Chapter 298 - Thirteenth Story: Visit to Northern Gram
Spring had come.
Rape blossoms were blooming softly, and the cherry blossom buds had grown large.
Normally, I would be celebrating the arrival of spring with the spirits and the Queen Bee, but this year I can't do that.
I have to go to the Royal Capital, go to Finis, and furthermore, go to Northern Gram. Moreover, as one of the envoys invited by the King of Northern Gram.
I joined up with Mary in the Royal Capital, and when I went to the royal palace the week after the spring decoration ceremony, I was called to the Audience Chamber instead of the usual banquet hall. Moreover, I was ordered to wear my vestments.
When I went to the waiting room, the Archbishop of the Royal Capital Great Church and Bishop Phillips were there.
"Jeanne. Thank you for your hard work at the prisoner-of-war camp."
"No, Archbishop, wasn't it you who had a hard time?"
Harris-sama started saying he would become a stray, the King was almost excommunicated, and behind the scenes, bad people like Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are active.
"That's right. Other things aside, it was tough during His Majesty's time."
To my surprise, the Archbishop was complaining. It must have been quite something. After all, Harris-sama was turning pale and trembling before Price-sama.
"I'm sure, I'm sure. After all, neither I nor Bishop Harris knew anything about it. Bishop Harris is on good terms with His Majesty, but it seems he was given the cold shoulder this time."
When even Bishop Phillips spoke of it, it seemed it was quite a major ordeal.
When they learned of the matter, they both apparently collapsed to their knees.
The serious King also did something quite daring. He must have been egged on by Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama.
"His Majesty and Roberts-sama have been quite mischievous since they were young. I was their tutor along with Bishop Catherine, and Catherine used to scold them often. My role was to soothe Catherine, but if things were going to turn out like this, maybe I should have been a bit stricter."
He was cracking his knuckles.
Um, Archbishop?
While I was listening to the Archbishop's complaints about the King's childhood, it seemed the time had come. Someone serving the royal palace came to call us to the Audience Chamber. Looking at the candle, an hour had passed.
On the way to being guided to the Audience Chamber, the guide whispered, "Thank you for your hard work." Apparently, the Archbishop's venting of frustration had been orchestrated.
When I entered the Audience Chamber, all the dignitaries were lined up. All the royals were there too.
I get nervous no matter how many times I come to such a place. I followed behind the Archbishop as instructed beforehand.
When we came before the King, the Archbishop placed his hand on my shoulder, so I knelt as I was.
When the Archbishop cleared his throat loudly, the King and Henry-sama's bodies trembled with a start. Seeing that, Roberts-sama, who looked like he was about to burst out laughing, was elbowed in the side by Gladys-sama.
"Your Majesty. I have brought Priest Jeanne."
"U-Umu. Thank you for your trouble. Now, Priest Jeanne. Thanks to the liquid medicine developed by the priest, those who were waiting for death due to illness have been saved. Not only that, it has contributed to the stability of the north. This can be called a miracle brought about by Priest Jeanne practicing the teachings of coexistence and co-prosperity of the islanders, which is the foundation of the Goddess's teachings."
The King praised me quite a lot.
After that, he kept praising me excessively.
After being praised single-mindedly, I was officially appointed as one of the envoys, and the ceremony ended.
There's definitely something behind this.
When leaving the room, Eleanor-sama waved her hand, saying, "See you later."
She might tell me during the dinner party.
By the way, the leader of the envoys is Evans-sama, and following him are Queen Magdalena as the representative of the Royal Family, the Ambassador to be dispatched to Northern Gram, and Harris-sama as the representative of the Church. Will is temporarily serving as a direct subordinate to Magdalena, and I am accompanying Harris-sama. Mary is one of the merchant groups following the Ambassador. Unlike established major firms, her main trade consists of dried meat, sweets, and not-too-expensive clothes and accessories for young women, so the targets don't overlap. Now, she has business alliances with several shops in the lower town, including the Highway Cookies main store.
