Chapter 318 - Sixth Story: Ghosts and Magic Orbs
Before going to the island where the Wyverns live, we decided to stop by the northern lands. There's something I had asked the Priestess for through a letter via Aira. Additionally, since we'll be going further north, it's to study in advance. Since the opponent is a dragon, we can't go in large numbers. We narrowed it down to the number of people who could fit in a medium-sized bowl carrying luggage. The participants, excluding Gwyn-sama who will join us in the Finis royal capital, are the Henry Party, Harris-sama, Bonnie who has been continuously nominated by Eleanor-sama recently, Renata's clone in charge of searching for the Dryad of Northern Gram, Flora carrying Glory's basket, Alex who is spectating, and me.
Afterward, Fiona and the Queen of the border are waiting for us in the north. Of course, we have talked to both the Finis and Northern Gram royal families. According to the Priestess's reply, the former wicked lord apparently applied to the Priestess because he wanted to apologize for his rudeness. It's a bit strange for the side being apologized to to go, but he went to pick us up especially while being apologized to. Of course, the journey was in a Finis military bowl.
When the bowl arrived in front of the temple at the announced time, the lord with his attendants and the Priestess came out to meet us. She's greeting the Queen, whom she's meeting for the first time.
Renata's clone comes through the sprout planted in a pot, so for now, it's just the potted tree.
First, as before, we go through the cross-border procedures. The attendant seemed to be the person in charge and held a large ledger. The occupation column listed four traveling merchants, one priest, and one hunter. Apparently, this method has been established for those coming by bowl. The reason there are no columns for Alex or Fiona is likely because they are existences outside the law.
"If it's alright, could I have your signatures here as well? The Queen of the border and Fiona too, please."
After the procedures were finished, the lord said so. He produced a book with nothing written in it. No, something like a tab was attached, and it said 'Sertoria'.
"What is this?"
When I asked, it was apparently a personal hobby.
"Recently, I've made it a hobby to collect signatures from famous people. To prevent forgery of signatures, I have them write the year and date over the signature."
As a sample, he showed me the page with the Finis tab. There were many signatures from the Finis royal family and below. Each had a string of words written under the signature. Apparently, they are each person's motto. The King wrote, "For the prosperity of Finis," and the Queen next to him wrote, "For the peace of Finis." Aira wrote, "For the people," and Gwyn-sama wrote, "A warrior for life."
This is interesting.
"It's a wonderful collection."
Praised by Eleanor-sama, the lord was also pleased.
"This is the Crown Princess. It's a famous quote."
Looking at it, it said, "The sun that has set will surely rise, and the moon repeats its waxing and waning."
The illness of Eowyn-sama, which caused the delay of her own marriage, and its cure, and the heir granted between her and the Finis Crown Prince Gwyn-sama, and the engagement of Eowyn-sama and Aira. The sun rose, and the moon waxed. She is a quiet person who doesn't say much, but she must have a strong core.
There's no way Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama wouldn't jump on this. Since we're here, everyone decided to sign. It was typical of Henry-sama, who was supposed to be a traveling merchant, to suddenly start writing "Fourth King of Sertoria."
Everyone signed in order. Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are on the first page because they are royalty. Since there are no nobles, Wilson-san and the others signed in order from the top of the next page without filling the blanks.
However, I'm at a loss when told to write a motto. I had never thought about it until now.
"Since you're putting the date, it can be your current goal. It can be words you heard from someone."
Taking the lord's words at face value, I wrote "Coexistence and Co-prosperity." It was originally a teaching of the Goddess and is also written in the doctrine books. It's good and priest-like.
Henry-sama wrote, "Live as a knight and die as a knight," and Eleanor-sama wrote, "A wise person has wealth within themselves." The Queen was treated as a noble of Finis and wrote "Love" in large letters. Bonnie wrote, "Think leisurely and move quickly," and Will wrote, "Learn everything from one thing." As expected, compared to the easy-to-understand Henry-sama and the Queen, Eleanor-sama and Will are difficult. Apparently, they are words of people who lived on the continent long ago.
