Chapter 444 - Chapter 8: The Seventh Meeting and the Girls' Party
The month changed and it became December.
I have to attend the seventh meeting to be held in Northern Gram. The venue is, as usual, the royal villa managed by Eowyn-sama and Aira. Being in the north, although it's not snowing, it's already cold. The fireplace with [Skill: Fire Ball] burning is pleasant. I unintentionally approach and hold my hands over it.
The main themes of this meeting are countermeasures against the infectious diseases that prevail in winter, and confirmation of the progress of the medicinal herb management in each country proposed last time.
(Our country, being in the north, has an earlier arrival of winter than other countries. Especially the regions in the northeast of the island. Already, people have begun to fall ill with the infectious diseases that prevail in winter. Therefore, we are proceeding with experiments on the therapeutic effects of magic water reported by Primordia.)
The Queen of Finis began the explanation. Next to her sat the Crown Princess as the Queen's assistant. From next time, the Crown Princess will apparently come to the fore as the person in charge.
In the Queen of Finis's story, in two villages in the northeast of the island, those who cared for patients with infectious diseases common in winter—where fever and coughing become severe—fell ill despite wiping the rooms with magic water, washing dishes and clothes, and washing their hands and faces. In other words, it had no effect. Regarding the therapeutic effect on patients, there was absolutely no change between those who bathed with medicinal herbs and magic water and those who were only administered medicinal herbs. After all, it was originally an anti-mold magic. It wouldn't work on everything, and they were probably lucky just to have diseases that were cured.
In conclusion, it was decided to proceed with confirming the effects of [Skill: Anti-Sepsis] while sharing information on the types and usage of medicinal herbs effective against infectious diseases.
(Then, regarding that matter, our Mary, who trades medicinal herbs with each country, will give a report.)
After Magdalena-sama's introduction, Mary stood up. After offering elegant thanks for being allowed to attend a special meeting where no one but royalty and me, a priest, was present, she cleared her throat with a 'kohon' and began explaining the medicinal herbs they were looking for. The way she explained in a slow, calm tone was like some noble young lady. I unintentionally became fascinated.
After Mary's report, there was a report from Primordia by Sianya. They are apparently successfully recovering patients with 'Just a Disease' who were transferred from the Kingdom of Sertogne on the opposite shore. Patients who are transferred across national borders are naturally nobles or wealthy people. She said that after recovery, they would become powerful supporters.
(The Kingdom of Sertogne reveres the same Goddess as this island. On the other hand, the majority of countries on the continent revere different gods; they are, so to speak, pagans. However, religion has nothing to do with the cure of disease. In the future, through the Kingdom of Sertogne, we will likely accept patients from those countries.)
Sianya said, but...
(Please wait a moment. Then, poor people cannot be treated.)
There is no meaning if only the wealthy are helped after gaining a diplomatic advantage.
(Jeanne, you may rest assured on that point.)
Sianya said she had applied to the Royal Capital Great Church of Sertogne, saying she wanted to experiment with the effects of magic water and wanted their cooperation. The Sertogne side jumped at the condition that they only pay for necessary expenses such as transfer costs and food. Of course, there's no way nobles or wealthy people would come for such an experiment, and only the isolated poor came. She also told them that since it's an experiment, the more patients, the better. Apparently all patients known to the Church came, led by the priests in charge. For Sertogne, their true feeling might have been good riddance. And, once there was a prospect of a cure, they established a disparity in the treatment centers. For the wealthy and for the poor. The paid facility for the wealthy is a lodging facility on par with a high-class inn. The food is good and they can drink alcohol. Besides, treatment is not something that is finished in a day or two. It takes months at the longest until complete recovery. It's plenty profitable. In other words, it's a small-scale version of the hot spring town in Engrio. Apparently patients who had been living with bated breath in a room of a mansion came as if competing.
(As expected of the Liberation King. Splendid!)
Magdalena-sama said while laughing, and as a result, everyone burst into laughter.
The next venue was decided to be Primordia. At that time, Sianya proposed that the priest who came with the patients with 'Just a Disease' from the continent also attend, and it was approved.
Once the meeting is over, it's a girls' party. Since there were no male participants from the start this time, after drinks were distributed, it continued as it was. Normally it would be a time to take a break, but since it's a girls' party, it's the same as a break. Of course, it's also free to leave midway to attend to business.
