Chapter 451 - Episode 12: The Bishop Fish
As it turned out, the fish monster did not surrender. However, it agreed to negotiations through the door. If a compromise beneficial to both sides could be found, co-existence and co-prosperity might be possible.
What was the fish monster? Eleanor-sama had an idea. Since her active days when she gave up on subjugating it due to being blocked by the black wall, she apparently hadn't neglected to collect information. The monster in question is a type of beastman called a Bishop Fish. There have been reported sightings along the coasts of the cold regions famous for pirates, across the sea to the northeast of the White Island within the continent. The Count had lived inland on the continent. It's no wonder he didn't know.
How and why it's called a 'Bishop', even Eleanor-sama doesn't know. If it's a Bishop, it would be of the same rank as me, a priest. It's treated as high-ranking for now. It might be because, despite being a monster that can use powerful magic, it doesn't harm humans.
Anyway, true to being called a Bishop, it chose negotiation.
Then why did that Bishop attack the village, attack the fishermen's boats, and steal their cargo?
Since it basically eats fish, I can understand it scavenging for fish caught by fishermen or dried fish.
"It says dried fish and alcohol."
Well, that's as expected.
"And clothes. Also, tableware and such."
It's quite cultured. There's the example of the goblins too. The pack led by the Gigant made their own buckets and tubs to drink water. Things like that happen.
"If possible, it says it wants furniture to tidy up and store those things in."
I see. As expected of a Bishop. It's quite orderly.
The opponent's side of the story was clear. It has no intention of fighting humans. It's just saying it wants the things it desires. Originally, it came to the island with nothing but its own body. Occasionally it wants to drink alcohol and wants snacks too. When it went to where humans live thinking to steal some, it was found and a fuss was made. The Count came and it was almost subjugated. It knew that hunters went fishing with alcohol and emergency rations. It realized that if it boarded the boats, they would throw away the cargo and flee. After that, it just had to go on expeditions whenever it wanted something.
"The Bishop Fish can be considered a kin of the beastmen, but it cannot speak human language. Since it lives in the sea, it might not be able to pronounce words well. However, although sighting reports remain on the continent, they were only sightings and there are no records of particular conflict. Since it is a monster that prefers peace, I believe co-existence is possible if there is understanding from the Count and the islanders."
Thinking from Eleanor-sama's words, Henry-sama and the others might not have had the intention to subjugate it from the beginning.
"But, Mother. This is within the Count's territory. Is it enough to just give it what it wants?"
Roberts-sama's point was also reasonable. If it had lived on the island from the beginning, that would be one thing, but it came later. If it were something like a god, that would be one thing, but even the residents would want an equivalent exchange. There's no reason to offer tributes to a fish monster, bypassing the Count who normally supports the islanders' lives. From here on, it's a negotiation.
There's one more problem. The Kraken. Where did it bring that monster from?
When asked, it seems eggs can be obtained. According to the Bishop, it brought the Kraken eggs from across the sea, from the sea to the northeast. The Kraken usually stays at the bottom of the deep sea, but it comes up to reef areas to lay eggs. It lays them in places where large fish that would swallow the eggs whole don't come, but the Kraken just lays them and doesn't look after them. This is because it can't stay in shallow areas. It seems it pilfered them.
"Why did you bring them?"
When Eleanor-sama asked, it replied that it was to gather fish.
Apparently, the Kraken spits ink that gathers fish. It eats the gathered fish, but naturally, it can't eat them all. The Bishop was aiming for the leftovers.
"Are you not attacked by it?"
"It's fine if it's when it has finished eating and is full."
I see. Clever.
However, it should originally live in a much wider and deeper place. Is it satisfied with a cave facing a narrow cove?
"It says it won't run away because it's been in that cave since it was born."
Which means...
"Then, a ranch can be made. How about it? You will raise the Kraken until it reaches a size you can slaughter, and the Count will put it up for sale. The profit... let's see, four for you and six for the Count. Since you are someone who came later to the Count's territory, you have an obligation to pay rent. If it becomes possible, we can prepare most of the things you desire."
