Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 266

The Transfer Stone Tablet at the base of the Treasure Tree in Seryado Volcano was successfully retrieved.

That night, Hilde, who had finally found some free time, came to Alka’s place, and I got to embrace her for the first time. As expected of a High Vampire, her skin was even whiter and more beautiful than Arka’s Mana and Rika’s.

Though it had a slight bluish tint, I had been with Marisa, also a High Vampire, many times before, so it didn’t bother me at all.

The next day was a holiday, so we were able to enjoy a relaxing vacation in Alka.

However, as I was also the contact person for Float and Rio, I couldn’t completely shut myself away.

The day after that, after much trial and error, a prototype Hydro-Jet Propulsor, which used water and wind attribute magic along with mirroring, was successfully completed.

This would have been impossible to achieve so quickly on Earth, but thanks to Craft Magic, the rework was easy, which I was very grateful for.

The Hydro-Jet Propulsor was attached to the prototype hull using connecting and locking mechanisms, and a test ride was completed.

As it was a prototype, the speed was only around 40 kilometers per hour, but it was still faster than being pulled by monsters. I also designed it to have a simple structure, so I believe repairs won’t be difficult even if it breaks.

I was undecided on how to handle directional changes, but unfortunately, it is fixed rather than movable. The main propulsion is from the large propulsor attached to the rear of the hull, and directional changes are adjusted with the small propulsors attached to the sides of the hull.

Of course, using all three simultaneously would allow for even greater speeds.

When I actually tried it, it reached 80 kilometers per hour.

I’ve named this propulsor the Hydro-Engine, and it’s attributed to my development, as I put a lot of effort into it.

The Crafter’s Guild was eager to install it on ships immediately, but since there are still issues, I asked them to wait a bit and am currently working on improvements.

However, even these improvements to the Hydro-Engine seem to be on hold for the time being.

“To Libertà?”

“Yes. Recently, I received a letter from Grand Duke Lichtenfels. According to it, the capital of Libertà, Estrella, has fallen, and the Temellario Great Sky Wall has also been captured.”

A week after retrieving the Transfer Stone Tablet from the Treasure Tree in Seryado Volcano, we were summoned by Emperor Reinhardt to Amagi Castle. We were surprised to learn of Libertà’s current situation.

Libertà is a nation like a federation of city-states, and a Governor-General oversees these city-states.

Representatives for each city are elected, and from those representatives, a Governor-General is chosen through further elections.

Since the Governor-General is obligated to reside in Estrella, the Lord of Estrella cannot be the Governor-General, but they can act as regent and manage national affairs in the absence of a Governor-General.

The cities of Libertà are what could be called bridge cities, built on massive bridges, and all of them face a river.

These rivers are wide enough for five or more ships of the 50-meter class to pass side-by-side with ease, so maritime logistics are also thriving.

In other words, Libertà is the perfect country for Solemnne’s Steam Battleships to conquer. Furthermore, the fact that the Temellario Great Sky Wall has been captured also means that the Magic Silver mines at its foothills have been captured.

“Surely, even Amister cannot overlook this?”

“Of course not. If the Temellario Magic Silver mines are captured, their Steam Battleships will also be made of Magic Silver. We can no longer afford to think about Libertà as it was.”

That’s true.

Even if the Steam Battleships are made of Magic Silver, sinking them is not much different from iron ones, and Crystal Silver is not produced from the Magic Silver mines at the foot of the Temellario Great Sky Wall.

However, it is obvious that Solemnne will become even more arrogant. The fall of Estrella means that it is no exaggeration to say that the nation of Libertà has perished.

The politicians who sided with Solemnne will likely survive, but those who didn’t would have likely perished during the attack on Estrella.

“Brother, what did His Highness the Grand Duke say?”

“Upon the fall of Estrella, the Governor-General and most of the parliament lost their lives, so Libertà no longer possesses the semblance of a nation. Therefore, the Grand Duke, as the Lord of Lichtenfels, has formally requested aid from Amister and Torencia.”

“To Torencia as well? That means Sister Hilde knows about this.”

“Most likely. Amister is closer, but if it comes to dispatching troops, Torencia would be faster.”

Among the nearly twenty bridge cities, Lichtenfels has been ruled by successive Grand Dukes. The Lichtenfels Grand Ducal family is responsible for Libertà’s diplomacy. They are granted this status because they were once a royal family. However, they are apparently not eligible to participate in the election of the Governor-General, including voting rights.

