I tried modifying the attack to direct the blast inwards with my genderless S-rank, non-elemental art, Ice Mist Explosion, and it seems to have been the right choice.
I was able to destroy the Mithril Colossus’s core, so I can truly say it’s complete.
Prim’s new Unique Magic, Flare Tornado, is also complete. This means I’ve acquired a countermeasure against large monsters, which had been my concern, and Prim has gained magic for dealing with crowds, which she was worried about.
Prim’s Flare Tornado is a magic that scatters Flare Spheres into a tornado created by Extreme Flame and fires off Flare Needles in a barrage.
Even that alone is sufficiently dangerous, but since Extreme Flame Wing is also a wing of fire and wind, Flare Tornado, like a normal tornado, generates updrafts and has the effect of sweeping up objects.
It even swept up the massive body of the Mithril Colossus, so it will be quite difficult to withstand.
“They’ve appeared.”
“Yes. Since they appear in the same place as the Guardian’s corpse, other labyrinths are probably the same.”
Just like the Solpreza Labyrinth, the Labyrinth Core of this Instant Labyrinth also appeared in the place where the Mithril Colossus’s corpse, or rather, its remains, were located.
As Prim said, this is likely a specification of the labyrinth.
“Well then, shall we go back?”
“Yes. Since we’ve cleared it, we have to report to the Hunter’s Guild, so it will be a little late before we can return to the Float.”
This is unavoidable.
The Solpreza Labyrinth was in the former Dukedom of Nizheg, and at that time we were enemies, so I reported to the Draconia Hunter’s Guild. However, normally, you report to the Hunter’s Guild in the town where the labyrinth is located, so I will also have to go to Instant later.
It’s within the Amister country, and more importantly, His Majesty is here, so I feel more at ease about that.
“Hmm? Is something wrong?”
When I returned to everyone after recovering the Labyrinth Core, the members of the Wing Crest and His Majesty were preparing to return to the surface, but everyone from the Alliance was in a daze.
“What do you mean, after seeing a battle like that, anyone would be like this.”
“That’s right. We were surprised too. We knew that Yamato and Prim were amazing, but we never imagined they could defeat A-C rank monsters so unilaterally.”
I was told this by H.R.H. Elis and H.R.H. Maruca.
Well, I don’t know what to say, but we also defeated an M-rank Sand Dragoon on the way, and our very first encounter was triggered by saving someone from an A-rank No-Life King, wasn’t it?
“A-rank and A-C rank are quite different, you know? A-rank requires numbers, but it’s not impossible to defeat. However, A-C rank monsters are comparable to or even higher than O-rank, so the possibility of not being able to defeat them is higher.”
His Majesty said to me.
It’s true that Catastrophe Species are said to be equivalent to two ranks higher, but O-rank is the highest, so A-C rank would be equivalent to O-rank.
There are variations even within O-rank, but they are all monsters that humans cannot handle.
“But since we defeated a Demise Species, Brother Rai already told us, so it shouldn’t be that surprising?”
“You say that after defeating an A-C rank Mithril Colossus without a scratch. We’re used to it, and my elder brothers have heard the stories many times, so we have resistance, but everyone in the Alliance has no such resistance.”
Is that so?
But if the opponent is a monster or a human, there’s no reason why I can’t win.
After all, living beings always have weaknesses, and even undead and puppet-type monsters have a core as a weak point.
“Be that as it may, there’s no point in staying here forever, so let’s get out of here quickly.”
“I agree. We have to go to the Hunter’s Guild afterward, so we don’t have time to waste.”
Not to change the subject, but Prim immediately agreed.
Originally, I intended to return to the Float immediately after leaving the Instant Labyrinth.
However, since we’ve cleared it, we have no choice but to go to the Hunter’s Guild.
Mana and His Majesty understand that as well, so as soon as Mr. Sley and the others snapped out of it, we used the Magic Circle that appeared in the Guardian’s chamber and departed the Instant Labyrinth.
Upon leaving the Instant Labyrinth, there was naturally an uproar, but after briefly explaining the situation to the approaching Order, we headed to the Instant Hunter’s Guild.
