Chapter 258 - Chapter 1 Outbreak of War in the North
The Kingdom of Septanaquila is the second northernmost country on the White Island. Its territory lies to the southwest of the northernmost nation, Finis, making it one of the West Coast nations.
Tracing the country's origins leads back to the Kingdom of Gram. The capital of Gram is located upriver from the Kingdom of Morandine, and Septanaquila was founded on land carved out by those who moved north from Gram. It once possessed a vast territory stretching from the East Coast to the West Coast.
However, the eastern part became independent from the main country, and after welcoming a prince of Gram as a son-in-law, it took the name Northern Gram. As a result, Septanaquila now only possesses the western half.Since then, Septanaquila and Northern Gram have been like sworn enemies, and a three-way struggle involving Finis—which sought to reclaim the lands previously taken by both countries—had continued. The north was extremely unstable.
In April of the year 194 of the Sertorian calendar, as soon as the non-aggression pact period expired, Finis and Northern Gram simultaneously invaded Septanaquila. Their combined forces numbered approximately fourteen thousand. Septanaquila's standing army was less than half that, at six thousand. Furthermore, the invasion came from both the north and the east.Information from spies they had sent out suggested that Finis's invasion would be in the summer at the earliest, and that what was being conducted in the spring were merely exercises. Believing this information and being caught off guard, Septanaquila hurriedly requested aid from Medioland based on their long-standing alliance, but Medioland's response was a refusal.
"Your country has colluded with those in black robes and provided funds to cooperate in the cursing and killing of the dragon called the guardian deity of the land in Finis. There is nothing Medioland can do for a country that is being retaliated against by the nation it victimized. Our country will do nothing. Deal with it yourselves. However, due to our old friendship, we have no objection to the royalty and a guard of no more than ten people passing through our territory."
The messenger, who did not understand what this curt response meant, hurriedly inquired with the home country. The reply was to head for Morandine immediately.
That Medioland began its invasion of Gram in mid-April. Their force was about ten thousand. That was more than double the standing army of Gram and simultaneously a number equivalent to the total mobilizable personnel, including conscripts from across the land.
Gram requested reinforcements from its brother nation, Northern Gram, but the Northern Gram army had already advanced toward the lands previously taken by Septanaquila. It was clear they were moving in step with their ally, Finis. Since the war had already begun and the main army had engaged the enemy, the response was to wait until a timing when turning back was possible, effectively putting the dispatch of reinforcements on the back burner. Upon receiving that report, the King of Gram decided to engage in a war of attrition against Medioland.
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In April, around the time the rapeseed flowers were blooming in profusion on our farm, word came that this month's mountain investigation would be canceled.It was announced that war had broken out in the north, so that was likely the cause.During the winter, Beatrix suddenly said she wanted to help Roberts-sama and started exterminating monsters in the Northeastern Forest on days other than weekends, so the road construction ended up being done by Wilson-san, Will, and me. The Warm magic was excellent; even on days when the midwinter snow was blowing, we could work without our bodies getting cold. We successfully sent the logs flying and finished the land leveling, and Eleanor-sama even praised us.
Flora also successfully produced a seed, and the daughter, named Glory, is showing cute cotyledons in a flowerpot.We immediately decided to hold a celebratory party at the farm. Unfortunately, Henry-sama's group, including Will, was absent, but Harris-san, who was supposed to participate in the mountain investigation, came.
Since it was still a bit cold, the dish was Angelica-san's special cheese hot pot. Naturally, Violet's portion had extra meat in it.
"So, how was it? The results?"
Beatrix had gone to be examined by an Oracle in the morning.
"I learned it. [Wind Barrier]."
She puffed out her chest boastfully.
"So, you've become a Bowl user?"
"I suppose so. That was the goal, after all."
With this, she can go to the village where she's acting as the landlord at any time. She moved her magic circle studies to Saturdays and spent Monday through Friday exterminating monsters every day. It seemed to be quite tough, as she did nothing but sleep on Saturday mornings and Sundays, except for party days.It's a bad habit of mages to go to extremes once they decide to do something.
