Chapter 483 - Fifth Episode: Hospital Ship
On the third day, it was an inspection of the hospital ship. Archbishop Cadogan and the bishop from the continent were also with us.
Currently, because of the war, the transport of patients has been suspended, and two of the three hospital ships had moved to Sertogne. That ship was the latest model just completed, and it seems it was scheduled to undergo a trial voyage just in time for the meeting.
When we went to the port, a large five-hundred-passenger ship was anchored.
In this war, Primordia's role seems to be to advance to the coastal areas of the western front, namely the border area between the coastal regions of Sertogne and West Liber. Since those rescued will also include the Sertogne army, they reportedly received financial aid from Sertogne.
The ship, built at the Royal Capital's shipyard, has facilities like sturdy watchtowers and observation towers, perhaps for rescuing people injured in war. One of the four Aerial Scout units is always deployed there, making reconnaissance and defense perfect.
According to Edward-sama, who guided us, it is a ship that would originally be boarded by the royalty class, and those who take command in naval battles would ride it. It was reportedly remodeled into a hospital ship at the request of the King of Primordia.
The church priests led by Archbishop Cadogan were also cooperative, and it is a proud ship completed after various opinions were exchanged with the soldiers of the military treatment center during the remodeling.
"Since we have to treat those injured on the battlefield, we might receive attacks from the West Liber Navy. Just in case, we are flying the flag of the Western Great Church along with the Primordia emblem flag. However, since we will also head to sea areas where naval battles are expected, there's no guarantee we won't get caught up in it. In such a case, we should at least be able to buy time to escape."
As for defense and everything else, if there's a bowl carrying two people who can use mid-level fire magic, couldn't they fight back?
Ordinary naval battles involve firing fire arrows, ramming to flip ships, or pulling alongside to board, I hear. There should be new weapons using gunpowder recently, but they can fly the distance of one post station and, while hidden, conduct arson with flames that won't go out even if it's raining or water is splashed on them.
"The opponent has hundreds, no, thousands of warships. We can't possibly compete if they come in numbers."
In the thousands...
"Jeanne. The scale of war on the continent is large enough for one country to rival the entire White Island. If they feel like it, a single unit can be in the tens of thousands."
I recall the Sertorian standing army was ten thousand...
"On the entire White Island, roughly one hundred thousand people can be called the national army. The rest are conscripted soldiers or, in the case of Sertoria, members of the self-defense corps. It's about one-fourth to one-fifth of West Liber's. East Liber is about the same."
Which means, if both are combined, one million!
"Not necessarily. On the continent, local nobles hold great power, and neighboring countries are also powerful. They can't just easily call for a general mobilization from the whole territory. At most, one army is twenty to thirty thousand, with about the same number of mercenaries."
If it's according to Eleanor-sama's explanation, it would be around fifty thousand.
"In the previous war, twenty thousand mercenaries based in East Liber landed on the White Island. The number of warships far exceeded a thousand. It's only natural for West Liber on the opposite shore to have a navy of about that scale too."
It's partly because I don't know military affairs, but even so, the scale is too different.
One ship and one bowl won't be able to compete.
The hospital ship had two levels. However, the bottom one is narrow and has a low ceiling, and it only has repair materials for when the ship is damaged, so it's practically one level. That is where the soldiers ride, and when using oars, they line up there to row. Being a large ship, it had a considerable number of oars. However, since they usually move by creating wind with magic, the oars don't seem to have much of a turn. They are apparently for when charging or escaping.
It's so wide that I thought they might have lined up two ships side by side.
Apparently, being wide is better because it doesn't shake, which is convenient for transporting the injured or sick. However, if it's wide, the ship's speed becomes slow. So they reportedly made the bow longer.
There was a large two-story hut in the middle, which served as the base for the treatment center. The roof was the launch site for the bowl and the combat command post, and round shields were attached in a row to the outside of the boards surrounding the four sides.
When we boarded the ship, we were guided to the captain's cabin at the stern.
"Welcome. I am the captain of this ship, Edward."
Edward-sama said, turning around. Since he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Primordia Kingdom Army, he is probably also the commander of this support operation, but it seems he is also acting as the hospital ship captain.
"Since this ship is the largest, the command of the support operation will also be taken from here. We can carry many wounded as well as food and other supplies."
Wouldn't the ship the commander is on be targeted first?
Is it okay to be on a ship that only has enough for buying time to escape?
"That is exactly why, Bishop Jeanne. In our country, we have a wise ruler also known as the Liberator King. As the military commander, I can go to the battlefield without any worries about the home front."
