Chapter 533 - The Primordia Wetlands ③
On the high ground that was smoldering with smoke, Wilson-san carefully poured water with Shower magic to extinguish the fire.
When the front rim of the medium bowl was lowered, Harrison-san stepped down right into the middle of the high ground.
I thought the ghosts might find him since he left the range of Camouflage, but perhaps because the high ground was reasonably wide, there was no movement. Harrison-san was walking around, thrusting his staff here and there.
The bowl followed slowly behind him.
Harrison-san, who was continuing the exploration, was writing on parchment every time he found something. It seems he's making something like a sketch. Bishop Phillips also went down, and the two of them made a sketch together while consulting with each other, saying this and that.
Their investigation was so thorough that the time limit for the bowl Eleanor-sama made passed, and we even had to move to a new bowl Wilson-san made.
During that time, the four remaining priests divided up the directions and checked the movement of the ghosts. Those who couldn't see the ghosts couldn't help even if they wanted to, as they shouldn't go down in case something happened. It was frustrating, but it couldn't be helped. When Henry-sama sat cross-legged on the bottom of the bowl, everyone sat around him as they pleased.
There is one more high ground candidate for the fortress. However, the investigation of the other one ended much earlier. The investigation of both ended around the time I thought the sun was starting to set.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting. I've consulted with Bishop Phillips, and we believe this will serve as a clue."
Apparently, it was worth coming to the high ground.
"Good work," I said, and the bowl ascended and left the wetlands.
We returned to the palace and had a strategy meeting.
The sketches Harrison-san and Bishop Phillips made were spread out on the table.
When I peeked to see what was written, it was the arrangement of the stones found on the high ground. By investigating the arrangement of the stones, they could apparently infer things like wells, warehouses, and stone walls, and from there, the arrangement of the fortress buildings. The church does investigations of such ruins. I've been independent from the start, so I have no experience, but Harrison-san is a former church priest. In fact, everyone except me was experienced. Not only that, but the King of Primordia, Eleanor-sama, and Wilson-san also seem to have abundant knowledge in that area. Before I knew it, even Will and Bonnie joined in, and based on the investigation records, they began to draw a map of the village on new parchment, saying this and that.
"It will probably take a while. You should rest well for now."
Henry-sama is not participating. He asked the server for a refill of beer and brought some for Beatrix and me.
The work continued until dinner was ready, and after dinner, Beatrix also participated and it was continued. This was because she was drawing a map of the wetlands together with Bonnie.
It was finished at midnight. It was when I was watching Henry-sama, who was bored, giving sword practice to the fortress soldiers.
The detailed explanation was for tomorrow, but I was at least shown the finished drawing.
"It cannot be denied that there is a fair amount of imagination involved, but we have incorporated things found in various ruin investigations by the Western Church so far, so I believe it is generally correct."
Cadogan-sama said that and showed us the drawing on the parchment.
The reproduction drawing used paint and reproduced the fortress in vivid colors.
There is an oval high ground at a bend in the river that meanders from north to south. The high ground is in contact with the river on its northern half, west, and southern half. The top of the high ground is surrounded by a wooden fence. The gate is to the east. The gate is at the top of the stairs.
"This large building would be the house of the lord and his family, and a meeting place. The longhouse-style building to the south is the residential area for the soldiers."
Cadogan-sama explained the buildings one by one while pointing at them.
Inside the fenced top area, there was one large wooden building in the center, one longhouse-like building to the south, several warehouse-like buildings to the north, and watchtowers made of logs in all four directions. People wearing things like tunics are also drawn in the picture. There are also people wearing things like brown armor holding spears. There is a crowd in front of the large building, and in the center, a man with a sword and a slender woman are drawn. They are likely the lord and his wife.
Finally, there was an explanation about the wells: one behind the large building and one behind the longhouse to the south. Both are on the west side of the buildings.
"Most likely, these wells were connected to the river. They probably pumped up river water. In other words, if they wanted to make them an escape route, they could have. And if there was a secret passage leading to the well in the basement of the mansion, it wouldn't have been so difficult to escape to the well."
