Chapter 552 - Chapter 2: Strategy on the Ship
In late July, I was summoned to the Royal Palace. As previously announced, it was decided that we would head for the altar exploration inside the Silver Mine of Regnentes. The participants from outside Regnentes were, also as previously announced, all priests. Price-sama, Harris-sama, Sianya, and me.
From the crucial Regnentes, it seems it'll be Harrison-san and the beastmen, and as expected, the delinquent prince, Prince Sawelyn.
"What can Prince Sawelyn do?"
In the first place, has he ever fought a monster?
After receiving the formal request from the King in the audience chamber, I tried asking Eleanor-sama in the waiting room. This time, the Henry Party is not participating. However, since the only time the party participated was the irregular response in Engrio, it's not unnatural.
"He can act as a guide. Apparently, without the King of Regnentes or him, who is the administrator, we can't pass through the checkpoints, so we won't reach the wall."
I see. There's a possibility he won't be useful in combat.
Well, however, the holes for scouts, warriors, and elemental mages will be filled by this. We can use Fiona as a trump card, and I've also become ultra-ultra-high-level. If the monsters that appear are C-rank that dwarves can control with Subordination, it should be fine.
The next day, I went to the Royal Capital Great Church and was able to join up with Price-sama.
As I had been told in advance, when I gave my name at the window, I was guided to the guest room. The Grand Archbishop, Price-sama, and Harris-sama were there.
"Price-sama. It's been a while. Are you doing well?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, I am doing well. I am glad to see you are also doing well, Jeanne."
He returned a gentle smile. When he's like this, I can't imagine his biting tone toward his former companions.
"Come to think of it, I heard Jeanne learned a new magic."
"Yes. I was granted Hand Over."
Actually, that's the case. The two-headed snakes were expected to be C-rank, and we only defeated two parents. Honestly, I hadn't expected it, but I managed to learn it well. Moreover, I learned Hand Over, which is truly rare for a user. In Sertoria, only Phillips-sama and Jennifer-sensei could use it. And as far as can be confirmed by the church, there are only five people in the entire White Island who can use it. I am the sixth.
Several times when Eleanor-sama was out of breath, I cast Refresh, thinking I could at least restore her mood. Surely the Goddess took pity on me for that.
By the way, Beatrix learned the mid-level status-change magic Sleep. It must be the result of firing ice magic like crazy to try and make the two-headed snakes hibernate.
"I heard. It is a wonderful thing. With this, even for the elderly Eleanor, recovery will be a bit faster."
Please don't say things I can't respond to. Besides, that applies to you too.
Since the Henry Party isn't here, there are no bowls. We're going to Regnentes by ship, but we'll be riding a ship belonging to the Medioland Royal Capital Great Church. Honestly, I didn't even know such a ship existed.
"Originally, it's something to be ridden when dispatching an envoy for external affairs from the Medioland Royal Capital Great Church. In reality, it's a trade ship for items the church handles. Since it's not something you can ride often, you should enjoy the sea voyage to your heart's content."
He says it in a light tone, but as for me, who was told that, I end up getting even more nervous.
We rode the Beak down the river and headed for the port north of the Royal Capital. When we went to the wharf, sure enough, that ship was moored.
It's about the same size as the Medioland ship I saw before. In terms of warships, it's about a hundred-man capacity.
"The only passengers are Jeanne and me. It's not a matter of needing a ship of this size, but it's said to have the effect of increasing the authority of the church. Honestly, I don't quite understand it. It might be better to ask Primordia to convert it into a hospital ship instead."
They employ a dedicated crew, and usually it seems they transport church territory harvests, centered on grains and honey wine. This time too, they've apparently loaded grains to be transported to Primordia and Sertogne, which are at war. I thought food aid was a talk between royal families, but behind the scenes, the church was also involved.
There are several people who look like guards around the ship. They must be the crew. When they saw Price-sama's figure, they greeted him respectfully. Judging by their behavior, are they priests or former priests?
"That is right. They are those who conduct monster extermination. To be precise, they are crew members, but on the scene, they fight together."
Saying so, he called them together and introduced them.
"Are you Bishop Jeanne? I have heard the rumors. I hear you have been quite active."
It's a gentle tone unlike a crew member. However, I can tell by the atmosphere. They are used to fighting.
"I am mainly focused on support and recovery. Don't you all have opportunities to stand on the front lines?"
"You are too modest. We have heard the story of how you repelled a powerful evil spirit by firing Holy from your mouth."
Harris-sama was clapping his hands and laughing.
Wh-when did that...
