Chapter 589 - Chapter 8: Snakes, Frogs, and Slugs
By the latter half of November, the scenery of the wetlands also changes. The color of the grass has turned yellow and light brown, and the water has a darkened feel. Perhaps autumn colors are mixed in the groves on the sandbanks, as leaves with a mixture of red and brown are swaying in the wind. Colonies of thin, tall, light brown weeds are waving their fluffy heads. Winter is already before our eyes.
"Jeanne-sama, and everyone of the Henry Party, I am truly sorry that you have come all this way, but actually, the snakes, frogs, and slugs have already entered hibernation, so it is not possible to show you the real things in the wetlands."
I had charged into Northern Gram with high spirits to firmly confirm a battle that normal girls would look away from, but I ended up receiving a polite apology from Eowyn-sama.
"It's fine. Now, while the opponents are dozing, is exactly the time to proceed with such experiments. Please, give us your assistance."
Eleanor-sama is assertive. Since she's charged in at this time, she has a plan in mind.
The creatures are digging holes and lurking in the ground. We dig them out and move them to a place warmed in advance by a bonfire. Then, oh wonder. Those who were hibernating will wake up and start their activities.
The Northern Gram side was half-doubting whether it could be done. That's only natural. Even Eleanor-sama, who suggested it, has never done it. However, Eleanor-sama is breeding slugs in the basement of the Silver Mine in the middle of the Northeastern Forest. She has hired Alex's brothers as caretakers, but she apparently goes to see them sometimes. The temperature in the basement seems stable, so it doesn't change much between summer and winter. The slugs are said to be active and healthy all year round. On the other hand, the slugs at the monster research institute in the Royal Capital area properly hibernate. Apparently, she had been talking with the Lich since before about whether they would become active if warmed up. Of course, this is a secret talk.
In the end, since there was no harm in trying, we were able to get their cooperation successfully.
First is the place to warm the slugs. Northern Gram had renovated the ruins of the fortress in the center of the wetlands where the Demon Race used to lurk, making it a Midway Base for countermeasures against the two-headed ones. It seems that having destroyed it to the point of total collapse last time was a good thing. They are apparently building a two-story building with a basement. Although it's currently under construction, the revetment work on the sandbank and the hole-digging for the basement are finished, so that was made the place for warming.
A force of one bowl's worth—one bowl user, one magic soldier who can draw magic circles, and four scouts—was dispatched to have them light a bonfire in the basement.
Next, we search for slugs, snakes, and frogs. Since they should be hibernating in holes, they can be detected with Sense Living. Since there are apparently two people in Northern Gram who use Sense Living, we went to pick them up at ultra-high speed and had them participate urgently for one day only. Both were priests who were disaster countermeasure personnel. Their job is to find people trapped in soil due to cave-ins or landslides. Since they must be used to searching beyond the earth, we decided to split up and search. I conveyed the image of each, and I took charge of the slugs, which would likely be the most difficult.
As for the procedure, first dig them up, cast Sleep magic to make them sleep soundly, wrap them in a net, and transport them to the fortress. The problem is the snakes. The size is different. Moreover, since they are two-headed, even the young snakes are large and heavy. They have to be transported by hanging them from two medium-sized bowls. The Henry Party and Northern Gram's ultra-high-level mages took charge of that.
By the way, I was allowed to ride with the Northern Gram bowl unit along with Eowyn-sama.
"Jeanne-sama. I have heard that Jeanne-sama is close with Duke Theresia of the Duchy of Germania."
After seeing off the other bowls departing from the fortress, I was called to a separate room by Eowyn-sama.
"Yes, as I have been involved in her treatment several times."
"I heard you also paid her a visit?"
"Yes. I participated in the Great Unity Conference for plague countermeasures proposed by Anri-sama, who is in Primordia... I believe you know of him."
Northern Gram did not participate. This is because Aira and Saxburg of the royal family are the ones pushing plague countermeasures in this country.
"What kind of person is Duke Theresia? Ah, no, nothing difficult, just the impression Jeanne-sama received would be fine."
Aha, this is that. He intends to use it as material for diplomatic judgment.
"Let's see. Having newly become the lord of the Duchy, she seemed quite tense. She said she wants to build a magnificent nation that is beloved by its citizens and not looked down upon by other countries."
Theresia-sama's policy for nation-building is greatly influenced by Anri-sama. She must be aiming to be a lord who protects her citizens from mass death. Mass death, of course, includes war.
