Chapter 445 - Chapter 9: The Vampire of Vectis Island
Vectis Island was, as Miana had said, at the end of the mouth of a large river. Since there's a fair distance, there's no need to worry about it damming the river.
In the vicinity, there were several ports, serving as bases for trade with the continent. There also seems to be an Engrio Navy base. The ferry landing for the only route to Vectis Island is also in one of those ports. That port is the largest in Engrio, as you can go up the river to near the Royal Capital, and ships flying flags of various countries, including the continent, are lined up in the port. On land, there are various buildings that could be called trading houses of each country. The languages of the people coming and going are all different, just like the hot spring town.
In the end, I was the only one exceptionally allowed to enter the island. The other four are only up to the port on the opposite shore.
"It can't be helped. I heard people from the island are coming to this port, so I'll move forward with the trade talks."
Beatrix, who had probably prepared herself to some extent, is accepting it obediently.
The Vampire Lord, Count Vectis, who received King Seldic's letter, seemed interested in the scrolls of [Skill: Anti-Sepsis] and [Skill: Thought Communication], as well as the cultivation of wasteland, and sent representatives of the island to the opposite shore. Setting aside Lyudmila, who probably wanted to see the island's land itself, Beatrix and Mary are focused on trade. They must have been convinced.
In the port, there was a building managed by the islanders, and we were to meet the representatives there.
The representatives were a butler in his late thirties who serves Count Vectis, and several maids.
King Seldic, who went out of his way to guide us, introduces them himself.
"Good work meeting us, Sir Archer. Is the Count well?"
"Your Majesty."
The butler seems to be named Sir Archer. In other words, he's a noble. He slowly placed his right hand on his chest, drew back his right foot, and bowed slowly.
"I am overwhelmed with joy to behold your countenance, Your Majesty. I trust Your Majesty is in good spirits and appears to be in robust health. I believe this is a matter of great joy for the people of our island, and by extension, for the citizens of the Kingdom of Engrio. To think you would come all the way to such a place this time..."
Will said that elegance is about spending time and effort, and indeed, even his way of speaking is roundabout. In short, he's probably thanking him for coming to the opposite shore.
"Sir Archer, you need not worry so much."
"Haha!"
King Seldic ended up interrupting him.
"Regarding that matter, I hear you are to deliberate with my master about the possibility of conquering the island's Demon Realm."
It seems he can speak normally too.
"Umu. About that, first let me introduce them. You should already recognize these people. Three heroes and two former heroes."
The farmer-like old couple said 'ya ya' and took the hand towels wrapped around their necks, stepping forward.
"Hey, Sir Archer. It's been a while."
"Sir Archer, it's been a long time. Has there been any change?"
These people are completely frank and casual with anyone.
After the greetings with the three heroes and two former heroes ended, I was introduced. I gave my 'nice to meet you' greeting. When I offered my right hand with the Bishop's ring, Sir Archer took my hand and held it up. (T/N: 'Oshiadaku' is a gesture of respect, often holding an object to one's forehead.) I feel like Sir Archer's hand is cold. This sensation is... I unintentionally look at my right hand, then at Sir Archer.
"Hoho, you are not to be underestimated. So, you have noticed. As expected of someone recommended by King Seldic. Did you say your name was Bishop Jeanne? That is right, I am a Vampire. Though, I am one who is subordinate to my master."
He's laughing loudly with his hands on his hips, 'Fuhahaha.'
In other words, he's a person like the Red-Eyed Man. He seemed decent, but as expected, he's a bit strange. I know the Revenant Wilson-san, and I've even shaken hands with him. I've met Ghouls too. That's why I realized Sir Archer is an undead, but Henry-sama and the others have already met him. Assuming they had been told in advance even if they didn't actually know, there's nothing to 'notice.' Despite that, he's getting excited all by himself.
"Oh my! A Vampire! H-How scary!"
It's Mary. She's different from usual. No matter how you think about it, it's a bit. (T/N: 'Neta' implies she's playing a role or joking.) What is an ultra-high-level mage saying. Well, it's a secret.
"Oh! My apologies. Have I startled such a beautiful young lady? This Archer, despite appearances, is a bit of a knight; I would never act lawlessly toward a woman, so please rest assured."
Leaving me aside, he goes in front of Mary, with whom greetings haven't even finished. And, having startled her himself, he bows his head and apologizes. I can see him giving a light gauntlet-pump with his right hand. What a troublesome old guy. (T/N: 'Ossan' is a casual/rude term for a middle-aged man.)
