“I just realized, but what should I say…?”
Emperor Reinhardt buried his face in his hands, looking tired after hearing the report.
We, having finished our appraisal and purchase at the Hunter’s Guild, returned to Amagi Castle.
We secured some time and offered the magic stones of the Tempest-Liger, Stormbolt Panther, and Gryphon, hunted in the Ideal Mountain Range, to His Majesty as tribute. These were his remarks at the time.
“The center of the Ideal Mountain Range is a nest of G-rank monsters, a dangerous area that even High Hunters wouldn’t set foot in, right? How did you manage to return safely from there?”
“Leaving aside Yamato and Prim, it’s especially so for everyone else.”
Maruca and Elis also seemed utterly astonished.
“Honestly, I considered what to do. Especially the Gryphon, I was prepared to die the moment I saw it.”
“I can imagine…”
Princess Eliss sincerely agreed with Mana’s sentiment.
But I had absolutely no intention of letting them die.
“Even if you didn’t, it must have been unbearable for those who encountered it. And on top of that, for Lidia and Ludia to have evolved into Hydragonewts during that battle… normally, that would be dismissed with a laugh?”
The twin Dragonewt sisters, who had evolved into Hydragonewts, nodded vigorously as if in agreement with His Majesty.
But it was you who actually evolved, wasn’t it?
“You know, I never thought we could evolve so easily. We were level 31 when we left Valentia, so even if we could evolve, I thought it would be years away. To suddenly find ourselves evolved… there’s no way anyone would believe us if we told them.”
He did say that.
She mentioned feeling a sudden surge of mana during the battle, and after that, her movements improved. So, it’s likely that the evolution occurred around that time.
Evolving during battle seems dangerous, as the senses change.
“It was indeed dangerous. Not only my mana control, but my physical abilities suddenly strengthened. My senses changed from before, making it very difficult to fight.”
As expected.
Sudden increases in speed and strength would naturally cause confusion.
“Well, if it were C-rank monsters, maybe. But we were fighting mostly G-rank monsters, you know? Even a small opening could be fatal!”
“That’s why I was making sure to cover for you, wasn’t I?”
I missed the Heavy Shell Grizzly that was targeting Ludia, but still, Lidia and Ludia defeated it normally.
“Wait a moment. You mean Lidia and Ludia defeated a Heavy Shell Grizzly on their own?”
“Eh? Ah, yes. Perhaps after we evolved and got a little used to it. Ludia retreated much further than expected, and that’s when the Heavy Shell Grizzly there targeted her.”
Ah, so that’s why she retreated so far back toward the Heavy Shell Grizzly. It was due to the evolution.
“By the time I realized how dangerous it was, it was too late and it swung its right arm down, but I managed to block it.”
“You blocked it? The blow from a Heavy Shell Grizzly?”
“Yes. Of course, I know it’s a G-U rank monster, and I didn’t think I could block it, but at that moment, I didn’t have the presence of mind to think about that.”
I suppose so.
Even so, if it had continued like that, I would have been overpowered, so I was about to rush in to support.
“Soon after, my sister cut off the Heavy Shell Grizzly’s right arm. I then backflipped, kicked it up, and simultaneously slashed it with my leg blades.”
The corpse of that Heavy Shell Grizzly was quite gruesome.
But it was a magnificent somersault kick.
“I see.”
“You had just evolved and were in the middle of a battle, so you shouldn’t have had the presence of mind to worry about mana, right?”
“I didn’t.”
“And yet, you were able to hunt a Heavy Shell Grizzly together right after evolving. Does this mean it’s also the benefit of the Adamantine Steel’s strength and not having to restrict mana?”
Ah, come to think of it, since we started using Jade Silver and Lapis Lazuli Silver, we haven’t been particularly concerned about mana.
“I suppose so. Yamato, tomorrow is the execution of Princess Marianne and her group, so it’s impossible, but the day after tomorrow is a holiday. Would you take me to the Ideal Mountain Range?”
The new king of this country suddenly made such a request.
“Hey! What are you saying?! For a king to go to such a dangerous place, what would you do if something happened?!”
As expected, Mana objected, but I felt the same way.
“With Yamato and Prim there, it should be fine unless something extreme happens. Besides, I’m personally interested.”
Is it about possibly defeating G-rank monsters with a small group?
Indeed, it seems G-rank monsters were usually defeated by over ten people. And in fact, not only Lidia and Ludia, but the Holy Grave also defeated the G-I rank monster Orc Princess with five High Class individuals. So, there’s a possibility of defeating them more easily than before.
Emperor Reinhardt is an S-rank High Elf Hunter, so I can understand his curiosity.
It’s unlikely he would hunt in an Alliance formation though.
“Oh, if that’s the case, I’d like to go too.”
“Me too. I’ve never seen any Treasure Trees other than those in Gallia or Esperanza, so I’d like to see one at least once.”
Maruca and Elis also wish to participate.
