Chapter 321 - Ninth Story: The Dryad of Northern Gram
We had the bowl wrapped in vines lowered. Since a Dryad's clone came out, we said our first greetings and handed over a barrel of mead as a souvenir. The clone was quite happy that the Crown Prince of Northern Gram was there.
The clone was shorter and plumper compared to Renata or Serena. I think her green hair is about the same length as Serena's, but she has it gathered in three braids at the back and tied in a ponytail. To my surprise, she's wearing armor made of wood and carrying a bow.
"You're quite heavily armed. Is it that urgent?"
"Well, yeah. Occasionally, there are those who launch a surprise attack in the afternoon."
That's terrible. There must be Demon Race members.
"No, it's not the Demon Race. It's a Dullahan."
Everyone looked at each other. I heard a Dullahan is an evil monster.
"A Dullahan?"
Renata's clone doesn't seem to know.
"A headless knight riding a ghost horse."
"Headless? Why on earth is such a strange thing leading monsters?"
"A contract. He was told he'd be appointed as a knight of the Demon Lord's army. Apparently, the territory was designated as the forest around here."
"The Demon Lord?"
"That's what he says. The Demon Lord has already been subjugated by humans, but he claims the contract is still valid. He's telling us to vacate."
He left another troublesome homework, didn't he?
If he's a knight, shouldn't he swear loyalty to his lord? Since his lord has been subjugated, he should quietly become a monk and pray for his repose.
"You're interesting. You're blunt, though."
Apparently, she took a liking to me, and we were allowed to meet the main body.
The Dryad's tree, like the clone and the main body, wasn't very tall, but its trunk was thick. We were guided inside and toasted with mead in wooden bowls. Unfortunately, there was no cider, but the season is just beginning. It's likely unavoidable since it's an emergency.
The Highway Cookies that Henry-sama and the others had prepared for trade had all been distributed in the southern village of the border, so we decided to eat the ones I brought.
Eowyn-sama seemed to be seeing a Dryad's tree for the first time and was looking at it with curiosity.
Outside the window, an oak forest spreads out.
"Are you called Crown Prince Eowyn? I'm truly grateful to your country. I thought I had to say thank you someday."
Unlike Serena, she's quite humble. And is it my imagination that her way of speaking feels somewhat light?
"My country... it has been so since the founding of Gram, the parent house, but we have cherished the forests. Because spirits reside in them and bring us blessings."
Eowyn-sama says that the independence from Former Septanaquila was actually due to a difference in the ancestors' way of thinking. If anything, the royal family of Septanaquila, who came from the coastal areas of the continent, had little faith in mountains and forests. Nobles who were constantly dissatisfied with that defected and founded the Kingdom of Northern Gram, which more strongly reveres mountains, forests, and trees. The central figure was the first King of Northern Gram. It wasn't mere ambition.
"The trigger was the treatment of the forests around here. It has been known since ancient times by those living in this land that the Dryad's Forest exists. However, the King of Septanaquila at the time ordered it to be cleared and reclaimed, and tried to start slash-and-burn farming. As you know, Former Septanaquila only possessed the area from the west coast to around here. The plains around here are being developed now, but they were apparently wasteland back then. Probably, they simply wanted a production base for grains quickly. It's faster to burn or clear a forest than to reclaim wasteland. However, the person who would become the ancestor of our royal family did not agree, and eventually, he led nobles and priests with the same thoughts and split the country."
As a result, both countries became sworn enemies, but the forest was spared from clearing. Originally, Septanaquila, founded by a group that moved north from Medioland along the east coast, was invading from east to west. Consequently, they ended up having the grain belt east of the central mountains snatched away. Northern Gram's plains are also sufficiently wide. With a small population, they could manage without forced clearing. They pacified the land where there were only small villages and founded the Kingdom of Northern Gram. The fact that Septanaquila thought lightly of cursing the Water Dragon, even if it's different from a spirit, might have been due to such a difference in thinking.
The complicated part is that both countries laid hands on the land of current Finis, further north. Since then, the north of the island would be embroiled in a three-way struggle until quite recently.
The Dryad seemed to like the mead we brought and was having seconds.
"When I met the first King of Northern Gram, he promised me. That he would definitely protect this forest. It was before he became king."
In other words, the meeting with the Dryad was the trigger for splitting the country. The first King of Northern Gram, who became interested in the lanky tree of the clone, climbed to the top but became unable to get down. He's like a cat. The Dryad apparently saw him at a loss and helped him. She heard the first King's troubles and showed him the beautiful Dryad's Forest. And the first King made up his mind. She said they haven't met since then. He must have been busy with fighting. And the time since the founding has passed.