"What's the situation in the Northeastern Forest like?"
Beowulf asked. This spring, she's been recommended for the Kingdom Army heavy infantry.
"Basically, it's monster hunting in the forest. The Demon Lord's army went across the river, but since the elves withdrew, it's exterminating stray and rogue monsters."
"So, you set bait to exterminate them?"
"That's right. Remember how they said in Finis that when they dumped a lot of leftovers, a bunch of boars gathered? When I told Roberts-sama that story, he said we should give it a try. When we actually did it, they came in droves. We just surrounded them and wiped them out. It seems it was a good profit. There are quite a few magic beasts in that forest."
Apparently, boars and wolves are basically in units of several dozen. The packs are large. As for wolves and bears, they seem to have been scavenging corpses regardless of whether they were human or monster, so they've learned the taste of human flesh. There are also many insects and snakes, and if you're moving in a small group, they sneak up on you without a sound. It's extremely dangerous.Once, when they set out a pot, bears came one after another, and it was so dangerous they had to retreat.
"Apparently, monsters spawned in the Black Forest, which is separate from the Demon Lord's army, are coming across the river. It's far from safe. Unless you move in military-scale numbers, amateurs are just bait."
"Then, pioneering will be impossible for a while."
"Yeah. First, we might have to do something about them coming across the river."
Alex, who heard the conversation, came over.
"My brothers and I plugged the holes properly. It should be fine now."
"Then, we just have to defeat the ones that are already here?"
"That's how it goes. However, since every kind of living thing has turned into a monster, there must be a lot of them. Thick magical power remains in the Black Forest itself. Any living thing in that forest will likely turn into a monster. We have no choice but to wait for the forest to regenerate."
Wouldn't that take hundreds of years?
"They said they'd build a wall along the river and make a fortress, right? That's next after the road construction. Once that's done, I think we can prevent them from swimming across the river."
According to Harris-sama, if the Silver Mine starts operating, the funds will be available.
"After consulting with Eleanor, it was decided to move the black trees somewhere else and move the trees from this side of the river. It seems Eleanor and the others are looking for a place to move them to now."
"It seems the monsters also prefer the green trees because there's more prey that tastes better, so that's better for them too."
Serena and Renata also seem to have heard the plan.
"Well, it means we'll have to keep exterminating monsters for a while, I guess."
Just as Harris-sama was about to wrap things up.
"Maybe I'll exterminate monsters with Gladys-sama to learn [Cocytus] too."
Mary says that until the war in Finis is over, things will be slow at the shop as well.
"According to the Finis embassy, they say it'll take half a year. They say until Septanaquila's navy is wiped out, Finis's trading ships will be targeted, so it'll be impossible."
"Isn't that fine? You just attack with magic from atop the Bowl. It takes many repetitions, but that's just a matter of guts. Why don't you try asking Roberts-sama through the Paratroop Jaegers over there?"
It was Beatrix who agreed. She has to look after the village where she's the landlord. Mary can use [Glacio]. She'd be perfect for taking over.However, she's telling her to learn [Blizzard] before learning [Cocytus]. Apparently, ultra-high-level magic requires an image like combining two or more high-level magics. The elves said so.
"But the image of [Cocytus] is so strong that [Blizzard] doesn't really click."
"Have the elves show you. They'll fire off a sufficiently powerful one for you."
"I see. That's true too. Then, maybe I'll try begging them."
As expected of Mary. No matter who the opponent is, she seems confident she can get them to teach her if she begs.
The Boar Club is also participating in the party. Since they're on duty, they can't drink much, but in exchange, they're being good playmates for the goblins and Little Serena.
When I called one over and asked, it was settled that she would go with them since they were departing from the Eastern Plains Jaegers in a Bowl.
"I've been acting elegantly and doing nothing but dancing for a while, so I might not be able to do it well... please help me."
