Chapter 455 - Chapter One: Boar Hot Spring
The Royal Palace in January is busy.
This is because ambassadors from various countries and domestic powerhouses in a financial sense come one after another for New Year's greetings. The King and Queen spend almost every day in the audience chamber, and banquets continue almost every night. They end up staying for consecutive nights in the private rooms for the Royal Family within the Royal Palace that are not usually used.
Before anyone knew it, it had become a custom for the Queen to take the visiting ladies and rent out a brothel in the Royal Capital to make a huge fuss, but that has gained a reputation and the number of visitors is gradually increasing year by year. Since last year, in addition to the former Queen and the current Queen, the King's younger brother's wife Gladys and the Princess Miana have also been participating, so the scale has expanded this year, and the New Year's event is now held in two parts. Since they are covering it with their own pocket money—in Eleanor's case, including Henry's share—no one can complain. The State Minister Evans and others are even saying, "Shall we start budgeting for it?" Of course, the King never nodded his head.
Even during such busy days, a day with nothing to do occasionally pops up.
On such days, the two former monarchs return to their house in the lower town and spend time leisurely, Gladys goes out with Miana and their guards Beowulf and Wilhelmina, and the King drinks beer from daytime with his companions from childhood to celebrate the New Year.
"Your Majesty, is it true that Engrio will dispatch troops to the continent when spring comes?"
The one who doesn't forget to talk about politics even in such a place is the eldest, Victor.
"It seems to be true. We've had such reports from Hughes's subordinates for some time, but a confirmed report has come in."
When Victor looked at Hughes, he replied with a single word, "It's true."
"I gathered information on the opposite shore while Count Vectis was on Vectis Island."
According to Hughes, several scouts from the Kingdom of West Liber have infiltrated multiple naval ports on the opposite shore. They are people who landed as sailors on trading ships from the continent and are exchanging information daily. Hughes had instructed his subordinates to provide funds and gather important information from the continent by utilizing the hostile relationships between various countries.
Lately, the information that Henry and Eleanor have been attempting to contact King Seldic several times was important information for the Kingdom of West Liber.
The Kingdom of West Liber has long been competing for hegemony over the Unified Kingdom of Liber with the Kingdom of East Liber. Originally it was one kingdom, but it split into the main house and several branch houses upon inheritance. They were originally brothers, but such inheritances often result in conflict. The Kingdom of Liber is no exception to that example, and conflicts were repeated. Currently, there are three countries: East, West, and South Liber. Among them, South Liber has lost much of its territory and could not even oppose the other two countries. The remaining two countries fought whenever something happened, but finally, the Kingdom of East Liber has built up an alliance that could be called a West Liber encirclement net including the White Island, and finally seems to have preparations to launch a large-scale war.
The friendship between Engrio, which is mutually sending reinforcements with that East Liber, and Sertoria—and by extension Medioland—which has been fighting Engrio for many years, was not desirable for West Liber. For the scouts, searching for Sertoria's true intentions would clearly be an important role, and the scouts of Sertoria and West Liber, who usually exchange information regarding Engrio and East Liber, were constantly in contact. Hughes succeeded in making the West Liber scouts believe that for Sertoria and Medioland, Engrio remains a hypothetical enemy country, and that this coordination with Engrio is merely a countermeasure against the Demon Lord. As a result of exchanging information with scouts from other countries, he obtained important information.
East Liber, considering the circumstances of the allied countries, decided to advance west in the spring, and it is said that each country also agreed to send reinforcements.
"Which countries are the allied countries?"
At Victor's words, the King's expression tightened. Seeing that, Roberts knew it was a serious situation.
"First, Engrio, then Morandine, and further, Sertogne and Primordia."
"What, even Sertogne and Primordia are joining?"
"That's right. To be precise, Primordia will not dispatch troops. It's only support. It's likely food support for the allied country Sertogne."
If it's food support immediately after wintering, they'll have to buy it from various countries on the White Island. The food gathered in Primordia will cross the sea, but naturally, it will be targeted by the West Liber navy. As a result, if war breaks out after a skirmish between West Liber and Primordia, there is a possibility that the allied countries of Primordia on the White Island will be involved. Of course, if it's only West Liber that sends out ships, the Primordia navy will not be involved in the war.
"Your Majesty, will it go that easily?"
Victor directed a stern gaze at the King's optimistic stance.
"There are various kinds of support. Why haven't the powerful countries of the continent invaded this island? That's probably because there is magic. And magic is not just for attack. Holy magic that can immediately recover wounded soldiers is a great power in terms of sustained combat capability. If the people of Engrio or East Liber send troops into the Kingdom of Sertogne and attack West Liber using it as a base, holy magic can be used."
Victor thought there was a possibility that holy mages from the military treatment centers that also exist in Sertoria would be dispatched. If people from the island cross over to Sertogne, the magic rank drops by two levels. Primordia does not have ultra-high-level mages. Only a handful of high-level mages. And in the identified stages, they are all priests. If the Church persists in non-participation in war cooperation, they will not be dispatched, and it is possible to refuse Sertogne's request for that reason. Even if there were stray high-level holy mages, they would be very few. Even if one or two stray priests were caught, it wouldn't be a reason for war.
