After defeating the Divine Emperor and the Evil God Abaricia, the true cause of everything, we returned to the Wing of Order.
I was surprised to see Ludia’s right arm had vanished, but thankfully, Sayuri quickly healed it.
Following Father God’s words, we immediately turned back at the Wing of Order’s maximum speed, leaving the Gradia Continent behind.
Shortly after we departed the Gradia Continent, a light began to rise from the sea a short distance away. It seemed to mark the boundary of whether or not Traveling could be used, and that sea area had apparently entered the logic of another world.
The light flickered like an aurora for a while before slowly fading. Land appeared beyond it, but we decided to save further investigation for another time, prioritizing our return to the Philia Continent. Emperor Reinhardt looked reluctant to leave, but that’s how it was.
After anchoring for the night near an island, we spent the next day tending to the injuries of the Ritters and Hunters as the Wing of Order slowly made its way to the Philia Continent.
As the Philia Continent came into view, Ritters dispatched from the Ancient Order and the Ritter’s Guild departed ahead in Floats to report back to their respective guilds. Once confirmed, the Wing of Order changed course towards Float.
At our returning Float, we were greeted with tremendous cheers. Apparently, the voices of the goddesses had echoed across the Philia Continent, announcing our victory as well as the return of the two continents from the brink of destruction. However, it had been 200 years since these two continents vanished, and they had no contact with each other, so even Grand Hunter’s Master Gathering didn’t know about it.
That night, a triumphant return ceremony and victory celebration were held, with the kings of various countries invited. The venue was naturally Amagi Castle, and all the Ritters and Hunters who participated in this expedition were present. I thought it was demanding right after returning, but the Ritters who went ahead had also gone to convey this very news, so proper preparations had been made, and everything went smoothly. Those who left midway, being pregnant, were unfortunately not invited, but they are scheduled to receive separate rewards. While they wouldn’t normally be eligible for rewards, due to our oversight in not considering their pregnancies, their rewards will be less than those who participated until the end to apologize. Furthermore, during the banquet, a shocking declaration was made.
“For this expedition to the Gradia Continent, the contributions of our guest, Yamato Tenshaku, and his wife Mako, were immense. Yamato Tenshaku, in particular, skillfully defeated the Divine Emperor who had become the Demon King, and together with his wives, he also annihilated the Evil God Abaricia. Therefore, following the customs of their world, I wish to bestow upon Yamato Tenshaku the title of Hero, and upon his wives, the title of Saint!”
This is what happened! I mean, it’s true that defeating a Demon King is the role of a Hero and Saints, but I never imagined it would happen to me! Besides, neither Mako nor I ever mentioned anything like that, so where on earth did it leak from!
“Now, now. You’re not the ones being annihilated, so it’s fine, isn’t it?”
Seeing Sayuri say that with a smile, Mako and I understood everything. The culprit was her! And I mean, while there are novels and light novels with such content on Earth, why does Sayuri know about it!
“Of course, it existed in my time too. In fact, it started with my generation. The novels and light novels on smartphones are based on what I wrote, and I still read them sometimes.”
No way… I’d never heard of such books being published, so Sayuri must be enjoying them privately. Well, I’m not that interested, and I’ve already copied several book-related ones to my own Engraving Tool for personal use, so I can’t really say anything.
“More importantly, Sayuri! While it’s one thing for Yamato to become a Hero, why am I a Saint too! I wasn’t told about this!”
“If there’s a Hero, a Saint makes sense, doesn’t it? But just having Mako alone seems odd, and Mana and the others fought alongside you, right? So, to honor the goddesses, it would be best to make all twelve of Yamato’s wives Saints to avoid any future complications.”
“There are plenty of complications!”
“Now, now. Isn’t it better than being called the Goddess of War?”
“That’s also something I’d rather not have happen…”
Ah, Mako slumped down. Well, no matter how much she protests, now that Emperor Reinhardt has publicly declared it, there’s no going back. I don’t like it either, but I’ve half-given up.
Despite these unexpected developments, the triumphant return ceremony and victory celebration ended without incident. After that, we finally returned to our home, Alka.
“Welcome back. I’m so glad you’re all safe.”
“Welcome back. It’s good that everyone is safe.”
Hilde, who was pregnant, and Lydia, who had to withdraw due to her pregnancy, were the first to greet us. Rika was there too, and Yuri and Aria, who had been informed of our return, were also present. Of course, our beloved children Saki, Asuma, Tsubaki, Mizuki, Asahi, and Kazuma, greeted us with smiles. Well, Asahi and Kazuma were newborns, so it was just our perception. But seeing everyone’s faces made me truly feel like I was home.
