Chapter 150 - Episode 3: Henry-sama's Request
Whenever Henry-sama and the others come, a message always arrives from Jennifer-sensei. They use the separate wing for adults at the orphanage as their regular lodging, but they apparently make reservations quite faithfully.
First, we held a welcome party in the dining hall of the Ghost Mansion.
Of course, we invited Dune and Mel as well.
Mel came wearing new clothes, saying she received them in Medioland. It was a light green fabric with gold thread embroidery on the sleeves and collar. The material was wool. If they had felt like it, they could have dressed her up in a silk dress with numerous luxurious embroideries, but James-sama and the others likely took care to ensure she wouldn't look too different from us.
She seemed happy, and although we had prepared a marble-dyed outfit for her here, after she wore it for the unveiling, she changed back into the clothes she got in Medioland.
When she's called to Medioland, she apparently has a wonderful time with James-sama, the gardener in charge of Mel, and the ladies-in-waiting.
After a toast and a period of eating and drinking, Beatrix immediately cut to the chase.
"Did something happen with Henry-sama and the others this time?"
In November, there's a festival to celebrate the beginning of winter, but it has become something where the church just performs rituals. It's only to the extent that volunteers from the self-defense force lead the neighborhood children around to each house to receive a few sweets; they don't even set up stalls.
When I was at the orphanage, it was the day Adolf-san would bring lots of sweets, so everyone looked forward to it.
This year, since Henry-sama and the others are joining, they might at least be eating cake.
Since each household also holds a party, last year we held Mary's adult unveiling party at the Ghost Mansion.
In other words, there are no events that Henry-sama and the others would specifically come to see.
"No, well. Since the beginning of this month is the start of winter, everyone will be having parties. We thought we'd join in as well."
I don't want to believe it, but did they come all the way from the Royal Capital just for free drinks?
"Are you going to conduct a winter offensive this year as well?"
"Likely so. If we do, it will probably be after the new year."
When Marcelo-san asked, the answer came back immediately.
Last winter, a major offensive was launched against the Demon Lord's army. Since then, during the warm seasons when monsters are active, they seem to have only been gradually tightening the encirclement, so if they are to attack in earnest, it would be during the winter when the monsters suffer from food shortages.
Apparently, when Henry-sama and the others left this time, the King warned them not to travel far from the end of the year through the end of February.
It seems that after this trip, they'll be stopping for a while and staying quiet during the winter. Though, since the civil engineering work they do to earn travel money isn't done during the winter either, they might just be unable to leave even if they wanted to.
"By the way, does the monster extermination undertaken by the Marcelo Company have any restrictions on location?"
"As long as we can reach the destination safely and lodging and food expenses are covered. Of course, we would expect appropriate compensation. Beyond that, it's within a range that doesn't interfere with the rat extermination or the fox and boar extermination near this town."
Angus-san can take over the monster extermination in the Flatlands. Angelica-san can handle the rat extermination alone, but when it comes to foxes and boars—aside from December onwards when it gets cold—at least one martial type is needed in addition to Bonnie. If Lyudmila is going to work at the agricultural testing grounds, the only ones who can leave for more than two weeks, unless there's a request from Adolf-san, are Paul-san, Beatrix, and myself.
However, once the New Year's holidays are over, the winter monster extermination begins, so if everyone who can use magic leaves, we won't be able to Teleport the catches taken by the local hunters.
"Is there some talk of a way to earn money?"
When Beatrix asked, Henry-sama started grinning.
"I don't know if you can earn much, but how about it? Why don't you go ghost-watching?"
Apparently, this is the main topic.
However, he's suggested something quite extraordinary.
It's certain that several people will bite.
The duration seems to be about two weeks at most, so schedule-wise, it looks like we can manage.
"That sounds good. When shall we depart?"
As expected, Paul-san was the first to bite.
He looks ready to leave even tonight.
With this, it's confirmed that Angus-san will take over the monster hunting in the Flatlands.
"I have never seen a ghost before. I have accumulated vacation time, so if I can apply and get permission, may I please join you?"
Will said she would go. She had been lamenting that even though they call the place they live the 'Ghost Mansion,' none ever appear. She bit at the opportunity.
If she mentions Henry-sama's name, she'll definitely get permission for the leave, so that's one person confirmed.
"Where exactly are we going?"
Marcelo-san was smiling. He's a former specialist in that field. He probably wants to see it.
