kscans

Chapter 362 - War Council and Victory Celebration

The battle at Deep Impact ended in victory for Hayato and his allies.

The enemy side simply had no way to stop the airships.

If they cast Meteor Swarm, they were sniped. In the air, tamers and vampires were running rampant. Their last hope, Nestor of the major clan "Bounty Hunter," had been knocked off the very airship he had boarded. If they aimed for the Area Stone, the ironclad defense of the formidable black knights and maids made it impossible to even get close.

Only Parsha of "Despair Angel" managed to draw the attention of one airship, but unfortunately, that was all she could do, and the remaining airships destroyed the Area Stone, ending the fight.

Combined with Amanda's swift retreat in the previous battle, many players were complaining about the fleet of airships. Some sent angry emails to the game's management, but the reply was always the same, basically stating, "Anything goes, so there's no problem."

As a result, some players were now desperately trying to clear in-game quests.

Some were trying to obtain airships, while others were actively talking to NPCs to recruit them or gain information.

Recruiting NPCs was especially popular, and that was related to Diite and Hypnos, who had fallen from the airship.

The two of them had used a method to prevent fall damage, firing wind-type magic at the ground just before landing, and had continued their fight on the ground without being defeated.

To other players, the two were just NPCs, but in reality, they were super high-performance AIs, cheating-level NPCs who knew everything about the virtual reality's systems.

Most players did not know who these two were or why they were fighting, but their battle was so spectacular that they forgot about their own fight and were captivated.

Some even became fans, speculating that they might be the true Hero and the true Demon Lord.

Because of this, players were now talking to NPCs with the hope that there might be other such NPCs out there.

Incidentally, Hypnos had apparently said that if Diite were to participate in the battle, it would be too disadvantageous for the other side, so she had forced a one-on-one fight as a deterrent.

It was true that against players, Diite could not be defeated, even by a hundred of them. The same went for Hypnos, and Diite said they would probably keep each other in check from now on, but she also added, "I wanted to punch her personally, too."

With Diite's combat power now unavailable for the foreseeable future, Hayato and the others decided not to rest on today's victory but to remain vigilant.

They had a victory celebration planned for that night, but first, the key members gathered at the headquarters to share information for the next day.

Hayato also logged in and joined the gathering after finishing his work at the cafe.

This gathering consisted of the leaders of the Demon Lord's Army.

Lunaria, of course, along with Rosalie of the Ten Black Rose Saints, Gil of the Ten Dark Knights, Ney of the Ten Black Dragon Claws, and the Seven Demon Generals. Lunaria sat at the head of a long table, with the other members seated around it.

Since some members had not participated in today's battle, Hayato began by thanking them.

They all replied, "We'll settle for delicious food," and Hayato readily agreed.

Hayato then learned for the first time that the positions of Grand Marshal of the Demon Lord's Army and Grand Strategist of the Demon Lord's Army had been created.

"I am Diite, Grand Marshal of the Demon Lord's Army."

"And I'm Randa, Grand Strategist of the Demon Lord's Army-ssu!"

"What are you two doing?"

What are a Grand Marshal and a Grand Strategist, anyway, Hayato wondered. He had a vague idea, but he felt they were of dubious necessity for the Demon Lord's Army.

"There were some cool-sounding job titles, so I used them."

Lunaria said with a smug face, so Hayato arbitrarily concluded that the titles had no particular meaning.

And finally, the meeting, or as Lunaria called it, the war council, began.

"Tomorrow's battle is in the 'Great Forest of the Undead.' This was a secret, but I'm scared of ghosts. And centipedes, too."

The war council had just begun when Lunaria made such a declaration.

The next battlefield was the "Great Forest of the Undead." It was the forest where the vampire Mist's mansion was located, but it was also the dwelling place of the undead.

Lunaria was weak against ghost-type monsters. Weak in a psychological sense. During the Stampede event, she had been unable to fight because the Underworld Dragon Onyx Rod, which attacked the Demon Country, summoned ghost-type monsters.

"I believe in you guys, that you can do it even without me. So I want you to do your best tomorrow. I'll be here, eating a chocolate parfait."

Lunaria said this with a sharp look, but everyone shook their heads. Then Rosalie spoke up.

"We know you are weak against ghosts, Lunaria-sama, but to maintain today's momentum, we need you to participate."

"Understood. Grand Strategist Randa-chan, come up with a plan where I can participate without it being a problem."

Randa held a fan with peacock feathers in her left hand, using it to cover her mouth. She then adjusted the position of her glasses with her right hand.

"Impossible-ssu."

"Somehow."

"Instead of a plan to not participate, we should think of a plan to enable you to participate-ssu. Actually, I already have a plan-ssu."

