Chapter 386 - Episode 5: Meeting in Finis
After safely witnessing Glory's blooming, we went to the hot spring town in Engrio and finished the second investigation. Without time to relax, we must go to Finis. Because there is a meeting for epidemic measures. The participating countries have increased to four since the last time, as Primordia joined.
Since Aira married, the Queen is in charge of Finis. The Queen of Finis consulted with Aira and the Priestess, added the girls working at the machine shop and apprentice priestesses to the staff, and built a network across all of Finis. Until now, the Priestess, who also has abilities as a pharmacist, had been protecting the settlements from disease along with priests who use holy magic. Such information is shared through cooperation between the Royal Family, the church, and the Priestess to aim for the prevention of the spread of epidemics.
Next, from Northern Gram, a report was submitted that a facility for treating patients with Just a Disease in the Old Gram territory has been completed. Currently, they are apparently planning for the facility's food self-sufficiency by starting livestock rearing and medicinal herb cultivation, as well as clearing the surrounding land. The prototype already exists. Incidentally, the ones in charge are Saxburg and Duke Hexham, but the Crown Princess Aira is added there.
From Primordia, Sianya participated. This country's level of seriousness is no half-measure; they are planning to transport patients from the continent and treat them. Furthermore, they are even considering the acceptance of various epidemic patients. After all, the King and the Royal Capital Archbishop Cadogan-sama are firmly holding hands. As a result of actively reaching out to the Kingdom of Sertogne on the opposite shore, they apparently received a good response. Patients who had been left to die until now might be cured. Perhaps because they worship the Goddess, there are some people in Sertogne who can use magic. They were apparently invited to the Royal Palace and saw the effects of Anti-Sepsis in person.
"In our country, we will newly open the Royal Medical Research Institute. The building is already completed, and currently, with Bishop Philip, renowned as a hero, as the director and Bishop Jeanne as the deputy director, we are to prepare the system and research treatment methods for various diseases."
Finally, Sertoria's policy was reported by Magdalena-sama. At the same time, it was also mentioned that a training center for technicians of prosthetic arms and legs, in which Matilda participates, was created and has already accepted trainees from Medioland.
"In addition, we received a request from King Seldic of Engrio to sell Anti-Sepsis scrolls. And it has been decided that the private Class of 175 will begin trade with Engrio."
These words from Magdalena-sama were received with shock by the other countries. Now Engrio is the de facto hypothetical enemy of the entire island, centered around Medioland. Of course, it has been reported to Medioland.
Magdalena-sama waited for the reactions of each country, which had fallen silent, but the one who broke the silence was Sianya.
"That is very wonderful. Engrio has a wide territory, and accordingly, a long coastline. The main ports on that coastline are flourishing with trade with the continent. Our country was looking for a way to promote information sharing with Engrio, and thanks to everyone in the Class of 175, an opportunity has been created. How about it? Your countries should also have a relationship with the Class of 175 Shop. Why not try to aim for information sharing through everyone in the Class of 175? If you participate in trade as a start, I believe connections will naturally be made after that."
Except for Morandine, there should be almost no place for exchange of opinions between the Engrio Royal Family and each country other than the Council of Lords. It's embarrassing for Sianya to praise the Class of 175, but it's okay to follow Beatrix's example once in a while.
"Our shop is private, so basically we have no relationship with the political situation of the island. Actually, I also had an opportunity to meet King Seldic, and I received permission to handle not only Anti-Sepsis and Thought Communication scrolls but also the products of each country we have traded with until now. If it's about epidemic measures, measures for those in financial distress... or business talk, I think we can share information, so please look forward to working with us."
When I took the plunge and made a sales pitch, Sianya clapped for me, and as if drawn by that, all the participants followed suit.
Furthermore, there was a proposal from Sianya, and the meeting was positioned as something completely different from the Council of Lords. And it was confirmed that it is merely a place for information exchange by those in charge of epidemic measures and measures for those in financial distress in each country... for some reason, they happen to be royalty... and no obligation arises for the contents agreed upon as goals. It might seem like it has no effectiveness, but in exchange, it can take into account the financial situation and laws of each country, and at the same time, it is completely released from the pledges between countries, such as the Council of Lords, bilateral, or multilateral. As a result, cooperation with Medioland, Regnentes, and Morandine, who are currently not participating, let alone the non-allied Engrio and continental nations, becomes possible. This is the intention of the Primordia King, who emphasizes cooperation with continental nations, especially Sertogne, and it was a consideration to have those in charge in each country discuss with free ideas as a single islander.
