Volume 8 epilogue (1/2)
Duke and Enlil's special training was going well.
Both were on the verge of having the standard levels for an S rank monster.
They were tirelessly power leveling by making use of the [Crimson Cavern] as well as Stolas's [Omnipresence], but in the short span of just one month, that was the most they could do. If anything, that was amazing already.
As for their cooperation, it was perfect.
This was the only way we could stand a chance at winning. For if we challenged Caesar head on, it would be our massacre.
”I've also gotten a new [Creation] medal.”
Between setting up the casino, taking care of Tiro, and Duke's special training, a month passed by just like that.
It was a little perplexing how to use this new medal, to be honest.
Along with the earnings of her dungeon, Marcho had also given me this month's [Beast] medal.
Combining [Beast], [Creation], and even just an imitation medal, I could make an S rank monster and bolster my war potential.
However, no matter how versatile the [Beast] medal was, how useful would a new S rank monster be right now without a purpose in mind?
Even if I made a new monster now, I couldn't afford to level it up because most of the limited monsters that could be turned into experience points were being given to Duke and Tiro to defeat.
On the other hand, making an S rank monster with a static level was unappealing to me and I would rather avoid it if I had a choice. I wanted my S rank monsters to be true trump cards and the only way to achieve that—eventually—was giving them the ability to level up.
”Just holding onto it makes sense too.”
My [Creation] medal was highly valuable.
It could prove itself useful as a bargaining chip.
I wanted to increase the number of Demon Lords in my faction even by just a little. The [Creation] medal would surely be useful in convincing them. Moreover, trading my [Creation] medal to them so that they could buy B-rank-producing Maelstroms would be more meaningful to us as a faction than using it myself.
There was also a chance I could obtain some other medal later, giving me the choice to make a powerful monster that I couldn't with the medals I had at hand.
Besides, I could always make an S rank monster with a static level anytime. Since it had a static level, it shouldn't matter much if I did it now or later. Like I said, I didn't prefer it, but in times of emergencies, it might just be the key.
For those reasons, I decided to hold back on using the [Creation] medal. A wait-and-see approach, so to speak.
Anyway, today, I was taking a walk around Avalon.
Soon enough, I would be gone for two days. My destination was the [Time] Demon Lord's dungeon.
The [Time] Demon Lord was hosting a sending off party and invited [Beast] and [Dragon] as well as myself and Stolas. On the second day, we were going to have the Dragon's Trial.
”Oto-san, Avalon's peaceful today too!”
”Yeah… but I'm quite concerned about Rue and the others' reports.”
”You've remembered our reports properly, huh… that's right, patron, Avalon is being targeted!”
While imitating some kind of sound effect, Ruhe pointed at me.
…this girl, is she imitating the anime she saw?
A while ago, Rorono got stuck in a rut in the development of the new Avalon-Ritters. As such, she requested that we watch nothing but robot anime for a while during our after-dinner bonding time.
Kuina really enjoyed galactic pretty boy; Rorono liked absolute obedience; Aura was pleased with the vision; and Ruhe loved blue comet.
”There's no way you're joking, is there?”
”I'm absolutely serious. Numerous spies have been sent to Avalon to gather information. Without killing any of them, we have managed to capture them. We have tried to turn the tables and get information from them instead, but somehow, each of them has actually, genuinely forgotten who their Demon Lord was… I can see how this can be helpful for intelligence gathering, but I hope you, patron, don't copy this tactic.”
It was very much possible that among the enemy forces was a monster that could manipulate memories. And when we captured the spies, it must have triggered the wiping of their memories.
”Don't worry, I won't copy it. I love all of you too much to do that.”
”I'll believe you. Patron is an overly soft Demon Lord, after all. Well, that aside, the abyss puppies sure are very helpful.”
Recently, the Ocean Singers, Ruhe's subordinates, had been partnering up with Abyss Howls. Thanks to that, our intelligence corps was stronger than ever.
Many monsters could conceal their forms or the sound they made, sometimes even both, but rarely if ever could these monsters hide their scents as well. For that reason, the Abyss Howls and their excellent noses proved useful inside and outside of the other dimension.
”Ruhe, can you confirm that the number of spies being sent here is increasing by the day?”
”Yup, that's our assessment of things.”
The Abyss Howls' noses were so good that it could pick up an intruder's lingering scent as well as ascertain how many days had passed since the intrusion. So, even if they couldn't catch the intruders, they could still find clues.
”I see…”
”And no matter how we look at it, they're definitely targeting Rorono-chan.”
”Will the intelligence corps be able to provide enough security for Rorono?”
”Yes, and we already are. Rotating teams that each consist of two Ocean Singers and 8 Abyss Howls are watching over her from the other dimension. Meanwhile two Abyss Howls guard her in the surface world. After getting her approval, a golem that has a function to produce light and water is also near her. Because there will always be a light and water source near her, the rest of us will be able to reinforce her and her guards in case something does happen. But I think the 10 puppies will be enough for most cases.”
It would seem that the enemy forces were particularly interested in Rorono's workshop.
They might have realized that I relied heavily on Rorono to the point that she was Avalon's lifeline.
If we lost her, Avalon's war potential would be decreased by half. From the enemy forces' perspective, she would be the monster they would want to kill first and foremost.
As part of my war potential, she was valuable, but she was much, much more than that: she was my precious daughter. There was no way I was going to lose her.
With several Abyss Howls guarding her, I was able to have some peace of mind. Their ever-vigilant ears and noses would make it hard for any intruder to get close, much less slip through.
But if the intruders were somehow able to, a group of ten Abyss Howls meant that their [One with the Pack] would activate. They were high-end B rank monsters to begin with, but with improved attack power and endurance as well as shared senses which allowed for better teamwork, they should be able to deal with most monsters.
And, if ever they still couldn't take down the intruders, at least they could help stall for time.
I would be gone for two days.
For the sake of security, I had commanded Ruhe, Kuina, Rorono, and Tiro to stay in Avalon. That was four S rank monsters that would be supported by Avalon-Ritters and B rank monsters. As long as they could buy some time, all the rest would be manageable.
At the very least, they would be able to prevent the assassination or the kidnapping of Rorono.
”Ruhe, that's an impressive setup.”
”Well, you know… Besides, we owe Rorono-chan for the good number of new assault rifles we made her make for us. We'd like to repay that favor, at least… we, Avalon's intelligence corps stake our pride on keeping her safe.”
Ruhe, who was usually quite aloof, looked very serious as she said so.
Being so resolved to protect Rorono, I was convinced she cared deeply for her allies and had a strong sense of responsibility.
”Then, I'll entrust the protection of Rorono and Avalon to you.”
Looking at both Ruhe and me, Kuina swelled up her face and spoke.
”Kuina will be guarding too! Oto-san can rest assured all will be fine!”
It seemed like she was slightly jealous.