Chapter 447 - Chapter 9: The Vampire of Vectis Island (Part 3)
When we arrived at the island, the Vampire... rather, Count Vectis, came to meet us. A tall maid was standing by his side. She's likely the Head Maid. People of the island were gathering in the vicinity. Even at a quick glance, there are over two hundred people. The fact that they aren't particularly afraid and seem relaxed is probably because the Lord and King Seldic are so well-liked. He might be a wise ruler.
Introduced by King Seldic, I gave my 'nice to meet you' greeting. Lightly wavy black hair, thick eyebrows, a face with deep features, blue eyes; he looks to be in his late thirties. His skin feels a bit pale, but he's a handsome man with a slightly wild air.
"Bishop Jeanne, I have heard rumors of you from King Seldic. I hear you are my natural enemy."
He's laughing with a 'hahaha.' Certainly, the Count is a monster and I am a priest. Even so, he's a person with quite a sharp sense of humor.
I wonder who said that?
When I looked at King Seldic, he averted his eyes. The old couple were already pointing at the clouds in the sky.
"Don't say that. Just because she's a priest doesn't mean she's necessarily your enemy."
Harrison-san followed up for me.
"I know, Bishop Harrison. A person like me must say such things to laugh off my own circumstances. I unintentionally end up envying the living."
"Your troubles are deep. In that case, tonight let us drink the night away together."
"Umu. His Majesty and Roberts-sama are here too, so shall we do it grandly like that time?"
The two of them are laughing with a 'wahaha.' They are laughing together with Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama.
Hmm, does a person who is revered as a noble by the islanders and treated specially by the Engrio Royal Family envy ordinary people? Immortality is quite a burden in its own way.
"Then, Priest Jeanne. It's sudden, but could you show me the magic of light?"
The Count said.
"Are you going to watch?"
If he says he wants to see, it can't be helped. I adjusted the direction so as not to hit the Count or Sir Archer directly, and illuminated the carriage wheel.
"Hoho, a new shadow is formed. 'Magic of light' indeed. Splendid, splendid."
As expected of a Vampire, he immediately saw through my intention and applauded.
Guided by the Count, who was in a good mood, we rode the carriage and were invited to the mansion.
The port was located some distance up the river that flows from the center of the island. The riverbank has wharf functions, and several ships are lined up. Since ships from outside the island do not come, the crew are all islanders. The vicinity of the port is the place where the most population is gathered, with about two hundred people living there. There are no tall buildings. The hinterland is fields, and what's planted looks like rye to me. Unfortunately, turnips are not planted. Further behind is a gentle slope. It's a so-called wasteland where grasslands or rather shrubs are growing here and there, and it also seems to be a grazing land. It might be quite serious.
The journey was a gentle uphill road, a single path surrounded by wasteland where goats and sheep were grazing. It's winding gently and heading south.
The mansion was built on a slightly elevated spot south of the port, in a corner of the forest, as if watching over the port and the largest village around it. In other words, it faces north, and the remaining three sides are forest. It's designed so the sun doesn't hit it. For some reason, a single black cat is sitting on the gatepost.
I heard a 'Count' is a noble of quite high rank, but the mansion is surprisingly simple. The site area is narrower than the Nakanohara Great Church. In fact, it's only about the size of the orphanage. It's a three-story stone building, and there's no castle wall, not even a wooden fence. It looks like the mansion of a large farm.
The first floor has a hall, reception rooms, and the dining room. The second floor is for guests, and the third floor is apparently the private rooms of the Count, Sir Archer, and the mansion's servants.
"Bishop Jeanne, my mansion is small, so it may be inconvenient for you."
"No, don't worry about it."
The island's population is about five hundred people, including men and women of all ages. It's about the size of a large village. The income must be low too. On top of that, the inlet, which is also a good fishing ground, is monopolized by the fish monster. We have to do something about it.
"Do you not cultivate the wasteland?"
"I would like to, but it does not go easily. I hear new farming methods developed in Sertoria are popular in the interior, but the conditions on the island are different. There is much wasteland and it is not suitable for cultivation. On the other hand, if we cut down the forest to cultivate, hunting will not be viable, and first, there is a possibility that the land itself will die. It is a headache."
Hmm. Just as I thought. At the prisoner-of-war camp, they only taught the method of dividing the conventional field into four and rotating it. There wasn't time to teach everything.