Finally, it was decided that the fifth meeting would be held in Sertoria in the autumn. At present, it roughly consists of two countries each from the north and the southwest. Last time it was Primordia in the southwest. This time we came to Finis in the north, so next is Sertoria.
After the meeting ended, everyone went to see the Water Dragon. Those seeing it for the first time are many: Magdalena-sama, Miana, Saxburg, Duke Hexham, and Sianya. As usual, under the command of Gwyn-sama, everyone was to watch the trout fishing by the Water Dragon and the villagers.
The Water Dragon is in a good mood lately as there was something that raised its status a bit. Before the fishing, it let everyone ride on its back and gave us a sightseeing cruise of the lake.
"It's amazing. Its skin is smooth."
Saxburg, who is wearing a Water Dragon costume... a bodysuit with flippers for hands and feet, which looks just like a seal at first glance because the neck is short... is hugging its neck and rubbing it with her cheek. Even Duke Hexham, who usually stays quiet, is raising his voice, "Amazing, amazing."
"So there are various kinds of dragons."
Miana only knows the Black Dragon Child. In a sense, the appearance of dragons appearing in fairy tales is exactly the Black Dragon Child or the Fire Dragon, but the length of the Water Dragon's neck seems to have exceeded her expectations. Since they brought fish in a basket with leaves spread on the bottom, every time they hand-feed the Water Dragon, which occasionally twists its neck back, she claps her hands in joy.
"I heard Jeanne rode on top of its head for sightseeing. Is it not allowed for at least one person to climb up?"
Magdalena-sama is pointing to the top of the head while being high-spirited.
"It's dangerous."
"Nonsense, even so, I am a former light cavalry soldier. I can climb this much."
The inside of your skirt will be completely visible. She has completely forgotten she is a Queen.
"Jeanne, who uses light magic, is special."
She gave up when told by the Priestess, who was smiling wryly.
"I thought dragons were popular with men, but it seems we women also like them quite a bit."
While watching everyone being high-spirited in their own way, Sianya laughed.
"Thus promoting exchange with the original creatures of the island, and at the same time, devising ways for humans to cooperate. Of course, when we must fight, we must fight resolutely regardless of who the opponent is, but the effort to make sure it does not turn out that way is essential."
"Yes. Just as you say. War is, of course, one of the means of policy, but whether you win or lose, the loss is great."
The Queens of the two countries agreed. It is said that the Goddess granted a sword to her eldest son, making him a war god, and ordered the subjugation of monsters to protect humans. In other words, an army is something that should be ordered to protect something.
The fishing was finished, and after the banquet with the Water Dragon and the villagers was over, we had an opportunity to talk about the monster situation in Finis. From here on, it becomes an unofficial girls' party, so Gwyn-sama and Duke Hexham returned to the Royal Capital.
Since it was a good opportunity, I tried asking about humanoid monsters.
"In Finis, humanoid monsters like Orcs, Ogres, and Cyclopes are not so numerous."
The Queen of Finis says something unexpected.
"It is said that such monsters are those with bad natures who die and become evil spirits, and eventually reincarnate. In that regard, the people of Finis are all warriors, and above all, they hate cowardly and unmanly behavior. There are many ghosts, but it is the same as there being almost no evil spirits."
The Priestess is nodding. It's very similar to what Keira said. I heard from Price-sama that evil spirits are those who strongly leave behind resentment and bitterness about their own death. That's why those killed in war easily become evil spirits. In that regard, looking at the ghosts of Finis, they honestly reflect that they died because their strength was insufficient, and at the same time, they take pride in having died on the battlefield and do not resent the opponent who killed them. It's typical of Finis, which worships the war god first rather than the Goddess.
"Then, are most of the monsters magic beasts?"
When Sianya asked, the reply was "Yes."
"However, those magic beasts are strong. C-ranks are common, and depending on the place, there are B-ranks. The orbs are also for contending with such strong monsters."
Come to think of it, the hunting in the north was on a half-measure scale. If you cross one mountain, it's about the same as the Northeastern Forest. Rather than hunting, it's a subjugation operation involving an army.
"There are commonalities with our country, in a different sense."
Sianya says that humanoid monsters are not so numerous in Primordia either. However, the reasoning is different.
"Our country makes use of diplomacy and negotiation, and considers it the best policy to win without fighting, or at least not to lose. Therefore, the time to fight is when we give up on negotiation and resolve to fight as a nation. In that sense, there should be few who die on the battlefield leaving behind regrets. Though, perhaps because the territory is small, there are no such powerful monsters."
On land, D-rank is the limit. In other words, Fenrirs or Wyverns would be the strongest.
