Side: Prim
After finishing our report at the Hunter’s Guild’s Mistol branch and selling the monsters, we immediately returned to Ovest to report the same to Sister Neige.
“A total of 1,143 monsters. It’s a miracle Mistol wasn’t destroyed…”
“Is this a testament to the Gracious Lynx?”
Head Hunter’s Master and Head Beastar’s Master Nerke looked pale, but it’s true that under normal circumstances, Mistol would have been annihilated.
Oh, the Head Hunter’s Master is the male Rabitry.
“Lord Miranda, we are truly grateful for the Order’s Guild’s swift dispatch of reinforcements.”
“No, it was only six people due to the Laofen Labyrinth matter. Furthermore, by the time we arrived, most of the monsters were already contained by the Gracious Lynx’s barrier. Even without our dispatch, they would have likely been suppressed soon.”
“However, there must have been quite a few casualties among the Hunters and Beastars who were defending Mistol. Many lives were saved precisely because you came to our aid. That’s how I see it.”
“I am humbled.”
As Nerke said, if the Miranda party hadn’t been dispatched, there would have been casualties.
We took down all the An and Catastrophe Species monsters to minimize casualties, but we couldn’t get to the Rare Species.
So, we are truly grateful to the dispatched Order.
“The Gagun Labyrinth will likely be calm for a while, but the problem lies with the monsters that headed deeper into the Gagun Great Forest.”
“Yes. Not only will the Gagun Great Forest’s ecosystem be disrupted, but we also don’t know how Hanuman will act. We will report to Glacian Headquarters immediately and request the dispatch of additional Beastars.”
Demise Species Hanuman, huh.
The monsters that went deeper into the Gagun Great Forest are of unknown species and rank.
However, based on the monsters that were heading towards Mistol and those inhabiting the Gagun Labyrinth, we can make some educated guesses.
It’s not impossible that they are monsters from the deeper layers, so it’s not absolute, but it’s much better than going in without any preparation for investigation.
“We didn’t see a Catoblepas in Mistol, so that’s a possibility.”
“Now that you mention it, we didn’t.”
“Huh? You didn’t?”
We didn’t.
A Catoblepas is an A-C Rank Monster and a Catastrophe Species of the Bull.
It was confirmed when the Labyrinth Overflowed, but that Catoblepas didn’t come to Mistol.
It’s possible it went to another location, but monsters overflowed from a Labyrinth Overflow generally move in a large group, so the possibility of a Catoblepas acting alone is low.
The likely possibilities are that it joined the group that went deeper into the Gagun Great Forest, or that there’s a group that went elsewhere besides Mistol and the Gagun Great Forest.
“The former is troublesome, but the latter is even more problematic…”
If it’s the former, there’s a possibility of Hanuman and Catoblepas attacking us simultaneously, drastically increasing the difficulty of subjugation.
The latter is even more troublesome, as the monsters’ path can change based on their whims, leaving towns and villages vulnerable to attack before we can react. Furthermore, locating them would require immense effort.
The Gagun Labyrinth will be calm for a while, but it would be best to hunt the Catoblepas if possible, not just for Valt but for the surrounding countries to feel secure.
“Speaking of things that weren’t there, Cresthorn Pegasus wasn’t there either, was it?”
“I haven’t seen one either. Did someone hunt it?”
“I don’t know.”
“We haven’t seen any either.”
Just as I thought that, everyone started saying there was another monster that couldn’t be confirmed in Mistol.
But now that I think about it, I really didn’t see a Cresthorn Pegasus either.
“Cresthorn Pegasus wasn’t there either… Even though it’s a P-C Rank, it’s still a Catastrophe Species. Could it be that even the Cresthorn Pegasus headed deeper into the Gagun Great Forest?”
Sister Neige turned pale, but we don’t know for sure if it headed deeper into the Gagun Great Forest, so we need to start a thorough investigation.
We don’t know the exact size of the Gagun Great Forest, but from above, it looks wider than Alka.
Monsters can probably reach the depths without taking too much time, but the Fusang Trees of the Gagun Great Forest grow from the bottom of the sea, and the ground is made of trunks and roots, so it doesn’t seem easy to advance.