"There is a certain fortress in the Royal Capital region where a ghost has appeared since long ago. The priests say it is harmless, so there should be no danger."
"Is it the fortress renovated by the Third King?"
Being a specialist, he guessed immediately.
"Indeed. You knew of it?"
"Among the ghost mansions in Sertoria, there are five locations that the Church has judged to be harmless. Of those, two are in the Royal Capital region. One is a village church and the other is a fortress. I believe that fortress would be the one I just mentioned. Since that fortress is under the management of the Royal Family, unfortunately, ordinary people cannot enter. Of course, if it is a request from Henry-sama, we can go see it as well."
It comes out so smoothly. Moreover, he's completely set on going.
"If it's just for sightseeing, there won't be any reward."
It's just as Beatrix says. If we don't exterminate it, there's no reward.
Harmless ghosts are left alone without being exorcised. It's better for them to wish for ascension themselves, so the Church patiently waits until the individual feels like it. Apparently, the priest in charge occasionally goes to listen to them and hear their complaints, but since some stay as ghosts forever, it's common for the priest in charge to be replaced by the next generation.
"The fact that we are going to listen to this ghost's story means there is a sequel, isn't there?"
"Indeed. It is a request from a ghost that we have been unable to resolve until now."
According to Henry-sama's story, the fortress that served as the Royal Family's villa, built by the Third King, was a renovation of a fortress belonging to a lord who once controlled the eastern half of what is now called the Royal Capital region, and a single ghost appears there.
That ghost supposedly knows a certain secret, but in order to be told its contents, one must fulfill the ghost's request. Those who have heard the story directly from the ghost know the contents, but since one will be cursed if they carelessly speak of it to others, in order to add new people to undertake the request, they have to go and hear the story again.
However, to hear the story of such a Church-authorized ghost, the Church's approval and the presence of a priest should have been necessary...
"I asked the current King and had him arrange the Church's permission. When I said I would provide the accompanying priest myself, it was apparently granted easily."
Why is everyone looking at me?
"Why hasn't anyone accepted that ghost's request until now?"
"Perhaps it involved political interests, or was related to a crime... for example, a request for murder, or something of that nature?"
When Beatrix asked, Marcelo-san provided an answer.
If that's the case, a priest would definitely not accept the request. However, even for someone other than a priest, an ordinary person would have no way to accept a politically related story. If it's crime-related, even if it's a ghost's request, one would become a criminal. Unless it's worth the trouble, if the completion reward is just being told a secret, there's nothing to be done.
"In any case, no one has accepted that ghost's request yet."
"And Henry-sama is going to accept it?"
"That is the intention."
"Have you never met the ghost before, Henry-sama?"
"I have met it, but I could not resolve it. At the time, I had my position to consider, so there was no time."
I see, it was a request that couldn't be accepted during his time as King because he was too busy. But the fact that he's royalty hasn't changed even now.
"Now I have a bit more freedom."
He's grinning along with Eleanor-sama. He definitely forced the current King into being persuaded.
The current King must be sighing right about now.
"By any chance, has the Headmistress met it too?"
"Catherine has met it as well. She tried to make it ascend on the spot, so I hurriedly restrained her and dragged her out of the room. I haven't let her meet it since. You can't enter that fortress without the Royal Family's permission, after all. I've banned Catherine from entering."
As expected of Catherine the Apostate.
For now, if you make it ascend, the soul is saved.
She tried to solve it the quick way.
Does that mean... is it really crime-related after all?
"No need to worry. I can't speak in detail because we'll be cursed, but there shouldn't be those kinds of problems. If you like, I can ask the current King to provide a reward of about two or three gold coins per person. It is a fortress managed by the Royal Family, after all."
"Then it's settled. Marcelo-san, Paul-san, Will, and Jeanne are participating, right? Is it okay if I go too?"
Wait a minute. I didn't say I was going.
"You're the only priest here, so you have to go. Besides, are you going to refuse a request from the Royal Family? Do you intend to make Marcelo-san lose face?"
I couldn't say a word in response.
But still.
I want to see a ghost, but I'll be in trouble in various ways if the Church keeps an eye on me.
"It'll be fine. First, we're just going to meet it. After that, you can think about whether to accept the ghost's request. Whether it's something the Church would frown upon is something to decide after actually meeting it."
He says lightheartedly, "Catherine has met it too."
