Chapter 502 - Backyard of Stray Priest 19
This content can be called the inside story of Chapter 17.
"A Lich, you say?"
"Yes. It was found in the mountains of the Northeastern Forest."
The existence of a Lich, who obtained an unimaginably long life through a curse of the Demon Race, was something that Servetus, who was originally a Church priest and at the same time could be called a living corpse, couldn't help but have complex feelings of mixed envy and hatred toward.
"You destroyed it, I presume?"
As long as a Lich is a being that can only come into existence through a curse of the Demon Race, anyone who calls themselves a Church priest must destroy it as soon as they find it.
"No, by destroying the higher-ranking Demon Race member, we are treating its yoke as having been released and are letting it live."
"That Eleanor!"
He felt like spitting on the spot, but as someone who was once royalty and even now is called His Eminence, he didn't want to do such a vulgar thing, at least not in public.
"Apparently, it was originally researching magic beasts. It said that dense magic power strengthens magic beasts."
"Such a thing is common knowledge, is it not? It has been generally known since the time I was alive."
After saying so dismissively, he tilted his head.
"How long has that person been alive?"
"The exact details are unknown as the person's own memory is vague, but it is believed to be roughly two thousand years ago without a doubt."
Hearing Wilson's answer, Servetus let out a deep sigh in spite of himself.
More than two thousand years ago.
Servetus is over a thousand years old. His existence itself can be called history, and even for Servetus, who prided himself on being a person whose insight obtained through observations during that time was likely prominent among humans living on the White Island, the events of two thousand years ago were nothing more than knowledge from legends.
"So, was that person researching monsters?"
"Yes. It seems it was aiming for the expansion of the Demon Lord's army by strengthening monsters."
"What kind of results were there?"
Wilson was in charge of the interrogation of the Lich captured in the Northeastern Forest. As a result, he heard from the Lich about things ranging from the likely strongest-class Lindwurm to Gray Wolves, and by extension, strengthened Orcs and prolific Fenrirs. He told that to Servetus just as it was.
"A Lindwurm! Is that not B-rank!"
"Yes. It seems it was created while repeatedly strengthening snakes."
"It was called a subspecies of dragon, but was that not the case?"
"It seems not. No wonder a swarm of Wyrms is right nearby."
It's said that the Lindwurm confirmed on the White Island might be the individual in the northern part of the Northeastern Forest. It flies in the sky, uses powerful magic, and is an extremely aggressive being that thinks anyone who enters its territory is either an enemy or prey; since ancient times, it has been nothing but a nuisance to humans. From its form, which could be called a winged snake, various opinions were put forward as to whether it was a higher species of Wyrm or a subspecies of dragon, but because observation of living individuals was extremely difficult, no confirmation had been obtained.
"So, by what method was it strengthening monsters?"
When he said it was using giant earthworms, Servetus laughed loudly.
"What, it was having giant earthworms swallow eggs and babies? To think it thought of such a thing."
"Indeed. It seems it was quite a struggle at first, with them dying or becoming berserk one after another."
"I should think so. Strengthening magic beasts is a technique of the Demon Race."
Servetus had intended to say a common phrase casually, but Wilson turned serious.
"Does the Demon Race have techniques to strengthen magic beasts?"
"Who knows. Perhaps the Demon Lord knows something?"
"I see. That's true."
Realizing it was a light joke, Wilson shrugged.
"However, according to your story just now, that Lich found in the Northeastern Forest was given a place for research by the Demon Race, was it not?"
"Yes. It was saying so."
"Then the Demon Race already knew that living things exposed to dense magic power turn into monsters."
"That is so. However, looking at the tragedy at the time of the magic power leak in the Northeastern Forest, wouldn't anyone think so?"
"Hmm. That was the case. In other words, is the Demon Race also trial and error?"
"Probably. According to a Demon Race member whose existence has been confirmed in the Northeastern Forest, monsters exposed to magic power that is too dense do not listen to orders."
Servetus let out a breath. He had already heard from Wilson why the Northeastern Forest had become like that.
That land is a place where monsters spring up, and it was once said to be the work of the Demon Lord. However, the actual cause was an accident.
