It’s rare for me to be struck by such a headache from one of Rex Fallheight, the Order’s Master of Feel’s report. Not only is it a major problem that a Demise Species appeared in the Mylight Mountains where Feel is located, but there were also numerous Catastrophe Species. This situation is so dire that we may have to seriously consider abandoning Feel.
It’s understandable that there were An Species, as Demise Species are said to give birth to them.
However, the presence of numerous Catastrophe Species on top of that means that abandoning Feel would be fortunate. In the worst-case scenario, Amister might have been annihilated.
And yet, they succeeded in subjugating them, including the Demise Species. Furthermore, they claim to have done so individually, which is impossible to believe.
To top it off, they claim to have done it without a scratch; this is utterly preposterous.
Normally, such a report would be dismissed as fabricated, and Order’s Master Rex, who submitted it, would face severe punishment. However, given that he explicitly stated he would not shy away from a hearing or interrogation, it’s hard to believe it’s false.
With evidence to back it up, I can’t afford not to believe it…
“This is the magic stone of the Orc Emperor, a Demise Species. It is said that the higher the rank of a monster, the more vibrant its magic stone becomes. If you compare it with the magic stones of the Grand Orc, Giant Orc, Orc Prince, and Orc King here, you will understand.”
What Marquis Frederica presented as evidence were the magic stones of the orcs.
I’ve seen the Orc King’s magic stone before, as it’s kept in Amagi Castle.
It’s a beautiful, crimson-glowing magic stone.
The Orc Prince’s magic stone is also a vivid crimson, so I understand that as well.
The Giant Orc’s magic stone is lighter than that, and the Grand Orc’s magic stone is almost pink.
Normal Orc magic stones are a white-ish red, so the difference is clear when compared.
And the magic stone of the Orc Emperor in question is, surprisingly, blackish-red.
It gives the impression that the color has become too intense and has darkened.
No country possesses the magic stone of a Demise Species, nor has anyone seen one.
Therefore, it’s difficult to judge, but I can definitively say it is different from the other magic stones.
“This… is rather ominous, isn’t it…”
“It is…”
“But the mana emanating from this magic stone… it’s far beyond that of a Catastrophe Species!”
As Associate Order’s Master Dianos said, it has a sinister aura, and as Mana mentioned, the mana felt is not comparable to that of a Catastrophe Species.
Seeing something like this, I can’t doubt that this magic stone belongs to a Demise Species…
“This is the first time in history that a Demise Species has been subjugated. Therefore, we have brought the magic stone of this Orc Emperor and the Orc Empress to present to His Majesty. Please accept them.”
“To present such an item. It is truly a national treasure, but I also feel like it’s a convenient way to get rid of something troublesome.”
My father accepted the magic stones of the Orc Emperor and the Orc Empress with a wry smile.
Indeed, such magic stones are undoubtedly national treasures.
However, at the same time, they are not items that can be publicly possessed.
It’s questionable whether even the castle’s treasury could keep them hidden, but secrets are less likely to leak than if they were kept in a noble’s household.
Considering that, it does feel like a way to get rid of a burden.
“Also, Your Majesty, I wished to summon Muse here, but why is she not present?”
“You mean the matter of her level surpassing Tolman and Dianos? I intended to summon her as well, but Tolman advised me it was an Orders Guild issue. Also, the families of the fallen Order members requested the swift return of the bodies. I understood their feelings, so I decided to send her there.”
“Muse ran off, didn’t she…”
Marquis Frederica’s murmur fortunately did not reach my father’s ears.
However, as a High Elf, I heard it clearly, and I’m sure Grand Hunter’s Master, Tolman, Dianos, and the Royal Orders heard it as well.
Well, I understand Muse’s feelings, so I don’t want to press the issue, but if I were in Muse’s position, I would have probably found an excuse and run away too.
“Rex, I heard that Iris also surpassed level 50. Is that correct?”
“Yes. Here are our Order Licenses.”
Rex and Iris presented their Order Licenses to my father.
They have definitely surpassed it.
“I feel strange saying this as a reference, but before joining the Alliance, my level was 47, and Iris’s was 48. Like Muse, all the Orders that participated have leveled up by at least three levels.”
…What?
Three levels at once in a single Alliance?
Wh-what is that?!
“I’ve never heard of such a thing!?”
“Regarding that, Elder Yamato, an Ancient Hunter, has proposed a hypothesis.”
A hypothesis?
About leveling up?
“What kind of hypothesis is it?”
