Chapter 520 - Chapter 12: The Dragonewt Village ②
Once Alex finished laughing and explained about the Wyvern Island, the Elder was quite delighted.
The Wyverns that escaped the Northeastern Forest had indeed come to the Central Mountain Range. And they had visited the Dragonewt Village. However, the pre-existing Earth Dragon was in the Central Mountain Range. At that time, including the Fire Dragon of the Mountain, there were several other dragon habitats, and it seems there were dragons of attributes suitable for each location. Wyverns prefer high mountains. In the southern part of the White Island, the Central Mountain Range and the Mountain are high. It's natural that they first aimed for here, which was the closest.
The Dragonewts thought about trying to take care of them somehow. The Dragonewts, who knew the intensity of territorial disputes between dragons, guided them to places where food and water could be obtained, let them rest sufficiently, and then devised a plan for their subsequent acceptance.
"Our ancestors thought that if the Wyverns were clustered in one part of the mountain range, they would be noticed by the Earth Dragon and a conflict would occur. Therefore, they dispersed them to the five most distant locations on the north and south sides of the mountain range. However, the Wyverns desired to live in a pack. In the end, they said they would change their location."
Apparently, they told them to aim for the north out of necessity. At that time, the Dragonewts had already moved their village to a high location.
"The reason we came up to this area was the Earth Dragon. That fellow, his eyes were blinded by the gold offered by the Demon Race, and he joined the Demon Lord's army. As you know, we maintain neutrality. We had no choice but to part ways with the Earth Dragon. That said, we had no intention of leaving this mountain range. So, we decided to leave the matter of the Earth Dragon to Gnome, and since then we have lived near the mountain peaks."
I hope it's not...
"Um, by any chance, does living in a high place mean that kind of thing?"
"Exactly. We Dragonewts are different from those who continue worldly conflicts. Of all things, the greedy Earth Dragon lived in a place that corresponds to the back entrance of the Demon Lord's cave. We couldn't live in the same place as the Earth Dragon, who we didn't know when he would join the Demon Lord's army, or even worse, the Demon Race."
Could it be that the reason Northern Nakanohara became the Demon Realm is related to that? Well, it's also true that it becomes the back door to the Demon Lord's cave.
"The Demon Realm? It's just some Orcs and Ogres spawning. You're exaggerating. Humans should handle that much on their own. If you throw fifty thousand humans at ten thousand Orcs, it'll be just the right balance. If it's twenty thousand, then a hundred thousand; if it's thirty thousand, then a hundred and fifty thousand. Go in with the intention of killing a hundred and fifty thousand."
Don't say such reckless things as if it's someone else's problem. A rebellion would break out the moment such a plan was made.
"I am sorry, but our country's regular army only has about ten thousand soldiers in total, so we cannot use that method. Any further reinforcement would lead to the bankruptcy of the national budget."
Eleanor-sama is answering seriously...
Alex is laughing hard.
"Therefore, with the cooperation of spirits and friendly monsters, we decided to isolate the stray Orcs in that land. The problem is the resurrection of the Demon Lord, but originally it was said that it was not connected to the Demon Lord's cave. Now, we are thinking of somehow sealing it back to the way it was."
"Isolate? You won't kill them? I assume there are skilled people who can slay the Demon Lord."
"We believe the stray Orcs were created by someone. The Water and Wind spirits think the same. That they are not beings that should originally exist in this world. In other words, they were being made. In fact, we have exterminated an evil spirit that was making Orc eggs through sorcery."
"What! Is that true!"
"Sorcery, you say?"
Both the Elder and the guide are surprised.
However, unfortunately, it was the truth. I saw it all. There are witnesses in the Royal Capital regarding the fact that monsters were being strengthened in the Northeastern Forest. During the Behemoth incident, I even fought alongside a boar.
Eleanor-sama spoke in detail to the two Dragonewts about the reality of the Demon Realm they solved together. So far, the Demon Race has been involved in everything. Though, they were doing it secretly from the Demon Lord.
"I never thought the Demon Race was doing such things."
"Elder, are you going to just leave such lawlessness alone? Shouldn't we take some kind of action?"
The guide pressed the arm-crossing Elder. That's natural.
"It is clear that what the Demon Race is doing is heresy, but it must all be in preparation for the war with humans. If that is the case, we can do nothing."
"Even so, isn't it out of the question to create living things through sorcery? It should be stopped immediately."
As expected. It's exactly what you'd expect from someone who has just been watching the conflict between the Demon Race and humans from a high place. He intends to object to the Demon Race's methods.
Things got a bit complicated, but it settled down with Alex suggesting that the Dragonewts talk among themselves. It's probably because doing it in front of humans would break their neutrality.