Looking closely, Eleanor-sama is also giving a gauntlet-pump while hiding behind Henry-sama. It seems she had conspired with Mary.
Setting aside King Seldic, who is looking down with his right hand on his forehead, I finished introductions with everyone from the Class of 175.<
Immediately, as a greeting, Mary showed Sir Archer the three barrels that Beatrix had carried from the carriage on a plate made with [Skill: Wind Barrier].
"Hoho, this is the dried meat that has recently become popular in the Royal Capital."
"This is a souvenir from Sertoria for Sir Archer, prepared by us of the Class of 175. It is a humble thing, but please accept it."
"Oh! Thank you. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness."
He's accepting it quite casually with a blunt way of speaking. Where did the 'young lady' treatment go?
Continuing, we gave the maids Highway Cookies Deluxe and goldwork.
The goldwork takes into account that the Lord is a Vampire. In other words, they are things that can be worn in front of the Lord.
Thankfully they seemed to like them, and the Class of 175 members staying on the opposite shore were able to have business talks with the maids. Even though they handle dried meat and medicinal herbs, it was originally a girls' shop. When they said there was marble-dyed fabric in the carriage, the maids went out of the room with the comrades of the Class of 175 to see it together.
"Now, I hear Bishop Jeanne could become a clue for conquering our island's Demon Realm."
Once the maids were gone, Sir Archer's tone changed. When he makes a serious face, he's quite handsome.
"Sir Archer, do you know of Light... the magic of light?"
"No, I do not. What kind of magic is it?"
"It is magic that purifies and strikes down monsters."
"Purifies monsters... I know of [Skill: Holy] as magic that strikes them down. But what kind of magic is it that 'purifies'?"
"It's just as it sounds. It keeps away and drives off evil spirits and monsters."
"In other words, does it mean it seals the movements and attacks of monsters?"
He looks at me with sharp eyes. The eyes of a man who fights.
"No, it can't go that far. At most, it makes them hesitant. For me, especially when the opponent is powerful, I think of it as magic to support allies by creating feints or making them flinch."
Actually, that's true. When fighting evil spirits in Morandine, it was only to the extent of making the many tentacles they stretched out like sea anemones retract, and even then, when my concentration was about to break due to mental attacks, my allies were pressed. There was also a time when I allowed a death-defying charge from mice. The most effective use would be blinding.
"Hmm. I understand. Certainly, if a gap can be created in the opponent while multiple heroes are present, a chance for victory can be found."
He's already saying things as if we're going to conquer the Demon Realm.
"Please rest assured. This time we are not challenging the Demon Realm. It is a preliminary skirmish. I shall have you participate in that preliminary battle and see if you have the aptitude to challenge the Demon Realm."
Aptitude... the story has become quite grand. I hope I won't be made to faint again.
In the end, we stayed on the opposite shore that day. The mansion of Sir Archer, who handles all the trade between Vectis Island and the main island and the interactions with the Royal Family on behalf of the Count who does not leave the island, was our lodging.
"I understand Bishop Jeanne is to be in the same room as the other young ladies, but is that really alright?"
"Ah, yes. It's fine."
The two maids in charge of us recommended private rooms, but I refused. Of the two, one was apparently assigned exclusively to me. It's awkward, so I had them put me in a shared room with my other comrades.
Apparently the island only has a shrine and no priest. The islanders go to the church dedicated to islanders in the port town on the opposite shore for every rite of passage, and call a priest from the port church. Though, since the island's population is under five hundred, the frequency probably isn't that high. Even so, a priest is a greatly revered existence, and when called, they receive the utmost hospitality. By the way, Harrison-san is staying at the church. He probably dislikes special treatment.
Those maids are, of course, from the island. They seemed to like the products of the Class of 175 shop and apparently agreed to an equivalent exchange with medicinal herbs and marine products that can be obtained on the island. After all, our products are cheap. Moreover, since the shipping cost is zero, they can be handled while remaining cheap.
"You all are acting together with the Royal Family, yet you are quite, how should I say, that..."
"Unpretentious, you mean?"
At Mary's words, they bowed their heads, saying 'my apologies.'
"I said it earlier, but we are all orphans. Just commoners. So, honorifics aren't necessary. I don't use them either."
Beatrix, you're the only rude person who doesn't use honorifics at all.
"Then, um, the Bishop too?"
