Chapter 566 - Chapter 9: Ice Island Exploration
On the morning of the fifth day, after waking up and going out on deck to look up, I could see the Knight Order members, who were tied to ropes to prevent being blown away by the wind, standing guard.
I was entrusted with the stones for three people as guard personnel. Because they are ghosts, they can see at night, and because they watch from the sky, they can see far. It's fine even if it rains. The crew are all priests. Since the captain and squad leaders are Bishops who are High-level Holy mages, they quickly got used to it and were able to see their forms and have conversations easily. The other crew members also got used to each other by the fifth day. Now, they spend their time greeting and talking normally.
The rope connected to the lookout extends to the end of the mast, where a bell is attached. That bell rang repeatedly with a clatter.
The island has been found!
I looked in the direction the ghost pointed with a small red flag, but I couldn't see any island. While the crew members were pointing and making a fuss because they could see it, the ship changed its course in that direction. Since the morning sun is behind us to the right, it's likely the eastern part of the island.
「We have finally arrived.」
By the time Price-sama came out on deck, the shadow of the island had become faintly visible. The Ice Island. Since the island became visible, all the priest group, including Price-sama, have been wearing green marble gear. It's an honor that the priests belonging to the Medioland Great Church are wearing it, never mind Harrison-san and Harris-san, who wear it often. Of course, it's made in Sertoria, which means it's reflected in the wages of the people in need.
「I wonder if the Ice Vice-Demon Lord is there?」
I suddenly became anxious.
「I do not know. Almost nothing is known about this island.」
It's just like a legend. There are people who actually landed, and as a result of interviews, it's known that it's not a lie. Since there are many sea bird nests near the sea, those who drifted ashore reportedly didn't lack food. There are forests, and timber was also obtainable. Of course, there's also fresh water. It's not far from the coast. Since only a very small part has been seen, the full picture is not clear. However, there are high mountains, the wind is strong, and because of the forests, there's also clean water. There's also a volcano that sends up smoke. It's called the Ice Island, so it's said to be covered in snow and ice in winter, but it's an island overflowing with the blessings of the Four Great Spirits, and magic can be used. The Finis hunter who drifted there, when he was guided to the island by a band of light trailing in the sky in the middle of the night, must have thought it was surely the guidance of the War God, and prostrated himself toward the island to say thank you. All of that is not a lie. It's nothing but a miracle.
「There should be a simple altar those people made. I've brought offerings from them, so we must by all means enshrine them.」
I also met those people. When I said it would be Church territory, they were happy. Of course, the Church is not considering full-scale settlement. Once the Vice-Demon Lord is defeated, it will be Church territory, but it will be preserved in its natural state, and they will only assert ownership so that other countries do not occupy it. This is recorded as an agreed matter among the Great Church heads of each country and has been notified to the Kings of each country.
As we approached the island, the number of sea birds flying in the sky increased. Whether the ship is rare or they are wary, several are flying parallel to the ship while crying. While I was thinking that if I threw a stone I might hit one, the island, which had been nothing but a faint shadow, became clearly visible. If I recall, the altar is on the western part of the island. The ship is also proceeding with the island on its right.
Even though it's the Ice Island, it's not covered in ice in midsummer. I had imagined it would be pure white, but it's completely different and looks blackish.
As we proceed along the southern coast of the island, there's a place where no green can be seen at all. Near the top of the mountain, it looks like smoke is trailing. When I asked the captain, it was indeed a volcano. Unlike the volcano where the Fire Dragon lives, the altitude is not that high. The shape is also gentle. There are various things.
Eventually, the course changed to the north. We came out to the east of the island.
「A signal came from the Primordia ship!」
It must be a lantern. From the Primordia ship positioned next to us, I could see light blinking. Eleanor-sama intends to set out.
Eleanor-sama's bowl arrives at our ship. In addition, the Wetlands Priestess, the Knight Order Vice-Commander, and three members are on board.
「Then, we're off. Please watch over us with [Sight].」
Price-sama said so and climbed into the bowl. I cast [Sight] on Price-sama, Eleanor-sama, and everyone from the captain down. They are carrying a Simple Teleportation Magic Circle. They set out with preparations in order.
While watching them fly away at high speed, the ship slowly approaches the island. While spending time watching them fly away while pointing a lantern toward us, they landed on the beach after blinking. When the lantern was swung in a circle, a cheer went up. They arrived safely.
Next is the Teleport experiment.