After that, the conversation got lively with stories of dragons they had met in various places. As for the dragons, except for the Earth Dragon, they are hunting together with humans. They seemed to have complicated feelings about that point, as their smiles were subtle.
Alex and the Elf Prince provided the topics about dragons, but neither of them mentioned the Black Dragon Child. They are acting as its educators. Seeing as they both kept quiet, they must have some plan. So, I decided not to talk about it either.
The conversation got quite lively, and by the time we left, it was sunset.
Upon leaving, the Elder promised to put in a word with the Vice-Chieftain. That said, it doesn't mean we can enter the village where the Vice-Chieftain lives. I was told to challenge it as such. However, if the Vice-Chieftain comes to the village of the Wind-attribute Dragonewts, he will contact us. Apparently, they will talk again at the Elder's house. It seems the Wind-attribute Dragonewts are positive about trade with the Dwarves and Elves. Starting with the teaching of dried meat and Flight Magic, the Dwarves and Elves will divide the roles and make arrangements, and contact me as necessary. In short, if human-made goods are needed, the Dwarves or Elves will trade with the Class of 175 to procure them, and then the Dwarves or Elves will handle them as goods to be traded with the Dragonewts.
"If we can trade with humans by having Elves or Dwarves mediate, can't we do similar trades with the Demon Race?"
I can't say it out loud, but there is a secret pact with the Demon Race in the Northeastern Forest. According to the Cait Sith, they are having trouble securing food. Since those guys wouldn't make dried meat or alcohol, they'd be in high demand during winter. Incidentally, the pack led by the Gigant has no problems because there are originally many animals and magic beasts that serve as prey.
"Trade with the Demon Race?"
"Yes. But it's not direct trade. It's through spirits. Of course, this is about you all, and humans will not be involved at all."
There's a Cait Sith over there, and Alex and the Elf Prince are here. Even now, when the Black Dragon Child participates in hunting, it's also driving magic beasts toward the north. There's no problem as long as humans aren't involved. As proof of that, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are just smiling.
"We can do it if we want to. As long as we have the alcohol made by Dragonewts, we can exchange it for anything."
Alex supports me. Even the Demon Race must want to get drunk once in a while.
"Even if you do that, you won't gain a single penny."
The Elder says this, but that's not what it's about.
"Well, that's true, but our shop does various businesses with humans, so don't worry."
"You really intend not to be involved."
"Yes. Well, the Demon Race would hate it too, and we have our own position relative to other humans."
"Hmm," the Elder and the guide look at each other.
"What a strange girl. Are modern humans like this?"
He's asking Eleanor-sama with a subtle phrasing. I don't know how it was in the past, but even the Priestess from a thousand years ago did various things like creating a labyrinth with the Earth Dragon, visiting the Dragonewt Village, and teaching agriculture to Beastmen. Even if I, living in the present, propose trade between the Demon Race and Dragonewts, it wouldn't be that different.
"According to the spirits, Jeanne is just Jeanne."
It's Eleanor-sama. Certainly, I've been told things like that lately. Especially by Dune and Mel. Somehow, I feel like I'm not being treated as a human.
"I see."
No, so, why can you be convinced by that explanation? It's weird, right?
Violet, you're laughing too much.
The next day, I was told to wait for a day, so I waited at the secret base... I told the guide the location, so it's not a secret anymore... though, just in case, I had the three members of the staying-behind group hide outside... and then news came that the Vice-Chieftain would meet us. Moreover, he even came all the way to the secret base.
The Vice-Chieftain was a person with dark green hair and wings, and his loach beard extended completely past his chin. It's longer than the Elder's. Perhaps the length of the beard represents the difference in rank.
After the initial greetings, he asked about the eloping couple. Moreover, he told me to answer.
He seems to have heard various things about me from the Elder, so can I consider myself somewhat trusted?
"Do you know anything?"
"I do. I am sorry, but I believe it is something that should be spoken directly to the Chieftain, so I cannot speak in detail yet. However, I will tell you that they have received a request from Gnome and have decided to live toward the future."
When I answered that, there was a slight pause. During that time, the guide just looked down. I think he might have laughed a little.
"Is that so. You are honest. You didn't say you didn't know, you said you couldn't speak."
"Because I am a priest."
"What does being a priest have to do with it?"
"Priests do not tell lies."
"Hmm. You seem to be a decent priest."
That's a subtle expression. I wonder if there were liars among the former priests.
To my surprise, the Vice-Chieftain spoke about the fact that the couple had left the village. For the sole heir to elope is like a disgrace to the clan. Normally, one wouldn't talk about it. Perhaps he has a bad relationship with the Chieftain.
"Young people tend to act on emotion. Jeanne. Are you humans the same?"
