Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 553

Side Flam

After lunch and Mako’s scolding, we took a short break and resumed our exploration of the 12th Level.

Although I brushed it off, Mako’s lectures always hit home. They also offer valuable advice, so we digested them thoroughly to prepare for the next battle.

However, as if to defy our resolve, there were no monster attacks for about an hour after we left the Safe Area.

“Even though they sometimes attack in swarms, I guess this is what happens on a level filled with high-ranking monsters.”

“The difference is too extreme, though.”

I agree with what Ludia and Meena said. However, frequent appearances of high-ranking monsters, especially anomalies and catastrophe species, and in large swarms, would be problematic, so perhaps it’s balanced in a way?

“No, I’m not so sure about that.”

“Even if it’s just a few, I don’t think there’s any balance when catastrophe species are swarming, do you?”

“It’s probably unavoidable given the Monster Rank, but it’s unimaginable on the surface.”

“Ah, but thinking about it that way, maybe it is balanced after all.”

Everyone’s opinions are all over the place.

“I forgot to ask, but how is everyone’s weapons holding up?”

“No problems here.”

“Me neither.”

“Me too.”

Yamato changed the subject here. Not necessarily in preparation for conquering the Krater Labyrinth, but our Wing Crest weapons have been updated to Hihishirokane. Yamato now wields the Hihishirokane Sword – Amaterasu, and Mako has the Demon Fan – Hiozakura. The other members’ weapons have also been completed and are being used for the first time. Except for Ludia, everyone else has the same design, so the usability hasn’t changed. Ludia’s Fighting Tool is also fundamentally the same, so it’s being used without any particular discomfort. The new weapons have only been completed for Yamato’s wife and fiancée so far, but they are as follows:

Prim’s Halberd, Crimson Wing
Mana’s Multi-jointed Sword, Flare Edge Sword
Lady Hilde’s Scythe, Snow Crystal Crescent
Sir Yuri’s Celestial Globe, Elemental Castle
Rika’s Rapier, Flare Light Rapier
Athena’s Spear, Crystallite Spear
Meena’s Longsword, Flare Light Sword; Shield, Flare Light Shield
Lydia’s Twin Swords, Dragoness Sword and Dragoness Fang
Ludia’s Fighting Tool, Flare Grapple
Aria’s Celestial Globe, Gloria Star Orb
And my own Flam’s Longbow, Flare Light Longbow.

Raus, Rebecca, and Carol’s weapons are still Lapis Laz, but Edward and the others are diligently working on them. Once that’s done, we plan to update the Crest Defender Coat armor to Hihishirokane, but Hihishirokane is difficult to smelt, so I think it would be good if it’s finished within this year.

“Well, it’s natural that the usability hasn’t changed.”

“There’s no point in changing it. Ludia’s is a bit different, but it seems easier to use now, so I don’t think that’s a problem.”

“Drag Grapple was good too, but with my fighting style, I often ended up damaging the materials. But with a blade, even if it’s short sword size, I thought braiding would be easier and I wouldn’t waste materials.”

Ludia is a Martial Artist, so it was not uncommon for the parts that received blows to become difficult to use as material. Of course, it’s not that Ludia’s fighting style is bad, and it’s something most Martial Artists experience to some extent, but they were still sometimes bought at a discounted price as material. Therefore, Ludia frequently used the arm blades attached to the side of the gauntlet of Drag Grapple when hunting. However, it’s undeniably difficult to use if you’re not used to it. So, when they made Flare Grapple, they boldly extended the blade in front of the fist to be used as a gauntlet sword. The foot armor remains the side blade, but its orientation and length have also been changed, so it might be said that Drag Grapple and Flare Grapple are different things.

“Flare Grapple might suit Ludia’s fighting style better.”

“The claws are gone, but Ludia didn’t use them much in the first place, did she?”

Come to think of it, Ludia didn’t really use the claws of Drag Grapple much. The claws of Drag Grapple are thinner and shorter than the gauntlet sword of Flare Grapple, and when it was completed, Unique Magic Braiding hadn’t been developed yet. Therefore, Ludia used the arm blades more than the claws, and that fighting style became ingrained. Even after she started using Braiding, she rarely used the claws. For this reason, Flare Grapple was changed to a gauntlet sword, abandoning the arm blades and claws. However, Ludia seems to find this easier to use and is happily using it in this conquest.

“If it’s easier to use, then that’s fine. But it’s also designed to be used like twin swords, so wouldn’t learning swordsmanship be an option?”

“I was taught the basics by my father, but it didn’t suit my personality. But this seems to work, so I’ll try again. So, Yamato, could you help me with that?”

Ludia and Lydia’s father is a Marquis of Valentia and serves as an Associate Dragoner Master . For this reason, they were both taught swordsmanship by their father in the past. However, Ludia had a greater aptitude for martial arts than swordsmanship, and Lydia ended up learning an unconventional style of dual-wielding swordsmanship because she couldn’t handle a shield well. I heard their father, Marquis Freyus, was disappointed. However, a fighting style that doesn’t suit one’s aptitude can be life-threatening, so he didn’t force them to continue with swordsmanship.

