labyrinth is only about two years old since its appearance, and many hunters are inside. It’s unlikely to cause a Labyrinth flood easily, but it’s still arguably the most difficult labyrinth currently known, so we want to eliminate even the slightest possibility of it.
That’s why I want to conquer it quickly. However, recently, our work as nobles has increased, and we’ve been receiving more direct requests from the Guild. More importantly, we have four children who are not yet one year old, so even if we adjust our schedule to prioritize conquering the labyrinth, it’s difficult to choose the option of going all together. Saki and Asma have been to the Krater Labyrinth before, but that was before my father and mother returned to Japan, and we only went up to the fourth floor as a final memory.
“No way, bringing newborn babies into a labyrinth is completely out of the question,” Marina said.
“And bringing them to the fourth floor of the Krater Labyrinth, which has been certified as the most difficult in Helios Orb, is something no ordinary hunter would even consider,” Camellia added.
Marina and Camellia’s retorts made us involuntarily avert our gaze. We thought that even with the high-difficulty Krater Labyrinth, the fourth floor would be no problem. More importantly, it was our last trip with my parents, so that was secondary. I was confident that I could absolutely protect them. But being called out like this, I realized it was an abnormal behavior that ordinary people wouldn’t do. Yes, what kind of idiot would bring a newborn baby into a highest-difficulty labyrinth? It’s not about confidence; it’s common sense in general society.
“While that’s true, it’s also a fact that it’s too risky to leave it unattended. If we’re going to conquer it, we’ll have to bring the children along,” Mako said.
“I didn’t expect you to realize that, Yamato. However, while the possibility of a Labyrinth flood is low at the moment, it’s not zero. The Krater Labyrinth in particular needs to be conquered soon. Therefore, even if it’s unconventional, bringing the children along is unavoidable,” Mana added.
I was slightly shocked, but Mako and Mana weren’t fazed. No, I think conquering the labyrinth, especially the Krater Labyrinth, should be done quickly. But seriously, are you planning to go with the children? Even though I’ve already done it, I hesitate when it comes to bringing children.
However, if we leave the children behind, the butlers and Fiana will have to take care of them, and with night crying and everything, it will be a huge burden. In that case, perhaps it would be best to have a few butlers accompany us and conquer it as quickly as possible. I should probably think more carefully about what to do.
