Nymera's thoughts were in turmoil, but His Immenseness gave her no time to sort them out.
His deep, resonant voice rang out once more. "In the battle against the Teppeki Shen Gaoren, you demonstrated the strength, wisdom, responsibility, and perseverance befitting excellent Hunters."
With that, His Immenseness paused for a moment, then picked up the Godchaser standing beside him.
The Guild Manager, standing in attendance beneath His Immenseness's seat, wore a somewhat helpless expression, though he showed no sign of surprise.
The Godchaser, as thick as one of the hall's stone pillars, slammed heavily into the ground, instantly shattering the smooth, mirrorlike marble tiles.
His Immenseness puffed out his chest, his voice booming like thunder. "From this day forward, I promote 5★ Hunters Altaïr, Isis, and Nymera to 6★ Hunters."
—--
After the brief promotion ceremony, Altaïr and the others left the Elder Hall.
According to the Guild Manager, a small quantity of Teppeki Shen Gaoren materials would be included among the quest rewards.
As for exactly how they would be distributed, he did not say.
The Guild was likely turning a blind eye and leaving the four of them to divide the materials among themselves, rather than letting such a small quantity go to waste because it was not enough to make a full set of equipment.
The four had no plans to discuss the matter yet. They intended to wait until the materials were actually delivered, then consult a smith.
"It still feels like a bit of a shame," Isis murmured as they descended the long steps outside the Elder Hall and moved away from the two Defense Corps knights guarding the staircase. "Morgan contributed no less than we did. His weapon even exploded, yet he was excluded from the promotion."
Altaïr and Nymera did not say it aloud, but they felt much the same. In their eyes, Morgan had contributed the most in this battle.
He had participated in the initial reconnaissance and tracking, joined the interception operation, and had not missed the final defense either. He was the only Hunter who had taken part in every phase of the operation.
And yet he was also the only one who had not been promoted. The three of them even began to feel guilty about it.
Morgan still wore his usual expressionless look, but anyone familiar with him could tell that he was in a good mood.
At Isis's words, his expression turned somewhat odd. "Me? Promoted to 6★? Why would you think that?
"I've been a 5★ Hunter for less than half a year. I still lack both the combat experience and the necessary number of completed quests.
"A Hunter rank promotion isn't some kind of reward. His Immenseness promoted you to 6★ simply because your strength has reached that level.
"As for me... if I were sent to hunt a 6★ danger-class Monster alone right now, I'd end up dead, you know?
"According to my plan, I need to keep building up my experience and strength for a while. Then I can team up with a 6★ Hunter or gather premium materials for a set of High Rank gear. Only after that will I consider advancing to High Rank."
Altaïr and the other two fell silent for a moment.
Having suddenly been promoted to 6★ and become High Rank Hunters, they still struggled to believe it was real.
It was not until they heard Morgan's words that reality sank in; being a High Rank Hunter was no mere honorary title.
It meant stronger foes, greater danger, and heavier responsibilities.
Low Rank Hunters did receive fewer benefits and less authority than High Rank Hunters, but they also enjoyed greater freedom.
Take the support mission to Manti Town, for example. Any of the 4★ and 5★ Hunters who did not want to go could have withdrawn.
But the two High Rank veterans dispatched by the Guild to support them, Nightmist and Griffin, had not been free to refuse.
The three of them suddenly felt a weight pressing down on their shoulders. The looks they cast at Morgan no longer held pity or regret, but instead carried a trace of envy.
Collecting himself, Altaïr spoke up. "Our official business is done. We shouldn't linger here too long.
"But since we've come all the way to Dundorma, it wouldn't be right not to visit our elders. How about taking an Airship to ElDe Port tomorrow, then sailing back to Tidal Island from there?"
No one objected, but just as they were about to agree, a woman's mocking voice rang out from behind Altaïr.
"Well, damn. I can't believe you actually remembered that you need to return to Tidal Island."
Altaïr and the others instinctively turned around. The speaker leaned back in an exaggerated pose.
"Francesca!" Isis cried in delight. "What are you doing here? What a coincidence!"
"Coincidence, my ass." Francesca rolled her eyes. "I heard ahead of time that His Immenseness was summoning you today, so I've been waiting for you at the bottom of these steps for ages."
"Huh? Then why didn't we see you just now?"
Francesca's face instantly darkened. "Those two Defense Corps knights wouldn't let me go up, so I had to stand right beside them and wait. Is it my fault that you didn't see me?"
"Uh..."
Before the conversation could slide any further toward disrespecting a senior, Altaïr quickly cut in. "Senior Francesca, what brings you to Dundorma?"