“Yes. As you know, High Class mana fatigues and degrades Magic Silver and Adamantine Steel. Therefore, even during combat, we tend to suppress our mana.”
I have some personal experience with this, and the Royal Orders nodded in agreement, perhaps thinking of their own experiences.
“However, the weapons used in this Alliance are capable of withstanding even Ancient Class mana. Therefore, even if we, High Class individuals, used our mana to its fullest, we did not experience mana fatigue or degradation.”
Are they talking about the Jade Silver, Blue-Gray Iron, and Lapis Lazuli Silver I heard about earlier?
Indeed, I heard that the two Ancient Class individuals had no problem using them, but how does that connect to leveling up?
“His hypothesis is that because High Class individuals cannot fully utilize their mana, their leveling up is difficult.”
Because they can’t fully utilize their mana, huh?
It’s true that High Class individuals usually suppress their mana to avoid breaking their weapons, but that doesn’t mean they can’t level up…
“I see. It is said that leveling up is related to mana manipulation. In fact, those with higher levels are skilled at manipulating mana. However, that doesn’t mean their weapons don’t break. So, we unconsciously suppress our mana, which is limiting our mana usage.”
“I understand. If that mana restriction is removed, we no longer need to worry about fine mana control. We can use our mana without concern, and the mana that was previously suppressed is freed, allowing us to circulate it throughout our bodies more than before. That is what led to the current level increases.”
Tolman and Dianos said that, and I realized it too.
Indeed, it makes sense when you put it that way.
However, this could become a major problem in another sense…
“If that theory is correct, this is a grave situation.”
“It really is. It’s probably a side effect of that new technology, but the effect is still immense.”
My father and Mana have noticed it too.
There’s no doubt that this is a side effect of using alloys, but the effect is significant.
It could even be said to be too significant.
After all, it holds the potential for the High Class individuals who used it to level up further.
If Solemn knew about this, they would not only declare war on our country but also engage in various underhanded schemes to obtain this technology.
Retisencia is not much of a threat, and Valentia is likely to face internal strife first, so a two-front war might be manageable. However, if Solemn joins, the future becomes uncertain.
Moreover, Solemn believes in doing anything to win, so in the worst-case scenario, it could involve Libertà and Alegria, as well as Valentia and Torencia.
If that happens, the Philia Continent will be engulfed in war, and Abaricia will find an opening.
That would be counterproductive.
“This technology, and this hypothesis, must be kept absolutely secret…”
My father declared that first, but honestly, I didn’t think it needed to be taken that seriously.
However, as I listened to the conversation, I’ve come to believe that it might not be serious enough.
The content of this report is that significant.
“Regarding this new technology, Edward Albert, the developer, will report on it. Is that acceptable?”
“Hmm. I’ve heard a brief account from Ly and Mana, but I can’t believe what he’s created. He truly is the grandson of my master, Richard.”
“That’s too much. Besides, this idea came from Yamato.”
My father knows that he is a guest.
Our great-grandmother, Sayuri Reina Amister, is also a guest.
Although she has evolved into a High Human and looks to be in her 30s, or even 20s, she is over 100 years old.
She resides in Amagi Castle, but her lifelong pursuit is visiting towns and villages with few healers, so she is often absent from the castle. She is a vibrant great-grandmother.
“This is… a metal comparable to Divine Metal… But this is…”
It seems Edward’s explanation progressed to Lapis Lazuli Silver.
And my father, who is also a P-rank Crafter, noticed the danger of Lapis Lazuli Silver.
“This will not be made public. While it consumes a lot of mana to create, its performance is problematic.”
“Naturally. If something like this, while not easy, is not difficult to create, it can be mass-produced compared to Divine Metal. Combined with the hypothesis earlier, Solemn will definitely act, so it’s best to refrain from it.”
My father makes that judgment, but his eyes betray a covetous glint.
Grand Crafter’s Master Alfred was the same, so perhaps it’s in a crafter’s nature.
“However, it is best to have the actual items. With the consent of Yamato and the others, we would like to present the Jade Silver, Blue-Gray Iron, and Lapis Lazuli Silver here to His Majesty.”
“Wh-what!? Lapis Lazuli Silver, this much!?”
My father, surprised but beaming with joy, was there.
There’s no trace of royal dignity.
“Yes. And to report first, we have presented Prince Reinhardt, a High Elf, with a sword made of Lapis Lazuli Silver. It was made by my grandfather as a token of Yamato’s goodwill. A sword like this has also been prepared for Associate Order’s Master Dianos, so please pick it up later.”