"It might be a difference in the formation of the army. In our country, even if it's the direct army, free farmers serve in the military as a duty, or serfs are recruited as laborers. I heard that such people are also quick to collapse when at a disadvantage."
It's Saxburg. She is being given an elite education to become a Queen. She must be familiar with such things.
"Our country's citizens hate war itself. The feelings of those who died in battle hating the enemy who invaded might be stronger than the soldiers of other countries."
It's Magdalena-sama. Does it mean Sertorian soldiers have a strong sense of hatred, rather than being cowardly or unmanly?
When I told everyone the story I heard from Keira, everyone was convinced, perhaps because of the stories from each country so far.
"In that case, if we track down the place where those evil spirits gather and perform an exorcism, we can at least completely exterminate humanoid monsters, right?"
"In theory, that would be the case, but whether it can actually be done..."
"Currently, no wars between humans are occurring. We should mobilize the army and wipe them out."
Finis is active, but the opponent is highly likely to spring up inexhaustibly. If it becomes a war of attrition, the ones who lose will be the humans.
"However, if the evil spirits of ancient creatures are the origin, would the evil spirits of war dead that occurred in the last few hundred years or so also be involved?"
"There are ghosts called wandering spirits. Regardless of places with a history, they apparently drift around. It is said they easily gather in places where the sun doesn't hit much, so there might be evil spirits that take in such spirits."
Sianya answers Saxburg's question. In other words, as long as war does not disappear, the opponent will continue to be strengthened.
"Originally, it would be the right way to make them reform, but unfortunately, I don't think it's realistic. Rather than that, there is also an opinion whether we can leave the less harmful Orcs and first annihilate the Ogres who have cruel inclinations."
When I proposed it on behalf of Violet, I was told by the Queen of Finis that it wouldn't be more difficult. Well, that's probably true. If you send an army to exterminate Ogres, it will undoubtedly lead to a battle with Orcs as well. However, if we make allies of friendly monsters like Violet or the Dullahan and settle the talk with the Orcs, it might be possible. Of course, the prevention of the Demon Lord's resurrection is a premise. Otherwise, high-level demons would appear and incorporate Orcs into the Demon Lord's army.
Northern Gram and Primordia said it's worth considering. Sianya has spent time with Keira, and Saxburg and Aira have a banquet with the Dullahan about once a month. They know there is a possibility in negotiation with monsters.
"Priestess. Could you once consult with the ghosts of the Lords? If it is possible, a segregation with the monsters... at least the Orc swarms... might become possible."
Getting along would be ideal, but reality is harsh. However, at least the situation of fighting each other should be eliminated.
Fortunately, I gained the Priestess's agreement. Saxburg and Aira said they would also try asking the border lords and the Queen.
If they do not threaten human life, the spirit of coexistence and mutual prosperity takes priority. We investigate the damage caused by monsters, and there is no need to initiate an attack on those who are friendly or harmless. However, outwardly, monsters must be subjugated as enemies of the church. Suddenly considering it on a national scale would invite backlash from those who are traditional. Discussion is important, but discussions that reconsider premises are often shunned. It was also agreed that in the beginning, it's better to discuss at meetings where women are the main subjects. The meetings include information exchange and trade like the Class of 175 Shop is doing. It's okay to include monster exterminators.
"However, considering the previous talk, can we not predict the places where humanoid monsters like Orcs will increase in the future?"
The Queen of Finis says that the surroundings of the battlefields where the most damage occurred in the previous war might be dangerous. The fact that many war dead occurred means it can be predicted that there are also many ghosts who became evil spirits. Especially battlefields where many recruited soldiers died.
"Certainly just as you say. It might be good to investigate."
Magdalena-sama agreed, and we decided to discuss the damage on the battlefields of each country.
The northern campaigns were the invasion routes of Northern Gram; in the central part, northwestern Morandine where many were killed by Revenants, and the highways of southern Sertoria where recruited soldiers mainly became victims of pursuit were said to be areas requiring caution.
"What about Regnentes and Primordia? Especially since I heard that heavy damage occurred to Engrio, which invaded."
The Queen of Finis asked.
"The damage in the battle of Regnentes was mainly to cavalry and heavy infantry. Also, after the war, Bishop Harrison and Jeanne, who are priests without church affiliation, have been performing memorial services at the request of the Lord."
"The damage to the Engrio soldiers who invaded Primordia also seems to have been mostly knights and heavy infantry. Also, for some reason, they were destroyed by the Demon Lord's curse or sea monsters, so wouldn't there be no one who resents humans?"
Magdalena-sama and Sianya returned the answers. If they were professional soldiers of Knight rank or higher, they would have been prepared, and if they were killed by monsters, they wouldn't resent humans.