Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 448

Two weeks had passed since Saki was born.

The newborn Saki was truly adorable, and I made sure to visit her several times a day. It was strange, but seeing Saki’s face made all my fatigue disappear. Not only that, but it made me feel like I could accomplish any impossible task.

Mana had also recovered from the fatigue of childbirth, so we went hunting together yesterday. Due to the gap in her training from childbirth, I couldn’t be too optimistic. We only hunted around Feel’s vicinity, but even then, it took me time to regain my senses, and I was unexpectedly attacked. This led to me having to cover for her quite a bit.

Mana is an Ancient Elf at level 91, so she wouldn’t receive even a scratch from the monsters around Feel, let alone a fatal wound. However, I thought it would be best to stop proper hunting until the healer gave her permission.

Rika and Fiana were also starting to show noticeable bumps, and Ed was becoming more flustered by the day. I had also been flustered during Mana’s pregnancy, but I was busy with work, so it wasn’t that much of an issue.

However, a shadow fell upon these happy days. We were summoned to Amagi Castle, and the news we received there indicated a fierce battle was about to begin, and the day of destiny was approaching.

“What? Kobaldia?”

“That’s right. We received a report that a Dragon appeared in the eastern sky. However, this Dragon isn’t attacking the residents; it seems to be treated more like a mount.”

In Retisencia’s capital, Kobaldia, most of the residents use Demon Crystals to become Demon Race, so they no longer need food. However, since they lack battle experience, even those who have become Demon Race aren’t much of a threat. The Retisencia army has also become Demon Race, but it’s said that there are only a handful of High Class individuals among them, so caution is necessary, but the Order’s Guild can handle them.

However, the appearance of a Dragon being used as a mount changes things entirely. While there are Drake species and Saur species of Dragons, the highest regarded are the Dragoon and Dragonian species. However, Dragonians are still human, and Dragoons are at least P-rank, making them impossible to take as familiars or form a Summon Contract with. To have them as mounts means it’s either a different Dragon species than Dragonian or Dragoon, or they’ve succeeded in controlling a Dragoon, or perhaps they’ve devised an unknown method. The possibility of enslaving Dragonians is unlikely, as the whereabouts of all Dragonians are known. Moreover, given that it came from the eastern sky, it’s highly probable it flew from Abaricia, and since Abaricia is known to be a Human-only nation, there are no Dragonians on the Gradia Continent.

“Isn’t there a rumor that Abaricia has a method different from enslavement magic or enslavement magic tools?”

“Yeah. That’s why the Order believes they may have succeeded in enslaving Dragoons by using or developing that method. Right, Rex?”

“Yes. I don’t know the extent of the enslavement magic used in Abaricia, but the people of that country cannot use Inn. Therefore, it would likely be a magic unique to the Gradia Continent. As such, it is difficult to even speculate what kind of magic it is.”

Rex states the Order’s Guild’s findings with a frown, but it’s true that Abaricia is also called the country of Demon Race due to the development of Demon Crystals. More importantly, the Gods have decreed that the Divine Emperor is the one who will destroy the Helios Orb. This means that not only the nation but also the people living on the Gradia Continent cannot use Inn. Normally, this would be a relief, but the Divine Emperor is a guest like myself and Mako, and is also an Engraver capable of creating Sword-type Engraving Tools. Thus, the possibility that they’ve enslaved the Dragoons through some means cannot be denied. Even if the Divine Emperor himself doesn’t have that knowledge, there’s a chance that the properties of the Engraving Tool might unintentionally reproduce it.

“This is an incredibly troublesome and urgent situation.”

“Indeed. If Abaricia were to dispatch an army, I assumed it would be by ship, but with them using Dragons, air transport becomes a possibility. Since they cannot use Inn, they likely cannot create anything like a Multi-functional Beast Carriage, but that’s not absolute.”

“Furthermore, since it’s air transport, there’s no guarantee that the Abarician army will land in Kobaldia. On top of that, we must be vigilant about the entire coastline of our country. We will deploy immediately, but it will be difficult to avoid any oversights.”

Everyone wore bitter expressions, and it was understandable. The Helios Orb has no radar, so any attack can only be confirmed visually. Furthermore, after confirmation, a report must be made, but Communication Tools are not even deployed by the Order’s Guild. Thus, the only options are to report via flying mounts like Wyverns or to tie a report to a bird and send it off. Whichever method is used, there will be a lag of several hours, possibly days, from confirmation to reporting. During this time, nearby towns and villages could be annihilated, and if the enemy moves afterward, it might become impossible to track their movements. If they can indeed transport by air, such things are not difficult.

“So, there’s no certainty that it’s just one Dragon, and there’s also the possibility of something like a Beast Carriage enhanced by magic, right?”

“It also depends on how many soldiers Abaricia can muster, but we should assume all their soldiers are Demon Race.”

Prim pipes up, and indeed, that was also a problem. Even Normal Class Demon Race possess the Magic Power of High Class, and High Class Demon Race can rival Ancient Class individuals. The number of High Class individuals in Abaricia is unknown, but if we assume it’s roughly the same as Amister, then even if all of our several dozen Ancient Class members faced them, it would be a difficult fight. Even though I’ve evolved into an Element Class, facing multiple opponents of Ancient Class level would be truly tough. It is said that Abaricia’s Ancient Class consists only of the Divine Emperor who became Demon Race, but the fact that this may not be true is also troublesome.

