Chapter 503 - Chapter 1: Spring Banquet
Since our stay in Primordia and Harmonia lasted ten days, it was nearly the middle of April by the time we returned to Sertoria.
On the way back, Sianya-san contacted them, so the Henry Party came to pick us up at the royal palace where we were staying. Having received a special permit, they weren't holding back at all. They suddenly pulled up in the courtyard of the royal palace and were waving their hands with a "Hey, hey!"
The guards also seemed to be troubled about what to do, but since the King of Primordia himself approached them with a casual wave and started making small talk, they were helpless.
Moreover, Sertoria and Primordia are not connected by land. They must be crossing the borders of Engrio or Regnentes without permission.
It's also worrying that Will and Bonnie are on board as a matter of course.
"It's fine. In Regnentes, we helped with farm work in the village where Beatrix is the landowner. The lord was also very delighted."
This is it. In Beatrix's village, the Henry Party is welcomed, so they are helpless.
"Now, since the business is finished, shall we head back? It's almost the full moon. Your friends are waiting in the Northeastern Forest."
"Ah, yes. Please."
They've really got me by the short hairs.
That said, the ultra-high-speed bowl is a convenient thing; after taking off from Primordia, there's no worrying about seasickness. On the way, I could even wash off my sweat at a secret hot spring in the mountains of Engrio that Salamander told me about, and I arrived back at the farm in the Flatlands in a refreshed state.
At the farm, preparations for a banquet had begun, and Miana mixed strawberry jam into goat's milk for me. It was sweet with a hint of acidity, just right. It seems she gave Mel honey water with strawberry juice added, which was well-received; Little Serena and Glory are also drinking it together. Since strawberries are delicious in bread and sweets, Miana had made a field and planted them. She had been making jam from those that had been ripening since the end of March. Apparently, there was a sweet she ate in Sertogne that had strawberry jam mixed into something like a pie, and she served the reproduction as well. As expected of someone who uses fire magic, the crispy outside and the melting strawberry-flavored jam inside were truly delicious. The one to surpass Highway Cookies might be the sweets Miana makes.
"This is really delicious."
"Ufufu. Thank you. By the way, did you stop by the royal palace?"
"I came straight back. I didn't stop by the royal palace."
"That's better. Father found out that you participated in that naval battle, and he and Mother both got incredibly angry at me."
She's laughing with her tongue sticking out.
When did she become this strong?
"But you know, you rescued the Princess of East Liber from privateers, right? That part was praised very much."
The King has it hard too. After all, two delinquent old people are with them. They wouldn't listen no matter what he said anyway. He probably never thought Magdalena-sama and Miana would become part of the gang too.
"Regarding Theresia-sama's matter, it seems a letter of thanks arrived for Father from the King of East Liber. Also from the King of Primordia, the King of Sertogne, and Duke Harmonia. Oh right, the National Chancellor of West Liber apparently sent a letter to the Chancellor of Medioland. According to that, they captured and immediately dealt with the captain of those privateers. If that hospital ship had sunk and something had happened to the patients, the various nations of the White Island would have turned into enemies. It seems a private letter of thanks came from the King of Medioland. I'm sure the various nations of the White Island had found out that Sertorian royalty was involved."
I'm being praised quite a lot.
Eleanor-sama must have been puffing out her chest, for sure.
As the banquet was starting, the rumored Henry Party also showed their faces. Magdalena-sama and Harris-sama are also there. Apparently, they are going to cover the costs of this banquet.
"I can't talk about the details, but we received many words of praise from His Majesty. Actually, the Class of 175 was also involved, and tonight's bill is on His Majesty."
The bandits get excited. They might know everything due to the nature of their duties.
When I approached Harris-sama because he gave me a look, he whispered and told me.
"It was lucky the opponent was privateers, but if it had been the regular army of West Liber, what would have happened?"
"Was it dangerous?"
"It would have been war without question."
"B-But, if it's not found out..."
"Did you think so?"
"No..."
"I thought so."
"Yes..."
Apparently, it was found out the moment we set sail. That's only natural. Primordia is a trade point with Sertogne. There would be plenty of Sertorian scouts, and the same would go for other countries.
"Well, it's a hospital ship. Also, while Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama were found out, Magdalena-sama and Miana-sama were not. They had withdrawn once on a Sertorian ship."
