Chapter 489 - Episode 10: The Duchy of Harmonia
The port town was the capital of the Duchy of Harmonia and apparently the largest town in the region.
Atop the cliff overlooking the harbor stood a stone fortress. It was a massive stronghold surrounded by outer walls. Back when they called themselves the Kingdom of Harmonia, it had been the base for a sovereign king, and it still fully displayed that former grandeur.
I was placed in a carriage, passed through the harbor checkpoint, and traveled through the town, making a wide detour around the cliff.
It was likely the main thoroughfare. The wide road, where three carriages could pass side-by-side, was lined with shops hanging signs from their eaves.
At almost every street corner, there was an open shop with no walls, featuring two or three tables and long benches. Whether they were taverns or eateries, several people were eating and drinking there.
Some looked like rough characters, most of them with swords tucked into their waists.
As I peeked out the carriage window, I accidentally made eye contact with one who glared at me. I hurriedly looked away.
While this was the carriage of Duke Harmonia—the lord's own carriage—they showed no restraint. In fact, the people walking near the shops bowed their heads whenever they passed by those men.
"Since we are currently at war, mercenaries like those have entered my territory. This area is far from the front lines, and so far, no request for mobilization has come. However, there will likely be requests for the transport of various support supplies and reinforcements, so we are recruiting such fellows in preparation for that time."
I was surprised. So they weren't just eating and drinking.
Still, seeing continental mercenaries in town for the first time... some had strange patterns drawn on their faces and arms; they really did have bad attitudes.
The carriage rattled along, kicking up dust.
Passersby yielded the road to avoid the carriage flying the flag with the coat of arms.
Perhaps this was the lower town? Unfortunately, while there were many houses, the people's clothes and belongings didn't give off a very wealthy impression. They wore plain, old-looking clothes made of linen or something similar; the main street of the Royal Capital of Sertoria felt far more glamorous.
Half the children standing by the eaves were barefoot and grimy, reminding me of when I first went to the Royal Capital of Regnentes. I had heard that the continent has a strict class system, and the poor often lack even their daily bread. Regnentes also has a strict class system, though apparently not as severe as the continent's. King Seldic of Engrio, who denies the class system, and the Releaser King of Primordia, who tries to make his people wealthy, must be quite exceptional.
"Tonight, I shall invite you to my manor, so please, do not hesitate."
Duke Harmonia, pointing toward the fortress with his right hand from inside the carriage, told me this, but it was the first I'd heard of it. I had assumed I would be going to the treatment center with Archbishop Lloyd.
"Bishop Jeanne, rest assured. The treatment center managed by Archbishop Lloyd—my uncle—is located very close to my manor. Shall we head there first?"
When I blinked in surprise and looked at Sianya, Duke Harmonia immediately made the offer.
He's quite sharp.
However, I was shocked. To think that Duke Harmonia was the nephew of Archbishop Lloyd.
"Yes, I am the younger brother of the previous Duke Harmonia, the current Duke's father."
In other words, in a different world, he would be royalty.
Archbishop Lloyd was apparently sent out as an acolyte to the Great Cathedral in the Royal Capital of Sertogne to train as a priest representing his clan. It seems he was ten years old at the time. There, he met the person who would change his life, who is currently recuperating from Just a Disease. That person's lineage is said to be one of the great nobles supporting the main house of Sertogne.
Having gone to what was effectively another country all alone, Lloyd-sama was reportedly looked after in various ways by that person, such as being taught the customs of the home country.
"To be honest, when I first heard that Bishop Jeanne used the magic of legend, I was skeptical. After all, I had never seen it. I have been to the White Island, and I have been to Sertoria. However, the effects of the magic themselves had not been fully transmitted."
"Yes. I do use it in practice, but the effects themselves were something I discovered by chance."
The reason I understood the effects to some extent was due to the investigation of the secret books, practice, and above all, the advice of the spirits. In particular, regarding Anti-Sepsis, I had thought of it as nothing more than mold-prevention magic. It was only because Flora discovered—or rather, taught me—that it was effective against crop diseases and, by extension, athlete's foot.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It was a coincidence that we found Anti-Sepsis works on Just a Disease."
