Chapter 485 - Seventh Episode: Teleporting Water
The Great Shark hunt, which took three days, ended safely, and seen off by the villagers who were very excited about the flat shellfish cultivation talk, we took off in the medium-sized bowl.
After returning to the Primordia Royal Palace and staying for two nights, we took off early in the morning. The destination is a lake east of the Royal Capital.
"Since we have already installed a large water tank on that hospital ship, let's first fill that tank."
Eleanor-sama's experiment is quite clever; she's not thinking of teleporting water to the island from the start. It starts from filling the ship's water tank. If that's the case, the water injection that previously took time and manpower will become easy. How far can it be teleported? Once that's known, the water supply points will become faster. If water can be supplied even to ships offshore, the replenishment of magic water to prevent things like battlefield diseases of the wounded will also become faster, and dirty water can be replaced more and more. Of course, if we make a mistake in the adjustment, it will overflow, but we just need to think of a drainage method and throw it into the sea.
We submerge a large teleportation circle drawn on a large board and coated with waterproof wax into the lake. Since it's suspended from the bowl by chains through holes in the four corners, it can be pulled up at any time. Since weights are also attached, it can be submerged at any time. I was worried that the bowl might be teleported, but since we are keeping a sufficient distance, it seems to be okay.
When submerged, perhaps because it's activated, a whirlpool is formed, so I can see the water being sucked in and teleported away.
Before long, a message came from the captain, Edward-sama, who had boarded the ship, via the teleportation circle for sending letters, saying the water tank was full. It's parchment, but it's wet with water.
"It's slower than I thought."
I felt like it was in an instant. The lake water flowed in rapidly.
"Next is in the afternoon, apparently. Shall we stop for now?"
Saying so, she deactivated the continuous Teleport.
When we made the reservoir in the Flatlands, it was a much larger one, so we are being sufficiently careful. Or rather, since there are no super-advanced mages... or rather, no super-advanced mages at all in Primordia who use Teleport, we have to be careful.
Originally, the difference in rank for a teleportation circle is smaller compared to when the caster casts it directly, but still, super-advanced and mid-level are completely different. That said, since super-advanced mages are mostly big shots in some country or church, hiring one as a mercenary is at most an advanced mage. Even the great Eleanor-sama can't keep making teleportation circles just because the experiment went well, so this time she's squeezing the output to mid-level specifications when imbuing the magic.
"How much can actually be teleported?"
I was the one who suggested it, but I've become a bit anxious.
"I don't know. Teleporting water itself is not so rare. However, because the regulations are strict and the cost is too high, it has only been used as a temporary measure. Moreover, the destination is outside the country... and part of the continent. Therefore, such experiments haven't been possible either."
Well, that's true. Teleport users are rare to begin with. Even though it's state-change magic, large ones for water supply also have skyrocketing prices. It's one thing if it's finished after making a pond once, but it's a big deal if it's used continuously. In the first place, one can't live in a state where even securing water can't be done satisfactorily. This time, it's because it's an emergency situation during a war to send it to a rear facility, and because other methods have been established, that the experiment is being done.
"Soldiers who die in war, of course, often have their wounds as the direct cause of death, but quite a number also die because subsequent treatment is delayed and battlefield diseases or rotting of wounds occur, or because they become ill after their physical strength is consumed. If this experiment goes well, the number of those who survive will increase along with the effect of Anti-Sepsis. And Mary's list of herbs she's making by going around each country includes those that are very effective for injuries as well as diseases, and she's going to handle the procurement of those types of herbs. Furthermore, if there are prosthetic hands and feet like the ones Matilda is making, life after a major injury will be a bit easier. You, the Class of 175, are playing a groundbreaking role in rear support... especially in terms of life-saving."
Apparently, they are trying to build an indirect rear support system through Primordia. I didn't know it had become such a grand thing.
In the end, there's no problem even if a neutral country trades with a belligerent country. However, a warring country, especially West Liber which is expected to be at a disadvantage, wants to somehow drag the countries of the White Island into the war using this as a starting point. To dodge that, by embarking on the rescue of soldiers injured on the battlefield, they will thin out the hatred of the citizens of the belligerent countries toward the opponent country even a little, and increase the war-weary mood. And they will advance the rapprochement between churches that traditionally haven't been able to cooperate much as pagans. Apparently, the King is proceeding with the content discussed with Queen Magdalena, Evans-sama, and other dignitaries as a measure against the war between East and West Liber, in cooperation with countries excluding Engrio and Medioland.
"I don't know how it will turn out. However, war is ultimately up to the leaders of that country. No commoner in that country wants the turf wars of kings or nobles."
"Is it something that won't disappear?"
In the end, are humans the same as the demon race, with the instinct to fight over things? If so, why do commoners not want war? Or are those in power and commoners different?
"The scale is different. When the power holders of a country fight, that country's army moves. As a result, a war occurs. In the case of commoners, it's at most a quarrel."
"I suppose that's how it is."
"But that quarrel might be the very beginning of everything."
Eleanor-sama said while shrugging her shoulders.
The second experiment is after the ship arrives at the coastal area of the island, which is the final target point. When it goes that far, the rank drops by one. In other words, mid-level magic becomes beginner level.
"Now, it's from here. We'll start the second one."
Seeing the parchment sent via the teleportation circle for sending letters, Eleanor-sama gave Wilson-san instructions to lower the bowl to submerge the teleportation circle in the lake.
The writing on the parchment sent via the teleportation circle for sending letters is not Edward-sama's handwriting. The ship that received the signal from the hospital ship with the water tank came near the White Island and transmitted the signal that there was no problem starting the experiment. Already, it's becoming precarious to even send letters with an originally mid-level teleportation circle.