(By the way, I heard, Jeanne. I heard you were warned by Serena of the Dryads regarding the conquest of the Demon Realm.)
It's the Queen of Finis. She's fast as expected. Well, Eleanor-sama or Harris-sama must have told her.
(Yes. I was told not to participate if I cannot promise not to cut down the trees there after conquering the Demon Realm.)
(It seems so. However, Jeanne. You are truly trusted by that Dryad.)
Is that so?
(Of course. If she didn't judge that Jeanne herself could keep a promise, you wouldn't participate. That Dryad knows that.)
Well, that's true. As a priest, I cannot break a promise. Besides, it's better not to easily trust a human's verbal promise.
(In our country, it is possible to make it a national policy not to cut down trees.)
It's Saxburg. A country founded by a person who even rebelled against their lord to protect the Dryad's Forest. Serena might agree too.
In that Northern Gram, including the Old Gram territory, there are apparently five Demon Realms even just counting the large ones. One of them is around where the Dullahan is.
(What kind of monsters are there?)
Depending on the type of monster, we might understand how they are increasing. From experience so far, roughly speaking, low-rank humanoids like Orcs and Ogres are evil spirits, and magical beasts are dense magic power.
(It seems there are many humanoid monsters like Orcs and Ogres. After that are magical beasts. I heard Fenrirs are also there. Ah, come to think of it, I heard there is one place where a wide wasteland with no tall trees spreads out, and there are many bugs there.)
Just a wasteland, huh. Serena might allow that place. However, bugs. They are troublesome because their numbers are high. I heard that the Demon Lord's cave in Sertoria is also attempting to eradicate monsters, taking advantage of the momentum of cornering the Demon Lord's army and defeating the Demon Lord, but the third layer is not doing well.
Wait? Hold on.
The Demon Lord's cave had snakes, lizards, and frogs in the first layer. Humanoid monsters in the second layer, bugs in the third layer, and magical beasts in the fourth layer. Where those monsters spring from has been an ancient mystery. However... if there were several beings like the Demon Race in the Western Plains, they might be able to ranch them in various places and bring them. In fact, that Behemoth was being raised with a giant magic stone...
(Hmm. It also depends on the topography. First, we might prioritize conquering places where trees don't grow, or places like deep canyons that cannot be cultivated. If so, wouldn't we also gain the trust of the Dryads?)
(Your opinion is worth considering. It might be good to propose it to Price-sama of the Medioland Royal Capital Great Church.)
The Queen of Finis and Magdalena-sama are leading the talk, but the Demon Realm might not be something that's fine just by conquering that land.
(Um, I heard that about twenty high-ranking Demon Race members appear at the time of the Demon Lord's resurrection. Currently, how many have been defeated?)
At the sudden change of topic, everyone was silent for a moment, but Magdalena-sama answered. Magdalena-sama, as the King's assistant, was in overall command of the subjugation of the Demon Lord's army in cooperation with each country. She should be well-informed.
(If I recall, at the time of the Demon Lord subjugation, the Demon Lord and four executives, and one other than that. In the battle with the Demon Lord's army, one in Sertoria, two in Engrio, one in Medioland, and one in Finis. And, there should have been two in the subjugation battle in the Western Plains that Jeanne participated in. In other words, the subjugation of twelve has been confirmed. Is there something?)
As expected of King Seldic. He firmly defeated two. However, if there are twenty in total, eight remain.
I explained this and that.
(In other words, is there a possibility that the Demon Realms involving the Demon Race are training monsters in preparation for the time of the Demon Lord's resurrection?)
Magdalena-sama's face became serious. It's a combat expression I've seen several times before. It's likely the original 'demon wife' mode.
(Yes. For example, the snakes of the first layer and the bugs of the third layer are in Engrio or Northern Gram, which we just talked about. The Orcs and Ogres of the second layer are in the Demon Realms of each country. The magical beasts of the fourth layer are...)
(Our country, then. C-rank magical beasts live in large numbers around the volcano where the Fire Dragon lives. And the Behemoth.)
The Queen of Finis followed up. C-rank magical beasts and B-rank Behemoths are only seen in Finis.
And as for other B-ranks, last time, only the Behemoth was being employed. The Lindwurm didn't listen. Violet was in the cave but didn't participate in the Demon Lord's army. The Gigant refused. Probably the Vampire who is the lord of the island in Engrio and the beastmen too. The Dullahan misunderstood his role, and the Hydra and Tarasque... I don't really know.
