Chapter 254 - Chapter 21: Third Time in Finis
When I went to check on Fiona at the end of November, her purification had finished successfully.
I immediately retrieved the orb and brought it back to the temple.
The ritual of release was simple; once Fiona came out and Mary recited the prayers with the prescribed wording, the color of the orb changed and it returned to being a mere crystal ball.
"Welcome back!"
We toasted, joined by Obaba-sama and Aira.
Since Dune was also there, I had brought several barrels.
"As usual, that's some impressive drinking."
The middle-aged man who loved barrel-aged sake was drinking quietly from a cup today.
"How about some?" Fiona offered him a barrel, and he hurriedly declined.
There was no need for the un-priest-like worry that she might ascend to heaven now that she had fulfilled her duty.
"I want to live with Jeanne and the others a little longer and experience various things. Let's see. I suppose I can't ascend until Jeanne defeats the Demon Lord."
I'll probably ascend first.
"He won't be appearing for a while, so until then, we'll just have to work hard at exterminating rats. My previous earnings were reset, after all."
"Listen, Beatrix. He's not an opponent you can defeat just by working hard at rat extermination."
"Oh? If you earn two hundred gold coins, you're forced to join the subjugation force, right? By my calculations, if I defeat eight thousand rats, I'll be fine. At my current pace, it'll take three to four years."
"No matter how you look at it, the Demon Lord would be furious. Besides, it would be a nuisance if he revived in three or four years."
It had been a while since we had such silly conversations with Fiona.
The Water Dragon also seemed to have become smaller, but it was completely energized, thrusting its snout forward with a "Kuon-kuon."
I fed it fish while stroking it.
"It's alright now. It has completely recovered."
Dune also gave the OK.
After that, all that remained was to return it to the lake. Since there have been frequent sightings of large fish, it probably won't have trouble finding food.
"Hey, what are you going to do with this pond? Are you going to fill it in? Can't it be reused?"
The ever-rational mage was asking.
It would certainly be a waste to fill it in. After all, it has the width and depth for the Water Dragon to swim to some extent.
"Is there any use for it?"
"Can we raise fish here as they are?"
When Obaba-sama asked, she was pointing at the fish swimming around. The fish for the Water Dragon's food were brought in tanks, so they swam vigorously when released into the pond.
"What would you do by raising them?"
"If this pond and the deep parts of the lake were connected, the fish released here would become monsters and sell for a high price, right? If we release ordinary fish caught in the lake and drive them to the deep parts, they'll grow large. If the original fish just grow bigger, it won't have a bad effect on the lake, right?"
When I asked Dune, I was told that small fish also have a role, so too many would be no good.
"Then, within the range of what can be caught in a weekly fishing trip. We'll release the fish caught from fishing here, sink them in cages, and make it so they can go to the deep parts of the lake."
"If it's that much, it should be fine. Even ordinary fish, once exposed to water with high magical concentration, will get used to it and settle in the deep parts, so they can grow large."
"But since food will be welling up, won't the big ones gather and eat them?"
"Then, let's just make it big enough for the dragon to pass through. That way, the dragon will protect them. Once they enter the lake, they'll just have to do their best to survive. Hey, Obaba-sama. It's alright if the dragon comes to visit sometimes, right?"
"Of course, I don't mind at all."
It became a major construction project.
When Aira contacted the Royal Capital, magic soldiers led by the smooth-headed Gwyn-sama arrived. There were five mages of high-rank or above in Earth magic, and ten intermediate mages.
"You've come up with something outrageous again."
"But the trout monsters that Gwyn-sama likes will be caught more often."
"Ah. I look forward to it. It can also be used for trade."
I called Mel and had the dragon evacuate for a while.
Dune moved the pond water along with the fish to the lake, and the digging began. Since the bedrock is hard, there is no worry of it collapsing. They were asked to dig deep and move toward the lake side. The distance is about a hundred paces. Once they had dug to a certain point, Dune moved the lake water away from the shore to create a space. Once the hole was dug through, it was finished. When the lake water was returned, the water reached the pond.
It took three days, but a magnificent underground waterway was completed. A small hut was also built by the pond.
A "Kuon-kuon" cry could be heard. The dragon immediately poked its face out through the waterway.