“Putting that aside, what about transportation? We rode Jade, Fluorite, and Sirius, but we’re already at our limit.”
“Ah, in that case, I’ll stay behind.”
“Me too~”
I was going to refuse because there was no transportation, but Raus and Rebecca offered to stay behind.
“Please let me stay behind as well.”
“Me too. Actually, I’ve been feeling sluggish since we were on our way back, and I’m not feeling very well.”
Meena and Flam will also stay behind.
Wait a minute.
Feeling unwell and sluggish?
“A cold? Can I take a look?”
“Yes.”
“‘Examining’… It doesn’t seem like a cold. But you have a fever…”
Examining can also diagnose illnesses, but the user needs to have knowledge to diagnose accurately. Currently, I can only tell that there’s a fever and muscle fatigue.
“You should have Mother examine you later. It’s probably just fatigue from today’s battle, so I don’t think it will be serious.”
That seems like a good idea.
In that case, it seems those four won’t be able to go hunting for a while.
“Therefore, I believe we can escort His Majesty and the others without hesitation.”
“We appreciate it, but is it really alright?”
“Yes. If I went with this body, I might just be a hindrance.”
“As Hunters, we have to consider our bodies first.”
Not just for Hunters, but for Orders as well, fighting while unwell is like a suicide mission.
“Give up, Mana. Along with the Treasure Trees, we have no reason to refuse anymore.”
“Well…”
I’ll make sure to protect you all properly.
“Since Mana seems to have given up too, the day after tomorrow, it will be me, Prim, Mana, Lidia, and Ludia as escorts. Is that alright?”
“It’s more than enough.”
“In terms of escort, there’s no one better than Yamato.”
Princess Elis nodded in agreement with Maruca’s statement.
Being evaluated so highly makes me a bit embarrassed.
I will ensure thorough escort duty the day after tomorrow.
“I’ll look forward to it. Also, before letting those children rest, let me explain about the noble daughter you rescued.”
Oh, that’s something I was curious about as well.
“That young lady is the daughter of Count Donato Bernstein, who guards the border with Retisencia. Her name is Carol Bernstein. Count Donato has married three times, but Carol is his only child, and he dotes on her immensely.”
Just hearing that, I understood why Retisencia targeted her.
“As I suspected, they intended to use Carol as a hostage to make Count Donato betray us.”
“She’s still being interrogated, but it’s almost certain. The Order’s Guild in Count Bernstein’s Territory has been placed on alert in preparation for Retisencia’s mobilization, but if Count Donato sides with Retisencia, the outcome of the northern war is uncertain.”
The Order’s Guild is an organization directly under the king, so even a lord cannot interfere. However, it’s certainly possible to leak information. Therefore, simply by leaking the Order’s Guild’s deployments and strength, the war situation could become favorable to Retisencia.
“I also asked Count Donato, and we learned that Carol was abducted by someone this afternoon. We’ve identified that someone as a Retisencian hunter commissioned by a neighboring town, and their death has been confirmed.”
“Could it be… the three people who died in the Beast Carriage?”
“It seems so. They were probably killed to silence them.”
Retisencia is capable of such actions.
However, what concerns me is that the hunter, and Carol herself, were in the Beast Carriage, and Carol was injured. If their intention was to take her hostage, wouldn’t they want her alive?
“According to what I heard, they said they were taking Miss Carol to use her as a hostage. Why was Miss Carol injured as well?”
Raus, who was closest to the situation and rescued them directly, was understandably curious.
“We’re still trying to get that information, but it’s likely the hunter used Carol as a shield. However, she had already sustained a fatal wound, so I suspect that by the time they got into the Beast Carriage with Carol, the hunter succumbed to their injuries, and that’s about it.”
That’s also a possibility.
Retisencia may look down on people from other countries, but within their own country, it seems nobles don’t care about their citizens.
“About Miss Carol, was her injury alright?”
“Ah. Thanks to Prim’s treatment, I heard she has already completely recovered. Of course, there are no scars left.”
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
It would have been terrible if a girl was left with scars, so I was relieved as well.
“And…”
“Excuse me! Your Majesty, may I have a moment?”
Just as His Majesty was about to say something, Prime Minister Rraina rushed in.
“You’re usually not this flustered. Did something happen?”
“Your ear…”
“Understood.”
Emperor Reinhardt tilted his head, but the matter was intriguing, and given it seemed urgent, he quickly lent an ear to Rraina and began to listen.
“…Is that true?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
His Majesty’s expression changed upon hearing Rraina’s report, but he quickly decided what to do.
“Understood. I’ll send for her…”
“I’m home~!”
However, before that, a storm arrived.
The one who cheerfully announced her return was a human woman in her mid-twenties, with black hair cut short, reaching just below her ears.
Don’t tell me… she’s Japanese?
“Welcome home, Grandma Sayuri.”
“Welcome home.”
“I’m home, Elis, Maruca.”
So, Sayuri is the guest, Sayuri Reina Amister?
“Welcome home, great-grandmother. Where did you go this time?”
