Chapter 457 - The Prince of Regnentes ②
When we jumped from the magic circle in the basement of the Regnentes Royal Palace, we were inside a dungeon in a certain place.
Following the guide, we jumped once more. Whether moving by carriage or bowl, I have no idea where I am at all.
According to information Eleanor-sama taught me in advance, the Regnentes Silver Mine is likely near the border area with northern Western Plains. Even if you fly over it in a bowl, you can't tell at all. Strict concealment work has been done.
"Perhaps they requested a Dryad to perform concealment work."
A Dryad performing concealment work?
"Yes. Regnentes values forests and trees. Just as our country has an agreement with Serena and Renata, there is a possibility they are covering the entrance to the mine with a forest on the condition that they do not cut down trees in a certain area."
"Is it that strict?"
The Western Plains is obvious.
"It's against Engrio. Even if they are invaded and the country is occupied, they probably have no intention of handing over the mine to Engrio."
"But then, wouldn't we also be unable to enter the mine?"
It automatically becomes so. If it's a barrier that repels humans, it wouldn't matter which country's humans they are.
"Yes. Therefore, there is a possibility they are connecting to the mine with a Teleportation Circle."
I see. They thought it through. Anyway, Dwarves can jump there any number of times once they've gone. Even for human Teleport, if the Royal Family hires a Teleport user, individual costs won't be incurred.
"Just like our country's mine in the Western Plains, the Silver Mine itself should be being mined by human hands under the guidance of Dwarves. Most likely, it's serious criminals or those who have undertaken high-paying work... for example, those who have shouldered large debts."
Every mine is like that. The Silver Mine is good because the earnings are large and there's no mineral poisoning. In short, strict management including life can be done. Unless they escape, it's just the dormitory or, I don't know, the prison, and moving between there and the mine. This too, the military can manage. Surely they are being worked to the bone.
The place we were jumped to after two Teleports was inside a certain stone building. Of course, it's inside a room that looks like a prison, but the fortress commander himself welcomed us beyond the iron bars.
"Sawelyn-sama, and Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, I am glad you came."
The fortress commander was apparently a former scout, and he's a person with a calm tone. Basically, security of the mine area is handled by the Scout Corps. Godwynn-sama taught me, but the final position for someone who served as a unit commander of the Scout Corps is the commander of a fortress in a territory directly under the Royal Family.
By the way, the commander in front of us seems to be the person who was a unit commander in the previous war. Unfortunately, I have no acquaintance with him. Surely he must have been lurking somewhere in the basin.
If he successfully fulfills his duties, he'll apparently receive a reward and retire. Of course, he's been knighted, but since it's only for one generation, it doesn't mean he'll receive land. Most people apparently buy land around their final post after retirement and do farming.
The person who becomes the new commander apparently performs his duties while listening to the stories of successive commanders.
"If it becomes war, such predecessors will carry supplies to the fortress and help with the siege."
It was when the commander said that.
"Hmph! It's because they have no money and can't live in the Royal Capital."
The disgruntled Prince muttered something.
"Then, why don't you make it so they can live there, Sawelyn-sama?"
I ended up saying it.
"How can a one-generation knight be placed in the Royal Capital? A countryside like this is the best they can get."
"I see. Then what kind of people would you prefer to place in the Royal Capital? For example, in the previous war, I heard that the heavy cavalry was quite active. People like that?"
"Wh-What are you saying. The heavy cavalry just ran exactly as the Scout Corps prepared for them. Can such a thing be called active! The ones who were active were the Scout Corps. The Scout Corps led by Harold brought about victory. To say the heavy cavalry was active... This is why priests are..."
Certainly, Will said something similar. To be precise, it seems the cavalry just did a cleanup after running according to Eleanor-sama's instructions, but that's not important. In short, he does understand. In other words, it means he's not a complete idiot.
"To have Sawelyn-sama say such a thing. I cannot thank you enough."
