The return of the pregnant women was delayed until before noon due to complications with preparations and procedures.
Consequently, their departure was also pushed back to after noon, but this was unavoidable.
“Rex, any reports from the watchers?”
“Nothing at the moment. Wait, it seems we have pursuers. A report is coming in.”
“Yes! Multiple monsters, possibly Wyverns, are approaching us from the rear. Due to the distance, their exact type is unknown at this time.”
It had been about two hours since they landed on the Gradia Continent, and they had already passed through several towns and villages.
None of these places seemed to have any aerial defense capabilities, as no one had pursued the Wing of Order.
However, about ten minutes ago, they had passed a large city, and it appeared to have defenses prepared for the sky.
“To confirm with Questing, we’ll need them to get a little closer.”
“In addition, we haven’t determined if the riders are Demons. They’ll be upon us in just a few minutes due to their speed, so what are your orders?”
“Interception is a given, but the question is who to assign to it.”
“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, I shall go.”
“That would present its own set of problems. However, with their Monster Rank unknown and their nature as Demons undetermined, perhaps it’s unavoidable.”
The monsters might not be Wyverns, and even if they were, their Monster Rank might not be the same as those on the Philia Continent.
Furthermore, if they were mounted beasts, someone would be riding them, and it was impossible to tell if they were humans, Demons, Normal Class, or High Class.
Given this, it would be too much for a High Class individual, and depending on their Monster Rank and compatibility, even an Ancient Class might struggle alone.
This left the Element Class individuals, us, or Rex, who was closest to the Element Class, as suitable candidates.
“Then, we’ll go.”
“Both Prim and I are Element Class, and we have Layered Magic, so we’re well-suited. Of course, we don’t intend to reveal all our abilities, so Eos will stand by.”
While I was contemplating who should go, Prim and Mana volunteered.
It was true that both of them were Element Class, had good compatibility and synergy, and as Mana mentioned, they had developed Layered Magic, making them very suitable.
“Indeed, the two of you are suitable candidates, but are you certain?”
“The monsters that attacked during our march were all dealt with by the Ritters and Hunters, so we didn’t have a chance to step in. But with the decisive battle approaching, we need to get moving.”
“We exercise every day, but this is different. Don’t you agree, Yamato?”
“I cannot deny that.”
While the monsters that had attacked us in the past few days were not numerous, they had all been defeated without us needing to intervene.
However, with the decisive battle drawing near, we wanted to engage in combat at least once.
I believed my combat instincts were still sharp, but I couldn’t be sure what would happen or what tactics the Divine Emperor might employ in our fight.
“If that is the case, we have no objections. Your Majesty, what are your thoughts?”
“I have no choice but to say it’s acceptable. However, while we will investigate on our end, do not forget to use Questing.”
“Understood.”
“Naturally.”
“Both of you, be careful.”
Honestly, I wanted to fight as well, but having Prim and Mana, plus myself, would be excessive.
No, in this situation, it would be best to defeat them quickly regardless of the force, so I really ought to participate. But since Prim and Mana are so motivated, my intervention might dampen their fighting spirit.
Of course, if a dire situation arises, I intend to join in.
“Yes, of course.”
“Alright Mana, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
With that, the two of them left the bridge.
Normally, they would have to go out onto the deck, but the room assigned to us had a roof balcony, so being able to launch directly from there was a significant advantage.
“Attention all personnel. The Wing of Order will halt in our current airspace. The monsters pursuing us from the rear will be engaged by His Highness Manalease, the Celestial Duke, and Her Highness Primrose, the Celestial Duchess. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of unforeseen circumstances. All Ritters on deck, assemble at the rear and prepare for any stragglers. Observers, do not neglect to scan the surrounding area.”
At the same time, Rex used the aircraft’s internal broadcast system, adapted from communication tools, to relay the announcement.
There were about twenty of them, so if they were the same Wyverns as on the Philia Continent, it was highly unlikely Prim and Mana would miss any. However, the situation on the Gradia Continent might be different, and they might not even be Wyverns.
Therefore, it was necessary to prepare for stragglers, and I intended to head to the roof balcony for that very reason.
“I really should have placed cameras in various locations so we could check the surroundings from the bridge.”
“I concur, but the idea only came to us recently, so there was nothing we could do. Fortunately, we can likely apply the technology from our communication tools and MARS, so let’s perform a major overhaul when we return.”
“That sounds like a good plan.”
The Wing of Order’s reconnaissance was conducted visually by Ritters stationed in several locations within the craft, who reported via speaking tubes directly to the bridge.
Ideally, we would have installed dedicated communication tools, but we simply lacked the materials. More importantly, it was judged that such a cost was unnecessary for mere reports to the bridge.