When I went to the dinner party, as usual, the dignitaries were gathered. Unfortunately, the King, the Queen, and Evans-sama seemed to be caught by the Northern Gram Ambassador, so I couldn't hear their stories.
I couldn't ask the King directly about the reason for the excessive praise, but Eleanor-sama, who rarely participates in dinner parties, secretly told me.
In short, even though I'm a stray, he wanted to declare that I am a person suitable for being an official envoy upon appointing me.
Of course, the Northern Gram Ambassador is also present. In other words, it's 'public opinion.'
"Did you see the Northern Gram Ambassador? Every time His Majesty praised Jeanne, he applauded loudly. If His Majesty talks Jeanne up in an official setting, the Northern Gram nobles who hear of it will all think Jeanne is His Majesty's favorite. Since you are a stray priest, strange bugs will surely be drawn to you. This is a bug repellent. However, among such people, those who are greedy will all be ensnared by Mary and turned into money."
Mary, wearing a hair ornament of yellow daffodils symbolizing Sertoria, was smiling only with her mouth like a lady. Poor bugs, thinking it's a beautiful flower and approaching, will be done in by the poison.
"So I am a decoy."
"Please do your best. Also, there is a meaning to why your magic water was excluded from this decoration ceremony."
"A meaning?"
"You will understand when you return."
Eleanor-sama looked into my eyes meaningfully.
There's a meaning to being excluded from the decoration ceremony...
"That aside, Fiona is here, isn't she?"
"Ah, yes. Over there..."
I brought her at Eleanor-sama's request, and she's drinking alcohol rapidly together with Dune.
Before I knew it, a dedicated waiter had been assigned to their table.
"Please take Fiona with you to Northern Gram."
Saying so, she went over to the King and the others.
"Hey, Mary. What do you think it means that being excluded from the decoration ceremony has a meaning?"
Mary will also participate as a member of the envoys. It's for her contribution in creating the opportunity for the athlete's foot medicine... the magic liquid medicine to reach Finis. If she hadn't told the Finis Ambassador, it might not have reached Aira.
"Hmm. Jeanne will undoubtedly be knighted by Northern Gram. But I'm sure it'll be unofficial. Eowyn-sama's illness hadn't been officially announced. You can't celebrate the recovery of an illness that he wasn't even supposed to have, right? If you are knighted, you'll be a knight of three countries, but they'll all be unofficial. It's the same in Regnentes. You received reward money and words without a medal, right? In other words, maybe you'll get something unofficially in Sertoria too."
Come to think of it, in Regnentes I only got reward money...
I see! I'll just get reward money!
"But, Jeanne. The problem is why it was unofficial. You're doing various things that can't be made public. Like the mountain investigation. At worst, you might be kidnapped by the Ruined Town or Engrio, so you have to be careful."
Eh!
"If you were a Church-affiliated priest, that position would protect you from danger. But you're a stray, right? The organization can't protect you. Will is going as your bodyguard, so to speak. Also, it's a secret, but..."
Mary, who had been glancing around at the surroundings, seemed to have found her target and lightly raised her hand.
At the end of her gaze was Hughes-sama.
He winked at us.
"Under the pretext of being a guard for the envoys, Hughes-sama is coming with us."
"Has it become such a big deal?"
I was surprised. The scout called a hero is my bodyguard?
"Hey, is my position really that dangerous? I'm going to Engrio next time too."
"It's scarcity value. The King of Engrio is the kind of person who works with the priests of the Ruined Town and sics monsters on people, right? You never know what he'll do. So maybe they're being cautious."
Come to think of it, I faced the Red-Eyed Man at the mountain.
According to James-sama, he didn't just come to infiltrate the mountain, but to manipulate me.
However, in the end, the method to learn magic wasn't written there.
