Chapter 379 - Chapter 14: Hot Spring Ruins Investigation ⑤
According to the dwarf's estimate, the profit from the Cerberus is apparently double that of the Fenrir. That's sixty gold coins. Since we defeated various other things as well, Fiona and I earned a total of one hundred and eighty gold coins. That's ninety gold coins per person. Compared to when we had more people, this has become the highest earning per head so far.
"I'm fine with less. I wasn't that much help."
Fiona is being humble, but I can't let that slide. If I had been alone, I would have run away from every room. It's thanks to Fiona that we were able to defeat them. Besides, I am a priest. I didn't earn this money just to live in luxury.
After discussing this and that, we decided to donate a portion to the orphanage and save the entire remainder for the future. Suppose everything goes well and we receive a sufficiently large piece of land in the Northeastern Forest; we'll need buildings for the residential area. We also have to build the Class of 175 Shop. If we want to make it out of stone, it will involve a significant expense.
"Ahhh. If I don't work hard and earn, I might have to borrow money from Jeanne and Fiona."
The mage, who has been pouring quite a bit into the village where she acts as the landlord, spread her arms and shrugged her shoulders exaggeratedly.
"Oh? Didn't the dried meat processing plant run at full capacity during the winter? You received a bounty too, so shouldn't you be quite well-off by now?"
"The rental income doesn't become my profit until we exceed forty households. Though I am properly receiving rent for the various facilities that were built."
"How many households are there now?"
"Thirty-five, I think. But it might reach forty by summer."
Since the dried meat became a purveyor to the Royal Family, the Lord's financial situation has improved. His reputation within the Royal Palace has also grown, and it seems he is receiving serfs one or two households at a time at a low price in exchange for teaching the new farming methods to the high nobility. Mary's scheme has begun to show its effects.
Recently, the bounty has been used to improve the living environment. Water pipes have been installed, and the amount of cobblestone on the ground has increased. The highway at the border connecting to Sertoria has also become sufficiently wide. As a national facility, a checkpoint was established, a Jaeger unit was stationed there, and it began to function as an inn for merchants; as a result, profit started flowing to Beatrix. The second shop now has two employees.
There are also talks that people will be dispatched from the Royal Palace to learn the latest farming methods. While there are few native mages—only two children who can use basic magic—there will be children receiving oracles again this summer. Furthermore, low-level agricultural magic or lower has become a corvée labor for the entire basin. Gradually, the village has taken a shape that exceeds the initial goals.
In any case, we all decided to head back, feeling that things had turned out well.
I had Fiona return to the crystal and illuminated the walls with Light.
"Someone is there."
Hughes-sama reacted instantly, drawing the two daggers at his waist. Fast—he's already moved to the wall.
Reflexively, I cast Defend on everyone.
Wilson-san creates a wall with Wind Barrier. Beatrix begins an incantation, Lewis-san draws the sword from his back, and Will readies her spear, standing in front of Beatrix and me.
Since I deactivated Light, the wall that had nearly half-disappeared is trying to return to its original state. Once it recovers to the bottom, we should be able to buy some time.
"Wait! Hold on!"
A man who had discarded the torch in his hand turned his body sideways and literally came rolling in.
"Your Majesty!"
A man's voice could be heard from outside.
Your Majesty?
Hughes-sama, who had rushed over, is pressing a dagger against the man's throat.
To my surprise, the man was parrying that blade with a short sword. Of course, Hughes-sama likely stopped just before hitting the neck, but to draw from the scabbard instantly in that posture and parry accurately... he is no ordinary swordsman.
"Wait a moment. I only wish to speak with you."
The man, holding a short sword in his right hand, pushes the blade at his throat away with his own weapon. The blade of the short sword emits a faint white glow. It's made of silver.
"Could this person be..."
Beatrix stopped her incantation. Her face is twitching.
"King Seldic?"
When Hughes-sama demanded identification, the reply came back as "Yes."
Whaaaaaat!
