It’s February.
The expansion work on Feel and Prada is progressing smoothly, with Feel now more than 1.5 times its previous size.
Prada has also shed its former appearance as a small village and has become an important hub connecting sea routes, bustling with people at all times.
While the number of people traveling from Prada to Feel isn’t particularly high, Feel is a mining town and also a blacksmithing town, so more hunters seem to be visiting.
However, as a territory, this uniqueness is still weak, so as the Lord, I’d like consider other aspects.
However, there is now a different issue that needs to be prioritized.
“The subjugation of the Krater Labyrinth?”
“Yes. Holy Grave and Lily Wish jointly attempted to subjugate the Krater Labyrinth, but they gave up upon reaching the 12th Level.”
Reaching the 12th Level is impressive, even for Holy Grave and Lily Wish.
However, it’s quite surprising that there’s a level that even they would give up on conquering.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The 11th Level is said to be modeled after White Demon Castle, where Beast Carriages cannot be used. However, the monsters inhabiting it are only Demi-humans of An and Catastrophe Species, and most importantly, it is not very large, so it does not seem to have taken much time to traverse.”
The 3rd Level of the Krater Labyrinth is a level modeled after Bestia, so it’s not entirely impossible for there to be a level modeled after White Demon Castle, the royal castle of Torencia. However, it was unexpected that it would be at the deep 11th Level.
It’s a relief that the monsters are only Demi-humans and that the area is smaller than the 3rd Level.
“And the problematic 12th Level, it seems to be an underwater level.”
“…Uh, I don’t understand what you’re saying?”
Yamato’s explanation was truly incomprehensible.
Underwater means, within the sea.
However, wouldn’t that make it impossible to operate for anyone other than Undine or water dragon Dragonewt and Dragonians?
“Regarding that, it seems there are tube-like passages running like a net, so it seems possible to move by Beast Carriage. It’s apparently similar to the waterfall volcano on the 2nd Level.”
Tube-like passages forming a net?
Being able to move by Beast Carriage is a stroke of luck, but it still makes no sense.
Since it’s similar to the waterfall volcano on the 2nd Level, I can kind of imagine it.
Being similar to the waterfall volcano probably means you can enter the sea, but isn’t the pressure immense if it’s too deep?
“Ah, water pressure. That’s true, it’s something to consider, but if you’ve evolved, it doesn’t seem to be a problem. Well, given the location, I think only Undine or water dragon-type dragons would be fighting underwater.”
Well, that seems about right.
Still, I never imagined that the 12th Level would be such a level.
There are many incredible levels in labyrinths, but this is exceptional.
Come to think of it, have the monsters on the 12th Level been identified?
“Yamato, what kind of monsters were there?”
“Only about three types of aquatic creatures have been identified, and they seem to be from P-rank to M-rank. There was apparently also a monster that looked like a Fortress Whale.”
Lydia also asked first, seeming curious, but the Monster Rank seems lower than expected.
Of course, not all of them are, and aquatic monsters are considered to be one rank higher when in water, so they become M-rank to A-rank equivalent, which is appropriate for the level.
Presumably, A-rank Monsters are also living there normally.
As I knew it would be, this is truly a difficult labyrinth.
“A troublesome labyrinth. Considering the Monster Rank and the difficulty of the levels, there’s a possibility that the 12th Level is the deepest, but I still feel like there might be more.”
“Indeed. In that case, we have no idea what kind of levels the 13th Level and beyond will be like.”
“I agree. It’s possible that all the monsters that inhabit it are A-rank, or perhaps even O-rank monsters are roaming around normally.”
Prim Elder Sister, Meena, and Mako are all holding their heads in their hands, but I truly feel that this possibility is not low.
Of course, there’s also the possibility that it ends at the 12th Level, but before the Krater Labyrinth was created, labyrinths where B-rank monsters ran rampant from the 1st Level were, as far as I know, only up to the 7th Level, so it’s truly unpredictable.
“So, Yamato, you intend to conquer it, right?”
“It would be best to do so. Since there are Silkest Crawlers and Grand Silk Crawlers on the 5th Level, Ancient Classes are frequently entering. Because of that, Labyrinth Floods are unlikely, but with this much difficulty and high Monster Ranks, if we don’t conquer it quickly, I’d be afraid of any potential issues.”
“Well, yes. However, the students can’t move until the spring long break, and Rosemary’s due date is approaching, so depending on the timing, I won’t be able to move either.”
“Ah, that’s right. Rosemary’s due date is soon.”
That’s right.
Rosemary’s baby is the first child of Grand Order’s Master and the long-awaited heir of the Fallhight Viscountcy.
However, since Rosemary has also evolved into an Ancient Ogre, even for a High Healer, it will be difficult to attend the childbirth.
Therefore, Mako, who is also an Element Healer, has been appointed to attend the childbirth of Rosemary and her wife, the Ancient Rabbitry Saya.
Rosemary’s due date is at the end of this month, and Saya’s is at the end of March. Therefore, Mako cannot move until at least both of them have given birth.
