Two weeks after securing the cooperation of the Trial Hearts, the Orders to be dispatched to Torencia were selected.
The Orders comprised a total of 488 members, with Mr. Rex designated as the General Order, and Ms. Rosemary and Ms. Muse as Secondary Orders to assist. Furthermore, Duke Arjan Montestain would accompany them as an advisor, as naval battles were anticipated.
Duke Arjan Montestain was a 57-year-old male Human, but as he was a Trader, he was not a combatant on the battlefield. However, the Montestain ducal family were experts in naval warfare, having stopped the invasion of Abilicia in their territorial waters in the past. Duke Arjan himself had registered as a Trader with the stated purpose of researching the sea and ships. Therefore, he held an unusual interest in Solemn’s steam battleships and the prototype magic silver ship created by Fiana, and it was memorable how he looked at the prototype hull with a covetous gaze when they went to meet him.
“The reinforcements for Torencia this time are not an exaggeration to say they carry the fate of our nation. Though comprised of a mere 488 individuals, you are undoubtedly the elite of our Amister. Even if it is Solemn’s new state-of-the-art fleet, they are no match for you. I expect your success in defeating Solemn, who disturbs our peace, for the sake of our nation, our friend Torencia, and the tranquility of the Philia Continent.”
As His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt’s speech concluded, the Orders returned a salute with perfect unity. His Majesty had visited Torencia several times before, but this time, due to his packed schedule, he could not accompany them. Therefore, Mana would act as his proxy to convey greetings to Torencia.
“Brave Orders departing for Torencia. We will now initiate the transfer. All personnel, board the beast carriages.”
“Yes!”
Following Mana’s command, the Orders boarded the beast carriages assigned to them. There were ten beast carriages in total, and these were prototypes of Order’s Guild exclusive Multi-functional Beast Carriages, built hastily at His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt’s request, with the same concept as our own prototype beast carriages.
While the material was Cypress, it was reinforced in parts with Jade Silver, and the wheels were a six-point independent suspension system made from Grand Deathwurm components. The front deck with the driver’s seat, a 10-square-meter rear deck, and a 7.5-square-meter observation deck were equipped, and descending via a 9-square-meter cabin led to the Mirror Room. The Mirror Room, with its 30x amplification, was 600 square meters. It contained 6-square-meter bedrooms, a 30-square-meter command room and a guest room each, a 70-square-meter training room to alleviate lack of exercise, and a 90-square-meter dining hall/assembly area. Unlike the prototype beast carriages we used, the bedrooms here were private rooms from the start, but the partitions were movable, allowing for size adjustment according to the situation. The beds, like those in the command room and guest room, were made from Giant Rockwurm materials, ensuring a comfortable sleep. The baths, including the changing rooms, were 20 square meters for men and 30 square meters for women, so it should be manageable if they took turns. The stables were 30 square meters, and with a two-horse setup for the Battle Horses, this area should be sufficient. Toilets were provided in each bedroom, so there should be no problems there. The stated capacity was 50 people, but it felt like double that could fit if packed tightly. In Torencia, they would generally be residing in these beast carriages, but if the Torencia side had accommodation prepared, they were permitted to use it. However, as this was also a test run, we hoped they would use the beast carriages and report on their usability.
“Your Highness, all personnel have boarded.”
Mr. Rex, who had boarded the prototype No. 1 carriage, called out from the front deck with the driver’s seat. Naturally, Ms. Rosemary and Ms. Muse were also on board prototype No. 1, assigned to the command room, and Duke Arjan was in the guest room of carriage No. 1. There were no servant quarters, so the three accompanying Butlers were each using a bedroom, resulting in only 38 Order members boarding carriage No. 1, fewer than the other carriages. Incidentally, Lucas and Lyra, who joined from Feel, were also assigned to prototype No. 1, and as the number of occupants was small, they said they had combined three rooms to use. Using three rooms meant 18 square meters, which was more than enough for two people.
“Understood. We will now proceed outside the Float for the transfer. Drivers of the beast carriages, proceed to the designated location as previously instructed.”
“Yes!”
Following Mana’s instructions, the beast carriages departed one by one from the plaza in front of Amagi Castle. In the city, neither Traveling nor Transfer Stone Tablets or Gate Crystals could be used, so to transfer to Alka, one had to go outside first. For the same reason, transfer to Bestia was also planned to take place outside of Bestia. The fact that the Orders would be transported via Transfer had been communicated to the Torencia side, but the exact date and time had not, so they would be spending time in Alka for the foreseeable future. I would accompany Mr. Rex to Bestia once to confirm the schedule.