"Recruiting. What else?" Francesca shrugged. "The main task of the advance team's second wave is to accelerate construction. Roads, warehouses, and a deep-water port all need to be built so that Mangrove Outpost can become a hub for South Sea trade.
"That will require a large number of smiths and low-star Hunters, so I have to recruit people from all over."
"Have you finished recruiting?" Morgan asked directly.
Francesca shot him a sideways glance. "Eager to leave, huh?"
"Yes." Morgan nodded solemnly. "Since the advance team's focus shifted from exploration to construction, there haven't been many opportunities to train.
"Once the Hunters from the second wave arrive, our responsibilities will be fulfilled."
"At least you're honest." Francesca smiled. "Don't worry, I'm almost done. There are a lot of recruits, so they'll be divided into several groups.
"The first group will set sail in two days. If you're not in a huge rush, you can travel with them.
"Once you're back on Tidal Island, hand over your work to the newcomers, pack your belongings, say goodbye to those who choose to stay, and then you'll be free to leave.
"By the way, did any of you get promoted to 6★ this time?"
Morgan replied calmly, "Apart from me, the other three are all High Rank Hunters now."
"Tch." Francesca grimaced as though she had a toothache. "Then it really wouldn't be appropriate for the four of you to remain with the advance team. His Immenseness wouldn't approve either."
"Senior Francesca, would you mind telling us who plans to stay?" Altaïr asked tentatively.
The four of them had all clearly stated that they had no intention of remaining for the second wave's construction work. As for the others...
To be honest, this was not an easy question to ask the people directly involved.
Francesca thought for a moment. "Well, you'll find out in a few days anyway, so there's no harm in telling you now.
"The biggest changes concern the scholars led by Ms. Meow-It-All and the Hunters.
"Exploration, research, and survey operations have almost completely stopped. Ms. Meow-It-All and her team will leave once they finish their current projects.
"As for the Hunters, Dawn and Theo have chosen to stay. The others don't seem to have any intention of remaining."
"Just as I thought..." Altaïr nodded slightly.
The situation was much as he had expected. The four of them went without saying.
Kagetsu was the sort of person who went wherever the money was. Once the advance team's focus shifted to construction and large numbers of low-star Hunters were hired, the pay would inevitably drop. She would not stay.
Lambert had never been one to settle down. She was currently looking for an opportunity to break through to 4★, so naturally, she would not choose to remain at Mangrove Outpost as it gradually became more comfortable.
Dawn was the advance team's Hunter leader and had been dispatched directly by the Guild. Naturally, he would not leave on a whim.
As for Theo, he was more interested in conducting in-depth alchemical research than hunting. Tidal Island, with its abundant resources and relatively peaceful way of life, suited him perfectly.
"And what about you, Francesca?" Isis suddenly asked.
Francesca's expression froze.
After a few seconds, she raised a hand and rubbed her stiff cheeks. The ever-present smile vanished from her face, replaced by unmistakable dejection.
"Once the second wave's work is up and running, I'll be leaving too."
Isis looked puzzled. "Why? You were one of the original organizers of the Tidal Island development project, weren't you?"
Francesca did not answer Isis's question right away.
Altaïr seemed to realize something. He nodded to Nymera and Morgan. "It's time to eat. I'll take you to the most famous tavern in Dundorma, the People's Tavern.
"Since we've just been promoted to High Rank, let's order some high-end dishes we couldn't afford before and celebrate."
After the three of them left, Francesca rested her forehead against Isis's belly and muttered quietly, "I wrote the original proposal for the Tidal Island Development Plan.
"I showed it to my aunt, and she smiled and said she would support whatever I tried, but she bet that I wouldn't last a year before the project turned into something else.
"Then I sent a letter to my father. He said it wasn't a plan I was capable of carrying out and told me to return to the New World and keep selling mushrooms.
"I didn't believe them. I worked hard to convince the Guild's higher-ups to find that famous Village Chief to lead the operation.
"I used my Wycademy connections to invite Ms. Meow-It-All and her team to provide academic support for the advance team.
"I leveraged my family's influence to secure investments from all the major Merchant Guilds and keep the supplies flowing.
"Finally, I offered the best terms I could to bring all of you here and strengthen the front line.
"I wanted to explore the unknown, bring that enormous island into the realm of human civilization, and accomplish something great enough to be recorded in the history books.
"And then my 'Tidal Island Development Plan' turned into the 'South Sea Trade Hub'... Waaah..."
"There, there." Isis patted Francesca's head as though soothing a child. "You've already done an amazing job."
"Wah... You're the best, Isis."
"Hmm, Francesca, there's something I want to ask you."
"What?"
"Even though neither of us chose to end up there, is it a serious matter for a man and a woman to lie in the same bed?"
"?!"