Chapter 513 - Seventh Story: Toward the Conquest of the Dragonewt Village
The Wolf Man Elder put a stop to the Dragonewt couple's wedding.
"It's better not to do such a thing right now and risk unnecessarily provoking the Dragonewt Village."
If word were to reach the Dragonewt Village, those who misunderstood it as being mocked might get angry and attack without question, he said. It feels like overthinking, but that's likely how great the power of a Dragonewt is. For Beastmen, the words of the strong are justice. They might have had unreasonable experiences.
"Then, is a wedding impossible?"
The Dragonewt princess looked dejected.
"By 'right now,' do you mean it will be possible eventually?"
I asked just in case.
"I think it would be no problem if the circumstances of this time are successfully conveyed to the Dragonewt Village."
The Elder said that if the Gnome has become the backing for the two of them, even the Dragonewts likely won't be able to lay a hand on them.
"Then, I must somehow convey it to my father and mother."
"I don't recommend you two going to the village. They likely have their own positions to consider."
"Then, someone must convey it. But going to the village is not easy."
"Bishop Jeanne is going to the village, so why not have her convey the story of this time?"
Both of them looked at me.
Well, I expected as much.
"Will I be believed if I convey it?"
"Bishop Jeanne, you receive the protection of three of the great ones and are going to the Dragonewt Village at the Gnome's request. Only humans would doubt you."
I see. That might be true.
As a result of such an exchange, I had to go to the Dragonewt Village for the sake of the two's wedding. Moreover, they won't tell me the location or how to get there. Even though they eloped and broke the laws, they apparently must keep the secret.
All that is known is that it's somewhere in the Central Mountain Range, likely midway up or higher.
After the meeting with the Dragonewt princess ended, I returned to Nakanohara for a while.
We had a banquet to celebrate everyone's hard work. This time, we succeeded in making contact with the Dryad of the Royal Capital area and were able to conclude a peace agreement. The King also seemed pleased, and the cost of the banquet was covered by the Royal Palace.
I also successfully met the Dryad, so I received the reward. Moreover, it seems a special allowance will be given besides that. However, the details are under consideration, so I don't know how much I'll receive.
"The request this time was contact and a meeting with the Dryad. It would have been enough if you had created the opening for negotiations. But Jeanne, you produced results far exceeding the Royal Family's expectations. What the Kingdom of Sertoria has gained is truly significant."
It was pure praise.
The results that could be cited are the conclusion of peace negotiations, confirmation of boundaries within an acceptable range, commencement of trade, exclusive trade with orchards and medicinal herb gardens managed by spirits and sharing of information regarding cultivation methods and breed improvement, and the complete neutralization of the Dryad's forest through the Dragonewt guard and the Gnome's backing. Compared to the previous battle with the Demon Lord's army, the defense front of the Royal Capital area has significantly decreased. The Demon Lord's army, which had deployed as far as the foot of the plateau... in other words, west of the river, will not be able to advance their army there in the future. Of course, this is assuming the containment around the Demon Lord's cave doesn't fail.
"Regarding the orchard, we will not only sell the harvest in the Royal Capital market but also construct sorting and processing plants as part of the support project for the impoverished. Regarding the medicinal herb garden, it will be placed under state management by attaching a processing plant to the medical research institute, enabling management and sharing across the entire White Island. Regarding processing, it will of course be a support project for the impoverished."
It was Magdalena-sama. She's managing those areas along with Miana.
"His Majesty said the original reward was too small. Therefore, we are considering an additional reward with Evans, so please wait a little longer."
The original reward was ten gold coins. I only had to convey the negotiation proposal from Eleanor-sama to the Dryad I had an appointment to meet and create an opportunity for negotiation. Guards were attached, and it was relatively simple, so at first, I thought it was even excessive, but if the country is satisfied as a result, it's perfect. If I can receive an addition, I have nothing to say.
There was a similar development before. At that time, I received the agricultural testing ground in the Flatlands. Moreover, with the help of the Paratroop Jaegers. I might be able to look forward to it.
After the banquet, we had a strategy meeting for the conquest of the Dragonewt Village. The participants were Henry-sama's party, the Elf Prince, Alex, Violet, and me.
