Chapter 290 - Fifth Story: Fourth Mountain Survey
When I went to Sir Stephens's mansion with Harris-sama, the dwarf gatekeeper told me that the Ancient Language lecture was about to begin.
Since I was there, I decided to participate.
The dwarf's teaching method was truly strict; instead of memorizing words one by one through dictation, I was made to actually write sentences. I had to translate two types of example problems—the current language created by the dwarves and the Ancient Language—and I had to look up unknown words myself. It was almost impossible.
"I'm taking it easy on you even now. Normally, I wouldn't let you use the current language during the lecture. I'd make you speak in Ancient Language and read Ancient Language sentences aloud without translating them. I'd make you write compositions according to the assignments I give. If you don't go that far, you won't truly master it."
If it came to that, I, who can't read it, would just fall silent.
"What are you talking about? We do that much every time in the third year."
Harris-sama spoke up.
"I haven't heard about this."
"Tell that to the priest in charge of instruction. In reality, if that doesn't come up in the third year, it means you're falling behind."
That's bad. It's only been a little less than half a year, but there was a war, so I might be behind.
Just in case, I had them give me a simple test.
"Who taught you? I thought Kevin was in charge."
He looked stunned.
This is bad. Actually, I haven't been taught much by Kevin-sama. He was at a different camp.
"It was during the war, so I was being taught by the Headmistress, and also by the Priestess from Finis and the ghosts. It was just a way to kill time during the night shift when there were no emergency patients..."
If anything, it was mostly the Priestess and the ghosts.
"This isn't the level of someone who's only had half a year. You're further along than those who have been taking lectures for over a year."
"Is that so! Yay!"
Thinking about it, the Priestess is Archbishop-class, and the ghosts are former lords. They are the ultimate intellectual class.
Harris-sama called the dwarf and tried a test again. I was suddenly given an assignment and made to write a simple composition. By the way, the content of the assignment was talking about the weather after a greeting.
"Hmm. Isn't this a bit biased?"
"Is it biased?"
"Rather than daily conversation, it's more like the etiquette for writing letters. Here, try reading this aloud."
I tried reading the model I was given.
"Ah, the accent is quite heavy. You know how country folk use strange words? It's like that."
So, is that it? I'm making sentences with words not used in daily life and reading them with a provincial accent? There's no demand for that at all.
"However, you're speaking much more sophisticated words than those in the textbooks used in Medioland. Who taught you?"
Alex asked.
"Bishop Catherine, the Priestess of Finis, and the ghosts."
"Ghosts?"
When I told him the story of how it happened, he burst out laughing.
"Isn't that the real Ancient Language? I always thought the Ancient Language used by the priests around here was somehow off. Well, in Jeanne's case, the northern accent is terrible, though."
"Hmm. It might be a good idea to hire Alex... my dwarf friend, as an instructor."
"Oh, you call a comrade a friend? That makes me happy. By all means, do that."
"I'll consult with Price-sama when he arrives."
That Price-sama said quite simply, "That would be for the best."
"I learned the Ancient Language from a dwarf. That was because learning from a dwarf was more accurate. Originally, the Ancient Language was the language and script used by the dwarves. Ancient humans were taught it and mastered it, and as a result of it merging with the languages used by those who came from the continent, it became the language we use today."
"I heard the language in Finis is accented, though."
"It's not just Finis. Finis is the only one that uses Ancient Language as an official language, but it's actually understood to some extent in Primordia as well, and in certain regions of Sertoria, starting with the Royal Family. However, each has its own accent, or rather, quirks, and nowadays only the language used by the dwarves is correct."
The elves had their own language, but after that whole business of trying to build a kingdom, it seems it's almost entirely lost.
"Dwarves are busy, after all. When they don't have work, they're always drinking alcohol. If you try to hire them as instructors for priests who are strict about time, some will object."
I see.
The dwarf was tilting his cup as if he weren't listening.
That's exactly what I mean.
"In that regard, Jeanne should be fine."
What does that mean?
Harris-sama, you're laughing too much.
Leaving the decision of whether to be taught by Alex to Harris-sama, the royals haven't arrived yet.
When I asked Price-sama, he said they were busy. They would be delayed by a few days.
"James-sama has proposed something called the Council of Lords. It is an attempt to have the kings of each nation or their representatives participate and resolve disputes between countries through an international conference. The Great Churches of each nation's capital will also participate as advisors. As you know, the Church is thoroughly opposed to war, so we are in favor of it, expecting a certain amount of deterrent power."