After the procedures were finished, we went to the temple. I'll be acting separately from Henry-sama and the others for now. I had them go to the fortress with the lord. Meanwhile, I go to the temple. In the room with the statue of the Goddess, it was the four of us: the Priestess, the Queen, Fiona, and me.
"Priestess. It's about what I've been talking about before. The method of imbuing orbs with magic like [Anti-Sepsis] and [Light]..."
Since there are no users of the First King series, there is no experience. Putting aside ancient times when legendary figures were alive, it's impossible now. If a defect occurs, and a problem happens to the ghost that entered the orb, it can't be undone. Especially [Light] is extremely dangerous for ghosts. I think it's fine since [Holy] can be imbued, but I can't experiment.
"Did you find any good method?"
"Actually..."
I explain about ghosts' clones.
"In other words, if you imbue an orb with a clone, the magic will activate."
"I don't know that. But we can experiment."
"I see. Come to think of it, that's true. However, a ghost that makes clones... could it be Fiona?"
"Ah, no, she's still practicing. But the lady I serve... the Queen of the border, can do it perfectly."
The Queen, who had become remarkably quiet perhaps because she was nervous coming to the north, nodded while smiling.
"Is that so? As expected of a practitioner of such renown. However, wouldn't it be difficult to enter an orb upon a first meeting?"
"Yes. So, this time I'll have Fiona's clone do it, and the Queen of the border will watch..."
I intended to be considerate, but the Queen said she would do it.
"When you've been a ghost for a long time, you know, you understand the wavelength of a person's soul. This person is, so to speak, a chosen priestess, right? In other words, she's the same as me. So, let's see... if I can have three days including today, we can understand each other sufficiently."
In the end, the plan to leave for Northern Gram in three days and two nights was extended by two days to five days and four nights, but if it's no good, there's always a next time. Anyway, a schedule is just a schedule. I decided to believe in the Queen and try it.
Next, we go to where the ghosts are hanging out. Since they've gathered from all over, they're waiting for their turn to enter an orb. Since it's summer now, there's food. Accordingly, agricultural magic is needed, so what's needed are water-sprinkling magic, fertilizer-sprinkling magic, and earth magic that can be used for threshing the rye widely cultivated in Finis. If Tornado Wind could be used, it would be one shot, but since high-level attribute magic is taboo, it will be the mid-level [Clump Stone].
"Oh, Jeanne. You've come. I hear you're going to the Wyvern island."
"Is it okay if we don't go with you? No matter how much of a Dragon Slayer you are, Jeanne, if the opponent is a pack, the odds are against you."
Everyone is worried about me.
"Thank you. The Wind Spirit will cooperate, so I think it will be fine."
Everyone looked at each other all at once.
"What, I worried for nothing."
"Isn't it a bit much to say you worried for nothing about Jeanne? Is your sense of gratitude lacking?"
"'For nothing' is just a figure of speech. You're a guy who doesn't understand."
"What! You want to go?"
"Yeah! Let's do it!"
The same as always. If they're like this, I can't believe they can use advanced techniques.
"Yes, yes, that's enough for greetings. More importantly, there's something I'd like you all to cooperate with."
The greetings stopped and everyone swarmed around. I call the Queen into the room.
"What, who is this beauty?"
"Are you going to introduce her to us?"
"No, no. We have Jeanne. Even if she's such a beauty..."
Everyone is glancing at the Queen. They're completely smitten.
"First of all, this person is married."
Everyone looked up at the sky all at once. What on earth are they thinking?
When I said she was a wicked spirit of the border who successfully married the wicked lord, there was a grand round of applause. Everyone had heard from the Priestess and knew how things had turned out.
"I heard from the Priestess. You were a ghost for a long time to protect your territory. A wicked spirit turned guardian deity, eh?"
"Hmm. But that guy, he did well."
"Exactly, for such a beauty, well, he'd be a ghost for a thousand or two thousand years as much as he liked."
"Queen. Bring your husband next time. We well understand his heart for protecting his territory. He is the pride of the people of the north. We have no hard feelings now."
"That's right. Since you're newlyweds, you don't even have to enter an orb. Let's share a drink together once."
"Hmm. We'll set up a place for celebration."
