Ｓｉｄｅ・ミーナ
The information about the dragon that flew into Kobaldia was shared with each country through an impromptu international conference and Knights’ Conference.
Since the Abyssal Emperor of Abaricia is said to be aiming to unify and rule with the Helios Orb, if Amister were to fall by mistake, likely no country would be able to resist.
Fortunately, military action takes time, so it’s unlikely the situation will escalate for one to two months.
Since the Demon Race doesn’t need food, the possibility of them acting faster is high, but gathering soldiers also takes time.
For this reason, Yamato’s life is largely unchanged except for the increased time spent fighting in Mylight.
Honestly, I want Mako to evolve into an Element Human and try the Engraving Magic called Dual Heart Fusion Technique, but that’s not guaranteed to happen.
As this is an urgent matter, she has chosen to strengthen her own power rather than rely on uncertain possibilities.
This applies not only to Yamato but also to us.
Rika, who is pregnant, and Mana, who has just given birth, cannot push themselves too hard, but that’s the case.
Therefore, we are still conducting mountain hunts and training in the Mylight Mountains today.
“Even so, they’re just Orcs, and they’re no more than a warm-up now.”
“I guess they’re not enough to get Prim and Mako to evolve, huh?”
“Of course. We’ve hunted them so many times, we’re tired of their attack patterns, and we can predict them, so they don’t give us much in terms of experience points.”
These are words spoken by Prim, Yamato, and Mako.
I understand what they’re saying, but it’s hard to believe they’re talking about Catastrophe Species.
Well, we’ve fought them many times, and I think even I can easily figure out what they’ll do, so defeating them has become a routine task.
“If other Hunters heard this, they’d probably faint.”
“Rather than fainting, wouldn’t they collapse from shock?”
“Even though it looks like they’re just swinging their weapons carelessly, they’re striking with precision.”
Athena, Ludia, and Lydia say this, but they’re not exactly in a position to criticize others.
The current levels are: Yamato at 103, Prim at 96, Mana at 92, Yuri at 56, Lady Hilde at 75, Rika at 57, Flam at 82, Lydia and Ludia at 86, Athena at 79, Aria at 57, Mako at 94, and myself at 83. Those in the High Class are also nearing evolution into the Ancient Class.
Even though Rika is pregnant and Yuri and Aria will be enrolling in the General Academy in the spring, they won’t have opportunities for level-ups, let alone evolution, for a while. However, by general standards, this is still incredible.
Furthermore, those in the Ancient Class are mostly around level 80, so when facing Orcs they’re used to fighting, it’s no longer a challenge, even if they are An or Catastrophe Species.
As proof of this, our levels aren’t rising much in Mylight either.
“It’s a pain that we can’t enter labyrinths. We have Communication Tools, so we can stay in touch, and we can move quickly with Traveling, but as Yamato and Brother Rai were concerned, if uncharted territories were targeted, it could be too late.”
“Besides, with Communication Tools, there isn’t always someone nearby, so it’s not guaranteed that we can always make contact.”
The primary reasons Princess Prim and Flam mentioned were why Emperor Reinhardt prohibited us from entering labyrinths.
Yamato understands this, but the truth is, we wanted to go at least once.
Whether Prim and Mako would evolve from that one experience is uncertain, but there’s a possibility for both of them.
“Also, not only Mana but Rika and Saki are reasons why Yamato doesn’t want to leave Alka unattended for too long, right?”
“Yeah.”
Actually, it’s not impossible for us to enter a labyrinth for a few days right now.
This is because, around the time the war with Abaricia is expected to occur, Prim and Flam’s pregnancies will also have been discovered.
However, there are currently no signs for either of them, and I’ve been told that Examining shows no reactions.
But we can’t exactly stop working. And above all, Yamato dotes on the newborn Saki, so he doesn’t want to be away from her for even a few days.
Furthermore…
“While it’s true that Prim and Flam haven’t confirmed their pregnancies yet, the prophetic dream is just about me being in a pinch. It’s possible we could have clashed several times before that, right?”
This is Yamato’s reasoning, and Mako also thinks so, so it seems unlikely we’ll be entering a labyrinth for a while.
Under normal circumstances, this would not be an issue, and I would have been aiming to evolve into an Element Human at my own pace. However, we are in a quasi-war state, and a crisis is approaching for Yamato, so I wanted to gain even a little more strength if possible.
This is something everyone feels, not just me.
Mana, who has just given birth, and Prim and Flam, who cannot contribute due to pregnancy, share the same sentiment.
However, if we rush and injure ourselves, or worse, lose our lives, it would defeat the purpose. So, even if we don’t make it in time, we want to gain strength little by little and steadily.
Ｓｉｄｅ・マナ
Now that Seki has been safely delivered, I’ve been granted permission to do some simple hunting. However, due to the postpartum period, I’m still prohibited from any serious hunting for about two months.
The postpartum period refers to the time it takes for the body to return to its pre-pregnancy state, and it generally takes about two months, though this varies from person to person.
I heard that there’s even a risk of contracting a life-threatening illness. It’s an unavoidable period after pregnancy and childbirth, so I was thoroughly warned that even Ancient Class individuals could face unforeseen consequences if they overexert themselves.
However, an incident occurred that made me feel compelled to push myself a little.
The dragon that descended upon Kobaldia remained there for about three days, as reported by Scout Order and Rex, before taking off towards the eastern sky.
Saya, Rex’s wife and an Ancient Hunter, who accompanied the reconnaissance, confirmed it from a distance through Questing. The species was identified as a Red Dragon, and its Monster Rank was an astonishing A-rank.
There are only three known dragon species: Dragoon, Saurusu, and Drake. Including Dragonian, only four types have been confirmed.
