Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 343

We sent Hilde to Deseo with the Soldier’s Guild, but we didn’t feel like going into the city of Deseo.

Solemne cannot use Inn, so they cannot create magic tools.

Therefore, magic tools can only be imported from other countries, but Solmne had been attacking its surrounding countries, so many magic tools were prohibited items.

Furthermore, Solmne merchants were making exorbitant profits by selling imported goods at high prices, making magic tools a rare sight in the marketplace.

As a result, only royalty, nobles, and wealthy merchants had bathrooms, let alone magic toilets, and as a consequence, filth and excrement overflowed everywhere.

If left unchecked, it would lead to epidemics, so Emperor Reinhardt and Hilde were in a hurry. They brought a large number of toilets with the peacekeeping forces who replaced us and tried to install them in each household at almost cost price, but that’s when it was discovered that Solmne used a different currency, which caused quite a stir.

Although it was eventually resolved, that was only recently. Full-scale installation requires Crafters, so for now, they’ve set up temporary public toilets to tide them over, and Orders and Sabers who are registered as Crafters are apparently in charge of installation.

Even so, only about 30% have been installed, and many people find it bothersome to even go to a public toilet and prefer to use their home toilets, so the sanitary conditions don’t seem to have improved much.

They have conveyed that installing magic toilets at home is mandatory, but one reason for the delay in installation is the shortage of Crafters available for the work.

“It will take until tomorrow to bring the Crafters, but even then, it’s uncertain how long it will take to install them all,” said Hilde.

“Furthermore, public order is also a problem. While the former soldiers who became criminal slaves are manageable, among the soldiers captured on the Klagen Plains and the Deseo garrison, some are acting violently towards the residents. Of course, they are being apprehended, but their numbers are not small, so if we were to turn them into criminal slaves carelessly, we would soon be short of manpower,” added Dianos.

“The residents of the slum are more compliant. The formidable woman who leads the slum is cooperating with us in maintaining public order,” added David.

David, the Associate Saber’s Master who leads the peacekeeping forces, and Dianos, the Associate Order’s Master, both looked quite exhausted after these past two weeks.

“It’s unavoidable, as there was no clear policy. You’ve both worked hard,” I said.

“We are humbled,” they replied.

“Viceroy Vincent, what about the nobles?” I asked.

I then asked the former Prime Minister, who is now the Deseo administrator for Solmne, about the nobles’ situation.

Even with the reduced number of soldiers, those fools saw it as a perfect opportunity to rebel.

“In the vicinity of Deseo, no one dared to commit the folly of defying Amister. However, we have received reports that the Lords of several cities are gathering soldiers,” the former Prime Minister reported.

As expected, they were there. However, it seems they are only in the process of gathering soldiers, and not many have been assembled yet.

“As expected. Tomorrow, I will issue a formal notice to the people of Deseo. We will proceed with suppressing those territories afterward,” Hilde declared.

Although there are only 239 members of the Soldier’s Guild, nearly 50 of them are High Soldiers, and Grand Soldier’s Master Delfina is an Ancient Ogre, not to mention Hilde, who is an Ancient Vampire. I don’t know how many they’ve gathered, but suppression will be easy. However, there’s a possibility they might escape, so we decided to help.

“Also, is it possible to meet with the representative of the slum?” I asked.

“It’s difficult. The leader, the formidable woman, is said to be a former General, and the community is formed around her. Within the slum, public order is good and the sanitary conditions are maintained, so they probably won’t want to venture out to a city with poor conditions at this point,” the administrator replied.

The slum has better public order and sanitary conditions than the city? That’s a huge problem! Moreover, listening to David and Dianos, although the buildings in the slum are dilapidated, thanks to the formidable woman’s connections, they were hunting edible monsters in the Deseo Labyrinth. They had no shortage of food or clothing and had jobs, so they were living a life comparable to that of a village. That’s not a slum, is it?

“I heard the slum’s residents weren’t treated as citizens, but to think they were able to manage that right under the Emperor’s nose. That leader woman is quite capable,” I commented.

“Indeed. Many of those who enter the Deseo Labyrinth, including herself, are High Class, so the Solmne Army couldn’t interfere carelessly. It seems they also improved the sanitary conditions by using magic tools obtained by going directly to Valentia, Alegria, and Libertà, making it more comfortable than the city of Deseo,” the administrator explained.

“That’s a problem in itself. However, if the leader of the slum is such a woman, wouldn’t she cooperate with us?” Hilde pondered.

“An agreement has already been made, and many were eager to register with the Soldier’s Guild. The reason the leader doesn’t want to meet His Majesty is that she believes a slum leader cannot casually meet with the king of a country,” David explained.

Her actions and her mindset are both commendable. She’s a former General of the Solmne Army, and I didn’t know there were people in the Solmne Army who thought like that.

“I would very much like to meet her. The Soldier’s Guild will gain reliable personnel, and swift restoration of public order in Deseo can be expected,” said Grand Soldier’s Master Delfina, with Associate Soldier’s Master Tilia nodding vigorously in agreement.

“Then, it seems we have no choice but to go to them,” Tilia stated.

“Indeed. I heard she was expelled from the army along with her subordinate followers for advising the Emperor against his actions, so it would be presumptuous to summon her to the castle,” Delfina added.

She was exiled from the army for that reason? Come to think of it, the Solmne soldiers I saw directly were all arrogant, overbearing scumbags. Even ordinary soldiers believed in Solmne’s unification of the Philia Continent and the Helios Orb, and they looked down on everyone who wasn’t their own citizen. Their positions have reversed now, but it’s better than being plundered. The Order’s Guild and the Saber’s Guild would immediately sever your head, physically, if you even tried to plunder.

