We returned to Solpreza after successfully defeating Surt, but naturally, Solpreza refused to take Surt.
So, along with the Grand Dragoner’s Master, we decided to return to Dragunia once more and present Tescatlipoca and Thanatos at the Hunter’s Guild, Valentia Headquarters.
However, Emperor Folias, who rushed over to hear the situation, said that it was impossible to take all four Thanatos, so they would only buy one, we were free to do as we pleased with one, and the remaining two would be presented to Emperor Reinhardt.
The Demise Species defeated this time were Surt, Thanatos, and Tescatlipoca, a total of three, excluding the three already dead. However, Valentia seemed to find those three sufficient.
The multiple Thanatos would be shared with Amister, Torencia, and Alegria of the Three Kingdoms as a form of reconstruction aid. Honestly, I wanted to secure them all, but apparently, having six Demise Species would strain the national budget and make it difficult to allocate funds for reconstruction.
Therefore, they seemed to want to save some budget by giving one to us, who held ownership, and presenting the remaining two to Amister.
Mana, Prim, and Mako (Female) predicted this and told me, though it wasn’t said directly.
I thought it was true.
After all, I had no idea how many Divine-Gold Coins would be needed to buy six Demise Species.
After that, the Grand Dragoner’s Master returned to Solpreza after telling us to keep an eye on things, and we headed to Amagi Castle with Emperor Folias to present the two Thanatos.
“It’s a convenient way to get rid of a problem, but the fact that it’s the best solution is again…”
These were the words Emperor Reinhardt would later mutter. I could understand why he felt that way.
Then, a few days later, Aria, who had returned to Alka with Yuri as an escort, informed us that a divine oracle had been received.
“Regarding the Demise Species that appeared in Valentia the other day, both Surt and Thanatos were originally Fire Dragoons and Spinosauruses that inhabited the Maldosso Labyrinth. But they were expelled from the labyrinth and evolved into Demise Species in a short period due to the residual Divine Emperor’s Magic Power.”
“I expected it, but it was as I thought.”
“Yes. What was surprising was that Surt was just a Fire Dragoon. But the Divine Emperor had Fire Element monsters like Red Dragons, Burning Dragons, and Blood Ruby Dragons under his command, so perhaps monsters of the fire element are more prone to evolution.”
“They are of the same Dragon race, and considering that, it might have been a coincidence, but in a sense, it was inevitable that the Fire Dragoon would evolve.”
Ah, thinking about it that way, the reason why the Fire Dragoon, which is only a higher species, could evolve into a Demise Species in such a short time, at least makes some sense.
“They didn’t say exactly, but they estimated that they were expelled from the labyrinth within the last six months to a year. So, they are separate from the monsters that were previously foretold in the divine oracles to be likely to evolve into Demise Species.”
“That’s also a troublesome matter, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. It means that monsters expelled or flooded from labyrinths could suddenly evolve.”
It seemed that the danger level of unexplored labyrinths that few people entered had significantly increased.
However, since we couldn’t immediately conquer unexplored labyrinths, we needed to spread this information quickly and get as many Hunters as possible involved.
Of course, conquering them would be ideal, but next year there will be a punitive expedition to Abaricia, so Ritter and Hunters scheduled to participate, especially those in the Ancient Class, might hesitate to conquer labyrinths.
Furthermore, it’s highly likely that the Demise Species that were foretold in the previous divine oracle to be likely to evolve have already completed their evolution, so we need to search for them as well.
“I heard they had the potential to evolve, but I thought it would take a little longer.”
“I understand. But considering that monsters expelled from labyrinths evolved into Demise Species in less than a year, we can’t just leave it unattended.”
“Allosauruses are also fire-elemental, so that probably contributed to the rapid evolution, but we never even imagined four at once.”
Ah, right. Allosaurus species were also classified as fire-elemental monsters.
Since they are of the Dragon race called Saur, it’s likely they evolved quickly, just like the Fire Dragoons.
“However, whatever we do, we need to inform my elder brother first. This is a matter that greatly concerns national defense, and at worst, we might need to reconsider the plans for the punitive expedition to Abaricia.”
“Indeed, if the Demise Species ravage the country, it won’t be a simple punitive expedition.”
Considering the significant damage already inflicted in Valentia, ignoring it could easily lead to the ruin of the nation.
Therefore, we need to report this to Emperor Reinhardt immediately and discuss countermeasures.
“Then, shall we head to Amagi Castle now? Aria, are there any other divine oracles?”
“Yes. The Divine Emperor has returned to the Gradia Continent, and it is said that there is an unsettling atmosphere lingering over the Gradia Continent.”
“Another unsettling piece of news.”
“As long as the gods deliver such divine oracles, ignoring them would be a grave mistake, but the timing is the worst.”
If the problems on the Philia Continent are already overwhelming, the Gradia Continent also having an unsettling atmosphere will make it impossible to manage.
“Traveling cannot be used in the Gradia Continent, but it can be used nearby, so in the worst-case scenario, we shouldn’t accompany the march and arrange to be picked up at the last minute.”
“Ah, that’s a good idea.”
As Mako (Female) says, for some reason, Traveling cannot be used in the Gradia Continent.
However, it becomes usable at a certain distance from the Gradia Continent, so being picked up is indeed a viable option.
In fact, the investigation team used this method to survey the Gradia Continent.
“Rather, it’s the only way. The problem will be after we land on the Gradia Continent, but even then, we should ignore everything else and just aim for the Divine Emperor’s head.”
“Is that all we can do? Either way, let’s head to Amagi Castle.”