The church cherishes the forests. Northern Gram has a high level of respect for the church and priests, and faith in the Goddess is also deep. The circumstances of the founding might be influencing this.
"Is this forest under the management of the royal family?"
Eleanor-sama asked Eowyn-sama.
"Yes. The entire area, excluding the periphery, is a no-hunting zone. Even hunters are only on the periphery, and we have several mountain huts installed at a distance of half a day's walk, but they must not step deeper beyond those. The only exception is the Demon Lord subjugation war."
Because even hunters don't come and go, they probably didn't notice even when the Dullahan went on a rampage. And since the Demon Lord's army advanced straight south from the resurrection point toward where the fortresses are lined up, they didn't come here. Naturally, no battle occurred. To be precise, the Demon Lord has not been resurrected since Northern Gram was founded.
"Hmm. I was also helped by humans twice, but there are places like that, aren't there?"
The Dryad became interested in Renata's clone's words and was asking various things. My story also comes up, so I'm a bit embarrassed. Additionally, Eowyn-sama is constantly praising me, which is a bit annoying.
"Then, you can also use light magic, can't you?"
"Jeanne-sama is a high-level Holy Mage and my Guardian Priestess."
The 'Savior' has changed to 'Guardian Priestess' before I knew it. Of course, there is no such office or rank.
"Um, um, is this the sixth one?"
Bonnie started counting on her fingers. I have a bad feeling.
"Jeanne is the [Medium XX Knight Succession Summoning Guardian Priestess], you know."
Eleanor-sama said something unnecessary.
"Right, right, that's it!"
It's not "that's it!"
The Dryad of Northern Gram seemed to have a lot of curiosity and asked searchingly about the long title the outsiders had arbitrarily attached. As for the 'Priestess' part that shouldn't be said, Eleanor-sama had arbitrarily explained the other parts.
"Heh, that's amazing. Even though you're young, you've participated in the Demon Lord subjugation war and helped spirits."
"She is truly a wonderful person. I didn't think she was that much."
"And she's even strong against ghosts."
"She's the one who challenged the most famous technique user ghost on this island and successfully promoted, after all."
"Then, you know. I wonder if you can drive away the Dullahan with light magic."
"There is no problem at all. It is to protect the peace of the Dryad's Forest, which our royal family has cherished. It should be easy for Jeanne-sama."
"Can I ask you?"
"I have accepted. Now, Jeanne-sama, let's subjugate him tonight. Of course, I will accompany you as well."
Renata's clone and Alex are laughing loudly. Henry-sama and the others are also chuckling. I wish I could do something about this person.
"Then, let's take turns for lunch and dinner."
Will, you too.
In the end, I ended up taking it on. In exchange, I was promised to be introduced to the Alraunes and Goblins living in the Dryad's Forest.
It's the second time I've entered a Dryad's Forest. Since we're here, I called Dune and Mel too, and we had an early lunch. The humans ate from the pot, and those like Mel who don't take solid food were given honey diluted with clear forest water to drink.
"It's the second time I've been to a Dryad's Forest, but it's truly beautiful."
"Yes. I didn't think I'd be able to have a meal in a place like this. It's worth living a long time, isn't it?"
The wind Mel raised carries the scent of moderately damp wood. Dune made a small rainbow by splashing the trickling water.
I had her splash the clear water into a wooden bowl and added honey.
"This is chestnut. It's delicious."
As expected of a Dryad. She correctly guessed our specialty in one go. She seemed happy and was drinking it.
"Eowyn-sama, aren't you going to eat?"
It's not just Eowyn-sama looking at the forest; Will and Bonnie are too. After all, there are big eaters like Dune and Fiona. If they don't eat quickly, it'll be gone. No, Fiona is also just looking at the forest.
"Ah, no. I was just captivated by the beauty."
He's looking around in a daze.
"Oh? Thank you. It's the same blood, after all. The first King said the same thing."
It's no wonder. Everyone who sees it for the first time is usually like that. Even we were the same.
"To think it was this much... I understand the reason why the first King split the country to protect it. This is something humans should not even think about clearing. As the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Northern Gram, and as the one who succeeds the name of the Gram royal family, I shall vow to protect it with the entire country. The witnesses are everyone here, starting with Jeanne-sama."
The order is clearly wrong. Dune and Mel giggled.
After the meal was finished, we were introduced to the Alraune colony by a small pond.
"Medicinal herb garden?"
The Alraunes are guarded at those words alone. In the past, they have a history of being targets of over-harvesting because it was said their roots became medicine. Additionally, they are treated as monsters.
"It's okay now. Because rumors are spreading that it was a lie that the roots were effective. Besides, since the church and the Northern Gram royal family are managing it, strange people won't enter. Of course, there are no Orcs."
