Chapter 324 - Eleventh Story: The Two Forts
When we went to the Finis Royal Capital, the blue-painted Gwyn-sama was waiting.
"I have been waiting. Now, let us go quickly to the God of War and offer prayers for victory."
It's good that he's full of spirit, but isn't he misunderstanding something? Mel is here.
"What are you saying? To get to the territory where the wyverns live, we must break through a canyon where there are a considerable number of monsters."
The ghosts also said that, but such a place should just be broken through all at once with the bowl.
"That won't do. There might be damage to the islanders. In this case, let's hunt a certain amount of them beforehand."
Eleanor-sama and Gwyn-sama were nodding to each other.
I forgot there were people like this. Even though I was told by the northern ghosts that it would be better to break through all at once, this is what happens.
Before I knew it, it had become a talk about monster extermination, but well, it's my profession. If I can receive a reward, I don't mind doing it.
Bonnie negotiated the reward, so we ended up getting the same amount of extermination reward as in Sertoria.
"Lately, I've been busy with official duties. It's been a while since I've done monster extermination."
He drew his sword with a glint and checked the tip of the blade.
Thus, a temporary monster subjugation unit was formed.
But before that, there's something to do.
I calmed down the impatient Gwyn-sama and got time to consult with Aira.
"I tried to see if I could activate magic by putting a clone into a gem with the help of the Queen of the Borderland."
(Is such a thing possible?)
"Look," I said, showing her the gems. The Priestess wrapped each one in cloth, put them in a leather bag, and packed them in a barrel with straw so they wouldn't break.
When I took them out, there were three clones of the Queen in the center of the gems. There were three lights put in by Fiona and the former magic soldiers.
When I actually activated [Light], two of the gems began to glow, becoming just like orbs of light. One was high-level, so it was bright and warm, and one was basic-level, so it was a soft light that could be looked at directly.
The King and the other members of the royal family let out cries of surprise. I had kept it a secret because I thought they would be disappointed if I raised their expectations and failed.
"Depending on the talks with the wyverns this time, I might take this stronger [Light] back to Sertoria, but I'm thinking of entrusting the remaining five to Aira."
(Can I manage them?)
"Yeah. I think it's better that way. It's the first time the Priestess has used clones, and it's better not to take the gems to distant countries yet. The contract period is one year for the high-level one. For the basic-level one, it's still in the middle of experimentation, so it's six months. But with this, you can make high-level and basic-level scrolls anytime during that period. I want you to make them for Finis and Northern Gram. Please take them to Northern Gram after your marriage. That way, it'll help me too."
Aira hugged me and said thank you.
Once she marries, she'll be the Crown Princess. Eventually, she'll be the Queen of the unified Kingdom of Gram. I'm sure it will be useful. There's no harm in making scrolls in advance.
"Jeanne. I have no words to thank you and your companions for your various considerations."
The King spoke to me.
"Henry-dono. We are truly in your country's debt."
"No, we just want to see various places. The ones actually carrying things out are the current generation and Jeanne's group."
"For a person called a hero to be so humble."
"What are you saying? You and your wife were also once renowned warriors and mages. If the time of the Demon Lord's resurrection had been different, you might have been the heroes."
"No, no, we are far from it."
I didn't know that.
When I looked at the Queen, she smiled.
"It was a long time ago that I and His Majesty fought on the front lines. I too, like Eleanor-dono, wish to travel around various places with His Majesty."
She glanced at Gwyn-sama.
In Sertoria, the generation changed about ten years ago. The age at which the current King ascended as the fifth generation should be about the same as Gwyn-sama's current age.
"N-No. Because I am an unworthy son, I am still inexperienced. Besides, Father and Mother, are you not both healthy? I will take on the rough work, so please, for the sake of Finis, give your best for another ten, no, twenty years."
With sweat on his forehead, he was bowing his smooth head.
"This is how it is. He's trying to lead a carefree Crown Prince life forever. Henry-dono. This time, this foolish son will also accompany you. Please, give him guidance."
"The same to you, we look forward to it."
If the royal families get along like this, wars shouldn't happen.
We boarded the bowl and departed while being seen off by everyone.
Since Renata's clone and Flora were left at the herb garden in Northern Gram, those two were out and Gwyn-sama was added.
Sertoria and Finis are probably the only ones who can depart from the palace garden by bowl.
As we flew up, one bowl followed us. The King and Queen of Finis were on it. The one operating it was surely the Queen. It was flying while skillfully circling around our bowl. Around the time we reached the sea, they waved their hands and returned to the palace.
"Lately, they seem to be flying around in the bowl like that."
According to Gwyn-sama, they fly around the Royal Capital about once a day. Sometimes, under the guise of going incognito, they visit settlements, fly with children, or hunt with villagers. They are like a reserve force of delinquent old people.
