Chapter 419 - Episode 5: The Ruins of Engrio
As soon as the group of five arrived, archery training and magic practice awaited them. During that time, I was tasked with making Holy Water. If I store it in water jars or similar containers, it can be used anytime. Since the two scouts also requested some, I decided to make enough for one bottle.
The archery training was led by the former hero, Henry-sama. The two scouts participated with their eyes gleaming. They received meticulous guidance, starting from the posture when drawing the bow. It only lasted about an hour, but everyone was moved.
Magic practice is about mental concentration. You sit in a chair, take deep breaths, and quiet your mind. I had asked them beforehand which spells they wanted to learn, but I prioritized spells where the image of Holy—which Eleanor-sama and I had demonstrated—flashed instantaneously in their minds. This is one of the methods listed in the textbooks. Interest is important, but it's not just about interest; you also need a certain, shall we say, temperamental compatibility.
The morning ended with training and practice, and for lunch, I made a hot pot. I made a porridge with oats and scraps of dried meat, and added wild plants growing nearby. The two scouts seemed to be eating it for the first time and praised it highly.
"Is this that 'Class of 175' thing Beatrix was talking about?"
"Yes. It's a special product."
"What are you going to do with that one over there?"
Where they were pointing, there was a pot set up for bears. Of course, I hadn't put any oats in it. I just put water in the pot, set it over a fire, and added a generous amount of dried meat. I had simply dug a hole, piled up some stones, lit a fire, and set the pot.
"I'm going to lure a bear with that. It's quite effective."
"With a pot?"
"Are you serious? You've got to be joking."
It's no wonder they didn't believe me. It was an accident when it happened to us, too.
"But if you buy one, it's four silver coins. True, you can use one many times, but still..."
They don't know the profit from a bear. It's two gold coins per animal.
"T-Two... gold coins!"
They are quite surprised.
Seeing the two overseers nodding, it seems the market price is the same as in Sertoria. If it's two gold coins for one meal's worth of bait, it's a huge profit.
"Is it true!"
The boy who seemed to be the leader asked the overseer with his eyes gleaming.
"It's true. However, that's when you transport the whole animal."
Hmm, they all started thinking at once. They're probably thinking about how to transport a whole animal by carriage.
"It's fine. I've made an arrangement with King Seldic. With a Teleport scroll, we can transport it directly to the royal warehouse, so it's easy."
It seems Eleanor-sama even involved the treasurer.
"Th-Then, two gold coins!"
"Yes. Since Henry, myself, and Harris are not in a position to earn profits, please split it among the eight of you: the Entrap Six and the two overseers. Let's see, assuming we return to the Royal Capital by the appointed time, let's bag two of them."
"Two... then, five silver coins per person?"
A huge commotion broke out. The overseers were also overjoyed.
"Will this really catch two of them?"
"Well, just watch. Also, it might be better to eat quickly."
The seven of them looked at each other and began shoveling their food down all at once.
It was when we had finished the hot pot and Eleanor-sama was washing the pot with water she produced.
"They're here."
It was Henry-sama. As expected of a hero, he's fast.
"Bears, indeed. They took the bait quickly."
It was Eleanor-sama. She quickly made bowls with Wind Barrier.
"They're here already?"
"Delicious to eat, fast to set—that's the dried meat of the Class of 175."
I threw the pot into the hut.
"The two scouts and the three boys, please get in the bowls with us. The two girls, please climb onto the roof with Jeanne. There will be one scout with each group."
That was the original plan. We're aiming for two bears in the afternoon. For the first one, the boys will strike it down with Holy Water arrows, while the girls hide and create the image of striking it down with magic. For the second one, it's the reverse.
"C-Can we do it?"
"It's okay. Believe that you can, and attack the bear with magic. Let's see. Let's aim for the right arm. If you land a hit, the bear will surely be surprised. If you create an opening like that, the aerial team will deliver the finishing blow."
"Ahahaha! That sounds interesting."
As we climbed onto the roof of the hut to watch, a bear arrived. The two girls thrust their right hands forward and created their respective images. The bear, which had been scouting the surroundings, finally thrust its head into the hole where the pot was set.