"Since the perennial snow has melted considerably, it should be easy to find clues."
Eleanor-sama is showing enthusiasm. That's natural. After all, it's almost May. The perennial snow has melted considerably except for near the mountain peaks. The target is places where there was snow despite the low altitude. Those places might be disguised with camouflage. Likely, snow still remains there now.
"Dragonewt magic is not that simple. It might look like snow in winter and like the mountainside in summer. It might even be a place that looks like alpine plants are growing."
It was the Elf Prince.
Since he participated in giving the blessing to Glory, we stopped treating him as an outcast. We haven't given him a nickname. Since there's only one Elf eligible to participate, everyone calls him 'Elf' or 'Elf Prince.' He doesn't seem to care particularly and doesn't mind. However, he seems to like the Class of 175 brooch and wears it on his collar.
"We have already narrowed it down to several locations. However, as a result of the Elf's magic detection, there were reactions in multiple places, and we couldn't identify the village. Of course, there's the possibility of multiple villages, and we can't discard the possibility of those living separately."
There are apparently more than ten locations. In some cases, there's the possibility of disguised traps, so it's better not to approach easily.
Then, what do we do?
"We'll search thoroughly starting from the places that seem safe."
Um, isn't it dangerous if we approach carelessly?
The Elf Prince furrowed his brow, and Alex and Violet laughed loudly.
"If we approach suddenly by bowl, there's a possibility it will be nullified and we'll crash. We'll land nearby and go on foot. If it comes to it, we'll escape with Alex's Teleport."
Starting with mountain climbing right away. I wonder if it'll be okay.
That said, we aren't departing with just that.
The results of the investigation with the Elf Prince were written on a map, so I was shown it. The north and south slopes of the Central Mountain Range, the peaks, ridges, canyons, and flat areas where a village might be are drawn. The marked parts among them are the parts covered by magic that seems to be camouflage. There are twelve locations in total, north and south combined. That's a lot...
"We'll further divide the north and south slopes into three each: East, Middle, and West. Looking at each divided area, there are two locations each."
I see, I see.
"Among the areas divided into six, it has been found that the areas on both the east and west sides have relatively lower magic application compared to the central area."
When Eleanor-sama looked at the Elf Prince, he was puffing out his chest proudly. It must be something humans can't understand.
"And in the central comparison, it has been found that the north central side is stronger than the south central side."
He puffed out his chest even more.
"Therefore, the first to explore should be the east or west of the north slope, where the magic application is lowest."
He gave a large nod.
Furthermore, there was an explanation about Dragonewts from the Elf Prince.
"They excel in agility and are skilled in handling weapons. The weapon materials themselves are no different from humans, but because they apply magic enchantment, their destructive power is significantly increased. Their magic control is also powerful, and it's no exaggeration to say each individual is equivalent to a Demon Race executive class. That said, they shouldn't be as strong as those entrusted with the third or fourth layers of the Demon Lord's cave."
In other words, it means they are at a level where it wouldn't be strange for them to be entrusted with the first or second layers. They are truly the strongest group. Aren't they stronger than the Demon Lord's army, let alone humans?
"They are said to have dragons as their ancestors. But there are four types of dragons depending on the attribute. Which one of them?"
It was Henry-sama. If the attribute is clear, there will be weaknesses too.
"I cannot say that much."
He spread both hands and shrugged.
"Probably all four."
It was Violet.
"Is that so?"
"Um, the colors are different. The ones I saw this time were blue for the man and purple for the woman. And the ones I saw before were bright yellowish-green, well, green. And dark deep green. And if the basic color for water is blue and the basic color for wind is green, I think there are those with different colors for each attribute. But I don't know why the Chieftain is purple."
I see, by color. Then it's simple.
"If you mix blue and red, it becomes purple. So, doesn't that mean the Chieftain has two types of characteristics?"
"That's right. You're amazing, Jeanne."
I was praised by Violet. However, this is something Beatrix taught me. When creating new colors with magic that changes hair color, you can make various colors just by how you mix about three colors. Purple is a combination of blue and red.