We all gave it fish along with Obaba-sama and the apprentice priestesses.
"If the dragon comes to visit by the temple like this, it will be an encouragement for us priestesses who serve here. The villagers who come to see it will also treasure it."
Obaba-sama took my hand and rejoiced.
The dragon suddenly offered its head.
"It's telling you to get on its head."
As she spoke, Dune climbed onto its head.
Obaba-sama brought a rug, so Beatrix, Mary, and I, the three of us, got on.
When the dragon straightened its neck with a "Gui," the view was indeed excellent. Mel and Fiona were floating beside us.
When Dune moved her right hand, the water rapidly decreased, and we gradually descended toward the bottom along with the dragon. Finally, we reached the waterway where the amount of water had been halved. In the depths of the hole, the water surface could be seen rising like a great wave.
Passing through the cave, we were floating in the lake once the water returned.
"Alright! Let's goooo!"
With Beatrix's signal, the tour of the lake began.
After saying goodbye to Obaba-sama, the priestesses, and the dragon, we returned to the Royal Capital and were summoned to the royal palace by the King.
"It is a pity that this cannot be made public, but in response to this series of events, I wish to appoint you all as knights of this country in this place and grant you Knight's Staffs. Would you please accept them? Of course, I shall officially inform the King of Sertoria by letter."
Beatrix, Mary, and I, and even Fiona, were to be knighted.
He had apparently been thinking about it for a while, but it seems he waited until the recovery of the lake and the dragon. That way, Fiona would be eligible for the appointment. The reward money was apparently thirty gold coins per person. Fiona's portion, along with Dune's, became thirty gold coins' worth of barrel-aged sake. For Flora, Aira made a charm for safe childbirth.
"I am a ghost, is it truly alright?"
"It is a gesture of gratitude toward those who have rendered distinguished service to the country. It is not written anywhere that it is limited to the living. There have been cases of posthumous awards as well. Though, appointing a ghost as a knight will be the first in the history of our country."
The King laughed loudly.
Naturally, it became a dinner party. Since it was an unofficial one, there was no onslaught of greetings. People working at Aira's workshop were also there. Everyone was in formal wear, and Mary was wearing the light purple dress she had worn when she first came to Finis. Beatrix, who hadn't prepared anything, remained in her Green Marble gear, and I attended wearing my priest's robes.
"You're the only one not in formal attire."
"Oh? We're crossing national borders. It's only natural, right?"
What exactly is natural about that? It's been six months and she's like this.
We all sat in a circle on the magic circle, surrounding food and drinks, and talked a lot.
We also received words from the Queen.
"Jeanne. Mary. Beatrix. And Fiona. Please continue to maintain your friendship with Aira. And of course, with Gwyn as well."
"Mother. Me too?"
"Of course. Eventually, you too will succeed the throne and be in a position to care for the lives of the people. Do not only be on good terms with James-dono and Roberts-dono, but also with these people."
The King and Aira laughed, and Gwyn-sama stroked his smooth head.
"So it seems. I look forward to working with you."
"But we've already had banquets together many times, haven't we?"
"Now that you mention it, that's true. Then, once again, we siblings ask for your kind favor."
"We look forward to working with you."
I ended up being greeted by the royalty in unison.
"Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is ours, we look forward to a long relationship."
"I look forward to working with you."
Leaving the Royal Capital, we headed north.
When we visited the priestess of the temple, for some reason, ghosts came out to greet us. It was a good thing that I had Mary and Aira look for products for trade at the port, anticipating just in case.
"Oh, Jeanne. Good of you to come. Oh, Fiona-jou is with you today as well!"
"Everyone, gather round! Jeanne has brought Fiona-jou!"
I was surrounded by them as they gathered with much clamor.
As usual, Gwyn-sama was being pushed against the wall.
"Everyone. Weren't you at the fortress?"
"Winter is coming soon. We have to hunt while we can, or wintering will be hard for the living."
"That's right. We're taking turns entering the orbs and blasting Holy!"
I see. So that's why there are so few of them. Seeing as the lecturing ghost isn't here, I wonder if he's gone hunting with the hunters?
"The ones blasting it are the hunters, aren't they?"