When I looked at Price-sama, he said, "Thank you for your help at that time." The gathered guards raised a stir of voices. Honestly, it would have been better if he had looked away. It's become a complete confirmation of the facts.
After that, I was taken up onto the ship and introduced to everyone. Everyone knew the story of firing Holy from my mouth. Since it wouldn't do to have every single thing become a topic of conversation, I decided to go into the cabin early.
"As expected of a student of that Bishop Catherine. You are magnificent. During the voyage to Regnentes, please do tell us your heroic tales."
Even the captain, who gave off a veteran vibe, said so. Honestly, do whatever you want.
After setting sail, I spent time in the captain's room. Since it's a voyage via the usual route, it seems we can just leave it to the crew.
"Jeanne, I heard about the talk in Northern Gram. Good work."
"Thank you very much."
Price-sama already knows. That was quite fast.
"Was it the Wetlands Priestess and the Knight Order? A quite interesting group seems to have been formed."
"Yes. It was a proposal from the King of Primordia."
"That person, unlike ordinary kings, is truly a selfless person. Since he made those wetlands, which could have become a strategic transport hub if he felt like it, into church territory. Moreover, he's even having Engrio put out money to construct an isolation facility for plague patients; he is magnificent."
I truly think so. The series of reforms that began from the political change during the previous war were received with surprise even in Sertoria, which is treated as an outlier in the White Island.
"I heard that the Priestess, who could be called the spiritual leader of that Wetlands Knight Order, suggested making the Ice Island into church territory, didn't she?"
"Yes. It was the Priestess's proposal. I think it was a remark made just as she thought of it on the spot."
After all, she lived quite a long time ago. She wouldn't know about the current political situation. However, the priestesses and priests of that time should have been existences that guided the populace. Although, the Wetlands Priestess was just the type dispatched to the border fortress, so she probably only presided over the religious rituals conducted at the fortress. However, judging by the attitude of the Knight Order toward the Priestess, there's no doubt she had corresponding influence.
"Even a whim is fine. It is important that such a voice is raised in a formal setting."
"The one who said it was a ghost, though."
"The royalty of the four countries who were there judged it to be well worth considering, didn't they?"
Come to think of it, that was the case.
"That is enough. And we were requested to consider it."
According to Price-sama, there was a formal request for consideration from the Primordia Royal Capital Great Church based on that makeshift conclusion at that time. Of course, the proposer was Cadogan-sama. However, since it's clear the proposer was the Wetlands Priestess, he's likely the spokesperson. The Priestess is completely motivated, and I was invited many times after that.
After the mission was tentatively completed by defeating two demons and four parent two-headed snakes in Northern Gram, we went to Finis. It was to prepare two Anti-Sepsis orbs managed by the Wetlands Priestess.
In Finis, grand banquets were held, starting with an exchange meeting between ghosts from the ends of the White Island. There were various other things, but anyway, two members of the Wetlands Knight Order safely entered the orbs.
After that, we escorted Sianya and the others to Primordia and had a banquet at the Royal Palace, a banquet at the wetlands, and a banquet after returning to the farm; it was nothing but banquets. While I was having banquets like that, it seems Price-sama was thinking about various things regarding the Ice Island. Even if we were to go, the problems that must be solved are piled high.
"That is right. Consultation with the Grand Archbishop is a matter of course, as is consolidating opinions within the church, contacting the Great Churches of each country, and coordinating budgets, personnel, and material procurement; I will create a plan by coordinating such things. After creating it, I will consider the validity and feasibility of that plan many times..."
While smiling and in a gentle tone, he told me behind-the-scenes stories that were neither explanations nor complaints. It seems he's had quite a hard time these past half a month or so.
"If there is a request for an opinion or a request for consideration to our church, where the throne of the Grand Archbishop is placed, it will be considered through the process I just mentioned. Especially if it is from the head of a Royal Capital Great Church, who is the representative of each country."
Well, for me, a stray, it was a great study to understand what kind of work Price-sama does.
"Of course, even if it is within the church, there are pending matters that are better not considered publicly at this point. I am keeping those at my place, though."
Saying so, he pointed to his own head and peered into my eyes meaningfully.
He also told me the crucial consideration results. They will apparently accept the proposal from Cadogan-sama... in other words, in this case, the Wetlands Priestess.
"Presumably, we will be going to the Ice Island once by autumn."
Since the captain is nodding vigorously, does that mean, by any chance, we'll be going on this ship?
"In the near future, in the name of the Grand Archbishop, there will be a request for cooperation for financial aid to the kings of each country through the Royal Capital Great Churches of those countries. The pretext is the extermination of the Ice Vice-Demon Lord, which now only remains in legend."