The King explained, and Victor was also convinced, but Magdalena raised an objection.
"It is as Your Majesty says, but there is only one concern."
"What is the concern? Magdalena."
"Treatment ships."
"Treatment ships... you mean, treating them at sea?"
Magdalena attends meetings for plague countermeasures in which queens and princesses from various countries participate. At that time, she knew that Primordia was conducting the transport of sick people from the continent. Of course, since it is led by Cadogan, the Archbishop of the Primordia Royal Capital, it is hard to think it's for military purposes. However, diversion is possible.
"Yes. Primordia is the country closest to the continent. The distance to this island is approximately one and a half post stations. As Your Majesty also knows, if the distance is one post station, the rank does not drop, and if they do not land in Sertogne—in other words, if they are at sea along the coast— the rank only drops by one."
Victor's gaze became sharp again at the Queen's words. If such an act were actually performed, they would undoubtedly be targeted by West Liber. If, even if it were a ship carrying only plague patients to be transported, they were targeted in a way that they were caught in the crossfire, and if casualties occurred among the priests in the caregiving role... Priests of the Church who advocate non-combat would be killed by heathens. An apology wouldn't be enough. It would be a de facto declaration of war. That would be the same for Engrio's ships. From a cynical point of view, if Engrio were to circulate a conspiracy to involve the Church on the island or the various countries that would no longer be able to suppress the Church in the war...
The King folded his arms and looked up at the ceiling. It's his habit when thinking. The seven people who knew that refrained from speaking and waited for the King to organize his thoughts.
◆◆◆◆
The year has turned. Since it snowed at the end of the year, Beatrix and Lyudmila are grandly blowing away the accumulated snow with wind magic at the farm. Since Miana, who can use Favorable Wind, went back to the Royal Capital to alternate with her guard Beowulf and Will, who spends time at Shop No. 3, and Mary, it's a bit lonely, but it's preparation for the New Year's banquet.
"Hey, Jeanne. Are you calling the Salamander?"
When I was drawing a Warm magic circle for heating, Bonnie asked.
"It seems they're busy for the New Year. So, I can't call them. Is there something?"
The Salamander is looking forward to the ceremony in the hot spring town. Since winter is the hot spring season, many people come. For the New Year, it seems they grandly spout what they call a geyser to match the prayers of the Church priests to add flair to the ceremony. It's an indispensable event for the festivals held several times a year, and they apparently intend to grandly appeal that it's a hot spring with miraculous efficacy to aim for further prosperity of the town. It's a bit suspicious.
"How should I put it, I was thinking of having them boil a hot spring once."
"We have the stone-heated bath, don't we? Isn't that enough?"
"That's, you see, originally river water. It's not a hot spring, so..."
Are you intending to turn well water into hot water? I don't care even if it becomes undrinkable.
"A hot spring isn't just warm, you know. How should I put it, it's meaningless unless it has components that are effective for the body. It's not like it's fine just because a spirit boils it. Our water is the same whether a spirit boils it or it's boiled with magic."
Matilda, who was carrying wine barrels for the banquet, gave an explanation. Lately she's been going to the medical research institute in the Royal Capital regularly, so she's becoming knowledgeable about various things regarding caregiving.
"Is that so?"
"Well, yeah. But, it might be good to drink alcohol while being soaked up to the shoulders in hot water while looking at the snowy scenery. Yosh! Bonnie, next time, let's make an outdoor bath like the one in Higashi-Nakanohara. A huge one that everyone can enter."
"Ah, that sounds nice. I want to enter too!"
"Right? Keira, you help too, okay?"
"Okay. I'll help! You know, in the hot spring in the forest, animals enter together too. Monkeys, deer, bears, field mice, and so on."
"M-Mice! Mice are no good. After all, let's just make it for humans."
The point to retort is different. Be surprised by the bear.
In the end, it became an outdoor bath exclusively for humans. The one in charge of the bath at the Ghost Mansion is Lyudmila, but since she can use Shower and Fire Storm, it should be fine if it's limited to daytime. If it gets too hot, she can also use Freeze. In addition, she can use Clump Sand and Clump Stone, so she can also do the construction work for the outdoor bath.
"What, can't Lyudmila do everything by herself?"
"Thinking about it, that's true. Lyudmila might be the only one who has everything."
"Then, why don't we do a business trip outdoor bath shop in the Flatlands during the winter? Everyone will be happy. It might even be for earning pocket money."
It might be good. Everyone would be happy. If we set the fee at about one copper coin and take firm measures against peeping at the women's bath, everyone will come. But. Unfortunately, there's work to do.
"But, Beatrix, Bonnie, and I have to exterminate wolves and bears. We have to be the transport team again this year."
"It's not like it's every day. Even if you say an outdoor bath shop in the settlements of the Flatlands, there are at most four places including here. This place aside, once a month is enough for the others. Then, it's once a week."
