Altaïr had planned to decide what to do next only after Morgan's new equipment was finished.
That also gave Clawdia a perfect opportunity to put Sajji through some serious melee training.
He did not need to start drawing a blade and taking on Large Monsters head-on the way Clawdia did. It would be enough if he gained a few more ways to protect himself in a desperate situation.
Plans, however, had a way of being overtaken by events.
They had not even spent a full week idling in Dundorma when a Guild staff member came knocking on Isis's door.
His Immenseness had summoned them. With lunch only half-finished, Altaïr and Isis had no choice but to set down their utensils, hurry to change into their respective armor, and make their way to the Elder Hall.
Several Hunters were already waiting in the antechamber when they arrived.
Among them were a few familiar faces.
Francesca's mother, Lady Gael, who also served as Head Instructor of the Dundorma Training Camp.
Miss Nightmist, who had fought alongside them during the battle to intercept Shen Gaoren.
And Mr. Ferdie, the veteran Hunting Horn user who had once wanted to take Lambert as a disciple, only to have the offer politely declined.
They recognized some of the other Hunters but not all of them. One glance at their equipment, however, made it clear that every last one was a High Rank Hunter.
It was quite the gathering of formidable Hunters.
As the two youngest people present, Altaïr and Isis politely greeted their seniors.
Nearly every High Rank Hunter turned to study the two juniors, who looked almost absurdly young. Isis in particular drew several openly curious stares.
Before reaching High Rank, they had moved in different circles. No matter how often they were called "geniuses," few High Rank Hunters had paid them any attention.
Things were different now. High Rank Hunters were few in number and often worked together, so news of any newly promoted Hunter naturally attracted some attention.
That was especially true once they learned that Isis was the daughter of the "Hero" and the "Red Blade." The natural response was, "Of course a child of those two would be exceptional."
A few years ago, Isis might have felt awkward and uneasy under such scrutiny. Now that she had gradually forged a path of her own, those opinions and judgments no longer bothered her.
As bold as ever, Lady Gael strode over and threw an arm around Isis's shoulders.
"Goodness, why do young people these days all grow so tall? I have to stand on tiptoe just to reach you.
"Does that mean Francesca could stand on tiptoe and still not get her arm around little Isis's shoulder?"
Isis's smile stiffened slightly.
That really would be difficult.
Altaïr silently supplied the answer. Of course, he could never say it aloud.
After schooling his expression, Altaïr asked, "Lady Gael, do you know why His Immenseness summoned the High Rank Hunters this time?"
"What else? Trouble somewhere, as usual." Gael wore the look of someone who had seen it all before. "I heard visitors came from Kamura Village. Something has probably happened over there."
Altaïr and Isis exchanged a glance, each seeing a trace of unease in the other's eyes.
Was Kamura Village in danger? Was Nymera all right over there...?
The High Rank Hunters quietly exchanged what information they had. About fifteen minutes after Altaïr and Isis arrived, the door to the main hall finally opened from within.
A staff member stepped out and bowed to them. "Thank you for waiting. Please follow me."
Nearly ten High Rank Hunters filed into the Elder Hall.
Beside the stone dais where His Immenseness sat, Altaïr spotted several more familiar figures.
Guild Master Hojo and... hmm, the two hair ties and those slightly upturned eyes. Was that Miss Minoto?
The director of the Frenzy Virus Research Institute was here as well?
Her presence gave Altaïr an inkling of what this was about.
"I'll keep this brief," His Immenseness said in a thunderous voice. "A Frenzy Virus outbreak has erupted in Kamura. The epidemic is spreading at an abnormal rate.
"The researchers at the Frenzy Virus Research Institute believe only a mature individual could trigger an outbreak this quickly."
"A mature individual? Shagaru Magala..." Even Lady Gael, normally so easygoing, could not help but frown.
Altaïr knew little about this Elder Dragon.
He had only heard bits and pieces from the director, enough to know that this Elder Dragon was the Frenzy Virus Research Institute's primary research subject.
The Frenzy Virus outbreaks that periodically flared up somewhere on the continent were caused by this very Elder Dragon.
