Side・Raus
The suppression of the rebel army concluded without incident.
The nobles brought along to observe, and the former general Aquila, who was recently registered as a Soldier’s Master from the slums, witnessed something incredible. It’s only natural to react that way upon seeing the true extent of Ancient Class power.
The nobles, accompanied by their escorts, remained frozen with their mouths agape.
“I can’t believe… that an Ancient Class possesses such power…”
“They weren’t even fighting seriously, you know?”
“That’s right. If they had gone all out, it would have probably been over in a few minutes. No, for Yamato and Prim, it might have taken just ten seconds, and Mako… perhaps an instant.”
Rebecca and Carol added to Aquila’s lingering shock.
Indeed, as Carol mentioned, Yamato and Prim could likely annihilate them in about ten seconds, and Mako, with her mastery of wide-area Engraving Magic, even more so than Yamato, could probably wipe them out in an instant.
“They weren’t fighting seriously even then… No, they say even Demise Species could be slaughtered, so perhaps that’s within their capabilities.”
“You don’t actually believe that, do you?”
“Of course. When the Allied Forces entered Deseo, didn’t they show you the corpse of the Antlion Empress?”
“Yes. The objective was to crush any rebellious intent. However, nearly a month has passed, and the memory seems to be fading, not only from the soldiers but also from the citizens.”
Last month, the Amister-Torencia Allied Forces, simultaneously victorious against the Solemne Army and a horde of Antlions, also succeeded in defeating the Antlion Empress who led the Antlion swarm.
Although Yamato, Prim, and El, the leader of Falcon’s Beak, were the ones who actually defeated her, El also proved to be a significant asset. This led to the growing belief that Ancient Classes, if working together, might even be capable of defeating Demise Species.
The corpse of the Demise Species Antlion Empress was displayed on the rear deck of Wing Crest’s Tree-made Multi-functional Beast Carriage, which Emperor Reinhardt and Lady Hilde rode in when they entered Deseo. Therefore, the people of Deseo should be aware of the Antlion Empress’s defeat.
“That’s true. The Antlion Empress had reigned over the Praia Desert for many years, and was the greatest obstacle to Solemne, continuously troubling generations of emperors. To make an enemy of someone capable of dealing with such an obstacle, simultaneously with over ten thousand Solemne soldiers, would be no different than suicide. I saw the corpse with my own eyes, and that’s precisely why I strictly forbade anyone from the slums from interfering.”
Ah, so that’s why the people from the slums were cooperative with the Allied Forces from the beginning.
But then, why are the people of Deseo starting to forget about the existence of the Antlion Empress, a Demise Species?
“It’s simple. The Antlion Empress has already been defeated. However, the Allied Forces are still stationed in Deseo, aiming to change this country. Of course, this is for the country’s benefit, but for the common people, not only their way of life but also their treatment is changing significantly, and they are undoubtedly feeling anxious to some degree. Furthermore, they are now being treated equally with those they previously considered outcasts, and in some cases, might even be used as subordinates. For those with an overinflated sense of pride, this is a far greater problem than the Demise Species that is already dead.”
I see.
In fact, among the people of Deseo, albeit only a little over a dozen, people are starting to register at the Guild.
However, as predicted, only those from the slums were able to use Guild Magic previously.
We explained about Guild Magic beforehand, but even so, there were some who became violent, claiming it was different from what was promised. Could that also have been a blow to their pride?
“That was part of it, too. The reason the people of Solemne cannot use Inn Magic, including Guild Magic, is because the Emperor abolished the Priests’ Guild and belittled the existence of the gods. The people accepted this as natural and have barely prayed for all these years. When they did pray, it was to the Emperor.”
They apparently uttered nonsensical things like “become the god of the Helios Orb.”
This isn’t a matter of intelligence; it’s beyond that.
However, Solemne was a country that revered the Emperor like a god, rather than the gods, so it was natural for them to offer prayers to the Emperor, who was always present in the Emperor’s Castle, rather than to the gods who did nothing for them on a daily basis.
“At that point, they don’t meet the conditions for using Inn Magic. Inn Magic is granted by the gods, so it cannot be used without believing in the gods. In fact, Retisencia also lost the ability to use Inn Magic after converting to the Abyssal Orthodox Church, which is worshipped on the Gradia Continent.”
