Faced with the scholars' new theory, Altaïr was momentarily at a loss for words.
Isis, crouched beside the campfire and replenishing her vitamins, could not help looking up. "Mating just to create a stronger opponent... isn't that a little too far-fetched?"
"I agree." To their surprise, Alva nodded. "Just as I rejected the earlier theory about 'the Demon King protecting its family,' I don't believe the 'Demon King' is capable of such complex thought and planning.
"Rather than mating with the deliberate goal of creating an opponent, I believe it was still acting on natural instinct.
"The 'Demon King' merely noticed how much stronger the female Diablos became after mating, so once they finished, it followed her all the way here."
Seeing the Hunters' blank expressions, Alva summed it up for them. "To the 'Demon King,' mating is one thing and seeking a powerful opponent is another. The two should be largely independent of each other. Is that clear enough?"
"Clear enough." Morgan assembled his Bowgun and worked the mechanism several times to make sure every part had locked firmly into place. "We just needed a moment to process it. I never thought the 'Demon King' could be so... well, vicious? Beastly?"
Using the "partner" carrying its own offspring as a punching bag...
"Of course, everything we have discussed is merely speculation. Without sufficient evidence, none of it can be considered conclusive." Alva instinctively returned to academic rigor.
The Hunters did not care about that distinction.
Altaïr scooped up a cupful of the green cactus broth Isis had been boiling and sipped it slowly like tea. "If that's truly the case, we can afford to wait another day or two.
"The Gold Crown Black Diablos is far stronger than any of the ordinary Diablos we encountered before. She should at least be able to cause the 'Demon King' some trouble, which would benefit our Hunt.
"But if we're wrong, and the 'Demon King' truly is a 'good father,' we'll face the worst-case scenario, with both it and the Gold Crown Black Diablos on the battlefield during the Hunt.
"What do the rest of you think? Should we take the gamble?"
"I think we should." Serl nodded. "It isn't much of a gamble, anyway. Her transformation into a Black Diablos is already mostly complete.
"Even if we began the Hunt immediately, it would not improve our situation by much. The commotion would soon wake her, and we would have both of them on the battlefield regardless."
"I agree." Isis nodded as she spoke.
Morgan answered even more directly. "Agreed."
"All right. We'll wait another day or two and make further preparations." Altaïr made the decision. "Mr. Alva, may we use the gunpowder and other supplies aboard the Knowledge Seeker?"
"Uh, that isn't my responsibility. You'll have to ask the supply officer," Alva replied instinctively. At heart, he was a scholar through and through.
Altaïr glanced at Isis and Serl.
Ask the supply officer? In other words, yes.
So why could they not borrow the Dragonator and Rapid-fire Cannons as well?
Francesca readily approved the Hunters' request to use the gunpowder stored aboard the Knowledge Seeker to make Large Barrel Bombs.
As expected, however, she rejected their request to use the heavy weapons, dashing Altaïr's dream of proving that overwhelming firepower could trump a hundred finely honed techniques. He received a scolding for good measure.
Those heavy weapons were fixed to the ship's hull. To use them against the ground-bound "Demon King," the Knowledge Seeker would have to descend to an extremely low altitude or even land.
If they brought the Knowledge Seeker down to the ground, it would provide firepower on the level of a fortress. The Hunters would only need to lure the target in front of the ship. No matter how strong the "Demon King" was, could it withstand several volleys from those heavy weapons?
The price, however, might be a Knowledge Seeker left half-destroyed by the rampaging "Demon King."
If they were protecting a town and its civilians, gritting their teeth and risking everything would be one thing. This operation, however, was merely a scientific expedition. No matter how deep the Royal Academy's reserves were, it could not sacrifice the brand-new and precious Knowledge Seeker, a dedicated research vessel, just to take down a single Diablos.
The Guild would never permit anything so outrageous, either.
Francesca might sympathize with them, but she still had responsibilities of her own.
Credit where it was due, she was extremely generous with supplies. Francesca even personally helped the Hunters combine a batch of Large Barrel Bombs G.
Altaïr had often heard Isis say, "Francesca can do everything." He had assumed it was exaggerated admiration colored by childhood nostalgia, but after spending this much time with her, he realized that Senior Francesca truly did seem capable of anything...
She could manage resources, maintain machinery, cook, and even pilot a Sandship, an obscure skill when few people outside the Great Desert had ever seen one.
She was equally adept at alchemy and item combining. Although she was far from being a "master," calling her a seasoned veteran was no exaggeration. She had finished every one of those Large Barrel Bombs G in a single day.
"Here, these are for you," Francesca said, handing Morgan several items while the Blademasters carried away the Barrel Bombs one by one.
"I made them in my spare time."
Morgan accepted them with a dazed look. They were two enormous rounds of Bowgun Ammo, each as thick as an adult's forearm.
"Supernovas? Did the storeroom have any Rath Marrow or Powderstone? Or some Proto Dense Marcoal?"
"None of those." Francesca shrugged. "I found a few substitutes. They aren't as powerful and they're somewhat unstable, but you'll have to make do."
"Oh, right. These too..."
Francesca handed Morgan another cloth bag. "The lava-rock powder you asked for. I know what you intend to do with it, so don't overdo it. Pack in too much and you'll blow the barrel."
After finishing with Morgan, she called to Serl, "Hey, you! Come here!"
Serl, who was carrying a Barrel Bomb, walked over with a puzzled expression. Francesca casually tossed several objects to him.
He hurriedly caught them. They were small glass bottles filled with a thick, oily, purple-black liquid.
"Sword oil?" As a Sword and Shield user, he naturally recognized it.
A hint of pride appeared on Francesca's face. "Not the ordinary kind. It packs quite a punch! Save it for the moment that matters!"
Pawdrick poked his head in. "That's the Wycademy's secret Chaos Oil, meow. It's very difficult to combine, meow. She stayed up all night making these few bottles, meow."
Francesca flew into a rage and kicked the talkative Pawdrick aside.
"Thank you. I'll put it to good use." Serl thanked her sincerely, then carefully tucked the bottles of Chaos Oil into the strap on the inner face of his shield for easy access.
Isis approached with a grin, carrying a Barrel Bomb under each arm without any sign of strain. "Francesca, is there anything for me?"
Francesca gave her a sidelong glance. "Have you already forgotten the Canteen meal I made especially for you? I even prepared several handwriting practice books with great care. Would you like to practice a few strokes before the Hunt begins?"
Isis beat a sheepish retreat.
Once all the additional supplies and items had been moved, Buck and Brandley also took up positions at the temporary camp as a precaution, ready to join the fight at any moment.
A message arrived from Clawdia, who was monitoring the Gold Crown Diablos. The female Diablos's body had turned completely pitch-black. The Gold Crown Black Diablos could awaken at any moment.
The "Demon King" also seemed to have timed everything perfectly. It had awakened early and had already been roaming the oasis for half a day.
Everything was ready. The Hunt for the "Demon King" officially began.
Altaïr pulled Dango from where he lay curled up asleep at the back of Isis's collar and dangled him before his eyes.
"The first move is yours."
"Mew!"
* * *
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