Now!
"Ei!"
At my signal of thrusting my right hand, the two of them whispered with spirit. Immediately, I raised my right hand. Hyun! A sound rang out, and four arrows pierced the back of the bear's head. Holy Water arrows. The bear, with its head still in the hole, fell flat on its belly. Just in case, I fired a Holy Lance aimed at its heart.
"Yay! Two gold coins!"
Don't they seem a lot like Beatrix?
We successfully took down two bears. For the second one, we moved to the very edge of the area in the bowls and set the pot, so it was caught easily. Being a hut specifically for bear hunting, there must be a fair number of bears around. We sent them to the Royal Capital just like that with Teleport scrolls.
On the way back, we all sang songs loudly.
When we arrived, it was just barely the appointed time, but after receiving the profits, we went to a shop run by King Seldic's former swordsmanship teacher, which we had visited before, including the overseers. We parted with Harris-sama, who was staying at the Royal Capital Great Church, in front of the church.
The main dish was seared bear meat. The ones we caught were served immediately.
"Hmm. You really did hunt two of them."
This time too, it was King Seldic's treat.
"Of course. Jeanne and the others have started a revolution in bear hunting."
Eleanor-sama replied while drinking beer. Even if she calls it a revolution, it was actually an accident.
"That pot, you see."
"Pot? What is that?"
King Seldic tilted his head at the unimaginable answer.
The group of five explained it was like this and like that.
"Did that dried meat have such an effect?"
"Delicious to eat, fast to set—it's the dried meat of the Class of 175, right?"
It's better if it sells. What's being sent to Engrio is one of the measures for the needy started by Owen-san and Adolf-san. Since it's the original, the taste is guaranteed. They use the boars stored in the warehouse in Nakanohara. Until now, the production scale was small, so it was mainly for the field rations of the guard and the royal army. Following the start of exports to the continent by the latecomers Regnentes, Finis, and Northern Gram, they expanded the scale so as not to be outdone. It even has a picture of the Black Dragon Child designed by Beatrix. Even though it's supposed to be the original, it has completely fallen behind, but the original production volume itself isn't that large. It should be fine.
"How do you make it?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because I want you to buy the ones we handle."
Everyone is laughing loudly.
"The price isn't that high. Since they're large, if you have one of those, some oats, dried herbs, and mushrooms, three hunters can have three meals a day for a week while hunting one bear every day."
At my sales pitch based on practical experience, King Seldic looked at the two overseers.
"How about it? Does it seem like that kind of hunting is possible in our country too?"
"Yes. Fine adjustments would be needed, but I believe it is possible."
According to the overseers, they don't have Flight Magic, but if they choose the location to set the pot, there's no problem. Holy Water arrows and Holy can be supplemented by the duties of a priest. The dried meat is expensive, but considering the profits, it yields more than enough gain. Moreover, there's no need to wander through the forest looking for bears. The problem is how to transport the bear; even if they butcher it, it's impossible for three people.
"A base would be necessary, but the existing huts should suffice. We would have to store them in an icehouse and transport them little by little. It would be good if we could use Teleport, though."
Teleport is the crucial point. Even we have Adolf-san handle the transport procedures.
"What do you think?"
King Seldic called the owner of the dining hall, who was in the kitchen, and asked.
"Shouldn't you just put transport under the jurisdiction of the Magic Corps? Select those who can draw Teleportation Circles and have them prepare. Just give them an allowance. The connection would be between the mountain hut and the warehouse, right? You'd teleport the ones stored in the icehouse on fixed days. Twice a week. That's sixteen times in two months."
King Seldic nodded with a "Hmm" and told the two overseers to take charge of it as a trial.
The two of them replied with a "Yes, sir!" and broad smiles. The profits would naturally be theirs.
"Send one person who can draw Teleport from the Magic Corps, one priest, one scout, and then one person from the Entrap Five on rotation. That's a team of four. Divide the profits fairly. However, it's autumn. Hunt bears for two months to prepare for the winter. If it goes well this year, we'll expand the scale starting next year."
"Eh, is it okay?"
"Yay! I can earn gold coins!"
