Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 223

Side: Emperor Hildegard

Three days after visiting Float, I, along with my attendant butler Mirei, the Royal Sabers Sheryl the High Undine and Garfa the High Elf, have arrived at the fourth floor of the Instant Labyrinth with everyone from the Wing Crest.

While I also intended to test drive the new prototype beast carriage, I also wanted to fight alongside Prim and Mana for the first time in a while.

Brother Rai readily agreed, but I never imagined it would lead to coming to the Instant Labyrinth.

However, Wing Crest is said to have conquered this Instant Labyrinth, and considering the magic stones I saw the other day, I can’t help but feel it’s difficult to expect common sense from Lord Yamato and Prim.

The Prim of the past, perhaps because she was a winged tribe member, wasn’t particularly unreasonable, aside from being stronger than me, a High Vampire…

Sheryl and Garfa, accompanying me, are also widening their eyes at the bizarre sight before us.

The Saber Rank is almost identical to the Order’s Guild, with only the G Rank being different in form.

Therefore, Sheryl and Garfa, who are Royal Sabers, are also P-rank Sabers.

“Are you alright, Emperor Hildegard?”

“…Does this look alright to you?”

“I see.”

Athena, an Hydragonian and one of Lord Yamato’s fiancées, gives me a sympathetic look and a wry smile.

While they seem accustomed to it, we’ve never even heard of such a thing, so the sight before us can only be described as completely unreasonable.

This is because in front of us lie the corpses of five G-rank Rock Worms, three Bladehorn Beetles, two G-I rank Evil Drakes, four P-rank Quad Stags, two P-I rank Grand Kongs, one P-C rank Demon Drake, and even an M-rank Gryphon.

“However, this is normal for us. Emperor Hildegard, if you also desire it, you must accept it.”

“This is normal… is it?”

Mina, one of Lord Yamato’s wives, uttered something truly outrageous.

Wing Crest is defeating these monsters one after another, but Lord Yamato and Prim are defeating those P-I rank and above, and Mana alone has defeated two Quad Stags.

Mina and Athena are remaining to guard me, and they easily defeat Rock Worms that emerge from the ground, so even if they say this is normal, I can’t believe it.

However, there is reality before me, so I have no choice but to believe it, even if I can’t believe it…

“Yes. I heard that Your Majesty saw the magic stones at Amagi Castle.”

Indeed, through Brother Rai’s kindness, I was able to see the magic stones stored at Amagi Castle.

There were various attribute Dragoons, as well as numerous Catastrophe Species and An, but what surprised me most were the magic stones of the Demise Species Orc Emperor and Orc Empress.

They told me that Lord Yamato and Prim obtained those magic stones by defeating them individually, so at first, I couldn’t understand what they were talking about.

If they can defeat Demise Species individually, then M-rank and P-rank monsters should be no problem, but even so, this sight is beyond my common sense, isn’t it?

“Lord Yamato and Prim are both Hunters, so hunting monsters is part of their daily lives. Therefore, if Your Majesty wishes to stand beside Lord Yamato, you must accept this scene.”

…It’s true, as Mina says.

Hunters are meant to hunt monsters, so regardless of their Monster Rank, hunting monsters is undoubtedly a part of their daily lives.

Therefore, as Mina said, if I intend to stand beside Lord Yamato, I must accept this scene as a daily occurrence.

“That’s right. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I will try to persuade everyone and make an effort to become like that when I return to my country. But first, let’s get through this situation. Mina, could you provide cover?”

“Leave it to me.”

I took out my large scythe from my storage, which is also a symbol of my queenship.

This large scythe was favored by the first Queen, Eliel, and is made of Divine Metal.

Therefore, princesses who have succession rights are all required to learn how to handle it.

As a princess, I also used a large scythe to deal with monsters and thieves, but shortly after succeeding to the throne, I evolved into a High Vampire, and I ended up wearing out several magic silver large scythes.

However, Eliel’s favorite large scythe is made of Divine Metal, so it’s not a problem even for me, a High Vampire, to use it.

“Then, here I go!”

Mina chose the P-U rank Greatest Horn Boar.

It’s a monster with a giant body over five meters long and tusks nearly two meters long that branch out, but its main attacks utilize its tusks, so as long as one is careful about that, it’s not difficult to deal with even among P-rank monsters.

“Hyaaaa!”

Mina deals a significant blow to the Greatest Horn Boar by swinging a mace, created from earth and fire attribute magic, horizontally.

Mina is also a High Human of a higher level than me, and she seems accustomed to this kind of combat.

However, I can’t just stand by and watch.

I must channel magic into Queen’s Sickle, the large scythe favored by the first Queen Eliel, an Ancient Vampire, and unleash a slash at the Greatest Horn Boar.

No, it’s not just me; I can’t let Sheryl and Garfa just stand by and watch either.

It’s unthinkable for my guards to leave me unattended.

“Sheryl, Garfa. You follow too.”

“Y-yes!”

The two hastily draw their swords, but they are likely still recovering from the shock.

However, you are also members of the Saber’s Guild, so I expect you to perform in a manner that does not shame your name.

Side: Prim

I brought Sister Hilde to the fourth floor of the Instant Labyrinth, and as expected of a High Vampire, Sister’s abilities were sufficient.

It’s also convenient that her weapon is a Divine Metal large scythe, as it doesn’t require magic power restrictions.

Her escorts, Sheryl the High Undine and Garfa the High Elf, have magic silver swords, so they seemed to be having a harder time, but that’s unavoidable.