It was the result of Aira, who became able to speak via Thought Communication, experimentally buying athlete's foot medicine and testing it on various skin diseases. In Finis, patients were stationed in border villages for national defense. Although it was a special arrangement, they were provided with allowances as warriors belonging to the national army, and food was also supplied. Furthermore, the consort of Gwyn-sama, who had married in from Northern Gram, was the elder sister of Eowyn-sama. It was against that background that Aira took an interest in Just a Disease.
Later, it was discovered that the medicine the warriors of the Eastern Plains Corps used for athlete's foot was effective against the battlefield disease. Since then, the value of the magic water as research material has skyrocketed as a remedy for various illnesses.
"It is said that William-sama, the first King of Sertoria, explored various places in his youth. The results remain today in the form of letters to his mother and his mother's diary, which records their conversations on the days he actually visited. The achievements of the wise king, who was said to be loved by the people and gathered spirits, were a source of pride for his mother, and at the same time, a secret she could tell no one."
It seems the First King visited his mother several times, both officially and privately, even after his accession. Sertoria is a country one might call rare in the world for denying the class system. There are no nobles and no serfs. A country of only royalty and commoners, won through what was essentially an uprising. To other nations, it is a country that is both troublesome and enviable.
"If possible, I would like to guide you to that place as well, but given the current state of affairs, it is quite difficult."
According to Duke Harmonia, the place where the First King grew up was further north, even though it was by the sea, in a location closer to the Royal Capital. Since he was originally of the Sertogne royalty, that makes sense. Because we are currently at war, it is not desirable for me, coming from Sertoria, to go there. Besides, it's a little scary. I don't want to get caught up in another country's war.
"Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to another opportunity."
I might never come back for the rest of my life, but I shouldn't say that. I decided to give a safe response.
"Duke, Bishop Jeanne is someone with no ties to the Sertorian royalty."
"Oh. Is that so? Since she holds the rank of Bishop at such a young age, I simply assumed... Come to think of it, there are no nobles in Sertoria. No, my apologies. Please forget what I just said. Pray forgive me."
"No, please. Don't apologize."
"I shall inform Guillaume-sama myself, so please rest assured."
"Then, Uncle. Please see to it."
It seemed there was no need to worry. However, seeing how easily he reversed his previous statement once he knew I had no connection to royalty, perhaps the wall of the class system is indeed thick.
"Bishop Jeanne. Do not take offense. Our country is different from Sertoria. Even if Guillaume-sama is from a branch line, he is someone connected to royalty. Of course, his mother was of the Sertogne Royal House. One cannot easily enter their ancestral lands, even if one is a priest."
"Yes. I understand."
To be honest, I didn't really understand, but looking at Duke Harmonia's awkward expression and Lloyd-sama's apologetic explanation, it seemed like things wouldn't settle down unless I pretended to understand.
"I hear that Bishop Jeanne is on very close terms with the Sertorian Royal Family. The royalty of Sertoria visit the ancestral lands of Guillaume-sama and his mother at least once. If you wish, if you were to ask the King of Sertoria... no, even Henry-sama or Eleanor-sama would be sufficient. I am sure a word of recommendation to the Sertogne Royal House would pass through."
Um, Lloyd-sama. This is turning into a big deal, so please just leave it be if possible. Duke Harmonia is looking surprised. And Edward-sama and Sianya, please stop exchanging half-smirking glances as if you've planned this.
Just as I thought we had climbed to almost the same height as the fortress, the carriage turned its back to the fort and started moving. The sea was visible in front of us. Our destination was the treatment center.
Before long, we proceeded as if drawing an arc to the right.
It was a road along the coast, perhaps a cape highway, through wasteland. Mountains were visible on the right, and the sea on the left. The coast in this area seemed to have shallow sandy beaches spreading below the cliffs, and the journey continued along the high ground, blown by a pleasant spring sea breeze.
Directly across was the White Island. It would be the coast of Primordia. The dark brown and green coastline, so far removed from the White Island, looked blurry and white as if covered in mist.
"That slightly recessed, lower area is likely the beach where we did the sea serpent culling."
Where Edward-sama was pointing, there was indeed a coast, but to be honest, I couldn't distinguish it from any other place. I could only see that the recessed spot looked somewhat whiter, perhaps due to a sandy beach.
