Chapter 479 - First Episode: Glory
The fifth altar was safely discovered, and the investigation was on track. Harris-sama is preparing the report, and now we are waiting for a reply from James-sama and Price-sama in Medioland. I don't know if the Regnentes side will participate, but since there will be discussions between the churches, that delinquent prince will surely be rejected.
Since Gnome said he wanted to see the banquet at the farm, we decided to hold a wrap party after returning to Nakanohara and have him participate. However, the ring to summon him was given to Will, not me. Entrusting it to someone other than me was the conclusion reached by the Four Great Spirits after discussing it during the banquet at the beastman village. It was decided that it would be better if I, the person involved, was not present; Henry-sama participated as the human representative and the Fox Man as the beastman representative, both nominated by the spirits, and it was held in a place slightly away from the village.
Water and fire, wind and earth—two pairs of opposing attributes had come together. What kind of discussion took place was told by the fact that a conclusion was reached much faster than expected, and by the strangely solemn expression on the Fox Man's face as he returned riding in Eleanor-sama's bowl. The beastmen had hoped for me to establish a rapport with Gnome, but seeing the Fox Man shake his head, they seemed to give up. It was the consensus of the Four Great Spirits. They probably couldn't go against it.
Eleanor-sama told me during the subsequent banquet that, in short, it was quickly confirmed that it was premature for me to shoulder all four. However, thankfully, Gnome agreed to lend his strength if anything were to happen to me, and at Henry-sama's suggestion, the lot fell to Will, who is accompanying us this time. Bonnie has already taken on that role and can summon Dune and Mel, but now Will can also summon Gnome. Incidentally, the other three spirits apparently suggested that Salamander should also give Will something, but he reportedly refused, saying he was fine being just a banquet member.
"I've never heard of a banquet where all Four Great Spirits gather. Jeanne, you really are liked by the spirits, aren't you?"
In the direction Violet was looking, Gnome, Salamander, and Alex were drinking with Henry-sama, Wilson-san, and the bandits. Among them, the leaders of the Horse Men and Deer Men, who would be hired as labor for the Northeastern Forest restoration project, were mixed in with tense expressions.
Dune and Mel, and Salamander and Gnome—since mixing these two pairs was deemed dangerous, they were keeping their distance, but it turned into a strange banquet where the girls and boys were clearly separated, just as the spirits' genders were divided.
"This time seems to be an inspection. He heard that various races gather at the banquets here and wanted to see it."
"Hmm, I see."
It was when Violet looked over here.
"That guy just wants to argue."
The one sticking out her tongue at the direction where the old men were gathered was Mel. Since Wilson-san, her designated seat, was beside Gnome, she was probably sulking.
"Now, now, for the gentlemen, it will be good training."
It was Eleanor-sama. I felt like Eleanor-sama was the one for arguments, but perhaps she was being reserved, as she was over here sitting beside Miana.
"Training?"
"Yes. It is good for them to be defeated in argument by Gnome and realize their own immaturity. At the same time, it serves as training for the arena of debate."
"Being defeated in argument?"
"Yes, the opponent is Gnome. Opportunities to learn the art of debate through practice are rare."
Could it be that the reason the bandits are gathered with such solemn faces is...
"Yes. It was my instruction. I told them to ask Gnome's views on one theme per person and state their opinions."
My condolences to them. It's probably not even a banquet anymore.
"Bandits are debating?"
"Yes. In times of need, they must disguise themselves as high-ranking nobles or priests. It is a good opportunity to learn how to respond when an opponent picks an argument. Gentlemen tend to debate loudly. Especially in places with alcohol. However, if they can learn to speak calmly and steadily even in such places, the level of trust from those around them will rise. Surprisingly, many do not realize this."
Hmm. For the bandits, the banquets at our farm were supposed to be a place of relaxation, but she's not being soft. That's why the lookouts, who usually glance over here, have been looking elsewhere the whole time.
Except for the part that had turned into a debate arena, the banquet proceeded successfully, and Gnome, who drank plenty of the Elves' fruit wine, seemed satisfied. He's talking to Alex and the Elf Prince as if repeating the same thing over and over; I wonder if he's okay?
