Chapter 531 - The Wetlands of Primordia
In the afternoon, we went to the royal palace and reported to the King that we were going to Primordia. Until now, when going to Primordia officially, Magdalena-sama and Miana usually accompanied us, but this time they were not participating. Nothing was said, but they probably overdid it last time. It might also be related to the fact that the opponent is an evil spirit. I tried to ask Magdalena-sama during the evening banquet, but I was quickly caught by the King and had to listen to his complaints. Lately, it's been about Miana. Miana seems to be hearing various things from bandits and Kingdom army soldiers disguised as workers at nearby diners and bars, and it seems the opportunities for her to talk about various things have increased. While he's happy about her growth as the manager of the fourth shop, he's also worried. Well, after all, her grandmother and mother are like that. It can't be helped.
The next morning, seen off by Magdalena-sama, who looked bored, and the King, who had a contrasting refreshed expression, we boarded the ultra-high-speed medium bowl and headed for the Primordia Royal Palace.
When we came over the capital, we revealed ourselves. In fact, we were even fluttering the black dragon banner of the Sertorian Royal Family. After slowly circling over the palace, soldiers gathered in the courtyard in droves.
We landed right in the middle of them.
"Henry Party, you have done well to come. It is good to see you are healthy."
The King of Primordia is also used to this. He was exchanging words amiably with the old couple as they handed over souvenirs.
"Hello, Jeanne. Beowulf isn't here this time, I see."
Sianya is Sianya. She probably knows everything, yet she asked.
"But Edward isn't here either this time."
Speaking of evil spirits, the Loud King comes to mind, but he must be busy.
"Then, there shouldn't be a problem even without Beowulf, right?"
"Oh? Is that so? Tee-hee."
Shoot. I got caught.
Cadogan-sama had also come to the palace.
After all, he's the proposer of this operation. It's only natural.
After the greetings between the royals were over, we were shown inside and a meeting was held.
"Actually, we tried to carry it out with just our country. However, the number of evil spirits was too great, and we were forced to retreat. Sadly, as you know, there are no ultra-high-level magic users in our country. Therefore, we requested cooperation from Bishop Harrison, who is famous for evil spirit extermination, and Sertoria."
The King of Primordia began.
"The destination is a place called the Demon Realm. A land that even your father, who fought alongside us as a comrade to defeat the Demon Lord, gave up on conquering. It is only natural to deal with it as an issue for the entire White Island."
It was Henry-sama. Unfortunately, they couldn't conquer the Demon Realm during their prime. Regarding that point, he and Eleanor-sama harbor feelings of regret.
"Those called heroes have such kind words. I have no words to express my gratitude."
"No, no, it's just the truth. So, you say we're stepping into that Demon Realm this time?"
"That is what we are thinking. Actually..."
Originally, this plan began to be considered because Theresia-sama's escape route had become limited. If she could have landed on the White Island early on, there would have been no problem. However, the distance from the westernmost port in Engrio to the easternmost port in Primordia was too great. As a result, she ended up traveling along the coast of Sertogne. On that side as well, the distance between ports was far, just like the opposite shore.
They wanted a port and a fortress where they could flee near the border with Engrio.
"In addition to that, there is the spread of the plague on the mainland. I won't say who it is since they are a person from an allied country in this war, but there was a gentleman who went around ravaging towns and villages on the mainland. It was effective as a strategy, but the plague, which already showed signs of spreading, showed a rapid expansion. It's no wonder. The number of refugees whose houses were burned increased. Among the refugees, there must have been those who were already infected with the plague or those who became infected along the way. They fled into large towns with no food. Apparently, the number of plague patients increased explosively."
It's probably the Crown Prince of Engrio. However, he doesn't seem to have calculated as far as the spread of the plague. Because the plague is reportedly spreading even in the Engrio army. Eleanor-sama said that the Crown Prince of Engrio won the battle against the West Liber main army. At the same time, he reportedly suffered many losses.
Naturally, that influence is also reaching the East Liber army and Engrio army that have dispatched troops.
"Therefore, it has become necessary to accommodate both wounded soldiers and sick soldiers. The injured will have to be handled somehow on that island in Sertogne, but plague patients are impossible. Fortunately, the western part that our country is in charge of seems to have little damage yet, so we have to do something while we can."
If the hinterland is a wetland where evil spirits nest, complete isolation is possible. Since it's also close to the mainland, even if it's on the border, neutrality can be maintained if it's made into church grounds. The thinking isn't bad. Of course, that's assuming the facility can be built safely.