"Then, the one we met the other day might have both water and fire."
That's an amazing combination in itself, but in the sense that if he releases fire magic and a fire starts he can immediately put it out himself, it's convenient.
In that case, the remaining ones would be the yellowish-green of wind and the brown of earth. If you mix those two colors, I recall it becomes a dark deep green. It also matches Violet's eyewitness testimony. But a deep green Dragonewt. It certainly sounds strong.
The distinction of colors was made. In that case, I can somehow tell which area will be which color.
"There is no connection between the current habitats of the Four Great ones and dragons. I think that's because dragons died or moved. Therefore, let's assume as a basis that there are villages for each attribute along the alignment of the Four Great ones."
Then it's simple. The Central Mountain Range doesn't run exactly east-west. The east side is slightly more to the north compared to the west side. The current arrangement of the Four Great ones is Dune in the north slightly shifted to the east, and clockwise from there, Mel, Salamander, and Gnome. Water and fire, wind and earth—these 'dangerous to mix' groups are on diagonal lines, so the center would be the village with the two families of Chieftain candidates. And since the one currently acting as Chieftain is purple, the influence of red and blue should be strong. Since the say of the strong is justice, this is also undoubtedly correct. In other words, north central. If so, the weak ones are wind and earth. In other words, the eastern end of the south slope and the western end of the north slope.
"Wind and earth, then. Which one shall we go to?"
Wind. I somehow think so.
"Wind seems easier to talk to. I don't have a reason, though."
At Violet's words, everyone nodded at once.
The first target became the eastern end of the south slope. One of the two magic reaction spots there.
"It's close to the fortress of the Nakanohara Light Infantry Corps. Let's make that the main camp and conquer it."
It was Eleanor-sama. Before I knew it, the talk had become like a siege battle.
"Look here. The place we're aiming for has stronger magic application in the parts where trees grow compared to others. Likely, because it's far from the dwelling of the Gnome and the Earth Dragon, the influence of the decrease in land power was less."
"In other words, it means it's easier to approach such a suspicious place."
The Elf Prince chimed in on Eleanor-sama's explanation. Since it was his first time participating in such a discussion, he seemed lively, perhaps happy.
"Yes. We'll place a midway base in this shrub forest, and from there, we'll aim for infiltration by approaching at low altitude riding in a concealed bowl."
"Hmm. Not bad. And the bowl should be a small one. But it's meaningless if we can't see through the opponent's disguise magic. It's whether the Magic Break of a Dwarf or Elf will work."
"If it doesn't work for you all, I can't think of any other way besides Jeanne's Light."
"I see. Even though they are Dragonewts, they are, so to speak, monsters. Monster magic might be sealed by Light. Then, why not have Jeanne rush in and launch a surprise attack with Alex using Teleport?"
"That's good. Let's do that."
There's no way that's good!
When Alex and I raised voices of protest, the two of them were laughing, saying it was a joke. Apparently, even the Elf Prince has been influenced by Eleanor-sama. When did it become like this?
There won't be a rush in with just Alex and me, but it doesn't change that it will be a surprise attack for the opponent. It would be unbearable to be attacked at the same time as infiltrating.
"Hey, hey, why don't we rush in with Dune or Mel? It'll be fine no matter what happens."
Violet said so, but that won't do.
Humans have cut off contact with Dragonewts. Therefore, if we take one of the Four Great ones, we would be relying on their power. While the Dragonewts fear the Four Great ones, they would refuse a relationship with humans who borrow the authority of the Four Great ones. And the neutral spirits cannot deny that.
That's what the Gnome meant when he told us to go to the Dragonewt Village and convey his words. First, we must reach it by our own power.
"Hmm, I see. Got it."
But I'm happy you're worried about me.
In the end, we have no choice but to leave it to luck and rush in. At the midway base, we decided to leave Wilson-san as a guard for Will and Bonnie, who can call Dune, Mel, and Gnome if anything happens, and we decided to challenge with a six-person formation: Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Alex, the Elf Prince, Violet, and me.
The implementation period is next month. Starting the day after the May Festival. The period was set until the day of the full moon when the restoration of the Northeastern Forest is performed.