Chapter 580 - Third Story: Duchy of Germania ④
That night, the debate by the seekers of learning continued, and it ended the next morning. We, of course, slept. After that, it became nap time, and the results of the debate were announced after lunch.
"As a conclusion, we greatly support the grand alliance proposed by Bishop Anri, and here we vow to cross national borders, overcome differences in language, culture, and religion, and fight the epidemic hand in hand."
Everyone applauds grandly.
Since it started suddenly from the banquet, or rather the meal gathering, I didn't know, but it seems the local church head was the chairperson.
I learned for the first time from Anri-sama, but he is actually famous in those circles, and is apparently one of the most knowledgeable people in West Liber. Since before the war, he predicted a major outbreak of the epidemic and rushed about for countermeasures. During the war, he worked on King Seldic, who surrounded the port town, to get a share of the magic water for soldiers and distributed it to churches in various places. Of course, it wasn't that much. There must have been many who passed away before it was in time. However, the people were grateful for King Seldic's actions and hated the King of West Liber, who should have originally protected them, for being unable to do anything. They are originally different tribes from the people in the Royal Palace. As a result, the people living in the current Duchy of Germania territory, along with many nobles who have been rooted locally since long ago, defected. King Seldic's rule is kind to the residents. They apparently half-welcomed the occupation. However, when the lid was opened, Princess Theresia of East Liber became the ruler. It seems there was quite a stir, but as a result of the information brought by inquiring with Anri-sama, they regained their composure. In a sense, he is one of the hidden key figures in the founding of the Duchy of Germania.
After that, fine details were decided. For having done it while half-asleep, the content was quite solid.
The sharing of information regarding herbs was proposed by the person who came from East Liber. In connection with this, it was proposed that Sianya and Cadogan-sama read the Encyclopedia of Herbs that Anri-sama brought to Primordia, and that Anri-sama hold lectures to explain it, with each country dispatching observers. Of course, it was decided to do it in East Liber too, where the original is.
Also, in response to Phillips-sama's recruitment, it was proposed to dispatch promising young people from each country to Sertoria.
And, from Cadogan-sama, the investigation of methods to counter the cause of the disease identified using Sight, other than magic water, was approved. Currently, it is known that vinegar is effective for athlete's foot, and strong alcohol for battlefield diseases, if used at the prevention or early symptom stages. It was decided to collect and organize such local folk traditions and actually verify whether they are effective. Of course, since it can only be done on the White Island, experiments will be conducted at the Medical Research Institute in Sertoria and the isolation ward in Primordia, which has Cadogan-sama and Anri-sama.
The meeting, which ended in a grand success... probably... was closed by Theresia-sama's greeting.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work this time. As you all know, epidemic countermeasures are an urgent matter for each country, and also for our newly founded Duchy. In such a situation, having succeeded in a meeting that gathered excellent researchers from each country like this is a historic achievement to be proud of to other countries. However, as you all know, debate alone cannot be called epidemic countermeasures. We must make them realistic measures and practice them. Here, I will disclose the measures currently decided by our country. First, regarding the securing of magic water, we have already concluded a contract for a stable supply. And, we plan to finish the renovation of the epidemic isolation facility currently in use by next summer. And, I believe that a place for a meeting like this should not end with this one time. If possible, I will do my best to hold a second meeting before next summer. I hope that everyone will take the results obtained in this meeting back to their respective countries and show the results of their practice. Just as everyone gathered here across national borders, there are no borders to the spread of epidemics and their countermeasures."
I think Theresia-sama's greeting, or rather her speech, was quite thick with a political scent. However, through her attitude, or rather her spirit, her enthusiasm to seriously tackle epidemic countermeasures was sufficiently conveyed. The proof was that she was enveloped in thunderous applause.
That night became a real banquet. Since Mary armed herself with the Alraune stone and 'gold digger' fashion, I also confirmed with Phillips-sama and Harris-sama and wore my vestments. However, Hermit-sama remained in his priest's robes.
As usual, Mary was surrounded by the male contingent who were likely merchants, and I was surrounded by important people starting with Theresia-sama and the priest group. On top of that, nobles came to greet me one after another. Almost everyone asked to be sold magic water. Theresia-sama refused, saying it couldn't be sold individually because of the contract. Are they that desperate?
"What, it's not something Jeanne needs to worry about. In short, they just want to sell it to someone at a high price."
Theresia-sama whispered to me.
I see. Humans are the same everywhere.
Among the nobles who came to greet me, there was also a seeker of learning who came from Sertogne. It's that third son. His name seems to be Hugues-sama.