"That's also true. I'll ask Paul-san."
The winter hunt is a little over two months. Since we changed the method several years ago, we have time to spare. We can do it.
As a result of the consultation, the business trip outdoor bath will have the cooperation of the bandits led by Lewis-san through Paul-san's mediation. However, the condition was to do it once a week instead of once a month. In exchange, they'll apparently patrol around the women's bath so that no peeping occurs. Since the Nakanohara Light Infantry Corps is a cover for the Paratroop Jaegers, there are many bowl users. They undertook the transport of Lyudmila and Matilda.
Since I heard it was completed in mid-January, we also went to enter during the hunt in Beatrix's bowl. When I asked the people in the settlement, it's apparently by reservation. However, at lunchtime, it's just before the water change and is empty. I was told that about two people would be fine even if they dropped in. It seems to be extremely popular.
It seems they are using the business trip shop as a counter, and Matilda was there. It was my first time seeing her wearing a Boar costume.
The children who gathered are clinging to her.
Behind her is a wall of snow. I thought they had put up a board fence, but they had piled up and hardened snow.
"Glad you came. You two. It's just in time. Basically it's by reservation, and you couldn't enter if it was crowded. Right now about two people are fine even if you drop in."
She's sweating, perhaps because it's hot.
The surroundings are a world of silver. Normally it would be cold from the feet up.
"Well, for now, it's the Boar Hot Spring. It's for attracting customers."
When I looked in the direction she pointed, there was a sign that said 'Boar Hot Spring.'
"Ah, hey, Beatrix. If you're entering, pay the fee. We're pay-in-advance."
"Eeeh! It's paid?"
Beatrix, who was about to enter, is complaining.
"Of course. After all, you guys aren't helping, are you?"
Matilda thrust out her right hand as if it were natural. The fee is two copper coins. Before I knew it, the price had gone up. However, it's free for minors. It seems to be popular, and all the residents of the Flatlands apparently decide on a time and come to enter. It's done once a week in three places. Assuming three hundred people enter, it's six hundred copper coins a week. Two thousand four hundred coins a month. In other words, six gold coins.
"It can't be helped, I guess."
It was when she took money out of her wallet and handed it over.
"Ara? Is it paid for Jeanne?"
Miana, who had returned from the Royal Capital, was there. She's a Boar. Apparently she's selling bread under the guise of a business trip.
"Eh? Is it free for Miana?"
When I asked, it's apparently a privilege for Shop No. 3 employees.
"Me too."
Even Keira is there. After all, she's a Boar. Moreover, the expression of the two of them being triumphant together is a bit frustrating.
"Yes. Guidance to the women's bath for you two!"
"Haaai. Jeanne, Beatrix, use this bucket and the cloth to hide your body. Ah, don't put the cloth in the hot water. Also, soap is provided, so please use it. And since it's crowded, no jumping in. Swimming is also prohibited. Well, it's this way."
When Matilda said that, Keira, who handed us a large cloth and a bucket, guided us.
When I actually entered, it was a wonderful thing for something made in a hurry.
The floor is cobblestone, brought from somewhere. Keira, the guide, went outside just like that.
"Ya, Beatrix and Jeanne came too, huh."
Beowulf, wearing a Boar costume, was sitting in a chair and keeping watch for crime prevention. When I asked, after all, it's apparently free. By the way, for the men's bath, the bandits wearing leather armor are doing it, and on the days they do security, it seems all three meals are handmade by Miana.
It's an unexpectedly wide dressing room. We take off our clothes, put them in a basket, and wrap the cloth around our bodies.
"Heh, nice! Nice!"
When Beatrix became stark naked, she went in without even using the cloth, holding just a hand towel.
"Hellooo!"
"Ara, isn't it Beatrix. You came?"
There seem to be several people who came before us.
When I went in as if chasing her, three people were washing their bodies with soap at the washing area, and fifteen or sixteen people were soaking in the hot water. It's almost full. Everyone is entering side-by-side in a long wooden bathtub and stretching their legs. It's unexpectedly wide.
The hot water flows from across the bathtub, but the vicinity of the outlet must be hot. It's surrounded by wire mesh so people can't get close. Surely Lyudmila is beyond the wall, boiling the water.
"Hello."
"Ara, Bishop Jeanne came too. Hello."
"Bishop, hello."
"Hellooo!"
While I was washing my body with hot water scooped into the bucket, everyone gathered around. One of the women among them stood up.
"An outdoor bath is a first in my life. And such a splendid one... we are truly indebted to the people of Sertoria."
A mother who felt like she was in her late forties was almost about to cry. If they go to Higashi-Nakanohara, there is a full-scale outdoor hot spring bath, but apparently they didn't go because they didn't want to leave the Flatlands, which the Infantry Corps protects.
"Everyone is already a commoner of the Kingdom of Sertoria. It's the same wherever you go within the country. Also, please sit and soak in the hot water. You'll catch a cold."
No matter how many times I said it, she remained standing, so when I soaked first and pulled her hand, she finally soaked.