Chapter 111 - Chapter 14: The Blue Pond
While Paul-san was doing the civil engineering work, Sir Stephens guided us through his territory.
There was a small town not far from the fortress, and his home was also there.
He apparently lives quietly with his wife and three servants.
"The pride of my territory is, above all, the beauty of the scenery."
I see. In other words, it's the countryside.
"There is a mountain to the southeast, and the beauty of the marshland at its foot is unlike any other."
"Does your territory connect to the foot of the mountain?"
"Yes. We have to go through a somewhat narrow path, but until about five years ago, the mountain trail was connected to the shrine halfway up."
"Until five years ago?"
"Unfortunately, a landslide occurred during a heavy rain. It became impassable from my territory."
Landslides occurring, rats swarming... it's tough.
"You should just repair it with construction."
Beatrix said it simply, but he's probably holding back out of consideration for the burden on the people.
"Magic users like Paul-dono are rare. Hiring them is expensive. Besides, no matter how much of a master Paul-dono is, that place won't be easy."
"Is there some problem?"
"How should I put it... it's difficult to explain."
Do monsters appear or something?
"Then, let's go see. We can see the beautiful scenery too, right?"
"If you are fine with it, I shall guide you."
Beatrix's proposal was easily accepted, and a carriage was arranged for us.
"Incredible! The pond water is blue..."
"To think there's a place like this... I'm moved."
"How about it? It's beautiful, isn't it?"
As we walked along a narrow path that could be called a game trail in the forest, there were ponds of various sizes here and there. One of them had an incredibly beautiful color, as if blue and green jewels had been melted into it.
It's almost like something artificial—no, humans probably couldn't create this. Is it the work of the Goddess, or the protection of a spirit...?
"Can I touch the water?"
Having received the OK, Lyudmila scooped up the water with her hands.
We all peered in, but it wasn't particularly blue; it was just ordinary water.
"Why does it have such a beautiful blue color?"
When looking at the bottom of the pond, even the submerged wood looks blue.
"To be honest, I don't really know. It also depends on how the sunlight hits it. It's more beautiful at midday. It's more beautiful in summer than in the short days of winter."
"Is there a spirit or something?"
"There are those who say so. However, there are no legends of anyone meeting a spirit."
I checked the Amulet of the Wood Spirit, but there was no particular change.
This is something I'd like to ask an expert about.
"It's a bit early, but why don't we have lunch while looking at this pond?"
"I don't mind. To be honest, this and the mountain are about the only tourist spots. Since the path to the mountain is blocked, this was, so to speak, the last stronghold, but I'm glad you liked it."
"I wouldn't mind coming here for three days straight."
Mary bit at the offer. She seemed to have taken quite a liking to it.
"By the way, what is for lunch?"
"It's an eel pie my wife made. It's exquisite. Since you all are at a growing age, I brought plenty. Well, if there's any left over, you can just take it home and eat it."
Everyone made a strange face at the mention of eel pie, but it was good to hear there was plenty.
He's a serious and good person who cares for his people. The taste should be fine too.
"Um, Sir Stephens. If you promise absolutely not to disclose what's about to happen, the secret of this pond's color might be revealed."
"Hmm. If the Priest says so, I can promise."
He probably thought it was half for fun. When I called Dune out, he was so surprised he almost fell over.
Dune came wearing the clothes given to her by the First King.
"My, it's quite deep in the mountains. And such beautiful water."
"Sorry, Dune. For suddenly calling you out to a place like this."
"It's fine. It doesn't look like a castle, but what's wrong?"
When I explained, she chuckled.
"Why this water is blue, huh?"
"That's right."
"I'm sorry. I don't know."
"Even Dune doesn't know?"
"All I know is that it's very beautiful water."
She shrugged her shoulders.
If even the Water Spirit doesn't know, then it should be called a miracle.
"Isn't it fine? The reason doesn't matter. It's better if it's unknown and mysterious."
Mary was hugging Dune.
"Ufufu. Thank you."
Maybe Dune knows something and is pretending not to.
Someday, someone might solve the mystery. Until then, enjoying the mysterious atmosphere like Mary is one way to go.
"That's how it is. The water here is apparently very beautiful."
I forced a conclusion.
However, Sir Stephens still had his mouth open.
"Um, are you okay?"
"T-The Water Spirit?"
"Ah, yes. This is Dune, whom I introduced earlier."
"Priest, you were truly an extraordinary person, weren't you?"
He let out a sigh. The mystery of the blue color went somewhere else, but both Mary and Beatrix were satisfied. Sir Stephens didn't seem to mind either, so it's probably fine.
"Um, please keep this confidential."
"I understand. This Stephens shall tell no one."