“So I’ve heard. To have their object of worship attacked, then demand Inn Magic without praying to gods they never paid attention to, and then throwing a tantrum when they register at the Guild and find out they can’t use it, is completely unreasonable. Eventually, they will likely annex Retisencia as well, and it’s foreseeable that they will face the same problems as this country.”
Even from Aquila’s perspective, it seems the people of Deseo are unable to accept things that are inconvenient for them.
“Perhaps if the declaration of the establishment of the Federation Heavenly Empire is made, things might improve slightly?”
“Tilia, why do you say that?”
“It is said that a country’s characteristics are influenced by its Treasure Tree, isn’t it? And when national borders change, Treasure Trees are strongly influenced by the superior country and spread that influence to neighboring regions. The establishment of the Federation Heavenly Empire will be centered around Amister, where the Heavenly Tree is located, so the Heavenly Tree should exert the strongest influence.”
“I see, so not just Solemne, but all countries and regions participating in the Federation Heavenly Empire will be influenced by the Heavenly Tree and Amister to some extent.”
“Probably. However, there are quite a few instances where a country’s customs have changed as a result of border changes, so I think it’s safe to assume that things will improve somewhat after the declaration of establishment.”
Tilia, an Associate Soldier’s Master wearing the same Officer Soldier’s Coat as Aquila, joined the conversation and explained.
Now that I think about it, I do recall hearing something like that before.
“So, does the Treasure Tree in Solemne possess such influential power as to alter its character?”
“Absolutely not. The Treasure Tree is said to be a pillar supporting the Philia Continent, a gift from the gods. Therefore, I suspect that the nation’s citizens, having become arrogant due to generations of imperial policy, were influenced by them, and that influence spread throughout the country.”
So, that’s how it is.
However, since little is known about the Treasure Tree, let alone the Heavenly Tree, this is all just speculation.
“Then I shall return to Deseo. Upon my return, please inform the Butler to prepare a simple dinner reception.”
“Understood.”
“Furthermore, Lord Aquila, the international conference, which was postponed due to this rebellion, will likely have its date decided in the next few days. At that time, I would like you to accompany Vincent.”
“M-me, too?”
“Yes. I understand you haven’t left the country in decades. If that’s the case, you should certainly see Float, the largest city in the Philia Continent.”
Come to think of it, the international conference was actually scheduled for yesterday.
However, because a rebel army was organized and its advance was confirmed in Solemne, Lady Hilde had no choice but to prioritize dealing with that situation, and thus, the international conference itself was unavoidably postponed.
I need to report this to Emperor Reinhardt later, but I’m sure he has also made his plans assuming the rebel army would be suppressed, so I expect a new date to be set soon.
“Thank you. I will gladly accompany you.”
Aquila was the first Soldier to register in Solemne and, based on his past achievements, has become a Soldier’s Master.
Although we have been communicating through the prototype communication tool created by Yamato, we haven’t met face-to-face. Therefore, it would be good to introduce him to all the countries on the opportune occasion of the international conference.
However, we ourselves will not be participating.
Although the Union includes the Princess and the Marquis, it is primarily a Hunter’s Union, so we’re not interested in political matters.
Not only Yamato but even Mana-sama feels that way. We’ve been solely focused on Solemne for a while now, so we want to relax a bit.
Well, of course, we will cooperate.
Side: Yuri
The night after the rebel army was suppressed, a dinner reception was held with the nobles who had participated as observers.
However, Lady Hilde, as well as myself and my elder sister, are princesses of Amister. The nobles, upon learning this, desperately sought to forge connections with us, and many approached me with proposals to marry me, which was quite tiresome.
After they learned that we are married or engaged to Yamato-sama, they seemed to be trying to send their daughters or sisters as wives to him.
Naturally, all these proposals were refused, and those who were persistent were intimidated by Yamato-sama, so such trivial matters should decrease from now on.
After that tiresome dinner reception, Lady Hilde is currently reporting to my elder brother via the prototype communication device.
“So, the next International Conference is in three days?”