Since it was originally foretold that the Helios Orb would perish if the Divine Emperor was not defeated, there is no objection to defeating the Divine Emperor.
However, now the timing feels a bit off, and I feel like the punitive expedition to the Gradia Continent could be delayed.
But first, we need to report, then have a meeting, so for now, let’s go to Amagi Castle.
Side: Mako (Female)
Upon arriving at Amagi Castle and reporting to Emperor Reinhardt, even His Majesty frowned deeply.
It’s understandable.
“This is a troublesome matter. We cannot afford to neglect either the Divine Emperor or the Demise Species, but which should be prioritized…”
“The approximate locations of the Demise Species, including those likely to evolve, have been identified. There are two locations that require immediate attention. Other than that, there is no need to rush. We have not yet grasped the extent of the monsters expelled or flooded from labyrinths.”
“That’s the problem. However, there’s no point in rushing. For labyrinths that have been expelled or flooded, we can only nip the bud of future danger by urgently conquering suspicious labyrinths.”
Regarding the labyrinths, I believe that’s the only solution.
Once conquered and their cores are managed by the Royal Castle, the danger of labyrinth floods will disappear.
Conquering them will likely fall to Raids with Ancient Hunters, but considering safety, it’s an unavoidable decision.
“For the conquest of labyrinths, I will issue requests to available Ancient Hunters. I won’t rush them, but I want them to conquer unexplored labyrinths as quickly as possible.”
“Will you mobilize Ancient Ritters as well?”
“We will consider it depending on the situation, but the Ritters will prioritize the advance into the Gradia Continent. Since a divine oracle has been received, that cannot be ignored either.”
According to the divine oracles, there is an unsettling atmosphere on the Gradia Continent.
On top of the already existing existence of the Divine Emperor, who destabilizes the world, adding an unsettling atmosphere is too significant a problem to ignore, so His Majesty intends to have Hunters focus on labyrinths and Ritters on the Gradia Continent.
Indeed, both are too terrifying to ignore, so that seems like a reasonable course of action.
“Then, the punitive expedition to the Gradia Continent will proceed as planned?”
“Yes. However, the number of Hunters participating will be reduced from the original plan. I apologize to them, but during the expedition to the Gradia Continent, they will cooperate with the Ritter’s Guild to prepare for labyrinths and Demise Species. Rex, at the knights’ meeting the day after tomorrow, please convey this to all Ritter’s Guilds.”
“Yes, sir!”
“And Yamato (Male), if you have the leeway, I would like you to simultaneously undertake the subjugation of Demise Species and the conquest of labyrinths until the expedition begins. I know I’m asking a lot, but there is no one with greater capabilities than you and your party.”
Asking us to simultaneously subjugate Demise Species and conquer labyrinths is quite unreasonable.
However, the Union, which includes Element Classes, is solely us, Wing Crest, and with six Element Classes now, it has certainly become easier to deal with Demise Species.
While we could already defeat them, it has become more stable, and as a last resort, we have my and Yamato’s Engraving Divine Artifacts, so even against Demise Species, we can defeat them unilaterally.
Labyrinth conquest is the same; as long as we reach the Deepest Layer, we can defeat the Guardian quickly using the Engraving Divine Artifact, so conquering them is not difficult as long as we are careful about the path.
“Understood. After all, people from our original world are causing trouble, so we want to do what we can.”
I agree with Yamato (Male) on this point.
The Divine Emperor is Japanese, the same generation as my and Yamato’s parents.
It seems to be after I transferred, but Yamato’s father, Asuka (Male), directly confronted him and was believed to have defeated him.
However, whatever miracle occurred, the Divine Emperor transferred to the Gradia Continent just before his life was taken by Asuka (Male).
The situation in the Gradia Continent at the time is unknown, but it has been confirmed to be a state of warring states, with several countries vying for supremacy.
The Divine Emperor unified the Gradia Continent by force and has reigned supreme for over 200 years.
Not content with that, he dispatched an army to the Philia Continent to unify and control the Helios Orb itself.
This was about 30 years ago, and at that time, he was repelled by the guests who were alive then, and the Engraving Tool was destroyed.
He attempted a comeback and reinvaded two years ago, and it was truly a close call.
If Asuka (Male) and Maoh (Female) hadn’t come, Yamato (Male) probably would have lost his life too.
At the time, I let him go because I wanted to repay the favor myself, but looking back, it was a complete failure.
In order to take responsibility, conquering the labyrinths and subjugating the Demise Species on the Philia Continent is our duty.
Although we haven’t spoken directly, I believe Yamato (Male) feels the same way.
“I’m sorry. But Yamato (Male), you don’t need to take responsibility. The Divine Emperor is a great enemy not only to the Philia Continent but to all who live in the Helios Orb. If possible, I believe we should defeat him with our own hands.”
“Thank you. However, it seems I have a history with him, and I must also repay the past favor. To fight him again, I want to clear away any lingering concerns.”
“I see. I’m always sorry.”
See?
Emperor Reinhardt also seems to understand that relying on Yamato (Male) in the current situation is distorted, but since the current situation itself is distorted, it’s unavoidable to rely on those with strength until things settle down.
Of course, I feel the same as Yamato (Male), so I have no objections to subjugating Demise Species or conquering labyrinths.
If anything, I would like to continue being a lecturer at Memoria General Academy, so I hope that will be taken into consideration.
As a Healer instructor, I want to foster as many excellent healers as possible.
While nurturing talent for the future is important, breaking through the current situation is necessary for that.
For that purpose, I also want to do my best.
