Chapter 245 - Chapter Thirteen: Communication Passage Opening Ceremony
The communication passage between southern Sertoria and the managed land where Beatrix serves as the village landowner has opened. From the Sertoria side, Mayor Adolf attended as an official guest, and from the Regnentes side, the Lord attended as an official guest.
As usual, there were those in the incognito group. Henry-sama and the others brought along Will, who had recently become their subordinate.
This time, an incognito group also came from the Regnentes side. Military Minister Harold-sama, wearing leather armor like a light infantryman, arrived with an attendant dressed like a mage in a blue robe. Apparently, he was a former magic soldier of Regnentes and belonged to the scout unit.
He seemed to be an old acquaintance of Paul-san and Adolf-san as well, and they exchanged greetings cordially.
There are three former heroes here.
The Lord and the villagers looked up at them with reverence.
"What is this? You came too?"
"What do you mean, 'what is this'? This is Regnentes. What is wrong with coming to a village in my own country? I do not wish to be lectured by someone who entered the country illegally."
"'Illegal entry' is quite the greeting. I came after completing the proper procedures."
"And what was the occupation you reported? A peddler?"
Not only Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, but even Wilson-san and Will averted their eyes.
Harold-sama was laughing loudly.
They haven't changed. It seems Will is also starting to be dyed in their bad colors.
While it was an opening ceremony, it also served as an entry ceremony for the five newly moved-in households, totaling eighteen people.
With this, there are now ten households and forty people. Since the number of goats has also increased, the efficiency of grazing and soil preparation using earthworms should improve. The number of children increased by eight, bringing the total to twenty. According to the usual societal ratio, there should be zero mages, but there is already one. For our part, we would like to increase that by one or two more if possible.
At the time of the village opening ceremony, the villagers were covered in dust from their long journey, but the newly arrived villagers had refreshed themselves in the stone-heated bath the night before and had already finished an exchange meeting between the old and new villagers, centered around the Bishop. Perhaps because they heard that various facilities could be used for free, everyone was smiling. They were gathered in the general meeting hall in a harmonious atmosphere when the three heroes—former though they may be—made their appearance. Everyone's complexion changed, and they crawled out from the mats they were sitting on to prostrate themselves on the ground.
I pushed the group that couldn't read the atmosphere toward the wall at the kamiza (T/N: The seat of honor) and somehow managed to get the villagers to sit back on their mats.
Seeing that drinks had been distributed to everyone, I gave the signal, and the Lord gave a greeting, offering longer words of thanks to the incognito group than to the official guest, Adolf-san.
Afterward, with a toast led by the landowner Beatrix, the banquet... rather, the opening ceremony began.
The focus was, as expected, on Mary and her disciple. In addition to Eleanor-sama and the Military Minister, their attendant immediately started talking to them.
Mary, who usually resides in the Royal Capital, attends dinner parties at the invitation of her favorite Finis Ambassador, so she handled it gracefully. However, the disciple, who is a serf, couldn't manage so easily. On one side is royalty, and on the other is a high-ranking official from the Royal Capital. The disciple was so nervous it was pitiful, and their parents watched over them with pale faces.
"Shouldn't we do something about that?"
"They have to hold their ground to that extent. Everyone in this village is going to rise up together, so they need to have a stronger spirit."
The landowner is quite strict. Though, it would be problematic if they remained a serf forever.
"Now, everyone. I will now explain what I need you all to do heading into spring."
After eating and drinking for a while, the Bishop stood up and clapped his hands. The first five households already knew, but he had to explain the work assignments to the five newly arrived households.
First, Chief Lyudmila announced that they would cultivate clover and graze until autumn, and in the autumn, they would plant ten plots of wheat and ten plots of turnips.
"With the Lord's approval, it has been decided that we will conduct what you might call an agricultural trial for the entire village. The method itself is one that was tested in Sertoria and yielded good results, so it will be fine. This place was originally a field surrounded by forest, so the soil is good for wasteland, and there is plenty of water because of the stream. I think we can produce results by next summer."
This was decided after consultation with the Lord. We are also coordinating with Wilson-san and have obtained agreement between the countries. Naturally, the results will be reported to the Regnentes Royal Palace through the Lord.