“That’s right. Although it was postponed, thanks to that, all representatives from the bridgehead cities will be able to participate, so Rex and the others will be very busy starting tomorrow.”
“It’s because we can use Traveling that holding it in such a short period is possible.”
The next international conference is in three days, and all representatives from the bridgehead cities will be able to participate.
Nobles and Dukes from Valentia will also be attending. After only three sessions, the monarchs of the countries participating in the Federation Heavenly Empire will already be gathered.
Those who can use Traveling will naturally be sent to escort them.
The Ancient Order only has Rex, Rosemary, Muse, and Miranda, so it will be difficult for those four.
My elder brother and sister-in-law Maruca also learned it after obtaining Ancient Class, with Yamato-sama’s Multi Edge support, but it’s impossible for a king of a country to escort them, and besides, sister-in-law Maruca is pregnant, which is out of the question.
“Speaking of Dukes, won’t the Duke families of Turkis and Montestain in Amister declare their independence?”
“That will be one of the agendas for the next International Conference, so both of them will be participating. I personally want them to declare independence, but due to Amister’s bad habit, they aren’t enthusiastic about managing their territories. They said they would rather die than manage a nation.”
My elder brother says this with a wry smile, but it is indeed a bad habit of Amister.
The lords of Amister place great importance on activities within their Guilds, leading to many successors handing over their family headship as soon as their heir comes of age.
Of course, they diligently and conscientiously carry out their duties while serving as lords or heads of families.
The Duke of Turkis and the Duke of Montestain are the same; however, these ducal families also hold the next highest succession rights after ours.
Therefore, they are involved in many matters of state, and furthermore, they manage their territories. Thus, the current heads, Duchess Cecilia Turkis and Duke Arjan Montestain, are eager to hand over their family headships and retire.
“However, as Dukes of Amister, they are entitled to succession rights and cannot be completely uninvolved.”
“That’s true.”
Both the Duke family of Turkis and the Duke family of Montestain are ducal families of Amister, so they naturally retain their succession rights.
In terms of family standing, the Duke family of Turkis has a higher succession order, but all their successors are female. Therefore, the eldest son of the Duke family of Montestain, who has a male successor, has a high succession order and is not incapable of inheriting the throne.
The succession to the Celestial Emperor’s throne will also be discussed at the next meeting, and depending on the outcome, the eldest son of the Duke family of Montestain could potentially be ranked below me.
“Regarding that International Conference, is it really true that Mana will not be participating?”
“Given the agenda, there’s no point in me participating since I’ve renounced my succession rights. Yuri is ranked first in succession, but since elder brother evolved into an Ancient Elf, he can handle even high-class assassins, can’t he?”
“Once Rest turns ten, the succession order will change.”
The issue concerning the Celestial Emperor’s throne is the succession of the next Celestial Emperor.
Currently, I am the first in line for the succession of the throne of Amister, but even if my elder brother ascends as Celestial Emperor, the succession rights will likely be passed down as they are.
At that time, depending on the circumstances of the eldest son of the Duke of Montestain, the rankings below me could significantly change, but this will be resolved smoothly once my elder brother’s eldest son, Lessheit Rei Amister, turns ten and is officially granted succession rights and becomes Crown Prince.
He cannot ascend to the throne until he reaches adulthood, and inheriting the throne immediately after reaching adulthood would also be problematic, so he will likely inherit the throne around the age of twenty-two or twenty-three.
“Indeed, even being an Ancient Class, it would be difficult to harm me in my current state. I wonder if you evolved me with that in mind?”
“You’ll have to ask those participating in the International Conference about that. We were surprised too.”
With his evolution into an Ancient Elf, it has become extremely difficult for even high-class individuals, let alone ordinary monsters, to harm my elder brother.
Therefore, the risk of assassination upon his ascension to Celestial Emperor has greatly decreased, and the possibility of him contracting an illness is virtually zero.
Thus, the abdication to Lessheit, the next Celestial Emperor, will likely proceed smoothly.
It is problematic that there are few individuals listed on the succession rights, but this is an issue that Amister must consider, and I don’t think those attending will raise too many objections.
Therefore, starting tomorrow, we can leisurely enjoy our vacation in Alka, and after a while, we might even go to the Krater Labyrinth again.