"Truly, the terrifying thing is a greedy person."
"Yes."
After a brief silence between the two, the talk moved to what happened to the Lich after that.
"Since it sided with the Demon Lord's army, it's being... kept alive while pretending it was executed, right?"
"Just as you have discerned. However, since it hasn't come out in public at all, there was no need to even pretend."
"That Eleanor," he cursed again.
"Why is she letting it live? It can't be research on how to defeat monsters."
"No, it's how to let them live. It's breeding useful magic beasts."
"Breeding? What is it breeding, and for what purpose?"
"Since it includes classified matters, I cannot say everything, but for example, giant earthworms."
"Giant earthworms? What do you do with earthworms?"
Earthworms are used for obtaining eggs to raise and for making compost. As for the size, the captured Lich thought of a method to adjust it using Magic Stones and had achieved certain results.
"Is it the soil my subordinates occasionally scatter in the fields?"
"Yes. Since it's said to be good for soil improvement, it's also being implemented at the agricultural experimental station in the Royal Capital area, which is under my jurisdiction."
Earthworms have other uses as well. Since they secrete mucus that acts as a repellent for magic beasts from their skin surface, it's used to paint around mountain huts to strengthen security. Besides that, the mucus the earthworms produce is used for conservation to harden the surface of caves, and their sturdy skin is processed into leather products.
"In addition, they are changing ordinary fish into larger, better-tasting monsterized fish by using river pools as fish preserves. In that way, they are starting to breed them in various ways as monster ranches, and it has taken a position that could be called the technical lead. Of course, this is a confidential story."
Servetus crossed his arms with a "Hmm." Domestication of magic beasts... since ancient times, humans have challenged it and failed. Unlike normal animals, they are fundamentally carnivores and never get used to humans.
On the other hand, parts like the meat, skin, tusks, and poison glands of magic beasts sell for a high price. Those suitable for food taste good, and even those that aren't are prized as materials for good medicinal stones.
Magic beasts are powerful, but if a skilled hunter can use silver or white silver arrows, they could become sufficient targets for hunting. However, in addition to the high price, silver arrowheads have low power against normal beasts, so they are out of reach for people of the lower classes. Also, the number of individuals isn't that large, and since large individuals live in deep forests, transport is not easy. For such reasons, it was controlled by the wealthy, who were called organizers. That being the case, how efficient and common it would be if they could be bred.
"If possible, I would like to hear from that Lich."
Servetus explained to Wilson how much of a great benefit it would be for the people of the White Island if that Lich sought a means for lower-class people to receive the benefits of breeding magic beasts with a sense of social mission.
"Your Eminence's heart has still not changed."
"Of course. I may look like this, but I am a priest."
For Wilson, the master who puffed out his chest proudly was a source of pride. When he himself had deserted the army and reached the Ruined Town, Servetus was already a being called His Eminence.
When he applied for a meeting along with comrades who cursed the world of the class system and appealed that the wretched world should be overturned, he readily agreed to the meeting. And he told them to formally submit a plan showing what kind of means would be effective to realize those thoughts.
Along with his comrades, he actually created several plans and met with him again. Servetus looked through all of them and specifically pointed out the difficulty of realization. On top of that, he told them to think about how to overcome those obstacles, no matter what kind of obstacles there were.
"I will try talking to Eleanor-sama. I think I can probably get permission."
"Umu. I'm counting on you."
A few days after such a background, a meeting between Servetus and the Lich captured by Sertoria in the Northeastern Forest actually took place.
"Are you the one called the Lich?"
Before Servetus, who was sitting in a chair, stood someone who, although having received a curse, didn't look like they were alive at all. The face was pale like a phantom, and the arms were so thin that the skin was sticking to the bones.
The place of the meeting was, of course, a room in the tower where Servetus was confined. The attendees were only Wilson and Will, as usual. Henry, Eleanor, and Bonnie were waiting downstairs, but they declined to attend.
"Indeed so. And you?"
There aren't many who treat Servetus as 'you'. Even Henry and Eleanor call him 'Sir'. It must be the first time since King Seldic, with whom he once joined forces.
"I am the one called Servetus, the former Head of the Great Southern Church and Chairman of the Council."