Cresthorn Pegasus can fly, so it can move around the Gagun Great Forest without any problem, but Catoblepas, being massive, should have its speed reduced by the dense trees.
“It seems we have no choice but to investigate the Gagun Great Forest.”
“Yes. However, we can’t go right away. The Laofen Labyrinth Overflow is also a concern.”
Yamato and Mana are troubled, and indeed, it is.
For Valt’s sake, I want to investigate the Gagun Great Forest immediately.
However, it seems the monsters overflowed from the Labyrinth Overflow are heading deeper into the Gagun Great Forest, and the Treasure Tree is inhabited by Demise Species Hanuman.
Furthermore, the monsters that went deeper, especially the Catastrophe Species, might not be limited to Catoblepas and Cresthorn Pegasus.
If we are to investigate, we might need to mobilize not just the Gracious Lynx but all the Ancient Classes.
However, the Laofen Labyrinth is also undergoing a Labyrinth Overflow, so that’s impossible to say the least. Sister Neige likely isn’t considering that either.
Hunters require payment, so it would be difficult from a budget perspective.
“I am also curious about what happened to the Laofen Labyrinth. Wasn’t it a labyrinth that was barely investigated?”
“Yes. Apparently, the Solemne Army entered up to the third floor, but only C-rank monsters came out, so it’s likely deep.”
Not just the Laofen Labyrinth, but generally, labyrinths with low Monster Ranks in the lower floors tend to have many floors.
Conversely, labyrinths like the Solpreza Labyrinth and Instant Labyrinth, where high-rank monsters emerge from the lower floors, often have fewer than ten floors.
The Krater Labyrinth had S-rank monsters from the first floor, but even after entering the tenth floor, it felt like there was more to it. This is an exception, or rather, it’s theorized to have been created by the increase in Ancient Classes, making it a third type of labyrinth in a way.
“After suppressing the Labyrinth Overflow, the Gracious Lynx and the Black Army will likely be tasked with investigating the Laofen Labyrinth, and other raids will be dispatched.”
“Probably. Moreover, if it’s Brother Rai, he’ll probably think this is an opportunity to conquer an un-conquered labyrinth. We don’t know the cause, but over a thousand monsters overflowed from the Gagun Labyrinth.”
“It probably depends on the Laofen Labyrinth, though.”
That’s certainly a plausible scenario.
There are still unconquered labyrinths, but depending on the Monster Rank of the Guardian, Ancient Classes can often conquer them alone. Therefore, it’s reasonable to consider conquering them before any damage occurs.
However, even with Ancient Classes, there’s generally only one person per raid. For safety reasons, multiple groups would likely enter the same labyrinth.
Furthermore, from a defense perspective, not all raids can enter a labyrinth at the same time, so it’s likely to be one or two locations at a time.
The problem lies with the Krater Labyrinth, which is inherently difficult, the Gagun Labyrinth and Enigma Labyrinth, which are Demise Species nests, and the Temellario Labyrinth.
The Gagun Great Forest, where the Gagun Labyrinth is located, has Hanuman. The Enigma Island, where the Enigma Labyrinth is located, has the Demise Species Dragoon, Nidh. And the Temellario Great Sky Wall, where the Temellario Labyrinth is located, has the Demise Species Valkyrie, Valkyrie Empress.
Valkyrie Empress apparently kidnaps young men from towns and villages at the foot of the wall, but her dwelling is said to be quite high up on the Temellario Great Sky Wall.
Even though she kidnaps young men, she doesn’t seem to attack towns or villages, making her a rare existence for whom an extermination team has never been formed due to issues with her dwelling.
Nidh sometimes helps Hunters entering the Enigma Labyrinth by saving them from monsters to suppress the Labyrinth Overflow. However, she is merciless to those who try to enter Enigma Island and has burned down the village of anyone who took something from Enigma Island and fled.
An extermination team was formed at that time, but records show they were all annihilated before landing on Enigma Island.
These three labyrinths, if poorly handled, could cause unpredictable movements in the Demise Species residing in the vicinity. Therefore, their exploration will likely be postponed, or in some cases, the decision might be made not to explore them at all.