The commander is almost in tears with joy. Even if he's a Prince treated as a problem child, he was in the main camp. In other words, the disgruntled Prince's words are the view of royalty who were in the main camp.
"A-Ah. Well, continue to work hard in the future."
"Thank you very much."
Godwynn-sama winked at me.
The disgruntled Prince's words were apparently conveyed to the fortress guards. Everyone passing by is looking at the Prince with a smile.
The preparations for the banquet with the slightly flushed Prince in the seat of honor also proceeded smoothly, albeit ruggedly.
"I don't know if it will suit your tastes, but we made the best food we could, so please just take that feeling into account."
After toasting with beer, the 'best food' the commander spoke of was brought out. A dried meat pot being processed in the basin is hanging in the fireplace. It's like home cooking with that as the main dish, and the food Angelica-san makes is far more luxurious. It's about the same as what the bandits in the Flatlands made. Anyway, salt-grilled river fish is just sitting on the plate. It's field rations.
"What is that pot. That is field rations, is it not. Royalty is here. What on earth are you thinking. Can this fortress not even hire one dedicated cook?"
"We do hire one, for now..."
I had scouted just in case, but it was a mother from the neighborhood. There's no way she could make food for royalty.
The commander, who was happy to be praised for his activity, became small.
"I've kept you waiting. I apologize, but please wait a little longer."
That mother came in a maid-like attire. She's different from when I saw her in the kitchen. Surely it's for when guests come.
The mother puts cheese made in the basin into the pot. She was stirring it, but once it started boiling, an exquisite aroma wafted over. It's a cheese pot direct from Harrison-san. It's just right since the nights are still cold.
"Wh-What is that dish?"
He's surprised. The dried meat made in the basin is apparently famous as field rations. In fact, they are selling it to military personnel as a stable purchase destination. It was after the war that they started full-scale exports with a crest. And the fact that it's combined with a cheese pot is for taverns. The price is cheap, and there's no way royalty would have eaten it.
"It's a good scent. It whets the appetite."
Eleanor-sama says while looking at the pot placed in the center of the table. We make it the main dish for banquets at the farm in winter, and she seems to like it as she gobbles it up every time we serve it. Perhaps because she's usually wandering around penniless, it's her favorite dish.
My stomach started growling. The disgruntled Prince is glaring, but I don't care. Hunger is the best seasoning.
"Th-This is something the cook made for the first time on this occasion, and it has a very good taste, so we would like Sawelyn-sama to taste it by all means..."
The commander looked at me. Since the war ended before winter, he wouldn't have eaten it. The mother in maid-like attire serving it into bowls is also turning pale. I taught her. It was highly praised during the tasting, but she's not confident if it will pass for royalty.
"Then, let's eat."
Eleanor-sama ate a mouthful and praised it highly. Henry-sama also agreed. I, of course, finished it off quickly and am getting a second helping.
"Sasa, how about Sawelyn too? It's exquisite."
With Godwynn-sama's recommendation, he ate a mouthful while making a strange face. For a moment, his movement stopped, and he looked at the pot curiously. He ate another mouthful.
The commander is swallowing hard.
"N-I see. For something made for the first time, it's quite delicious, is it not."
Yesss! He started eating without even saying anything spiteful.
The commander let out a sigh of relief and started eating himself. The mother looked down with teary eyes.
"Sawelyn-sama. Actually, as far as I know, Sawelyn-sama is the first among royalty to taste this cheese pot."
"I-Is that so."
Knowing he's the first, his mouth is softening. He's a simple guy.
"As you've already noticed, it's originally dried boar meat purchased as field rations, but when you add cheese, it becomes an exquisite dish like this. The cheese itself is something that keeps. Neither of them is that expensive. What do you think? How about officially recognizing this as winter field rations for the troops directly under you?"
"This, as field rations?"