"What are you saying? Even I am aiming properly!"
"Aren't you just sleeping inside?"
"What was that? Do you want to settle who's the best?"
"Oh! Bring it on!"
I told you, stop that!
When I hurriedly stepped in to stop them, they said, "It was a joke," and started laughing. Apparently, it's a greeting.
Honestly, they're so troublesome.
"But, everyone. You're working hard, aren't you? Thank you."
"We are the ones who should be saying thank you."
"That's right. Thanks to you, everyone, rich or poor, looks like they'll be able to get through the winter safely."
"Umu. Were you Beatrix? I thank you as well. And please give my regards to Mary, whom I've heard rumors about. Thanks to you all, we were able to obtain wheat through trade this winter. Everyone is grateful."
Beatrix pressed her face against my shoulder. She's so soft-hearted.
"The alcohol has decreased quite a bit, though. Well, it can't be helped."
"The only one who's just drinking alcohol is you!"
"What was that? I got three bears yesterday!"
"I got three as well!"
"The same number? It seems we must decide who is superior!"
"You want to go?"
"Bring it on!"
I said, enough with the greetings!
After somehow finishing talking with all the ghosts who were working hard, I rescued Gwyn-sama and went to the priestess.
"Jeanne. Thank you for coming. I apologize for not being able to go out to meet you. Fiona, thank you truly for your hard work. I am grateful. Beatrix, I am glad you could come as well. Young Master, it is good to see you are well."
The greeting to Gwyn-sama came last, but I wonder if that's alright.
"Priestess. It seems things are going well."
"Yes. Please look. Thanks to you, we have gathered enough orbs. Preparations for winter seem to be complete in various places as well."
Behind the priestess, several white orbs were lined up. They seemed to be orbs with ghosts inside. Surely, they will blast Holy.
"I see. That is good to hear."
"I hear that wheat is also being prioritized for this region. Please convey my regards to the King as well."
When I glanced at Gwyn-sama, he was acting pompous and making a gesture of brushing back hair that wasn't there.
"What's that? Is it a trend in Finis?"
Beatrix was looking puzzled. Now that I think about it, Beatrix didn't know the long-blonde-haired Gwyn-sama.
We were guided to a separate room. When I peeked through the gap in the door, there was one priest, and around him, assistants and apprentice priestesses were talking with ghosts.
"Everyone has become quite accustomed to it. Since basic fire magic will be necessary during the winter, I intend to have the ghosts I'm talking to now become those kinds of orbs."
If Fire Ball can be fired repeatedly, firewood and charcoal won't be needed. They can also be used by multiple houses in rotation. Economically, it makes a big difference. Since they won't have to cut down trees, the Dryads would also be happy.
"Weren't you quite busy?"
"Yes, indeed. Since October, the priestesses in various places must have been filling orbs almost every day. But you see, by spending such busy days, I was able to truly feel what you told me before—living for the sake of others. Truly, thank you."
"That is wonderful."
Beatrix poked my cheek.
"Those are the words of Mary's mother."
"Hmm. Like mother, like daughter, I suppose."
"Yeah. I heard from Aira, but every time she comes to Finis, she prepares feasts for orphanages and takes Highway Cookies to go on consolatory visits here and there. And, saying 'let's all earn together,' she's having small-scale shops from various countries participate and loading up cargo."
"So that's why the sales aren't growing despite her popularity."
"Probably."
"She's a good manager, isn't she?"
"You want to say you're the one who chose her, don't you?"
"Well, yes."
"Honestly, once in a while, read a dictionary and look up the meaning of the word 'humble.'"
"It's fine. I'm a mage. I'll leave that sort of thing to you."
Honestly, it's not written anywhere that 'brazen' and 'mage' are synonyms.
When we went to the Lord's fortress, there was a commotion as if a wealthy person were moving.
Wagons were coming and going across the bridge connecting the castle and the land. As a result of Fiona flying over to check, it seems the wagons coming from the castle were fully loaded, and the wagons entering the castle were empty.
It was not a situation where we could get close, so while we were watching by the gate, the Lord came from the town on horseback.
"Ah, Priest Jeanne. Good of you to come."
He dismounted and greeted us.