"I'll say it again, you lot have to pull yourselves together a bit more."
"Yes, yes. I get it."
"Gnome. We have changed at least a little, you know."
"No, you don't get it."
It seems he is lecturing the forest spirit and the mine spirit. Beside them, Henry-sama and the bandits, freed from their training, were relaxing with Salamander.
"In the end, men are like that, aren't they?"
Mel hopped onto the shoulder of Wilson-san, who had escaped.
"What is the matter, Wilson? Are you finished already?"
"Eleanor-sama, that is no longer a debate. It's just the rambling of a drunkard."
"So Gnome gets drunk too."
"Every time someone was defeated in argument, Salamander praised Gnome to the skies and made him drink."
As expected of Salamander. I thought it was the theorist versus the drunkard, but it must be a tactical victory. As expected, fire and earth seem to be a good match.
Since Gnome, who was supposed to have come for reconnaissance, fell asleep snoring, we decided to bring over some bear furs and let him sleep. I wondered if it was okay for one of the Four Great Spirits to be drunk and asleep, but Salamander said it was fine, so I decided to leave it to him.
"When is the investigation of the secret books of Regnentes expected to begin?"
I asked after the Henry Party had gathered and we had toasted again.
"At present, there is no prospect for it."
"Is that so?"
Is James-sama busy?
"Between us, it is expected that a war will begin shortly."
Eh?
I accidentally spoke loudly and was poked by Mary.
"That said, our country is not involved. It's on the continent."
If it's a war on the continent, wouldn't the whole island be unrelated?
"Engrio and Medioland will send reinforcements, and Primordia will provide support."
Primordia? That's unexpected. I thought that country was based on non-war.
"You know of the Kingdom of Sertogne on the opposite shore, don't you?"
"Yes."
It's the country Beowulf is deeply involved with.
"The war will be a conflict between the Kingdoms of East and West Liber on the continent. East Liber was allied with Engrio and Medioland, but they have now also formed an alliance with Sertogne. As a result, West Liber is isolated, and it seems the four countries will go on the offensive. And Primordia, which is allied with Sertogne, will support Sertogne."
I see. So that's why Primordia's name comes up. But why would James-sama of Medioland become busy?
"It's simple. To block Engrio and Medioland from crossing the sea, West Liber just needs to form an alliance with Medioland."
If they do that, the war zone will spread to the entire island...
"Exactly. And if they simply turn a cold shoulder to West Liber, Engrio and Medioland will cross the sea with peace of mind. If that happens, West Liber won't hold out."
That has nothing to do with us, right?
"If that happens, East and West Liber will be unified, and a giant nation will be created."
I see, I see.
"The number of reinforcements and the frequency of dispatches to Engrio will likely increase. That, in itself, is not desirable for our country."
I see. King Seldic's ambition to conquer the island, which has been quiet lately, would be revived and he'd start acting out.
Which means?
"It is better if a conclusion is not reached. The current state is best. A mutual draw is the most desirable result. Therefore, Medioland, the two northern countries, and our country must remain ready to move south at any time."
That's certainly true. The way things are now is best, and if the offensive fails, the East's meddling with the West will probably decrease too.
Wait? Hold on a second.
"Um, does that mean, by any chance, you're going to prolong the war..."
If that happens, the ones who will suffer are the common people whose fields are ravaged and who are subjected to violence.
"That is how it will be. Many will die and the lands of both countries will be devastated, but it is to protect our country. It cannot be helped."
Furthermore, if the state of war between East and West Liber is prolonged, trade from this island will flourish, and it will also be economically beneficial.
However, to that extent, the common people of both countries will taste bitterness.
"U-Um, has the Church not shown any opinion?"
"Both countries have a very high proportion of pagans. The Church likely won't say anything."
Pagans...
"E-Even pagans are the same human beings!"
"Of course they are. But the organizations they belong to are different. No organization has the leeway to help another organization to the point of endangering the organization it belongs to. Of course, it would be fine if they did. In fact, it would be more desirable. However, even if it were to be accomplished, it is an extremely difficult matter with great sacrifice. Those who are heads of organizations have a duty to protect everyone belonging to that organization, so it is a normal judgment not to take such risks intentionally."
