Chapter 553 - Third Episode: Exploration of the Regnentes Mine
When we arrived at the port, we first went to the Royal Capital Great Church. We joined up with Harrison-san and Sianya and greeted the Grand Archbishop, who is the head of the church. Next, we went to the Royal Palace and greeted the King. From there, we rode a carriage and headed for Harold-sama's mansion.
"Sianya-sama, I am Harold, the master of this mansion. You have done well to come to my mansion. This Harold feels ten years younger from this honor beyond his station."
"If someone like me can be of use, I am more than happy."
Harold-sama is welcoming her with a knight's bow. Since it seemed like Henry-sama and the others were coming and going as they pleased, I had thought of it casually, but Sianya is royalty from another country. Looking around, Godwynn-sama and the rest of the family are welcoming her. Behind them, the servants are lined up in a long row. The carriage was surrounded by a scout unit that had appeared out of nowhere before I knew it.
They are exchanging greetings of "nice to meet you," but as expected of a princess. Even though she's giving a very ordinary priest's bow with her hand wearing the bishop's ring, a beautiful field of flowers seems to float in the background.
"Oh, Jeanne, you look energetic. Good to see you, good to see you. Let's go inside and have a drink."
The treatment is quite different. If others saw it, my background might be the counter of a bar.
"Harold, it's been a while. Thank you for taking care of us this time."
"Oh, Price, it's been a while. To think you'd stay at my mansion, have you been disliked by the old fogies at the Great Church?"
"Since the lodging and food are free here. We can also have a carriage for transport; it's killing two birds with one stone."
"From next time, I shall charge for your portion alone."
"Then, shall I prepare a letter of thanks in exchange for the donation of that amount?"
They are going at it as usual. The Headmistress said it was licking each other's wounds, but I can't possibly think so. Even if they are both highly skilled, they really became companions.
That said, Harold-sama's mansion is extremely convenient, and the King and the Grand Archbishop came to the dinner party, but the King and the Grand Archbishop were also in incognito mode and were dressed simply for their status. I hadn't heard, so I hadn't brought my vestments, but it was no problem. There were no other nobles, and the number of priests who came with the Grand Archbishop was small. There were more of us from abroad.
Everyone was in a frank mood, enjoying the food and drinks while chatting.
Sianya has brought the Wetlands Priestess and ten members of the Knight Order. For some reason, Price-sama gave instructions to the servants, and food and drinks were prepared in a separate room. He also gave me a look, so I decided to call Fiona and the spirits and have them join in.
"How is it, Jeanne! Are you drinking!"
That Harold-sama suddenly got involved with me. He's banging on my shoulder. He's completely drunk. What is with this old man.
"Honestly, you. You shouldn't take it out on others just because you're losing your seat as the Military Minister."
It's Price-sama.
But, why on earth, fired...
"It's resignation, resignation. I'm making way for the younger generation."
"What do you mean, younger generation. You're just handing it over to your own son."
"It can't be helped since the scout unit achieved the greatest merit in the previous war."
"Even so, it has nothing to do with Jeanne."
Exactly. I'm happy that Godwynn-sama, whom I know, is being promoted, but it has no direct relation. If it were Beatrix, it would be one thing, but I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Sertoria.
"Well, don't say that. I'm thinking of moving to that village and doing some weeding after I retire. I think I'll be in your care too, Jeanne, so please look after me."
"He'll be lonely because no one will pay attention to him once he loses the position of Military Minister. Please look after him."
Hmm. A former hero. It'll be good publicity, and it'll also be for the defense of the village.
"To the Lord?"
"Oh, I've obtained his consent."
"How about Harrison-san?"
"Harrison is welcoming me."
"The landowner, Beatrix?"
"I haven't talked to her yet. Could you put in a good word for me, Jeanne?"
Hmm. Laying the groundwork. Since he's obtained the Lord's consent, Beatrix won't say anything.
"Working the soil is good, but I think everyone will be happy if you work hard at bear hunting and boar hunting."
"Leave it to me. I'm good at the bow and stone-throwing. Besides, even if I look like this, I can use Wind Barrier and Teleport. I can fly in the sky and make an emergency escape. I'll be useful."
That's incredible. As expected of a former hero. I have to have him come even if I have to ask.
Teleportation magic circles are expensive. Despite that, we're using up the number of uses by connecting the processing plant and the village, or connecting the Lord's mansion, or teleporting bears and boars. It seems the scout unit is transporting them in bowls as part of their training, but that's not enough. We were using the reward money and reparations received from the previous war. Since Harrison-san and Beatrix are there, we can draw the magic circles ourselves. If the user of the magic to be infused becomes a villager, it'll only cost the material fees.
He's the former Military Minister. The Lord won't say no.
"You're going to the village after you resign, right? When are you resigning?"
"Next month."
"Thank you for your hard work."
I have to say congratulations to Godwynn-sama too. However, the crucial Godwynn-sama is not in this room, perhaps because he's attending to the King and the others.
