Chapter 235 - Chapter 3 The King Of Finis
We headed east from the port in a specially made carriage floated by wind magic, stayed at three places along the way, and arrived at the Finis Royal Capital on the west coast.
The royal palace was a white stone building built on a cliff of a plateau overlooking the port town on the river connected to the inlet, and its scale and beauty were not inferior to the palace of Medioland.
From the port to the foot of the plateau cliff where the palace stood, stone houses were lined up.
The town was admittedly small and looked a bit inferior, but even so, it seemed quite prosperous.
The hustle and bustle could be heard from the carriage window.
Stone shops lined the main street in front of the palace, the number of people coming and going was large, and they were properly dressed. Soldiers standing here and there were wearing check patterns.
We arrived at the palace.
We passed through the gate and pulled the carriage up to the main entrance.
There were three carriages: the first for royalty, the second for heroes other than royalty and Harris-sama, and the third for us.
This time, unlike in Sertoria or Medioland, we couldn't just summon spirits and ghosts after entering the rooms, so secret talks had been held between the countries beforehand. I summoned Dune and Mel inside the carriage around the time the palace came into view.
After greeting the people who came to welcome us, the seven heroes got off in order and lined up. We got off in a corner so as not to stand out.
We were then led straight to the audience chamber.
We greeted the King of Finis sitting on the throne. The blue-painted Queen was with him. The Queen had black hair with several blue strings twisted into it.
"Um, those hair strings are cool, aren't they?"
"Hmm. If it were me, maybe pink or reddish-purple."
I poked the two out-of-place mages who had suddenly started talking, and as we waited behind the heroes, the King of Finis himself came over to us after receiving the report of the Demon Lord subjugation from the heroes.
"Priestess Jeanne. You have done well to come. I am impressed that you are already wearing our country's attire."
His way of speaking was haughty, but he was a friendly person. He praised the fact that everyone except me in my ritual garments was wearing checks.
Except for Beatrix, Mary, and Fiona, it was the first meeting. Lowering my voice, I introduced Dune, Mel, and Flora in that order.
"Hmph. So you really brought spirits with you. I was surprised enough that you were accompanied by a ghost, but you are quite something. It is only natural that King Griffith took a liking to you. This time, we are the ones who invited you. If you have any inconveniences during your stay, do not hesitate to say so."
The audience itself ended very simply, and we were told that after the seven heroes were knighted, we could rest in our rooms until the banquet.
At the banquet, I wore my ritual garments, Mel wore the dress from Medioland, and the other five wore dresses made for them in the Sertoria capital. In accordance with information from Medioland that Finis tends to prefer more old-fashioned styles, they seemed to have finished them with a modest feel rather than 'gold-digger fashion.'
While Beatrix was based in red, Dune in blue, Mel in blue-green, Flora in reddish-purple, and Fiona in white, Mary's dress was a particularly elegant and calm-looking one, incorporating white embroidery on light purple. She was wearing not only a neck guard but even the silver hair ornament given to her as a gift by the Queen of Sertoria. This was likely a reward for Mary, who had come up with the country-specific calls.
After the introduction of the heroes, while even Harris-sama's name wasn't called, Mary was called by name and introduced to everyone.
She went to Gladys-sama's side and stepped forward.
"My name is Mary. I hope for your kind acquaintance."
She held her skirt slightly with both hands and bowed her head slightly while bending her knees in greeting. After that, she looked forward, tilted her head slightly, and smiled brightly.
Sighs escaped from the men lined up.
"She's amazing, that girl."
The mage, who is famous for being a beautiful girl herself, was amazed. Even though Gladys-sama was standing next to her, she monopolized the men's gazes.
"Today, she's specially wearing the stone of the Alraune's male flower. The destructive power is different."
Even as she walked gracefully toward us, the men's gazes remained fixed on Mary.
"Hey, are you planning to get married in Finis?"
When Beatrix teased her, she just laughed, "Ufufu."
Once the banquet began, it was the same as usual.
