Side Manalease
We descended to the second level of the Solpreza Labyrinth.
The second level is characterized by many mountains. To descend to the third level, we apparently need to cross two mountains, but they are not as wide as the Ideal Mountain Range or Solpreza Mountain Range, and their elevation is only a few hundred meters.
Helpfully, there are even mountain paths that a beast carriage can travel on.
However, the downside is that taking those paths makes us more susceptible to monster attacks.
It is said that only S-rank monsters appear on this second level, so we cannot afford to let our guard down.
Still, the area right after descending to the second level is protected by a barrier, so we don’t have to worry about being attacked by monsters.
Therefore, we decided to have lunch.
We left Dragnia around 9 o’clock, and arrived at the Solpreza Labyrinth a little over an hour later. Since it took us nearly two hours to clear the first level, this is the perfect time for a meal.
“The second level, it’s where S-rank monsters appear, isn’t it?”
“So I hear. Abnormal species and catastrophe species rarely appear, but rare species are common, so it’s a fairly lucrative level, wouldn’t you say?”
Yamato answers Raus’s question while eating a hot sandwich. Since rare S-rank species include Winger Drakes, which are favorites of Yamato and Prim, his statement that it’s a lucrative level is not wrong.
“Even so, our main objective this time is to clear the labyrinth, so we won’t hunt them unless we encounter them.”
“Personally, I’d like you to hunt a few if possible.”
Prim says with a hint of disappointment, but Marina expresses her desire to secure some.
I wonder if the Winger Drake leather will run out after outfitting Athena and Eos’s Armor Coats?
“Is Winger Drake leather already gone?”
“That’s right. Yamato and Edo will be having three more wives, and Raus will have three to four more, won’t he? That means the Union will grow by that much, so we want to secure the materials as soon as possible.”
Marina replies to Meena, and it’s true.
There’s always a possibility of more additions, so it’s better to prepare the materials early if possible.
“Speaking of that, Yamato and Prim are Ancient Class, so Winger Drake would be tough for them, wouldn’t it?”
“Ah. That’s why we’re thinking of obtaining materials from high-rank monsters here.”
That’s what I thought, but Ed chimed in.
Because Yamato and Prim are Ancient Class, the Winger Drake leather puts a considerable strain on them.
It’s fine for now, but it’s predicted that the leather will become tattered and unusable before long, so their armor needs to be refitted as a top priority.
However, to do that, materials from high-rank monsters are needed, so while we’re clearing the Solpreza Labyrinth, we’ve also decided to hunt M-rank monsters.
“We have Gryphon leather, but we need that to refit Yamato’s Arc Order’s Coat, so ideally, we don’t want to use it. That means we have to use the leather of monsters found in this labyrinth, and isn’t it said that the lowest floor is a nest for M-rank monsters?”
“That’s what we’ve heard. Oh, could it be that Edward, you’re planning to refit everyone’s Armor Coats with M-rank monster leather while you’re at it?”
“If the idea is to unify the materials, that’s a possibility.”
He’s thinking of something audacious.
According to Yamato, the Arc Order’s Coat made with Gryphon leather allows magic power to flow better and without any stagnation compared to the Crest Armor Coat made with Winger Drake leather. This implies that M-rank monster materials would be able to withstand the magic of Ancient Class users.
However, the idea of using M-rank monster materials for everyone’s equipment, not just Yamato and Prim’s, is incredibly extravagant.
“Personally, I think that would be better. But won’t it be too much of a burden for you all?”
“It certainly would. But since we’re having magic power issues, I believe we should address them proactively. It also helps that we can use materials from high-rank monsters.”
I see.
Indeed, for a Crafter, opportunities to use materials from high-rank monsters don’t come by often.
So I can understand the desire to use them.
However, the magic power issues seem to be limited to Yamato and Prim at the moment, don’t they?
“Are you perhaps thinking, Ed, that not only Yamato and Prim, but we too might evolve into Ancient Class?”
“Well, at this point, it’s more like High Class level, but looking at those two, it wouldn’t be strange to think the rest of us might evolve into Ancient Class, would it?”
Ed replies to Ludia, and with that said, we have no grounds to argue.