"My comrades who are on the opposite shore know cultivation methods suitable for wasteland."
"The Class of 175? I have heard the story. Currently, the maid in charge is responding on the opposite shore."
"If you would like, why not do joint research with that person in charge?"
"Joint research?"
It's Lyudmila's proposal. Nakanohara is inland, so it might be different from the island's agriculture. Researching methods to convert land to farmland or pasture by solving issues like water, soil quality, and weather conditions would also be useful for the cultivation of northern Sertoria.
"However, your country is, that, with Engrio..."
He's probably worried about the lack of diplomatic relations. The Count trailed off. After all, it's in front of the King.
"Count, the Class of 175 is private. It's not through the Royal Family. Forming a pact with the Class of 175 is the same as trading with merchants of other countries."
"Is that so. I am grateful for your consideration."
He smiled, looking relieved.
"Ideally, my comrades should actually see the land, but first, please receive an explanation on the opposite shore. After that, let's experiment little by little. It's winter now, so we'll start after spring comes. There's no need to rush."
"Hmm, I shall consider it."
Alright, that's one matter settled. I guess I managed to produce a result for what Lyudmila asked me.
We arrived at the mansion and were shown to a guest room on the south side. This place isn't that luxurious either. However, it's kept clean and you can tell the garden plants are well-maintained. The garden becomes a forest a little distance away, but there's a pond, and in one corner there's a colony where flowers are blooming. I can hear birds chirping. Two deer were drinking water with their mouths to the pond. By the Count's policy, nothing but magical beasts are targets for hunting. It seems animals come freely to drink water.
Two maids brought drinks.
The one who brought the drink to me is the maid assigned to me. After clearing her throat with a 'kohon,' her movements are quite slow. She turned half-body and leaned forward to place the drink in front of me.
"Hmm? What happened to that gold chest ornament?"
It caught his eye; the Count is asking.
"I received it as a gift from the people of the Class of 175, who are Bishop Jeanne's comrades."
A gift... (T/N: 'Tsukedoke' can imply a bribe or a formal gift.) Well, that's true, but the sound of it is a bit sleazy. I look down.
"Hmm. There are many who give gifts to you all. However, it is rare for you to wear it like that without selling it. Did you like it?"
"Yes. The people of the Class of 175 apparently specialize in low-priced items."
"Low-priced items?"
The Count looks at me.
"Ah, yes. We don't know high-priced, fine things. Therefore, we are allowed to handle low-priced items for commoners. There are more commoners, after all. Even if they are cheap, they sell in quantity."
The maid went to the Count's side and is showing it off. It's gold stretched thin and bent into the shape of a bat. Looking at it, it's probably the one Matilda made.
"Hmm. It is well-made. Fufufu, a bat, is it."
"Yes, and since it's goldwork, I can wear it even in the Count's presence like this."
"That is appreciated."
"The accessories of the Class of 175 handled not just gold, but also rings made of processed silica, shells, wood, brass, and bronze, which are cheap items. Also, I was shown tunics and coats, and the colors were interesting. You can buy a warm, beautiful wool coat for four silver coins."
"Four silver coins? That is certainly cheap."
Good. He bit. It's a chance for a sales pitch.
Uh, what did Beatrix do at a time like this? Oh well, I'll just say what I have to say.
"R-Right now, my comrades are on the opposite shore. One of them is the manager of the Sertoria Royal Capital shop and also trades with the Kingdom of Engrio."
The two of them stopped talking together and turned this way. Oops, my voice might have been too loud.
"Count, the Class of 175 desires an equivalent exchange with our island's products. They desire trade with relatively inexpensive items such as wood carvings, dried fish, and medicinal herbs that can be collected on the island."
The maid followed up well.
"Do they not handle wool or mutton?"
"Um, we leave those kinds of high-volume items and major products to the big companies. We desire a modest trade..."
"I see. Modest, is it."
He's tilting his head. It's not getting through well.
"Count, the amount the Class of 175 carries in one trade is one carriage worth."
To my awe, King Seldic explained it himself. With that, he finally understood.
"In other words, they have the right of free passage and free commerce, and it is tax-free and the shipping is free from the border to the Royal Capital?"
"That's right. If a carriage sent by the Count comes from the Royal Capital to the opposite shore, it can be made free. If you also make the island entry tax free, the price will stay cheap. In exchange, one transaction is only for one carriage. I recommend the dried meat. Bear hunting is easy and it becomes a preserved food for winter."