To travel from Amister to Libertà, one must either go through Valentia and cross the Nadal Sea, or pass through Retisencia.

However, the border with Retisencia is sealed, so that route is unusable. If passing through Valentia, a ship is needed to navigate the Nadal Sea, which poses a problem of how to obtain such a ship. This would lead to sailing off the coast of Retisencia, and since they are practically at war with Retisencia, there’s a possibility of being hindered along the way.

In the case of Torencia, there are already ship services to Libertà, so dispatching ships is not an issue. However, at this time of year, the seas around Torencia are covered with sea ice, and without addressing this, Torencia cannot move.

Therefore, for both Amister and Torencia, the quickest way to provide aid would be by air. However, if dispatching aid, the number of people involved would be in the hundreds, so a considerable number of Wyverns would be needed for transportation.

Wyverns are a little over 10 meters in length and can carry about five people on their backs, but they lack the forelegs of dragons, making it impossible to transport Multi-functional Beast Carriages like ours. It might be possible to suspend them with belts, but since Wyverns are C-rank monsters, there’s a risk they won’t be able to fly if they suspend something weighing several tons.

“So I understand why you’re asking us, but we can’t defend Lichtenfels by ourselves.”

“I understand. Grand Duke Liar is asking us to shelter at least his family.”

“Only his family?”

It’s not entirely surprising. According to the letter, Grand Duke Liar and his eldest son, the heir, will remain in Lichtenfels, but he wishes to evacuate his three wives and two daughters to a safe location.

“So, Grand Duke Liar and Adrain are staying in Lichtenfels?”

“Yes. They have no intention of abandoning Lichtenfels, but they also do not wish to involve their families.”

“What happened to Libertà’s Hunters and military?”

“More than 70% of the army’s total strength has been annihilated, with numerous casualties. The details for the Hunters are unknown, but it is said that a considerable number of High Class individuals were killed by the Steam Battleships.”

The military and Hunter casualties are also severe. Flying and Scaffolding have only recently been proposed, but if they can be utilized effectively, they could inflict significant damage even against Steam Battleships. The fact that such heavy losses occurred despite this suggests that they were either not utilized effectively or perhaps their usefulness was not understood.

“It’s been nearly two months since they were proposed, so it’s unlikely they weren’t utilized effectively. I suspect their usefulness was not understood.”

That could be true. Flying might have been too unbelievable to consider, but I would think at least one person would have tried it. However, since there was no one, this is the situation we are in now.

“In any case, I understand the situation. So, we just need to bring the Grand Duke’s family to Float?”

“I’m sorry to trouble you, but please do. This is an urgent situation, and we can only rely on you.”

Indeed, there is no time to waste. Lichtenfels is southeast of Estrella, but it is also close to Retisencia. While it doesn’t face the Nadal Sea, it’s not far from the sea, and as is common with bridge cities, the river facing Lichtenfels is also large. The only saving grace is that although close to Retisencia, it is still a considerable distance from the border, and more importantly, there are no Retisencia cities in that direction.

“Is it alright for Yamato to act as a Sky Knight this time as well?”

“I’m afraid so. I would have liked to accompany you, but I’ve also received a letter from the Beast King, and I must attend to that as well.”

A letter from the Beast King? At this timing?

“What does it say?”

“I’m also unsure how to respond. So, I apologize, but please don’t ask me about it for now.”

Is it that serious? Indeed, while Valentia annexed the eastern Estait Baronage to Amister, the northern Rod Piece’s Baron was killed, and the southern Trial and central Freiheit Barons betrayed them and sided with Solemnne. This must have led to a deterioration of public order and internal chaos. Ovest in the west was also attacked by Steam Battleships, so their reconstruction is also necessary. Perhaps they are requesting support for that, but the fact that Reinhardt is hesitant to decide suggests there might be something else, and since we cannot offer advice, it would be better to discuss it after he has a clearer idea.

Side: Mako

Upon receiving Emperor Reinhardt’s request, we quickly made preparations and headed to Lichtenfels, a city southeast of the Libertarian Federation. Fortunately, Lichtenfels had not yet suffered any damage, but there were Steam Battleships nearby, all of which we sank. In fact, with Steam Battleships approaching Lichtenfels, it means that not just a third, but two-thirds, or even three-quarters of Libertà has already been occupied.

