Chapter 550 - Backyard of Stray Priest (21)
This is an afterword for Chapter 18.
"According to the Bishop, it's about time for the Kraken to lay its eggs."
While having lunch, the Count spoke to everyone.
Vectis Island. The island's lord's manor stands on a small hill overlooking the port of the island, which serves as a base connecting the sea route with the White Island, which could be called the main island. There is a town at the port, and more than half of the island's residents live there.
From the manor of the Count, who is the lord, the entire town can be seen. At the manor, except when there are guests, it was customary to have meals three times a day with the manor's servants in the dining room on the first floor, which has a good view of the town. However, on that day, there was one guest. She was sitting snugly beside the Count, drinking honey thinned with water. She is one of the Alraunes living in the forest a short distance from the fishing village in the southwestern part of the island.
The Alraune serves as an interpreter between the villagers of the fishing village and the fish monster called Bishop. Having obtained information regarding the Kraken from the Bishop, she had contacted Sir Archer, the manor's butler, and arrived in the welcoming carriage.
"The new ship can set sail at any time."
Sir Archer replied.
The Count had a large ship for trade with domestic and foreign countries, including the continent, in addition to the ferry that served as a transport route with the White Island on the opposite shore of the port. He had added one more ship.
That new ship was built in preparation for the day of the Kraken egg search. Since magic cannot be used and it is a sea area where pirates appear, it has functions as a warship, such as having a watchtower and multiple ballistae installed. For the size of the hull, it has many oars and is fast.
The new ship could be called a custom-made item just for having combat functions, but it also had equipment not found on other dedicated trade ships.
Of particular note is that it has a room that could be called a special suite. One room is equipped with a large water tank. By filling the tank with seawater pumped from the sea, consideration is given so that the Bishop, a sea monster, can lead a comfortable life on board. That room has a vertically long door on the side of the hull, allowing the Bishop to jump into the sea from the ship. When pulling him up from the sea, a rope is lowered, and the Bishop, who has grabbed onto it, is pulled up by human power.
"Then, Sir Archer, can I leave it to you?"
"Leave it to me."
Sir Archer was originally human. When the Count, who is a Vampire, suffered a major injury in a confrontation with the Bishop, he became a Vampire as a result of providing a large amount of blood for life-saving. Of course, unlike pure Vampires called Progenitors, his abilities are significantly inferior. However, as a result of inheriting it from the Count, who is from the continent, in the form of a curse, there was a big difference compared to other monsters on the White Island.
"Sir Archer. Your abilities should be usable even if you leave the White Island. However, there are likely more people who do not know that. Even more so for those from the continent. In the unlikely event of a battle with pirates, you may use them without hesitation."
"Will it not become a diplomatic issue?"
"I do not care. Show those who dare attack a ship flying my crest what for. Make sure they never think of attacking our ships again."
"Ha! Then it shall be so."
Sir Archer replied with a solemn expression.
Three days later, the brand-new ship, with the flag dyed with the crest of the House of Count Vectis fluttering, set sail from the island's port. On the day, many islanders, starting with the fishermen living in the village on the sandy beach near the Bishop's sea cave, came to see them off. The islanders have high expectations for the new industry of Kraken rearing. This must be a reflection of that.
Since the Bishop appeared on the island, the area that had been considered a good fishing ground had effectively been occupied by that Bishop. When there were many poor catches, there were even times when they fished as if stealing glances from the Bishop. As a result of the people from Sertoria achieving a reconciliation, the fishing grounds have yielded large catches every time they go out with the Bishop's cooperation, and those are sent not only to the village's processing plant but also to the processing plant at the port, becoming cash income for those who work there. The Kraken promises even greater returns. They were going to get the eggs of that Kraken. Everyone had gathered to catch a glimpse of the brave Bishop.
As the crowd waited, the Bishop revealed his hideous form as if prompted by Sir Archer, who had opened the door on the side of the hull. Seeing that, the crowd raised a stir of voices. There were even women who almost screamed and hurriedly suppressed their voices. Seeing the expressions of the crowd, which clearly felt fear rather than familiarity, the Bishop tried to hide himself, but when he saw the hunters from the fishing village near his dwelling smiling and waving their hands vigorously, he finally responded by waving his right hand.
Once the door closed, it was time to set sail. Sir Archer caught the wind he created with magic in the full sails, and they left the wharf.
"What's wrong? You don't seem energetic."
