Chapter 487 - Eighth Episode: Small Island off Sertogne (2)
The water tank for storage was many times larger than the water tank transported by ship. Since it's for maintaining the water situation of the island's facilities, it's only natural that it's huge. How large is it? The water inlet is on the floor above. In short, one whole room is a water tank.
"This water tank was specially made by remodeling one of the basement rooms after hearing that we could receive Primordia's support for the treatment of wounded soldiers in this war."
Originally, this small island was a place like a rest area for fishing boats fishing nearby, and even if there's a fortress, it has no actual combat experience. As Eleanor-sama and the others were saying, it's probably because it can't be maintained even if occupied.
"Water is transported from the opposite shore every day, but it doesn't seem to reach the amount required for the concept. Not to mention the storage tank, even the daily use ones aren't full."
Large ships have been sent to the front lines. At this point, it seems no major battles have occurred, but eventually, naval battles will also begin. Surely, they must be preparing for that.
"If this experiment goes well, even if it's only a little at a time, water will be supplied incessantly. If that happens, magic water can also be used sufficiently. Magic water made here can also be used on the continent. This war is a major one and will likely be prolonged. It should surely be useful."
In a situation where even the island's portion is insufficient, I don't think they can supply enough to take to the continent. Whether it will be supplied incessantly is not yet known. Isn't he expecting a bit too much?
When I checked after going up to the first floor from the basement where the water tank was, I found that the water tank could be descended into from one room via stairs. Since it was remodeled from a basement room, it's only natural, but since it was my first time seeing a water tank where you descend to the bottom by stairs, I instinctively wanted to go to the bottom and look around.
Eleanor-sama seemed to feel the same way, saying, "Let's go down." I stopped Archbishop Lloyd, who was about to prepare lanterns, and decided to illuminate with Light. Many things must be in short supply on the island. Whether it's candles or oil, it's better to save them.
Fortunately, the rank of magic only drops by two, so I can use beginner-mid level Light. Since I can produce eight Fireflies, it's enough for light.
I decided to inspect while also proceeding with the installation of the teleportation circles.
While Archbishop Lloyd and the other Sertogne people were staring at the Fireflies with their mouths open in shock at the effect of the Light, the work of installing the teleportation circles proceeded. During that time, I observed the inside of the water tank.
The water tank is of course made of stone, but the joints of the stones are firmly sealed with something like mortar so that water doesn't leak. The three holes visible are probably pipes leading to the three daily use water tanks in the next room.
They are at about waist height and heel height. The waist height is about the full water level of the daily use water tanks. Whether water flows or not is probably adjusted on the other side. From here, I can only see that there are holes. Just in case, I illuminated the back with a Firefly and peeked in, and there was a lid made of a metal plate like an iron plate.
"B-Bishop Jeanne. Is that, by any chance, Light?"
Ho ho. He knows the name well.
"You know of it?"
"Yes. I have heard of it only by name. Magic that illuminates the darkness with light and subdues monsters."
H-He's unexpectedly detailed.
"It is magic that the first King of Sertoria, who was once in Sertogne, also used. In this country, it is magic known to those in the know."
I see. So that's it.
The first King was born on the White Island, but for various reasons, he spent several years before reaching adulthood in Sertogne, his mother's home country, I heard. After reaching adulthood, he returned to the White Island. He apparently visited Sertogne several times after that. Since Sertogne can use magic, there are monsters, albeit few. Unfortunately, since the rank of magic drops by two, he couldn't use Light, the rest of the first King series, or Teleport. However, he could use Subordination. The rank drops, but unlike the White Island, the monsters aren't so powerful, so he apparently used to hunt with local hunters by manipulating them.
"Guillaume-sama, ah, he was William-sama over there. The place where he lived with his mother was near the sea, and therefore close to the White Island. I hear that unlike the inland areas, magic could be used relatively stably."
Hmm. As expected, being closer to the White Island means being influenced by magic power.
Wait? Which means.
"Um, Archbishop Lloyd. May I ask one thing?"
"Yes. Please ask anything."
"Excuse me, but by any chance, is Goddess worship not very popular in the inland areas?"
Considering the conversation between Gnome and Eleanor-sama, faith in the Goddess being the source of magic should be the greatest trigger for learning magic. It's a fact that the influence of the White Island's magic power is denser on the coast than inland, but magic was once usable on the continent too. In other words, it wouldn't be strange if there were surges of magic power on the continent. If so, there's a possibility that a difference is emerging due to faith in the Goddess.
I thought so, but I regretted it immediately after asking. The expression of Archbishop Lloyd, who had been smiling, darkened, and the other priests fell silent and looked down.
"It is a regrettable thing. The royal family and most of the nobles of this country have great respect for the Goddess due to their origins. However, the monotheism practiced in other countries was originally supported by the commoner and serf classes. Those living in areas bordering other countries inland are gradually being influenced by the religious figures of those countries. Our strength was insufficient, and I feel sorry toward the people of the White Island."
Coexistence and co-prosperity are the teachings of the Goddess we worship. Even if citizens were gradually converting, the Church and the royal family wouldn't impose regulations. Religion should be something chosen by an individual's will.
Not only that. Even if faith is a decisive element in the mastery of magic, it doesn't explain why someone like me, who was born and raised on the White Island, has their rank drop when they come to the continent.
I should have understood that much. Precisely because I understood it, I really loathe my own stupidity for saying something on a whim and making Archbishop Lloyd and the other priests have dark expressions.
What changed the awkward atmosphere was the signal that the installation of the teleportation circles was complete.
Archbishop Lloyd, who regained his composure, also regained his smile.
Leaving the Fireflies as they were, we all went upstairs.