As expected, Eleanor-sama suggested it. Isn't a Kraken ranch way too dangerous?
Since both sides needed time to think, it was decided to come back the next day. The opponent also agreed, so the talks haven't broken down.
We returned to the Count's mansion for a strategy meeting.
"I believe there is no need to forcibly subjugate it if the safety of each other's lives is guaranteed and both can gain profit."
Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are, of course, pro-alliance.
At those words, the Count looked at King Seldic.
"Your Majesty, what are your thoughts?"
"This is the Count's autonomous territory. As long as it does not cause loss to our country, it is at the Count's discretion. However, it must be limited to the range that can be resolved within the Count's territory."
It was practically giving permission.
I thought he might insist on subjugation since he loves war, but that wasn't the case. However, it's also true that it doesn't particularly involve the interests of the nation of Engrio. Whether the Bishop is there or not, the island pays the prescribed taxes to the royal family and fulfills its military duties. Though, regarding military duties, it's also a fact that there are no fools who would invade because everyone knows it's better not to incur the Count's wrath.
"As you know, I am a Vampire, in other words, a monster. As a fellow monster, if possible, I wish to spare his life."
He himself washed up on this island. What separated the Count and the Bishop was probably the reputation of Vampires and whether or not they could speak. And, perhaps, appearance.
"Thinking back now, he could have killed the islanders if he wanted to. But he didn't. He only surprised them. Not only did I not notice that, but I took the worst measure of subjugation without letting him have a say. I might have been too eager for glory, trying to show my figure as a lord in front of the islanders who accepted me."
He sighed while looking at the wine cup that had been served. He's a good match for the Dullahan.
The Count was protecting an Alraune. Even if he couldn't converse with monsters himself, he knew it was possible for an Alraune. The reason he is regretting like this now is because he lost. If he had won, the Bishop would have been killed as an evil monster just like that. The Count is a monster, but he has lived with humans for a long time. It was the same on the continent. Within the range of what I felt, his way of thinking is more human than monster.
"I am a proud and solitary Vampire. Unlike humans, black blood flows in this body. Originally, I am an existence to be feared and loathed by humans, just like the one behind that door."
He didn't stand up, but he turned his face toward his right palm raised toward the upper right, sending a gaze filled with melancholy.
"Count-sama..."
"Count-sama, you are beloved by the islanders. Please do not say such things!"
Sir Archer and the Head Maid immediately followed up. They might do this regularly.
Phew, King Seldic let out a sigh and called out, "Count." The Head Maid, who had been clinging to the Count as if weeping, returned to her normal self, stood up, and took a step back.
"Count. Even while saying that, you did not request the royal family for subjugation. There was the matter of the black door, but you should have been able to request it immediately if you felt like it. You only requested Kraken extermination when the heroes came."
According to King Seldic, he might not have had the intention to seriously subjugate it. Even if it's strong, it's B-rank. It's not like it's the Demon Lord; if a whole nation were raised, it could be subjugated. If anything, each nation prepares for the Demon Lord's subjugation and for war, constantly training powerful warriors who can be called hero candidates.
"Besides, does it matter if you are a monster? The Count is beloved by the people in his territory and has been feared by other lords. Our country, and I too, fear that magical power. Because you are a proud and solitary Vampire who protects his own domain and does not mingle with others."
"Your Majesty... those are more words than I deserve."
Beloved by the people in his territory and feared by other lords. Isn't that King Seldic himself?
"A knight is one who is kind to the weak and strong against the strong, was it? Right, Henry?"
"Umu. It should be so. The Count embodies that."
"I am deeply humbled."
The three of them lightly touched their bowls together and toasted. It was like watching a scene from a play or something, but it seems to have ended safely. The three who had been tinged with sorrow also regained their smiles.
But, putting aside the Count who doesn't leave the island, I don't understand why King Seldic, who can coordinate like this, is always doing nothing but war.
The next day, the Head Maid also participated for the negotiations. For some reason, three barrels of alcohol and bowls were brought in, and while Eleanor-sama acted as the negotiator in front of the black door, the Head Maid as the advisor, and the Alraune as the interpreter, a banquet began.