I instinctively chanted Light to illuminate the man's face. The man grimaced at the brightness and shielded his eyes with the hand holding the knife.
"Let us lower our blades for now. The wall has already recovered. The opponent is alone."
Wilson-san said, and Hughes-sama withdrew his dagger.
King Seldic? Why?
"'Why?' is quite the greeting. This should be within my territory."
King Seldic stood up, patted the dust off his clothes with his hands, and sheathed his short sword.
Since he was said to have just reached adulthood when the previous Demon Lord was subjugated, he must be around fifty years old, but he looks youthful, appearing to be in his forties. His height is about average, not particularly striking. He has lightly wavy blond hair and a mustache. His eyes are blue. On his left chest, an emblem of a beast called a lion, said to live on the continent and symbolizing the Engrio Royal Family, is embroidered in gold thread. He wears a red mantle with white fur trim over clothes that could clearly be called luxurious, but looking around his neck, one can see he is wearing silver chain mail underneath.
I deactivated Light and once again set two Fireflies adrift.
"Hmm. So this is the magic of light. I believe you called it Light."
He is staring intently at the Fireflies. Is it my imagination that he seems to be smiling somewhat?
"Is it safe to touch?"
He asked suddenly.
"Ah, yes. It's fine to hold it in your hand."
When I replied, he slowly checked the heat and grabbed it with his right hand, placing it on his palm. His reaction is just like the dragon's.
"It is warm. It is not this orb, but the light itself that holds heat. It is like the soft morning sunlight."
Hoho. For the King of Engrio, he uses quite poetic expressions. Until now, no one had compared the heat of Light to the morning sun.
"King Seldic. Why are you in a place like this?"
Wilson-san asked. I wondered how he would answer if he were asked the same in return. I was worried about that, but King Seldic did not ask about us.
"There is unexplored land within my territory. I cannot leave it entirely to those of other nations."
He is illuminating various spots with the Firefly in his hand.
"However, for the King himself to come, and alone at that..."
"I am not alone. Beyond this disappearing wall are Henry and Eleanor."
"Eh?"
This time, everyone froze. Even Hughes-sama gasped.
"Also, Sir Stephens of Medioland and the Archbishop of the church that serves as the entrance to this cave are with them."
Was the person who called out "Your Majesty" earlier the head of the church? Don't tell me they came without any escort soldiers.
"Eleanor told me that a Vow of Silence toward the Goddess you worship was necessary. In the doctrines of the gods my Royal Family worships, there is no such ritual. Therefore, only the head of the church and I have come."
That's quite scrupulous, but is the explanation to his own country alright?
"It is unnecessary. In any case, my country will only be involved in the exploration of this cave, right? Then, it is enough to be present only here. With myself and the head of the church, the trouble of explaining to others is saved."
It seems as long as the objective and results are understood, it's fine. In other words, does this mean James-sama and the others have already consented?
"Um, if there are people outside the wall as well, would it be alright to make the wall disappear and invite them inside?"
If King Seldic's story is true, the only person from the Engrio side would be the head of the church. I also want to get confirmation of King Seldic's words.
"I do not mind. That would make the conversation faster."
The King, who has blue eyes that seem like they could pull you in just by looking at them, said it easily while maintaining a light smile, despite it putting him at a disadvantage.
When I made the wall disappear, there were Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Stephens-san, and one priest wearing a type of priestly robe I don't usually see. Surely, he is the head of the pagan church that serves as the entrance.
"Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, what on earth happened?"
"No, things got a bit complicated."
When Wilson-san asked, Henry-sama was scratching his head.
According to what I heard, the first half of the journey proceeded without issues. Of course, likely under the surveillance of Engrio scouts.
The incident occurred last night. Right after we had inquired about charging beyond the wall.
"We were staying in the Engrio Royal Capital. Seldic suddenly visited that inn."