Hmm. Taking the lead and going to the most dangerous place is brave, but wouldn't it be better to ride a ship that can fight a bit more?
"But isn't it dangerous?"
"This time, our army's role is only reconnaissance and support. The operation is only the treatment of the wounded and the transport of necessary supplies. Therefore, the operation of this ship itself is the operation."
Edward-sama said so and laughed lightheartedly.
When we entered the two-story building in the center, there were several soldiers who could use recovery magic, including the director of the Primordia army treatment center, and one mercenary who used advanced holy magic. There were no church priests. Since they can't be taken near the battlefield, they usually don't board.
"Everyone. Thank you for coming. This will be the greatest purpose of our army in this war, the place to accommodate and treat the wounded soldiers from the battlefield."
The director was an elderly person who could use mid-level recovery magic, and he apparently traveled the battlefields following the person who was the King at the time and is now his elder brother during the war with Engrio that occurred when we were children. He reportedly also participated as a rearguard in the previous Demon Lord subjugation war.
"No, no, someone like me. I am far from the heroes, former heroes, and those who have been involved in the war leadership of a nation."
He is laughing heartily, but his rugged chain mail, which is not dressed up like a noble's but is soot-stained, faded, and frayed in places, tells the story of him being a veteran warrior.
Unlike the soldiers outside who are nervous in front of the royalty of each country, he is calm.
Since he is the head of the military treatment center, he wouldn't have had to come to the front lines, but I heard he volunteered.
"I have served the previous and the one before the previous. In this war, Edward-sama, whom I have served as a tutor since his childhood by the orders of those two, will go out as the Commander-in-Chief. I cannot possibly not go."
"Old man, don't push yourself too hard."
"Edward-sama, this will be your first war. Do not overdo it."
"You rascal. You've hit a sore spot."
The two of them are laughing together.
Both the previous and the one before the previous were warriors who were ranked alongside Henry-sama. Since it was a direct appointment from those two, the trust must be very deep. The sword at his waist is probably not just for show.
As it was, we had the director explain the treatment center inside the ship. The two-story hut also had rooms below the deck, making it a three-story building in total. To be precise, there is even further below, but it's a place that might as well not exist, filled with timber and such.
First is the first floor. There is a passage in the center, and there are several rooms on both sides of it. One room is about the size of two beds. There is actually a bed in the middle of the room, so it must be one room per person.
Both sides of the passage are also rooms, and the stern side also serves as a break room for the director and the treatment center staff. The fact that there are much fewer beds than the actual number of people is probably because once they depart, those sleeping will be about one-third on a rotation system.
The room on the bow side is wide, and on the shelves fixed to the wall are scrolls and cloth to be applied to wounds. This is the main treatment center, and it seems they can immediately examine the patients carried up. In the middle of the room, something that could be called a wooden table rather than a bed is placed. They probably treat the wounded who are carried in there.
Several wooden boxes and barrels are also placed. On the wall, there are even saws and hatchets for cutting off hands and feet. To make matters worse, leather straps for fixing the patient's limbs so they don't struggle are even attached to the four corners of the bed. It's more like a torture chamber than a treatment center.
They must not be used to such things. Gwyn-sama's queen and Saxburg gasped the moment they saw it and looked away. In that regard, Eleanor-sama, Queen Magdalena, and Aira have calm faces. As expected.
"I am sorry. This must have been an eyesore for you all."
"No, I understand it is a necessary measure. Do not worry about it."
"I am grateful for your words."
Gwyn-sama's queen returns the sentiment with a brave smile. Saxburg still has her face turned away. She seems to understand it is necessary, and there is no sense of loathing. It's no wonder; if she doesn't have to fight on the front lines, she doesn't need to see it.
"I am sure you all have your own hardships. I sympathize with you."
Even so, Saxburg looked up and spoke words of appreciation to the director. Her elder sister, Gwyn-sama's queen, was gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
(Hey, Aira. What do you think?)
I speak to Aira in my head.
(Yeah. Since it's only support this time, I think it's okay. So you should have your sister-in-law make the proposal.)
Actually, the four of us—Gwyn-sama's queen, Aira, Saxburg, and I—are connected by Thought Communication.
At Aira's glance, Gwyn-sama's queen nodded.
"Edward-sama. May I?"
"What is it?"
"Actually, there is a sleeping medicine passed down to the Priestesses of our country. It is quite powerful, and if you have them take it mixed with alcohol when you have to perform rough treatment on seriously ill patients, it is enough to make them sleep soundly for several hours."
Edward-sama's face became serious.
