Chapter 325 - Chapter Twelve: The Island of Wyverns
In the northern sea, there are many seals. To be precise, there are some in the sea of Sertoria too, but because there are few rocky areas, their numbers are small. Since I haven't been to the sea much, I had heard stories about them, but I had never seen them. I've seen them in pictures, but apparently, when they raise their upper bodies in the dark, they look like mermaids sitting on a rocky shelf by the sea.
On the way to the island after the lunch party, while crossing the stone bridge, something moving was seen at the edge of the waterway surrounded by cliffs. I didn't notice it at all, but the apprentice priest who came to meet us from the island's fort pointed it out and told me. I wondered what it was, and it turned out to be a seal. It was too far to see well.
"There is a cave connected to the sea in the basement of the island's checkpoint, and if you look from the window there, you can see them very close. They're cute. Perhaps because they somewhat resemble humans, hunters don't use them for food."
Could they be the origin of the mermaids in fairy tales? If so, I want to see them.
"However, for the sake of the journey, I think a small number of people would be better. Also, since it's narrow, it's better to have only one person at a time look through the window."
I was told it was just a matter of going down the stairs. It wouldn't take that much time. Since it was a rare opportunity, I decided to have them show me.
The participants consisted of those who wished to view, and as a result of consultation, there were seven: Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, the lord of the island, Gwyn-sama, Alex, myself, and Bonnie. One soldier went as a guide, and the apprentice priest who told us about the seals also went along.
Harris-sama, Wilson-san, and Will have seen them several times, so they didn't need to see them.
The soldier holding a torch went first, descending the stone spiral staircase. Originally, it was thought of as a way to launch ships from the fort, but because it was too dangerous to use during times of fast tidal currents, it apparently didn't have much utility.
We descended while going round and round just like that. On the way back, it should be easy since Alex is here. If I were told to climb this, I would have to rest many times.
"I apologize. Please endure for a little longer."
While descending slowly with a hand on the wall, the lord apologized. If it's just going down, it should be fine as long as I don't trip.
On the way, there were two rest points, or rather guardrooms, with two soldiers each. Every time they were introduced, Henry-sama and the others were asked for handshakes. The people of the island had apparently been actively trading with countries other than Finis and the continent by sea, albeit on a small scale. Perhaps they had a sense of rivalry toward Finis. Everyone was speaking our language fluently. In fact, they have apparently added our language to their official languages.
When we reached the bottom, there was a waterway. The far end was bright, likely because it was connected to the sea. One small boat was tied up. It was like a secret base built in a cave.
A soldier who was sitting and dangling a fishing line into the waterway with a fishing rod hurriedly stood up.
They lined up and greeted the lord.
"Umu. Good work. Any results?"
When the lord of the island asked, he showed us a bucket. There were several fine fish in it. There were also several in the cage that was submerged.
"Originally, this was made to sortie from here, climb the cliff, and surprise the fort opposite. However, it's hard to imagine attacking from this side. In short, is it like a hobby?"
Regarding defense, they just have to drop the bridge. There's a coast, and they can launch ships from there to get more people out. The lord of the island laughed, saying it was for fishing. It seems they catch fish that stray into the waterway and make them dinner.
"Well, having something like this gives it the atmosphere of a fort."
Eleanor-sama nodded greatly at those words.
After the handshake session with the fishing duty ended, the guide soldier nimbly boarded the boat with a torch in hand.
Everyone else boarded too, and the fishing duty untied the rope. When several people rowed the boat through the waterway with oars, the exit was blocked by an iron grate. It seemed they wouldn't be heading out to sea in the boat. From the look of it from above, I felt relieved because it seemed like the boat would be swept away by the tide the moment it was launched.
When we got off the boat, there was a ledge on the sea-side wall a little distance away, and a window for light was open.
"We'll peer through that window. There's a rocky shelf on the bottom left. One person at a time, please. There's a carpet on the floor, so you won't slip. However, the stairs are still stone, so be careful not to slip."
The apprentice priest apparently throws fish onto the rocky shelf sometimes. The seals, who like sunbathing, probably find and eat them when they come to the rocky shelf.
"Priest Jeanne. Since it's dark underfoot, if you wouldn't mind, could you use the magic of [Light] that I've heard rumors of?"
I see. He hadn't seen it.
In that case, I'll make one Firefly and stick it to the wall. This should illuminate the stairs sufficiently.
"T-This is... the legendary magic..."
That's quite an exaggerated way of putting it. He's a person born and raised at the very edge of the north. Nakanohara is also quite rural, but between the handshake session and this, is this what truly rural people are like?