I had heard the story at the camp. But where on earth would they hold it?
"They are trying to hold the first one in the Medioland capital, but it seems Engrio is reluctant."
"They probably think they'll be trapped and killed."
Price-sama and Harris-sama were nodding to each other, but I don't think King Seldic is such a coward. During the departure ceremony for the Demon Lord subjugation, he stood unarmed in the middle of a crowd whose jeers at the Engrio ambassador had turned into a thundering roar.
"What is it, Jeanne? Do you have an idea?"
When I tilted my head, Harris-sama asked.
I told them the stories I had heard from the Engrio nobles and ghosts at the camp.
"Hmm. So you're saying he's not afraid of being killed?"
"Yes. I heard he was someone who tried to challenge the Demon Lord as a primary contender shortly after coming of age. The Headmistress also praised him. In a way, he's like Roberts-sama. If that's the case, wouldn't there be some other intention?"
He began to think. Price-sama should also know well about that.
"Right now, Medioland is the strongest, isn't it? What about the other countries?"
I asked the two of them.
"In other words, even if King Seldic isn't afraid, the other countries are?"
"Certainly, the pressure exerted is great."
If they lose to the pressure of the Medioland capital, the other countries will all end up being nothing but anti-Engrio. The countryside would definitely be better.
"Is there any other good place? If it's not within Medioland, the Royal Palace won't be satisfied."
"What do you think, Jeanne?"
Why ask me? I only know a tiny part of Medioland.
Ah, no. Wait a minute.
"How about near the mountain? Like the area that recently became part of Medioland."
When I met Wilson-san, he said something about the mountain being the center of the island. It's close to the holy land and also close to Engrio. I heard there was no fierce fighting because they launched a surprise attack with a large army. Buildings and such should remain without being burned, and the residents' feelings shouldn't be that bad.
"I see. It's close to the midpoint between the Engrio capital and the Medioland capital. Moreover, any country can arrive without entering Engrio territory. It's southwest of this land. If Engrio plots something wicked, we can seek aid from Sir Stephens."
"If it's the southwestern part of the mountain, there should be a large church built by the previous lord. And the lord's manor. There, we can hold banquets, and security would be easy."
Price-sama and Harris-sama took my hands.
As expected of Wilson-san.
"As expected of Catherine's pupil. What do you think, Bishop Harris? I will inform the Medioland Royal Palace through Sir Stephens. I must convey that it was Jeanne's proposal."
"Then I shall inform the Sertoria Royal Palace. I must tell His Majesty that it was Jeanne's proposal."
"No, not me..."
This is bad. Wilson-san was a secret weapon...
I felt like Harris-sama's eyes gleamed.
"E-Er, I talked about it with Henry-sama and the others before..."
I explained falteringly.
"Isn't it fine? For this time, it is Jeanne's proposal. It is significant that it is a proposal from a 'stray,' rather than from us who belong to the Church. If we step forward, it will be troublesome later."
"That's right. Imagine if I, a priest of the state church, said such a thing. It would become a huge problem."
Which means.
"Could it be that you all were thinking the same thing?"
Um, is it okay for high-ranking priests to look away like that?
The matter was settled quickly, and shortly after the two of them contacted their respective capitals, the four royals gathered.
Because the schedule was tight, we went to investigate early, but in the end, we didn't find out much. It was just that the magic we currently call movement-type or status-change-type and treat as 'other magic' was indeed treated as 'other magic' back then.
About twenty percent of the total remained, but since the magic described there consisted of spells that hadn't appeared until now, we just confirmed our expectations for the next investigation.
As expected, magic that is rare to begin with seems to be saved for last.
After the investigation was over, there was a banquet at Sir Stephens's mansion.
If anything, it became a banquet to reward James-sama, who looked heavily fatigued.
Eel pies were piled high. For some reason, the royals love these, and they were munching on them along with Dune. I seemed to have remembered the taste after eating them many times, as I sniffed the savory scent of the filling after biting into one with my hands.
"James-sama. Thank you for your hard work. It seems you were able to persuade the Engrio ambassador who was throwing a tantrum."
After the toast, Price-sama immediately spoke to James-sama, who had drained his beer in one go.