It's a sudden conclusion. No matter how much the wooden mansion was burning, it would be fine if they escaped into the water. If they went out to the river at night and just caught onto a tree and let themselves be carried by the current, they could escape to the sea.
Just when I thought the answer had already come out, there was an explanation about the other high ground.
The other high ground is a somewhat north-south long oval shape. It's due west of the fortress ruins. Since the pond is on the west side of the high ground, if there was a road from the fortress, it would be a straight road after turning west.
In the drawing, there were rectangular stones arranged in a circle, one not-so-large building, and a place where stones were neatly arranged.
"This high ground is likely an altar and a cemetery. There were stones arranged in a circle in the middle, and around them were stones thought to be gravestones. This hut was the place for the priestesses and priests, just like the current church."
Back then there were no churches, and various events were held at places with altars. Especially places to mourn the dead must have been cherished.
"As another escape route, the possibility that it was connected to this altar can also be considered. Even in war, they wouldn't have desecrated graves or harmed the priestesses and priests nearby. Because if they did such a thing, they would be cursed."
Cadogan-sama finished the explanation and looked at everyone with a meaningful look.
Suddenly, I remembered the legend.
When the fortress was continuing to burn, the side that attacked was taught by a local priestess. That priestess must have lived in the building next to the altar. And the priestess said the fire that continued to burn was the curse of the dead lord. The priestess said he died. There's no way he's alive. However, the priestess was the lord's aunt. Even if the priestess's identity was revealed, she wouldn't have been killed. Because those who kill priestesses or priests lose the Goddess's protection and are cursed.
Isn't the story too perfect?
"What do you think? The things found in the investigation and the legend. These two are quite interesting. They make us think of various possibilities, don't they?"
Cadogan-sama smiled.
It's obvious that everyone is trying to investigate the grave, not the fortress. To be precise, not the grave, but the hut where the priestesses and priests would have lived. However, even if they are alive now, it's one thing, but no matter how you think about it, they are dead. Besides, if the lord had successfully escaped, there would be no reason for him to flood the land he ruled. He wouldn't be able to restore it. If he burned to death as the legend says, he might have become a powerful evil spirit manipulating many ghosts. In that case, the secret passage exploration would involve extreme danger. What to do?
The expert Harrison-san claimed that the investigation before the exploration was insufficient. After all, first are the ghosts of the wetlands. All the priests think they are not ordinary ghosts. As a result of various discussions among everyone, we decided to rely on an expert in a different sense from Harrison-san.
For ghosts, it's ghosts.
We'll consult with the lord and the Queen of the border between Finis and Northern Gram, where Fiona is training. I thought about going to Finis and getting the ghosts of the lords there too, but it would be a problem if they got into a fight with the ghosts here. Besides, the border lord is a top-class ghost in the north, and his partner is a former Queen. It won't be too late to conquer after consulting with the two of them.
Sianya contacted Saxburg, and the Henry Party, including Beatrix, decided to go consult on the medium bowl. It's from one end of the island to the other. It's physically tough to keep flying with only breaks. Assuming one night in Sertoria, one night at the border lord's place, and one night in Sertoria on the way back, it will be three nights and four days even at ultra-high speed. Naturally, we'll have to stay one night when we arrive in Primordia. Four days will be open. Cadogan-sama, Harrison-san, and Harris-sama decided to look into the church records, and Bishop Phillips and I were to be taken by Sianya to the plague treatment center.
The next morning, when we went to the treatment center, Bishop Anri was visiting Theresia-sama and they were talking. Apparently, they've been consulting daily about the seriousness of the plague's spread on the mainland.
The attending knights have also been kind to me as a result of my casting magic on Theresia-sama and her symptoms becoming lighter. Unlike last time, they immediately told Theresia-sama that I had come.
"Has Jeanne come? Please show her in immediately!"
"Oh! Has Bishop Jeanne come? I heard you've become Ultra-High level. I must offer my congratulations."
Theresia-sama was sitting up in bed, and the Bishop was sitting in a chair right next to her.
Both of them knew that I had become Ultra-High level and were very happy for me.
Bishop Anri seems to have been exchanging letters with Bishop Phillips, but they had never met. Along with Harrison-sama, the two are greeting them for the first time.