"Yes. I am an orphan. Please call me Jeanne. Since both my parents were apparently just farmers, don't worry about it. Besides, even if you speak like Sir Archer, I don't really understand the meaning of the words, so it's more helpful if you speak normally."
The two maids, who put their right hands to their mouths in surprise, exchanged looks and then giggled with a 'yes.'
"Which one is being rude?"
"Jeanne is a Bishop, so maybe you should learn a bit of consideration."
That's strange. I was scolded by Beatrix and Mary.
The meal was a luxurious one using plenty of the island's ingredients. After a toast with high-quality red wine from the continent, there was a soup with plenty of lamb meat simmered in it, which I think Angelica-san might have used as a reference since it's winter, and a large, flat crab. Even more than that, a shell like a scrap of rock larger than a palm with an egg-like thing inside! It seemed to be simmered with white wine, and the white, jiggly, fluffy thing was squishy; as Harrison-san told me, when I put a whole one hooked on the tip of a skewer into my wide-open mouth, the scent of the tide and a gentle flavor just like milk spread throughout my mouth.
"Is this Bishop Jeanne's first time eating an oyster?"
King Seldic asks, but since my mouth is full, I can only nod.
"You're not a squirrel, so don't puff out your cheeks so much."
Beatrix is smirking, but it can't be helped.
"Buha!"
The sense of accomplishment after swallowing everything and finishing eating is also no joke.
Mary is clearing her throat with a 'kohon.' Somehow, her eyes are scary.
"Did you like it?"
"Yes!"
"That is good to hear. Then, how about another?"
Sir Archer was also happy and gave me a second helping, so it must have been fine.
After the meal, we moved to the bedroom and had a light banquet with the Class of 175 and the maids in charge. It seems Beatrix and Mary had already prepared; several bottles of wine came out.
We toasted and immediately asked about the maids. The maids are a group of six serving the Count; in short, they are blood providers. The Head Maid is always at the Count's mansion, and apparently the remaining five come to the mansion on the opposite shore.
The maids are, of course, born on the island. Their ancestors have lived on the island for generations and have looked up to the Vampire Count as their master.
As I heard from Eleanor-sama before, the Vampire has protected the island since ancient times based on a contract with the islanders. Not only that, in exchange for periodically drinking the blood of the islanders, he did not take any poll tax from them. All islanders were treated equally with no difference in status, and with the Count's powerful magic, he promoted agriculture, engaged in fishing and hunting together, and collected money in the form of magic usage fees. He is an ultra-high-level mage who can use multiple magics. If you hired him, you'd probably have to pay one gold coin per time. He apparently kills about ten bears in a day and carries them easily. Although the population is small, the living standard of the islanders is apparently high among the commoners of Engrio, and there are no people in distress. Military service is the defense of the island with all islanders being soldiers, but since the Vampire's attacks are extremely intense, even the successive nobles who owned the opposite shore do not lay a hand on it, so it's effectively exempt. Corvée is a heavy three months of unpaid service, but everyone follows it gladly.
"We have no intention of leaving the island. At most, we come to this port on the opposite shore. Everyone on the island wishes to live on the island together with the Count."
Other countries, except for Sertoria, have a class system remaining. Since they don't own land, they are treated as serfs. Even if they go to town, it's difficult for a drifter to easily get a job, and a life like the one on the island cannot be hoped for.
"But Vampires are weak to sunlight, right? If an army of thousands or tens of thousands attacked from all over the island by ship in broad daylight, could you win?"
It's Bonnie. As expected of a scout, she's subtly probing.
"Ufufu. You don't know the Count's power. The Count, you see, stirs up storms. A great storm stirred up by pitch-black clouds that cover the island. Even if someone tries to attack by ship, they are all sunk. In fact, that is recorded in the church on the main island, and His Majesty King Seldic knows it too."
That's amazing. He might be stronger than a Demon Lord.
Lyudmila is somehow happy, saying 'amazing, amazing.'
"Compared to a Demon Lord? I wonder. I believe he has promised not to be hostile in exchange for not joining hands with the Demon Lord, so he might be stronger than a Demon Lord."
That's incredible. However, a Demon Realm that even such a powerful Vampire cannot conquer exists on the island.
I don't think I can be of much help even if I'm there.
"In the Demon Realm of this island, there is an existence that can be called a great enemy for the Count. It can seal the opponent's magic."
I doubted my ears. A monster that can seal magic... if I'm there, I'll be nothing but a burden...