We all gather at the Simple Teleportation Magic Circle spread out on the deck.
After waiting just a little, the magic circle glowed, and one empty barrel that Price-sama had taken jumped back.
As a reply, we jumped a barrel with fresh water and a barrel with food like dried meat, and when we checked the state of the island, the lantern drew a circle. Success! The ship and the island were successfully connected via Teleport.
「Alright! Let's get closer. Notify the Primordia ship too.」
「Oh!」
Wind magic was used, and we accelerated all at once. Two bowls took off from the Primordia ship.
I crossed over to the island on Wilson-san's medium-sized bowl, which was acting as a transport. It's already the third round trip.
The place Eleanor-sama chose for the first base was at the end of one of several narrow bays inside a large bay that went around the peninsula where the volcano I saw earlier was. It seems it's also the place where the drifters spent their time.
I landed on a place where low grass was growing, jumping over a sandy—or rather, gravelly—beach that was blackish, making me think it should be called the Black Island rather than the White Island. There was an unexpectedly wide plain, and a river was also flowing. Thanks to a small hill on the east side, the wind was kept away. The altar is apparently on a place with a good view halfway up that hill, and Price-sama seems to have already enshrined the offerings. I decided to go see it later.
At the base, they had already set up four tents with simple barriers inside. Since one is fifty gold coins, it's two hundred gold coins' worth. As expected of something led by the Medioland Great Church. It's luxurious.
Eleanor-sama is digging a moat and piling up the dug-up earth to make an earthen rampart. A field camp is under construction. Since I can't see Harold-sama, he must be on aerial watch while hidden.
Harrison-san and Price-sama are both crouching down. They must be setting up a barrier.
I jumped down from the bowl I rode on and helped organize the luggage the bowl had brought. That said, I can't carry heavy things, so I carried light cloth bags containing food items like bread, cheese, dried meat, and dried fish.
The bowl was disassembled, and when Wilson-san returned to the ship on a newly made small bowl, the crew members began to carry the timber they had brought. It'll be easy since magic can be used. The monster extermination squad are all priests, but there are also attribute magic users. Most are middle-level, but it's enough. Once the size is decided, they dig a drainage ditch. They also dig a hole for a hearth. The dug-up earth is piled in the middle to make a foundation.
They line up the timber inside the drainage ditch. Since it's originally made for a log cabin, a hut is made just by assembling them in order. Since they are cut to a length of about two large strides, two people can carry them. There are enough people, and the parts higher than the chest are handled by the Knight Order members who can fly. For the roof, they line up timber and stretch waterproof cloth made by connecting bat wings and put weights on it. In the blink of an eye, the huts are completed.
Once the huts are completed, they carry in the things they brought. They line stones around the hearth hole. They spread several furs on the ground to make a floor. Since ten people stay in one hut, five bunk beds are carried in. A table and long chairs were also carried into the center. Once they carry in barrels with water and wooden boxes with food, it's done. Wilson-san went back and forth with the bowl, and people and supplies were carried in one after another.
Two hours passed by the time two huts were built.
Eleanor-sama has already completed the moat and earthen rampart. The exorcism barrier to be stretched inside the rampart is also just waiting to be activated. Fortunately, we haven't had to flee into the simple barriers so far. The plan is to then build a shrine to place a wooden statue of the Goddess, a hut to set up the Teleportation Magic Circle, two warehouses, and an altar outside the barrier where the Wetlands Priestess and Knight Order members gather.
「Everyone, let's have lunch.」
I called out when the timing seemed right. As a result of the number of men increasing, there was nothing left to do, so Sianya and I became the ones in charge of meals. That said, it's for everyone except those remaining on the ship. Since it would get wet if it rained, I made six large pots of dried meat stew with oats inside the four tents.
I gave a barrel of Finis alcohol to the Knight Order members, who don't get drunk no matter how much they drink, and had them stand guard, and everyone ate. The dried meat stew was popular as expected.
「Hey, Jeanne. Shall we go out for a bit of scouting this afternoon?」
The Priestess, who was eating the dried meat stew saying it was delicious, proposed while having her third helping. The prospect for the base construction is in sight. If we connect with the White Island via Teleport, we'll be returning as early as tomorrow.
「That sounds good. Eleanor has to do the Teleport experiment, and Wilson-dono will be indispensable for the base construction. How about it, Jeanne? Why not go with Henry, the Priestess, and me, the four of us?」
It's Harold-sama. The fact that he pointedly mentioned Eleanor-sama's name must be because he's jealous that he couldn't be the first one there.