When Ed said that, Dianos’s face contorted in surprise.
“For me too?”
“Yes. Well, about Mina, and all that.”
“I see. In that case, I shall gratefully accept it.”
It’s only natural that Dianos, as the father of Mina, who is now Yamato’s fiancée, would be considered when I received a sword.
“I see, for the father of his fiancée. However, it’s also a problem that Associate Order’s Master is using a better weapon. Tolman, I will forge your sword. With this Lapis Lazuli Silver.”
Hmph, my father is getting carried away.
I’m sure Ed and the others anticipated it to some extent, but if we don’t stop him here, it will get out of hand.
“If I may be so bold, Your Majesty, Prince Manalease, Princess Elis, and Princess Maruca also need weapons. However, it will be difficult for you alone. I will assist you as well.”
Just as I was thinking that, Alfred also jumped in.
“No, no, while I appreciate the Grand Crafter’s Master’s kindness, it is only natural that I forge them, as they are for my daughters and my son’s wife.”
“No, no, this is a matter of life and death, so the sooner, the better.”
This is bad.
It’s still calm now, but soon it will escalate into mutual insults.
This is the kind of exchange that happens between fellow apprentices, but the King of a nation and the head of the Crafter’s Guild are engaging in such an ugly spat, so I must stop it before it reaches that point!
“Al, let’s stop this already.”
“That’s right. Your Majesty’s presence aside, would you believe we’re making a spectacle of ourselves in front of so many important people? As the head of the Crafter’s Guild, I’m ashamed!”
His wife, Princess Aeris, and Catherine, stopped them with practiced ease.
Normally, disregarding the King’s presence would be an offense that could lead to punishment, but given the history between Alfred and my father, and their status as fellow apprentices, they’ve been interacting without regard to hierarchy in private for a long time, so it’s not surprising.
Before that, even if we were in the King’s presence, there’s no persuasive power to it when they’re engaged in such an ugly dispute.
“Your Majesty, I understand you’re excited about the wonderful materials presented, but you are still on duty.”
“That’s right. Moreover, this is a crucial matter concerning our daughters’ futures. If you continue this ugly spat, I will confiscate all of those ingots.”
With practiced ease, my and Mana’s mother, Roena Reina Amister, an Elf, and Yuri’s mother, Suzuran Reina Amister, a Human, were stopping them.
No, Suzuran Mother, confiscating them is too much…
“P-please, spare me that!”
“Then you understand, don’t you?”
“…Yes.”
There isn’t the slightest hint of royal dignity.
It’s no different from a commoner couple’s quarrel.
It’s a sight I often see in the Royal Capital.
“Father, Mother, and Grand Crafter’s Master. We are still in the middle of our discussion, so please finish your spousal argument later.”
I stepped in to mediate with exasperation, but this isn’t the first time, so I’m half-hearted.
Frankly, I don’t care, and I could let them continue until they get bored, but since there are still reports to process and meetings to attend tomorrow, stopping them is the only option I have.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Rai, isn’t it about time you inherited the throne?”
Suzuran Mother said something like that, but I understand her true intentions.
Not only the throne, but it is decided that in the Amister family, one can hold the same position for a maximum of 30 years.
This is largely because the evolution to High Class extends lifespan by about 50 years, but it also serves to deter corruption and other issues.
My father has been on the throne for only about 20 years, so he can continue to serve as King for another 10 years.
However, after abdicating the throne, he can reside in Amagi Castle, engage in activities at registered guilds, and live freely.
Great-grandmother Sayuri frequently visits the Healers’ Guild and the Crafter’s Guild because she is no longer involved in politics or the throne; she now lives a leisurely life.
My grandfather and grandmother are also alive and well, but they are also active in their registered guilds, so they are rarely at Amagi Castle.
Therefore, my father also wants to abdicate the throne early and engage in activities as a crafter, which is why he wants to pass the throne to me.
When a king abdicates, the queen naturally retires as well, and my mother and the others can withdraw from the troublesome world of politics, so they share the same idea as my father.
As for me, I want to continue being a hunter, so I have been postponing the matter of the throne.
However, with the emergence of this problem, I can no longer afford to postpone it.
That problem is the existence of Yamato Hydrangea Mikami, an Ancient Human and an M-rank Hunter who is level 71.
It’s decided that I will inherit the throne, and I’ve received a Lapis Lazuli Silver sword.
Besides, I’m a High Elf, so even if I serve as King for 30 years, I can still work as a hunter for nearly another 100 years.
So, for the sake of my dear sisters, I may have to make a decision.