"By the way, Jeanne."
"What is it?"
"Regarding this investigation, it's been decided that I'm going too. It's my last job as Military Minister. I'm counting on you."
When I looked at Price-sama, he closed his eyes while saying, "Unfortunately."
"I look forward to working with you. I heard that the beastmen and one member of the royalty are participating."
"Yes. Sawelyn-sama is participating. Because he's been entrusted with the management of the exploration area by His Majesty."
"I see. What kind of fighting style does that Sawelyn-sama have?"
I don't know what he did in the previous war. He wasn't a unit commander either.
"He's not the type to do something on the front lines. He's finished after giving orders."
What is that? He'll be completely useless.
"Well, try fighting together. Then you'll understand."
Ummm. I wonder what will happen.
I reunited with that delinquent prince the following afternoon.
The place was a scout unit fortress, presumably near the mine.
"Ah, you've come."
This was the first thing he said. This is no longer a greeting.
"Where is the place for us to stay?"
Surprisingly, Price-sama replied. As expected, no greeting.
"Ah, Sianya-dono and Bishop Jeanne are in a separate room, and the others are the same as Harold and Godwynn. I'll have someone guide you now."
"Understood. Then, I look forward to working with you."
"Come back to this room once you've finished carrying your luggage."
"Yes. Understood."
That's all.
Sawelyn-sama gave a look, and two scouts approached.
"We will guide you to your rooms."
"Eh? Ah, yes."
"Please."
Sianya and I went out into the corridor.
"Sianya, have you met that prince before?"
I tried asking in a small voice after entering the room. Normally, one would exchange greetings. Yet, neither he nor Sianya even tried to greet each other.
"Once. He came to Primordia."
At least they've finished the "nice to meet you" greeting.
"A-aren't greetings okay?"
They are fellow royalty. Normally they exchange greetings.
"Sawelyn-sama is a strange person, and it seems he thinks that once he's greeted someone once, it's unnecessary from the second time onward."
What is that? Isn't he confusing it with a self-introduction?
"He seems to be a strange person. Perhaps because of that, a notice has been issued."
"A notice?"
"Yes. It's from the Grand Archbishop."
Apparently, there's an instruction to keep conversations with the delinquent prince to a minimum. Is that for real?
"It's a joke."
She's giggling.
The strength leaves my knees.
"Listen, Sianya..."
I knew that royalty was a gathering of eccentrics, but I wanted Sianya to be normal.
According to Sianya, the delinquent prince is a famous person in the churches of each country, and apparently it's become a standard joke. Since it's a notice from the Grand Archbishop... anyone in a high position will do... it must mean, don't take him seriously.
"What is he like as royalty?"
Since he's royalty, diplomacy with each country is an essential job. With that kind of way that's wrong as a human, he won't be able to get by.
"That's right. But, at least it's not wrong."
"It's not wrong?"
She says something unexpected.
"There's no regulation of obligation anywhere. Not even in the doctrine books. So, it shouldn't be possible to assert that it's a mistake."
That's true, but there's such a thing as common sense. Since it's normal to exchange greetings, in the first place, if it's not done, it doesn't feel good.
"Yes, so I can't empathize. But, this is the other party's country. There's no profit in arguing."
"You mean to just accept it?"
"Because no matter what you say, the other party won't change their style. Persuading them is just a waste of time."
"Then, what will you do if he comes to Primordia?"
"I won't do anything. We won't change. As Jeanne said, we can't have mutual understanding with someone who doesn't even greet us, right? It would be good if we could. If he's someone we can't have satisfactory mutual understanding with, I don't think we can promise anything. In that case, even if he requests something, we'll just refuse everything."
I see. She won't complain about the other party's thinking, but she won't reflect it in her own thinking. That's thorough in its own way.
It was after the meeting actually started that I thought Sianya's thinking was fine.
Originally, it's the arrangement of the Medioland Royal Capital Great Church. Price-sama explained the procedures, but in short, it was just a matter of searching for a wall in the mine that couldn't be passed through unless illuminated by Light.
"According to the words of the Gnome, it's been determined to be inside the Silver Mine. However, we don't know where it is. Sawelyn-sama will guide us inside the mine, so once we're inside, we'll just search for a likely place while also obtaining the cooperation of the beastmen."
He really only said the bare minimum.
"Assuming we break through the wall, what is on the other side?"
It's the delinquent prince. At this point, they shouldn't have informed Regnentes about the altar.
"Since there is a Vow of Silence, I cannot answer at all regarding the details."
Price-sama is also quite something.
Perhaps because James-sama wasn't there, no one laughed. Without the atmosphere becoming peaceful, we set out just like that.
Just like at the fortress some time ago, after passing through a corridor and being teleported several times, we were inside the mine.
"Jeanne! Are you well?"
The Wildcat Sister jumped at me. We rejoiced at our reunion by hugging.