As expected, the villagers stirred. They probably didn't understand the meaning. Especially the newcomers, who were whispering to those who had been there from the start to confirm. It seemed they thought there might be a punishment if they failed.
"For three years... precisely, for a little less than two years and eight months from now, it's tax-free, but that's not all. If the harvest per plot increases here, it will be introduced in the Lord's other villages, and once it's confirmed that there are results there, it will spread to the entire country. Then, the King will give us a reward. The amount will be equal to one year's worth of taxes. It seems it will apply from the fourth year. Since the current plan estimates nearly double the yield, it will effectively be tax-free for another year. Let's all do our best."
Lyudmila explained, but the villagers were skeptical. It's only natural since results haven't appeared yet. However, we have no choice but to have them believe and work hard.
"Um. It seems this village has neither iron plows nor oxen or horses to pull them..."
A newcomer villager asked timidly.
"It's fine. Because there are three advanced mages. Two will come once a week, and one will come once every two or three months. Of course, it's free."
She was referring to Beatrix, Lyudmila, and Mary. The four spells—the tilling magic [Clump Sand], the seed-sowing magic [Favorable Wind], the watering magic [Shower], and the harvesting and threshing magic [Tornado Wind]—were all gathered.
In addition, there is my insect-repelling magic and mold-preventing magic.
The mold-preventing magic apparently has an effect on some crop diseases. It's only partial, but according to Flora, even that makes a big difference.
It's an application of [Megiddo Fire]. I found that if I applied it to water produced by [Water] or [Shower], the effect lasted for nearly two hours. By storing water produced by [Water] in a tank embedded with a magic circle, I can make a large amount. By spraying it regularly with [Clump Water], I've become able to do things like drive insects toward a bonfire to kill them, and cure or prevent mold diseases.
"A-Advanced mages for free?"
The new villagers' faces lit up with joy. The old villagers knew that we had participated in the Demon Lord subjugation force and raised our levels considerably, but the newcomers didn't know.
"That is not all. There are bears and boars in the forests around here. We will increase the border guard to fifteen men and have them go hunting as part of their training, so you should go with them. Make dried meat from the boars you defeat and make it a specialty of the village. At those times, you must also collect medicinal herbs."
"B-Bears!"
When the Lord said that, the newcomers' complexions changed.
"Do not worry. We soldiers will go with you. Besides, the light infantry from Sertoria will teach you."
The guard captain, who had gained more subordinates and been promoted to a rank equivalent to a squad leader, encouraged them, saying it would be fine.
"I'll help too. I'm good with a bow, so leave it to me."
The woodcutter shook his massive frame and slapped several people on the back. The ones who were hit were coughing; I wonder if they're okay.
"We will also export the boar dried meat and medicinal herbs to Sertoria. It will be a valuable cash income, so please do your best, everyone. From the fourth year, there will be a registration fee for each household for hunting in the forest. Let's hone our skills while we can."
When the Bishop said that, the long-time villagers raised their voices. In the four months since the village opened, they have been hunting an average of three boars a week. Since they are working hard to make dried meat, they already have cash income, and it is also being stored in the underground warehouse as preserved food.
Fortunately, Paul-san was originally scheduled to be relieved of his duties upon the opening ceremony, but his contract was extended by one year to perform expansion work on the highway for future border maintenance. It will be widened from the width of a single horse to enough for a wagon to pass. Thanks to that, he can continue to visit once a week. However, we were removed from the contract, and the Paratroop Jaegers, including two bowl users, were assigned to support him. The number of trees to be felled has increased, but even if we were there, we couldn't carry them.
The timber will continue to belong to Sertoria, but in return, there are benefits for the Lord. It's the dried beef and cheese that are specialties of his territory. Regnentes has started trading with Finis, and Mary had pitched them in advance to the Finis Ambassador stationed in Sertoria. As a result, they started handling them preferentially. Since the quality was originally good, they became sufficient commodities. Of course, the Class of 175 is not involved in this transaction. Mary only promoted it, and it became a direct exchange between the Lord and Finis. It has to be that way, or it wouldn't be a return benefit.