The Alraune interpreter spoke to the Bishop, who was soaked up to his shoulders in the water tank filled with seawater. The Alraune, who dislikes the sea breeze, is wearing clothes made by stitching together bat wings. It is something used in wards housing plague patients in several countries on the White Island, and it was a gift given as a sample. Since she became involved with the Bishop, she has been using it regularly to avoid saltiness. Usually she is in a different room, but occasionally they talk as fellow non-humans. That was the same on the island too.
Ge-ge-ge, the Bishop replied.
"Hmm, I understand the feeling well. In the opposite sense."
What does she mean by the opposite sense? The Bishop looked at the Alraune as if asking that.
"I am still afraid of humans. Because for a very long time, I was a target of human hunting. And unlike you, I don't have a way to fight. In that sense, I envy you."
Ge-ge-ge, he replied.
"It's okay. You don't have to apologize. Now, thanks to the Count, I am in a safe place, and the islanders are all kind to me. You also have fun banquets with the people of the fishing village after fishing together, don't you? It just takes a little more time."
She said so and smiled gently.
The ship, which left the port as if sliding, targeted a small rocky reef area sitting alone in the sea far northeast of Finis. They proceeded along the coast of the White Island.
On the way, they stopped at the ports of Engrio, Morandine, Northern Gram, and Finis. It was for the crew's rest and the loading of water and food. The power of the flag dyed with the crest of the House of Count Vectis was absolute, and as long as they paid the port entry fee, nothing was asked. They stayed at each port for two nights, during which neither the Bishop nor the Alraune went outside the ship.
Seeing the northern tip of Finis on the left, they continued north. From here on, land becomes invisible. Beside the Bishop, who decided the direction of travel while looking at the sun and stars, the Alraune interpreted.
At noon on the fourth day after proceeding roughly northeast from the northern tip of Finis, the Bishop gave instructions to stop the ship. They had approached the target reef.
Among the expected events, the most dangerous was encountering a Kraken. However, it seems they originally live in deep parts of the sea and don't come up near the sea surface that often. Especially during the day, they should be safe because they should be sleeping while lurking in the deep. He had volunteered for reconnaissance just in case.
"I can see nothing."
The Count asked those around him.
It is the middle of the great ocean. It was a sight the Count was seeing for the first time. No, it wasn't just the Count. Most of those on board the ship were the same.
"It is quite a lonely thing."
He hadn't thought he would become this anxious just from not being able to see land. It was already the fourth day. Presumably, if they proceeded toward the southwest, they would be able to return to the White Island. However, there is no guarantee of that. Much less calculating the wind direction and the flow of the tide to proceed; for him, a former farmer, it was beyond imagination.
"Will it be okay? If the Bishop has been taken out by a Kraken..."
"D-do not say such ominous things. The Bishop is a monster powerful enough to win against the Count. Not even a Kraken could..."
The panicked tone itself spoke of the Count's true feelings.
"B-but, the opponent is that Kraken, right?"
"U-hmmm... Then, shall I go and search from the sky using the Flight Magic I just learned?"
"Th-that is absolutely not allowed."
"Why?"
"If the Bishop is gone and even Sir Archer disappears, what will happen to this ship?"
"That is why I told you not to say ominous things."
As Sir Archer and the crew repeated an exchange that seemed to fan each other's anxieties, the Bishop poked his face out from the sea surface and raised a cry.
"Hey, it seems it's okay. He's saying to pull him up."
The people on the ship who heard the Alraune's voice let out a collective sigh.
The subsequent work ended very easily. They went by ship to near the reef, and from there, the Count went to the reef with Flight Magic. Following the Bishop's instructions, they packed six eggs into barrels. The eggs were large, and only one could fit in a barrel, but by using Flight Magic, he was able to transport them in no time.
The mission was accomplished. All that was left was to return. Because the Count blew a stronger wind than usual, the masts even creaked, but everyone rejoiced at that.
The Bishop said it would be faster if they rode the current heading south, so although the direction was different, they decided to ride it.
Everyone was smiling, having been released from the fear of the Kraken. According to the Bishop, the White Island should come into view on the third day. It is more than half a day faster than the outward journey. While singing songs cheerfully, everyone talked together about how to use the reward money the Count had promised, enjoying the carefree sea voyage.
The first day passed without incident. Early in the morning of the second day as dawn broke, three ships were seen proceeding toward them from the south.
Vertical striped sails were down on the masts. They were shallow-bottomed ships, but they had many oars and were fast. Round shields were lined up on the ship's edges. They were the pirates they had heard rumors about.
"S-Sir Archer! It's pirates!"
The lookout shouted in a loud voice. Sir Archer instructed a combat stance. The crew took their positions at the ballistae on the watchtower and loaded arrows. Swords and shields were distributed to everyone. Sand was scattered on the deck to prevent slipping.