(Then, if we proceed with the subjugation of the remaining Demon Race members like in the Western Plains, we can prevent the formation of the Demon Lord's army even if the Demon Lord is resurrected...)
Everyone who participated nodded at Magdalena-sama's words.
Regarding the Demon Race subjugation that came up at the girls' party, it was decided that each country would take it back for consideration. In any case, if we don't proceed with the conquest of the Demon Realms, we can't even catch the tail of the Demon Race. For the time being, they will probably select locations where they don't have to cut down trees and decide the priority including the degree of damage.
After returning to Nakanohara, I held a meeting of the Class of 175 for the first time in a while. Since I had spoken to Mary in Northern Gram, everyone gathered. In addition, Fiona, Flora, Miana, and Keira, members of the Associate Class of 175, also participated.
"So, what is it today?"
As usual, the first to open her mouth is Beatrix.
"Henry-sama and the others are going to do monster subjugation at a place called Vectis Island in Engrio, and they want to take us along."
I explained that it was this and that.
"Vectis Island is a special autonomous territory of Engrio. The reason is as Jeanne explained. There's a Vampire, but he's the lord of the island and an Engrio noble."
Miana, the active princess, explained. Hearing this story, she had gathered information from Eleanor-sama.
"In Grandmother's story, Vectis Island is apparently a diamond-shaped island. It's south of the Engrio Royal Capital, at the end of the mouth of a large river. It even looks like a large inlet. Of course, since it's an island, it's not that it's a bay; it probably connects to the open sea in the east and west. The size of the island is one station north to south, and two stations wide east to west. Since it's an island, the main industries are fishing, and ranching using the gentle terrain with no mountains, and hunting in the forests that are here and there seems to be popular."
It's quite a detailed explanation. Lately she's been attending meetings and has become like the manager of the fourth shop.
"It's the southern coastline and the topography is special, so medicinal herbs that cannot be collected around here might be growing there."
It's Mary. She's immediately showing her business spirit. Trading with Engrio has begun, but the items are limited. If a deal can be made with the Vampire noble who has autonomy, it might become a good trading partner.
"I'll go. I haven't been to Engrio yet, after all."
"Whether we can enter the island seems to depend on the Lord."
"I don't mind. If I can't enter the island, I'll be on the opposite shore. In that case, please take care of the medicinal herb collection."
Mary's participation was decided.
"If they're ranching on wasteland, does that mean there are few fields?"
It's Lyudmila. She's frowning at Miana's words. She must not like it. Ranching being popular is good, but if wheat production is low, food self-sufficiency becomes low. Cultivating wasteland has become a joint research topic with Wilson-san. Besides, meat and milk taste better if they are fed pasture. Moreover, the destination is an island. It might be applicable to the remote islands of Uminohara.
"That's right. However, leaving the forest seems to be the Lord's policy. So, it would be good if we can cultivate the wasteland."
If we do it, it will probably start from soil preparation. Since the population is small, there might not be high-level mages. No, the Vampire who is good at magic is the Lord. Then, if clover cultivation is possible, there's a possibility.
"Will Lyudmila go too?"
"Yeah. It's about a week, right? It's the off-season for farming at the end of the year, so it's fine."
When I asked, she accepted the accompaniment easily. In Lyudmila's case, there's no meaning if she can't enter the island, so if permission isn't granted, she'll stay behind.
"After that, anyone else who wants to go?"
When Beatrix asked, Bonnie raised her hand.
"Will is going too, right?"
"No, I'm staying behind this time. It's Eleanor-sama's instruction."
Apparently her status as directly under Eleanor-sama might get in the way. By the way, the Revenant Wilson-san is also staying behind. If the Count finds out, he won't be a secret weapon anymore.
"I see. Then, Jeanne, Lyudmila, Bonnie, Mary, and me. Five people."
Isn't that a lot? Well, if not permitted, they'll be on the opposite shore.
"I wonder if we can enter riding the invisible bowl."
Beatrix is smirking. What on earth is she thinking?
"No, Beatrix. The opponent is a Vampire, so it'll be a disaster if you're caught. Even Grandfather and Grandmother don't enter the airspace over the island."
Good, Miana. Tell her more.