“Whatever happens, it will be after we suppress the Labyrinth Overflow in Laofen.”
“That’s right.”
In the end, it will be up to Brother Rai and Rex-san to decide after the Labyrinth Overflow in Laofen is suppressed.
While we won’t stand by and do nothing, especially concerning Valt, it seems problematic to just go investigate on our own accord.
Unless Hanuman or Catoblepas emerge from the Gagun Great Forest.
“As for me, if you all go to investigate, that’s enough. I don’t know what His Majesty will decide, but investigating the Gagun Great Forest is essential.”
“We guarantee that.”
As Yamato said, investigating the Gagun Great Forest is essential.
With the possibility of not only Hanuman but also Catoblepas and Cresthorn Pegasus appearing, we won’t be able to act when the time comes if we don’t conduct an investigation.
There’s a possibility of a three-way battle, but Catoblepas and Cresthorn Pegasus are monsters from the Labyrinth Overflow, so if they find Hanuman, they might attack him collectively.
“Also, tomorrow is the inauguration ceremony for the port of Prada, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be problematic if Yamato-kun and Mana-sama don’t attend?”
“It depends on the situation. We’ve asked Raus and the others to act as proxies, so I believe our escort capabilities are sufficient.”
The inauguration ceremony for Prada Village.
Prada Village became the Esmeralda Baronetcy, governed by Yuri and Feel. It would be problematic for Yamato, Yuri’s fiancé, not to attend.
However, if we leave the Gagun Great Forest and Laofen unattended, we won’t be able to afford to be concerned about appearances. So, depending on the situation in Laofen, he may have to be absent.
I thought of that possibility, so I had Raus ask them to act as proxies and requested ship escorts.
However, if he can participate, it would be preferable.
“While I, at least, don’t mind, Yamato’s absence, while not a major problem, isn’t ideal. It certainly depends on the situation in Laofen.”
Honestly, I don’t want to attend ceremonies.
The port of Prada Village was eagerly awaited not only by Amister but also by other countries.
So, Brother Rai will also attend the ceremony in Prada Village, but he plans to return to Float immediately after the ceremony.
When we arrive in Glacian, there will be ceremonies there as well, with Emperor Glisina, Grand Duke Liar, and Duke Acquario bridge commissioner Isabella attending. It will undoubtedly be a formal affair.
Given the circumstances, I would prefer to be absent if possible, but since Yuri is Yamato’s fiancée, there’s a need to attend if time permits.
Incidentally, if Yamato attends, I, as his first wife, would have issues with my reputation if I didn’t attend.
It’s troublesome and I dislike formality, so it’s truly agonizing.
“We should decide what to do after going to Laofen.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Mina is right.
For now, let’s go to Laofen.
“Before we go to Laofen, let’s sell the monsters.”
“Ah, right. Sister, we have a lot, what should we do?”
“Sell them… Or rather, don’t you want to present them to His Majesty Emperor Reinhardt?”
Some of the An and Catastrophe Species monsters we defeated this time will be secured and sold to the Hunter’s Guild, but those that appeared in multiples are planned to be presented to Valt.
Valt has recently been established, so its castle under construction contains many items inherited from the Ovest King’s family.
These include Magic Stones, but the highest rank Magic Stone is M-I Rank.
In this Labyrinth Overflow, multiple A-rank monsters also overflowed, so the treasury of the Vald Beast Duke’s castle will have a sudden increase in Magic Stones.
As a side note, with Valentia’s independence into five small nations, former Beast King Gumnos has returned the labyrinth cores of conquered labyrinths in the Steilhang Beast Duke’s territory to the Steilhang Duke’s family.
“We already own about half of them. Besides, these are monsters hunted within Valt, so Valt has ownership rights.”
“It will also serve as a source of income for reconstruction. So, please accept them without hesitation.”
“That’s true… Alright, I’ll gratefully accept them.”
Sister Neige says that, her cheek twitching.
My reason for presenting them is also to prevent further accumulation of wealth by selling them.
So, please accept them without hesitation.
Now that our report, presentation, and sales are complete, let’s head to Laofen.