"Also, the eel pie..."
"Eel pie? That sounds delicious. Is that the reward for the explanation?"
"Yeah. Sir Stephens said he brought plenty, so let's all eat."
Sir Stephens regained his composure, and we all ate the pie while looking at the blue pond. It was rich and a bit too heavy for a light eater like me.
When I looked at Dune, she was eating with one in each hand. She seemed to like it.
"Spending time in such a beautiful place is a luxury."
Mary was staring enchantedly at the blue pond. When the sun was hidden by clouds, it changed to a dark blue. And when it emerged from the clouds, it returned to a vivid color again.
It seems to be natural, but the hues look like something out of a fairy tale.
"Please keep places like this quietly hidden away as much as possible."
"That would be more romantic," Mary said.
"Scenery like this should definitely be promoted and shown to everyone. There are plenty of people who would pay to come and see it. It would be an income for Sir Stephens."
"But a mysterious image is important."
Beatrix argued back, but Mary wouldn't back down either.
The two, who are picky about colors, liked it considerably.
"That is true. I want everyone to see it, but there is a beautiful pond quietly nestled in a deep forest. That impression is also important. It's a difficult point. For now, I intend to keep this land as it is and protect it within my family."
His expression seemed a bit dark.
"Could it be that the reason you can't repair the road that was hit by the landslide is because you want to protect this place?"
"Actually, that is the case. To get here, we entered a narrow path midway, right? If you continue straight into the depths from there, you'll come to the foot of the mountain, but it's collapsed significantly right at the foot of the trailhead. If we were to call many people to move the soil, we'd have to build a road around here, so we'd have to do civil engineering work. The water would also become muddy. On the other hand, if we were to do it with a small number of people, it would take many days even if we gathered exceptional magic users. It would cost a considerable amount to hire them. I have no savings, and I cannot impose forced labor. It is difficult."
Just as I thought.
"You should just make a different road. People can still be called even if the road to this place stays as it is."
"That's right, that's right," Mary agreed with Beatrix.
"The candidate for a different road has been decided. It's just hilly terrain and is away from this forest, so it's perfect, but it would end up being a significant detour. If we try to maintain a long distance, it will again cost money and manpower."
I see. Both have problems, huh?
However, after hearing this much, I want to do something for him.
"To build that detour road, you'd need a powerful mage after all, right?"
"Yes. A high-level earth mage. Paul-dono is a wind user, right? It wouldn't be impossible even with mid-level magic, but it would probably take quite a few days."
That's true. We can't stay here forever either.
"Sir Stephens. Could you leave it to us for once? Roberts-sama might have a lead on a cheap and excellent mage."
"Actually, I already consulted him when we talked about the rat extermination. However, he said it would be difficult."
"Was that so? But this time, things have changed in various ways, so it might be okay."
Beatrix was smirking.
Somehow, I could imagine it.
If Sir Stephens finds out, he might really fall over this time.
Around the time the three-day sightseeing trip ended, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama arrived at the fortress riding on a bowl. Both were wearing plain, commoner-style clothes.
"Hey, Stephens! It's been a while!"
"Stephens. It has been a long time. Is everything well?"
Sir Stephens, whose eyes looked like they were about to pop out at the sudden arrival from the sky, apparently knows the two of them.
"Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama. What on earth is that vehicle...?"
"This? It's the Flight Magic that Eleanor was taught by Paul over there. Isn't it amazing?"
Even though he's just a passenger, he's bragging excessively.
"Oh, Roberts. Good of you to let us know. We were greatly indebted to you in Higashinohara. Please give them our thanks later."
"Father, Mother, surely you didn't cross the border riding that?"
"Don't worry. At the border, we dressed as merchants, hid our identities, and walked across normally. After all, we are incognito this time."
He was openly saying they had entered the country illegally.
Firstly, after such a flashy appearance, there's no such thing as incognito. As proof, Sir Stephens' subordinates were rushing over with their swords drawn, wondering if it was a monster.
"Ah, sorry about that, everyone. This elderly couple who made a flashy appearance are my father and mother."
Sir Stephens' subordinates who had gathered were astonished. That's only natural; they are the two heroes who once defeated the Demon Lord, and moreover, the former King and Queen of the neighboring country. They aren't people who should suddenly drop from the sky.
That said, they helped us in the Royal Capital. The Class of 175 greeted them together.
"Oh, it's you lot. Is the rat extermination finished?"
"Yes. Thanks to everyone's help, we were able to achieve it safely."
"Help or not, I was just watching you blow away the monster rat with your 'ingenuity' or whatever."
Roberts-sama was smirking while saying something complicated.
