Chapter 563 - Chapter 7: A Talk of Politics
After being picked up by the bowl, we stopped by two ships. This was because we picked up Price-sama and Sianya.
We went to the Royal Palace as usual, were greeted by the King of Primordia and Cadogan-sama, and it turned into a banquet as if we were pouring in. This country is always informal, which helps.
「I heard you defeated one Demon and captured many remnants of the Ruined Town. Splendid work.」
I was praised by Cadogan-sama.
As for the King, he was by Sianya's side, and he was crumbling like a landslide at the praise for Sianya from the surroundings. Even a wise ruler is a parent.
「Compared to the previous Northern Gram expedition, you've become much better. Last time, until you returned, he seemed quite worried and could hardly eat.」
This time, he seemed to think that the first half was bugs and the second half would be fine if I went, so he was able to spend his time peacefully. Regarding the Demon Race, it was also good that it wasn't reported until it was successfully defeated, so its existence itself wasn't known. Though, the battle with the Demon Race was actually fought and won by the Wetlands group, who were attached as Sianya's guards. Sianya was near the wall to release the ghosts from the stones for movement, and she was surrounded by sturdy people for concealment. When he received the report, he seemed startled by the word 'Demon,' but in a sense, it went as planned, so he seemed satisfied. The Wetlands group will likely show their faces wherever Sianya goes in the future.
By the way, there was a reason why Price-sama came all the way here this time. The Ice Island.
Of course, Cadogan-sama, who was originally the head of the Western Church, proposed it after consulting with the King of Primordia. Sianya's participation in the conquest of the altar at the mine site was also like practice. The Medioland Great Church, to which Price-sama belongs, is taking the lead, and even at this point, it has been decided that priests from Medioland, Sertoria, Regnentes, and Primordia will participate. In short, it's apparently a formal request. Though, I also think it's not very formal to sneak in on the Henry Party's bowl, but I suppose I shouldn't say that. Anyway, the banquet—or rather, the celebration, or Sianya's triumphal report meeting—ended, and I ended up going to the Primordia Great Church with Price-sama, Harris-san, and Sianya.
When we went to the church, after being shown to a waiting room, we were taken to the Great Church Head's office. The business—or rather, the ceremony—seemed to have already ended, and Cadogan-sama and Price-sama, wearing their vestments, were sitting on a sofa relaxing.
I sat on the sofa as I was encouraged and received a drink.
「I hear you will be going to the Ice Island. Please do your best to defeat that Ice Vice-Demon Lord or whatever it is.」
Primordia, the one who proposed it, will also provide one ship. It's exclusively for the Wetlands Priestess and Knight Order led by Sianya, so to speak, a ghost ship. I can ride on either the Medioland Great Church ship or the Primordia ship. Since larger ones shake less, if I choose by size, it would be the Medioland one. The new Primordia hospital ship is larger, but it shouldn't have time to go to the northern sea. However, whether I go or not is actually not confirmed. This is because I don't know the conditions.
「Um, it depends on the conditions, and there are various things including the schedule...」
Probably, I only have about two weeks a month. At the beginning of the month, I have to read the secret book at the mine, and during the full moon, I have to do the recovery of the Northeastern Forest. Besides, while I'm on an expedition, I won't be able to do monster extermination around Nakanohara, starting with rat extermination. Recently, since Bonnie has become a member of the Henry Party, Beatrix has been doing quite a bit for me. For boars, it's Matilda. When Beatrix goes on an expedition, I ask Paul-san or Angelica-san.
「For our Church, prioritizing the construction of isolation facilities in the Wetlands is the priority. The Engrio army is making effective use of infection prevention measures, but they are still lacking in terms of measures for prisoners. Currently, we are building several huts in a rush, but they are still insufficient. Therefore, could you please not go to the Ice Island until those are completed?」
When Price-sama asked for an estimate for the completion of the facilities, he replied, "About one more month." Since it's now the end of July, it'll be the latter half of August or September.
「Then, if there are no particular changes, shall we set out on August 20th? You will need to come to our church by the day before. We will set sail from the port of Finis four days later, and from there, we expect to arrive at the Ice Island in five days. After arriving at the island, we will conduct an experiment to see if we can communicate with this island via a Teleportation Magic Circle. If we successfully communicate, we will gather more people and create a place to serve as a base by setting up a barrier. That will be the extent of the first exploration. When you return, you can return in an instant using Teleport. Therefore, assuming everything goes smoothly, it will be about twelve or thirteen days. In addition, Bishop Harrison and Priestess Jeanne will be paid two gold coins a day as a period reward, regardless of whether there is combat with monsters including the Demon Race.」
Humph. That means I can return by the beginning of September.
