Yamato was about to go and destroy Retisencia, but thankfully he stopped himself.
He really liked ramen that much, didn’t he?
“I’ll give you a little, so you’ll have to make do with this for now.”
Yamato seemed content with the baking soda Sayuri gave him with a wry smile, but it was still a small amount.
It was about half the size of my fist.
Even that small amount cost tens of thousands of El, so it’s easy to see how expensive it was.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t expensive, but rather the result of Retisencia’s laziness and arrogance.
After that, the butler who had a message from Brother Rai came to Sayuri’s mansion, and the gathering ended, but dinner was more luxurious than usual.
We’ll be going to Valentia tomorrow, so we won’t be coming to the Royal Capital for a while.
That’s probably why, but it was still amazing.
They even served dishes made from the monsters hunted in the Ideal Mountain Range, including the Abyss Taurus and Winger Drake. The food was so delicious that it felt like Sayuri herself had to be involved from the start to make anything better.
The chef was quite pleased to be praised by Sayuri.
The next afternoon, we arrived at the pier west of the Royal Capital to head to Valentia.
“The ship is bigger than I expected.”
“It is. It’s a regular ferry, but I guess they make them this big because you have to stay on board for several days?”
It’s been a while for me too since I last traveled by ship, but as Flam said, we can’t get off for days, so it seems they’re trying to avoid making it feel too claustrophobic.
“It’s different for warships, of course, but this is a regular ferry. Still, it only sails once or twice a month.”
Even a regular ferry needs a crew.
Although the Trader’s Guild operates it, they need hunters for escort, crafters for cooking, and healers in case something happens, so it must be quite costly.
“That’s true, but with Yamato and Prim as guests this time, isn’t it a bit boring for the hunters?”
“It may be. Prim-san will probably restrain herself, but Yamato-san is an O-Rank Order, so I think it would be better for him to actively hunt monsters.”
That’s certainly true.
Even on a sea voyage, monsters do appear.
The C-rank monster Éclair Dolphin attacks when it sees the ship, and the B-rank monster Sea Snake is also sometimes seen.
Although the encounter rate is low, there are also S-rank monsters like the Thunder Squid and G-rank monsters like the Wise Octopus.
The Wise Octopus, in particular, is nearly 20 meters tall, and we often hear stories of ships being sunk by it.
However, sea monsters are generally delicious, and their rank is also due to them living in the sea. It is said that once they are brought ashore, they become one rank lower.
Therefore, even the G-rank Wise Octopus is said to be not difficult to hunt, unless something extraordinary happens.
“I really want to eat it, so if I have time, I might try diving to find one.”
Yamato says things like that, but he can move normally underwater using the Engraving Magic called Ozone Ball, so to him, it’s not much different from being on land.
Underwater combat is something even Undines who have dispelled their humanization magic or dragonkin of the Water Dragon race avoid, so he’s truly abnormal.
“I never thought I’d be returning to Valentia at this timing.”
“I know. I’ve sent letters to my father and the others, but I still thought I wouldn’t be back until after I got married.”
Lydia and Ludia, who are from Valentia, had been invited by the Holy Dragon Mother, but they hadn’t expected to return so soon.
When they left on their journey, it was to broaden their horizons by traveling from Baliente to Amister and to become stronger. It’s normal not to return for several years.
Yet, in just a few months, they are not only returning but also reporting their engagement, so it is indeed unexpected.
“It’s been about a year for me. I attended the coronation ceremony of the current Dragon King as my father’s proxy.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The Dragon King is currently 18 years old and was married at the time of his coronation. However, only the first queen has been decided, so there will be a few more.”
I vaguely remember hearing about that.
In the Valentia Dragon King family, the youngest child typically inherits the throne, but the eldest son usually inherits it.
For that reason, the Dragon King family often has several sons.
The current Dragon King also had two older brothers.
I’d heard that, like in Amister, they prefer jobs in the guild or knights’ order, so even the youngest son might scheme to avoid ascending the throne.
Incidentally, the elder brother is the commander-in-chief of the Dragon Knights, and the younger brother is a duke.
“I’ve also been introduced to heirs from noble families in Valentia. Of course, I politely declined.”
A vein throbbed on Yamato’s forehead, but from the other party’s perspective, marrying a princess from another country would be beneficial, so it was a logical move.
Surely the ambassador would have informed them, so there shouldn’t be any fools proposing to Yuri or Mana during this visit.
After all, Mana is marrying Yamato, and Yuri is engaged, and this visit is ostensibly a reward for Yamato. Interfering would cause an international incident with Amister, and more importantly, Yamato wouldn’t stand for it.
“Last night, His Majesty Reinhardt told me to be careful, but could there be similar problems in Valentia?”
Raus looks worried, and it’s no wonder Brother Rai is concerned.
Raus is engaged to Rebecca and Carol, but he is also a disciple of Yamato, an Ancient Human who is an M-rank Hunter and O-Rank Order. He himself is a B-rank Hunter near S-rank at level 39, and he’s only 13 years old. Valentia won’t leave him alone.
“I can curb it to some extent, but my family is just a Count’s family. If a Marquis or Duke from Valentia appears, I may not be able to handle it.”
“I can’t do anything, so I’ll have to leave it to Carol-san.”
Carol is aware of her role, but that’s true.
It’s difficult to refuse even a Count from another country, but if nobles with higher titles appear, it would be tough.
However, if they try to force a union, we won’t just stand by.
“We’ll back you up too. Your families won’t stand by and watch them try to force their daughters on you to control Raus.”
“That’s right. Also, I hope Raus marries someone he truly loves. Like Rebecca or Carol-sama.”
Rebecca and Carol both smiled, and Carol blushed when Mana and Flam said that.