"Ho ho. That is interesting. Is it not, Edward-sama?"
The director also reacted.
"Yes. Would you be willing to tell us more about it?"
Edward-sama and the director asked, exchanging glances.
The offer from the Finis side is the sale of the medicine made by the Priestess. Well, they could just give it away, but the amount is large, and if they gave it for free, they'd be dragged into the war. It's probably safer to wrap up the talk in the form of trade. As a barter, they say silver weapons would be fine.
I know the effect of the Finis sleeping medicine well. We used it in the prisoner of war camp during the previous war. It showed tremendous effect when we had to cut off arms or legs.
Because of the way it's made, there isn't a huge stock, but the amount used at one time is small, and since the flowers for the ingredients bloom from spring to summer, they just need to make a lot from now on. It's a hassle for the Priestess, but she told me she'd make a certain amount at any time if it's for a use like the one at the prisoner camp. I remembered those words when I heard about the prisoner camp and the hospital ship at the Sertorian Royal Palace, so I consulted with them on the ship on the way to Primordia. As a result of contacting the Priestess using the teleportation circle for sending letters, we have received a reply that it is possible to send a certain amount regularly, depending on the scale of the war.
As it turned out, Edward-sama, who was greatly pleased, talked with Edward-sama and promised that the Primordia army would purchase the Finis alcohol and sleeping medicine as a set during the war.
By the way, the treatment center director was also entrusted with the actual operational planning in place of Edward-sama, who has no experience in war leadership.
"You are aware that there are three islands off the coast of northern Sertogne that look as if they are connected as one, aren't you?"
I'm not aware at all, but since the visiting royalty are nodding, I'll decide not to say anything.
Matilda is secretly asking Bonnie. Bonnie said, "Later," so I'll have her tell me later too.
"It has been decided that those islands, which as you know are Sertogne territory, will be used as a base for the treatment center during this war."
It's an island not connected to the continent and is closer to the White Island than the continent. To that extent, magic might be easier to use. If so, wouldn't it be good to place the treatment center base there?
"The usability of magic is the same as on the continent, but it's just right for letting wounded soldiers rest. Also for accommodating prisoners."
Oh dear, that's a shame. However, as expected, everyone thinks the same. If prisoners are accommodated on an island, it also prevents escape.
"I see, you've thought it through. Considering the terrain, it's much closer to the battlefield than the White Island. Besides, even if West Liber tries to occupy it, they won't be able to maintain it because the island is small and has no water source. In other words, there's no worry of them interfering."
It's Eleanor-sama.
Apparently, the whole island is like a fortress, and there are buildings. However, there are no residents, or very few. Surely, there must be no fields.
"As expected of Eleanor of Tactics. Your insight is correct."
She returns the director's words with a light bow.
"If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the three islands were connected to become one island at low tide."
"Yes, the area around the islands is a good fishing ground, so a certain amount of food can be secured. We have to transport bread and fresh water, but we will shoulder that."
In other words, after departing from a port on the continent or Primordia, they first deliver water and food to that small island. Next, they advance near the combat zone and accommodate the wounded. While proceeding with treatment, after delivering the wounded to the sanatorium or accommodation on the small island, they return to the base port. Of course, support supplies from the continent are also delivered to that island.
That seems to be the basis of the support operation.
But still.
"Magic can be used on that island, right?"
I try asking the director of the treatment center.
"Yes, that's right. However, since it's far from this island, the rank will probably drop by two."
Hmm. If that's the case.
"Eleanor-sama. Is it possible to teleport things from here to that island?"
"Yes. It should be possible. But as explained just now, the rank drops by two. Teleport is mid-level. Since you can only produce an output that doesn't even reach beginner level over there, even if you use a large teleportation circle enough to teleport heavy objects, you'll probably only be able to send letters at most. Of course, you won't be able to teleport anything from that island to here because the output is too low."
In fact, because the efficiency is too poor, they don't use Teleport to exchange things.
"No, what I intend to teleport is not heavy objects. No, they are heavy objects in a sense, but only a little bit at a time. Besides, I think teleporting only from this side is fine."
"What on earth do you intend to teleport?"
She is tilting her head.
"It's water. We submerge several large teleportation circles in ponds or rivers and keep teleporting water. There are buildings over there, right? We build a water tank in the basement with a large teleportation circle as the outlet and store the water. Can't it be done?"
As it turned out, Eleanor-sama clapped her hands.
"It's worth experimenting. Let's definitely try it."
And so, the operation to store water in a water tank by teleporting it with teleportation circles, supervised by Eleanor-sama, was to be started.