“With the movement of nearly 500 Orders, we might have needed nearly 100 beast carriages in other circumstances, but thanks to Yamato, it’s only 10.”
“If the 50x amplification were possible, I think we could have managed with about half that.”
“That cannot be helped. Yamato is the only Crafter capable of 50x amplification. Therefore, it is necessary to limit it to 30x amplification, which even High Crafters can achieve.”
I understood what Yuri meant, so I accepted it as unavoidable.
“Where are the beast carriages supposed to be parked in Alka again?”
“East of the Torii gate.”
“Ah, that place.”
I didn’t know how long they would be waiting in Alka, but it was impossible to accommodate nearly 500 people in the Hinomoto Mansion. Besides, Ludia, you decided on these matters with His Majesty and others, and you were present, weren’t you?
“Of course, I will invite Duke Arjan and the First Order.”
That was a given. Especially since Duke Arjan, though not to the same extent as Duke Turkis, was a Duke with legitimate Succession Rights. I was assuming at least one night’s stay, but depending on Torencia’s circumstances, I intended for the Orders to take turns using the hot springs.
The beast carriages, having left the Float, proceeded a short distance outside the city and then stopped.
“Your Highness, we have arrived at the designated location.”
“Yes, I understand. Yamato, please.”
“Understood.”
Prompted by Mana, I retrieved a Transfer Stone Tablet from storage and activated it.
“Oh, a magic circle…”
“Mana, please go in first.”
“Understood. Everyone else, follow me and pass through this magic circle one carriage at a time.”
“Yes!”
Just as when they departed, the beast carriages passed through the magic circle in order, starting with prototype No. 1. After confirming that the last vehicle, prototype No. 10, had passed through the magic circle, I also went through it and transferred to Alka.
Side: Mako
It’s been nearly three weeks since I came to Helios Orb. I’ve finally gotten used to this life, but there are still many things I find bewildering. Warfare in formation is a prime example. And yet, the war is truly imminent, and I’m even involved in it, so you never know what life will throw at you. Well, even before the transfer, I was caught up in major incidents, and it was often my close friend, Yamato’s parents, who were at the center of them, so compared to that, this might still be manageable.
“Welcome back, Lady Mana.”
“I’m back. The beast carriages will be parked in the designated location.”
“Understood.”
It is Mieena and I, mounted on Kaede and Breeze, the Battle Horses, who will guide the Orders. Kaede, my summoned beast, a Battle Horse, whom I had a fated encounter with at the Ragnarold Equine Ranch in Feel on the day I registered with the Guild, becomes very happy when I ride on his back. Unlike Mana or Mieena, who can wield swords, I tend to provide support from the rear rather than be on the front lines. When I’m concentrating on support, my movements can become sluggish, but Kaede covers for me and moves accordingly, which is a great help. Summoned beasts can also evolve, and apparently Mana’s Spica has evolved into a War Horse. I hope Kaede can evolve as well if possible.
“Wh-what is this place!?”
“You’ve arrived. I’ll explain later, so follow them.”
“Y-yes!”
The female Order member driving is surprised, but it’s natural to be surprised when the transfer destination is the sky.
“This way.”
Mieena leads the beast carriages forward. As I am also a guide, I must follow. When I ask Breeze to fall in alongside me, Kaede neighs as if to say he understands and then gallops lightly to match Breeze’s pace. I do have some horseback riding experience, but Kaede is intelligent and responds quickly to verbal instructions. They say it’s because they are familiars or summoned beasts, but it’s still very helpful. The saddles are made from the leather of an M-rank monster called Grand Deathwurm, so they are very comfortable to sit on and don’t cause fatigue even after long periods of sitting. Judging by the name, I imagine it’s some kind of giant worm-like monster, but the beds and cushions made from its leather are incredibly comfortable, so I don’t really care what the material is. I truly felt like I was walking on air.
“This will be used as the carriage depot.”
“Understood.”
Following Mieena’s instructions, the Orders driving the beast carriages park them. After that, more beast carriages arrive one after another, and a total of ten prototype beast carriages come to a halt on the grasslands of Alka. It doesn’t look entirely unlike a yacht harbor, but considering it’s on a grassland, it still feels rather out of place.