“Then, let’s send a messenger immediately. However, as it’s a sensitive location, a Multi-functional Beast Carriage won’t be able to enter,” David said.

“It’s not a problem until a certain point, right?” I asked.

“Of course,” David replied.

We’re going to the former General, the leader of the slum, right after arriving? No, based on the high praise from David and Dianos, the sooner we go, the better. I don’t want to walk around Deseo, but since the slum is more comfortable, and I’m curious, I’ll go along as a guard.

“Sister Hilde, I’m coming too,” Mana declared.

“Me too. It’s tough to live in any city’s slum, but it’s the opposite in Deseo, so I’m curious,” Prim added.

Mana and Prim are coming too. It seems all our companions are interested.

“Then, as guards… We are overkill,” Delfina remarked.

“Overkill indeed,” David agreed.

“I heard His Majesty also evolved into an Ancient Vampire. Naturally, Grand Soldier’s Master Delfina is here, but it’s not a place to bring a large party. My apologies to His Highness, but the number will be about two more people,” Hilde explained.

It’s true that showing up with a large group suddenly would be inconsiderate, so I guess it can’t be helped.

“In that case, Lord Yamato, would you be able to accompany us?” Hilde asked.

“Me? Well, of course, but is it alright for me to go?” I replied.

“Yes. It’s not strange for you to go out with the person who will be your husband,” Hilde said.

That’s certainly true.

“We wanted to go too, but I guess it can’t be helped,” Mana said.

“Hilde sometimes cannot come to Alka,” Prim added.

Everyone else seems to accept it with resignation.

“Also, Mako, would you be able to accompany us as well?” Hilde asked.

“Me too? It’s fine, but why me?” Mako replied.

“You’re an A-Rank Healer. I’ve heard the slum’s sanitary conditions are maintained, but since it’s our first time visiting, I’d like to be cautious,” Hilde explained.

I also wondered why Mako was being asked, but when I thought about it, it made sense. We’re going as High Class and Ancient Class individuals, so the chance of getting sick is almost nil, but the possibility of being attacked and injured isn’t zero. Moreover, the former General we’re about to meet is said to be a High Class individual with high levels, so even for an Ancient Class, it’s best not to be careless.

“If that’s the case, then I am indeed suitable. I understand,” Mako agreed.

So, Hilde’s guards and companions will be me, Mako, Delfina, and 5 Soldiers, with David and 3 Sabers guiding us.

“Since the Multi-functional Beast Carriage can’t enter, we’ll use this one,” David said.

“This one… Ah, the Beast Carriage we made at first. It can carry the number of people without any problem, and there’s no need for particular vigilance when using it in the city,” I noted.

We can’t possibly have the queen of a country walk, after all. I took out the first box-shaped Beast Carriage from the Inventory, and we’ll have Jade pull it. In reality, using Battle Horses or Grantpus would be better to avoid raising suspicion, but only Apricot has contracted a Grantpus, and one Battle Horse can’t pull a Beast Carriage, so this will have to do.

“It’s really convenient to be able to use the Inventory, isn’t it? We don’t have to entrust the Multi-functional Beast Carriage to anyone,” Mana commented.

“Indeed. But shouldn’t we prepare at least one more small Beast Carriage?” Prim asked.

“That might be a good idea,” Mana replied.

I haven’t used the Multi-functional Beast Carriage much since I made it, but it’s starting to show signs of wear and tear due to the magic power of the Ancient Class. So, I should make a Beast Carriage with a certain living space and modify the first one for city use. Fortunately, I still have two branches of the Sky Tree left, so I can make enough for one Beast Carriage with ease. I’ll place an order when we return to Feel.

“Then, once preparations are complete, we will depart in the Wing Crest Beast Carriage. How long will it take?” I asked.

“It will take about an hour,” Hilde replied.

“Understood. Then please make the arrangements,” I said.

“Yes, sir!”

Departure in an hour. I never thought we’d be heading to the slum so soon after arriving, let alone that it would have better sanitary conditions and public order than the city of Deseo. I don’t think it can even be called a slum anymore, but that’s precisely what makes it more intriguing.

“Then, Lord Delfina, could you select the Soldiers who will accompany us?” Hilde asked.

“Yes! We’ll select the High Soldiers,” Delfina replied.

“Tilia, please take charge of directing the construction of the temporary lodging and the temporary Guild Hall,” Hilde instructed.

“Leave it to me,” Tilia responded.

According to the plan, the construction of the temporary Guild Hall and the arrival of personnel from each Guild are scheduled for today and tomorrow, so temporary construction is the top priority. The Guild members who will be dispatched are married or dating soldiers, so we’ve prepared spacious rooms in the temporary lodging, and there are no problems with housing. Magic tools for sanitation are also provided, so there’s food, and even communal baths and toilets. The issue is the friction with the residents, but one of the temporary Guild Halls will use a Multi-functional Beast Carriage, and Soldiers are always assigned as guards, so they should be able to handle some problems. There will be troublemakers, and some arrogant fools, but since Solmne is a defeated nation, if they act too badly, they will be captured. Eventually, there may be those who complain about our facilities and treatment, so it was concluded that it was necessary, partly as a deterrent.

Incidentally, the Hunters from the Amister Alliance, who joined the Allied Forces, are also scheduled to come once the temporary branch of the Hunter’s Guild is completed. They seem interested in the Deseo Labyrinth, and there’s an unexplored labyrinth near a town called Laofen. Moreover, during the march, they experienced a Labyrinth expulsion or Labyrinth flood, so it’s best to investigate it early. If we have time later, we might go and see it.