He thankfully pitched it. I feel a bit bad.
In the end, one way or another, with King Seldic and the maid following up, he came to think positively about the trade too. The maid has become quite keen and even said we should just bring it to the island using the regular ship service that connects with the Engrio Royal Capital. Currently, trade with Engrio is once a month, but we might be able to increase it to twice.
"How does the Class of 175 carry things from Nakanohara to the border?"
Eleanor-sama asked.
Actually, we hire a carriage. That said, since there is a regular service to the border checkpoint, we aren't charged a special fee. Since it's a fixed rate, it shouldn't be that high. However, for that part, the cargo to Engrio incurs shipping costs. By the way, for the contact with the second shop in the village where Beatrix is the landlord, Beatrix carries it in the bowl about two or three times a month. Recently, as the sales destination for dried meat was corrected for the continent, the Lord has been carrying it for free.
"Why not just get a transportation license and prepare your own carriages and horses?"
Well, that's true.
Actually, we already have a transportation license. Though, it's for jumping the bear hunt proceeds with Teleport, and it's under the Marcelo Company name. If we don't use Teleport, the Class of 175 might be able to get one too. If Eleanor-sama puts in a word, it'll be a one-shot deal. We can just buy new carriages. The problem is the horses and the coachman.
"You can just board the horses somewhere. For the coachman, I think you should hire two disabled veterans who are registered as a measure for people in distress."
If it's profitable, it might be good. I'll try consulting everyone once.
The ones who bit on Eleanor-sama's proposal were King Seldic, the Count, and the Head Maid.
What is the 'measure for people in distress'? That was the source of interest for the three.
Since everyone looked at me for some reason, I had no choice but to explain that it was this and that.
"How do you do it here?"
Since I don't actually know the details, I asked a question in return.
The Count looked at the Head Maid. He doesn't seem to know the details.
"Regarding military and security, we practically rely on the Count. Those who try to harm the islanders are punished by the Count's hand. Since that has become a long tradition, no one but a fool would lay a hand on the islanders."
In other words, are there no people with disabled limbs? I think there would be accidents and such.
"There are of course several people with disabled limbs, but they are exempt from corvée. We do not provide employment support, but that is decided to be handled by the villagers centered around the village head. Since this island has a small population, we are managing somehow."
Regarding the encouragement of industry, for example, facilities like a dried fish processing plant are built with the Count's funds after hearing the requests of the village heads, and the operation is left to the islanders. However, the work is also incorporated into the corvée, and the proceeds for that part are paid to the Count. In other words, exemption from corvée means an increase in income. Even for places run as individual businesses, they must use the workspace built by the Count, including the corvée portion. In short, since there is no poll tax, the basic corvée portion becomes the tax. After all, the Count is a possessor of magic power enough to call a storm. He probably manages most things.
For infectious disease countermeasures, the Count had abundant knowledge of medicinal herbs, being a Vampire from the continent. Engrio also has the most active trade with the continent on the White Island, so the types and amounts of medicinal herbs managed by the Church and the Royal Family are large. It might be more advanced than the East Coast countries.
"Um, what happens to the orphanage?"
Since the population is small, relatives probably take them in, but I asked just in case.
"There is no orphanage on the island. Those who are single parents or those who take them in are exempt from corvée for that portion."
Situations where both parents die are caused by famine, plague, war, and natural disasters. Since it's surrounded by sea, famine is truly rare. For plague, since they have island entry restrictions, the spread itself is rare. Medicinal herbs are also available. For war, the Count is doing his best. The greatest threat to the island would be natural disasters, but the Count is a man who calls storms. Even if a real storm comes, he can apparently do his best to some extent. Since the topography is flat, there are no landslides or floods. Mass deaths themselves are few.
When I said we were deliberating on infectious disease countermeasures among multiple countries as part of the measures for people in distress, they showed great understanding regarding the trade of medicinal herbs and sharing of information through the Class of 175. And he promised to form a pact with the Class of 175.
Diplomatic relations between the Royal Families do not exist, but nobles and ordinary people are not restricted. Participation in the meeting as a representative of the Count's territory was sounded out to the maid. King Seldic is in front of us. He is the de facto representative of Engrio.
Since I cannot answer on my own, it was decided to send a letter through the Class of 175 at a later date.