Side – Reinhardt
I had just returned from reporting on the subjugation of the Varie Labyrinth to Grand Order’s Master Rex, and I could only be surprised by the unexpected results.
The labyrinth, with its 18 floors, had an Earth Shaker, a P-C Rank Monster, as its Guardian.
Based on this information, it appeared to be a low-difficulty labyrinth comparable to the Float Labyrinth, and I heard it was classified as G-Rank in the Dungeon Rank system the Hunter’s Guild was planning to establish.
A G-Rank labyrinth is one where subjugation by raids and unions possessing High Class abilities earns an elite certification, so it seems the difficulty is neither too low nor too high.
As an Ancient Class myself, I can say that considering the power difference between Ancient Class and High Class, this outcome is, in a way, inevitable.
The Float Labyrinth is a C-Rank labyrinth. The Varie Labyrinth, with a similar structure, is two ranks higher. This increased difficulty is due to the 17th and 18th floors being classified as underground levels, and the high defense of Puppet-type monsters, which cannot be easily damaged by half-hearted attacks.
However, since it has only recently been subjugated, its rank may be lowered in the future.
What surprised me most about the Varie Labyrinth’s details was the presence of Puppet-type monsters in its deepest layer.
Not only Ore-type minerals like Orichalcum but also Gem-type materials like Corundum and Jewels were found in considerable numbers.
There were even higher-tier Dolls and some rare Golems, making the deepest layer a more lucrative hunting ground than any ordinary gem mine.
The Varie Mountain Range, where the Varie Labyrinth is located, is scheduled to be granted to the Count Fallheight family. There’s a possibility of mineral veins existing in the Varie Mountains as well, so Rex, who will be the first lord, is unable to hide his joy.
Given the considerable tax revenue I can expect, I am inclined to give preferential treatment to the development of Count Fallheight Territory.
The division of the former Retisencia region has already been completed. The noble families, other than the Lapislazurite Celestial House and the Count Fallheight family, who will become lords have been provisionally decided, but there are over twenty of them, so I cannot give preferential treatment only to the Count Fallheight family.
During the report, Rex presented me with the labyrinth core of the Varie Labyrinth, along with the Guardian’s magic stone.
In recent years, Yamato and his companions have been presenting us with an enormous number of magic stones, so many that they no longer fit in the treasure vault.
Therefore, a new treasure vault specifically for magic stones is being constructed.
This is the Magic Stone Vault, where magic stones from many monsters, including T-Rank, are housed.
The most valuable are the magic stones of Demise Species. These magic stones are sometimes lent to the Scholar’s Guild for research using MARS.
MARS is only available in Memoria within the Amister country, so they must be transported by someone trustworthy.
Until now, we relied on Yamato and Mana’s Wing Crest, but they are not always available.
Therefore, we decided to lend one MARS for use within Amagi Castle.
Only Yamato and his group can prepare MARS, so I feel very reluctant about this, but considering the effort and risk of transportation, this is better.
However, that MARS is still incomplete due to the impact of the subjugation of the Krater Labyrinth and the Varie Labyrinth.
By hunting multiple O-Rank monsters in the Krater Labyrinth, it has become possible to use O-Rank magic stones on MARS.
They are currently working on those adjustments.
Getting back to the topic, Rex and Muse will return to the Order’s Guild in three days, and they returned to Count Fallheight’s residence today.
Their children were just born, so they should be able to rest their bodies.
The Order’s Guild will be able to handle most situations even without Rex, as Miranda has become the new vice-leader as a Conforming Order’s Master, and an Associate Order’s Master has also been appointed as the third-in-command.
Speaking of which, I recall receiving a report about the Gagun Labyrinth, which caused a Labyrinth Flood. The report is… here it is.
“This is…”
“What’s wrong, Rai?”
I unintentionally let out a sound, and El, who assists me with my duties, must have heard it.
“My apologies. No, I was just looking over the report regarding the Gagun Labyrinth, and it seems the situation might be worse than I anticipated.”
“Worse than you anticipated? I thought that after the Labyrinth Flood, Beastars also started entering the Gagun Labyrinth, and since it’s in the Vald Beast Duchy, the number of Hunters has been gradually increasing?”
As El said, the Labyrinth Flood of the Gagun Labyrinth and the Laofen Labyrinth in the former Solemne region, which occurred about two years ago, was successfully suppressed with the cooperation of Ancient Hunters, mainly Yamato and his Wing Crest.
The cause of the Labyrinth Flood is believed to be that the number of monsters increased because no one entered the labyrinth, and the labyrinth released monsters outside for adjustment, and a phenomenon called Labyrinth Expulsion, which is a smaller-scale version of the same phenomenon, has also been confirmed.
It was concluded that the Gagun Labyrinth caused a Labyrinth Flood due to a decrease in hunters entering it because of the Valiente civil war, and the Laofen Labyrinth caused one because even Solemne soldiers were not entering it, leading to Labyrinth Expulsion in both cases.
Although the Laofen Labyrinth was desired for early subjugation due to its location and has been subjugated, the Gagun Labyrinth was put on hold for a while because hunters’ schedules did not align, and it had just released powerful monsters.
However, leaving it unattended was out of the question, so the Beastar’s Guild began dispatching personnel to conduct combat training as a form of investigation, and the Hunter’s Guild actively publicized the resolution of the Labyrinth Flood, successfully attracting hunters to enter.