"Yes. For soldiers during military service, meals are the greatest pleasure. As you know, field rations are served as meals in the barracks during peacetime. Just for the winter is fine. If this is served even once a week, the soldiers will be happy, and their loyalty to Sawelyn-sama will surely increase more and more."
Godwynn-sama, who was protecting the dried meat processing plant during the war, immediately made a sales pitch. The Lord of the Basin would be happy if he heard.
"Hmph, I'll think about it."
He finished his first bowl and is requesting a second helping. It was good that the mother in maid-like attire was overjoyed.
"Jeanne. You also do quite well."
When we were resting in the bedroom after the meal, Eleanor-sama, who became my roommate due to the number of rooms, said.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You don't have to play dumb. After picking such a fight at the Royal Palace, you are now casually following up, are you not."
"I believe the ones who followed up were the fortress commander and Godwynn-sama, not me."
"Wasn't it Jeanne who created the opportunity for that to happen?"
Now that she mentions it, does it become so? I just gave a light check.
"I thought Sawelyn-sama wasn't attacking individuals, but was just criticizing the system of Regnentes."
"Why did you think that?"
It's simple. It's just that his way of speaking is bad so it's irritating, but there's no malice.
"Regarding yesterday, it's a greeting within the range permitted if I weren't a priest."
"Yes, that's true."
"Regarding today, I heard from Will that the Scout Corps was active on the Regnentes front, and the heavy cavalry just showed movement to confuse the opponent. He knew that."
"Certainly, that's true. Then, what about the cheese pot?"
"That's because I simply thought he wouldn't be satisfied with the food here."
Because they didn't receive a sufficient reward, they have no choice but to live in the countryside. It was a statement that could be taken that way. Also, he said, can you not even hire a cook. It's because he knows how cheap the expenses are.
"In other words, you thought Sawelyn-dono was dissatisfied with the treatment of the Scout Corps, which is composed of people from commoner backgrounds, is that what you thought?"
"I don't know if he's dissatisfied, but at least doesn't he know?"
"You noticed well. That's right."
As I thought. If I were to complain about the food, it would be the salt-grilled river fish. That's preparation, not cooking.
"That person is, how should I put it, clumsy at communication, that's the difficulty."
"Then it's not that he's simply brandishing authority?"
"Yes. Since he himself notices that he's poor at speaking, he gets irritated that it doesn't get conveyed well. It seems he often uses his status as a Prince as a shield to give orders."
"I think the person he's saying it to is wrong..."
Even if he says it to me or the commander, the system of Regnentes won't change.
"He's the type who immediately says what he thinks."
Fumu. It's serious. The royalty I know are all people whose thoughts I can't understand. No, Roberts-sama might be different.
"Actually. Because of his easily misunderstood words and actions, a family feud might break out in Regnentes."
Eleanor-sama, who sent a gaze toward the room door, said.
Most likely, it's the King's younger brother's son Godwynn-sama mentioned. A heavy cavalry captain is a star of the military. Surely his appearance must also be good. He must be popular at the Royal Palace.
According to Eleanor-sama, the nobility of Regnentes is divided into two factions. As expected, the Prince faction and the King's younger brother's son faction. At this point, sensible nobles like Harold-sama are in the Prince faction, and nobles who are busy lining their own pockets and the Church are in the King's younger brother's son faction. In other words, if the support of the King is lost, it might become a civil war over the succession.
"What does the King's younger brother's son think?"
When Will asked, he's apparently keen on the succession to the throne. Moreover, there's apparently the shadow of Engrio in the background. Engrio is aiming to strengthen its diplomatic strategy using the previous defeat as a turning point, and the target against Regnentes is the King's younger brother. Just the country splitting would be to Engrio's advantage. If it goes well, Regnentes might become a peerless ally. If Engrio and Regnentes were to form a military alliance, Engrio could send troops to the east coast without effort. If that happens, Sertoria won't be able to use the strategy of stopping them in the forest south of Nakanohara. Battles in the plains are just a matter of numbers. It's becoming more and more serious.