"Bishop Jeanne-sama. Regarding the visit to Sertogne that I proposed the other day, have you thought about it? We will arrange the ship here."
Oh no. I had completely forgotten.
In any case, it's not something I should answer easily. Since the other party seems serious, I called Harris-sama.
"Fumu. A place where Jeanne's ancestors might have been?"
"Yes. I heard the first King called for serfs from here."
"It seems such a thing happened."
Harris-sama knew. As expected of the person in charge of the Royal Palace.
"Strictly speaking, I can't say for sure, but from the name, I can't say it's completely unrelated. Why don't you stop by on the way back? If I recall, the place where the first King spent time is near the sea, so there should be a port. Given the schedule, about one day should be fine, shouldn't it?"
"Is it alright?"
That was quick. Isn't it too easy?
"Jeanne uses the light magic that the first King used. There's no harm in seeing the connected land. However, I and Priest Hermit will also accompany you."
And so, it was decided easily. Moreover, for one reason or another, Cadogan-sama, Anri-sama, Lloyd-sama, Sianya, Phillips-sama, and even Mary ended up coming along. In other words, we're going on the Primordia hospital ship. It's in the form of a detour on the way back to the wetlands. However, it's with conditions, and the King's approval is necessary. So, it became a case of going offshore of the White Island once and getting permission through the magic circle for sending letters. The schedule is two days and one night. We'll leave Germania tomorrow morning, and if all goes well, we expect to arrive at the site around noon.
Theresia-sama also wanted to go, but as the ruler of the Duchy, it would become an official visit. Since it was impossible to go incognito, that didn't happen. The delinquent old men of some country might do well to follow her example.
The next morning, we set sail as planned, and before long, the King's permission also arrived. We head south just like that toward Sertogne. Since we were told that no particular contact was needed with the Sertogne side, we'll likely visit as Yorg-sama's guests.
When we docked next to Yorg-sama's ship, which had arrived earlier, Yorg-sama and a person who looked like the local church's Archbishop were standing on the pier to meet us.
This time, saying it's better to disembark in order of rank, we had Cadogan-sama disembark first. After that, it was by country: Anri-sama, Lloyd-sama, Sianya, then Phillips-sama who is the official envoy of Sertoria, Harris-sama, me, Hermit-sama, and finally Mary, the civilian.
The Regnentes side and Harris-sama knew of the Archbishop. Harris-sama has apparently come to this land several times as the person in charge of the Royal Palace. Probably related to the royalty starting with Miana, and related to Beowulf. The rest of us give our first-time greetings.
"Are you the user of the legendary light magic that Guillaume-sama used? I am truly glad to be able to meet you."
At my turn, the Archbishop said. It feels somewhat solemn.
We were guided to the Great Church in the port town and shown to the guest room. Since it's treated as a private trip, I didn't have to wear my vestments. After drinks were served, I was able to hear the story related to the first King from the Archbishop.
The first King's mother was a princess of the country that would become the current Kingdom of Sertogne. She married into Medioland and the first King was born; unfortunately, the father passed away at a young age, and the mother, who became a widow, returned to Sertogne several years later with the young first King. Then, she was given this land where we are now and spent her time until she passed away. After the first King reached adulthood, he received the guardianship of the Medioland royal family. For some reason, he suddenly became a hunter and came to Nakanohara. After that, various things happened and he eventually founded Sertoria. The one who looked after the mother, who had become alone, in various ways was apparently her younger sister who had married a great noble who owned the neighboring land. Of course, she was a former princess. After the mother's death, this land was taken over by the younger sister, leading to the present. Since Yorg-sama is the third son of a descendant of the great noble that the younger sister married into, in a sense, he is a distant relative of the first King. And, the Archbishop is apparently Yorg-sama's uncle. In other words, the two are also distant relatives of Anri-sama. The ones who were sending an allowance to Anri-sama, who had been abandoned by his family, had his name removed from the register, and was exiled, were apparently Yorg-sama's family, acting on the Archbishop's wishes.
"This Yorg admires Duke Guillaume, you see."
"Of course I do. He's a hero who used light magic, was revered by the people, and established a country. Anyone would admire him."
Indeed, he's a person like the protagonist of a fairy tale.
"For that, you do not go to war."
"I do go on expeditions. It's just that I'm not good at handling swords or spears, so I leave that to my older brothers. That's why I'm in charge of support."
It seems he does things like being a doctor or pharmacist in peacetime while researching agriculture, and manages logistics and hospitals during war. Like the King of Primordia?
"Yes, exactly so. To me, the King of Primordia is my very goal."
Sianya looks happy.