Beatrix was surrounded by middle-aged men, Mary was surrounded by knights, Mel, Flora, and Fiona were surrounded by ladies, Dune was munching on food with Harrison-san, and I was keeping the King of Finis and the Crown Prince company.
James-sama, Evans-sama, Hughes-sama, Harris-sama, and Phillips-sama were with me, so I felt safe, but I wonder what this difference is all about.
"Priestess Jeanne. You brought the Black Stones, didn't you?"
"Yes. They are here."
I showed him the ones wrapped around both hands.
Eleanor-sama had also attached a gold plate to the crescent-shaped one the Demon Lord had dropped.
After becoming intermediate, things like [Holy] powered up even without amplification from the Black Stones. They are just decorations now, but I feel like I'd be cursed by the ghost and the Demon Lord if I took them off, so I wear them on both hands. That way, I can change the power of their two beginner spells to be on par with intermediate ones. Unfortunately, the amplification power didn't change even when using two at once.
"They have increased to two."
He was surprised. Well, that's only natural.
"Yes. During the Demon Lord subjugation..."
I explained how it happened.
"What, the Demon Lord had it?"
"Yes. It was dropped when I offered a funeral prayer and turned him to dust."
"Hmm," he said, putting a hand to his chin.
"Um, what exactly are these stones? I heard that there is one here as well."
"Hmph. There is one, but it is in a place where it cannot be easily brought here."
"?"
What does that mean? While I was tilting my head, he first told me the origin of the stones.
They are apparently secret treasures passed down by the ancient people who once lived on this island.
Once, there were five Priestesses who served the Goddess.
Each of the five Priestesses had the power to heal human suffering.
The Black Stones are said to be the symbols of that power.
And on the earth, there were the Demon Race who threatened human life, and humans were no match for them.
The five Priestesses threw themselves into the battle against the Demon Race and won brilliantly.
However, humans have lifespans. The Priestesses exhausted their secret arts to make their existences eternal. Their souls still reside on the island, greatly reducing the power of the Demon Race and watching over the people.
"What those five Priestesses left for the people before departing for the battle against the Demon Race are those Black Stones. Each represents the Sun, Moon, Stars, Earth, and Water. The round stone held by Priestess Jeanne is likely the Sun, and the crescent-shaped one is surely the Moon. Now, those Black Stones are said to be scattered in various parts of the island, including those stolen by plunderers. You hold two, and there is one in this country. The whereabouts of the remaining two are unknown."
James-sama and the others were not surprised. Harris-sama had said there were records in the ancient documents he researched at the Medioland Royal Capital Grand Cathedral. They likely knew.
"Your Majesty. The beginner magic of those who wear this stone on their skin becomes equivalent in power to intermediate magic. Is there any other effect?"
When Evans-sama asked, the answer was that they didn't know.
"According to legend, they were originally intended to strike down evil. However, nothing other than what Lord Evans just said has been passed down in our country. It is only said that they were originally one, which was divided into five and shaped, and each of the five Priestesses held one. Therefore, something might be understood when all five are gathered."
It seems it was unexpected that the Demon Lord had one. That's only natural. Originally, they belonged to the Priestesses who served the Goddess. Why did the Demon Lord have one?
"Your Majesty. We interpret the two currently held by Priestess Jeanne as having been bequeathed to her. There should be no problem with that, right?"
Harris-sama conveyed the exchange between Henry-sama and the Demon Lord at the time of the Demon Lord subjugation.
"Originally, we, the descendants of the ancients, are the ones most fit to hold them. However, considering the lineage of the first King of Sertoria, if Priestess Jeanne, who was born and raised in that country, uses light magic, it cannot be helped."
"Thank you," Harris-sama said in thanks, and Phillips-sama also bowed his head.
"Your Majesty. Actually, these Black Stones are described in the ancient documents kept at the Medioland Royal Capital Grand Cathedral. However, unfortunately, nothing was understood beyond what Your Majesty just spoke of. On the contrary, we only knew that there were five types of Black Stones held by the five Priestesses."