It's the opposite of the Demon Lord extermination. I believe in the case of the Demon Lord extermination, the one who owns the territory where he was resurrected... in other words, the king of that country, requests cooperation from each country, and it should take the form of reporting all those series of events to the church. Of course, the church cooperates fully, but the main body is always the kings of each country. There was such a record in the Demon Lord Extermination Guidelines as well. The problem is that the Ice Island is not included in the White Island.
"As I believe you know, the Ice Island, due to its geographical conditions, currently has no country claiming ownership. In other words, if we were to do it, we would have to devise a completely new countermeasure. But that would take too much time for coordination. And if we do not exterminate the Vice-Demon Lord, damage will also reach the White Island. Then, what should we do? It is simple. We just have to make it church territory as proposed and make it politically included in the White Island. If we do that, it will become the church's island, so the Grand Archbishop will become the person responsible for its ownership, and he can issue requests for support to each country. Honestly, it was a blind spot. I would even like to formally ordain the Wetlands Priestess as a priest of our church."
After that, it seems they just have to exterminate the Vice-Demon Lord, who corresponds to the Demon Lord's army, according to the Demon Lord Extermination Guidelines.
If that's the case, will the church go to the front lines?
"Yes. Since we are making it church territory, the church will have to go and investigate and build at least one shrine, won't it?"
Build a shrine at the place where the Exorcism Barrier was set and enshrine a statue of the Goddess. By doing that, they secure a safe place and connect it with a teleportation magic circle. If they do that, even if that Vice-Demon Lord attacks, they can send support at any time. It's a field position rather than a shrine, but that will likely only be until they establish a church and secure personnel. Since it's a church territory floating in the sea, there are no borders. They can send as many personnel and materials as they want, and withdrawal is also easy. However, the initial exploration will likely be difficult. If the opponent is a demon who was said to be the Demon Lord's right hand, naturally hero-class individuals will be needed, but most of those heroes are currently unable to move due to the ongoing war on the continent.
"What will you do about the fighting force?"
Especially the mages. If the one who suggested it, the Wetlands Priestess, takes the members of the Knight Order, there's no problem, but...
"That is the point. It is a headache. In the current situation, we will not be able to borrow the power of the heroes. The situation is not urgent, and it is a bit hesitant to ask for personnel in addition to soliciting donations. Do you have some good idea? For example, if Jeanne were in my position, what would you do?"
I wonder if it's okay for the number two of the church priests to ask me, a stray? But the answer itself is simple.
"How about hiring strays like Harrison-san in addition to a selection from the church priests who are dedicated to monster extermination? I think it would be even better if some famous church priest with a track record became the commander and took charge, though."
The opponent is the Demon Lord's right hand. There is no one else but Price-sama who is a famous opponent whose name echoes in each country. Or, it's the Headmistress. Although, the Headmistress likely won't participate.
When I said it as if peering into Price-sama's eyes, he burst out laughing.
"Jeanne, are you also telling me to go?"
Price-sama glanced at Harris-sama. Harris-sama bowed his head deeply. He must have said it.
"However, who else is there? At least I cannot think of anyone."
"Then, I will tell you the conditions for me to accept. It is that the person who proposed active opinions regarding this plan goes with me."
Eh?
"I'm going too, you know."
It's Harris-sama. Judging by the way he's giving a wry smile, he must think he failed by saying something unnecessary. I understand the feeling well.
"I'm going too. I ended up saying that if Phillips-sama takes command, please leave the sea route to me."
The captain was laughing, Wa-ha-ha. It seems the outer moat has been completely filled. However, I also call myself a monster hunter.
"Um, I don't mind going, but... regarding the schedule and such, and as a monster hunter, the, um..."
"The reward?"
"Yes, since I cover my living expenses with that."
I still can't say it well.
"I think I can pay you a period reward. Since you are unaffiliated. As for the necessary expenses, I can provide transport, food, and housing."
"About how long will the period be?"
"I think it will become clear once we go to Regnentes. After all, we are scheduled to meet Sianya-sama, the spokesperson for the Wetlands Priestess who made the proposal."
Come to think of it, Sianya is participating in this investigation.
Wait? Hold on a second.
"Um, the priests participating in this investigation are..."
"That is right. They are the people scheduled to go on the exploration of the Ice Island."
I see. I thought the delinquent prince was quite something to summon Price-sama, but it seems I was wrong. The request from Regnentes was just a pretext.
"Also, perhaps, some bad old men from Sertoria and Regnentes might participate in the Ice Island."
When I looked at Harris-sama, he looked away. They'll surely participate. Well, anyway, it's no reward. I'm only worried about the King's mental fatigue.