"They are promising, aren't they?"
It was Eleanor-sama. She must be happy to have found comrades.
"Is Gwyn-dono not riding it? Aira-dono said you were a great lover of the bowl."
To be precise, she was complaining. Though, he himself had been going here and there for workshops and trade from before, and lately, he apparently goes by bowl.
"In my case, I ride it for security. It's an official duty, so to speak."
Under the guise of official duty, he probably shows his face at various settlements and teaches swordsmanship to children.
"If only our country's King were this flexible."
"Umu. That fellow is too serious. He does nothing but work and rarely goes incognito."
Normally, I think that's how it is.
After going out to sea, we hid our presence and went ultra-high speed, gaining a lot of distance north all at once. After resting once and continuing to fly, a strange terrain where the middle of the peninsula became a narrow rocky area came into view. For some reason, two forts were built facing each other on the rocky area.
"Beyond that fort on the right is the island where the wyverns live."
To my surprise, there was a crack-like cliff between the two forts, and it seemed the sea separated the two rocky areas. Eleanor-sama said Finis was vast, and she was right; it took three hours from the Finis Royal Capital with a break in between.
"Please land at the main gate of that fort on the left."
The island where the wyverns live did not belong to Finis until quite recently. Since there would be an uproar if we suddenly went by bowl, we were to go by the normal route.
It seems the word had been sent, as when we appeared and signaled with [Light], soldiers came swarming out of the main gate.
We landed in front of about fifty lined-up soldiers, and when we deactivated the bowl, a well-dressed man who looked like a knight stepped forward. Apparently, he's the captain of the fort's guard. Seeing as he's still young, he must be a noble.
"Gwyn-sama. Welcome."
"Umu. Good work. As I told you, I've brought guests to cross over to the island."
"Then, these people are?"
"That's right. They've come from Sertoria. Henry-sama's group."
When the guard captain explained to the soldiers, the soldiers stirred. After all, even if they are 'former', they are heroes.
"Hey, hey," Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama were waving their hands.
The guard captain stood in front of the lined-up soldiers. The soldiers suddenly fell silent and were looking back with incredibly serious eyes.
"After I told the two of them everyone's wish, they agreed to it. Everyone, line up in order and shake hands with them. I'm sure you know, but make sure you are never disrespectful."
First he spoke in our language, and then after it was translated, there was a huge uproar.
Everyone was striking grand victory poses and began to line up in a row. Even if it's a rural area at the edge of the island, isn't that a bit much?
"Alright, everyone is lined up. Then, if you'll excuse me, I'll go first."
The first one to shake hands with the two was the captain of the fort's guard.
After the handshake session by the former heroes ended, we were given a tour of the fort. The commander and the soldiers were all wearing gloves on both hands, but it's probably better to pretend I didn't see that.
When we climbed the watchtower, we could see the other fort. There was only enough distance that an arrow would reach if fired. The wind was strong, and the sound of waves could be heard from below.
"This fort and the one over there were the checkpoints for both sides before that island belonged to Finis."
The guard captain explained.
He called it 'that island' instead of 'the island'. Looking from the window, the opposite shore was really right before our eyes.
When I poked my head out and peered down, there was a stone bridge connecting the two forts built on the precipitous cliffs, and below it, I saw what looked like a river with whirlpools in places rather than the sea. In fact, because of the tidal current, a river-like flow was created. Since the depth was such that reefs would appear here and there when the tide went out, ships couldn't pass easily, and if a human jumped in, they likely wouldn't be saved.
The forts are now connected by a stone bridge, but until they belonged to Finis, it was apparently a suspension bridge that only one carriage could cross at a time. It was said to be so dangerous on windy days that it was impossible to cross. Of course, there was no need to cross the bridge checkpoint by force, but if one used a ferry, a fare was required, and any other boat would be treated as illegal entry.
"It's the same for any land, but Finis has a strong sense of independence for each tribe, and the northern part in particular prioritized its own convenience over the royal family's intentions. The people of that island were also independent until quite recently."
Now, checkpoints aren't necessary, and ferry service has apparently improved significantly. In fact, because the stone bridge has high walls for wind protection, everyone can apparently cross unless it's a stormy day.
"That said, my family is of a chieftain's lineage, and we were saying selfish things until quite recently."
As I thought, he was a noble.
"However, what overturned that was the Priestess's new technique of putting ghosts into gems to use magic. Thanks to that, people no longer have to sacrifice their lives, the number of gems can be increased, and the autumn hunt has become substantial. Furthermore, with the expansion of new trade routes, it has become possible to obtain cheap grain. As a result, there are no longer people who starve during the winter. Priest Jeanne. I am truly grateful to you."