He had tried asking the director for more details, but she had told him little.
The veteran High Rank Hunters, however, all seemed familiar with the Elder Dragon. Mr. Ferdie raised his head. "Shagaru Magala is devastating to the environment. It cannot be allowed to remain at large.
"Your Immenseness, did you summon us to form a hunting party to take down the Shagaru Magala?"
"No. If the Shagaru Magala were the target, I would not have summoned these young 6★ Hunters." His Immenseness's gaze swept over Altaïr and Isis beneath his long brows.
The Guild Manager standing beside His Immenseness spoke. "The Shagaru Magala will be handled by Maki and Kamura Village's High Rank Hunters. This will not be their first Shagaru Magala Hunt, so there is no need for undue concern.
"The real problem is that the Frenzy Virus outbreak has already begun. The Kamura region is rich in ecological resources and densely populated with Large Monsters. Gore Magala will soon begin appearing, if some have not already.
"Gore Magala may be less dangerous than a mature Shagaru Magala, but it is still beyond an ordinary Hunter's ability to handle, and its potential to devastate the environment is no less severe.
"Kamura's Hunters are already stretched thin. They must track the Shagaru Magala while dealing with infected Large Monsters and Gore Magala that may appear at any time.
"Kamura Village has therefore asked Headquarters to dispatch a small elite force to assist, tasked with eliminating the most dangerous infected Monsters and any Gore Magala that emerge."
Once the Guild Manager had finished, His Immenseness turned to Hojo. "All active High Rank Hunters currently in Dundorma are here. You may choose two or three.
"Since your request is for aid hunting Gore Magala and infected Large Monsters, there should be no need to deploy 7★ or even 8★ Hunters.
"Choose from the 6★ Hunters wherever possible. It will take at least one or two months to bring the epidemic largely under control. We are short-handed as well, and cannot station top-tier combatants such as 8★ Hunters in Kamura Village for so long."
His Immenseness did not mince words, and Hojo nodded in understanding.
Everyone had difficulties of their own. Headquarters was willing to provide every necessary form of support, and Kamura Village had no reason to ask for more than that.
Altaïr and Isis exchanged a glance. Then Altaïr stepped half a pace forward. "Isis and I volunteer.
"Our companion Nymera is in Kamura Village, and Senior Maki and the others have helped us a great deal. Now that Kamura Village faces a crisis, we would go even without formal orders."
Hojo gave them a warm smile, and Minoto bowed slightly in gratitude.
"Very good." Seeing them volunteer, His Immenseness stroked his long beard. "Gore Magala is weak to Fire, and Monsters infected with the Frenzy Virus must be purged by fire.
"Very well. In addition to these two 6★ Hunters, have Rosso lead a Cluster Heavy Bowgun squad to support Kamura Village.
"They may not be High Rank Hunters, but the role they play in an extermination campaign will be no less important than that of High Rank Hunters."
Delighted surprise flickered in Hojo's eyes. "Thank you for your support."
"What's a Cluster Heavy Bowgun squad?" Hearing the term for the first time, Isis asked Lady Gael in a whisper.
"Like the Defense Corps Knights, they are a special unit attached to the Guild Knights. Every member is a Heavy Bowgun user. They specialize in concentrating fire from powerful Cluster Ammo on a single target and reducing it to ash within moments.
"Their destructive power is so great that they can all too easily kill indiscriminately, so the Guild restricts that type of Heavy Bowgun and its Ammo. Such weapons are normally deployed only against Monsters that absolutely must be eliminated."
Gael hooked a thumb toward herself, undisguised pride written across her face. "Incidentally, I learned this tactic from my Gajalaka relatives.
"Just as every Defense Corps Knight regards Fabius as the Boss, the Heavy Bowgun squad recognizes me as its Boss!"
"But aren't you a Light Bowgun user?" Isis looked impressed but also a little confused.
"Francesca's father originally formed the Cluster Heavy Bowgun squad, but he never had time to lead it and stayed in the New World.
"Now no one in the squad even recognizes him. They all call me Boss instead. That's what makes it so satisfying! Ahahahahaha!"
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