"The Great Southern Church? Where is that?"
The Lich in front of him said this with genuine curiosity.
Seeing that, Servetus realized this one was the real thing. They were born in different eras. The Lich was likely a being from before the unit of a country was established, or before thinking about things on such a scale, and probably only had thoughts on a village scale at most.
"Let us talk about that gradually. First, state your name."
"I forgot my name a long time ago. Now, I am the consultant for magic beast breeding belonging to the Kingdom of Sertoria."
It's a rather vague job title, but whether he's proud of it or not, he's puffing out his chest greatly.
"What is your desire as that consultant?"
Servetus questioned further.
"You have asked well. Then, I shall speak my thoughts."
No sooner had he said it than he began to talk about what magic beasts are, starting from that concept.
After the concept came the significance of the existence of magic beasts as he surmised, which was something he thought of during the time counting four digits of years, and he began to talk about it mixed with his own experiences. In those experiences, there was sometimes resentment toward the older priest who expelled him from the village where he was born and raised, sometimes stories about the Demon Race he met when he became a Lich, and it even reached stories about the hardships in the process of strengthening and how the monsters he actually succeeded in strengthening were useful to the Demon Lord's army.
While watching the Lich talk joyfully for nearly an hour while spitting from his mouth, Servetus thought.
This fellow is merely cooperating with the Demon Lord's army because his desire for recognition was satisfied, and now he is siding with the Kingdom of Sertoria.
Maybe he just likes magic beasts. For example, those who like dragons are stating various interpretations as they please just because they like them, but the difference between them and this fellow is whether they have actually been involved or not, and isn't the essence the same?
It's just an inquiry to satisfy curiosity, and he doesn't have any social significance.
Thinking so, he recommended wine when he saw a break in the talk.
"Oh! Much obliged."
The Lich, who had been talking continuously, said so, then grabbed the bowl he was handed and began to gulp it down.
"You seem to have been quite involved with magic beasts. I'm sure your research has also progressed. So, how do you intend to be useful in reality?"
At Servetus's questioning, the Lich tilted his head.
"Such a thing is for the King to decide."
"Do you not decide?"
"Ah, I do not."
"Why. With your level of knowledge and experience, would it not be an easy thing?"
Research has a purpose. That is how to make the subject of research contribute to the development of the world. Servetus thought so.
"It's simple. Because I only do research on magic beasts."
"Is that all?"
"Ah, that is all. Is it bad?"
"It is not bad, but is it not a waste?"
"I do not think so."
This would just go in circles.
Thinking so, Servetus changed the approach.
"For example. You are now involved in the breeding of earthworms, are you not?"
"Ah, I am thinking about how to raise earthworms of an appropriate size."
"For what purpose are you doing that earthworm breeding?"
"Apparently to improve the soil of the fields."
"Is it not? Earthworms enrich the soil. Did you... not know that?"
"Ah, I did not know that."
"...Then, it cannot be helped, I suppose."
"Umu."
He felt let down, but it was a rare opportunity. After that, he just let the Lich talk.
The Lich, who continued to talk while gulping down wine that could be called top-grade like water, thanked Servetus for his words of appreciation and went home in high spirits.
"How was it?"
"Hmm."
Even to Wilson's questioning, he was in a state as if the poison had been drawn out.
"Well, it's that. I might have been misunderstanding what research is."
"What do you mean by that?"
"The utility value of research results and such will change depending on the era, right?"
"I suppose so."
"Research might not only be for responding to the demands of the era, but it might be fine if there are things that are just for the ruler of the era who found the research results to use."
"Is that so?"
"If there is a researcher who is indifferent to politics and economy like that fellow, that's fine in its own way, as long as the person who uses the results is a good person."
"Well, in the end, it's about how those results are used."
"That is so."
Having Wilson, who was pointing the bottle toward him, pour wine into his bowl, he took a sip and looked out the window.
Outside, there are the figures of Servetus's subordinates engaged in farm work. The soil-like thing they are scattering on the fields where nothing is planted is likely the compost made by the earthworms. Sertoria is not a country that would employ monsters and use them for war.
That fellow, he was picked up by a good country.
He muttered a monologue in his head.