He knelt on one knee and petitioned for a blessing.
"It's not my power. It's the result of the efforts of everyone, including the Finis Royal Family and the Priestesses."
I said that, but he was just smiling.
Since I couldn't not do it, I gave the blessing.
"Thank you. Actually, the Priestess and the ghost who can be put into a gem in my territory are waiting in a room in this fort. Would you be willing to meet them?"
The lord's fort is further inland, and the temple is also in that direction. For the meeting, they specially prepared a separate room.
"Jeanne. Welcome."
"Oh! Welcome to my former territory! How is it? Have you felt like returning to secular life a bit?"
"Even if Jeanne returned to secular life, it doesn't mean she'll marry your descendant."
"What! There's far more possibility than with your descendant, who only has daughters."
"Wha... I-It might be possible!"
"Try it if you can. You're just a sore loser."
"You bastard, you want to go?"
"Oh! I'll take you on!"
Yes, yes, I have no intention of returning to secular life for now, so please stop the greetings.
After the meeting with the Priestess and the ghosts ended, the lord of the island had come specifically to meet us. I gave a "nice to meet you" greeting.
The place for the meeting with the Priestesses was, in other words, the place for lunch, and we ended up having it at the fort. It's about that time. It's perfect. For lunch, not only the fort's guard captain but also the lord of the island was present. Of course, he's a noble. I had planned to visit the lord's fort once we crossed over to the island. However, having a lunch party or banquet only on the island would be somewhat hesitate-worthy. That said, this time we have no business with the lord on this side. As a result, it seems it was decided to have the banquet at this fort.
"Thank you very much for visiting my father the other day. As you know, my father is bedridden due to illness. Originally, he should have come to greet you, but please forgive me for acting as his proxy."
"I know. I have crossed blades and shared cups with your father many times. Tell him I said to heal his illness quickly and stand side by side to fight together."
This kind of conversation is likely unique to Finis. Along with Henry-sama and Gwyn-sama, they were getting excited with stories of the wars at that time.
Since I didn't care about war stories, I decided to ask the Priestess about the state of the island along with Eleanor-sama and Harris-sama.
"The island where the wyverns live has a slightly different feeling from this side."
Apparently, many people revere the wyverns, not just the Goddess and the God of War.
Isn't it the same as the Water Dragon? There was a temple there too.
"What kind of differences are there?"
Eleanor-sama asked.
"The Water Dragon has been friendly to humans ever since its involvement with the Ancient Priestess. On the other hand, the wyverns are not friendly to humans at all."
Come to think of it, that's true. If the time the wyverns crossed over was when magic power flowed out, the Ancient Priestess was already dead.
"Previously, it seems they tied a living girl to the altar once a year as an offering to the wyverns. When a lord several generations ago offered a magical beast obtained from hunting instead, there were no particular problems, so since then, they have apparently been offering several bears or boars together with a wine barrel. That is how much they fear and revere the wyverns."
The Water Dragon is fishing together with the villagers. During the banquet, it was sticking its neck into a specially prepared barrel filled with alcohol and drinking. It's quite different.
"I heard there is a Dragon's Altar, and if you offer food there, humans can be nearby while they are eating, and they won't do anything even if you're having a banquet, but..."
It was the ghost's words.
"You are well-informed. That is correct. And can you imagine what the wyverns were eating at that time?"
Surely not a living girl... No way...
For a moment, I fell into a sensation as if sound had vanished and time had stopped.
By the time the clamor of the banquet began to be heard, the Priestess continued her words as if she had timed it.
"As Jeanne knows well, the north took human lives to make gems. I too have put souls in like that. However, even so, I cannot understand the sensibilities of some of the people living on the island. Even now, they are saying that those guilty of capital crimes should be offered to the dragons as a Ritual of Purification."
Of course, it's only some people. However, it might be called fanaticism.
Offering humans to dragons might have originally been a type of capital punishment. That eventually became a ritual. For example, for the recovery of the weather.
"What do the priests and priestesses of the island think?"
I've heard that in the north, the influence of a priest's words is greater than in other countries. If the priests and priestesses had opposed it, they wouldn't have offered a girl as a sacrifice.
"It seems the priests were divided into two factions. The priestesses were opposed to offering humans as sacrifices to the dragons. But because of the gems, they apparently kept their mouths shut."
I can more than imagine their feelings. It must have been painful.
The faction in favor of human sacrifice apparently appealed that the wyverns wouldn't be satisfied with other animals. They used their position as priests to propagate the idea of what would happen if the wyverns were offended and attacked. The priest who could be called the leader of that faction died in an accident, and the balance collapsed. I want to give a heartfelt round of applause to the lord's judgment in not missing that moment and pushing through with a majority vote.