Lunaria propped both elbows on the table, interlaced her fingers, and rested her chin on them.

"Continue."

"First, we'll have one of the Seven Demon Generals, Noat-chan of Sloth, sing a Requiem-ssu. As you know, this is the same move we used against Onyx during the Stampede event-ssu. People are still saying that was unfair-ssu."

Requiem was a Song Skill that damaged surrounding undead while preventing them from respawning.

As all eyes turned to her, Noat nodded.

"Deposit the donuts as payment. But the Great Forest might be too large."

When they used Requiem during the Stampede, it was only in the main square of the Demon Capital Zardogia. Noat had expanded the effective range of her songs as a reward for placing high in the Clan Wars, but even so, she could not cover the entirety of a large field like the Great Forest.

"That's fine-ssu. I've actually already asked Alvie-san from 'Kiss of Death'-ssu. That clan has many people with the Song Skill, so we'll have a grand chorus of Requiem-ssu!"

According to Randa's plan, they would escort the members of Kiss of Death and position them widely throughout the Great Forest of the Undead, then have them all activate Requiem. Each person's range was small, but by positioning many of them, they could cover a wide area.

They had also asked the Tamer Guild for help, and there was another plan to have pairs of riders sing Requiem while galloping through the Great Forest.

One might want to ask if they were doing all this for just one person, Lunaria, but Lunaria was the Demon Lord. Her non-participation would affect the players' morale.

"In fact, the morale on the New Demon Lord's side is declining-ssu. They think Amanda isn't showing up at all, and even when she does, she runs away immediately, so they're starting to think she doesn't even intend to win-ssu. Well, I'm the one who spread those rumors-ssu!"

Randa gave a thumbs-up. With her braided pigtails and round glasses, Randa was already playing a cutesy Class Rep Character, and this just made her even more so.

"As expected of the Grand Strategist. Even I, the Demon Lord, think it's a bit much, but I know our opponent isn't one we can beat by holding back, so I want you to harass them to the fullest."

"Leave it to me-ssu!"

After that, Randa began to explain the strategy.

In the Great Forest of the Undead, the trees were too dense to see the ground, and using Meteor Swarm would be dangerous, so they decided to refrain from using the airships. The reason was that while they could take down players who started long chants in the open ground of Deep Impact, they could not do so in the forest.

They also had to be wary of the enemy's NPCs. Since they had won so overwhelmingly this time, it was highly likely they would be deployed next time.

They had explained to Lunaria and the others that Ivan and his group had a setting where their brainwashing would be broken if they were defeated once. Diite vouched for this setting, though in reality, it was just Hypnos's whim.

However, in that case, they might be saved until the very end. The only ones who could be deployed at any time without issue were Nanagi of the Ten Holy Demonic Swords and the members of Ambrosia, but Randa said they still needed to be cautious.

"I'll take care of Nanagi-cchi, so leave it to me!"

Benitsuru said with a smile.

"As expected of Benny-chan of Lust, one of the Seven Demon Generals of the Demon Lord's Army. I can feel your desire to settle the score for being overthrown in the Eastern Country."

"...Luna-cchi, it's true I was overthrown, but could you please stop with the lust thing...?"

She protested, but unfortunately, it was rejected.

"Would you like me to make you a five-star Yatagarasu?"

When Hayato and the others were caught up in the incident in the Eastern Country, they had crafted the katana "Meitou Yatagarasu." Benitsuru still had that sword, but it was of the lowest one-star quality.

He had promised to give her a five-star Meitou Yatagarasu when she became worthy of the sword, but if she was going to fight, she should have better equipment.

However, Benitsuru shook her head.

"It's fine. I feel like there's no point if I can't beat Nanagi-cchi with this low-quality Yatagarasu."

"...I see. Alright."

He did not really understand, but he thought it might be Benitsuru's pride or stubbornness. He did not think there was any need to use a weak weapon, but since Benitsuru said she would, he did not say anything more.

After that, they shared information about other NPCs to be wary of, and the war council finally ended.

Then, the victory celebration began.

Not just the members who participated in the war council, but many more allies had gathered.

Until now, they had not been fighting at full strength, partly because Hayato had been captured. Today, they had rampaged as if to vent their frustration, and on top of that, they had achieved a great victory. At Lunaria's call that if they were not going to celebrate today, when would they, the schedule was hastily arranged.

Originally, Hayato was supposed to be the one being celebrated, as they were celebrating his safe return, but being the hospitality lover he was, Hayato took the initiative to prepare the food himself. The members of the Maid Guild, who had been planning to be the main hosts, were looking at Hayato with expressions that said, "Seriously...?"