The rumors are Eleanor-sama's hard work. She put a narration at the end of a play and actually used examples of poisoning symptoms caused by Dryad roots, and was conducting a discourse movement with the church that Dryads are spirits. The play itself was seen by Saxburg in Northern Gram. Since the reputation was good, the commoners should know too.
Flora gave the example of Sertoria and explained earnestly, and Eowyn-sama undertook the guarantee of safety.
"I can send my clone to that medicinal herb garden. Even if something happens, she can immediately flee back to this forest."
Backed by the Dryad's words, two Alraunes decided to actually try going to the medicinal herb garden. Since they said their physical condition might worsen if the soil changes suddenly, it was also decided to load as much soil as possible into the bowl and make flowerbeds exclusively for Dryads and Alraunes.
Goblins were passed over this time. Eowyn-sama wanted them as aerial scouts, but before that, improvement in living manners is necessary. The only person who can guide such things is Robinson-san.
Although an agreement with the Dryad was concluded, it's conditional. We have to subjugate the Dullahan.
By the way, what is a Dullahan? Everyone looks at me. What on earth are they expecting?
"Um, it's an evil monster in the form of a headless knight straddling a ghost horse, and if there's someone he doesn't like, he declares their death and curses them to death. I recall that in the case of someone with very deep faith in the Goddess, they can sometimes be saved if they pray at a church."
I'm told that's mostly correct. That's good.
"Details are not well known. It's generally believed to be something possessed by the ghost of a knight who was assassinated after being betrayed by his allies. Does Alex know anything?"
Even Eleanor-sama doesn't seem to know.
"It's a bit different. In the first place, knights are just one of the statuses humans arbitrarily created in the last few hundred years, right? It has nothing to do with monsters or spirits. That guy is just pretending to be possessed by the ghost of a knight who was assassinated after being betrayed by his allies. Because humans will be more afraid that way. But he's really into the role. If you treat him as a knight, won't he act like a knight?"
Is that how it is? Everyone tilts their heads. We don't really understand.
"Look, his ability is what it is. Prediction. He knows the time of death of living things. And he's playing by scaring humans. He only tells them they'll die, he doesn't kill them, right? In a mental sense, he's a child, a child."
The one who wants to pretend to be a headless knight is playing war while leading a unit of Orcs. Did the Demon Lord take advantage of him there? He's the type I don't want to get involved with, but if he attacks the Dryad's Forest, it's a different story. I guess we have to subjugate him...
"However, it's strange. I don't think the Demon Lord would go out of his way to instruct such a thing."
Eleanor-sama is also nodding at Henry-sama's words. These two don't say anything, but they must be fans of the Demon Lord. Even though it was the second time, they were talking familiarly when they met him, and were praising him, saying he's much better than a poor human knight.
"But he told me he was going to territorialized this area on the Demon Lord's instructions, so get out!"
The Dryad's mood became a bit worse. She probably didn't think humans would take the Demon Lord's side. Additionally, these two are former heroes.
"Dryad-dono. Did the Dullahan say that even kicking you out of here was the Demon Lord's instruction?"
"N-No, not that far... I haven't heard specifically. But since he attacked, I think it goes without saying..."
The one who supported Henry-sama's opinion here was Renata's clone. Renata has experience fighting the Demon Lord's army and also experience coexisting with the Demon Lord's army.
"Hmm. Maybe the Dullahan misinterpreted the Demon Lord's instructions."
"What do you mean? If you know something, tell me."
It's the words of a fellow Dryad. The weight is different. Her attitude clearly changed.
"You know. Basically, the Demon Lord's army doesn't lay hands on us spirits. But we're managing the forest itself, right? Among them, there are places where monsters want to build a fortress. Of course, we refuse. But that's not the Demon Lord's instruction; the subordinates are doing it on their own."
"Is that how it is?"
"As you know, we spirits are neutral. The ones working the Goblins are the subordinate Orcs and Ogres. Suppose the Demon Lord made an enemy of the Dryad. Which side would we take?"
"The humans."
"Right. In other words, it's a loss for the Demon Lord. He'd probably want to have us as allies if possible."
It's logical. If the Dryad, the manager of the forest, turned into an enemy of humans, at least the villages near the forest would be destroyed in no time. And it's also important to open a breakthrough to the Demon Lord's cave. Even if trees can be burned with magic, humans' magic doesn't work on spirits. The view of the three—Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, and the clone—seems to be that it's the Dullahan's misunderstanding.
"Then, what are you going to do? He's not someone you can talk to."
By the way, the Dullahan is B-rank.
Eleanor-sama smiled sweetly in response to the Dryad's words.
"It's easy. Let's pin him down. We'll listen to his side after that."
What, in the end, what we're doing is the same.