As a gesture of goodwill, I had them open a small gap at the top of the black door and tossed in one barrel of alcohol and one bowl. It made a loud 'Geh-geh-geh' sound, so it seems it was pleased.
Whether the goodwill gesture worked or not, the Bishop went along with Eleanor-sama's proposal. Maybe it was just smoothly talked into it.
However, it's difficult when the Kraken gets big. According to the Bishop, a Kraken grown in the open sea is twice the size of the ones the heroes have defeated so far. After all, there are limits in shallow places like inside a cave. Therefore, instead of raising them inside the cave, they will be raised in a shallow enclosure where the sun hits well to ensure they don't get as large as possible. Even so, if rearing becomes difficult, they will use sleeping medicine for octopuses. The scales are small, but they are sufficient as material for armor. Meat can be sold at a high price to begin with, and if ink sacs can be obtained, a large catch for the islanders is as good as promised...
Eleanor-sama and the Bishop began to talk endlessly. The Alraune interpreter also seemed to be getting tired.
Henry-sama had already brought out wine and started a banquet with Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama. King Seldic and Harrison-san joined them, and the Count and Sir Archer, called by King Seldic, also participated while keeping an eye on Eleanor-sama.
"Jeanne. Won't you come too?"
Henry-sama was calling.
"Err, is it okay?"
When I pointed at Eleanor-sama, he said, "It's fine, it's fine."
"It's better to leave it to her. As long as she's talking like that, there's no problem. She's talking in a way to make the opponent feel like it, right?"
That's true. She's using an interpreter, but she's giving instructions to that interpreter and reacting out loud to the opponent's statements. A priest is basically a listener, but one must not just give one's own opinion in the middle, nor just listen in silence. One gives nods, shows understanding of the opponent's feelings through words and attitude, acknowledges their efforts, and occasionally shows agreement. Usually, this is drilled into one by senior priests. In my case, while being taught by the teachers, I started by looking after children my age or younger. Well, I failed and had a big fight in Beatrix's case... In any case, the opponent's reaction changes greatly depending on the listener. Eleanor-sama was giving instructions to the Alraune when it was her turn to speak. As a result, the Bishop's speaking time is gradually getting longer.
"Count, and King Seldic. Can you leave this to Eleanor? I don't think it will turn out badly."
"I leave it to you."
"If the Count is fine with it, I don't mind."
"I'm grateful to hear that."
As a result of Eleanor-sama's priest-like efforts, the negotiation itself went well, but it was decided to determine the hierarchy in a monster-like way.
A duel. However, the weapons would be wooden sticks. As for magic, one side can use Dark, and this side has scrolls of Magic Reflection as a countermeasure against the Bishop. Since it would be a futile struggle, it was banned from the start.
Since the winner is justice, the loser must obey.
The Bishop's argument was to be given the things it wants, starting with alcohol, without the Kraken rearing. On the other hand, the human side... Eleanor-sama's argument was, of course, the Kraken ranch. They have to pilfer the eggs, but if there's profit, the island will also flourish, and they can buy and prepare the things the Bishop wants. For the Count and Sir Archer to use Magic Reflection, anti-magic equipment would be necessary, but since that's a military secret, they have no intention of teaching it. If a human who can use scrolls fights and wins, they just have to give instructions to comply with the trade with the Count.
When it comes to duels, it's Roberts-sama. When the Count introduced him as one of the seven people who defeated the Demon Lord several years ago, the Bishop completely lost its nerve, and it was settled easily. It didn't even get to use its Dark magic. In fact, seeing as my eight-shot volley could completely dispel it, it's not ultra-high-level. Even though it uses Maelstrom, Dark was likely high-level at most. For reference, after the winner was decided, I had it show me the Dark magic, but as expected, it couldn't break through Harrison-san's Magic Reflection. The hazy mist that approached slowly was bounced back when it hit the Magic Reflection and moved away hazily in the exact opposite direction.