"We intend to do what we can. To the six of you gathered here today—Archbishop Cadogan, Bishop Harrison, Bishop Phillips, Bishop Harris, Bishop Jeanne, and Bishop Sianya—as well as the Henry Party, I am truly sorry for the great trouble. However, this plan is not just a matter related to the war. We must prevent the spread of the plague on the White Island by patients pulling back to the island. Please, I ask for your help."
He bowed his head to us.
Of course, the participants have no objections. It was decided to go on a reconnaissance mission as early as tomorrow, and then we consulted on the details.
Watching for the right moment, I reported what was found as a result of Sight being strengthened.
"You can see the source of the disease?"
The one who bit was, as expected, Cadogan-sama.
"Yes. There should be a formal announcement from Magdalena-sama at the next meeting. Bishop Phillips has also confirmed it, and in Sertoria, we are attempting to categorize diseases into those where the source can be seen and those where it cannot."
I looked at Bishop Phillips, and he gave a light nod and explained the future plans. They are planning to create a large magic circle to cast Sight on multiple research institute staff at once, and to conduct training to accurately identify the source of diseases.
"We won't go as far as a water spirit, but at the research institute, we're thinking it would be good if we could get the cooperation of an Alraune. When such a time comes, we'll be counting on Jeanne again."
It was Bishop Phillips. I carelessly hadn't noticed. Come to think of it, I was originally being taught by Flora too.
Eleanor-sama didn't bring up the topic regarding rats. The conversation moved on to the planned construction site for the isolation facility, and the King of Primordia spread out a map and confirmed the location of the wetlands. It's further east than the place where the naval battle we experienced recently took place. It seems to be the place where the hospital ship Theresia-sama was on started being chased by privateers. In other words, even if she had come to the White Island at that time, there would have been no place to flee.
At Eleanor-sama's suggestion, it was decided to immediately scout from the air.
The Henry Party has undoubtedly flown over it many times. The map in front of me also looks like the ones I'm used to seeing. I'm sure the party made it. However, it is technically the border. The King of Primordia also didn't say who made it.
The King of Primordia also said he wanted to see, so we all decided to go see together. However, since the opponent is ghosts, Mary stayed behind.
Taking off from the courtyard and flying at ultra-high speed, we arrived overhead in no time.
Looking down from above, it's obvious at a glance. To the north of the wetlands is a mountainous area. Since the mountain ridges are continuous, the border road, the pass, and the area where the destroyed fortress is are completely indistinguishable. There must be a fair distance. From that mountainous area, several small streams meander and merge into one, flowing into the southern coast, and the wetlands spread around that river. The area near the river mouth extends as if jutting out into the sea and is connected to a small island. Centered around that, sandy beaches stretching in arcs to both the east and west. The river mouth seems to be right in the middle of the two sandy beaches. From the coast to the mountainous area is about half a station's distance, and the width connecting the two sandy beaches is also about half a station's distance. The wetlands are shaped close to a trapezoid. Assuming it was all farmland, based on the distance I was told, it would be about the size of one village in the Nakanohara District. In terms of population, it would be a scale of three hundred to at most five hundred people.
The river isn't that wide. At most twenty or thirty paces. The plain area where it wouldn't be strange to have a village is likely where the bright green grass is growing. It spreads around the river. It's also on the island connected by the sandy beach. Is that where the planned construction site for the facility is? The plain area also extends long and narrow behind the sandy beach. It's like an embankment preventing the wetland water from overflowing. Behind that, a dark-colored plain area spreads out with many ponds and marshes; it's truly a wetland.
Incidentally, adjustments have already been made with the Engrio side, and it's reportedly been agreed that it will be managed solely by the church, only church facilities will be built, and only the flag of the Western Church will be flown. In other words, since it will be the church's own land belonging to neither side, people from any country can come and go if they get permission from the church. They'll also reportedly provide half the money.
"How is it? Jeanne. Can you see them?"
Eleanor-sama asked me. It's probably about whether ghosts or evil spirits can be seen even during the day. During the day, high-level priests can see them to some extent, but magic users cannot.
"Yes. I can see them."
Far from just seeing them, they're there, they're there—they're swarming all over the wetlands. Why have so many gathered here?
Whether they've noticed us or not, they're all looking this way.