The inn was apparently surrounded. On top of that, King Seldic's Royal Guards visited Henry-sama's room and Stephens-san's room. Harris-sama and Bonnie were at the church, so they were safe. The purpose of the trip was hot spring therapy. They apparently insisted on that, but the fact that we were conducting an exploration of the fire spirit's cave had been leaked by an internal informant. They were shown a letter as evidence and were threatened that we, who were likely entering the exploration using Stephens-san as a smokescreen, would be surrounded by an army and slaughtered.
"So, I said this: if King Seldic wants to hear it, he should come alone; if he comes, I'll tell him. Then, he really came alone."
"He's got quite a bit of nerve," Henry-sama laughed.
"I think both of you are as bad as each other," Beatrix sighed.
They are two former heroes. They probably could have fought their way out and escaped. Considering our combat strength, even if the mountain were attacked, I think we could have escaped. However, if that happened, it would undoubtedly cause trouble for Stephens-san and his wife, and by extension, Medioland. It might even trigger another war.
Come to think of it, the fact that these two participated... no, Hughes-sama did say that these two intervening was within Medioland's expectations. And there was a leak. In other words, they might have anticipated that things would turn out like this at worst from the beginning. And by having Henry-sama and the others intervene, they saved Stephens-san and his wife... is that how it is? Or did they think that unless they did this, things wouldn't end peacefully... If that's the case, depending on the situation, I might have to have Mel scold the mastermind, James-sama.
"Only I and the head of the church who manages the entrance to this cave are here. I will have you tell me everything. Normally, there should be a formal request through diplomatic channels. I am saying I will overlook that."
King Seldic said. Does this person's expression never change from that smile?
"Unfortunately, those diplomatic channels are closed thanks to the previous war your country started."
Eleanor-sama is counterattacking, but it's probably better to stop.
"Even so, what do you mean by entering illegally? Act with some sense."
See, he struck back.
"To enter a country that frequently starts wars, illegal entry is the only way, isn't it?"
"It is wrong for royalty to come without notice. We do not restrict nobles or commoners."
No, isn't that mutual?
"But King Seldic, you also came to Sertoria without permission, didn't you? I believe it was during the departure ceremony for the Demon Lord subjugation unit."
Beatrix joined in the support. After all, she is a witness. At that time, King Seldic had officially announced participation by proxy. In other words, it was unofficial and an illegal entry.
Eleanor-sama is smirking. Perhaps she had thought this far ahead.
"You. Have we met somewhere?"
Realizing he was at a disadvantage, King Seldic began to engage with Beatrix.
"Let's see. During the greetings, you asked me in front of a skewer shop where Roberts-sama was."
"I see, so I was noticed. Then, let's call it a draw for both sides."
He said honestly with a smile in his expression. He might be surprisingly easy to talk to.
Eleanor-sama? It's probably better to refrain from a literal fist pump, isn't it?
In the end, the matter of illegal entry was dropped. In exchange, he said, "Speak."
"Actually, there is a Vow of Silence, so we cannot speak of the contents of the investigation."
Eleanor-sama is holding her ground. Moreover, it's not a lie. Even for the reports made through the church, we vowed before the statue of the Goddess not to speak of the contents written within to anyone other than those involved. Only a very small handful of people in the church and each nation know.
"I am not telling you to speak of the contents of the investigation. I am asking why you started this investigation."
King Seldic also seems to understand. The Vow of Silence is about the contents of the ruins' investigation; it does not cover the trigger or the purpose.
"It is said that in the past, humans had a history of sealing the Demon Lord. Thinking that we might find that method, we are investigating ancient ruins."
"Did you find it?"
"We do not know."
Eleanor-sama, who was responding, turned her head away with a huff.
It's not a lie. We don't know anything other than that magic or a barrier called Testament is involved.
"Within the scope of what I have grasped, you are also conducting investigations at the mountain."
"Yes. That is correct."
"How many locations are there in total?"
He doesn't know... does he? He was supposed to be in league with the Ruined Town. Has he heard nothing from the Revenant called Servetus?
"We do not know exactly. We only found out that there was a wall here as a result of the investigation."