Ah, later I’ll have to ask Ed about Ludia’s Gauntlet for her Flare Grapple. Abelicia’s attack had not only destroyed but completely disintegrated even the Hihishirokane-made Flare Grapple. Fortunately, Ludia was unharmed, and her right arm was regenerating thanks to Sayuri’s Extra Healing, but I was told that if things had gone slightly differently, she could have lost her life, which sent a shiver down my spine.
We spent that day as a family and resumed our duties the very next day. Yes, a lot of work had piled up. Hortensia, the only city in the Fraydlancia Baronetcy, was attracting more Hunters due to the conquered labyrinths, but proportionally, the public order had deteriorated. So, it seems necessary to issue instructions to the Order and also to inform them of my safe return myself. There were also other minor issues, but I had a lot of documents that required my signature. Well, it’s my job, and I have to do my best for the sake of the children.
However, while I was diligently reviewing and signing documents in my office at the Fraydlancia Baronetcy residence built in Hortensia, the door was suddenly knocked on violently.
“What’s all the commotion! What is it!”
The male Elf steward assisting me with my duties angrily opened the door to find an Order member with a pale face.
“What is it…?”
“My Lord! A Demise Species has appeared in the Duke Turkis Territory across the strait!”
At the Order member’s words, the steward froze in shock. Seriously? The Demise Species in the Duke Turkis Territory… Ah, that one. It was supposed to be in its territory in the northern Blain Mountains, but it evolved a few months ago, wasn’t it? At least, when the road connecting to the Duke Turkis Territory was built, it hadn’t even evolved into a Catastrophe or Abnormal Species yet.
“Is it the Demise Species, Lepus Cornutus?”
“Yes, that’s the report we have.”
So it was. Lepus Cornutus is the Demise Species of the Horn Rabbit, and the Horn Rabbit itself is a low-rank monster within I-rank. They inhabit a wide range, appearing anywhere there’s vegetation, whether in plains or mountains. As the Demise Species of such a monster, and due to its territory being deep in the northern Blain Mountains, its urgency was judged to be low. However, the fact that Lepus Cornutus has descended from the mountains means there’s a possibility of another Demise Species being born. This can’t be ignored, so I need to return to Alka, prepare, and hurry to the Duke Turkis Territory.
“Understood. I will return once to prepare.”
“Begging your pardon, Your Highness, but Lepus Cornutus is currently attacking Emosion!”
“What? That’s bad! I’ll leave immediately!”
I never expected it to be attacking Emosion. Emosion is the capital of the Duke Turkis Territory and a crucial hub connecting to the Valentia region. An attack on such a city by a Demise Species is a true emergency.
“Please, we implore you. The Order is currently conducting delaying actions, but given that the assailant is a Demise Species, we have already received reports of casualties.”
“Understood! Ah, please relay the same report to my Butler. If he’s around, he should be able to come quickly.”
“Yes! Please be careful!”
“Alright, I’m off!”
After issuing hasty instructions, I equipped myself with Ee-quipping and used Traveling to fly to Emosion. As reported, there were fallen Orders, but as they were focused on delaying tactics to await reinforcements, the casualties were not as severe as I feared. The city walls also seemed intact, so if Lepus Cornutus can be defeated, Emosion’s safety should be secured.
“I didn’t expect a Demise Species to appear so soon after returning, but this is also my job, so I guess I have to go!”
Drawing my Hihishirokane Sword – Amaterasu and generating Wing Bit Liberator, I cloaked myself with Wing Burst and Feathering Light, and after preparing for battle, I fired Ice Edge Javelin towards Lepus Cornutus. Whoa, it hit them all. While it wasn’t fatal, I didn’t expect them all to connect. Well, it might be to be expected for an individual that has only recently evolved.
“Order! I’ll take over from here! Please prioritize treating the wounded!”
“Yes! May fortune favor you, Your Highness!”
I’m still not used to being called Your Highness, but I couldn’t help but smile wryly, realizing that this is the status I now hold. Now, Lepus Cornutus seems to have identified me as its enemy and is heading this way. It’s a large white rabbit with two horns, but it’s only about 5 meters long. That’s abnormally large for a Horn Rabbit species, but it’s small for a Demise Species, and above all, since it was originally just an I-rank monster, I don’t feel much threat. However, if I let my guard down, I’ll end up dead, so I’ll finish it off quickly! After dodging Lepus Cornutus’s charge, I fired Ice Edge Javelin again, coated my Hihishirokane Sword – Amaterasu with Grand Sword of Ice, and rapidly approached Lepus Cornutus.