「I don't mind either way. Jeanne, you decide.」
Henry-sama dodged. It's obvious he wants to go, but if he says he's going, it's surely because Eleanor-sama will be angry.
When I looked at Price-sama, surprisingly he said nothing.
「Um, how far are we going?」
I think it's better not to go too far.
「What, don't worry. You see that small stream? We'll just fly up it. Let's see, shall we try flying for about an hour one way?」
Humph. If it's an hour one way, even if we encounter something, we can fly and escape back well enough. Anyway, we'll be flying while hidden, so it should be fine.
「Um, as long as the captain gives permission, it's fine.」
Price-sama nodded slightly, and the departure was decided.
I merged with the Priestess and finally set out.
「If you find anything, please contact us immediately. We will send support as needed.」
After receiving [Camouflage] and [Mute] from a grumpy Eleanor-sama, and in contrast, [Magic Reflection] from a smiling Price-sama, we took off.
First, the altar. Since it's on the eastern hill, I could tell immediately from the sky. Several stones are lined up on the grassland. The offerings are Highway Cookies Deluxe and one barrel of mead. In the middle, a small stone statue of the Goddess and a stone statue of the War God are placed. They are things Price-sama brought. The stone statue of the War God is the one entrusted by the person who drifted and arrived there. We knelt toward the two stone statues and offered prayers.
After visiting the altar, we went up the small stream near the base as Harold-sama said. Direction-wise, we'll be heading southeast. The terrain is gentle itself, and there are no high mountains. If you go a little further from the base, a forest spreads out. When we flew over the trees just like that, we reached a lake surrounded by forest. The small stream must have been flowing from here. When I chanted [Sense Living], there was a reaction of a certain size. Could it be a trout or salmon that has turned into a monster? There are certainly living things, and most likely they have turned into monsters. It seems it wouldn't be strange if they had two heads.
Since we came all the way here, I tried setting up a pot for bears on the shore. The wind is from the east... meaning it's blowing from the lake. If there's a bear in the forest spreading to the west, it'll surely be caught. Though, since it's Church territory, we must not hunt without permission. It's just to confirm if they are there or not.
We wait for a while.
The one that came was not a bear, but a fox. Moreover, it's gray. At first I thought it was a gray wolf, but the fluffiness around the neck and the sharpness of the ears and mouth are different. It's likely a fox. It seems the fur color also changes if the island changes. When I searched with [Sense Living], there were several similar but small reactions in the forest. Foxes don't form packs, so it must be a family.
The fox seemed to be afraid of fire and was just wandering around. Since I wanted to see the reaction, I asked the Priestess to extinguish it. Since it was originally the Priestess's [Fire Ball], it disappeared as soon as it was deactivated.
Relieved that the fire was gone, the fox thrust its face into the pot. After that, it raised a cry toward the forest, and five foxes came out in a flurry. They are fox cubs. They gathered at the pot and everyone started eating greedily. They are eating voraciously with their faces thrust in. The pot worked even on the Ice Island. However, it wasn't a bear.
There might not be bears on this island. I wanted to make sure, so I set it up again in the forest near the opposite shore of the lake, but as expected, only foxes were caught. I set it up at one place on the way back too, but the result was the same.
Once I returned to the base and reported to Price-sama, he said it was good that there were no bears. Because it's safer that way. Foxes are wary of humans, so they won't approach a mountain hut where there's a human presence. Bears are not like that.
Fortunately, the Teleport experiment went well, and it seems we successfully connected to the Medioland Great Church's property. Tomorrow, we'll be able to return to the White Island. However, because we were just watching the foxes eat from the pot, the Priestess is not satisfied. Eleanor-sama, who couldn't even see that eating scene, is even less satisfied. Anyway, we're returning tomorrow, and the sun is long. It was decided to go one more time with Eleanor-sama added. Moreover, because there are two bowl users, we can go faster. They planned an even further outing.
Surprisingly, Price-sama easily gave his consent this time too. When I wondered what would happen to the civil engineering work, it seems the civil engineering squad that was waiting as reinforcements will jump in via Teleport.
「Next, let's explore the area around the volcano. Maybe there's an Amphisbaena.」
Eleanor-sama's mood also improved.
I see. The mountain where the Fire Dragon lived was a volcano. Because of that, it was hot. And there were various magic beasts. There might be two heads.