Mako’s absence, being an Element Human like Yamato, would be a considerable reduction in combat power, so if we are to go on a subjugation mission, it would have to be after both of them have given birth.
“Saya’s due date is also in March, so it might be safer to go after Saya’s childbirth.”
“That would be the case. After childbirth, a more experienced Maternity Healer would be able to provide more appropriate care than I can.”
“Then I’ll schedule it for the end of March.”
“Understood.”
Rather than it being safer, there are no other options.
Moreover, at the end of March, the academy will enter its two-week long break.
The General Academy, like schools on Earth, has long breaks each season, each lasting about two weeks.
These long breaks typically fall in late July to early August, late October to early November, late December to early January, and late March to early April.
During the long break, students are free to return home, focus on self-study, or take on requests from the Guild Register using Memoria.
However, being the first year, students were not allowed to leave the academy grounds except for temporary home visits during this long break.
I sometimes took leave from the academy for my duties as Lord, but this was due to unavoidable circumstances, and the Headmaster, Grand Scholar Master, and even my elder brother have given their consent.
“That matter is up to you, but it’s unlikely that we will be able to participate.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Students are prohibited from entering the labyrinth without permission, regardless of their position. That’s why we decided to hold labyrinth practice sessions.”
“Forget labyrinth practice, we can’t even leave the academy grounds to begin with. I think eventually all students will have to live in the dormitories.”
When Prim Elder Sister tilted her head in confusion at my words, Yamato and Mako explained.
As they both said, not all students are currently living in the dormitories.
In fact, royalty like myself and others commute from the Marquis Amatista family’s residence instead of living in the dormitories.
However, this could be interpreted as the arrogance of royalty.
I have duties as Lord, but the royal family commutes from the Marquis Amatista family’s residence due to concerns about the security system of the dormitories.
Plans are in place to move into the dormitories starting next year and the year after, but that will likely be after the royal-exclusive dormitories currently under construction are completed.
“Ah, so dormitories for royalty are also under construction.”
“Yes. They are scheduled to be completed in the summer. The issue is with Sir Yuri. I believe he will be granted special permission to go out for emergencies or rest days.”
Currently, all the dormitories within the academy have the same room specifications, with no exceptions even for royalty or nobles.
Therefore, butlers cannot accompany them, and while the security system within the academy is safe, it is currently difficult to prevent unauthorized entry by students.
Orders patrol the dormitories, and I’ve heard that several individuals attempting theft have already been caught. However, this issue is something we hadn’t anticipated would arise so early in the first year, so construction of the royal-exclusive dormitories began as soon as the year started.
As Mako mentioned, they will be completed by the summer, and after that, we will likely move into those dormitories.
“Then the student group will have to live in the dormitories until graduation.”
“It’s a bit late, but yes. Well, since Yuri is the Lord, and as his escort, Raus and the others will likely be able to return on weekends as well.”
“And then there are the long breaks. It might be difficult to return every time due to escorting the other princes and princesses.”
“There will be Orders stationed at the royal dormitories, so I don’t think that’s an issue, is it?”
The royal dormitories, exclusively for royalty and nobility, are equipped with a personal room for the student, a butler’s room, a toilet, and a bath within each room. Furthermore, there is an Order’s office on the first floor.
Only one butler is allowed to accompany them, but considering the number of royalty and nobility on the Philia Continent, there are said to be around 60 rooms prepared on the second to fifth floors.
The first floor, in addition to the Order’s office, also houses a cafeteria and a large public bath.
Although they are called royal dormitories, a separate rental fee will be charged for their use, so they are not exclusively for nobles. I believe the cost, including meals, is about 50,000 El per month.
“Oh, so even though they’re called royal dormitories, they’re not exclusively for royalty and nobles.”
“It’s unlikely that all nobles are classmates, nor would everyone enroll.”
“For now, it’s only Memoria, but eventually, schools will also open in Float, Bestia, and Dragunia. We intend to make the Fraydlancia Baronetcy an Academy City, so the students will be dispersed.”
“Ah, I see.”
Prim Elder Sister and Yamato followed Ludia’s comment, but in that case, it seems like there might be spare rooms in the royal dormitories.
Therefore, the royal dormitories are designed to be easily renovated, anticipating such situations.
“So, Sir Yuri, as well as Aria and Raus and the others, will be moving into those royal dormitories?”
“That is the plan. They could stay in regular dormitories, but they are enrolled as escorts for royalty.”
That’s right.
Furthermore, unauthorized personnel will be prohibited from entering the royal dormitories, which would reduce unnecessary contact with Raus and the others.
While dealing with other noble children in the same royal dormitories will be troublesome, it will still be helpful for me to not have to deal with all the students.
However, those noble children should know what will happen if they try to harm royalty, and the academy has already demonstrated that it will punish even royalty without mercy at the entrance ceremony. Therefore, there won’t be many nobles who will do anything reckless, if any.
If such nobles do appear, His Majesty and the other royals will gladly attack them.