I wonder? As far as I can see from Henry-sama and the others, I feel like both old and young act on emotion in the same way.
"Isn't it a matter of individual difference?"
When I glance at the old couple, they are both pointing at a stain on the ceiling, saying it's a strange shape. It seems they have self-awareness.
"I envy the spirits who act and judge calmly, whether old or young."
Is that so? From what I see of my acquaintances, I feel like they're all the same.
Alex and the Elf Prince are both giving fist pumps. They might not have self-awareness.
"We must protect this land. Do you know why?"
Actually, I don't know at all. The center of the White Island should be the Mountain. So, if you say you protect the Mountain, I'd understand, but the Central Mountain Range shouldn't be like that. Gnome is nearby, but that shouldn't matter much. It should be desirable to be equidistant from the other Four Great Spirits. The Central Mountain Range is outside the square surrounded by the current habitats of the Four Great Spirits. Even if it becomes a trapezoid with five spirits, one of the vertices would be Engrio, so it wouldn't change.
"Isn't it because if the Demon Race occupies the high mountain to the east... the sacred mountain that humans call the Mountain, this land is the only place that can oppose them? Conversely, if the Demon Race completely masters this land, humans would have to occupy the Mountain."
It's Eleanor-sama. Wilson-san said that the Mountain is the center of the White Island, but it's the first time I've heard that the Central Mountain Range is comparable to it.
"Ho, you understand. That is exactly right."
She's giving a fist pump at the Vice-Chieftain's words.
"Currently, the Mountain is the territory of the Wind Spirit. Therefore, someone other than the Demon Race or humans is needed to protect this land. Otherwise, one of them might be wiped out. And the guardians to prevent that are the Dragonewts. Jeanne. Don't you think so?"
Wouldn't Gnome be okay? I feel like we could just have him move here.
"Of course, Gnome would be fine. However, Gnome will not come. And in this mountain range, there is the cave where the Demon Lord will be resurrected, and the Earth Dragon, who once teamed up with the Demon Lord, lives here. We cannot rely on a Gnome who won't come. You understand, right?"
To be honest, I don't really understand, but I'll keep quiet here.
"In short, we must protect this place. Likely from the Demon Race."
Here, the Vice-Chieftain paused.
"By the way, I hear you humans are mining silver and using it for weapons and armor."
"Yes. Since I am a priest, I don't know the details."
"And Jeanne. It seems that while you are a priest, you also run a business."
"Yes. I'm doing it with my companions on a small scale."
"How about it? Why don't you make a deal with me? What you want is alcohol. In exchange, why don't you provide silver weapons and armor?"
Oh, the talk suddenly turned to trade here. Moreover, it's a direct trade with humans, and what's being handled are weapons and armor.
"V-Vice-Chieftain! That... the Chieftain's permission..."
"You, be quiet."
"But, trade with humans is..."
"Shut up! This is a high-level political judgment to fulfill the duties of the Dragonewt race. What do you know!"
"Y-Yes... M-My apologies."
It's not peaceful at all.
When I look at Eleanor-sama, she moved only her eyes sideways. She's also suspicious, as expected.
"How about it? Jeanne. It's not a bad deal."
"I am sorry, but the buying and selling of silver is handled only by the Royal Palace, and it is prohibited for others. Therefore, we cannot handle it."
"Hmm. Then, how about those two? I heard they are the former King and former Queen. You should be able to make a decision, right?"
"I am sorry, but the handling of silver is a direct trade between King and King, or in the case of the Dragonewt race, with the Chieftain. Therefore, please have a discussion between the current Majesty and the Chieftain."
It's not a lie. Since Henry-sama is a plenipotentiary, he is the King's representative. In other words, it becomes a talk between King and King. However, that's after showing the document and declaring his position to the other party.
"I-I see. Then, what about the Elves and Dwarves?"
"We just dig. The actual goods all belong to the humans."
"We just process them. Getting the actual goods comes first."
This isn't a lie either. However, since Elves and Dwarves are beings outside the law, they can buy and sell raw materials. I'm keeping quiet about that.
"I see. Then it can't be helped. I just asked as a trial in preparation for the conflict with the Demon Race. Let me tell you, I didn't think of seriously buying them. You understand, right?"
"I am in awe of your deep foresight. As expected of the Vice-Chieftain of the Dragonewt race. It was merely a hypothetical story, wasn't it?"
"Umu. You understand well. That is exactly right."
"Then, let's act as if I didn't hear it. Since I didn't hear it, I will not mention it to others."
"P-Please do so. I'm counting on you."
"Yes. Leave it to me."
Eleanor-sama's eyes are suspicious. It seems this Vice-Chieftain might be a shrewd one.