"Yo, Jeanne. I'll be in your care again."
The leader of the Wolf Men is there. He's wearing leather armor.
"Yeah, because bear hunting became easy thanks to the dried meat pot you taught us. I splurged."
That's good. In the village, it seems the mothers are practicing making dried meat. They must be preparing for the boar hunting in autumn.
"Oh! Jeanne, leave the role of the wall to me."
It's the Bear Man. He must have won the dice game against the Boar Man. His spear has become better.
"I look forward to working with you."
The Fox Man is also there. Behind him, the Horse Man and the Deer Man lightly waved their hands. Everyone is wearing leather armor.
"I brought this. Let's eat it if we get hungry on the way. It's delicious."
The Bear Man turned around and showed the barrel he was carrying on his back.
When I asked, it was apparently dried monster fish made by the Otter.
"He said to say thanks if I met Jeanne. Thanks to the promise with the humans, the money flow in the whole village has become better."
When I glanced at the delinquent prince, he was talking to Godwynn-sama about something, perhaps because he wasn't interested in our greetings. It's proof that the method the delinquent prince thought of is working well. It's been a little over three months since then. I have to admit it.
We finished the "nice to meet you" greetings between those meeting for the first time. During that time, the delinquent prince said nothing and just stood there silently.
After that, we were guided to the station. There's a huge table and long benches on both sides. Everyone sat down appropriately. Beside me are Sianya and the Wildcat Sister.
"This exploration, as already conveyed, will be a search for a wall that cannot be passed through unless Bishop Jeanne's magic is used. We don't know the location well, but the beastmen are familiar with the inside of the structure to some extent. I'll ask for an explanation regarding the guidance for the search."
After Sawelyn-sama's explanation, the leader of the Wolf Men stood up. According to the leader, the mine has two levels. Of those, many places on the first level are not dangerous, and especially we don't have to think about encounters with monsters. However, there are monsters in specific areas of the first level and on the second level, and currently the strongest one is apparently a giant centipede.
I've fought a centipede before. It should be easy if there's an upper-level holy mage.
"After that, it's ants. As you know, there are many. It's quite troublesome if you run into them. Well, it's about that level."
It sounds easy. I'm relieved. At least until we find the wall, it doesn't seem like much.
"Holy magic will be the greatest weapon. Basically, we intend to fight in front. However, if there's a tough one, please finish it off. But be careful of friendly fire. You're all upper-level or above, right? If we take an Over-Flow, we might die if we're unlucky."
Now that he mentioned it, that's true. But, in that case, control will become difficult inside the narrow tunnels. Holy should be limited to mid-level.
"Godwynn. That thing."
When the leader's talk finished, the delinquent prince stood up. When Godwynn-sama gave a look, the scouts carried in several wooden boxes.
"I will give these to the beastmen. If possible, please finish them off before it becomes a situation where they have to fire Holy from behind you."
When the lids of the wooden boxes were opened, weapons came out. There are knives, swords, arrowheads, and spears. One of the scouts took a sword in his hand and drew it from the scabbard, and a faintly glowing blade was visible. It's made of silver. Perhaps they adjusted them to the beastmen's physiques, as they are finished in a large size.
"I-is it okay?"
The leader took the sword he was handed and swung it lightly. A flash of light flickered, and a swish of the wind could be heard.
"Yeah, you can use them. However, it's part of the success reward. If the exploration fails, I'll have you return them."
The beastmen rushed to the wooden boxes and each took the weapon they were good at. The Wolf Man has a two-handed sword to carry on his back, the Fox Man has a quiver containing twelve silver-tipped arrows, the Wildcat Sister has a one-handed sword, the Bear Man has a spear, and the Deer Man has a knife.
"After that, it's this. This is also a success reward, just like the weapons."
When he emptied the contents of the leather bag onto the table, rings came out. They are about the size of a human adult male's thumb.
"This is?"
The leader picked one up fearfully.
"Try putting it on your finger. Does the size fit?"
As they were told by the prince, each put it on a finger it fit. For the Wildcat Sister, who has the thinnest fingers, it was the middle finger, and for the Bear Man, who has the thickest, it was the pinky.
"With that, you should be able to block up to mid-level magic. In other words, you won't die even if you take a direct hit from a Holy Lance. Well, endure some damage."
Magic Defense Rings. When I looked at Harris-sama, he was surprised. When I looked at Price-sama, he had a composed face. I see, Price-sama is a companion of Eleanor-sama. It's not strange even if he knows how to make them. He must have pulled strings behind the scenes.
"I-is it okay?"
The leader asked.
"I don't care. However, make it a success. If you fail, I'll have you return both the weapons and the rings. Especially the rings are valuable items even in our country."
The beastmen raised a cheer at the prince's answer. The Wildcat Sister was looking at her ring happily. Everyone was expressing their thanks to the prince. The prince was brushing them off as if it were troublesome.
The delinquent prince is quite something.