"What? Ingenuity to blow away a monster rat? How did you do it? Won't you tell me too?"
See, he bit after all.
"Jeanne. I'll leave the explanation to you."
Beatrix quickly made her escape.
Wait, Mary! You stay here.
Henry-sama, who saw Paul-san's passionate performance, laughed loudly and praised us.
"However, between these people and you two, Sertoria is truly a mysterious country."
Sir Stephens was shaking his head, saying, "I don't really understand it." Roberts-sama was explaining about the gunpowder, but he was tilting his head.
"No need to worry. I don't really understand it either. It's fine to leave it to those who do."
"Henry-sama, you haven't changed at all."
However, they seem to be very old acquaintances.
"Are you acquaintances?"
I asked for the time being.
"Acquaintances or not, in the previous war with Engrio, I fought side-by-side with Stephens, who rushed over with reinforcements. Right, Stephens?"
"Yes. I charged into the enemy lines many times with Eleanor-sama and the three of us."
Huh? Wasn't the commander-in-chief in the war with Engrio Adolf-san?
"I'm not good at things like leading an army or solidifying formations. I left the command to Adolf. He's good at that sort of thing."
"Um, Henry-sama, where were you fighting?"
"Us? We were showing up here and there and charging in as we pleased. With Stephens, we charged in together when we joined up with the Medioland army that came as reinforcements."
"In other words, you were commanding the reinforcements?"
"No, the command of the reinforcements was the captain from Medioland. He was better at leading an army, so I decided to leave it to him."
Does that mean... that? A King of one country was a subordinate of a subordinate of another King?
"Um— I don't really understand the military chain of command."
"No need to worry. I don't really understand it either. It's fine to leave it to those who do."
"Henry-sama, you really haven't changed at all."
While Gladys-sama's eyes were wide, Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama's attendants were laughing.
"My first battle was also charging in with Father and Mother. I didn't really understand it at the time, but thinking back now, it was quite a good experience."
The reason Roberts-sama is so magnanimous might be because of his experience at that time.
"The current King is in the Royal Capital, and Adolf is in Nakanohara. A man like me who only has a spear is best suited to charging into enemy lines as a shock trooper."
He was laughing boisterously.
What is a King doing charging in first...
But, well, they won in the end, so maybe it's fine.
"He says it like that, but think about the enemy commander-in-chief's position when someone with the power to defeat a Demon Lord is making surprise attacks from the flanks and rear unpredictably. Think about the feelings of the Engrio soldiers."
An attendant told me secretly.
"It is no ordinary tactical eye. It is a method only a genius can use. Those remarks are made with full understanding of everything."
I glanced at Roberts-sama, and he was smiling as he watched the previous generation talking with Sir Stephens.
By the way, the new waterway Paul-san rebuilt has a good flow, but the amount of water is small.
"Mother. Before we return, could you set up a waterway connecting the upper reaches of the river and this moat in exchange for the stay?"
"Is just connecting it enough?"
"Please consult Father on how to connect it."
"Understood. I'll get it done."
"Also, one more thing. Sir Stephens' territory has a path to climb the mountain, but it's buried in soil, and a new path needs to be maintained."
"I just need to build a road, right?"
"Yes. If you make it wide and make it so he can earn a bit more from entry fees, I think it would serve as a stay fee."
"Understood. I'll try to do what I can."
The plans for the civil engineering work were decided simply.
"Wait. I cannot have you two do such things."
Sir Stephens' face had turned pale.
"Stephens. Don't be so distant. Even we can do at least enough work for our stay fee."
"That's right, Stephens. Even though we've retired, it would be a shame for the Sertorian Royal Family to be put up for free. Please think of it as doing us a favor."
It seems they intended to stay for free.
"But..."
"Sir Stephens. Father and Mother have said they'll do it. It's useless to stop them."
"As expected, you understand."
"Yes, truly. I'm glad I have a filial son."
"Then, Stephens. Make sure to prepare good sake tonight!"
As they said that, they flew off toward the river on the bowl.
"Roberts-sama, it's a problem if they do such things."
"No need to worry. I'll tell the King of Medioland. Anyway, you can't climb the mountain properly without building a road, right? It's perfect."
Watching Roberts-sama laughing magnanimously, Beatrix was acting all high and mighty.
The blue pond that appears in this story was modeled after the Aoike of the Jūniko (Twelve Lakes) in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture.
I hope I was able to express the emotion I felt when I actually saw it in a heartwarming way...
The first image that came to mind when I thought about writing this work was that "Aoike."
I intend to continue writing with those fantastical memories in my heart even now.
I'm saying this solemnly, but...
Yes. It's a rip-off. I'm sorry. I am truly sorry.