This time it was James-sama.
"Once the reports of this Demon Lord subjugation to each country are finished, it has been decided that we will go to investigate the altar on the mountain, and I plan to participate as well. If anything is understood, I would like to send a letter through the King of Medioland. How would that be?"
At this, the Crown Prince of Finis tilted his head.
"Hoho. Medioland and our country seemed to be in conflict over the land of Septanaquila, but what has brought about this change of heart?"
He questioned James-sama in a somewhat strong tone. The Crown Prince of Finis is also a hero who intended to challenge the Demon Lord as a main contender. He must be competitive.
"The Demon Lord was resurrected in Sertoria last time and this time, but our country also has a history of the Demon Lord's resurrection. In the first place, we must cooperate as an entire island; I wonder about bringing current political talk into the discussion of the anti-Demon Race and anti-Demon Lord efforts?"
James-sama's expression remained calm. It seems the mental gears of a warrior and a mage turn differently, but that doesn't seem to change even for royalty.
Thinking he had been outargued, the Crown Prince of Finis—Gwyn-sama, apparently—looked disgruntled.
"Gwyn. Restrain yourself. It is as Lord James says. Besides, regarding the matter of Septanaquila, while you were challenging the Demon Lord, a meeting was held with Lord James, and the discussion has moved one step forward."
Gwyn-sama looked surprised at the King of Finis's words, but when James-sama said they would discuss it in detail later, he seemed satisfied. He yielded the floor to the King of Finis.
"Priestess Jeanne. It is some kind of fate that you have come to this land. Moreover, you are on friendly terms with ghosts and spirits. I have something I wish to consult with you about regarding the Black Stone in this country."
According to the King of Finis, the Black Stone is apparently in a ruin in a certain lake. That ruin is protected by a Water Dragon. That Water Dragon, which was originally worshipped as the guardian deity of the lake, has started to run wild and attack the lakeside villages in the last few years. That said, it doesn't kill people. It seems to only cause floods.
"There is an island in the center of the lake. There is a shrine ruin on the island, and there is a legend that one of the five ancient Priestesses lived there. The Black Stone is in that ruin. However, because the Water Dragon is there, we cannot approach the ruin. There are voices saying to subjugate it, but the priests are opposed."
So, the white arrow has fallen on me (T/N: An idiom meaning to be chosen for a task). He thought that if I used the power of ghosts, spirits, and the Black Stones, I might be able to do something. For now, I was told to go to the ruin where the Water Dragon is.
The story seems a bit too convenient...
"Um. From whom did you hear that I have the Black Stones?"
"I told him."
I asked the King of Finis, but James-sama answered.
"I already mentioned that I found old documents recording those Black Stones during the literature search related to the investigation of that mountain. Since the source of the Black Stone held by Jeanne was King Griffith, I informed the King of Finis. I thought something might be understood."
He consulted with the Archbishop, who was a former hero, informed the King of Finis, and then it was arranged for me to have an audience in the capital.
When I heard about the mountain investigation from Mel, I had suspected that James-sama was involved from the beginning and was trying to convey it to me, and it seems I was right. I never imagined it would spread as far as Finis, though.
"King Griffith. I have brought a letter addressed to your country's Chief Priest from the Vice-Chairman of the Medioland Royal Capital Grand Cathedral. I believe the content is the same as what Lord James just conveyed. I have heard that the Vice-Chairman intends to use this as an opportunity to establish friendly relations between the churches."
This time it was Harris-sama. It has become a rather large-scale story.
At this point, I wonder if it's okay for me to be here. I was about to step back, but Evans-sama put a hand on my shoulder and smiled brightly.
It seems I can't escape.
"Hmph. So you all believe that something regarding the battle with the Demon Race might be understood in this country."
"Your insight is correct. The Demon Lord is the Church's greatest enemy. We believe this is the same in your country. If information regarding that enemy can be obtained, would it not be acceptable to cooperate?"