"So that is the place where Bishop Jeanne fought the giant sea serpent with Light?"
Lloyd-sama asked immediately.
Seeing Edward-sama smiling and Sianya looking composed, it seemed they had been asking around quite a bit.
"Well, rather than fighting, it was more like driving it away. My role is to create a diversion, so I cast it aiming to blind the target and create an opening."
In the end, it's not enough to deal a finishing blow. It works on Revenants, which are low-level monsters, but even then, Purification is more effective. I think the first time I used it was for culling bats, but at that time, I was just the lighting assistant. No, not just the first time; I was the lighting assistant for quite a while.
"That single moment when the opening was created was exactly what was needed to deal the finishing blow. The sea serpent, having taken Bishop Jeanne's Light head-on, came toward me in a state where its vision was momentarily stolen. After that, it was just a matter of finishing it. Furthermore, it was Bishop Jeanne's Light that drove it to that state without letting it escape to the deep sea."
This was said by Edward-sama, who actually dealt the finishing blow.
"In other words, Bishop Jeanne's role is feinting? That is wonderful!"
Suddenly, Duke Harmonia took the bait.
Even though he should have known better, Edward-sama was nodding exaggeratedly.
"As expected of someone from Sertoria. To use such tactics to fight monsters."
"Since I was in a state where I could only use basic magic, I thought it best to focus on coordination with others without using too many moves."
In short, it was because I was weak, but if I said that, it would be like admitting Sertoria is a weak country, so I moderated my words.
"That is the tactic Duke Guillaume, the first King of Sertoria, was most proficient in. As you know, Duke Guillaume was from our country. Since ancient times, our country has been small and weak, forced to fight with few numbers against the massive military forces of the various continental nations. Therefore, we specialized in fighting using the terrain and protected our ancestral graves by making full use of various decoy and diversionary tactics."
Even though I had been vague, he clearly called his own country weak. However, I didn't think Sertogne used a similar way of fighting.
"I have heard that Guillaume-sama used to say, 'Fight like a hunter.' He perfectly captured our country's way of fighting. And with that fighting style, he even founded a nation. In that sense, Guillaume-sama is the pride of our country."
I didn't know that. However, it makes sense why the Sertorian royalty visit the ancestral lands. Miana mentioned she had been to the continent; that might be the place.
"Of course, it is not just Sertoria. We have also firmly inherited the Primordian way of fighting, which makes use of diplomacy and mobility at sea."
Without missing a beat, he also gave a slight nod to Edward-sama.
"No, our country's policy is like a hunter and a fisherman joining hands. Besides, I am still inexperienced. I am still far from the sophisticated way of fighting your country possesses."
Edward-sama was scratching his head.
A way of fighting like a hunter and a fisherman joining hands? Could it be that when Edward-sama said he wanted to be a fisherman, he meant it in that sense?
Sianya... as usual, she's looking composed.
While Edward-sama and Duke Harmonia were engrossed in a discussion about naval battles, the carriage proceeded and eventually entered a forest.
"The treatment center is deep within this forest. Fortunately, being close to the sea, one can see the ocean from the treatment center. Currently, we are moving patients recuperating from various epidemics, including Just a Disease, to this location."
As we proceeded while listening to the lively chirping of small birds celebrating the arrival of spring, a building surrounded by a stone wall like a fortress came into view.
I realized as we approached the building that if I followed the wall with my eyes, I could see the sea. It seemed there was a coast within the grounds.
As we approached the main gate, a priest came out.
"Welcome back, Archbishop."
Looking at the ring, he was a priest. He was likely someone involved in epidemic prevention at the treatment center.
"Good work. Did anything happen while I was away?"
"No, everything is as usual. However..."
"However?"
"No, well, the magic water will soon run out."
"Then proceed with the purchase procedures. Do not let it run out until that person has recovered enough to at least be transported to Primordia."
"Yes."
Since they aren't drawing magic circles, they must be buying it by the barrel. Considering that, it must be precious.
"Um, if you like, shall I draw a magic circle? It's only basic level, but I think I can make enough to fill a water tank by tomorrow morning."
This offer was very well-received. The problem is how to maintain it from now on.