"Your Majesty, thank you very much!"
The Entrap Five stood up and rejoiced.
However, it's currently the end of August. That's a story for quite a while in the future. They could start in September and continue until the end of February. They'd have to draw enough for three Teleports, but if there's an allowance, they'll do it.
"Um, since things rot easily in the summer, Teleport is needed all the more in the summer. Also, in the winter, bears wander over a wide range looking for food, so there might be damage to the villages. It would be better to take measures."
"I get it, I get it. Start right away next week. However, report the results once every two months."
At the generous talk, the Entrap Five and the two overseers were making a huge fuss. When I looked at the old man from the dining hall, he winked and went back to the kitchen.
"Is it okay to say such classified information in front of us? I won't be responsible if thieves break into the warehouse."
Eleanor-sama was smirking.
"If we're in trouble because thieves break in, then we'll just have to eliminate the Teleport users."
"That's true."
Eleanor-sama shrugged her shoulders. She must have admitted defeat.
Engrio is more lenient about the use of Teleport than Sertoria.
After eating, drinking, and making a fuss for a while, we parted with the group of five.
Then, the owner of the dining hall joined us. Only us and the Royal Guard were in the shop. The owner suggested changing locations, and each of us took a cup and moved to the back room.
"Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama. I deeply apologize for the delay in my greetings."
The owner, while still standing, knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
"It's fine, Sir Falstaff. Stand up and sit in that chair. Let's share a drink for the first time in a long while."
"Sir Falstaff, it's been since the war to subjugate the Demon Lord. I'm glad to see you're doing well."
Eleanor-sama took his hand and made him stand.
"I am grateful for your generous heart."
He filled the cups just like that, and we all toasted.
"Sir Falstaff, let me introduce you. This is Bishop Jeanne."
While still seated, I gave a "Nice to meet you" greeting.
It seems Sir Falstaff, unusually for an Engrio noble, worships the Goddess.
"Since my ancestors have lived on this island for generations."
"Falstaff was originally a free farmer who was scouted by my father and became a knight. In short, he was my tutor."
So he rose up with just a single sword.
"He was a good match for Henry."
He was that amazing of a person. He looks like nothing more than an old man from a dining hall.
"No, I'm no match. Being a good match was the best I could do. The fellow King of Primordia was also amazing. I was completely defeated by those two."
"Unfortunately, you cannot be said to have been blessed with good teachers or companions in your youth. That's the difference."
"No, rather than a difference in lineage, it must be natural talent."
I think being a good match for Henry-sama alone makes him the owner of great talent. Even though Roberts-sama is now called the strongest warrior in history, until then, Henry-sama should have been the strongest.
"No, I could never win against Catherine even once. Nor could our companion, the King of Primordia. The strongest of that era was Catherine."
The Headmistress's name came up. Was she that strong?
"Hoho. Was Bishop Catherine that strong?"
It seems King Seldic was hearing this for the first time too.
"The Rule-Breaking Catherine-sama, eh? Certainly, she had a fine way of drinking. It was a waste for her to be a priest."
"Even now, among the people living in Sertoria, there is no one who can win against Catherine. Even Roberts can't win."
A fine way of drinking?
"Um, what are you talking about?"
"What are you talking about?"
I ended up overlapping with King Seldic.
While the three of them were doing a victory pose together, I made eye contact with King Seldic, and we both lightly shook our heads from side to side.
"Honestly, what a bunch of delinquents."
"Truly."
On this occasion, I'll side with King Seldic, putting all my daily grudges into it.
"What are you saying? Weren't you yourself famous as a profligate prince in your youth? It's appalling to hear a delinquent say that."
Eleanor-sama was pouting.
When I looked at King Seldic, he looked away. As I thought, they were of the same kind. The brothers in Sertoria were punks too; are there many royals like this?
Setting aside the idle talk, King Seldic spoke up.
"There is one thing I want to ask, and one thing I want to tell you."
"What is it?"
Eleanor-sama asked, but I can mostly guess.
Falstaff-san also had a serious expression.