"Please," she said, tilting her head slightly and looking up with her hands together.
Hey, you old man over there with the leering face! Mary was the first one in the Class of 175 to become a high-level mage, you know!
"Aren't you going, Jeanne?"
Beowulf said to me, but...
"I have to deal with the rats. During the winter, I left it all to Angelica-san and Lyudmila."
Bonnie was exterminating bears and wolves with Paul-san and Angus-san's group. They're starting to run out of hands.
"Besides, I want to make mead."
The honeybee swarm successfully made it through the winter. Since the rapeseed flowers bloomed beautifully, I received some honey.
"Then we can have delicious mead again this year."
Serena and Renata pulled on my sleeve.
"I'm brewing the first batch now. I think it'll be ready next week, so let's all drink it when it's done."
"By all means, please. I'm looking forward to it."
"That's good. It's been a while since I've had a drink."
"Sister. The one Jeanne brews is delicious."
It's a happy thing to be well-received.
"The dried meat from the village where I'm the landlord should be finished. I expect it'll be the most delicious one yet. I'll bring some samples, so shall we all have a party with that as a snack?"
At Beatrix's words, Violet nodded while wiping away drool.
"Dammit. It looks like I won't be able to come."
"That's too bad, Harris-san. Well, there'll be another chance."
"I hope so."
After eating and drinking for a while, and just as Beatrix and Paul-san were starting a pleasure flight at the request of the spirits.
"By the way, what happened with your Ancient Language studies?"
Harris-san, who had to return to the Royal Capital tomorrow, asked.
"So far, it's been progressing smoothly. I plan to take the final exam at the beginning of next month."
"So you'll be able to draw magic circles?"
"Yes. Thanks to you."
"Umu," he nodded.He looked around as if being wary of the surroundings.
"How about it? Do you have any intention of continuing your Ancient Language studies?"
"Ancient Language?"
Studying Ancient Language is essential to becoming a Bishop. However, like Jennifer-sensei, there are people who do not become Bishops of their own will even after completing the course.
"That's right. Even a Stray Priest can learn it. To become a Bishop, one must belong to the Church, but in Jeanne's case, that doesn't matter."
"But why?"
Other than creating magic circles, it doesn't have much meaning for a Stray Priest.
"If you are a Bishop, you are taught how to create barriers by an Oracle, but normally a Stray Priest is not taught. However, those who have completed Ancient Language and can use high-level holy magic can become a Bishop if they have the recommendation of three Archbishops. Even while remaining a Stray Priest."
I didn't know such a loophole existed. But isn't the stage of getting recommendations from three Archbishops hopeless?
"There's no need to worry about that. The Archbishop of the Nakanohara Church and Price-sama of Medioland have guaranteed that if it's Jeanne, it's fine."
We're still missing one more, though...
"Could it be that you are going to be promoted, Harris-san?"
He laughed loudly.
"As I said before, I'm going to become a 'stray.' I can't tell you who the last person is for now, but it'll probably be fine. How about it? Even a pace of two hours once a week is fine. It'll take three years to complete, but I'll recommend you now."
A recommendation from a Bishop serving at the Great Church in the Royal Capital. Even a priest belonging to the Church wouldn't get one easily...
"If you go that far, I will accept. I don't know if I can finish in three years, but I'll do what I can. But why me?"
Harris-san stared intently into my eyes.
"Jeanne. As you know, I became a priest to get revenge because my family was killed by the Demon Lord's army when I was a child. That's fine in its own way. I don't regret it. However, I learned that you cannot satisfy the human heart with that. Because that's the same as the Demon Race, who consider fighting to be right. You are different. You can truly become friends with spirits, ghosts, and even monsters and dragons. If it's you, who seriously preaches coexistence and co-prosperity to the Demon Lord, you might even be able to heal the thirst of the Demon Race."
He suddenly smiled.
"Besides, I've started to want to participate in a party with the Demon Lord myself."
Unlike the impression I had of Harris-san until now, it was a truly kind smile.