Instant is about a 30-minute distance from the Instant Labyrinth, which was created about 10 years ago.
The town of Instant was hastily constructed when the labyrinth was created, but it was originally a village, and the village name seems to have become the town’s name.
As it has only been 10 years since construction began, there are many buildings still under construction in Instant, making it a town always overflowing with vitality.
The Hunter’s Guild was located in the center of this town of Instant.
“We all have to go, but what about you?”
“We’ll all go too. I’m going to ask Marisa and the others to watch the Beast Carriage, if you don’t mind.”
Marisa has also evolved into a High Vampire through her battle with the Shell Siren, and I’ll have Eos watch over them as well, so I think we can handle even the most foolish attacker.
“Understood. Then, four Butlers will watch over the Beast Carriage and take care of the familiar.”
“I’m sorry to trouble you, but I’ll rely on you.”
“Then let’s go.”
Nearly 40 people swaggering into the Hunter’s Guild isn’t that unusual a sight.
“Ah, Mr. Sley! You’re back!”
A voice echoed from the reception.
It seems the Elf receptionist noticed Mr. Sley and called out to them.
“Ah, I’ve just returned. I have a report to make. Where is the Hunter’s Master?”
“I’ll call him right away. Please wait in the 10th Appraisal Room.”
“Understood.”
As expected, the 10th Appraisal Room here too.
It’s designated as the 10th Appraisal Room for Alliance reports, so it’s not strange at all.
Mr. Sley and the others seem to have used it several times, and they headed to the 10th Appraisal Room without being guided, and we followed.
There were hunters looking at us with suspicious eyes, but since we were accompanying the Alliance, it was helpful that no one bothered us.
About 10 minutes after entering the 10th Appraisal Room, the Hunter’s Master also arrived.
The Hunter’s Master here is a Dwarf?
Well, to become a Hunter’s Master, one must have evolved into a High Class, so it must be a High Dwarf.
Mr. Sley introduced him; his name is Gadler.
“Oh, you’re back safe and sound. Hmm, I don’t see Ristis… Sley, what happened?”
“Plum executed her for violating regulations. It was a matter beyond mere regulations, given the disrespect shown to His Majesty.”
“His Majesty? You mean Emperor Reinhardt!? W-why are you in Instant!?”
As expected, someone of the Hunter’s Master’s caliber would know His Majesty’s face.
“That overlaps with Sley’s report, but we were also in the Instant Labyrinth. We’d like to hear the Alliance’s report first, including the reason we’re here.”
“Y-yes, understood. Then, Sley, please proceed.”
“Yes. On the second day of entering the Instant Labyrinth, we reached the fourth floor.”
Listening to Sley’s report, it seems they could have reached the fourth floor much earlier.
However, Ristis, a High Human, was dragging them down so much that the overall progress was delayed, and it seems that if there hadn’t been a Safe Area nearby on the fourth floor, someone might have been sacrificed there.
“And then we reached the fifth floor, and the fifth floor was a maze floor.”
“A maze? Well, that’s not particularly unusual. What about the monsters?”
“Undead.”
“Undead in a maze, that’s the worst combination.”
Gadler frowned, and I agree.
“Furthermore, there were traps I’ve never seen or heard of before.”
“Oh? What kind of traps?”
“Treasure chests. They looked obviously unnatural, so we ignored them, but Ristis, ignoring my orders, opened one…”
“That idiot, he really never does anything right.”
He’s saying harsh things about someone who is already dead, but it seems that Ristis guy caused a lot of trouble for those around him.
In fact, he thought he could get away with anything because he evolved into a High Human at level 41.
“Monsters appeared from that treasure chest. I don’t know if it’s the same monster every time, but the one that appeared this time was a No-Life King.”
“W-what!?”
“Moreover, Ristis brought the No-Life King back to us, so we were on the verge of annihilation. That’s when His Majesty and the Wing Crest group passed by and saved us.”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes. Yamato defeated the No-Life King, but Yuri and Carol healed their wounds. There are others who can use healing magic, but considering there might be other dangerous monsters since the No-Life King appeared, I felt bad for them, but we decided to conserve their magic.”
