Five days after defeating the Abyss Taurus, Prim and I were summoned to the Hunter’s Guild one evening.
Today, I’d only hunted Glass Boar and Horn Rabbits, but I figured days like this happen sometimes.
That’s what I thought when I returned to Feel, but Gram told me to head to the Hunter’s Guild urgently. I wondered if something had happened.
“We’ve got trouble.”
When I was led into the Hunter’s Master’s room, Linus, the old man, said that with a frown, so I could tell it was truly troublesome.
“What’s going on?”
“We’ve been hunting around the Mylight Forest, and yesterday we stumbled upon an Orc settlement. To our surprise, there was an Orc King and an Orc Queen in that settlement.”
The members of Holy Grave, including Faris, wore looks of disgust.
“A King and Queen, huh? That’s certainly troublesome, but doesn’t that mean all the monsters that used Demon Crystals have been found now?”
“That’s only half the story. Faris, please continue.”
“Yes. We did see the King and Queen, but we didn’t fight them. We decided to retreat the moment we saw them. But that’s not the problem.”
“We attacked the settlement for reconnaissance purposes, and unfortunately, we ended up fighting an Orc Princess. We managed to defeat her and recover the body, but then the King and Queen appeared.”
Prim and I frowned at Faris and Cliff’s explanation.
“That is indeed troublesome. There were supposed to be only two Orcs who used Demon Crystals, but including the Princess that Holy Grave defeated, that makes three. And two of them have evolved into Catastrophe Species.”
“Furthermore, since the King and Queen were in the same settlement, it’s highly likely they are a mated pair. If they are a pair, then there should be quite a number of rare species, not to mention higher species.”
“Precisely. There were no normal species in that settlement.”
Orcs, like other Demi-humans, reproduce and increase their numbers within their own species.
However, it was thought that the mates for Kings and Queens, who are Catastrophe Species, and Princes and Princesses, who are An, would often be rare species or higher species, but not necessarily normal species.
Orc Kings and Princes are known to produce rare species, and Orc Queens and Princesses can give birth multiple times a day. If they were to mate with each other, the possibility of a large number of rare species being born would increase.
Moreover, the fact that there were no normal species in the settlement Holy Grave encountered meant that the danger level was top-tier.
“So, we have to crush that settlement, even if it means taking some risks, right?”
“That’s how it is. We have five members of Holy Grave who are High Hunters currently at Feel. Wing Crest has two Ancient Hunters, so ordinarily, our combat power wouldn’t be insufficient. However, since we’re attacking a settlement with a King and Queen, seven people simply won’t be enough. Therefore, we’ll likely need to request cooperation from the Order’s Guild.”
Linus is also a High Hunter, but the Hunter’s Master can’t go, so this is unavoidable.
The Order’s Guild means High Order, which would likely involve Rex, the Order’s Master. There are eight High Orders currently, including Rex.
I had a feeling it might be questionable whether Rex could participate.
“Does that mean we’re not departing tomorrow?”
“We would if we could, but we haven’t made any preparations. So, tomorrow will be spent on preparation, and we’ll depart the day after tomorrow.”
We’ll definitely need potions, and we’ll need to prepare a lot of weapons…
Wait a minute.
“Faris, didn’t Holy Grave have a request from the Crafter’s Guild for weapon appraisal?”
“Yes. We received it the morning before yesterday. So, this time, we were also testing the weapons. Honestly, without these weapons, we wouldn’t have stood a chance against the Orc Princess, or we might have been killed instead. We were truly saved.”
Faris nodded emphatically.
I’d heard about it, but Holy Grave members were equipped with Jade Silver and Blue-Gray Iron weapons.
“Old man.”
“I intend to. I’ve only heard about it, but given the situation, the Crafter’s Guild will surely help.”
Jade Silver and Blue-Gray Iron can be used at full power without worrying about Magic Power fatigue.
In fact, my prototype Jade Alloy Sword and Prim’s prototype Jade Alloy Axe-Lance have had no problems so far.
In that case, it would be better to provide swords made of Jade Silver to the High Orders as well.
“Please do. So, does that mean we’re not going hunting tomorrow?”
“I’m sure you two could handle yourselves, but we can’t afford for you to get injured.”
“Understood.”
I have no intention of getting injured, but I also have no intention of doing anything reckless before a crucial battle.
“Also, this will be an Alliance, so a leader is naturally required. However, he is still inexperienced and, more importantly, prone to rushing in without thinking. So, I’m sorry, Faris, but please take the lead for this mission.”
“That’s what I figured. We just talked about this the other day, and I didn’t expect to have to fulfill that flag so soon.”
Faris sighed deeply.
We did have that conversation. I also didn’t expect to be participating in an Alliance so soon.
But as Linus said, I am still young and lack experience. While I won’t rush in without thinking, I’m aware that I might do something reckless.
“Holy Grave already knows, but I’ll explain to you first-timers. Alliances are for urgent requests, and they’re generally for High Class or higher. Even if you’re part of a Raid or a Union, you’ll have to prioritize these requests. Furthermore, Alliances take precedence over all other requests. If other requests fail because of this, you won’t be liable for breach of contract. This applies to all members.”
I’m not currently taking on any specific requests, but it’s helpful that there won’t be any breach of contract fees.
No, considering that the main force of High Class hunters will be temporarily withdrawn from Raids, it’s possible that other members will be unable to act at all depending on the nature of their requests, so it’s only natural.
“Regarding the rewards, they are set according to rank. S-rank is 100,000 El, G-rank is 200,000 El, and P-rank is 300,000 El. However, since you two have both evolved into Ancient Class, your rewards will likely increase. The exact amount will be determined after consulting with the Grand Hunter’s Master.”
It means we don’t need to consider Normal Class S-rank, since we’re High Class or higher.
Prim and I are Ancient Class and P-rank. Before we evolved, the only Ancient Class was the Grand Hunter’s Master, and no one had evolved in decades, so there weren’t any set classifications.
It’s not a problem, but since the Grand Hunter’s Master will be consulted, I might as well accept whatever I’m given.
“The Hunter’s Guild will have seven people from our side, but we haven’t approached the Order’s Guild yet, so please gather again tomorrow evening. We’ll inform your inn about the location and time, likely by noon.”
“Understood. Then we’ll go get our weapons maintained. I’ve heard that Yamato and his group use them, so I’m sure they’re fine, but we want to be as prepared as possible.”
“Please do that. Then, we’re dismissed.”
I want to inquire about the status of the Lapis Lazuli weapons and get them maintained, so let’s head to the Albert Workshop. After that, I’ll visit the Crafter’s Guild and see if they can make swords, and maybe even shields, for the High Orders if I have time.