“There are still more problems. Should Abaricia dispatch an army and their soldiers have become Demon Race, they cannot be accepted even if they surrender. This applies to the residents of Kobaldia as well, but the Magic Power of Demon Race erodes Treasure Trees and they are clearly viewed as enemies by the Gods. Therefore, whether they are soldiers or civilians, Demon Race must be eradicated.”

Emperor Reinhardt also speaks with a heavy heart, and I had forgotten about such a difficult problem. Indeed, the Magic Power of Demon Race is eroding the Treasure Trees near Kobaldia, and an oracle has been issued that the Gods will protect them. If the Treasure Trees are being eroded, it means the Cherry Trees, one rank below, are also being damaged. Moreover, even the Celestial Trees, which are pillars supporting the Helios Orb, are in danger.

“I hesitate at the thought of civilians, but if they have become Demon Race, it is unavoidable. In that case, would we attack Kobaldia and its residents simultaneously?”

“That will be the case. The Order will surely hesitate, but as long as they are Demon Race, we will be defeated if we are careless. It’s heartless, but to protect the Helios Orb, the Demon Race must disappear.”

It is indeed heartless, and I believe the residents of Kobaldia had no choice but to use Demon Crystals to survive. However, if the Magic Power of Demon Race erodes Treasure Trees and could even affect the Celestial Trees, then not a single one of them can be allowed to live. Therefore, when we attack Kobaldia, it may result in the massacre of its residents as well, but we must achieve it by hardening our hearts. The psychological trauma we will experience will also be significant, so we must think carefully about aftercare.

“And Yamato. What about the oracle you received when you married Mako?”

The oracle Emperor Reinhardt is referring to is about Mako and my Dual Heart Fusion Technique. After I generated the Wing Bit Liberator, I realized that Mako and I both felt that it might be possible. So, we’ve tried many times, but we’ve never succeeded. Currently, I am level 103, and Mako is level 94. Besides the level difference, there might also be a difference in our classes.

“I see. If it had succeeded, I thought we could intercept Abaricia immediately even if they invaded, but it seems difficult in the current situation.”

Although he says it regretfully, it’s impressive that he doesn’t show it in his demeanor.

“It’s purely speculation, of course. However, there is a prediction that a level difference might make it impossible, so I plan to have Mako evolve into an Element Human and try again.”

However, saying it is easy, but evolving into an Element Class is not. Currently, Prim is the highest leveled after me at level 96. Monsters that require us to unleash our full Magic Power in combat on land are generally Demise Species, or found deep within Labyrinths. Charging at Demise Species for the sake of leveling up is too risky, and entering a Labyrinth takes too long. If Abaricia invades in the meantime, there’s a high probability we won’t be ready. While we can communicate with Communication Tools and travel with Traveling, minimizing lag, there’s always the possibility of unforeseen circumstances. If our territory is attacked in a place we’ve never been, we’ll be helpless.

“I would like you to try that, but for now, I want you to refrain from entering Labyrinths.”

“I understand.”

The distance to the Gradia Continent, where Abaricia is located, is estimated to be about 4,000 kilometers, similar to the Pacific Ocean on Earth. Even Eos, with a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per hour, would take more than half a day to travel at full speed without rest. Assuming the Dragons enslaved by Abaricia can fly at 200 kilometers per hour, they would need several breaks along the way, taking about two to three days. By sea, even with a ship equipped with a Hydro Engine, it would take about two weeks. Compared to that, it’s still quite fast.

However, it’s undeniable that our options are now limited. Considering the timing, this is almost certainly connected to Gaia’s prophetic dream battle. I regret not pushing a bit harder to have Mako evolve sooner. The prophecy states that I will be cornered but survive, and Gaia’s prophetic dreams have never been wrong. However, nothing in this world is absolute, and the outcome can change with a minor twist. That’s why I aimed for both evolving into an Element Human and succeeding in Engraving Fusion, and I have achieved both. However, whether Dual Heart Fusion Technique can truly be performed was merely a feeling, so I didn’t feel the need to rush. Mako also hesitated because Mana and Rika were pregnant, so the timing is bad, but it’s not like anyone is to blame. If I have to point a finger, it’s probably my own fault for not taking it more seriously.

“The soldiers from Abaricia will almost certainly be transported by air using Dragons. However, since everything other than the transport method, such as the number of Dragons and soldiers, is unknown, we must also maintain the utmost vigilance.”

It’s natural to be vigilant, but we don’t know how many people can be transported by air, nor can we predict how many soldiers they will send. It’s unlikely to be more than ten thousand, but if thousands are sent, the Order’s Guild will struggle, and depending on the number of High Class Demon Race like High Demons, we could even be overwhelmed.

This is just a prediction, but conscription takes time even for Abaricia, so the invasion is unlikely to occur for at least one to two months. Demon Race don’t need food, but mobilization takes time.

The Dragon in question is said to still be in Kobaldia. I feel like the gears of fate will begin to turn once that Dragon flies east. No, they’re already turning. But no matter what fate may bring, I will crush it.
With my wives and now my daughter born, I absolutely will not let the Helios Orb be destroyed.