First, the guide soldier climbed up as a scout. After peering for a while, he held up six fingers with both hands. There must be six of them.
Next, the lord climbed, and then Gwyn-sama. Gwyn-sama was even looking this way and pointing outside the window ostentatiously.
"They were napping. They're cute."
He whispered as we switched places.
Ooh, I want to see them soon.
Eleanor-sama climbed, Bonnie climbed, and finally, it was my turn.
I climbed the stairs while looking carefully at my feet so as not to slip.
The space on the ledge was only wide enough for one adult male to stand. As the apprentice priest said, an old non-slip carpet was laid underfoot. It would be fine even if I stood on my tiptoes.
Looking outside from the window, there was a rock protrusion at the top, so I couldn't see the upper part of the opposite shore. In other words, it couldn't be seen from the other side either.
When I stretched and looked down to the left... there they were!
Several with gray mottled patterns were sleeping. It felt like a fish fin was attached to the tip of a cute pillow with eyebrows.
They were at a distance that could be called right nearby. They probably didn't notice because I was peering from above.
The apprentice priest said that since he had just been assigned to the fort, it was impossible now, but eventually he wanted to try taming them. He would surely be happy if they ate the fish he threw.
"How is it?"
The apprentice priest, who had moved away from everyone and come to the bottom of the ledge, asked in a low voice.
When I gave a thumbs-up instead of a reply, he nodded and suddenly shouted in a loud voice.
"Transport!"
Suddenly, the carpet under my feet disappeared!
"Eh? What?"
When I looked at my feet, there was a magic circle.
This is...
"Transport!"
At the same time the apprentice priest shouted again, the scenery distorted, and then everything went pitch black.
◆◆◆◆◆
Henry and the others were thrown into an uproar when Jeanne disappeared before their eyes.
"You bastard! What did you do!"
Gwyn had already drawn his sword. He grabbed the collar of the apprentice priest who had shouted.
"He jumped Jeanne with [Teleport]! Henry! Please!"
"Oh!"
Henry ran up the stairs faster than Eleanor could say it and was already standing on the magic circle on the ledge.
"Transport!"
Eleanor shouted, but there was no reaction from the magic circle.
"Transport!"
Henry also shouted, but it was the same.
"It's useless. The first carpet jumping was the signal. By now, the destination magic circle should have been made so it won't activate."
The apprentice priest, whose collar was held by Gwyn, said in a calm voice.
"What are you planning! Doing this to a state guest... it won't end as a joke."
He pressed the drawn sword against his neck. The apprentice priest smiled faintly, saying it would be fine to kill him.
"Gwyn-sama! You mustn't! If it were during a war, it would be one thing, but to wound a defenseless priest with a blade... the royal family will lose the trust of the people. Please, restrain yourself here."
The lord of the island hurriedly put his hand on Gwyn's sword and moved it away from the neck. Gwyn's anger then turned toward the lord of the island.
"Are you in on it too!"
He pushed him away and pointed the tip of his sword at him.
"M-Mercy, I am not."
"Is that true!"
He threw the apprentice priest aside and went toward the lord of the island while shouting. Perhaps intimidated by that intensity, the soldiers who should have protected the lord were standing still.
"It is true. As you know, we maintained our independence until quite recently. We would not turn against the royal family at this late stage. The reason we are swearing loyalty to the Finis Royal Family now is because the royal family gave us the opportunity to greatly improve the lives of the islanders. First of all, if we harmed Priest Jeanne, we would even turn the Priestess into an enemy."
He was desperately pleading. The lord of the island is, of course, a noble and also frequents the royal palace. He fully understood what would happen if Jeanne were involved in some kind of crime because of him.
Not only Sertoria, Jeanne's home country, but the whole of Finis, which gained the benefit of gems in addition to magic for Princess Aira, and Northern Gram, whose Crown Prince's disease was cured, would undoubtedly become enemies. And Medioland, which knighted her, would also apply pressure. A lord of an island with a total population of less than a thousand would surely be killed easily. And the Church in the Finis Royal Capital and the Great Church in the Medioland Royal Capital might also condone it and label the islanders as apostates.
Jeanne herself hasn't noticed, but in the event that her life were taken by something like this, there are many nations and organizations that would be enraged. Of course, it's not just emotionalism. Interests are also heavily at play.
"This person seems to be innocent."
Eleanor's voice echoed in the underground waterway.
"I-Is that so?"
Gwyn sheathed the sword he had pointed at the lord of the island.
"I was careless. Because Jeanne's [Light] was active, I couldn't notice the existence of the magic circle."
When Eleanor bit her lip, someone burst out laughing.