However, it appears a fifth dragon species has now been confirmed.
It is speculated that dragon species inhabit the Gradia Continent, and Abaricia has found a means to subjugate them.
It’s perplexing that there were no sub-ranks to denote normal, superior, rare, An, Catastrophe, or Demise Species, but simply being ranked as ‘A’, the second highest rank, drastically increases its threat level.
Furthermore, it’s highly unlikely that only one Red Dragon is subjugated. We must assume that the number of dragons being used by Abaricia to transport soldiers will increase.
“An A-rank, huh? In that case, I believe the Ancient Class can defeat it, but the problem is we don’t know its sub-rank.”
“Yes. Even within the same rank, the danger level can differ by orders of magnitude between a normal species and a Demise Species. Given it’s an A-rank, one of the highest, a careless move could result in more than just an injury for even an Ancient Class member…”
Not only Yamato and Saya, but everyone gathered in the Amagi Castle conference room wore grim expressions.
Using S-rank monsters as an example, while High Class individuals can singly defeat normal species like Pteranodons and Protoceratops, even if they are dragon species, it’s highly dangerous to face An species like Green Fang or White Fang alone, and in the worst-case scenario, it could be fatal.
Regarding higher ranks like Catastrophe Species such as Goblin King or Queen, even several High Class individuals might struggle to handle them, so it would likely involve either a direct commission to the Ancient Class or the formation of an Alliance.
Given this is the situation even with lower ranks, the difference with an A-rank monster, the second highest, is immeasurable.
“We should prepare for a Demise Species, but we have no idea how many there will be. Furthermore, since Mana and Maruca are postpartum, and Prim and Flam are likely pregnant, we cannot involve them in the fighting.”
“Losing four people is a blow, but the biggest loss is Flam.”
“Yes. Even though the number of Ancient Class members has increased, Flam is the only Archer.”
My brother, Sister-in-law Elis, and Rosemary spoke with troubled expressions.
Currently, over 30 individuals have evolved into the Ancient Class.
With such a fighting force, under normal circumstances, it would be more than sufficient, and could even allow for the subjugation of the Demise Species reportedly scattered across various regions.
However, when facing the Abaricia army, this number feels insufficient.
Moreover, despite having so many individuals, Flam is the only Archer capable of rear support, which places a significant burden on Mako, the Mage, who can also provide rear support.
Although aerial combat has become feasible thanks to Flying and Scaffolding, the pressure is significantly different with or without rear support, and it becomes difficult to disengage in critical moments.
“No, since we know in advance, let’s think positively. While we are short on Archers and Mages, others can also provide support.”
“That’s right. With Arrow or Lance type skills, we should be able to at least provide some distraction.”
Indeed, it’s easier for a commander to deal with notification of withdrawal occurring now, rather than at the last minute.
“Given this situation, the fact that the Red Dragon is ‘only’ A-rank is the only small mercy.”
“Yes. A-C ranks are on the same level as the Guardian monsters of Instant Labyrinths, like the Mithril Colossus. There’s Avalanche Howl from Torencia, and Abyss Panther and Catoblepas that appeared during the Labyrinth flood, so the Ancient Class can defeat them.”
Indeed, that’s the only consolation.
Even against A-C rank monsters, Ancient Class members are sufficiently capable of defeating them, and with skill, they might even be able to defeat them solo.
Therefore, if we assume the Red Dragon is equivalent to an A-C rank monster, we won’t be completely helpless.
However, being a dragon species means we can’t solely rely on that. Its attack methods are relatively predictable, allowing us to devise countermeasures.
Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility of unknown attack methods, so we must plan for those as well.
To achieve this, we must first mobilize the Ancient Class.
“Assuming the Abaricia army consists of Demon Race members, and with multiple dragon species transporting them, we will mobilize the Order’s Guild. We will estimate their forces to the maximum, and issue direct requests to any available Ancient Hunters. Rex, it’s a lot to ask, but I’m entrusting the command to you.”
“Understood!”
This is how it has to be.
There are rumors that Abaricia has unified the Gradia Continent, but the Gradia Continent is said to be about one size smaller than the Philia Continent.
Their total population is likely similar, but it’s better to err on the side of caution.
If the Philia Continent were to mobilize its entire army, it would likely be just under 30,000. For the Abaricia army, we should add the number of Solemnian soldiers who perished in the war with Solemnne. Therefore, being similar to us is the minimum; it could potentially be 50,000 or even more than twice that.
Of course, Abaricia wouldn’t launch their entire army. Given they are using dragon species for aerial transport, they would likely select elite troops. So, maybe a maximum of 10,000 at most.
It depends on how many they can transport with a single dragon species, but I don’t think it will reach 20,000.
On the other hand, even with the total mobilization of the Order’s Guild, it falls short of 10,000, and if we exclude Normal Class individuals, it’s less than 1,000.
While we can mobilize nearly 30 Ancient Class members, depending on the number of High Demons, we could still be at a disadvantage. Therefore, we will need to request volunteers or dispatched personnel from other Ritter’s Guilds, or it will be too difficult.
Moreover, since we don’t know when they might invade, it could affect morale.
It’s unlikely to be today or tomorrow. Even if the Demon Race doesn’t require food, conscription takes a considerable amount of time, so it’s likely to be around one to two months from now.
Another indication will be the pregnancies of Prim and Flam.
Since their pregnancies are confirmed, their non-participation is known through Gaia’s prophetic dream and has been explicitly stated.
We don’t know exactly how much time we have, but it’s helpful to have a rough estimate.
While it will be a burden on Rex and the Orders, we also need to prepare for their arrival.
Since I won’t be participating, it seems I’ll only be able to provide support from outside the battlefield.
