**By Side・Raus**
It’s been a month since the special lessons with Lord Yamato, Mako, and Isra. Today is the monster hunt day, with volunteers being recruited from Memoria General Academy.
Time has flown by, but for me, it’s been filled with a lot of bothersome things…
Led by Wisteria, a Tigari hunter, they haven’t ceased to bother me at every opportunity. Now, several hunter applicants have joined them. With six registered hunters and ten applicants, it’s like a medium-scale raid, and I can’t just fight back recklessly, or I’ll be punished.
I took three days off due to feeling unwell, but otherwise, it’s been almost daily. I even considered showing them my hunter’s license. However, I refrained, knowing it would only cause more problems.
Oh, and the Febro Lehithrest Marquisate, which was set to gain independence in August, has indeed become independent. We didn’t participate, but the coronation ceremony reportedly went smoothly. Marquis-King Palmet Lehithrest had been governing effectively even before the country’s establishment, so there are no major issues domestically. The capital, Lehithrest, is also a major port city, and with the country’s founding, official sea routes from Glacian, Acquario, Rodpiece, and Prada have been established. I believe it will flourish as a trading city from now on.
“However, depending on the situation, our abilities might be revealed to some extent.”
“Today, we’re heading to the forest west of Memoria. I heard the monsters have been increasing there.”
“There are many goblins and rabbits, but weren’t there wolves too?”
“That’s right. Goblins, in particular, have been a topic of discussion. Recently, a raid in some unknown location defeated a Goblin Prince. It’s also said that a goblin settlement was confirmed in the deepest part during that expedition.”
Aboard the beast carriage heading to the forest west of Memoria, Carol, Rebecca, Reina, and Seras are discussing today’s monster hunt. It seems that depending on the situation, we might have to reveal some of our abilities today. Although the Goblin Prince has already been defeated, there’s no certainty that others don’t exist. We can’t rule out the possibility of other monsters evolving, especially with a settlement in the deepest part.
All of this is due to the Divine Emperor’s landing. That’s why we can’t dismiss the possibility of facing monsters even stronger than the Goblin Prince. To ensure our safety, Lord Yamato, Lydia, Ludia, Athena, and Mako from the Wing Crest are also participating as guards.
“Sir Yuri, how is the Celestial Globe performing?”
“This is the first time I’m using it since the improvements, but Lux seems to like it, so I don’t think there will be any problems.”
Aria, who is participating as part of her class, is asking Sir Yuri about the performance of the Celestial Globe. Sir Yuri is currently taking the Elemental Palace, a celestial globe completed last month, out of his storage to check its functionality. The Elemental Palace is designed to assist Sir Yuri’s magic by housing his contracted spirit, Lux. Consequently, the Elemental Palace resembles a royal palace, with sword-like blades made of lapis made of silver floating around it in a wheel formation. There are eight such blades, each imbued with elemental magic, as well as barrier magic and shielding, making it powerful in both offense and defense. The Celestial Globe’s main body, a Tenma Stone, is imbued with various Inn magic. With Lux inside, the power of spirit magic is further enhanced. Furthermore, with the recent improvements, the Tenma Stone from Sir Yuri’s short staff, the Element Cane, has been integrated, potentially making its elemental magic comparable to that of an Ancient Class.
However, the improvements were completed after the term started, leaving no room to test it. This hunt will also serve that purpose.
“Although it doesn’t suit me, I hear it’s easy to use.”
“I… might want to try it.”
“It’s incredibly expensive if you want to buy one on your own, isn’t it?”
This is the first time H.R.H. Aurora, H.R.H. Nebrina, and H.R.H. Lucia have seen Sir Yuri’s Elemental Palace. H.R.H. Aurora uses an axe with a spearhead, so as she says, it doesn’t suit her, and while she’s interested, she doesn’t seem to want to use it. However, H.R.H. Nebrina is unable to engage in close combat, so if she registers as a hunter, she’ll likely become a mage. H.R.H. Lucia, by the Torencia Phantom King Family’s tradition, uses a scythe, but she seems to struggle with close combat and has expressed a desire to become a mage. Thus, H.R.H. Nebrina seems eager to try it, and H.R.H. Lucia looks like she’s coveting it.
“It requires at least G-rank monster materials, and a direct commission to a High Crafter would be necessary.”
“However, that would only result in a weapon with slightly better defensive capabilities than a staff. It might be insufficient for H.R.H. Lucia, wouldn’t you say?”