Fifty priests specialized in monster extermination will apparently participate as guards. There was an offer for guards from Northern Gram, but they reportedly refused.
「It's not that we don't trust Northern Gram, but we felt it was necessary to strictly assert territorial rights. Besides, since we have refused cooperation from other countries in advance, we cannot make an exception only for Northern Gram now.」
Even if it's a request from the Church, if kingdoms or nobles are involved, there are cases on the continent where they arbitrarily assert territorial rights and build countries. It'll be troublesome later, so they'll refuse all of them. To be honest, it's better to have reinforcements, but it's complicated when politics are involved. It's probably unavoidable.
Anyway, I received the explanation and the request. In my case, since I'm a freelancer, I can accept if I want to, but I have to check with the King and Marcelo-san. After consideration, I decided to give an answer through Harris-san at a later date.
After that, the topic of magic water came up.
The orbs made in Finis are functioning successfully, and magic water can now be made in the Wetlands as well. Currently, it seems they are in the middle of stockpiling in preparation for the return of soldiers who have gone to war and the transfer of prisoners. Moreover, at the request of Engrio, which is providing half of the construction costs for the facilities in the Wetlands, they have apparently begun transporting it to the occupied territories in West Liber where infected people are appearing one after another. It's unknown how much will be needed in the future. Of course, it's not for free. For one scroll's worth... since one scroll can activate a magic circle drawn on the bottom of a large barrel, it's effectively one large barrel's worth... money is being exchanged. Since the original price is low, it's not that high. However, since it's used not only for treatment but also for infection prevention, the consumption is surprisingly high. Besides, they have begun using it not only in port towns but also in areas far from the sea. That said, magic cannot be used on the continent. Accordingly, carriages are also slow. Since civil engineering work is also done only by human power, the roads are also bad. If there's a slightly wide river, it's also hard to cross. In short, because of the time the effect of the magic water lasts, the range in which it can be used is limited.
「Once the infection has subsided to some extent, it won't be a problem, but I hear it hasn't subsided yet. Currently, they are using the local churches as bases, transporting magic water there, and for those who manage to reach there, they are either using magic water or distributing it for free.」
According to Cadogan-sama's explanation, it's King Seldic's arrangement. As expected of a King rumored to be kind to commoners and serfs. If it were left to other nobles, there's no telling what they would do.
「I found out by actually using it, but the difference from medicinal herbs is that it can cure even seriously ill patients and can prevent it so that it doesn't spread to others. On the other hand, it's the same as medicinal herbs in that it takes time. In other words, even if there is magic water, if treatment over several days cannot be done, they won't be cured in the end.」
Those who can be treated with magic water are limited. Those who can be helped are not those who have money, but those who are close to the sea... meaning the White Island. In the end, we have to draw the line somewhere.
「This will be a talk of politics, but shall we touch upon the situation on the continent for a bit?」
When Cadogan-sama looked at Price-sama, Price-sama nodded lightly.
It's Price-sama. He must know to some extent. The fact that he's going out of his way to talk about it here means it's surely a matter involving Theresia-sama.
「Currently, the main armies of East and West Liber are facing each other near the border of the two countries in the interior. The King of East Liber is surrounding a relatively large town in West Liber.」
It seems the West Liber army has no motivation at all, and they are merely surrounding the town, which must be being consumed day by day, from a distance. Although the King of East Liber, who went to war himself, has built fortresses at key points to keep the West Liber army away, it seems only small battles have occurred so far.
The King of West Liber is reportedly holed up in his palace. The one commanding the main army is a great noble with a title like Great General or Grand Marshal, but he's actually the second generation, and the first generation is reportedly a prisoner, having been caught by the Crown Prince of Engrio. Now, the northern coastline has its east and west occupied by Engrio, and a plague is spreading.
「Northern Gram has certainly handed over scrolls and large barrels with magic circles built in to the West Liber navy so that magic water can be made on ships. That has been monopolized by some nobles. It was reportedly being sold at high prices. On the other hand, Engrio, which occupied both the east and west ends, is providing it for free regardless of wealth or poverty, and is gaining popularity.」
As a result, West Liber has apparently become quite disliked by the local people. Well, that would be the case.