“Almost to Gallia. More importantly, Rai, you inherited the throne?”
“Yes. A lot happened.”
Emperor Reinhardt replied to Sayuri with a wry smile. Indeed, a lot had happened.
“And Mana, I never thought you’d get married, but it seems you’ve met someone good. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Grandma Sayuri.”
She knows about Mana’s marriage too.
Well, it was announced widely, and she must have stayed in the city at night, so it’s not surprising she’d know.
“Prim, I’m glad you’re safe. It’s a bit late, but make yourself at home.”
“Thank you, Sayuri-sama.”
Prim also mentioned knowing her.
She seemed worried too, so Prim’s initial concerns were completely unfounded.
That’s for the best.
“And you must be Yamato, also a guest from the same world, and you’ve even evolved into an Ancient Human?”
“Ah, yes. I’m married to Prim now and go by Yamato Hydrangea Mikami.”
“You’re quite quick. Though it could also be phrased as being quick to make up your mind.”
I’m not sure if that was a criticism or a compliment.
Indeed, I got married about ten days after arriving at Helios Orb, so I can’t deny being called quick.
Still, I heard she’s 107 years old, but she doesn’t look it at all.
“Since you’re also a guest from the same world, I have a lot to talk about with you later. Rai, where’s Aiver?”
“Father is probably in his workshop?”
“As expected. Well, with Yamato here, I might be able to hear about alloys too.”
Though it wasn’t supposed to be public, I guess she figured out it was technology from our world.
“Speaking of which, you children over there, let them rest soon. It’s not serious, but if left unattended, it will linger.”
Those children… you mean Meena, Flam, Raus, and Rebecca?
What? Could it be… Sayuri-sama can tell what’s wrong with everyone?
“Grandma Sayuri, can you tell what Meena and the others’ symptoms are?”
“Yes. It’s a backlash from rapidly increasing levels, isn’t it? It’s called Acute Mana Fluctuation Syndrome.”
Acute Mana Fluctuation Syndrome?
And a backlash from rapidly increasing levels, what does that mean?
“It’s rare these days, but it used to be common. Even so, only guests and those close to them usually contract it.”
That makes me uneasy, but upon further explanation, Acute Mana Fluctuation Syndrome is a condition where mana corrodes the body as a backlash from rapidly increasing levels in a short period.
Come to think of it, it’s quite relevant.
“But Grandma Sayuri, if that’s the case, I also leveled up and became a High Elf, and Lidia and Ludia evolved into Hydragonewts for the same reason. Why are we okay?”
“That’s simple. It’s because you evolved into High Class. When you evolve into High Class, your self-healing ability also increases, right? Thanks to that, your body recovers faster than the mana can corrode it, so High Class individuals recover quickly even if they contract it.”
“R-really?”
Whoa, is that how it is?
So, Mana, Lidia, and Ludia don’t have to worry about contracting Acute Mana Fluctuation Syndrome.
“That’s right. By the way, it is said that when you reach Ancient Class, you become immune to illnesses themselves, but if you overexert yourself, you can develop a fever, so caution is advised.”
That must also be based on experience.
“As expected of an O-rank Healer. I never knew that.”
“Well, Acute Mana Fluctuation Syndrome is covered in the promotion exams for P rank or M rank. Please wait a moment. ‘Area Dispelling’. How is it?”
“Ah, I feel a little better.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Area Dispelling, wasn’t that a healing magic that removes toxins from everyone in the range?
“Area Dispelling, isn’t it supposed to be ineffective without knowledge of poisons?”
“That’s right. That’s why Healers must also study poisons thoroughly. But surprisingly, few know that mana is also included in poisons.”
Seriously?
Mana as poison, I never would have thought of that.
“From a Crafter’s perspective, High Class mana corrodes Magic Silver and Adamantine Steel, so it’s not unreasonable to call it poison, is it?”
“Ah, I see.”
I’m learning a lot.
As expected of the founder of the Healers’ Guild.
“I’d like to talk more, but I need to let these children rest, so I’ll take my leave for today. Rai, I plan to stay in the Royal Capital for a while, so can you let me know your schedule later?”
I also have a lot I want to ask, but I agree with the opinion of letting everyone rest.
I have plans tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, I’m going hunting with His Majesty and his group, so it seems like the earliest I can talk properly is after the day after tomorrow.
“Understood. I’ll have it sent to you later.”
“Yes. And what about Rest?”
“He’s probably in his usual spot with his wet nurse.”
“Ah, that place. Well then, I might go see him for the first time in a while.”
Prince Lessheit, wasn’t he Sayuri-sama’s great-grandchild?
He’s at a cute age, so I can understand her wanting to see him.
Still, I didn’t expect to meet her at this timing.
She seemed lively, just like her appearance suggested, but I felt that her skills as a Healer, as well as her knowledge, were first-class or above.
She’s an O-rank Healer and an O-rank Crafter, so I’d like to have a proper conversation with her sometime.