"As for what is inside... you cannot speak of it, then."
King Seldic looked at me, so I nodded.
"Then, I too shall participate in the investigation here. Furthermore, whether it is discovered here or elsewhere, if the method to seal the Demon Lord is identified, inform my country as well. Subjugating the Demon Lord should be a problem for this entire island. My country may also be able to do something. At the very least, you will share that much."
It is a perfectly natural thing to say, but honestly, it was unexpected. These are not words I would expect from the person who tried to carry out a total slaughter operation in Sertoria and Regnentes.
"What is it? Why are you surprised?"
He asked me directly. I am stared down by those blue eyes.
"Um, will you cooperate in the sealing of the Demon Lord?"
"Of course. My country also sends troops to the battle against the Demon Lord's army. We also dispatch subjugation units. We are following the subjugation guidelines."
"Is that out of a spirit of coexistence and mutual prosperity with other nations?"
I asked instinctively. I want to hear what a person who only starts wars or seriously tries to destroy other nations to unify the island thinks.
"No. It is because if the nations do not join forces to defeat it, there is a possibility that my country will be destroyed. I do not possess a spirit of coexistence and mutual prosperity with other nations. It is because a Royal Family with power should unite other nations and build a unified state on the island."
"Do you have to start wars?"
"Why is it wrong to start a war? Or would the nations surrender if I told them to surrender and hand everything over to my country?"
"If you go to war, many people will die."
"Then, they should just surrender to my country. They should abolish their kingdoms and become principalities under my country. I will grant them autonomy."
Principality? What is that?
"It refers to a country where the King becomes a noble and serves the King of another country. For example, if Sertoria were to submit to Engrio, the current King would own the current Sertorian territory as a noble serving the King of Engrio."
Eleanor-sama explained.
I see. In that case, he can expand his territory without going to war. However, human hearts are fickle. After becoming a noble, he might have his territory confiscated under some trumped-up charge of treason.
"Even if that were to happen, only the former royalty who became princes would be destroyed. It would not affect the lives of the people. It would be nothing more than a common internal conflict."
In Sertoria's case, it wouldn't end with just that.
"Even if the Royal Family surrenders, what will you do if the people do not accept being under Engrio's rule? Will you slaughter them all?"
I asked this instinctively as well. This was the content of the conversation I had with the bearded noble of Engrio along with the Headmistress during the war. I definitely wanted to ask.
King Seldic turned toward me and took a sip of wine.
"If necessary. Those who ignore the intentions of the Royal Family despite their surrender are not patriots. It is only natural to punish those who start a rebellion to satisfy their own egos."
"Do you not consider coexistence and mutual prosperity with other nations? There is the Council of Lords, after all."
Despite being a gathering of Kings of various nations, it calls itself the Council of Lords because of the belief that they rule their territories as proxies for the Goddess... Finis is a war god and Engrio has a different god, but...
"Because a unified state is not created, wars within the island never cease. How long do you intend to continue the struggle over villages?"
If war itself would just disappear, it would be fine. Why doesn't he understand that?
"Even if a unified state were to be established on this island, there is no need to look up to Engrio as the leader. Because each nation has the right to choose its leader. Besides, the island is not currently filled with such momentum. To exchange such arguments, much more time is needed. King Seldic, are you not merely trying to be the leader yourself to satisfy your own ego?"
Eleanor-sama supports me. Henry-sama is nodding. It seems Sertoria has no intention of looking up to Engrio as a leader. Naturally—business aside, the citizens of Sertoria dislike the successive Kings of Engrio who frequently start wars.
I wonder how King Seldic will answer...
"Of course. A Hegemon is someone who becomes one because they want to. Momentum is something created by one who is a Hegemon. It is fine if one who possesses the Path of Hegemony unifies the island to satisfy their own ego, and as a result, brings further prosperity and peace to the island."
King Seldic admitted that he is trying to unify the island for his own ego... He has directly opposed the teachings of the Goddess...
He's just like a Demon Lord...