That's a relief. In Sianya-san's case, she has almost no combat experience, so we wouldn't know what would happen if she were attacked. However, Miana also said she was scolded.
"The fact that Jeanne, who uses precious magic, was involved in the battle itself became an issue. While Magdalena-sama and Miana-sama were defending Henry-sama and the others, who claimed it was an unavoidable measure, Miana-sama let it slip."
"What did she say?"
Miana is distributing the bread she baked to the bandits. Magdalena-sama is talking deeply with Angelica-san about something. Since Angelica-san is listening with a serious expression, it's probably about Sertogne's cuisine.
"She said that within the range she witnessed, there was no danger to Jeanne."
He looks at Miana and chuckles.
"She said it herself..."
"Well, even if she lied, Evans is there."
In the end, she was made to confess everything.
The King, who had apparently been fearing this would happen from the start, was reprimanding Magdalena-sama, who was supposed to be the chaperone, and Miana, who went out of the country without permission... just then, Evans-sama apparently informed the King that the letter from East Liber had arrived.
The King was said to have lost his words. At worst, it could be taken as a declaration of war with West Liber.
However, he was informed that letters were also coming from various other countries, and the contents were all filled with words of gratitude. Furthermore, he was apparently thanked by the King of Medioland, albeit privately, for preventing the escalation of the war.
"Thanks to that, it ended up being glossed over. Also, there was contact from Finis and Northern Gram regarding the magic water. They say it might be a good trigger to interrupt the war between East and West Liber."
That's amazing. Just as Sianya-san predicted.
"Does it seem possible?"
"No, it's probably impossible."
What a letdown. Is it only the White Island that's getting excited toward peace?
"This time, East Liber's level of determination is different. After all, they've built up this much of a containment net. If this doesn't work, they probably won't ever be able to merge the East and West again. They apparently imposed a new tax to wage war, and if they were to lose, the King might be forced to abdicate."
Come to think of it, Theresia-sama was saying something like that.
But shouldn't a king who imposes a new tax just to wage war abdicate anyway?
The situation on the continent seems to allow for no optimism, but for now, it seems the East Liber side hasn't crossed the border. The Western Front... that is, the army gathered at the border with Sertogne, is apparently in a state of suspension because Theresia-sama withdrew. Since the strategy for the East and West to coordinate and perform a pincer attack isn't functioning, the Eastern Front also seems to be waiting and seeing. However, it hasn't been long since the army gathered. At the royal palace, it's apparently expected that the East, having lost its patience, will invade soon.
"Well, even half a month is fine. The later the outbreak of war, the longer the time for negotiations."
"They are negotiating, aren't they?"
"Ah, they probably are. If they can get the land they are aiming for just by mobilizing the army, there's nothing better than that."
"Is there land they are aiming for?"
I thought it was the occupation of the entire territory.
"Probably. This war is a struggle for the coastline. Both West and East want the coastline close to our mother, the White Island."
The opposite shore of the current White Island apparently mostly belongs to West Liber. East Liber is aiming for that... in other words, are they aiming for the White Island?
"That possibility exists. That's why the West Coast nations are wary of it."
"Suppose East Liber took that coastline, would East Liber invade?"
"That possibility exists. To be precise, it would likely be Engrio's support."
As I thought. If King Seldic's ambition is realized, the entire White Island will become a powerful ally of East Liber. And after that, they just have to defeat West Liber.
"Jeanne has come to understand quite a bit. The West Coast nations centered on Medioland... recently, it's the countries other than Engrio and Morandine... that kind of conclusion is what we should be most wary of."
In the end, it seems to be Engrio.
King Seldic is also carrying a heavy role. I wish he'd just stop already.
After being taught about the situation on the continent, I was called by Eleanor-sama. Violet and Renata are also there.
"Jeanne. Finally, we are going to meet the Dryad of the Royal Capital area."
The beastmen of Regnentes have apparently succeeded in making contact with the Dryad.
"The Dryad seemed to be quite reluctant to meet us humans, but after hearing the story of when Gnome and Jeanne met, her attitude seems to have softened."
I'd be happy if she showed understanding for the idea of coexistence and co-prosperity.
"There's apparently a condition, and I'm the only human allowed."
"Eh?"
"I'm counting on you."