Celestial Globes truly shine when using materials from high-ranking monsters. As Sir Yuri and Carol say, even with G-rank materials, we can create something superior to a staff. However, for H.R.H. Lucia, who will succeed H.R.H. Brynhild as the Torencia Phantom King, it leaves much to be desired from a defensive standpoint. It would necessitate M-rank or higher materials and a direct commission to an Ancient Crafter. This would undoubtedly cost several Divine Gold coins, a sum that even the Torencia Phantom King Family might not be able to easily afford.
“Th-that much…?”
H.R.H. Lucia droops her shoulders sadly, and though I feel pity for her, I can’t offer to help with other His Highnesses present. I think we have no choice but to rely on Lady Hilde. Lady Hilde is also registered as a hunter and, being an Ancient Vampire, she should be able to earn that amount without much difficulty.
“Speaking of which, aren’t we splitting into groups of a few people to hunt in the forest today?”
“That’s what I heard.”
Perhaps to change the mood, H.R.H. Aurora shifted the topic to today’s hunt. Thank you.
There are 35 participants today, including those who have registered as hunters. Therefore, we will be hunting in groups of five. However, it is permissible to rendezvous with other groups in the forest. For our security, I, Reina, and Aria will accompany Sir Yuri and H.R.H. Aurora, while Rebecca and Carol will escort H.R.H. Lucia and H.R.H. Nebrina, and Seras. Whether we rendezvous in the forest will depend on the circumstances. Lord Yamato and his group, who are here for overall security, will be monitoring the settlement in the deepest part of the forest from the outside, using magic detection. They are concerned that if they enter the forest, students might not have any monsters left to hunt. Since the western forest isn’t very large, this is feasible, but magic detection is quite demanding, and they mentioned that blind spots are inevitable. Therefore, the hunt is restricted to relatively shallow areas, with the deepest part being off-limits.
“And what about those hunters?”
“Who knows? I have no interest in those self-willed individuals. I just hope they get a harsh lesson.”
H.R.H. Aurora is quite harsh.
“I understand their reasoning to some extent, but their attitude is unacceptable.”
“While temporary requests are one thing, I wouldn’t want to entrust them with important tasks…”
H.R.H. Lucia and H.R.H. Nebrina also didn’t seem to approve of their attitude. Well, it’s only natural. For the past month, or rather, since we enrolled, they’ve been provoking me after arbitrarily judging me as inferior. Despite being warned by teachers and the Order, they show no remorse. However, this is common among hunters, so I don’t think they’ll be expelled just for provoking me. I don’t think it’s necessary to go that far either. I’m not asking them to change their attitude, but they need to be a bit more humble if they want to become great hunters. I wish they could achieve that.
Well, we’re about to arrive, so let’s do our best to hunt monsters. Oh, no, I shouldn’t try too hard.
**By Side・H.R.H. Aurora**
Today is the long-awaited monster hunt. I’ve been registered as a hunter and have gone on hunts before, but this is my first time hunting in the western forest and my first proper hunt with Memoria. I’ve been looking forward to it all day. Plus, I get to hunt with Raus, so I’m fully motivated!
“Haaah!”
So, even in the forest, I’m the first to swing my axe, taking down the monsters that attack me. The I-rank Wood Wolf I just defeated is a common sight in Flügel, so I was a little disappointed. The deepest part of the forest has a goblin settlement, so this hunt is limited to the shallower areas, which is a bit unsatisfying for me. With Raus and the others here, we’ve pushed right to the borders.
“H.R.H. Aurora, complacency is the enemy.”
“Huh? Wha—!”
H.R.H. Yuriana suddenly unleashed a wind blade wrapped around her Elemental Palace’s sword ring, startling me. The sword ring sliced through a Yellow Wolf that was attacking me from behind. Ugh, I messed up…
“That’s why we have guards and companions, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
“Your complacency is an issue, but some are experiencing hunting for the first time today. Some will get injured, but that’s all part of the necessary experience for a hunter. Therefore, we will not provide excessive support to Your Highness.”
Reina’s words are gentle, but H.R.H. Yuriana is strict, or rather, scary! But if I’m afraid of getting injured, I can’t possibly be a hunter, let alone go on a hunt. I’m prepared for that, so I won’t be complacent next time and will fight without Raus and the others’ support!
“Even so, it feels like there are quite a few of them.”
“That’s true. I heard they defeated a Goblin Prince the other day, but still, the number of goblins seems high.”