To be honest, Eleanor-sama's words were a shock.
As logic, I understand. Every country probably has its hands full with its own affairs. They can't afford to get involved in a war on the continent across the sea. And Medioland aside, Engrio is a potential enemy country. It would be a problem if they became too powerful. It's better if they are weakened. But even in that Engrio, just as Carla and Annabella are there, there are common people living their lives to the fullest day by day. For such people, their own lives are important and the state doesn't matter. In fact, the prisoners of war who were free farmers of Engrio whom I met during the previous war easily became Medioland citizens, and the nobles who were imprisoned with them said nothing.
The Kingdom of Sertoria exists to protect Sertorian citizens. Therefore, to achieve that goal, the residents of other countries come second. I understand it, but still.
"The investigation of the secret books has been postponed, but we can make contact with the beastmen in the Royal Capital region."
Perhaps concerned that I was feeling down, Eleanor-sama spoke to me.
The beastmen and humans in the Royal Capital region have no interaction.
The Sertorian Royal Family is trying to build a fortress near the Demon Lord's cave so that damage can be suppressed even if the Demon Lord is resurrected.
To do that, it is necessary to construct support positions in the surrounding forests as well, and it is necessary to know the exact location of the Dryad's Forest, which is said to be near the cave. If they were to intrude carelessly, it might develop into a conflict with the beastmen protecting it. To prevent such things, they intend to attempt contact, confirm each other's territories, first establish a non-aggression agreement, and secure a communication route.
They had been trying to make contact since Henry-sama and the others were active, but it had never been fulfilled.
This time, we were able to establish a rapport with the beastmen of Regnentes. They have agreed to guide us.
By the time we left the beastman village in Regnentes, the selection of messengers to contact the beastmen in the Royal Capital region had already been completed. The Wolf Man, Wildcat, and Fox Man, who conquered Gnome's trial with us, have been dispatched as messengers requested by the Sertorian Royal Palace. Since we dropped them off on the way back to Nakanohara, they might have already finished contact.
"We have given them teleportation circles for sending letters. If the negotiations upon contact go well, we will go too."
After Renata, who is missing her left arm, nodded slightly at Eleanor-sama's words, she looked at me.
Renata is lending me a life-sized clone. It's very reassuring. The clone tree is already planted in a large pot.
"One of the contracts includes allowing them to freely use the nearby base of the Royal Capital Guard Aerial Scout Corps. I have just delivered them there. Since we will be meeting up there, please just prepare so that you can go at any time. I should have replenished the food sufficiently, so please be prepared for a week."
A week, huh. I hope it doesn't overlap with the recovery of the Northeastern Forest.
"Everyone, it's almost time."
While we were having a brief meeting about the search for the beastman village in the Royal Capital region, Renata called us.
Glory's human form is going to separate from the flower.
"Gnome, I have to wake Gnome up."
I hurried to where Salamander was. Gnome was sleeping beside him.
"Hey, Salamander, wake Gnome up. Glory's human form is separating from the main body."
"Oh! Has it started? That's no good. Hey! Old man! Don't sleep forever. I'll turn you into a fireball."
He's the one who made him dead drunk, and now this.
If it were a human, I'd splash water on him, but the opponent is the earth spirit. If I did that, the entire Flatlands might disappear from this world.
Instead, perhaps as a substitute, Salamander let out flickering flames from his mouth.
At first, he was just lightly toasting him, but Gnome, being Gnome, just moved his head from side to side with his eyes closed, saying, "Mmm."
"Tch, can't be helped."
Whoosh! A flame large enough to make a sound was exhaled, and he literally became a fireball.
"U-Uwaah! W-What are you doing!"
He jumped up in a panic. Honestly, good grief.
"It's not 'what are you doing.' Look, wake up. An Alraune child named Glory is separating her human form from the flower. Aren't you going to give her a blessing?"
"T-That's right. I fell asleep before I knew it."
"Pull yourself together."
Salamander was smirking. Honestly, he's hopeless.