"Ahahaha! I outwitted the Great Mage Eleanor! Give up. Priest Jeanne's life and death are now in our hands. We can kill her anytime."
The apprentice priest, who had sat down as if throwing his legs out, laughed with a kyahaha and provoked Gwyn.
"Kuh, y-you..."
He gripped the hilt of the sword he had once sheathed.
"What's wrong? Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Finis. Anytime you like."
He made a hand-blade with his right hand and tapped his own neck.
"Y-You bastard!"
It was Alex who pounced. To him, a spirit, human laws and customs were irrelevant.
After kicking him in the flank, he mounted his chest and beat him mercilessly.
"If you kill Jeanne, the spirits of water and wind will go on a rampage! I don't know what you're planning, but if you're not careful, not just the humans living on this tiny island, but every living thing will be slaughtered!"
He raised his voice and struck him five, six times.
Dwarves are famous for being strong despite their small stature. Although his ribs were broken by the first kick and he was spitting blood from his mouth, his face, which was beaten mercilessly after that, was now completely deformed. His jaw was shattered, several broken teeth were rolling on the floor, and his eyelids were swollen, completely closing one eye. He would likely lose his sight.
"Sorry, Alex. As a human present here, I thank you."
Between Eleanor and Henry, Bonnie, who was carrying a bow, was breathing hard. Since Henry was gripping the arrow, she couldn't fire it.
"Alex. That's enough. Thank you. Gwyn-dono, could you restrain this person? Let's put him under interrogation."
Eleanor cracked her knuckles with both hands.
The interrogation was conducted in the dungeon using the [Thought Communication] scroll Eleanor had. The interrogator was Henry, with Eleanor, Gwyn, and Harris present.
Although he recovered with Harris's magic, the broken teeth and the lost eye would not return to normal.
The interrogation, which began near noon, continued for about an hour.
During the interrogation, Wilson was guided to a room in the fort along with Alex, Will, and Bonnie, and was provided with drinks and food. The soldiers who came to attend all had pale faces. At worst, everyone related to the fort might be executed along with their families for treason.
"Sorry, Alex. I've put you through a lot of trouble."
Wilson was drinking alcohol with Alex. Will and Bonnie went to the corner of the room and were talking about something between the two of them.
"Well, yeah. It would have been good if you were there, but I'm the only one who could blow that priest away in that place."
He's an apprentice priest, not a priest, but it probably doesn't matter at this point. Wilson also let it slide.
"What do you think will happen after this?"
Alex, who had drained the bowl of alcohol, asked Wilson, who was pouring more.
"Of course, it's not a lone offender. There's some kind of organization in the background. I want to confirm, he is human, right?"
"Yeah. That Gwyn fellow was pressing a silver sword against his skin. But nothing happened. He's likely human."
If it were a Revenant, it would have been as damaging as pressing a red-hot iron bar against human skin.
"Then, most likely, the Ruined Town and Engrio are not involved. Of course, other countries, including the continent, are even less involved."
"Does that mean it's the act of the islanders?"
"Probably. The lord seems to be uninvolved. And it's definitely not the Priestess who handles gems. The only prominent noble is the lord. If so, only one organization comes to mind that has enough influence to dispatch an apprentice priest as a fort attachment."
"The Church..."
"Likely. The faith of this island is basically the same as Finis. However, they revere something else at the same time."
"The wyverns."
Alex, who placed the bowl on the table, looked at Wilson. Wilson nodded silently.
"Even if we interrogate him, we might not grasp Jeanne's whereabouts. Other than the fact that the culprit is a faction that worships the wyverns. And most likely, the lord would know about that faction. That's as far as it goes."
Alex tilted his head.
"Why do you think so?"
Wilson poured alcohol into Alex's bowl and his own, and took a sip.
"Think about it. This trap wouldn't have activated unless Jeanne went to see the seals. Most likely, various other traps were set in various places besides that one. And he is just an apprentice. In short, he's nothing but an underling."
"Well, even so. Even if they use an underling, they're targeting a priest who is a state guest. They'd need a reasonable explanation."
"It's the keywords regarding Jeanne."
"Keywords?"
Surely it's not a string of titles starting from 'Spirit Medium Priest' like a code.
Wilson explained to Alex the keywords surrounding Jeanne.
"First, Monster Hunter. Others are, Knight of the Finis Royal Family, a participant in the Demon Lord subjugation unit, a user of light magic who can subdue monsters. And one more. This is likely the ultimate one."
"What the hell is it?"
"Dragon Killer."
Alex let out a sigh of "I see" and drained the bowl of alcohol.