Raus and H.R.H. Yuriana are defeating many goblins without them even appearing, but I agree, it does seem like a lot. Not just goblins, but hobgoblins too, and the one Raus just cut down was a Redcap Goblin, so they might be coming from the deepest part. We’ve already defeated nearly 20 goblins.
“We’re fine, but it’s dangerous for the others. We should contact Lord Yamato and have them enter the forest.”
“Indeed. Lux, please give the signal.”
I think it’s better this way too. Of course, there are other escort hunters and Order members besides Lord Yamato’s group, and they entered the forest before us, but this number gives me a bad feeling. So, H.R.H. Yuriana instructed her contracted spirit, Lux, to launch a giant sphere of water into the sky. The water sphere burst, raining down like water.
“The guards in the forest have been informed of this signal. I expect instructions will be issued for the students to leave the forest.”
“Then we should also leave the forest… Sir Yuri, Aria, did you hear that?”
“I heard it.”
“It sounds like someone is being chased. And it’s coming from deeper within.”
I couldn’t hear it, but H.R.H. Yuriana and Aria are High Crafter class, and Raus is Ancient Class, so their hearing is exceptionally sharp. Wait, deeper within? Did someone ignore the restricted area?
“Ah, it’s coming this way.”
“Whether it’s convenient or not, I can’t say, but depending on the opponent, it might be unavoidable. Raus.”
“I understand. Aria, please watch over H.R.H. Aurora and Reina.”
“Understood. Come, Your Highness, Reina, over here.”
“O-okay!”
Aria moved the stars of her Starlight Orb, pulling me and Reina closer to her, and activated the barrier magic imbued within it. Reina also spread the wings of her Griffis Light Star, preparing for an attack, and H.R.H. Yuriana deployed her Elemental Palace next to Aria. Raus also raised his Lapis Light Sword and Lapis Light Shield, fully prepared to meet the enemy. Almost simultaneously, we saw something approaching from the depths of the forest.
“Wow… why are they here?”
“This is going to be a problem.”
“I heard they weren’t here yesterday, so they’ve likely just evolved, but this is truly unexpected.”
Raus, H.R.H. Yuriana, and Aria look surprised or bewildered, but what did they see?
“H-hey! You guys! Hurry up and run!”
“Why are you dawdling?! Do you want to die!?”
The hunters being chased by the monsters shouted this, but I never expected it to be those problematic individuals. They don’t seem to realize it’s us, but they’re too panicked to care. They were a party of five over level 30, so there must have been a monster that forced them to flee. Wait, is that a Goblin Queen?!
“Raus.”
“Understood!”
H.R.H. Yuriana called out Raus’s name, and he instantly moved in front of the Goblin Queen, slamming his Lapis Light Shield down.
“Gyaah!?”
“Huh?”
“No way…”
The hunters, startled by the sudden scream of the Goblin Queen, turned around, but I was also surprised. The Goblin Queen is a G-C rank monster, comparable to an M-rank monster, two ranks higher. Yet, Raus sent her flying and, without missing a beat, swung his Lapis Light Sword and severed her head. I knew Raus was strong, but I never thought he could instantly kill a Catastrophe Species…
“Now!”
Furthermore, Raus even used his Unique Magic, Heavy Fang Cloud! The Goblin Queen is already defeated, so why!?
“You all come here too. You’ll get caught up.”
“Huh? Eek!”
“A swarm of goblins!?”
“Of course, the Queen is the leader of the settlement, so her subordinates would follow.”
Ignoring the surprised hunters, Raus unleashed Heavy Fang Cloud onto the goblin swarm, annihilating them in an instant. I’ve heard that common sense doesn’t apply to Ancient Classes, but isn’t this too incredible?
“Sir Yuri, it’s done.”
. “Good work. Please open a gate to the main camp. Also, you will remain here and assist the students and hunters who are retreating.”
“Understood.”
Following H.R.H. Yuriana’s instructions, Raus used Traveling to open a gate to the main camp where the teachers and healers are stationed.
“Let’s go. …This won’t do. Sir Yuri, I’m sorry, but would you mind looking after H.R.H. Aurora and Reina?”
“Understood. Please do.”
What is it now? Wait, why are the hunters floating?! Ah, Telekinetic Magic. Aria is also High Victory, and the Telekinetic Magic imbued in the Starlight Orb belongs to Lord Yamato, so she can easily lift about five hunters.
“Wh-what the-!”
“What are you doing!?”
“Complaints and lectures later. For now, let’s get out of the forest quickly.”
While Sideways-glancing at Aria, Reina and I, protected by H.R.H. Yuriana, passed through the gate Raus had opened.
