Chapter 474 – The Destination of Cerberus

“That’s right. I was talking a bit with Sheila-san earlier in the bath too.”

“Mhm. I hope everyone can get their hands on some armor.”

Grace and Sheila exchange glances and nod.

We’ve all gathered at the Fire Spirit Hot Spring’s rest area to discuss equipment matters… but since our Party already has equipment made from Water Dragon scales distributed among us, even if we make armor for everyone who wants it, we probably won’t use up much of the Amphisbaena materials.

In that case, how to use the materials… The discussion turns to making armor for key members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order like Forset and Sion, as well as important figures starting with King Melvin.

“But for us to receive such things when we don’t have the power to fight in the labyrinth’s Deep Floor…”

“That’s true. What Sion says is certainly correct. It doesn’t make sense for us to just receive the results when we haven’t risked our lives.”

As Sion speaks, Princess Stephania nods. Princess Adriana seems to share the same opinion.

Given their strong sense of duty, they apparently have reservations about simply accepting in situations like this.

Well… I think that’s a reasonable reaction. If this were distribution among adventurers, it would normally be settled with that kind of reasoning.

As for the opinions of Grace and Sheila, who were directly responsible for taking down the Amphisbaena… they seem to have said what needed to be said, yet their stance remains unchanged. Hmm.

From the fact that Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana are permitted to enter the labyrinth with their Familiars, it appears King Melvin has some anticipation of a decisive battle with demons.

Actually, Prince Josiah also has plans to descend into the Glacial Forest and join the training.

While situations where important figures go to the front lines should normally be avoided, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t make preparations. Essentially, that’s what we’re doing now.

So, from that perspective, if I were to give my opinion—

“In preparation for the decisive battle, building up more strength in the labyrinth is important, I think. To that end, avoiding unnecessary injuries becomes necessary, doesn’t it? If you’re going to use the Glacial Forest as a base for training, having armor made from Deep Floor Monster materials would help you avoid serious injuries. If you’re concerned about just receiving results, how about repaying by becoming stronger through the equipment you receive?”

If we run short on materials, I intend to secure more by fighting in the Star Sphere Garden’s maze, and if our overall combat power increases, it would make things easier for us too.

At my words, Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana seemed to be thinking it over, but eventually nodded.

“…I understand. I’ll do my best so I can be of help to Theodore and the others.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s true that morale would drop if something happened to those in leadership positions.”

The two spoke with serious expressions.

“Repaying by becoming stronger, is it? That certainly makes sense.”

Forset spoke quietly and closed his eyes. Sion and Marceska seemed fired up by those words, straightening their postures with solemn expressions. Sigritta’s expression was as usual, but she nodded quietly.

“Once you get a bit more accustomed to the Aerial Combat Gear, would you like to join the training using Golems?”

“That’s… a good idea. Yes. I have something more to look forward to now.”

Princess Stephania shows a bright smile.

Well, that settles how to use the Amphisbaena materials. Though it’s a lesser dragon, it’s still a Dragon. Its materials are light yet strong, and won’t hinder movement—there’s no doubt it’s the best material for armor.

We could also ask the Water Dragon to share more scales… but that Water Dragon parent and child basically live in seclusion.

I feel they trusted us enough to share their scales before, so frequently going to get scales and widely circulating them wouldn’t be right. Relying too much on their goodwill could become a nuisance. We probably need some boundaries, or a sense of distance.

“Regarding each person’s equipment, if you could come to the workshop later for measurements.”

As Alfred says this, everyone nods.

“Next is… Shadow Soldier, right?”

For the Shadow Soldiers, we’ve collected both the Shadow Soldier itself, which becomes a black liquid after being defeated, and the Magic Stones extracted from them.

“That black liquid seems like it would make a good catalyst.”

“The extracted Magic Stones are also quite high quality.”

Old Siegmund and Valentina speak. Hmm. That aspect really gives the feeling of Deep Floor Monsters.

“Then… regarding the Shadow Soldier materials, we’ll leave it to the workshop to decide how to use them.”

“Understood. Then we’ll take custody of them here.”

Same as with the Pumpkin Head materials, we’ll proceed with having them used for Magic Tool creation in the workshop.

Next is the Huge Pumpkin. That one… had some kind of huge core embedded in it. We could potentially reactivate it as a Magical Creature and incorporate it as combat power. After all, it can fly by default, and it held its own against Ignis in Close Combat, so it has plenty of potential.

When I conveyed this idea, everyone nodded too.

“If we’re making the Snow Golem and Pumpkin Head into permanent-type Golems… the giant pumpkin might be just right as a base for Modification.”

Rosemary says.

“Then, we’ll take custody of that one too, if that’s alright?”

“Theodore could probably make the head gardener even stronger than before, don’t you think?”

As Claudia laughs happily, Marlene also shows a bright smile and nods repeatedly. Well… since I’m taking responsibility, I’ll do my best.

“Then, the large claws might be better left as Weapons.”

Ashley says.

“That’s right. If we can restart the Huge Pumpkin and it can use them as Weapons, we’ll have it continue using them as is.”

So… that decides the use for the Huge Pumpkin too. What about the Grim Reaper’s Scythe? We could melt it down and completely turn it into material, but… since it was held by a special Monster like the Grim Reaper, it might have some unique effect. We could investigate that first.

“Lastly… Cerberus’s Magic Stone, I suppose.”

“Such a Magic Stone. And being the same as Alpha’s…”

It probably has potential to be used for anything, right?

“Regarding Cerberus’s Magic Stone, I’d like to respect its own wishes.”

When I say this, Old Siegmund asks.

“Oh? Meaning?”

“In other words, as Claudia’s escort. That was the promise when I brought it.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

Old Siegmund crosses his arms and nods with an understanding expression.

“So I think it would be good to create a vessel for a Magical Creature powered by the Magic Stone so it can serve as direct protection.”

Whether it’s a Golem or a Doll, we’ll create an artificial vessel for a Magical Creature and incorporate the Magic Stone as its power source. A three-headed dog-type Doll would be quite special, but unlike Ignis, since the Magic Stone itself contains a soul, it should become fully autonomous.

“I… agree with that too. The Deep Floor Guardians should eventually be freed from the labyrinth’s forced roles. I think it would be good if they had vessels to gain freedom for that purpose. Alpha was originally close to a Spirit… and seems to be relatively free now, though.”

As if responding to Claudia’s words, the black Magic Stone in her hand slowly pulses with light. Forset, perhaps relating Claudia’s current words to Sion and the others, quietly closes his eyes.

In any case, it seems Cerberus has no objections either. So, this is decided then.

“Well then, we’ll start working on the armor first thing tomorrow.”

With the destinations for most materials decided, Alfred says with a smile. In that case… the workshop is going to get busy again.

Viola and Princess Elham are currently reforging the Weapons and Armor of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order. The Amphisbaena equipment, like the Water Dragon equipment we’re wearing, is armor worn like clothing under armor, so along with those equipments, version upgrades will probably be implemented sequentially.

As for things like Golems… it would be best to make preparations and then activate them after we return from the western sea.