Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 517

Side: Meena

It’s mid-June.
Despite the dedicated efforts of hunters and knights, the unidentified labyrinth in the Retisencia region has yet to be discovered.
However, as not all areas have been thoroughly searched, I hear the investigation will continue.
We also want to help, but Yamato-san and ourselves have important work to prioritize. I also have to accompany him as his proxy wife depending on the nature of the work, so I’ve been diligently focusing on my daily tasks while suppressing my frustration.

Today marks the completion ceremony for MINERVA, which was constructed in Glacian.
His Majesty the King of each country will be attending, and Yamato-san, Rudia-san, and Mako-san have been invited as developers, so I must also attend as his proxy wife.
Flam-san was also invited as one of the developers, but sadly, she will be absent due to her seven-month pregnancy.

“I am deeply Grateful for all of you gathering here today for the Glacian MINERVA completion ceremony. This facility has been successfully completed under the leadership of Lord Yamato, head of the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House, one of the Three Houses of the Amister Heavenly Empire, with the dedicated efforts of the ladies and the cooperation of various guilds. I express my sincere gratitude once again to everyone involved.”

A large number of invited guests from various countries have gathered in the auditorium, a section of Glacian MINERVA, for today’s ceremony.
The auditorium is a facility primarily used for research presentations by scholars.
To ensure a clear view of the stage even from the back, the seating area is tiered, and a small space has been prepared in the front row for banquets and MARS demonstrations.
It is also said that the seating area can be closed off from the ceiling with partitions, allowing for research to be conducted here on a regular basis.

In addition to the auditorium, Glacian MINERVA houses the headquarters of the Scholar’s Guild Alegria, a giant coliseum for combat training and research into the ecology of large monsters, two research facilities equipped with small MARS units, and also includes accommodation and shops.
The initial plan was to install three MARS units, including the coliseum, but scholars petitioned that this would be insufficient. As the scale of Glacian MINERVA was also slightly expanded beyond the original plan, two more units were added.
Some scholars still complain that this is not enough, but MARS units are not easily mass-produced, nor should they be increased indiscriminately.
Emperor Glisina, as well as Emperor Reinhardt, have officially stated that if there are any complaints, they should not use it, and as a result, no scholars have voiced their dissatisfaction since then.
Of course, they likely complain behind closed doors.

MINERVA is a national facility of Alegria, with its management entrusted to the Scholar’s Guild by the Royal Family. Therefore, in the event of an incident similar to what occurred at the Memorian MINERVA, the Royal Family may intervene.

“Thus, similar to the Memorian MINERVA, all MARS units installed at Glacian MINERVA are leased from our Royal Family to the Scholar’s Guild. Therefore, any use of MINERVA, including various precautions, requires signing a contract with the Scholar’s Guild. I urge all users, not just scholars, to remember this.”

Emperor Glisina is currently explaining the measures to deal with situations similar to the one that occurred at the Memorian MINERVA.
Previously, one could make a reservation by simply showing their library card for the usage application.
However, as this also led to problems, along with the completion of Glacian MINERVA, it is now necessary to have a detailed explanation of the terms and conditions at the Scholar’s Guild, acknowledge them, and sign a formal contract to use MINERVA.
While problems cannot be completely avoided, troubles due to ignorance should be reduced.
Since it is a formal contract using the Temple Magic Pledging, ignorance will not be an excuse.

“As the Memorian MINERVA is also a facility of the General Academy, the Glacian MINERVA is the first large-scale facility to officially operate as MINERVA. While they will eventually be constructed in the Heavenly Empire and the Three Kingdoms, until then, many people will gather here in Glacian. Deterioration of public order is also a concern. I apologize for the burden on the Beastar, but I expect even greater efforts for the sake of the people, for Alegria, and for the Federation Heavenly Empire. I have spoken for too long. From now on, we will proceed with a banquet incorporating a MARS demonstration. Everyone, please drink, eat, and enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content.”

Glacian MINERVA will officially commence operations tomorrow, and Memorian MINERVA will continue to be open to the public twice a month and to scholars once a week.
The influx of people into Glacian will undoubtedly lead to a decline in public order, but to counter this, the number of Beastar has been increased, and orders have been requested from Order and Soldiers, so it should be manageable for the time being.

“Now, please raise your glasses. To the success of Glacian MINERVA, the development of Alegria, and the prosperity of the Federation Heavenly Empire, cheers!”
“Cheers!”

With Emperor Glisina’s toast, the banquet began.
First, guests enjoyed conversation over food, and about an hour later, the MARS demonstration is scheduled to take place.
The demonstration, given the venue, will not be a mock battle. Instead, it will involve conjuring phantom images of several types of monsters, roughly human-sized, for explanatory purposes.
However, since the monsters’ movements cannot be controlled, it will be more of an observation of their daily lives.
Many monsters will attack humans on sight, while others will flee, so there is no way to confirm their daily lives.
Therefore, it is said to be a very valuable and interesting research subject for scholars.