And as a price for being disliked, the locals sided with Engrio and showed a movement to leave West Liber. From there on, it was as I heard from Mary. By the way, currently, the nobles of West Liber are reportedly using magic water appropriately.
「Then, Theresia-sama will newly establish a principality in the northwestern part, and Engrio will make the lowlands near the border with East Liber into a province by combining the east and west, right?」
「Yes. It seems it has been decided roughly in that way.」
Price-sama's expression hasn't changed, but he must not be calm. After all, according to Mary's story, Medioland is trying to interfere as a country with Engrio obtaining the sheep production area.
「Will Primordia or Sertogne take any measures?」
「No, I haven't heard anything in particular. If anything, it should be welcomed.」
He says something unexpected. Does Primordia not raise sheep?
「Why is that?」
「If Theresia-sama becomes a Princess, diplomacy with the White Island will be extremely good. Especially toward our country and Sertoria. And she will surely show a deep understanding of our doctrine.」
I see. Now, a friendly country(?) will be born next to Sertogne, with which Primordia has a military alliance. If that's the case, they should just form a military alliance at this opportunity. If they do that, it'll be hard for Engrio to mess with Primordia. Even so, he is quite confident in his relationship with Theresia-sama.
「It's also close to that Wetlands, and accepting patients from West Liber will also become easy. Of course, transporting magic water will also be easy. Then it will become easier to prevent the spread of the plague. As a base, it will also be possible to build a church based on our doctrine and implement plague measures. First of all, it should be welcomed.」
I see. This is completely a difference in perspective. As a priest, he should naturally prioritize plague measures.
「It's just as you say.」
Price-sama also smiled very naturally.
The talk at the church ended, and this time I go to the isolation facility with Mary to see Theresia-sama. I said goodbye to Price-sama, Harris-san, and Harrison-san at the church.
When we went by carriage, we were taken to an office instead of a hospital room.
「Jeanne, I'm glad you came.」
She came over as if she were about to jump at me.
「How is your health?」
「I'm fine now. It's thanks to you.」
Gratefully, I was thanked.
「Jeanne. I can't talk about it yet, but I will soon obtain a new territory.」
The accompanying knight nodded greatly. He had a full smile.
Actually, I know. Though, I'm keeping quiet.
「Then, congratulations.」
「Thank you. So, I have a request for you. When I formally obtain the territory, could you please come visit me?」
「Me?」
What would I do if I went? Since magic cannot be used, I'm just a priest. I don't think I can be of help.
「No. I will invite you as a thank you. If possible, the Class of 175, is it? Please let my territory participate in the trade you are doing with your companions. If possible, I also want to build a friendly relationship with Sertoria, so I would like to ask you to mediate with the Royal Family.」
Um, the story is too grand, it's more than I can handle.
I had Theresia-sama's offer put on hold for the time being. Anyway, Henry-sama is at that inn. I can't possibly answer without consulting him. After all, the opponent is a powerful ally of a virtual enemy country. If I say something careless, I might not only be scolded but even excommunicated. Since I'm a priest, even if I'm a freelancer, I pushed back saying I couldn't answer easily. Sianya explained my position, so Theresia-sama also became quiet.
Actually, Anri-sama was deeply involved in this attitude of Theresia-sama. That became clear when I went to see Anri-sama.
Anri-sama's daily bathing is paying off, and the color of his skin has also become much better. The parts that were damaged to the bone won't heal, but he can now hear well with his ears. Above all, I'm happy that he looks very lively.
「Actually, I've been asked by Theresia-sama to return to secular life and become an advisor. What do you think?」
That's a wonderful thing, but what will happen to the reading of the Encyclopedia of Herbs and the grand alliance with plague experts from various countries?
「That's the problem. As a priest, I want to prioritize that. No, I definitely want to achieve it. However, as a patient, I think about how much I can encourage other patients on the continent and show those who make unnecessary slanders if I become an advisor.」
I see. On the White Island, it's fine because Eowyn-sama is there, but it won't be the case on the continent.
「Then, why not do both? Achieve your goal as a priest here at the base, and go to Theresia-sama once or twice a month?」
I said it casually, but...
「Yes. That is exactly the answer I was hoping for. I can tell Theresia-sama that Jeanne said so. Then, Theresia-sama will surely not say no.」
Um, could you please do it yourself? Because it'll be scary later.
Hey, Sianya, don't just laugh, say something.