Despite this, a major problem is currently occurring in the Gagun Labyrinth.
“No, it’s not that Hunters are causing problems or that there are disputes with Beastars. Recently, the Grand Beastar’s Master went to investigate with his subordinates, and they managed to reach the 26th floor.”
“Oh, they reached the 26th floor. As expected of the Grand Beastar’s Master. But what’s the problem with that?”
“The 26th floor is said to be a mountainous region, and monsters up to A-Rank appeared, not to mention M-Rank. M-Rank monsters were also present on the 25th floor, but it seems they have suddenly increased from there.”
“That’s…”
The report states that on the 25th floor of the Gagun Labyrinth, there was a Viper-type M-C Rank monster called Shadow Hide, but no other species were confirmed.
While it’s impossible to definitively say they don’t exist without examining the entire 25th floor, the map is more than half filled, making it unlikely based on the distribution of monsters.
However, on the 26th floor, not only Shadow Hide but also M-I Rank Cliff Panthers and even Saur-type monsters were present, and A-Rank species were roaming freely above them.
We knew that monsters of M-Rank and A-Rank had overflowed from the Gagun Labyrinth during the Labyrinth Flood, so we knew they existed. However, an increase of this magnitude within just one floor is extremely rare compared to other labyrinths.
What’s more troublesome is that some monsters that overflowed during the Labyrinth Flood were not confirmed even up to the 26th floor, so it is certain that there are further depths to explore.
“Of course, it’s possible that there are no A-Rank monsters on the 27th floor, but even so, it would be difficult for Beastars, who are primarily High Class, to proceed further, so they chose to retreat.”
“Considering they discovered so many monsters after investigating just a small part of the 26th floor, that’s a natural decision. Besides, Hunters would retreat too, wouldn’t they?”
I completely agree.
Thanks to alloy, even High Class individuals can defeat M-Rank monsters if they work together in groups.
However, against A-Rank monsters, even with alloy weapons, a few people stand no chance.
Even surrounding them with dozens of people, and accepting casualties, would be necessary to defeat A-Rank monsters with only High Class individuals.
With multiple A-Rank monsters confirmed, proceeding further, even with the Ancient Class Grand Beastar’s Master accompanying them, would be akin to suicide.
To advance beyond the 26th floor, it is estimated that at least several Ancient Class individuals would be required.
“That’s troublesome, but this other report is also problematic.”
“Another report? El is also looking at a report, but what kind of report is it?”
“This one is from Valentia. It seems the Maldoso Labyrinth is showing signs of a Labyrinth Flood.”
“What did you say?”
When I try to recall Maldoso, it was a town located in the eastern part of Valentia, a region where the lord was executed when the Amister-Philias Federation Heavenly Empire was founded.
“That seems to be correct. However, the lord appointed after that was seemingly selfish and incompetent. He imposed heavy taxes and even confiscated monsters hunted in the labyrinth, which led to hunters no longer visiting the area. Worse still, the Hunter’s Master was also complicit, which seems to have delayed its discovery.”
I couldn’t help but put my head in my hands as El explained the situation.
What a sloppy resolution.
It’s a similar situation to Feel from a few years ago, but since the land route wasn’t blocked, hunters who left Maldoso could have easily reported it.
“Another reason for the delayed discovery is that the lord had hired his private soldiers and rough-looking hunters to enter the labyrinth, so a decent amount of monster material was circulating. Of course, the Hunter’s Guild, Valentia Headquarters, conducted inspections several times, but these hunters had obtained prior information and managed to deceive the inspectors by putting on a show just during the inspections, thus stalling for time.”
That’s also a problem, but it’s also a problem that they couldn’t notice it.
However, I’ve heard that Valentia had strong noble families in the past, and they were also underhanded. It is said that this was quite common, especially in the eastern regions.
The Federation Heavenly Empire was established only about two years ago, and if the current lord is as incompetent as his predecessor, it might be understandable that it took them a while to notice.
However, if the result is signs of a labyrinth flood, it’s completely counterproductive.
“Has Valentia indicated how they intend to deal with this?”
“The Dragoner’s Guild, led by the Grand Dragoner’s Master, has prepared to dispatch Hydragoners at any time. However, the Maldoso Labyrinth is known to have M-Rank monsters, so the possibility of A-Rank monsters appearing cannot be ruled out. Therefore, they are requesting the Order’s Guild to dispatch an Ancient Order as well.”
Since the only Ancient Dragoner is the Grand Dragoner’s Master, that’s natural.
Even if the lord is incompetent, the citizens have nothing to do with it; rather, they are the victims.
To force suffering upon such citizens would be not just incompetent, but utterly foolish.
That’s probably why the Dragon King is requesting reinforcements from the Order’s Guild without regard for pride.
“Understood. I will inform Miranda about this later.”
Conforming Order’s Master Miranda has experience in dispatching reinforcements to the Gagun Labyrinth during the Labyrinth Flood.
If we appoint her as commander and form a unit of about 50 people, centered around five Ancient Orders, it should be possible to handle the situation, depending on the scale.
If it is impossible to resolve, Miranda will surely send a messenger, making it easy to send reinforcements.
We should prepare reinforcements as well, just in case, and keep them on standby for a while.
Depending on the situation, I will consider going there myself.
It’s not because I’ve been stuck with administrative work lately and haven’t had a proper hunt.
Absolutely not.