I had also encouraged the husband, the wicked lord, to come, but he apparently refused, saying he couldn't face everyone. However, the ghosts consider the prosperity and safety of the north above all else. Even if the methods are different, the thoughts are the same.
"Thank you for your kind words. I will tell my husband. If there is an occasion to come here, please treat him well."
At the unexpected popularity, the Queen also seemed moved and had red eyes.
By the way, the reconciliation of the ghosts is not the purpose.
"Actually, I'm looking for someone among you who can use the clone technique..."
I have the Queen make a clone.
"Oh! Amazing! You can do such a thing!"
"What! As expected!"
Apparently, no one else can do it. Well, since they were likely the type who competed with muscles when they were alive, they probably didn't even look at techniques.
The Queen teaches everyone how to do it and has them actually try, but it doesn't even become kneaded clay like hair. They're depressed, saying they can't do it. Well, it's impossible for the first time.
"It's not something that can be done so easily. Especially for those who cannot use magic, it's likely impossible. So, don't lose heart. What you all have been doing is very admirable, so please focus on that."
It's as the Queen says.
Wait, huh?
"Fiona, could you use magic?"
"Hehe. I had the lady train me. I learned three basic spells. I was born on a remote island, so magic wasn't very important, and after I left the island, I served as a maid, so I didn't have time to learn."
She apparently learned [Fire Ball], [Energy Bolt], and [Hurl Stone]. To be precise, since she's a ghost, it's a technique and not called magic, so it's equivalent to three basic mages. She can't use magic itself, but her spiritual power or whatever has increased accordingly, and she's become able to, for example, produce fireballs or raise pale blue flames.
I have her try it. After several deep breaths, when she puts strength into it with an "Ei!", a fireball certainly appeared. It doesn't fly away but is floating around.
"Isn't that amazing!"
I didn't think it was possible to learn magic after becoming a ghost. The Queen was a mage who could do things even Eleanor-sama couldn't. As expected. Looking at the Queen, she's in her 'public version', and when our eyes meet, she's smiling only with her mouth.
While the two of us were high-fiving and getting excited, a voice came from the back.
"I did it."
Another young and thin one came out. His torso is only about half the width of the other ghosts.
"Oh, this guy was here."
"That's right, I completely forgot."
It's rude, but I don't recognize him. Since most ghosts frequently gave their names and appealed in various ways, I remembered their names, faces, birthplaces, and the general era they lived in, whether I liked it or not.
"This guy is a newcomer."
"Hmm. He died of disease during the recent war. He became a ghost, saying he couldn't accept dying of disease rather than dying in battle. For someone young, he has quite a bit of grit, so he's already entered an orb twice. He was a magic soldier, so he must be familiar with techniques."
An unusual one came out. Until now, the former lords were the center, and other people ascended satisfied after entering an orb once or twice. He must have been very frustrated.
"I also had the power to fight and protect everyone. I'm a user of two high-level spells, even if I look like this. I'll prove the power I couldn't demonstrate while I was alive."
"Hmm. This is a man of Finis."
"A good mindset."
While everyone was glowing, he cut off a bundle of hair with the knife at his waist and easily made a second orb of light.
Fiona, unusually, raised her voice, saying, "That's wonderful!"
He can't fly it or anything, but it's enough. Since he's permanently stationed at this temple unlike Fiona, he'll always be able to talk with the Priestess.
Four days later. I asked everyone to move up the turn and decided to have [Light], [Thought Communication], and [Anti-Sepsis] imbued into six orbs, two of each. Three for the Queen's clones, and three for Fiona's and the young magic soldier's. The contract period is a maximum of one year. Fortunately, the clones entered the orbs safely. After this, we have to wait one night. Tomorrow, I'll have the three of them take out the clones and check for changes. If there are no problems, we'll actually release magic and check the effect. If the other two spells besides [Light] can be handled with orbs, at the very least, the side jobs won't be necessary.
"I hope it goes well."
"After all, Jeanne has to single-mindedly make scrolls."