“Valentia, huh? Adamantine steel is cheap there, so I want to buy as much as I can.”
“Yeah. Yamato asked me to make swords for Rex-san, Rosemary-san, and Muse-san, so we definitely need it.”
“We also want to replace the armor of the Crest Armor Coat with Lapis Laz, so we can never have too much.”
Ed and his craftsman wife are determined to buy a lot of Adamantine steel.
It’s necessary for refining Lapis Laz, and we also want to upgrade the armor of the Crest Armor Coat we all use from Jade Silver to Lapis Laz, so I agree with the opinion that we should buy as much as possible.
“I’m going to be fighting monsters on the way, but is this considered combat training?”
“That’s right. Even as an Outside Order of C-rank, you’ll be in trouble if you can’t fight.”
“Indeed. And I need to practice with this rapier, or I’ll be in trouble if something happens.”
Rika looks worried, but as Mina and Lydia say, if Yamato and I can’t make it in time, Rika will have to do her best.
For now, that’s fine, but once her term as Provincial Governor ends, she’ll return to Memoria, so that possibility can’t be ruled out.
“That’s true. But since Yamato-kun gave it to me as a gift, I’ll try my best not to let this Lapis Light Rapier go to waste.”
The rapier that Rika named Lapis Light Rapier has a grip and knuckle guard that are Peacock Green, but the blade is Jade, like Jade Silver.
Considering Rika’s position, it was made with a focus on defense.
A magic stone for Knight Magic is embedded in the hilt, which enhances the effects of Knight Magic. A part of the guard has a similar shape to Lydia’s Drago Breaker, allowing it to entangle an opponent’s weapon if used skillfully.
Also, since Rika excels at wind attribute magic, a magic stone for wind attribute magic is also embedded.
Ed thoughtfully made it, and Rika was very happy to receive a sword as she didn’t expect it.
As if in thanks, the night was also intense.
“Mana-sama, preparations for boarding have been completed.”
“Yuri-sama, our preparations are also complete.”
“C-Carol-sama, please proceed to the beast carriage.”
Oh, they’re ready already.
Marisa, Viola, and Yuria’s three butlers went to handle the procedures, and they were indeed efficient.
Yuria is still awkward, but it’s her first job as a C-rank butler, so it’s understandable.
However, not only Marisa and Viola, but Yuria also seems to have good chemistry with Carol, and she shows a willingness to work hard, so I feel like she might be officially hired at this rate.
“Take care.”
“Well, with Yamato-kun here, I don’t think you need to worry, but…”
“Rather, it’s about not overdoing it, isn’t it?”
Brother Rai, Sister Maruka, and Sister Elis, who came to see us off, said that, but given our past experiences, neither Yamato nor I could refute them.
“We’ll keep an eye on things, but I don’t think that will solve the problem.”
“That’s right. However, we also need to spread the word about his O-Rank Order status, so to some extent, we have to tolerate it.”
That was another point.
Yamato is an Ancient Human, but he’s only 17, so many people will look at him with suspicion.
Licenses and libraries would reveal the truth at a glance, but showing them around repeatedly is inefficient, and there’s no need for it.
However, if we don’t spread the word to some extent, nobles and hunters might underestimate him.
Those kinds of people will learn their lesson, but that can also become a problem, and since I can’t reveal that I’m an Ancient Foxy, it’s essential that Yamato takes the lead.
Yamato is well aware of this, so he’s even considering going to the Hunter’s Guild while wearing his Arc Order’s Coat.
“I don’t know how it will turn out, but I’ll do what I can. Well then, Your Majesty, H.R.H. Elis, H.R.H. Maruca, thank you for seeing us off.”
“We’ve been indebted to you. When you come to the Royal Capital, feel free to visit anytime. You are always welcome.”
“By the time we meet again, Rai might be a G-rank Hunter.”
“I hope Elis can evolve too, but is that difficult?”
“It is. I’ll try my best, but it would be helpful if you didn’t expect too much.”
Indeed, Brother Rai seems like he could become a G-rank Hunter with a little effort.
Elis is level 37, so it’s probably difficult.
But considering Mana, Lydia, and Ludia, it’s not impossible.
The problem is that Trial Hearts has been sent to Count Bernstein’s Territory, and Holy Grave is with Feel, so there are fewer hunters we can ask to accompany us.
Riot Flag is still in the Royal Capital, but there are talks of them heading to Count Bernstein’s Territory soon, so three people might be a bit tight.
Ah, Mina’s father is also a G-rank Hunter, so we could bring along the Orders who have registered as Hunters.
“Well then, Big Brother, Sister Elis, Sister Maruka, we’re off.”
“Ah. Mana and Yuri, you can visit anytime.”
“Thank you. We’ll come visit once the mansion on Ou Renten Street is completed.”
“We look forward to it.”
Mana and Yuri will be going with us to Feel, so we’ll be away from the Royal Capital for a while.
So it’s understandable to feel a bit sentimental.
With a send-off from the King and Queen, Yamato, me, Mana, Yuri, Rika, Mina, Flam, Lydia, Ludia, Ed, Marina, Fiana, Raus, Rebecca, Carol, Marisa, Viola, Yuria, and Mother boarded the beast carriage, which was pulled by Jade, and set sail.
There’s a dedicated space at the rear of the ship for beast carriages so our familiars won’t feel cramped, and we can let them roam free there, so we parked our beast carriage there and got out.
Although it’s a regular ferry, there are few passenger cabins, so we’ll be staying in the beast carriage.
The cabins aren’t that spacious, so the beast carriage is more comfortable.
And the ship set sail, and the send-off party waved as they grew smaller.
Eventually, the send-off disappeared from view, and the port receded into the distance, but the majestic figure of the Heavenly Tree, the symbol of Amister, continued to see us off.