"It's thanks to Jeanne's proposal. As the victor, we couldn't make concessions to the defeated nation. However, if it's the advice of a priest who is also a knight of our country, it's well worth considering. Moreover, it's even more so if the plan is superior to the Engrio ambassador's proposal."
Didn't everyone mistake me for the Headmistress or Harrison-san? Well, my name apparently didn't come up, so that was good.
"Where was Engrio's proposal?"
I asked for reference.
Surely it wasn't their own country.
"Morandine."
"?"
What is that? For now, did they just hate going to a country that lost?
"Again. That's quite nasty. Morandine has only just changed over to a young king, and there must be nobles still connected to Medioland. Since they were former allies, there will be many pro-Engrio factions with strong connections among the people, economically and religiously."
Price-sama said. Harris-sama remained silent without changing his expression.
Rumor in the streets has it that the Morandine army suffered great damage while trying to rescue the Medioland army that was attacked by a swarm of Revenants. The one controlling those Revenants was Engrio, but that part seems to have become ambiguous. They must have covered up various things.
However, naturally, the nobles of Engrio and Morandine would all know the truth, according to James-sama.
"That Seldic. It seems he still hasn't completely abandoned his ambitions. If this is how it's going to be, I should have pushed the offensive even at the risk of worsening relations with the continent, and at least killed off someone like Mortimer."
"If that had happened, the Eastern Plains Corps would have become the Southern Plains Corps."
James-sama said, and Roberts-sama followed.
Gwyn-sama burst out laughing, and Gladys-sama held her head in her hands.
I don't think those are words to be said in front of the Archbishop, but Price-sama said nothing about that point.
Regardless of the subsequent political situation, the war ended early as a result of James-sama's choice to accept Margrave Mortimer's surrender.
"It is a thing of the past. Besides, thanks to your invading Engrio territory by choosing grazing lands without committing any acts of looting, the farmers are all happy, saying they can expect a sufficient wheat harvest next year. Furthermore, the newly seized land was made James-sama's direct territory, the serfs were liberated, and all were made land-owning free farmers. Although Engrio is a wealthy country, it seems having one's own land is still a joy. Everyone is happy."
As expected of Price-sama. He skillfully changed the subject.
Medioland liberated the serfs of the newly possessed land. They gave them land, made them free farmers, and imposed military service. Apparently, that way they can reduce military spending.
"The problem is from here on. Even though we made them free farmers, the majority are serfs who cannot use magic. How much land they can actually cultivate is something we won't know until we try. In fact, many are showing reluctance, saying it's impossible to pay taxes for land they can't fully cultivate."
They should just do it the Engrio way. In any case, when spring comes, the farmers of the old Engrio territory will surely all come to negotiate, asking for it to be done that way.
"The Engrio way? Jeanne. What on earth is that?"
The royals gathered around. Sir Stephens and Price-sama were there too. This is my chance.
I explained it like this and like that.
I see, everyone agreed. Regarding the four-way split, it was proposed that they could just bundle multiple farmhouses together. It might as well spread as far as Regnentes.
"By the way, it seems Jeanne is going to challenge the evil spirits of Northern Gram."
Even Price-sama already knew.
"Yes. Eleanor-sama told me, and I ended up having to go from the back..."
During the half-year of training, I won't be able to earn money.
"Aren't you going to do a rehearsal?"
Rehearsal? What's that?
"In Medioland, one goes to hunt evil spirits after gaining experience in laying to rest the ghosts that appear on the battlefield. That is commonly called a rehearsal."
What do you mean by 'commonly'?
"Yes. At the battlefield ruins, during the day, farmers... especially serfs, are stripping fallen weapons and armor, but at night, priests go around laying to rest aggressive spirits before they gain experience and become powerful evil spirits. It originated from the serfs, who pass by the priests in the evening while carrying the loot stripped from corpses from the battlefield ruins, calling it a rehearsal."
Somehow, that's too vivid and scary.
"Hoho, isn't that interesting. What do you say, Jeanne? Will you go?"
Roberts-sama drew the sword at his waist just a tiny bit, then slammed it back with a clank.
Clank, clank. James-sama, Gwyn-sama, Gladys-sama, and even Sir Stephens all made their swords ring in the same way.
What kind of ritual is this?
It's seriously scary!
"Then, Bishop Harris. Shall we go as well?"
"I would be honored to accompany you."
Um, everyone, why are you looking at me?
"Do your best. Go blast them with your favorite light magic."
The dwarf patted me on the shoulder.