The teleportation circle soaked in the lake water has something like ripples on the surface, but there is no whirlpool, and it doesn't look at all like water is being teleported.
"Since the outlet is at beginner level output, water equivalent to roughly Water should be being teleported continuously."
Since the water tank is about five hundred buckets' worth, even if it's half, it's a thousand times. If it's being teleported without interruption, it won't take that much time.
It took a lot of time compared to the first time, but still, the signal for full water was sent. In other words, even if it dropped to beginner level, water could be teleported.
"With this, we've found out that even if the rank drops by two, water can be teleported. We can see the possibilities for the future."
A little later, Edward-sama contacted us about the situation at the destination.
"He says for the first one, water gushed out and it became full in an instant. And for the second one, it seems it was like a puddle growing larger and gradually the water level increased, until it finally became full."
I see. If you keep putting in half a bucket's worth, it would probably feel like that.
"Now, the continuation is tomorrow. In preparation for tomorrow, ten teleportation circles are being created at the Royal Palace. With those, we'll see if the water tank installed on the island can be filled. I don't know how much time it will take, but if it goes well, we plan to install an even larger stone water tank."
"I hope it goes well."
"Yes, tomorrow we are also going to the target island."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"What are you saying? Jeanne is going too."
"Eh?"
I haven't heard anything about that!
First of all, the special pass issued by the King of Primordia should only be for the Henry Party.
"The King of Primordia issued them for all the members of the Class of 175. Didn't you get yours from Mary?"
Even if he's the Liberator King...
How liberal is that King!
In the end, I was made to participate. However, the ship is not a hospital ship, but a Primordia trade ship. Mary is also on board the new formation of the Henry Party, which includes Bonnie. Not only that, Queen Magdalena, Miana, and Beowulf are also on board.
"What on earth happened? I thought you returned to your country."
"We are merely peddlers. It wouldn't be strange at all to be on a trade ship, would it?"
When I asked Queen Magdalena, this was her answer.
She is wearing leather armor with a sword on her back, her hair dyed black, and a bandana around her head. Rather than a merchant, she looks like a bandit.
"I'm the manager of the Class of 175 Shop. Today I'm helping out at the third shop."
Miana is Miana, wearing the autumn/winter green marble.
"I'm here for professional reasons."
Beowulf, wearing the autumn/winter green marble over leather armor, must be Miana's guard.
"They gave us a pass for Jeanne too. I'll give it to you. As expected of the one famous as the Liberator King. He gave passes for all the members of the Class of 175. So, if we are on a Primordia ship, we can even go to the continent. Though, we can't leave the port towns and go inland."
According to Mary's explanation, if we have the pass from the King of Primordia, we can freely ride the royal family's ships. With those ships, we can go to other countries and act freely up to the port towns.
"Hmm. That's amazing."
Wait, that's not it.
"Why is everyone doing this?"
"Well, isn't it because it's interesting?"
Honestly...
"It's my second time on the continent, but I'm more excited this time."
"I'm sure you are. Traveling incognito is the hobby of royalty, after all. Enjoy accumulating various experiences."
"Yes. Thank you, Grandmother."
"I hear we can also stop at port towns, so let's eat some delicious local specialties."
"Yes. Mother. I'm looking forward to it."
Queen Magdalena and Miana are having some kind of chat with smiles along with Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama. I'm starting to feel sorry for the King, who is seriously cooped up in the Royal Palace working.
The essential experiment itself is ostensibly being done by the Primordia Kingdom Army. Military mages go to the lake and activate it according to our signal. Since the teleportation circles have already been drawn, it's just a matter of determining the results of the experiment, but it's a situation where those involved in trade also participated, centered on Eleanor-sama who is in charge of technical guidance. Queen Magdalena and Miana must have applied to participate by taking advantage of that. And Beowulf was dragged in.
"Mary, you've been to the continent before, right?"
"Well, yeah. But at that time, I didn't get off the ship. So, it's my first time landing. I'm looking forward to it."
I heard that the treatment is different depending on whether you get off the ship or not. The royal ships of each country are, so to speak, extraterritorial and are within the territory of the country that owns the ship. Therefore, whether sailing or anchored in port, as long as you don't get off the ship, a certain level of safety is guaranteed. Of course, the situation is different during a war. It's the same as before for allied countries, but for enemy countries, you'll be captured. In the case of neutral countries, it's safe, but apparently there are cases where scouts stick closely to you.
"Just so you know, there are soldiers for guarding on board. And we've borrowed one bowl from Edward's ship. Edward is currently anchored near the target island, so we'll meet up there."
Miana said this apologetically.
That said, it's the first continent.
I also have appropriate expectations. Well, the first step will be shown on a small island offshore.
The strait between the White Island and the continent is said to always have a wind blowing from the west. Moreover, there seems to be a strong current flowing from the west to the northeast along the coast of the island, so basically ships are pushed to the east. Since the tide rip itself changes, there are times when they are pushed to the west. They use that wind and current to advance in an arc.
As we approach the continent, the coast of the White Island can be seen in the distance.
The coast of Primordia is a far cry from the White Island, but when you go off the coast of Engrio, it is said that white cliffs can be seen continuously.
In contrast, on the continental side, gentle hills covered in green can be seen. It seems to be a place where there are several countries with populations many times that of the entire White Island, and it might be warm and rich in fruits.
Maybe it's my imagination, but as we get closer, I feel like it's getting warmer.
At about the halfway point of the journey, the ship turned left in an arc. It caught the current flowing northeast. The speed also increased, and we advanced as if sliding. The continental coast, which had been visible diagonally to the left front, now appeared to the right front. As we gradually steered left and left, the speed also increased, and by the time the continent was visible roughly on the right side, the target island came into view.