Hence, speaking tubes were used, and their usefulness has been proven during this expedition. However, a few days before our advance, during a casual conversation, an image that simultaneously flashed into the minds of myself, Mako, and Sayuri caused me to exclaim involuntarily.
This led to the line Sayuri uttered.
“Monitors are already in practical use with MARS, and video transmission and reception are also practical with communication tools. Why didn’t we think of incorporating this into the Wing of Order? I really want to yell at our past selves.”
“I want to punch my past self. It’s commonplace over there, standard not only for military use but even for civilians. From an equipment standpoint, I should have been the first to realize this.”
“It can also be used as a monitor for communication devices. Of course, using it like they do back home isn’t possible yet.”
Displaying the surroundings and data on the bridge monitors, or making communications, is commonplace on Earth, with the latest technology being used in warships, military aircraft, and military vehicles.
Mako and Sayuri know such things as common knowledge, and I, having a particular interest, possess even deeper knowledge. So, we should have proposed or developed such systems concurrently with the design and construction of the airship.
High-grade Monster Magic Stones and materials would be essential, but we have a considerable stockpile of those in our storage and Inventory. Moreover, the airship for the Tree-made Multi-functional Beast Carriage, not the Wing of Order itself, is only used with the Wing Crest, leaving significant gaps in surveillance.
However, if we establish that surveillance system, the gaps will be considerably reduced, and the burden on the observers, as well as blind spots, will greatly decrease.
Why did I forget something so important?
“It’s kind of depressing.”
“Isn’t that just a sign that you’re becoming accustomed to the Helios Orb? Well, since many of the technologies were your idea, Yamato, it’s not entirely unreasonable to feel like you’re only halfway adapted.”
“That makes me feel even worse, so please spare me.”
Despite Sayuri’s teasing, I found myself agreeing that I might indeed be only halfway adapted.
The technologies I conceived, or rather proposed, include alloys, multi-functional beast carriages, metal ships, communication tools, airships, and MARS, as well as several Supplication Magics. I am proud to say that all of these have greatly contributed to the development of the Helios Orb.
It is for this reason, though not solely, that last year I was awarded the title of Honored Crafter’s Master by the Crafter’s Guild.
However, it was not my achievement alone. Mako, Fram, Ludia, Ed, Marina, and Fiana, who assisted me, were also awarded the title of Honored Crafter’s Master, and my Crafter’s Rank was elevated by one level.
Honored Master is the highest title bestowed by the Guild, and it is rare for it to be awarded to multiple people at once. However, given my role as assistant, partner, and co-developer, it was nearly an exception.
Be that as it may, alloys, multi-functional beast carriages, metal ships, communication tools, airships, and MARS were developed based on knowledge from Earth.
Therefore, regardless of whether they could be replicated or not, associated functions and equipment also came to mind at the time.
However, we decided to abandon them when we judged that reproduction was impossible or difficult. I recall deciding against the bridge monitors and cameras for the airship, deeming them unfeasible at the time.
“Rather than being incomplete, it’s probably because we were developing so many things simultaneously that the idea of combining them just slipped away. I’m no different, so I can’t fault you.”
“Ah, true. When the MARS monitors were completed, we were so satisfied with them that we didn’t even consider any other uses.”
“That was revolutionary in its own way, but that’s precisely why our perspective became narrow. Well, it’s a common occurrence.”
Hearing it said again, I could only agree, but that’s precisely why it’s depressing.
On the contrary, on Earth, these things are commonplace, even ordinary. We should have thought of their many uses immediately.
“Truly, the world of honored guests is astonishing. Though we knew it, what kind of gap exists compared to the technology of the Helios Orb?”
“They don’t have magic there, so it’s not a simple comparison.”
“On the other hand, they are using Engraving Magic now, aren’t they? It’s practically magic in itself, so considering that, it’s at least several hundred years ahead, wouldn’t you say?”
I couldn’t say for sure about that. Earth’s Industrial Revolution began in the mid-18th century, so it would be safe to say it’s around that period or earlier.
No, Engraving Magic wasn’t used back then, and some of the technology is comparable to the early 20th century. So, it’s not something that can be simply compared.
“Report from the rear observation room: His Highness Manalease, the Celestial Duke, and Her Highness Primrose, the Celestial Duchess, have engaged the enemy! Combat has begun!”
“Understood. Continue observation and monitor the battle situation.”
“Yes!”
Ah, Mana and Prim have begun their fight.
Prim is an Element Fox, and Mana is an Element Elf. Unless they are extremely careless, they shouldn’t fall behind.
If carelessness is the issue, then perhaps. But we know their abilities and trust them.
They’ve likely already appraised the monsters using Questing, and the fact that they’ve started fighting means they’ve judged it manageable.
I’m curious about what kind of monsters they are, so I suppose it’s time for us to head to the roof balcony, even if it’s a bit late.