Even if such a thing were written, one can learn the magic they want to learn by becoming a Revenant and using Forbidden Magic. I don't think the Ruined Town, which has many Revenants, would want such a thing.
Is the target the description of Forbidden Magic? What I found out is that there is the First King series I use and the magic on the opposite side. And that Forbidden Magic is granted by the Goddess just like other magic, and as for [Undead], it was granted as an extremely useful thing originally intended to eliminate orphans, and has nothing to do with war. I don't think the world would be turned upside down if it were made public. It's not something to fight over to the point of taking human lives.
Even if the original usage of [Undead] became widely known, I don't think Sertoria's national policy would move to de-prohibit Forbidden Magic for the sake of orphan relief. The damage if it were misused is too great, and in the figures that are out, orphans are overwhelmingly fewer than those who are not. Royal families of other countries with status systems would ignore it even more. Whether it's made public or not, it won't have a major impact.
However, in Sertoria and Engrio, it can be used unofficially. It's not illegal. In fact, Wilson-san holds an important position, although he has sealed his Forbidden Magic with a Magic-Sealing Ring. He just doesn't go to church; his existence itself isn't denied. He just happens to have no children.
Depending on negotiations, maybe at least [Undead] could be recognized. The issue would be the price. Unless it's a country with substantial orphan measures, it won't be considered. Even more so for countries that maintain a status system. Is there no good way...
"What's wrong? Did I scare you? Sorry. But it's okay. In Northern Gram, James-sama and Gwyn-sama are also going. Eowyn-sama is there too, and above all, Will and I are here."
Mary patted my shoulder and I came back to my senses. I must not speak of what I learned in the investigation. I made a vow to the Goddess. But I want to hear everyone's opinions too...
"It's okay. Actually, it seems Henry-sama and the others are also secretly participating. Though, since it's an undercover visit, we won't know where they are."
Wait a minute. Why do you know that much?
"Ufufu. It's a secret. It's semi-official business, so it won't be a breach of regulations."
Official business... He's almost a scout. Bonnie, who didn't get to be active when she went for training despite being selected by Eleanor-sama, will be jealous.
What Mary said seemed to be true; in Medioland James-sama joined, and in Finis the King and Queen, Gwyn-sama and Aira, as well as the High Priest of the Royal Capital and several Priestesses, and multiple heavyweights were added. The Crown Princess declined to travel far because her child is small, but she seems to have sent a letter.
When we arrived at the canyon where the friendship commemoration ceremony was held, the King and Queen, Eowyn-sama, and the Princess came from Northern Gram. Of course, they brought several heavyweights with them.
The canyon of the two ghosts was heavily guarded by the Finis army to the north and the Northern Gram army to the south.
Furthermore, the sky was filled with bowls from both countries flying about. Though, the bowls haven't disappeared.
Magic soldiers were on board and were launching colorful magic as if to liven up the ceremony, so they might just be for show.
The border checkpoint was established at the entrance of the villages at the north and south exits of the canyon, and villagers from both sides can come and go freely. As a result, the use of the canyon became exclusive and legal.
Moreover, not only priests but even mages can now train there, and it has become a kind of magic training facility.
At the Queen's mound, a magnificent temple and attached facilities were built, and are jointly managed by priests dispatched from both countries. There is a guard unit, but they are dedicated to the temple's security, and the army is apparently prohibited from entering between the villages.
There are also facilities for staying for the annual friendship commemoration ceremony, managed jointly by the lords of the north and south, and the expenses were split between the Royal Families of both countries. The villagers stay in cheap inns run by the lords, but the accommodation fees were effectively the usage fees for the canyon paid to the lords.
The ceremony began under the direction of the priests, and after greetings from the Kings of both countries who were guests, the unveiling ceremony for the stone statues of the two ghosts took place.
"What should I do? I'm a bit scared to look."
"It's okay. The craftsmen are top-notch ones employed by the Royal Family. Besides, I gave them a good talking-to before they started the work."