The appearance is quite shocking; their entire bodies look as if they've been charred black. Is it death by fire? Those that look bloated—did they drown in the wetlands? There are no gaunt-looking ones, so there might be no deaths from disease.
The clothes they're wearing—about half are old-era armor, or what you might call leather breastplates. The rest are also likely old-era clothes. They're wearing tunics. Surprisingly, there are also some wearing priestly robes. There are old people, women, and even children. It's as if people died all at once in units of villages or towns.
"What happened here?"
Having this many dead in one place is unthinkable except for war, but I can't imagine there was a large-scale war in a wetland like this. Are demons involved, and are they gathering ghosts like at Morandine?
"This wetland is a cursed land with a history."
The King of Primordia said.
Cursed land?
When I looked at Sianya, she was just quietly looking down at the wetlands. She must be able to see them too.
"It's not a story worth hiding, and those from other countries who know it, know it. I'll tell you the story associated with this land for now."
The King of Primordia said that and began to talk about the curse of the wetlands.
About three thousand years ago, silver was discovered in a mountain near the current Primordia Capital. Based on the contents written in the annals, it should be around the era when iron tools were finally introduced from the mainland. However, silver weapons and armor were also prized as rare items made by elves. Although the smelting and processing techniques of the time were crude, it was thought that if the techniques were refined, it might be possible to make a sword that could pierce even steel. The lord of the land where it was discovered sought to monopolize it. As time progressed, processing techniques gradually advanced and began to be put into practical use. Around two thousand five hundred years ago, he united the surrounding minor lords and became an existence that could be called the leader of the current western Primordia, prospering greatly.
Other lords both feared and rebelled against the western invasion. Led by the lords of the central and eastern regions, they showed a stance of forming an alliance and attacking. The figurehead was the lord who owned the wetlands. At that time, it wasn't a wetland, but a plain. It must have been a rich land. Since it was also close to the mainland, it must have been economically blessed. Accordingly, its power seems to have been significant. As a result of uniting the minor lords of the central and eastern regions, their military force greatly exceeded that of the west.
Even if the weapons were excellent, the smelting and processing techniques were what they were. It's not like they had the numbers. In the first place, given the era, the population would also be small. The lord who discovered the silver mine greatly feared the invasion of the allied forces. Therefore, he sought to break up the allied forces. He negotiated that he would be the leader and would share the silver if they became his allies. Negotiations with the minor lords went well, and many lords defected. On top of that, he made a move to negotiate with the lord of the wetlands. He proposed setting up a place for peaceful talks and negotiating a deal including silver.
The lord of the wetlands agreed to come to the negotiating table. The place for negotiations became the fortress of the lord of the wetlands. On the day, minor lords from all over Primordia gathered, bringing along escort soldiers.
The rest is the standard foul play. The resistance forces, including the lord of the wetlands, fought hard but lost the battle and were burned to death along with the fortress they fled into after being severely wounded. Naturally, the family of the lord of the wetlands suffered the same fate, and all the residents who resisted were killed. The lord reportedly shouted at the people who deceived him, "I will never give you this land, and I will curse you for all eternity."
The fortress continued to burn indefinitely. Everyone thought it was suspicious, and when they asked a local priestess, she said it was the fire of the curse of the lord who was burned to death after being deceived. And to cancel this curse, they had to call forth clouds through prayer and make a great rain fall. Immediately, they gathered many priestesses and priests and prayed, and as a result, a heavy rain fell and safely extinguished the fire of the fortress. Everyone was happy. However, this time the rain wouldn't stop. As you can see, this land is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one side. And the coastline is built up like an embankment. The rich plains became flooded by the heavy rain that continued for many days. Thinking it was suspicious, they asked the priestess who had spoken about the fire of the curse once more.
The King of Primordia stopped here once and looked at everyone.
"The priestess was the aunt of the lord who burned to death. In other words, she fulfilled her nephew's curse. Since then, this land, which was fertile farmland, became a cursed wetland where spirits attack any living human who approaches."
When he finished speaking, he offered a prayer to mourn the dead toward the wetlands.
The minor lord who plotted the foul play thereafter became the leader of the region that would become the current Primordia, and that bloodline became the central nobility of later generations. As time progressed further, when mercenaries from the mainland began to hold territories and encroach on the surroundings, they judged that they couldn't easily win against that formidable military strength and, after consulting with the Western Church, welcomed one of the leaders of the mercenaries as their leader. That is the origin of the current Primordia Royal Family. In other words, the Primordia Royal Family is related to this wetland.