Regarding what happened the other day, it seems Sister Hilde has taken a liking to Yamato as a marriage partner, or perhaps as a partner to have a child with as a single mother.

Sister’s judgment is usually sound, but I couldn’t tell if it was a calculated move or if she truly wanted to be with him, so yesterday, all of us decided to press Sister Hilde for answers.

The result was, it seems to be the latter.

She seemed to have been cultivating her feelings through letters from me and Mana, so in other words, she was the same as Mana.

While it’s true that she can’t marry Yamato due to her position as Queen of Torencia, she at least wants to have a child.

However, since we have Transfer Stone Tablets and Gate Crystals, the issue of distance can be resolved, even with the other party being the Queen of Torencia.

Furthermore, since Yamato is an Ancient Human, if he were to marry the Queen of Torencia, it would serve as a significant deterrent against Solomne, who are currently invading.

And since Yamato has three more wives, Mana and I both want to support Sister Hilde’s desires as much as possible.

Of course, we can’t make this decision on our own, but fortunately, everyone has readily agreed.

Torencia’s most friendly nation status with Amister is also a favorable condition.

However, due to her position as Queen, she cannot simply decide on a marriage partner.

So, how things will turn out depends on what happens after we go to Torencia.

A single mother bears and raises a child on her own, so usually, she cannot expect much financial support from the male side.

Yamato doesn’t intend to do that, but it’s also a custom within Helios Orb, so in that case, Torencia also cannot easily rely on Yamato.

However, if they marry, Torencia would also greatly benefit.

After all, not only Yamato, an Ancient Human, but also I, an Ancient Foxy, would come along. Moreover, his other wives include Hunters who are all G-rank, and even a G-rank Healer and an S-rank Order. This is such a favorable condition that any nobleman would immediately approve.

Therefore, I think there’s a high possibility that Torencia will approve of the marriage with Yamato.

Sister Hilde was prepared to accept an undesirable marriage for the sake of her country, but now that she has met Yamato, that resolve is wavering.

Besides, undesirable marriages are not favored in Torencia, so I have a feeling that the previous Emperor and her younger sister Hilde might welcome it.

“Again this time, it’s quite a lot, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. The Gryphon and the Giant Rock Worm are especially large.”

Today’s hunt was also quite fruitful.

We’ve already presented all the Gryphons to Emperor Iver, and the Giant Rock Worms will be used for the beast carriage, so it’s helpful for us.

“I really wanted to go to the Solpreza Labyrinth, but naturally, we can’t take Emperor Hildegard there.”

Yamato is grumbling like that, but that’s how it is.

It’s difficult enough to take Brother Rai, who is registered as a Hunter, to the Solpreza Labyrinth. If we were to take Sister Hilde, who isn’t registered with any guild, it would cause great chaos in Valentia.

We might even have to seek an audience with Emperor Folias in Dragunia, which would be too troublesome.

“Shall we leave then?”

“Let’s do that.”

We need to head back soon to make it in time for dinner.

Oh, we’ve properly handed over the monsters that Sister Hilde and her companions defeated.

Many of them are monsters not seen in Torencia, so they will likely sell for a high price as rare items there.

“Thank you for indulging my selfish request today.”

“No, we were able to obtain materials we wanted, so please don’t worry about it.”

Sister Hilde bows to Yamato, but shouldn’t she, as a Queen, avoid bowing so casually?

No, from Sister Hilde’s perspective, it would be considered disrespectful not to.

“Um, what do you think of Vampires, Lord Yamato?”

“What do you mean, what do I think?”

“Well, as you can see, my teeth are sharp, and my skin is a little pale, so I thought it might be difficult for our guests to accept me.”

Sister Hilde is saying something nonsensical. Of course, a Vampire’s skin is a little pale, but it’s perfectly beautiful skin. Moreover, Sister Hilde is a High Vampire, so she’s much more beautiful than a normal Vampire?

“No, my butler with Mana is also a Vampire, so I don’t have any particular prejudice. You mentioned your teeth, but you can’t tell unless you’re specifically looking.”

Indeed, Marisa, my butler with Mana, is also a Vampire—or rather, she has evolved into a High Vampire. Yamato interacts with her without any prejudice, and he has already embraced her. The reason Yamato found it difficult to refuse was also largely due to Eos. Eos and Marisa both want children, but they’ve been told they are not marriage partners, so in that case, becoming a single mother is the only option.

“I-is that so!”

Sister Hilde beams with a smile as if a flower has bloomed, but Yamato probably hasn’t noticed the meaning behind that smile.

If only he weren’t so dense, he would be perfect. Look, Sister Hilde’s escorts, Sheryl and Garfa, are also making exasperated faces. Well, it’s Yamato, so I guess it can’t be helped.

And so, after leaving the Instant Labyrinth, we returned to Alka with Sister Hilde after dinner. Raus looked tired, and upon hearing his story, he was granted a family name by Brother Rai, after which he was inundated with invitations from nobles. Carol apparently handled them skillfully, but Raus and Rebecca are unaccustomed to such things, so they seem to be quite mentally exhausted. However, with Raus’s family name now officially decided, he needs to make a habit of using it properly. Also, the number of nobles he deals with will increase, so he needs to get used to that as well. In fact, there are few impudent nobles in Amister, so if he stumbles here, it will be difficult in other countries. It’s tough, but I guess I have no choice but to leave it to Carol.