The side jobs have already become a daily routine. At the countermeasure meeting hosted by Magdalena-sama, it was limited to facilities managed by the state or the church, and they're trying to narrow it down to as few as possible using magic circles, but [Anti-Sepsis] especially is in high demand because they're washing various things so it doesn't spread to those involved. At present, combining all grades, it's thirty scrolls a week for both spells. Fortunately, in Finis and Northern Gram, they prepare scrolls for other countries as well at the places I go, so I just have to imbue magic, but even so, it's quite a hassle.
"It's hard. However, I hear the patients with [Just a Disease] have decreased significantly."
"In Finis and on the west coast. The problem is the east coast. Since there are many people involved in trade with the continent, we don't even know how many patients there are in the countries on the east coast."
At this point, Medioland and Engrio are excluded. And patients might come from the continent. If they eventually become targets, I don't know how many will be needed, so I'm making a large amount now.
"Besides, the Royal Medical Research Institute is currently under construction in Sertoria. We'll test if it's effective for other diseases, not just [Just a Disease]. If that happens, even more might be needed."
"It seems it will continue for a while."
"Yes. I'm prepared for these next two or three years."
"Truly, good work. Please take care of yourself."
In the end, the experiment achieved a certain amount of results. 'A certain amount' means that while the Queen's clone safely released magic, for Fiona's and the young mage's clones, the grade dropped by two and they only became about basic magic. There's also a problem with durability; the Priestess says it's unstable, so it will probably only last about half a year at most. The difference in the level of the techniques must have shown.
However, the clones imbued into the orbs didn't suffer any particular damage, and there was no effect on the main bodies. The ones that became basic can be used for basic scrolls, so they're useful in their own way.
"I said that, but I'm glad it could be done safely. My husband said it could definitely be done, so I tried, but it's a secret technique of the mountain people. I was anxious about what to do if I failed."
The Queen, who let out a deep sigh, started talking. It seems being silent wasn't just for her 'public version'. Anyway, six orbs were made. And the mage, being unsatisfied, volunteered to apprentice himself under the Queen.
At this point, I had a messenger sent to the fortress and had the lord and Henry-sama's group also come to the fortress to talk about the results of the experiment.
"What are you going to do with those orbs?"
Eleanor-sama asked. For now, they'll be useful for making scrolls.
"I'll take one back to Nakanohara for the time being. I'm thinking of having Aira manage the remaining two and have her make scrolls for Finis and Northern Gram while also serving as a durability test. Since I just have to imbue magic, it's fine for her to continue even after marriage in Northern Gram."
"Which magic did you imbue into the one you might take back?"
"[Light]."
It's the finished product imbued by the Queen.
"It's for the Black Dragon child, isn't it?"
"Yes."
This is after consultation with the Priestess. If we go to the Wyvern island... and if it's a matter of understanding the meaning of the mother dragon's words... an orb that can be used any number of times is better if [Light] can be activated at any time. Since ghosts' clones can apparently be used up, they can be used as long as the main body doesn't ascend. Since they both said they would definitely make up for the time they were apart, it should be fine for four thousand years as long as the orb doesn't break. If it activates well, the regeneration of the Black Forest will also proceed even when I'm not there. The other two spells are the same, but I also have to consider the case where I die. It's better to do experiments early, including durability tests.
"I understand. If it goes well, it might be possible to store orbs at facilities in each country. Though, we might have to gather ghosts from various places."
"The one for the Black Dragon child is an exception, but I think it's better to have Finis manage the other orbs."
The Priestess said it's fine to take them to allied countries as long as the method of imbuing orbs with magic doesn't leak. However, there might be unscrupulous people who steal them and sell them at high prices. Not everyone in the country or the church has the spirit of coexistence and co-prosperity. They might set high usage fees. If that's going to happen, it's better to have Aira, who is about to have an international marriage, manage them. Mary will likely distribute them well to each country.
"Unfortunately, that's true."
Eleanor-sama understood.
"However, there is a limit to individual effort. Assuming this experiment goes well, let's have Magdalena and the others think of good countermeasures. What's important is the rules regarding the management method, the method of confirming whether they are being followed, and the penalties for breaking the rules. The next meeting will be held in Primordia, but why don't we do the one after that in Finis? Let's have the Priestess participate too. Besides, Saxburg will want to meet the Water Dragon and the ghost of the former lord too."
As expected. I can't compete.