In fact, I, Lydia, Ludia, and Raus all evolved into High Class in a short period, and Meena, Flam, and Rebecca are only a matter of time.
Furthermore, evolution can extend lifespan, so Yamato is likely considering letting Yuri and Rika evolve as well.
“I understand Ed’s reasoning, but is it okay with Marina and Fiana?”
“This is the first time I’ve heard that idea, but since I’ll be able to use high-rank monster materials, I don’t mind.”
“Me too. Although, I’ll likely be busy with the beast carriage.”
With the three Crafters not objecting, this decision is made.
I never imagined we’d end up using M-rank monster materials, let alone dealing with Winger Drake leather.
“Then, let’s go with that. Now then, as for the M-rank monsters that appear here, the main ones are the eight-attribute Dragoons, right?”
“That seems to be the main type. There are also superior and rare species, but I don’t think the details are known.”
Ludia explains, but it’s true that the hunters who identified the 7th level as the lowest floor reportedly could not have survived if they made even a single misjudgment, and more importantly, they barely encountered any monsters, so the details remain unknown.
The eight-attribute Dragoons are Dragoons imbued with one of the eight attributes, just like elemental magic. If we were to use their leather, we could focus on our specialty, elemental magic, and supplement it with the leather of Dragoons with attributes we are weak in or those that are frequently used.
“That sounds good.”
“It does. If we equip our familiar spirits with Dragoon gear, it seems like we can strengthen their combat power as well.”
Flam and Meena are also enthusiastic.
But as Meena says, it will also lead to strengthening the combat power of our familiars and summoned beasts, which I welcome as well.
“It’s decided then. Let’s explore the lowest floor a little.”
“Sounds good. Against M-rank monsters, a little challenge might be interesting.”
Yamato and Prim say with a fearless smile, but calling it “a little challenge” when facing M-rank monsters is something only you two can say.
Oh well.
Since there’s a chance we might evolve into Ancient Class someday, it’s also greatly appreciated that we can prepare materials that won’t be overwhelmed by the magic of Ancient Class users from now on.
Side Carol
After lunch, we began our conquest of the second level of the Solpreza Labyrinth.
I never imagined that during lunch, such an outrageous idea would arise as refitting the Crest Armor Coat, which I am currently wearing, with materials from M-rank monsters.
However, for Lord Yamato and Lady Prim, who single-handedly defeated a Catastrophe Species and effortlessly hunted a Gryphon, even monsters as close to A-rank as Dragoons are merely materials.
While it’s said that Dragoons originally only inhabit labyrinths, there are rumors that P-rank Lesser Dragoons and MU-rank Dark Dragoons inhabit Enigma Island in the Grand Duchy of Alegria. It’s also said that Enigma Island is home to Nidhogg, a Demise Species of Dragoon.
For this reason, Enigma Island is considered the most difficult place for the Helios Orb, and it is said that no one even ventures there.
“Carol, shall we try fighting the next monsters we encounter?”
Mana-sama asked me this while we were in the beast carriage.
I had heard that on the second level, B-rank monsters do not appear, and only S-rank monsters are present.
Normally, I would only be a hindrance, but Lord Yamato and Lady Prim apparently have enough leeway to provide support even when facing M-rank monsters, let alone G-rank or P-rank ones. My understanding of common sense has been shattered.
“Is it alright for me to attack?”
“Of course. If you can evolve into High Class, you’ll be able to spend more time with Raus.”
Lady Prim’s words made my cheeks flush.
My fiancé, Raus, reached level 45 during the recent Elephant Boar subjugation and has also evolved into a High Ulfy.
To be precise, it was Mana-sama, Lidia-san, and Ludia-san who defeated the Elephant Boar, but Raus alone defeated five rare species, the Jumbo Nose Boar.
As a result, he was able to evolve into a High Ulfy, though he was supposed to take his time leveling up over several years before aiming for evolution.
However, in Etrada, the gateway to Amister, he was defeated by a Hydragonewt leading a raid called Drake Pain.
Fortunately, Lord Yamato saved the situation, but if things had gone differently, Raus might have lost his life then and there, a chilling thought for me as well. Thus, Raus has been working hard to evolve into High Class quickly to protect me and his other fiancée, Rebecca.