With his Cooking Skill at 200, it was easier to make highest quality dishes. Furthermore, his production speed was abnormal. Even the maids, who could be called professionals of hospitality, were biting their handkerchiefs in frustration.

Hayato, oblivious to this, got carried away and was churning out dishes one after another.

(This is kind of fun. Maybe I'm just in high spirits because I was able to brew coffee at the cafe in the real world for the first time in a while. And it was the best I've ever made, too.)

That afternoon, Hayato had been in a very good mood after being able to brew coffee at his real-world cafe. He had been worried his skills had dulled after not brewing for nearly a week, but if anything, it seemed to have had a positive effect, and the taste had improved.

As Ash had said, the cafe had many female customers, and it had been tough with many of them tilting their heads at an ordinary-looking guy like Hayato brewing coffee instead of a handsome one, but still, he was happy to be able to work as the cafe's master. Hayato analyzed that the effects of that were still lingering.

"Hayato-san!"

Maris and Surya approached Hayato as he was cooking. As always, Sieg was on Maris's shoulder.

"I'd heard about it, but I'm relieved to see you in person. I, Surya, and Sieg were all worried about you!"

"You're still getting caught up in all sorts of things, I see."

"Nya."

"I made everyone worry. But thanks to you all, I managed to come back safely. And thank you for today. You were amazing in the aerial battle."

"Oh, it was nothing! I'd been logging in off and on, so I managed to keep up!"

Maris already had a Taming Skill of 200 and had a phoenix and a nine-tailed fox as pets. He wondered if that was really just an "off and on" level, but Hayato just smiled and said, "You were a great help."

"Not at all. Anyway, I wanted to give you this."

Maris said and traded an item to Hayato. It was a liquid in some kind of bottle, but its color was orange, almost like lava.

Looking at it closely, the item's name was "Phoenix's Blood."

It was one of the materials needed to make the "Philosopher's Stone," a recipe unlocked at Alchemy Skill 200. With this, Hayato now had all the necessary ingredients.

As Hayato stared in shock, Maris smiled.

"You don't get this item from defeating a phoenix, but the one I tamed started giving it to me periodically."

"Oh, so that's how it works?"

"Yes, it only gives me one a day, so I don't have that many yet, but I'll give you all of them!"

"Thank you, this helps a lot."

"By the way, when I brush my nine-tailed fox, Max, I get an item called 'Nine-Tails' Fur.' Do you want it?"

"I don't know what it's used for, but I'll take it."

On the day Hayato was abducted, Maris and Surya had been heading to the island where the phoenix lived. That they had come this far in just a week was a pleasant miscalculation.

When he asked for details, it turned out that for the past week, instead of fighting in the event where they could not go all out, they had been gathering a large amount of materials for Hayato, and the storage was apparently filled with a huge number of items.

He was about to head to his room to make the "Philosopher's Stone" right away, but Maris, Surya, and even Sieg stopped him. All three of them had exasperated looks on their faces.

Hayato reluctantly agreed and decided to join the victory celebration for now, though he was fidgety.

After parting with Maris and her group, Ney and Rosalie approached him.

"Glad you're safe!"

"You should thank Lunaria-sama. If it were up to me, I probably would have abandoned you."

"You're right, she saved me. Thank you both."

"Rosalie always tries to make herself look like the bad guy. She was actually quite worried about you, you know?"

When Ney said this, Rosalie looked chagrined and lightly elbowed Ney in the side.

"Anyway!"

Perhaps wanting to change the subject, Rosalie said in a slightly forceful tone, and in the next moment, her expression became triumphant.

"Has your Sewing Skill reached 200?"

"Huh? No, it's still at 199. I'm just one step away."

Raising a skill to 200 required a considerable amount of luck. When he was a hostage in the Demon Lord's Castle, he obviously could not raise his sewing-related skills, and the only one he had managed to get to 200 was Cooking.

Hearing his words, Rosalie grinned.

"Oh, could it be, did you reach 200?"

Rosalie and the Ten Black Rose Saints all had the Sewing Skill. Furthermore, they had received the ability to create original designs from Diite, and they were even presenting the clothes they made to her.

For Rosalie to ask if he had reached 200 meant it was highly likely that she had reached 200 first.

"For now, it's just me, but I've finally reached 200."

"Wow, that's amazing! Congratulations!"

"...How boring. I thought you would be more frustrated."

"In normal times, I might have been, but right now, I'm just genuinely happy because I think it will be a great help to our strength. So, what can you do at 200?"

He knew he could find out in an instant if he asked Diite, but she had refused to tell him for some strange reason about wanting him to enjoy the game even when his life was in danger.

