The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 145

Chapter 145: Yggdra Empire

[At the Yggdra Empire’s Imperial Castle]

After overseeing the end-of-year and New Year’s events, the imperial family gathered at the castle.

Direct descendants of the current emperor and even collateral relatives with rights to the throne all came together in one place.

With the Yggdra Empire boasting hundreds of years of history, just the imperial family numbered over a hundred people, creating a grand sight.

It should have been a joyful occasion to celebrate the new year, but lately, with Stesia gaining the upper hand, the atmosphere at the New Year’s gathering felt a bit heavy.

“Still, Stesia really got the better of us last year.”

In the midst of that, one person took the lead in bringing up the topic. It was the current emperor, Kasis.

He swirled his glass to savor the aroma of the liquor, then downed the contents in one gulp.

“Yes, indeed. We should have crushed them long ago without any trouble, but they’re proving remarkably resilient.”

One of the imperial relatives nodded in agreement.

They had thought the kingdom would crumble under the schemes of the Evil God Cult and the covert actions of neighboring countries, but it had pulled back completely from the brink.

“However, that country’s growth has been astonishing, and if things continue like this, we might fall behind in diplomacy within just a few years.”

The military might from the Red Dragon, along with the stable supply of monster materials. From other countries’ perspectives, it was nothing short of enviable.

Because of that, other nations had started training tamers of their own, but their plans had not succeeded so far.

The reason was that the only tamer school existed in Stesia, and enrollment was limited to its citizens.

“By the way, how is that matter coming along?”

The man turned to Kasis. Those around him seemed interested too, as they stopped talking and turned their attention to it.

“The restoration of the magic tool has been completed by Louise’s hand. But we still cannot activate it.”

Everyone’s gazes shifted from Kasis to the second imperial princess, Louise.

“…The restoration is perfect.”

Louise, who had never been fond of attention in the first place, answered hesitantly all the same.

“Did you really restore it? Or are you just dodging because you actually couldn’t?”

A woman from the collateral line made a snide remark.

She could not stand the idea that a girl a generation younger than her was in charge of a monumental project that could shape the empire’s future. She was not the only one who thought that way. The gazes around her focused sharply on Louise.

“Louise’s restoration is perfect. However…”

The timid Louise shrank back when hearing such words. Kasis let out a sigh before explaining.

“There is a missing part needed to operate that magic tool.”

As Kasis laid out the details, everyone looked his way.

“And that part lies at the deepest level of the dungeon.”

With the emperor’s words carrying such weight, no one could raise an objection. Even the woman who had been blaming Louise fell silent.

“Currently, we are advancing the dungeon conquest led by the first prince, Grain. How is the progress, Grain?”

“Yes, sir!”

Called out by name, Grain looked around at everyone before starting his report.

“At present, I am leading my direct subordinates—knights and magic users—in the dungeon conquest. However, deadly traps and powerful monsters are blocking our path, so it is taking time.”

Since the dungeon had been buried away until now, no one knew what dangers lurked where. They had to proceed while mapping it out, which slowed things down.

“When it comes to dungeons, they are treasure troves of materials, but how far down has Prince Grain gone?”

The woman from the collateral line switched her target to Grain.

“We are around the middle levels now.”

Laughter bubbled up at the thought that they had barely made any progress…

“But we are facing a B+ rank monster there, which is why the conquest is taking time.”

Everyone fell completely silent. Hearing the monster’s threat level made laughter impossible.

“I had heard rumors, but to think B-rank or higher monsters appear so casually… It’s a fearsome place.”

With monsters of a class rarely seen outside swarming about, no one would have enough lives to spare. Understanding that, even the others refrained from pressing further.

“Hm, there have been no casualties, I trust?”

Kasis furrowed his brow as he checked with Grain.

“Yes, we are proceeding with the utmost caution. We have not yet obtained the target item, but even so, we have acquired a great many valuable materials and magic tools.”

In truth, it was far from wasteful at this stage. Thanks to magic stones from defeating high-rank monsters and magic tools found within the dungeon, the national treasury was filling up.

“That is good. Our empire traces its roots to an ancestor who conquered a dungeon two hundred and thirty years ago and founded the nation. No one has conquered a dungeon since then. We must proceed with care.”

No one raised any objections to that. Conquering a dungeon was just that difficult.

Given that the empire had been founded by conquering a dungeon, they held respect for the strong.

“For our empire to gain the advantage over Stesia, we absolutely need that. You must achieve it, no matter how many years it takes.”

Kasis had no intention of going through imperial knights or court magic users like disposable tools.

It took time to raise talented people. Even in the empire, there were not many knights or magic users who could face a B-rank monster alone.

“Come spring, an international conference will be held in Stesia. If we can make progress on acquiring it by then…”

They could demonstrate to the other three nations that the Yggdra Empire’s authority remained strong.

“Grain, continue the dungeon exploration. Louise, support him in that.”

“Yes, sir! Even at the cost of my life!”

“Understood.”

Everyone bowed their heads to Kasis’s command.

And so, the Yggdra Empire’s new year passed by.