I heard from the Lord that he had Mary pitch the products from the private lands of influential nobles and the Archbishop as well, and he was told that they would look forward to future dealings.
The method is a bit... questionable, but as Dune said, fish don't live in water that's too pure. I suppose that's fine in its own way.
The opening ceremony proceeded as the newcomers, who had been anxious, were encouraged by the long-time villagers who had already produced results. By the time the mead made by the Bishop and the lingonberry mead for the children were gone, everyone had become completely well-acquainted.
"The children will have to study for two hours a day. Magic, writing, and calculation. Also, the history of the Regnentes Royal Family."
Regarding history, it's a request from the Royal Capital. It's likely intended to instill the greatness of the Royal Family from childhood and engrave loyalty, but nobles in every country do that. We did it at the orphanage too. Whether it's necessary or not is one thing, but it means the King is paying attention, so in a sense, it's an honor. The Lord is scheduled to dispatch a teacher once a week.
Cheers rose from the new children. It seems they heard from the old children that writing involves listening to fairy tales and copying them. They pulled on my sleeve, pestering me to read to them.
Anticipating this, I had prepared one short book. I immediately read it to them.
"From now on, the Bishop will read to you a little every day. If you study hard, you'll be able to make your own books and read them at home, so do your best. First, you must learn to write your own name."
The children all replied energetically.
Now, for the magic demonstration.
During the banquet, I had Dune and Mel appraise the children's general affinity for elemental magic. Of course, I've informed the Bishop.
The spirits said that if a child sees the magic and thinks, This is it!, they are surely suited for it. First, since we want even one more person to learn magic, we decided to use magic that is as vivid as possible to draw their interest.
I had also asked Adolf-san for the demonstration, but there was a surprise participant. I decided to have Eleanor-sama join as well.
Fire was Beatrix, water was Mary, wind was Adolf-san, and earth was Eleanor-sama. And holy magic was me.
[Fire Storm], [Glacio], and [Tornado Wind]—after the flashy ones continued, it was the earth attribute, which looks plain. I was wondering what she would do when she used [Hurl Stone] to launch a fist-sized stone at a rock about the size of a person's embrace. The target rock shattered as if it had been blown up with gunpowder.
What she used was a basic spell.
Everyone was stunned.
"Even with basic magic, if you raise your grade, you can do things like this. Please do your best, everyone."
Eleanor-sama smiled brightly.
"Now then, we will recreate the battle where we actually defeated the Demon Lord Executive Number Three when we participated in the Demon Lord subjugation war."
At Beatrix's words, Paul-san appeared with his face painted black and wooden horns growing out. He beat his chest with both hands, making a thumping sound, and let out a war cry, which even made some children start crying.
I deployed [Magic Reflection] in a cylindrical shape to surround the monster and fired more than ten shots of amplified [Holy] in rapid succession. When the light of the reflected [Holy] pierced the monster time and again, the monster enveloped in light raised its hands and screamed. When I deactivated [Magic Reflection] and the light vanished, the monster dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. Henry-sama and Will delivered the finishing blow with wooden sticks. The monster let out a death rattle and fell flat on the ground with a thud, then breathed its last with a gufu, and cheers rose from the children.
After the cloth-covered monster was cleared away, we had them see examples of the magic they would likely learn first. I also had Mary's disciple participate.
"Everyone, cherish the image of the magic you just saw and use it for your future studies."
The children all had expressions overflowing with hope. They must all be imagining themselves using magic. Their work will become easier, and their lives will improve. Of course, the results will be years away, but it will be good if the villagers' lives are even slightly better then than they were before.
"Speaking of magic, he should be back by now, shouldn't he?"
What the Lord was referring to was one boy who had been taken by the Lord's attendant to receive an Oracle.
His own wish was for holy magic. [Holy]. It's for monster extermination. The problem is the status system; in Regnentes, one cannot become a priest unless they are at least a free farmer. In other words, serfs lack the posture of devotion to faith. Moreover, in Dune and Mel's appraisal, he was not of the holy magic type. If he were to learn anything, they said it would likely be earth.