"Stand by. Do not make a move from our side!"
Whether they made a move or not, the crew had no actual combat experience. They were usually under the Count's protection, and above all, if they had the large flag flying the crest of the House of Count Vectis, no one would challenge them to a battle. However, that was a story limited to the coastal areas of the White Island where magic could be used. If they went offshore, there was a full possibility of being attacked.
"Leave it to me!"
Even if he was a subordinate type, Sir Archer, who is a Vampire, thumped his chest.
As Sir Archer, he wanted to avoid a battle. The Count had told him not to worry, but as expected, it would be bad if it became a diplomatic issue. Moreover, the opponents were the kind of bellicose lot who, despite engaging in piracy, would invade using the fact that they suffered damage from a counterattack as a reason. He thought it would be troublesome later on.
"I will settle the talk. Until then, do not make a move."
Saying so, he calmed the lot whose legs were shaking.
When the pirate ships approached, they said they wanted to negotiate. Sir Archer allowed them to board on the condition that they were limited to five people.
"What I want to say is simple. If you don't want to be attacked, hand over your money and goods. I won't take your lives."
Was he the pirate leader? An exceptionally large man threatened them. He had a toned physique, blond hair down to his shoulders, and for some reason, his beard was tied like a braid into a single bundle.
Of course, Sir Archer refused.
"Can you not see that flag! This ship belongs to His Excellency Count Vectis."
Usually this should settle it.
"Ho ho, Count Vectis, you mean the famously rumored Vampire?"
"That is right."
"Then, let me request a match with the Count. I've wanted to try fighting a Vampire, which I've never even seen before. If I lose, I'll back off quietly."
"Wh-what?"
It was an unexpected answer. He had never even thought there would be a lot who would try to challenge a Vampire despite being human. Is he crazy?
"Unfortunately, the Count is not here."
"What, then there is nothing to fear. Hey, boys. Kill them all."
The pirates raised a cheer all at once.
"W-wait! I myself am also a Vampire!"
"Oh, is that so. Then, you'll do. A duel with me. However, no magic. And weapons are free."
"Wh-what?"
Sir Archer is a former farmer. He received instruction in magic from the Count, but he has no knowledge of the sword.
"Surely someone who is an immortal Vampire wouldn't use magic against a weak human. That would be cowardly. Not a man."
When the leader said so, the other four pirates jeered, "That's right, that's right." This kind of maneuvering was also inexperienced for Sir Archer. Usually he only does discount negotiations.
"I-I'll do it!"
He accidentally rose to the provocation.
"Good, it's decided. I'll use this. What will you use?"
Saying so, he drew his sword. It was made of silver. If he were struck properly, even the great Sir Archer might perish. Sir Archer reflexively swallowed hard.
Just then, the door opened, and the Bishop came out. Ge-ge-ge, he said something.
"He says he'll fight instead."
The Alraune interpreted.
"I-isn't that a Bishop Fish! Why is it in a place like this!"
"He is my master's subordinate."
"S-subordinate! This monster?"
"Do not say such rude things. I will not allow you to treat my subordinate as a monster."
"S-s-s-s-subordinate?"
"That is right. Is there something wrong with that?"
It was correct in a way. In terms of combat power, currently, the Bishop is the strongest, followed by the Count, and Sir Archer is far below. However, in the organizational structure of the Vectis family, the one with the highest status after the Count is Sir Archer, who holds a title.
"M-my bad. I'll apologize, so just let us go like this!"
"Wh-what? Well, as long as you understand."
"S-sorry. I owe you one. Hey, we're going back!"
Saying so, they quickly returned to their ships and left.
Sir Archer, who was left standing there, didn't understand at all what had happened.
"You see, since he came to Vectis Island, he's punished pirates who attack White Island ships several times. Since then, they apparently run away immediately like that."
"I-I see."
Sir Archer collapsed on the spot.
Six days later, they were able to return to the island's port safely. There was no damage, and they were able to secure enough Kraken eggs. It could be called a great success.
When they entered the port, they could hear everyone who came to welcome them doing the Bishop Call. Judging by the number of people, it could be said the whole island was out. When they stopped at the port of Morandine, Sir Archer had written in detail about the Bishop's activities and sent it via the magic circle for sending letters. He had interviewed the Bishop and even wrote about how he had punished the pirates. Moreover, at that time, the Bishop had not caused any deaths.
The Count showed the parchment that had been sent to everyone and told them how the Bishop was a good-natured monster.
"You're quite popular, aren't you?"
The Alraune, seeing the crowd of welcomers, spoke.
Ge-ge-ge, he replied bashfully.