“Oh, this is delicious.”
“Where? Oh, it’s Dark Breath Bull.”
“They’ve got Demon’s Drake over there too.”

The MARS activation is still some time away. Since we are invited guests, Yamato-san, Rudia-san, and Mako-san are savoring the prepared dishes.
As for myself, I managed to secure some Flood Crane stew earlier.

“I can’t believe they prepared so much meat from anomalous and catastrophe species. Emperor Glisina must be really excited.”
“Of course. It’s a national project, and it’s the inauguration of the first facility using a Helios Orb. All Their Majesties are here, so Alegria must offer the utmost hospitality. It’s a matter of prestige.”
“Indeed. Fortunately, or rather, the Kobaldia incident last month resulted in the hunting of many high-ranking monsters, making it easier to prepare this amount, which in a way, can be considered good fortune, can’t it?”

What Mako-san and Yamato-san are saying might be true.
The Kobaldia campaign last month has come to be known as the Kobaldia Incident.
Three monsters had evolved into Demise Species due to the Divine Emperor’s magic, let alone Demon Crystals, and the battle was fierce. However, all monsters, including the Demise Species, were successfully vanquished.
Many of the monsters defeated at that time were not only anomalous species but also catastrophe species, and their meat is now being used as ingredients for the dishes being served at this banquet.
While opportunities to obtain them have increased recently, many of these ingredients were considered mythical just a few years ago, which shows how much effort Alegria is putting into this.

As a side note, the approximately two years of conflict from the Feel incident in Retisencia to the Kobaldia incident, including the civil war in Valentia, the destruction of Solemne, and several battles against Demise Species, engulfed the entire continent of Philia and became a major war, collectively known as the Philia Great War.
I heard that it was hastily conceived by Their Majesties in preparation for the history lessons at the General Academy.
It is scheduled to be taught from the third year, so there is still time.

“But, maybe because of that, I’ve heard that food prices have been fluctuating wildly recently. Is that okay?”
“It’s hard to say. Even though the number of Ancient Classes has increased, if it’s temporary, it should return to normal quickly. However, preparing it constantly would be a burden.”
“The reason for actively hunting them is for use in daily life. So, while P-rank monsters might increase, M-rank and above will likely stabilize eventually.”

Rudia-san expresses concern about the negative consequences of increased high-ranking monster ingredients, but Yamato-san and Mako-san believe it will stabilize over time, and I agree.
A few years ago, monster ingredients commonly found on general tables were mainly T-rank and I-rank. Slightly more expensive ones were C-rank, premium items were B-rank, and even S-rank items were traded at high prices.
However, now that not only High Classes but even Ancient Classes have significantly increased, monster ingredients from T-rank to B-rank are often traded at near-disposal prices, and P-rank ingredients can be obtained with a little effort.
Of course, M-rank and A-rank ingredients are still out of reach for anyone other than nobles or wealthy guilds and registers, but even then, the opportunities to obtain them are increasing, which doesn’t seem like a very good trend.

However, the stable supply of these ingredients is essential for the success of hunters.
Monsters of P-rank and above generally inhabit only labyrinths, and from the Monster Rank perspective, their habitats are in the deeper levels, making travel difficult.
The reason why P-rank and higher monster ingredients can currently be purchased at low prices is due to the Labyrinth Floods in the Gagun Labyrinth, Raofen Labyrinth, and the labyrinths of Retisencia. Therefore, it is predicted that food prices will return to their previous levels or even become cheaper within a few years.

“We procure our own, and that often includes M-rank or A-rank monsters, so we haven’t really considered the market.”
“Even with overhunting, it’s impossible to supply every town and village. And even though the number of High Hunters has increased, the overall number of High Classes has decreased due to the Philia Great War. So, eventually, it will either return to normal or C-rank and B-rank will become the general standard.”

Yamato-san’s words make me realize this as well.
Indeed, while High Hunters are increasing in Amister and Torencia, they are decreasing in Valentia and have fallen to less than a third in the Libertà region.
In Solemne, more than 80% of High Class soldiers perished in the war, and Retisencia was completely wiped out. Therefore, in terms of overall numbers, it might have decreased to about 70% of what it was a few years ago, or perhaps even lower.

“Coincidentally, with the official activation of MINERVA at this time, it might contribute to the recovery of the High Class population.”
“That’s just a hindsight observation. Yamato-kun didn’t start developing MARS with that in mind, and neither did any of us.”
“That’s true. I didn’t have anything specific I wanted to do, so I just helped because it looked interesting.”
“Mine’s similar. I suspect Flam-san feels the same way.”

Yamato-san nods at Mako-san and Rudia-san’s statements, and indeed, they all said something similar.

“Lord Great Yamato, if you please? Emperor Glisina wishes to see you. The ladies also requested your presence.”
“Understood, I will be there shortly.”

I am summoned by Emperor Glisina here, so our conversation must be interrupted.
It’s probably time for the MARS demonstration, so we need to prepare.
Ah, I also need to greet the nobles of Alegria.
I would prefer to avoid it if possible, but that’s not an option, so I’ll brace myself and go.