A priest is standing in the corner of the room. He must be the assistant for the blind Anri. Apparently, Bishop Anri is called to Theresia-sama's hospital room once a week, and the two of them talk about various things.
Both of them seem unusually energetic, but they are still patients. They immediately begged for Ultra-High level Anti-Sepsis. If it were a situation where every second counts, it would be one thing, but it's not. Despite that, they both started saying, "Experiment on us," and no matter how much I explained, they wouldn't listen. I finally got them to give up by telling the attending knights that they might end up bedridden at worst and getting them on my side to persuade them.
In the end, I was to cast High-level, but this time a competition started over who would have it cast first, and they both started appealing about how their own condition was heavier.
One is a princess of a great nation, and the other is a bishop of a good age.
"Bishop Anri. You are a priest, so you should yield to a secular person at a time like this."
"Theresia-sama, what are you saying? For me to try it first is, so to speak, being a poison taster. It is vital for those of royal blood to act with caution."
The attending knight winked at me while smiling. Apparently, it's a regular occurrence.
Well, I suppose you could say they are on good terms.
After much ado, I was able to hear various stories from the two about the situation on the mainland. Apparently, it's quite serious.
"In the coastal areas of eastern West Liber, it seems that refugees who have run out of food are wandering around, and as a result, the plague is spreading in every town and village. It is particularly easy for infants and the elderly to become severely ill, and in the case of infants, they reportedly die not long after the onset."
According to Theresia-sama's story, infections have already been confirmed in the East Liber and Engrio armies, and it's no longer a situation for war. On the other hand, it reportedly hasn't reached the western or inland areas yet.
"Do you think Crown Prince Richard of Engrio is considering withdrawal?"
He won the battle, but he'll be running away while leaving behind the terrible parting gift of the plague's spread. He'll surely be hated by West Liber.
"From a purely military perspective, it could be said to be a windfall for Engrio. Not only did they fight and win against the West Liber main army, but they also reportedly took several influential nobles prisoner. They can get a lot of ransom money."
It would be the price for the corresponding sacrifice. According to Eleanor-sama's story, they seem to have suffered considerable damage.
"It seems so. The cavalry, which achieved the greatest merit, reportedly suffered the most damage. Centered on the cavalry, they seem to have lost nearly thirty percent."
Since the army was originally about twelve thousand strong, four thousand people would have died. On the other hand, the West Liber army reportedly lost fifteen thousand people, nearly forty percent of its nearly forty thousand troops. However, the defeated soldiers, being local, reportedly managed to regroup. Currently, Crown Prince Richard's side has eight thousand, and West Liber has twenty-five thousand. In terms of ratio, it's three times. Moreover, there are reportedly many more following.
Being a great nation, the original number of soldiers must be large.
"Currently, sieges of towns are continuing in northwestern and eastern West Liber, but due to the spread of the plague, our country's and allied countries' armies might also suffer damage."
"They should just withdraw early and stop the war."
Bishop Anri spoke without hesitation to Theresia-sama, who was sighing.
"They just need to at least take the town they are currently besieging. By then, the spread of the plague will have become even worse. Then, it will be easy to conclude a truce agreement."
The attending knight said something strong to encourage her. Seeing that he's not saying to do as originally shouted and go until they occupy West Liber, the situation on the mainland might be quite terrible.
"Mediation might be necessary."
It was Sianya, who had been silent until now.
"Mediation? What on earth does that mean?"
Theresia-sama asked.
"I think stopping the spread of the plague comes first. However, that's not something that can be done while continuing the war. Therefore, some country needs to reach out to both countries and provide a trigger for a ceasefire. Fortunately, a certain country on this White Island has already made contact with West Liber."
It's Northern Gram. Transactions of magic water should have begun.
"And, Bishop Anri. You have connections with plague researchers in both East and West Liber. Those researchers hold a certain status in the local churches and should have corresponding influence, right?"
Theresia-sama and Bishop Anri looked at each other.
"The Great Unification that Bishop Anri proposed. How about starting it right here and now?"
Everyone was surprised by the bold statement in a calm tone from Sianya, who usually stays as a listener.