In fact, he seems to be working quite hard on the management within the territory. He is also apparently adored by the subjects. Since he is not at all a leader type and has no ambition, he is trusted by his father and two older brothers, and is entrusted with the management within the territory.
"It's fine. I can use intermediate Heal, after all."
That's amazing. On the White Island, he would be a super-high-level mage. Considering his age, he might have been able to become a hero.
After chatting for a while, only I was called to a separate room. It's a room with rugged stone walls. The key to this room is managed by successive church heads. It seems the only ones who can open the key and enter are those who use light magic, and Sertogne royalty and priests connected to that bloodline. In other words, even Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama haven't entered.
When a lantern is lit, I can see there is a stone statue of the Goddess. I close the door and set the latch from the inside. Since light was requested, I bring out Fireflies and stick them to the wall.
"Oh! This is Light, isn't it!"
He seems to have seen it for the first time. He is staring at it with an excited look.
After being asked various things, I was required to make a Vow of Silence. I made the vow together with the Archbishop.
"There is something entrusted to me by Guillaume-sama, to be passed on if a user of light magic should ever visit this land."
It's likely what Anri-sama was talking about before. Descriptions regarding the First King Series. I was told that if I mastered the five spells of the First King Series, I might no longer be human.
"This is it," he said, bringing a wooden box from the back room. The wooden box has a large lock. When the Archbishop opens the lock, inside are one parchment letter and one long, thin box.
"I am told there is a scroll in the box. What is described in this letter is an overview of the scroll. Anyone who has come this far in this state can read it. However, it seems this box will not open unless it is a user of light magic. Therefore, I have never opened it."
Fumu. It's the same as the message to Dune before.
The Archbishop is in a state of excitement because a box that hadn't been opened for nearly two hundred years is about to open.
The letter was written in the language of the White Island. When I read it, things like what Anri-sama said are written. It says that those who have mastered the First King Series will heal those who have lost the power they should originally have. However, it doesn't directly say that I will no longer be human. It was written that the soul of the one who mastered the five spells would protect the island... likely meaning the White Island. Well, certainly if such a thing happened, I wouldn't be treated as human. Besides, it might be after I die, and it's hard to say I'll immediately stop being human.
The box containing the scroll opened easily when illuminated by Light. Inside was a scroll.
The scroll mostly just had details of the First King Series written on it, and things I had understood while trying various things until now were written. The content strengthened by Holy also doesn't change. However, I learned two things I didn't know until now. About how to make a box that won't open unless illuminated by Light, and about Testament.
The box that doesn't open unless illuminated by Light was a technique combining a spell called Lock and a magic circle. That's why it wasn't understood even in the investigation of the mountain. As for how to make it, you write a magic circle on the box in a color other than black. You paint over it in black. That way, the magic circle isn't visible to the eye, but it activates by casting magic. Once activated, it stays that way. It seems to be such a mechanism. Normally, it cannot be canceled without the password provided by the caster. However, Light can cancel various dark magics. That was utilized. Likely, Lock belongs to dark magic.
The wall protecting the secret book... that's a dwarf's work so it might not be reproducible by humans, but the principle might be the same.
The other thing, Testament, was also a combination of magic and a magic circle. That's why it wasn't understood in previous investigations either. However, even in the scroll left by the first King, the effect of Testament wasn't well understood. It says it allows the caster to temporarily harbor a part of the Goddess's power. As a result, it's not well understood what one becomes able to do. What I learned this time is the method of activating Testament. Surprisingly, one must chant Dark and Light at the same time. Moreover, with the same level of output. If this could be done by two people casting at the same time, it might be easy. Wilson-san and I could just cast the spells. Or, I could merge with the Wetlands Priestess and I could throttle my output. However, I don't know what would happen to Revenants or ghosts when the Goddess's power is harbored. Another possibility is if I learn Dark. I don't know if it's possible, though.
"I wonder what kind of effect Testament actually has. It says it harbors a part of the Goddess's power in the caster, but it would be good if it were a magic for the sake of the world and the people, like Anti-Sepsis."
"I truly think so too."
It would be really good if it turned out as the Archbishop says.
After reading it twice with the Archbishop, when I tried to put the scroll back in the box, I was told to take it. He said a user of light magic should have it. However, it would be a problem if I had it and lost it. Besides, nothing is written about what to do after opening it. So, I asked the Archbishop to continue keeping it at this church. It's definitely better that way.
After putting it back, I returned to the guest room. Normally, I would be asked what I was doing, but I wasn't asked anything. Since Anri-sama and Yorg-sama understood the circumstances, they must have told them that I made a Vow of Silence.