“We sent a letter to Emperor Reinhardt of Amister, but I never expected them to come to our aid so quickly…”

The dapper gentleman with rabbit ears before me is Grand Duke Liar of Lichtenfels. He appears to be in his mid-forties.

“According to the letter, you wish to evacuate your three wives and two daughters to Amister, but is it truly alright for Your Highness and the Prince to remain?”

“It is perfectly fine. Lichtenfels is the last bastion of Libertà. If the lord were to flee first, it would signify the demise of Libertà. Furthermore, this Lichtenfels is our homeland. Protecting our homeland is only natural.”

Grand Duke Liar seems like a noble person. I can understand his feelings well. Though, neither I nor Yamato-kun can ever return to our homeland.

“And is it alright with you as well, Prince Adrain?”

“It is fine. I am to succeed my father, and precisely because of that, I cannot flee.”

Prince Adrain also seems suitable as the heir to the Grand Ducal family. Perhaps it’s because he’s only fifteen, but he’s trembling slightly, yet his attempt to appear brave is admirable.

Incidentally, the Lichtenfels Grand Ducal family includes Grand Duke Liar of Rabitry, Prince Adrain is an Elf, the three Grand Duchesses are Elf, Human, and Lamia respectively, and the two young ladies are Rabitry and Rabitry Half-Lamia. It’s rare for half-breed children to be born, but they inherit the characteristics of both parents. This seems to result in stronger magic power, but the racial classification can be a bit complicated. Sir Yuri, who is Human Half-Elf, is classified as an Elf, but there are also people who are the opposite, Elf Half-Human.

“By the way, Grand Duke Liar, I heard that a considerable number of members in the Libertarian Parliament were colluding with Solemnne. What happened to them?”

“It seems that most of them, including the Governor-General, lost their lives during the attack on Estrella.”

Did the Governor-General themselves collude with Solemnne?

“As you say, but the Governor-General was merely offering certain conveniences to keep Retisencia in check. The truth is, traitors misinterpreted this and supplied Solemnne with magic-infused tools, profiting immensely.”

“Specifically?”

“I heard that an Associate Trader’s Master gave the orders and supplied a large quantity of Mirror Bags and Storage Bags. In return, they received Monster Materials from the Cruel Labyrinth. However, as our family is primarily involved in diplomacy, we do not receive much information regarding internal affairs.”

The Associate Trader’s Master is the number two of the Trader’s Guild. I know there are Traders who would do anything for money, but I never imagined that the Associate Trader’s Master would be involved in something like this. It seems that the Grand Trader’s Master and the Associate Trader’s Master are not allowed to be listed in the parliament, but since the Associate Trader’s Master is the second in command of the Trader’s Guild, their influence must be immense.

“That Associate Trader’s Master also lost their life during the attack on Estrella.”

I want to say it’s the punishment for betraying their country, but perhaps Solemnne never intended to keep their promises. The indiscriminate shelling from the Steam Battleships makes it difficult to escape unless you have prior warning. It’s their own fault, of course.

“Then, what about the Grand Trader’s Master?”

“No, they are safe. Fortunately, on that day, they happened to be on a business trip to a nearby city. Therefore, they are now heading to Lichtenfels, bringing along the surviving Trader’s Guild staff and orphans.”

Heading to Lichtenfels, and with orphans, depending on how they are traveling, it doesn’t sound like a very good situation. The Libertarian government is already defunct, and the Libertarian army must be fully occupied with vigilance against Solemnne and Retisencia. Especially since the western cities have been devastated, there must be many who have resorted to thievery. Furthermore, there are monsters, so it’s questionable whether they can even reach their destination safely.

“We should go and meet them, and have them evacuated to Amister.”

“That would be best. We cannot abandon the Grand Trader’s Master, of course, nor the children.”

I agree. Even by Beast Carriage, it would take a week to travel from Estrella to Lichtenfels. It would be faster by ship, but it’s obvious that Solemnne’s Steam Battleships are present, and it’s uncertain if any ships are still operational. The same applies to Beast Carriages, so in the worst-case scenario, they might have to travel on foot. For children, it might even take two weeks. Moreover, Estrella fell only three days ago, so they are not yet far from Estrella, which is not ideal.

Since Eos flew us to Lichtenfels, we’ll have to ask Athena to take us near Estrella, but Steam Battleships are likely to be nearby, so we must remain vigilant. Athena should be able to reach Estrella in about two hours, so we should start as soon as possible.