However, the Flare Grapple that Ludia is currently using has short swords built into both gauntlets, so she can be said to be both a Martial Artist and a dual-wielding swordswoman. Therefore, learning swordsmanship would not be in vain.

“Of course. However, with gauntlet swords, regular swordsmanship won’t work, and I don’t quite understand the feel of it.”

“I understand. I’ve already been taught the basics by my father, and I plan to combine Yamato’s swordsmanship with my martial arts to make it work.”

“I’ve also been taught some martial arts, so that might be useful too.”

“That’s right!”

Ludia, are you planning to develop a new combat style? I’ll cooperate as much as I can, but as an archer, I’m afraid I won’t be of much help.

“Martial arts, huh? There are situations where weapons can’t be used, so maybe I should learn too.”

“Me too. Especially since I use multi-jointed swords, I’ll be in trouble if I get cornered. So far, thanks to everyone, I haven’t been cornered, but that might not always be the case.”

“In that case, I will too. Actually, as an archer, I have a more serious problem than Mana.”

Prim and Mana are also considering learning martial arts, and I agree. We, armed with halberds, multi-jointed swords, and longbows respectively, have limited offensive options if we are cornered, which could be fatal depending on the opponent. So far, we haven’t had problems in battles against monsters or in wars because of everyone’s presence, but we can’t guarantee that such situations won’t occur in the future. Therefore, I would like to learn martial arts while I have the chance.

“Martial arts are good, but wouldn’t learning dagger techniques also be beneficial? Even if the blade is short, it can be compensated for with Braiding.”

“That’s a good point. Ah, in that case, it would be best to sew it onto the Crest Defender Coat, sheath and all. If you don’t wear it all the time, you won’t be able to use it when you need it.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Mako’s suggestion was something we hadn’t thought of, but equipping the Crest Defender Coat with a dagger is definitely a good idea. If we equip it to the Crest Defender Coat, the blade would probably be limited to around 20 centimeters, which would be difficult to kill monsters with. However, as Yamato said, Braiding could solve that problem. It would serve as insurance if we get cornered and could also be a trigger to regain our footing, so I would like to have one if possible.

“Then I’ll ask Ed to forge one out of Hihishirokane. However, he’s currently forging Raus and the others’ weapons, so it will take time.”

“That’s unavoidable, but Lapis Laz is fine too, not just Hihishirokane.”

“Even with Element Class, Lapis Laz can be used, so we don’t need to rush for now. Ah, in that case, I might be able to ask Fiana.”

“Isn’t Fiana Rank S now?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Fiana, Fiana’s younger sister, recently celebrated her 17th birthday and married Ed. Fiana is focusing on being a Crafter and will soon be eligible for the Rank G promotion exam. As Crafters are promoted, the materials they can handle increase, and metals are no exception. Iron can be handled from Rank T, but upon promotion to Rank C, they can handle Magic Silver, Rank B, Adamantine Steel, and upon promotion to Rank S, Crystal Silver. Lapis Laz, Jade Silver, and Blue-Gray Iron, which are alloys of Crystal Silver, can also be handled by Rank S Crafters. Fiana is already using them and has received high evaluations for her submissions to the Crafter’s Guild. Therefore, a dagger made of Lapis Laz forged by Fiana would be sufficiently practical.

“Ah, that’s a good idea too. Then, when we get back, I’ll consult with Ed and Fiana.”

“Please do.”

“Roger.”

It would be disruptive for everyone to talk at once, so it would be better for Yamato to discuss it.

“That, and…”

“They’re here! This time it’s an Island Whale!”

“It’s just one, but it’s heading straight towards us!”

Just as Ludia was about to say something, Athena and Meena, who were keeping watch from the observation deck, announced a monster attack. This is also an A-C Rank Monster, but only one. However, an Island Whale is nearly 200 meters long, so it’s a formidable threat on its own.

“An Island Whale this time, huh.”

“Even if it’s not swarming, its sheer size makes it troublesome. How will we defeat it?”

“Even Braiding won’t cut it in half. There are plenty of ways to deal with it on land, but underwater…”

“I have an idea, but I’m not sure if it will be effective against such a giant.”

“If we don’t try, we won’t know, so why not give it a shot?”

Even with its massive size, its weak point should be common to all Fang Whale species, so if we target that, it should be possible to defeat it. However, the problem is how. On land or at sea, there are many ways, but in the ocean, to be honest, the options are limited. I can move underwater, but my weapon is a longbow, and my Unique Magic Tidal Blaster and Arrow Rain Tempest are unlikely to be effective. Many high-ranking monsters have enormous bodies, so if I don’t develop new Unique Magic, I might become useless.

However, now is not the time to think about that. First, let’s get through this situation, break through this level, conquer this labyrinth, and then develop new Unique Magic.