"Did something happen?"
"No, you see, the men from the town are out hunting now, and one after another, bears and boars are being teleported to the castle's warehouse. It's far too much to fit, so we're in the middle of transporting them to the town's processing plant."
"It's a big catch, isn't it?"
"No, really, it seems that because we've been dumping leftovers into several valleys every day, a large number of boars gathered, and they were able to exterminate them all by firing high-rank Holy repeatedly from above the valley. Well, they know this area inside out, after all."
This is another large scale. We have to learn from this.
"Aren't you overdoing it?"
"Well, that's true, but the ghosts are competing with each other. Well, it's only monsters and it will be over soon. We have no choice but to overlook it."
This must be what they call a 'happy scream' (T/N: A pleasant problem to have).
Apparently, they're going to turn them all into dried meat. Of course, it will be for sale.
"Since Mary won't teach us the Sertorian techniques. Except for the portion used for wintering, we'll be taking it all to the continent in the spring. Say, could you not teach us how to make that delicious dried meat? Setting aside beef, it's boar. Of course, I intend to give a suitable reward."
Beatrix and I both ended up laughing.
Apparently, they suffered an overwhelming defeat at the competition against the samples from Regnentes that Mary had brought.
"See, she's a good manager after all, right? I'm the one who chose her."
"Yes, yes. I understand. I misjudged you."
While using the Lord, who was persistently asking, as a shield against the wagons, we were guided to the fortress.
When we entered the reception room, Aira and Mary were sitting on a luxurious sofa.
"Oh, you two. Good work."
"Good work. Is the business talk already over?"
"It's over. The goods to be handled in our shop are already gathered. They're being loaded onto the ship right now."
"Did you load food as well?"
"Yes. And also souvenirs for those who have given us their patronage."
Apparently, they are gifts for influential people in the Regnentes royal palace. She's like a corrupt merchant from a fairy tale.
"Oh? It's only natural. They are important customers. One cannot go for a greeting empty-handed."
Yes, yes. You're a very good manager.
(Hey. Recently, it seems Regnentes has been buying a lot of alcohol.)
"Ah, I know. I can't talk about the details, but for now, the orders are until spring, right?"
(That's right. We might run out of stock. There are even voices saying we should use the stored wheat to prepare for future orders.)
"I think it'll be fine. When spring comes, the situation will surely change. So, don't touch the stores."
(Really?)
"Yeah. Instead, the sales pitch for boar meat will begin."
After that, they continued to whisper about the trade of white silver.
Doesn't this count as collusion? Won't the King get angry?
Mary was listening with a smile without saying anything.
Ignoring the worries of the person who was anxious, the two continued their talk, and the secret business meeting ended.
When we parted with Aira and boarded the ship, Henry-sama and his group appeared in their usual pirate guise once we were offshore.
"How was it? Beatrix. Mary. Did you hear anything interesting?"
"Yeah. As expected, the demand for white silver seems high. Also, the dried meat that Regnentes put out as a sample seems like it will be popular. And then..."
She was conveying the content of her talk with Aira exactly as it was.
"I understand. Will, please."
"Understood. I shall inform His Majesty the King and tell him to send a letter to the King of Regnentes."
Um, what does that mean?
"The two of them are, so to speak, under the patronage of the royal family. They are having the royal families discuss things behind the scenes to eliminate those who would be greedy in various ways. Otherwise, there are those who would try to feed them all sorts of nonsense. Those who control information control the economy. It is for the sake of correct information exchange and fair trade. It also allows us to smoke out those who say irresponsible things."
Um, the person who is giving gifts to such people is right nearby...
"Mary. Please work on the Finis embassy and the area around the Regnentes royal palace."
"Understood. I shall invite them to load more popular local products onto the ships for the new trade between the countries. Everyone is pleased because the products from their own territories will sell."
I didn't think they were connected to royalty behind the scenes...
"Sorry. Jeanne. This kind of talk must be difficult for you as a priest. I'm taking the lead, with Beatrix and Aira cooperating. You just live purely and poorly like a priest."
"...I see. You are a good manager."
Wait? Hold on a second.
"Um, by any chance, are you not giving rewards to the two of them?"
Dammit, they all looked away in unison.