That point was a concern.
Just as we were talking about going to meet him, we saw a wagon coming toward the village.
It seems he's back.
The boy sitting next to the driver's seat burst into tears as soon as he saw everyone's faces.
Everyone went to meet him, but he just kept crying and wouldn't even get down from the wagon.
He must have been unable to learn it.
"You are a boy, aren't you? There are fewer boys who learn it on the first try. Usually, more than half of the boys learn it from the second time onward."
"Really?"
When Eleanor-sama said that, the boy timidly raised his face.
"It's true. The speed of learning is different between boys and girls. Perhaps ten years old is too early for a boy. But if you receive it once, the possibility of learning it the second time increases. This time was like a practice, so there's no need to worry. Please think of next year as the real thing."
He stopped crying and looked at the landowner, Beatrix.
"Hey, do you remember who this person is?"
He should have seen her face during the Ritual of Purification, but he was tilting his head.
This seemed to hit Eleanor-sama harder, and she slumped her shoulders in disappointment.
"Do you know Eleanor-sama, the former Queen of Sertoria?"
"Yeah. A former hero and the greatest mage on the island."
He knew when Beatrix asked.
"This is that person."
The great mage was doing a celebratory fist pump. In contrast, the boy just kept his mouth hanging open.
"You! Give your greetings!"
His mother rushed over and pushed his head down, but Eleanor-sama stopped her.
"Do you understand the meaning of what I said earlier?"
"Yeah. No, yes. I understand."
He corrected himself, but his manner of speaking was firm.
"Why do you want to learn magic?"
"Because if I exterminate monsters... boars, the fields won't be ruined and we can make dried meat."
Eleanor-sama looked at Military Minister Harold-sama and the Lord. After Harold-sama and the Lord spoke about something, the Lord approached the boy.
"Hello. My Lord. I am sorry about this time."
"Do not worry. It is as Eleanor-sama says. Furthermore, you wish to exterminate monsters, do you not?"
"Yes."
"Then, from tomorrow, you may go along as an apprentice once a week for boar hunting. However, you are strictly an apprentice. I will not allow you to fight. You will carry luggage. And you should watch closely as the Bishop and Priest Jeanne use [Holy], and the adults use bows, arrows, and weapons to defeat the monsters."
"Is that okay?"
"Yes. I give special permission. Furthermore, are you not interested in any magic other than [Holy]?"
When asked, it turned out he actually wanted to learn stone-picking magic. However, he is the oldest among the village children. He thought he should take the lead in monster hunting.
"Then, how about something like this?"
Eleanor-sama brought a board and launched a small stone to put a hole in it.
"W-Whoa, awesome!"
He was startled as he looked at the sky through the hole in the board he was handed. Come to think of it, we hadn't shown this kind of magic usage. Or rather, we couldn't. Now, the three of us who have become advanced mages should be able to do quite powerful stone-throwing.
"Magic is all about how you use it. Of course, you must not do this until your grade rises or you become an adult. You'll faint, you see. But [Holy] is not the only way to defeat boars in the forest. As you just saw, you can also defeat them with earth magic. Bows and arrows are also fine. If you are going to study magic, do not study out of 'duty,' but study the magic and methods you like."
"Yes. I understand. I'll study again starting tomorrow."
"No. Starting today."
"Y-Yes. I-I'll do my best starting today!"
With those words as the deciding factor, a magic study session by Eleanor-sama and Adolf-san began.
The mothers were drafted into Fiona's snack-making class, which she had been trained in by Angelica-san, and the husbands were led away by the Military Minister and Henry-sama for monster hunting practice. Of course, the guard unit and the bandits went along too. The boy who couldn't learn magic also followed, carrying luggage.
The rest of us and the Bishop were left to clean up. There were dozens of plates and bowls, and we had to store the edible things with [Anti-Sepsis] for dinner. It was quite a bit of work.
Mary, being shrewd, had followed Henry-sama and the others with her disciple under the pretext of gathering medicinal herbs.
"Well, I guess it's fine."
Beatrix said while looking at the abandoned banquet scene, and she was laughed at loudly by the Lord.