"Ufun. How reliable."
They're flirting as usual.
The 'talking-to' surely meant he said he'd curse them to death if they made him look bad or something.
The group of craftsmen has turned pale.
Seeing that the two ghosts have changed into modern clothes at some point, they must have received them from both Royal Families. The ill-natured lord is wearing a quite magnificent set of armor over a checked pattern and has a cloak draped over him. As for the Queen, she was wearing something fluttering like a priestess when we met, but she's wearing a dress with gorgeous embroidery. Her hair, which used to flutter down to her knees, is also neatly tied up with a gold hair ornament. Her makeup is perfect too. It's as if it were a royal wedding.
"It's beautiful. Since we are sending her as a bride from our country to this land, it was worth the effort. It suits you well."
It's the Queen of Northern Gram.
Apparently, Finis was in charge of the groom and Northern Gram was in charge of the bride. Since it's a dwelling for newlyweds where national law cannot be applied, this level of casualness is probably fine.
At those words, the bride, perhaps moved, shed a single tear.
As the performance by the band proceeded, the King and Queen of both countries placed their hands on the curtain draped over the stone statues, and with a signal, pulled it down all at once.
In the center of the shrine next to the temple were a male statue and a female statue.
The two sitting side by side in chairs looked like a King and Queen sitting on thrones.
Behind the stone statues are the gravestones. They will surely sleep together in this land forever. Just their bones.
The curtains draped over the three walls—left, right, and back of the stone statues—were also pulled down at the same time. Three tapestries were hung, depicting the meeting of the two, their battle together after becoming ghosts, and the wedding ceremony wearing the same outfits as today.
Wait a minute. Isn't the priest fighting the two of them me? I look like a villain.
The two stared at the stone statues in silence, but when the Queen tearfully thanked everyone, saying, "Thank you very much," it seemed they liked them.
The group of craftsmen, who avoided being cursed to death, cheered loudly, and as colorful magic was launched one after another, a great round of applause arose from everyone.
After the unveiling of the stone statues, the joint burial, the marriage, greetings and pledges of friendship by both Royal Families, and my knighthood by the King of Northern Gram, the ceremony proceeded to a banquet. By the way, I once again served as an assistant to the officiant.
"Jeanne-sama. This place will continue to be maintained by both Royal Families as a training ground for priests. Jeanne-sama is, so to speak, the first official trainee recognized by both Royal Families."
I see, that's good. I had misunderstood.
"The second one has already been decided too."
It's Evans-sama.
"You've brought Fiona with you, haven't you?"
That's right. Eleanor-sama told me to tell her myself, so I tried telling her. As expected, she's full of motivation.
Since she's drinking alcohol with Dune, I called her and introduced her to the two.
"Excellency. Madam. My name is Fiona. I have been ordered by the former Sertorian Queen Eleanor to learn under you two. I am inexperienced and may fall short in many ways, but I will do my best, so please look after me."
She's greeting the ghost couple for the first time.
She was originally a servant to a great lord's wife. She has properly acquired etiquette. The two ghosts also seemed to like her.
"You have Fiona's stones, don't you? We will keep one of them here. And let us give you this."
Eowyn-sama brought out a set of magic circles for sending letters.
"With this, Fiona can commute. We will have her train within a reasonable range and have her power up as a ghost. The password will only be shared with the two who have become the new lords of this land and Jeanne."
It would be a problem if Fiona became an evil spirit. The customers would run away...
"It's okay, Jeanne. It's only three days a week. I'll do my best to acquire evil spirit mode and become strong, so let's subjugate the Demon Lord together."
"This is quite stout-hearted. Very well, we shall teach you thoroughly."
"How reliable. Since I'm a ghost, I know some techniques that only ghosts can use and some secret arts from ancient times, so depending on your diligence, I'll pass them on."
They hit it off in no time and are getting excited.
Honestly, how did it come to this?