"First, the Black Stones. According to my son's information, they seem to be secret treasures left by the Ancient Priestess who used the technique that sealed the Demon Lord. Care to explain?"
Just as expected. Well, this was anticipated. Discussions have already been held with Price-sama and James-sama, and arrangements have been made.
Eleanor-sama explained it was like this and like that.
"Hmm. Is that what you meant by the ruins that might be around the Royal Capital that you mentioned before?"
"Yes. If they were in Morandine, that would be one thing, but they weren't, so there should be a formal request for an investigation of the ruins addressed to the Engrio royal family."
"Hmph. Setting aside the Black Stones, there was indeed a request from the Medioland Royal Capital Great Church. Though it was through our country's Head of the Royal Capital Church."
As expected of Price-sama. He had quickly taken the next step. In that case, the conversation goes fast.
"Is that what you were talking about?"
When Eleanor-sama asked, he replied that it was.
"If I recall, it was asking if there were any old ruins where a Goddess statue was enshrined."
"Were there any?"
"Falstaff remembered one."
"What, that's quite a coincidence."
According to Falstaff-san, there are unusual ruins about halfway between the Engrio Royal Capital and the hot spring town. There's a small hill deep in a small forest, and in its center, moats and earthworks are built like a circular encampment. In the center of those earthworks, fairly large rectangular stones are lined up in a circle like pillars. On top of those pillars, there are places where rectangular stones are placed like beams, and from the windows surrounded by those stones, it's said that the winter solstice sunset and the summer solstice sunrise can be seen. Local people think it's a sundial or something made by their ancestors to know the seasons. Actually, a May Festival is also held at those ruins. The ruins have an underground area, and there is a stone statue of the Goddess. The surrounding residents have worshipped the Goddess from the start. It's not like there's a church or a priest, but it serves as a guide for deciding the dates for farm work, and the residents seem to cherish it.
"I have also been to that hill, but I had completely forgotten. Falstaff, who went with me, remembered it."
The Engrio Royal Capital and the hot spring town are two post stations apart. In other words, the ruins are one station away—four hours on foot, or only one hour by a specially made carriage. Since the map found in Uminohara was about the size of a single sheet of parchment, it's a very plausible distance.
It feels like it might be solved quite easily. Before, I was bracing myself, thinking I might have to infiltrate the Engrio Royal Palace, but this is a letdown.
"However, there is one thing that bothers me."
It's Falstaff-san. It's the usual. Is a B-rank monster occupying it or something?
"There is a village nearby, and there is a legend passed down there. Long ago, a great priest came with attendants and investigated those ruins. At that time, they took away a treasure that was hidden in those ruins. It's not passed down which priest took what to where."
A priest this time? And on top of that, their whereabouts are unknown.
"A-About when was this?"
If it was a thousand years ago, there should have been a Light user. Moreover, the Great Southern Church might be involved. However, we shouldn't have obtained such information from the boss of the Ruined Town, who was called Servetus. Could they be missing?
"I believe it was about a thousand years ago. For details, I think you'll find out if you go to the village."
Hmm. This is troublesome.
The next day, when I went to the village with King Seldic under Falstaff-san's guidance, I was told it was a thousand years ago. I went to the ruins just like that and illuminated the Goddess statue by myself, but there was nothing where the pedestal stone had disappeared.
"It was a wild goose chase."
"It had already been moved?"
"Yes."
One pedestal stone had disappeared. However, the inside was empty.
"The trail has gone cold?"
"Yes. We'll have to re-examine everything."
King Seldic asked, and Eleanor-sama replied. Both of them let out a sigh together.
"Do you have any leads?"
"I will check the coordination of the churches at that time. I'll start by looking for places that had deep connections with the church that was in charge of this area back then."
Most likely, the inquiry from that Servetus person will be the first step, but she probably won't say that.
"An investigation of ancient documents, eh? In that case, I'll issue instructions to my country's church as well. It would be even better if there was an instruction document from the Medioland Royal Capital Great Church."
"Understood. I'll pass that along."
Where did they move it? As for the Testament, it was moved to Primordia. It must be a place that had connections with the Great Southern Church since then and a region that showed understanding toward the use of Forbidden Magic.