But hearing it from a fellow ally should be fine, Hayato thought as he pressed Rosalie.

"You're too close. I'll explain, so please back away a little. Now then..."

Rosalie told Hayato about the information unlocked at Sewing Skill 200.

First was design changes. This was the same as the expansion feature Rosalie had received from Diite, allowing her to change the design of a base piece of equipment. The feature where making too many changes would worsen the equipment's performance was also the same.

Hayato lacked any design sense to begin with, so he did not really need that feature, but the other expansion feature was something else entirely.

"Arbitrary performance addition?"

"That's right. It's limited to five-star items, but you can add one arbitrary performance bonus to them. However, it requires a corresponding material. For example, using a five-star Elixir as a material can add an HP auto-recovery performance."

"I see. Is that something I can find in the help page?"

"To some extent. However, some of it was secret information and couldn't be confirmed. It seems we'll just have to try it out. By the way, the arbitrary performance addition can only be done at the time of item creation, so you have to have the item then."

There were various restrictions, but it was still an incredible feature. Until now, the performance bonuses on equipment had been random. For Hayato, who had experience remaking items over and over until he got the desired performance, this was a huge help.

"Thank you. That was very helpful. That's a feature I definitely need, so I'll do my best to..."

"Now, wait a moment. This way, it just ends with me bragging."

"It doesn't?"

"It does not. The main point is from here."

"Huh? What is it?"

"From now on, you will concentrate on your Blacksmithing Skill. I will take care of the sewing."

"Huh?"

"It is frustrating to admit, but what's important in this battle is your production capability. That became very clear today."

Hayato was surprised. He had not expected to be evaluated in such a way by Rosalie.

"Um? Thank you...?"

"I do not know why you are thanking me so strangely, but more important than that is Lunaria-sama's equipment."

"...So that's it."

Hayato understood what she was trying to say.

Rosalie had reached Sewing Skill 200. There was no need for Hayato to raise his Sewing Skill to 200, and instead, he should raise his Blacksmithing Skill to 200.

Rosalie continued her explanation.

She was speculating that the arbitrary performance addition unlocked at Sewing Skill 200 might also be possible with the Blacksmithing Skill.

"I have heard that Lunaria-sama and Amanda's combat power is almost equal. If there is a difference, it will definitely be their equipment. So, you will create an Excalibur with a performance that prevents its durability from decreasing. An Arondight would be fine too."

"I've never seen a performance like that, but maybe if I can add a Blood Weapon performance, it would work?"

Blood Weapon was a performance that restored a weapon's durability when it damaged an opponent. It presupposed that you could damage the opponent, but restoring durability on the spot could make a weapon last longer.

Rosalie shook her head.

"I asked Xenobia-sama before you were captured. When Lunaria-sama and Amanda fought, neither of them landed a clean hit. However, when Lunaria-sama tried to protect Xenobia-sama, she was apparently cut from behind."

"That happened...?"

"But even if they had continued to fight, it is highly likely that Arondight would have been destroyed. It is difficult to even hit Amanda, so instead of Blood Weapon, make it so that its durability does not decrease."

"Hey, hey, 'make it so'..."

"There is a possibility that it exists as a hidden performance. Ney and we will gather as many items as you need, so you must find it before the final battle with Amanda. Of course, I will also test various things."

"Mm! I'll bring you any item you need!"

Ney, who had been listening the whole time, also nodded with a confident voice.

In the first place, it was uncertain if the arbitrary performance addition would be possible at Blacksmithing Skill 200, and it was also unknown if a durability-ignoring performance even existed, so he could not make such a promise lightly.

However, considering the circumstances so far, he felt it might just be possible.

The systems like Rosalie's design changes became available when a skill reached 200, the upper limit after the breakthrough. He had not heard about it yet, but Simon was also able to change her equipment slots and equip weapons just like Cecil.

The systems that the NPCs had received from Diite already existed and were likely to be unlocked under certain conditions.

If so, then it was predicted that the weapon Amanda had, "Durandal," a weapon with no durability, might also already exist as a performance.

The easiest thing would be to make a "Durandal," but there was no replica recipe. If so, they should bet on the existence of the performance that makes durability not decrease.

After thinking it over, Hayato nodded.

"Alright. Then from today, I'll aim for Blacksmithing Skill 200. Can you put any rare items you find straight into the storage?"

Ney and Rosalie agreed.

Thinking that he had a lot to do, Hayato remembered Amanda, who had just been mentioned.

Hayato told the two that he had run out of cooking ingredients and was going to get some, and they parted ways.

The headquarters' storage was overflowing with items, but without taking anything, Hayato decided to send Amanda a voice chat.