The order from Edward-sama, who received confirmation from Eleanor-sama, was given, and a messenger ran. When the soldier who jumped outside gave a signal to the soldier on top of the tower, smoke rose. Seeing that, the ship offshore uses the teleportation circle for sending letters to send a message to the White Island to start the experiment.
"How much will be teleported here?"
Archbishop Lloyd seems unable to wait. If this experiment is successful, the effort of transporting water itself will decrease, and to that extent, the hospital ship will be able to transport many wounded soldiers and prisoners.
"In the experiment off the coast of this island, it dropped one rank from mid-level and became like beginner level... yes, it was like the image of water gushing out like a small spring, bubble-bubble."
In fact, Edward-sama, who had seen the state at that time, began to explain.
About half a bucket's worth of water is teleported in succession. It would be so. By the time the water tank was about half full, it was apparently just to the extent that ripples were formed, but that would also be the case.
The first time I stood by such an experiment, or rather practice, was when we did the monster hunt in the current Flatlands. At that time, we finished a pond large enough for dozens of monsters to gather around in half a day, and even made a ditch or a small stream to collect the overflowing water. Even though it was small, it had a depth appropriate for a pond, yet with just one large teleportation circle, it was gushing out like a real spring, swelling up and emerging on the surface of the pond water.
"That is wonderful. It is like a spring gushing out on this island."
Archbishop Lloyd is beaming, but...
"This time, it drops two ranks from mid-level and becomes beginner level or lower. Normally, it would be precarious even to transmit letters. Whether water will be sent or not..."
"I-Is that so?"
Edward-sama probably doesn't want to make Archbishop Lloyd expect too much. It was a reserved expression, but he gave a warning. It's unknown whether it can actually be done. One can even imagine it ending in failure with nothing being teleported.
"Jeanne. Lower the output of the Fireflies."
It was Eleanor-sama's sudden instruction. It's about time.
In the dimmed water tank, it was confirmed that the teleportation circles glowed.
"Oh! They reacted!"
Archbishop Lloyd raises his voice. Certainly, it's amazing just that they are functioning as outlets.
"The light is weak. As expected, is the output insufficient?"
It was when Edward-sama said that.
"Is that not w-water? Bishop Jeanne, please make the light stronger."
In accordance with Archbishop Lloyd's words, I illuminate all five teleportation circles at once.
"It's water. Certainly, it's water!"
"It's a success. This time we are prioritizing duration, so it will stay like this for two weeks."
At the words of Edward-sama and Eleanor-sama, the people around erupted and gathered at the entrance all at once.
Water was certainly teleported.
However, it still couldn't be said to have accumulated in the water tank.
"Look, the puddle is growing larger little by little."
"Yes. Archbishop Lloyd. Water is also dripping from the teleportation circles installed on the four walls."
Rather than water being teleported, it's more like it's seeping out, or leaking from the other side of the wall...
Everyone is happy, so it must be fine.
"Hey, how long will it take to become full?"
Miana secretly pulled my sleeve, but I just tilted my head.
Since the water teleported successfully, we left one lookout and toasted together.
However, Edward-sama, the person who looked like the commander, and Beowulf are not there. Since the experiment itself is over, they have to move the water transported by the hospital ship to the fortress. Two of them went to command that work, and one went to help.
"Then, for the time being, let's see how it goes until tomorrow. By then..."
Eleanor-sama says we will double the number of teleportation circles and double the amount teleported. Since the water tank is large, there is space for installation.
And we will also increase the number of beginner Anti-Sepsis teleportation circles for magic water. I brought three just in case, but we might use a large amount depending on the situation. Just in case.
Furthermore, we will take advantage of Eleanor-sama being able to use mid-level magic. Using the island's terrain, we decided to arrange rocks so that part of the beach, which becomes a path connecting the islands at low tide, becomes a preserve. It will help improve the food situation for the prisoners during the war. After all, they are enemy soldiers. It's quite possible that food won't be sent to them. If many fish can be caught, it will be quite different.
After having lunch, the Henry Party went off to build a natural preserve with Edward-sama, who originally wanted to be a fisherman. Those who remained were to listen to Archbishop Lloyd talk about Sertogne's herb trade and plague countermeasures.
As far as I can tell from Archbishop Lloyd's talk, Sertogne's... or rather, the continent's plague countermeasures are quite advanced compared to the White Island, although they don't have Anti-Sepsis.
The logic is simple: it's because the Church, not the state, is managing it.
The more I listen, the more the continent seems like an extremely vast place. The continent I knew was just a very small part of the region.
There are various countries in the south and east, separated by considerable distances, where various people live and various academic disciplines are mastered.
Archbishop Lloyd chose representative places from among those countries and regions and told us about them as examples.
As a result, for me, who only knows the White Island, it became clear that various plague countermeasures that I couldn't have imagined were being implemented.
"I have also spoken to Cadogan-sama, but the continent has a richer variety and number of herbs than the White Island."
That's probably true. After all, it should be overwhelmingly vast. Moreover, because there are various terrains in various regions of north, south, east, and west, the number of types of plants themselves must be large.
"And a priest serving a certain church in East Liber has published what should be called an Encyclopedia of Herbs, and the churches of each country collect herbs based on that literature and manage herb gardens."
I see, I see. Recently there have been such movements on the White Island too. Everyone thinks the same, it seems.
"A manuscript of that Encyclopedia is in the herb garden of the church where I serve as the head on the opposite shore. If you wish, I will give you the opportunity to copy it, so I am thinking that you should definitely come. It would be useful to have one on the White Island too."
That's quite a good opportunity. Surely someone from Primordia will come. Maybe it'll be Sianya.
Wait? Everyone? Even Archbishop Lloyd.
Why are you looking at my face?