"From the looks of it, the priests of our country have already been informed."
Harris-sama bowed respectfully.
"Is the King of Sertoria aware of that?"
This time Evans-sama presented a letter. It was sealed with the crest of the Kingdom of Sertoria.
"Your Majesty. The King of Sertoria wishes to establish friendly relations with your country, taking this visit as an opportunity. Your Majesty is likely aware that the former King Henry was of the same mind."
"Hmph. Thirty years ago, there were various disputes. No, it is still the same now."
The King of Finis grinned.
"Your Majesty. Regarding that matter, could you arrange another occasion involving Lord Gwyn and Lord Evans?"
"I know. Sertorian priests do not intervene in administration, do they? I want our priests to hear that as well."
At James-sama's words, the King of Finis furrowed his brow and looked away.
"And so, that is how it is. Priestess Jeanne. For now, could you try going to that lake?"
The King of Finis said to me.
What does 'that is how it is' mean? I don't understand at all.
"Will there be a reward?"
The fearless mage, who had appeared before I knew it, offered a helping hand. She was taking the King of Finis's hand, saying "Hey, hey."
As for the reward, it's hard for me to bring it up as a priest.
Looking back, Hughes-sama was winking. As expected. When I gave a light bow, he smiled brightly and went off somewhere.
"Oh! You are the girl who was said to be sleeping in front of King Griffith."
"If I had to listen to a ghost's grumbling for two hours, I'd have fainted if I weren't sleeping."
The King of Finis also laughed loudly.
"How much do you want?"
Her 'Old Man Seducer' skill is alive and well. (T/N: 'Seducer' here implies charming or winning over.)
The King of Finis had become like a grandfather being pestered for pocket money by his granddaughter.
"Well, we are monster hunters, so it's usually a subjugation reward. But there's no subjugation this time, right? So, I guess it's a success reward. Let's see. James-sama and Evans-sama also seem to want us to go, so if Finis and Sertoria start trading, I'd be happy if we could get free passage and free commercial rights in this country. Ah, but if we defeat other monsters, we'll get separate rewards for those according to their rank."
"Is that enough?"
"It's fine. I like the checkered clothes, and the snacks were delicious. They'll surely sell."
"However, do you have the capital? Even if you trade, you'll have to open a shop. If that happens, taxes will also be involved. Well, I do not mind, though."
I learned from Gladys-sama in Medioland that even if you have rights, you can't do anything without a base. They are meaningless just by existing. However, the current Beatrix is rich. The painting of the Demon Lord subjugation was completed, and in addition to the two hundred gold coins as a reward from the Sertoria royal family, she surprisingly received one hundred gold coins from the Medioland royal family as well.
The painting given to the Medioland royal family depicted the moment James-sama, together with Harrison-san, unleashed [Megiddo Fire], and Gladys-sama was also depicted holding a spear toward the Demon Lord.
"Hey, Evans-sama. If I open a shop in the capital, is it okay to sell things imported from abroad? Of course, after getting the King's approval."
"It's fine. If we start trading with that country, that is. But do you have a connection?"
We have Regnentes. It'll be fine if we pay the shipping costs. We don't have Medioland for now.
"Hey, King. About that port town where we first landed, I wonder if we could export the snacks, smoked goods, and checkered fabric made there to our shop. If we start trading, that is."
"If you can reach an agreement with the lord of that land, there will be no problem. If we start trading, that is."
James-sama cleared his throat with a "Gohon."
"Ah, Beatrix. If it's okay to include products from my private land, I can put them on ships coming from Finis for free and have them carried to your shop. Of course, if trade becomes possible, that is."
It seems everyone's intentions are the same.
"Thank you! It would be great if we could all get along and make money together."
The 'Old Man Seducer' looked around at everyone with a full smile, and the King of Finis, James-sama, and Evans-sama smiled pleasantly.
"Priestess Jeanne. That girl is quite a shrewd one."
I pretended not to hear Harris-sama saying that in a small voice.