“All personnel, dismount!”
Mr. Rex, the General Order and Mieena’s older brother, gives the command, and the Orders dismount from the beast carriages one after another, using the steps from the cabin. I’ve heard that for Hunters, jumping off the deck is not uncommon, but these are clearly the Amister Knights, the Order’s Guild. The coats they are wearing are apparently a minor modification by Marina of the game equipment that Yamato had placed in an Engraving Tool, but they all suit them well, and there’s no sense of cosplay.
“This is Alka, a Sky Island, owned by O-Rank Order Yamato Hydrangea Mikami. The mansion you see behind us cannot accommodate everyone, so tonight we will be camping here. However, there are no monsters here, so a night watch is not necessary. Everyone, please rest well today.”
In the three weeks I’ve been here, I’ve also camped several times, but I always had to be on alert not just for monsters, but also for thieves, so I couldn’t let my guard down. But since there are no monsters in Alka, the Orders don’t need to stand guard. While doing so for the sake of maintaining tension or gaining experience might be beneficial, it’s debatable whether it constitutes good experience in a place like Alka where neither monsters nor thieves appear.
“The First Order members aboard the beast carriages will have a meeting. Yamato-dono has provided a location, so we will move there later with Duke Arjan. Furthermore, at Yamato-dono’s generosity, the Orders are also permitted to use a large public bath called a Yuden. You will enter baths in groups by beast carriage, but you may use the beast carriages to travel. You may use the beast carriages for travel.”
Rex’s words caused a stir among the Orders. While the beast carriages the Orders used had bathrooms, their size was incomparable to the Yuden. At Helios Orb, even royalty and nobles don’t bathe every day, and for commoners, it’s once a week at most. However, the baths at Hinomoto Mansion are accessible 24 hours a day, which is something I am very grateful for as well. The Main Hall and the Vice Hall apparently have individual baths, but they are on the topmost floor, so I find it difficult to use them. Therefore, I use the Yuden, and it’s like a spa resort, so I have no complaints.
“The order will be from No. 1 carriage onwards, each bathing session will be limited to 30 minutes, so please bear with us. Carriages No. 2 and beyond will begin their movement 30 minutes after the first group departs. Once the first group returns to their beast carriages, they will bathe in the Yuden and return here. The timing of meals will be left to each beast carriage. That is all.”
Certainly, the Yuden is spacious, but it still cannot accommodate 100 people. About 50 people would be fine, but more than half of the Orders are women, and there are only about 100 male Orders in total. So it will be a bit cramped for the women, but they’ll have to bear with it.
“Now, Duke Arjan and the First Order, please move to the beast carriage of the Wing Crest.”
Oh, wait. Duke Arjan, the nine First Order members, and the two from the General Order and Secondary Order are to travel to Hinomoto Mansion in the beast carriage Yamato commissioned first, and that beast carriage will be pulled by Kaede and Breeze. The reason Mieena and I were chosen as guides is primarily this.
“Indeed. Please pardon the inconvenience.”
“Understood. Mako-san, I will guide you inside, may I ask you to handle the driver’s seat?”
“Yes. That would be helpful for me too.”
Duke Arjan doesn’t seem like a bad person, but there are many nobles who reportedly wish to marry me, now that I have evolved into an Ancient Human, so I don’t want to interact too much with nobles. Yamato has married a princess of Amister, and Prim has also married Yamato, so I won’t be told such things, but I have no such partner, so I’ve been told to be cautious. Nobles from Amister and Torencia are not said to be that aggressive, but nobles from other countries are different. They say they would do anything to establish a connection with me. The one I need to be most wary of is the former Second Prince of the neighboring country, Valentia, Leonas Forest Valiente. He’s known as a womanizing, dissolute prince with a bad reputation with women, and they say he loses interest in women once he’s had them. He is reportedly active as the leader of the Anti-Beast King Organization, and there are rumors that a considerable number of young women have disappeared in the regions where this organization has operated, so he can simply be designated an enemy of women. If I were to meet him and he tried to seduce me, I feel like I could easily kill him, but I should probably stop myself at merely half-killing him. I doubt I’ll meet him, but it’s still incredibly troublesome. Should I perhaps request him to pretend to be Yamato’s fiancée, even if it’s a pretense?