In fact, Prim and Rebecca were about to use healing magic, but for that reason, they were only allowed to do the minimum necessary.
“That’s natural. Rather, it’s more than grateful to have received help on an uncharted floor like the fifth floor.”
“We thought so too. However, Ristis alone did not think so.”
“…What happened?”
“She attempted to attack a woman from the Wing Crest group, who had saved her, and was defeated. Furthermore, she was thrown out into the exterior with her lower body exposed, so she committed an offense against His Majesty as well.”
“…It’s only natural that she was beheaded. Moreover, trying to attack her benefactor is simply the act of a scumbag. Understood, Ristis’s case will be processed as a violation of regulations. Many people were troubled by her, so they’ll likely be celebrating hearing that she’s dead.”
Barring exceptional circumstances, a Hunter killing another Hunter is punishable as a crime.
However, in my case, and in this case, if it causes disadvantage to the country or the Hunter’s Guild, it is processed as a commission, and in that case, it can be dealt with as a thief.
Ristis was the same; the moment she violated regulations, she was treated as a criminal, so Plum’s execution was not a crime.
Even if it wasn’t a violation of regulations, it was a clear case of summary execution for offending His Majesty in his presence.
Still, hearing that she’s dead and that people will celebrate suggests she was hated to an extreme degree.
Seriously, what was that person doing?
No, it’s bound to make me sick, so I don’t want to know.
“So, what about that No-Life King? Did you defeat it together?”
“No, Yamato of the Wing Crest group here defeated it alone.”
“…What?”
Gadler directed a look of astonishment at me.
“It’s true. As the Hunter’s Master, you must have heard of his accomplishments to some extent?”
“Of course, but… even as an Ancient Human, I didn’t think he could defeat an A-rank monster alone…”
“Normally, that would be the case. But it’s the truth. That’s why we are unharmed, and the Alliance was saved, you could say.”
“His Majesty speaks the truth. If he hadn’t defeated the No-Life King alone, at least half of us wouldn’t be here.”
At Mr. Sley’s words, everyone in the Alliance nodded their heads vigorously.
Well, I don’t think it was quite like that…
“Let me summarize the situation. The fifth floor is a maze floor and a nest for high-rank undead. Furthermore, there was a trap that mimicked a treasure chest, or something like that, and when it was opened, a No-Life King appeared. Then the Wing Crest group happened to pass by, and that brat named Yamato defeated the No-Life King alone. After that, Ristis caused trouble and was executed by Plum. Is there anything I missed?”
“That is correct.”
“I-I see. And you judged that further investigation was impossible and reluctantly retreated, is that right?”
Yes, normally one would judge it as an immediate retreat.
But unfortunately, that’s not the case.
“No, while there was the reason that injured individuals couldn’t move, they also reached the sixth floor with the cooperation of the Wing Crest group in their investigation.”
“What? No, I understand the reason why the injured couldn’t be moved, but even with the cooperation of a raid with Ancient Hunters, you could have at least retreated with the injured first. Why did you continue the investigation so forcefully?”
Gadler was looking at us with an accusatory gaze, but there was indeed a method of retreating the injured first using an escape.
However, if we had done that, Yuri or Carol would have had to accompany them, and then a few of us would have had to go as guards.
Also, since I judged that the prototype Beast Carriage would be more comfortable than returning to the surface, I had the injured accompany us with their consent.
“I see, so that’s how it is. Indeed, since they were exploring separately from the Alliance, the Wing Crest group wouldn’t want their fighting strength to be reduced. But a Beast Carriage that can carry the entire Alliance? Does such a thing exist?”
“I intend to report on that as well. Fortunately, we have gained the understanding of Yamato and the others, so we will be showing you the actual item later.”
“Understood.”
Perhaps because he’s a Dwarf, his eyes seemed to gleam.
Gadler is the Hunter’s Master, but perhaps he’s also registered as a Crafter?
There’s no rule a Hunter’s Master can’t register with the Union, and it’s more likely he registered before taking office, so it’s not particularly unusual.
But for now, the report comes first, so Gadler urged Sley to continue the report.