I was happy when he evolved into a High Ulfy, but I wish he wouldn’t push himself too hard.
However, with his evolution into a High Ulfy, Raus is now confirmed to live longer than I will.
Rebecca is also close to High Class and aims to be like Lady Prim, so she will likely continue to fight by Raus’s side.
My level is still 24, and I haven’t even considered evolving into a High Elf.
Well, when I first met him, I was level 17, and I’ve gained seven levels in just a few weeks, but I’m still far from evolution.
Therefore, I also wish to evolve into a High Elf and live with Raus for as long as possible, so I will accept Mana-sama’s and Lady Prim’s kind offer.
“Is that staff named Lapislite Rod?”
“Yes. It’s a top-notch sword, but my swordsmanship is only a hobby and not suitable for actual combat. So I usually intend to use it as a staff.”
The staff, made for me using Lapis Lazuli, is what Lord Yamato calls a “concealed sword” in his world.
It apparently means a staff with a sword hidden inside, and I’m very grateful that it can be used as both a sword and a staff.
After all, my swordsmanship is only on par with a T-rank Hunter or T-rank Order.
However, this Lapislite Rod has magic gems for healing magic, my Bestowed Magic, Tree Magic, and for the Wind attribute, which I have an aptitude for. While I can’t fully utilize it yet, I hope to master it someday.
“If you’re primarily using it as a staff, perhaps the position of the magic stones should have been changed.”
“But, if you were to use it as a striking weapon, the sword might fly out depending on how you use it, right?”
“That’s right. I’ve fixed it with connecting magic, but if handled roughly, it will come out easily.”
“That’s also true.”
Edward, Marina, and Fiana, who made the Lapislite Rod for me, are discussing its potential use as a striking weapon, but I have no intention of using it that way.
I understand that they used Craft Magic’s “Connecting” and that the connecting can be released by gripping the handle and channeling magic. So, I plan to use it as a sword if necessary.
Since I have no intention of approaching S-rank monsters, I will be using it as a staff this time.
After that, I continued to unleash magic while supporting everyone.
The most common monsters encountered were S-U rank monsters, Velociraptors, but there were also a few S-rank monsters like Allosaurus and Rhinoceros. In a lake on the summit of the second mountain, we were even attacked by a Brachiosaurus that was over 20 meters long.
Since there were over 30 Velociraptors, 30 or even more than two-thirds were defeated by Lord Yamato and Lady Prim, and we took down the remaining individuals through coordinated effort.
There were only two Allosauruses; one was engaged head-on by Yamato, and Meena and Flam worked together to defeat it. The other was instantly defeated by Prim.
There was only one Rhinoceros, which Lydia fended off while Ludia dealt heavy damage with a series of attacks using the Dragon Spirit Magic Ether Burst, and Athena finished it off with a thrust to its head.
The three Brachiosauruses were troublesome. For one, its body was frozen by Mana-sama’s Unique Magic, Sterling Divider, which enhanced Lidia’s Dragon Spirit Magic Ether Breath with Yamato’s Engraving Magic, Cold Prison, cutting off its neck.
For the second, while Raus was deflecting its attacks, Flam and Rebecca fired arrows, and I, Edward, Marina, Fiana, and Apricot also cast supporting spells. Eos delivered a powerful blow with her twin hand axes, and it was then pierced by Athena’s spear, supported by Prim.
The last one was supported by Yamato, while Yuri, Rika, Marisa, Viola, and Yuria unleashed spells. During the opening, Ludia dived under its belly and pierced through its body, aided by Yamato’s Engraving Magic, Fly Wind, which allowed him to fly.
No one suffered any significant injuries; in fact, we finished the battle completely unharmed. However, when encountering a group of S-rank monsters, one usually sustains some injuries, big or small.
But thanks to the timely support from Lord Yamato and Lady Prim, this was the outcome.
Furthermore, since everyone except Lord Yamato and Lady Prim has leveled up, I suspect Meena, Flam, and Rebecca might evolve into High Class during our exploration of the Solpreza Labyrinth.