"Eh? No, um. I can't do things like negotiations."
I'm supposed to confirm to what extent humans can enter in order to build a fortress for Demon Lord resurrection countermeasures. I don't know the scale of the fortress, and for starters, I don't even know what's necessary to build a fortress.
"We won't cut down trees except for the fortress for Demon Lord countermeasures and the surroundings of the base that supports it. This is because if we have Paratroop Jaegers, we can transport people and goods without cutting down trees. There's no need to construct highways here and there like in the past."
Apparently, the highway to reach the Demon Lord's cave from the previous Demon Lord subjugation war has already been constructed.
"However, if the Dryad of the Royal Capital area or her kin grow plants and trees and crush that highway, it's a different story."
"Does such a thing happen?"
If so, no matter how many highways we make, it's meaningless. They'll be blocked in no time.
"The highway constructed the time before last was blocked. Whether that was the Demon Lord's doing or the doing of spirits centered on the Dryad, we don't know. Confirmation of that is also necessary. If the Dryad is cooperating with the Demon Lord's army, we must know the reason in detail and take some kind of measures."
"In that case, will she tell us if we ask?"
"I don't know. However, I've received a ready consent when I requested helpers. You won't be going alone, Jeanne, and there's no harm in trying. Don't worry about the fine details; just convey our conditions. Regarding the other party's conditions, it's fine to reserve your answer. I don't think it'll be decided easily from the start, so it's fine if you treat it as a chance to establish a connection. Please take it easy and go with the mindset of going to talk with the spirits you meet at your destination."
Helpers...
When I looked around, Violet and Renata approached.
"Hey, let's go together. If anything happens, I'll definitely protect you."
"I'm always in Jeanne's debt. Lending a clone is nothing. I can only repay you at times like this, so I'm counting on you."
The destination is the Dryad's Forest protected by the beastmen. They'll be the best helpers. I was willing to go since it was already decided, but I never thought a condition like me being the only human would be set. To that extent, I'm relying on the two of them accompanying me.
"I'll send you halfway. Before that, please stop by the royal palace. It's about time His Majesty wants to see Jeanne."
Magdalena-sama and Sianya-san both looked away at the same time.
At any rate, after recovering in the Northeastern Forest, I'm to go meet the Dryad of the Royal Capital area. The reward is a completion reward, which I can get if I manage to meet her. Since the two helpers are powerful, it doesn't seem that difficult.
"The beastmen of Regnentes who went for reconnaissance will guide you. They are the ones who took care of us in Gnome's cave. It's apparently a quite deep forest and the journey will be inconvenient, but securing water and food is possible. However..."
"Is there something?"
Eleanor-sama, who hesitated to speak, shrugged her shoulders lightly.
"However, during the journey, especially after contacting the beastmen who protect the Dryad's Forest, no contact can be made with us. It seems a beastman who uses Teleport will be constantly monitoring."
In other words, sending letters is also no good. She hates her forest being identified. However, I didn't think there was a beastman who was good at the Teleport magic. At least, there wasn't one among those we met in Regnentes.
"Apparently, it's a rabbit. According to the beastmen of Regnentes, it's an extremely rare race and was thought to have gone extinct a long time ago."
A rabbit... That's cute, isn't it?
"It might be the result of specializing in fleeing. Because they are weak. In a sense, they are suited for scouting. Just as our Sertorian national army is, such people are often suspicious. Conversely, if you can gain their trust, you'll be able to win the heart of the Dryad of that forest."
"Is that so?"
Trust...
It's not something that's easily obtained.
"Jeanne will be fine."
"That's right. You should just be as you usually are."
The two powerful helpers say so, but it might not go that easily.
"Well, if anything happens, you can return to my tree's place immediately. If it comes to it, I'll send Elves as reinforcements."
What, so you can use that kind of technique if it comes to it.
Wait a minute.
"Hey, if Renata's clone is coming along, it's useless even if they restrict Teleport, right? I'm surprised they allowed us to accompany you."
"Did you say my clone would go together?"
When Renata asked, Eleanor-sama shook her head.
"The condition given was only that the human must be Jeanne alone. I haven't heard that Violet or Renata's clone must not come together."
"Then it should be fine."
"Yeah. It's fine."
The three of them say it casually, but I wonder if it'll really be okay.