In short, he's saying that if the Church says anything, I should just use the Headmistress's name.
In the end, since there were no other participants, it turned out exactly as Beatrix said.
Since it's the Royal Capital, I thought Mary might go, but apparently, she's afraid of ghosts. Along with Lyudmila, she has a blatantly reluctant look on her face.
"It's the Royal Capital. Aren't you going?"
"No way. I'm not going because it's scary."
Even though she wants to go so badly she throws a tantrum when the opponent is a monster, are ghosts really that scary?
Just in case, I looked at Beowulf and Bonnie, but they looked away.
Apparently, it's scary.
Even though both of them are fine with darkness, they seem to hate the situation where a ghost is definitely there.
Is my sense of things weird because I'm a priest?
"What about Matilda?"
"Ghosts disappear, right? I have no business with someone I can't punch."
I see. My sense of things seems to be normal after all.
"Make sure to properly purify the souvenirs."
Mary, if you're that scared, don't go demanding souvenirs.
Besides, I'm a priest. There's no way I'd bring back something cursed. At most, I'll pick up a stone lying around the place where the ghost appears.
It seems it will become a formal request after the discussion about the reward with the current King is finished.
They apparently came here assuming we would accept, and said anytime is fine.
Since there's the handover with Angus-san and the others, and the full moon this month is tomorrow, we decided to go to the Flatlands on Tuesday and Wednesday, do the handover for the boar extermination on Thursday, handle the rat extermination on Friday morning, and depart in the afternoon. Since it's a request from Henry-sama, we'll go by Teleport, so we'll be at the Royal Capital in no time.
"When you meet the ghost, call me too. I want to see it."
"Me too, me too."
Dune and Mel also want to see it. Why is everyone so full of curiosity?
"Call everyone. Bring Flora too. Everyone wants to have a banquet."
When we went for the autumn awards, Hughes-sama performed a perfect dance with Gladys-sama and received everyone's applause. This time we have Will, who is trained in the continental style. Let's definitely have them dance together.
When we went to the Flatlands on Tuesday, Wilson-san, with Mel on his head, was walking around with Flora and Lyudmila's agriculture team, looking at the place where they had sown clover seeds while eating the soil. Apparently, he can tell if it's good soil by the taste.
Since they've started similar experiments in the Royal Capital region, they're probably exchanging various information.
Eleanor-sama, along with Dune, took Beatrix and Mary to a place where a few trees were growing and started magic practice.
There was no sign that they were doing anything silly, so it seems to be going well. After all, their teachers are a water spirit and a super-high-level mage. Normally, no matter how many gold coins you piled up, it would be impossible, so I want them to study hard.
"The clearing has progressed quite a bit. Are you going to raise sheep here?"
"Yes. At first, it'll be the goats we're raising in the yard, but once the clover is fully grown, we'll switch to sheep."
"What is that pile of stones?"
Where he was pointing, a stone wall made of stones set with mortar had been built, though only a tiny part of it. Both in length and height, it's still just at the level of stones being piled up, but eventually, I plan to have it go all the way around and build a gate. If I can't make it in time, I'll have to make a fence out of wood, but raising livestock will only happen once we start staying here permanently, at the earliest. It's still too early to rush... or maybe not.
"Yes. I'm thinking of using the stones found on this land and the waste stones from the silica digging to build a wall around it. It would be a problem if foxes attacked the livestock."
"Once the civil engineering work for the water supply we're doing now is finished, the highway maintenance will begin. We might be working then, so we'll be in your care from time to time."
"Ah, yes. I look forward to working with you."
Hmm? Wait a minute.
"Um, what do you do with the stones that come out during highway maintenance?"
"Did you notice? The large ones are processed by stonemasons, but for the ones that aren't, there are quite a few that we're having trouble handling."
"Is that, by any chance, the case at the current construction site as well?"
"That's right. Look, there's a mountain hut on the way, right? Right now, they're piled up around there. If you like, ask Adolf. You might be able to get them for free."
I heard something good.
If they're free, I'll have Paul-san transport them.
Don't tell me they came all the way to see the land just to tell me this.
Since he was playing dumb in an obviously fake way, saying "What are you talking about?", I made sure to thank him.
"Well, you know. I'd been leaving the ghost's request neglected. I was looking for a stray priest. I'm counting on you."
It seems that dragging me in was the goal from the very beginning.