"As you may know, the Duchy of Germania is located in a difficult position politically and militarily. Personally, I hope that the Duchy of Germania does not end up participating in the war due to the influence of the war between East and West Liber."
I didn't say 'our country,' but 'personally.' In other words, while it's not a confession, since it's a private talk, I, as a priest, cannot disclose it to others.
"Which region suffered the most damage from the plague?"
Eowyn-sama should be able to answer. Since Northern Gram provided the scrolls.
"It would be the coastal regions within the West Liber territory... including the current Duchy of Germania and the western half of the Duchy of Roland."
"Do you think the people of those regions would desire war early next spring?"
"No, they would likely hate it, including the lords."
"In other words, isn't that how it is? That is what I think."
Theresia-sama wouldn't be able to make a declaration of war early next spring. Because if West Liber resumes the war, her own territory would be the first to become a battlefield. As the first lord of the Duchy of Germania, I think her enthusiasm for building a good nation can be believed.
"Jeanne-sama, thank you for listening to my talk."
"May the Goddess's blessing be upon you."
From then on, Eowyn-sama didn't bring up that kind of talk at all.
We set out and found slugs early on. Actually, I had been told in secret by Eleanor-sama beforehand.
Slugs are apparently not fond of saltiness. So they aren't near river mouths, nor are they in brackish water areas. On the contrary, there are more of them in the mountains than in the wetlands. We searched past the wetlands, going up the river. Inside caves would be best, but searching takes time. Since they apparently lurk in depressions under rocks, I targeted places that seemed to have depressions at ground level while searching large rocks and cliffs in the forest, and on the third try, I found several of them clumped together. I had the magic soldier cast Sleep, cast a net, and caught three. When I returned to the Midway Base hanging them from the bowl, I was the first among the bowls that had set out.
I threw the slugs into the hole for the basement. The slugs released into the place warmed by the bonfire gathered slimily at the Warm magic circle already drawn. They must be happy because they can be warm just by being there and can absorb magic power, albeit in small amounts.
"Using Warm was a good method."
I can use Warm too, but I didn't think of it.
"I used it because I thought it would be good to warm them. I also used it when I gathered them last month."
The magic soldier who can draw magic circles replied. It seems Eowyn-sama has created a dedicated unit as a countermeasure against the two-headed ones. Since it's organized mainly with soldiers from Old Gram, they must be doing it enthusiastically.
The second to return was the frog team. They found them quickly, but apparently had a hard time transporting them. Even if it's hibernation, it's still November. They haven't entered a full sleep yet. Even when trying to cast Sleep, they jump and run away. If that happens, Sleep becomes hard to cast. After failing many times, they apparently froze their heads with Ice Cube. They actually arrived hanging in that state. Since it would be troublesome if they woke up and went on a rampage, they were thrown into the hole as they were.
Third was the two-headed team. It's as expected, if I say so myself. They are active enough that the Vice Demon Lord on the Ice Island is overwhelmed by them. Since even the frogs jumped around, the two-headed ones must be the same. Hearing the story, several of them were clumped together in a hole dug on a sandbank, so a battle broke out as soon as they were dug out. On the human side resisting them, even excluding Wilson-san the bowl user, there are two ultra-high-level mages. The Northern Gram team also assumed that would happen, so at first, the scouts were operating small bowls, and a fierce magic battle unfolded. In that case, it's beyond capturing them alive. It's just an extermination. Fortunately, since there was no ultra-high-level holy mage, they didn't unleash Megiddo Fire or Ultimate Flying-whatever, but after temporarily retreating to the sky and unleashing Cumulonimbus, they all died. Thinking they might as well, they wiped out about three more locations after that. At the fifth location, the Henry Party acting as decoys used Wind Barrier at low altitude to block the enemy's attacks, while another team repeatedly used Glaciate from directly above to freeze them, waited for the time they fell asleep to cancel it, and cast Sleep to make them sleep soundly. Since only one was needed for the experiment, the rest were exterminated with Cumulonimbus.
"It took time, but we defeated over thirty today."
Those who participated, including Eleanor-sama, are triumphant.
Perhaps, even without working hard to increase slugs, it might be solved if there's one bowl user and people who can use Wind Barrier for a shield, Clump Sand, and Cumulonimbus.
To prevent the young two-headed ones and frogs from jumping out and escaping, an earthwork was made around the basement hole with soil brought from elsewhere. Partitions were made with Wind Barrier so the three types wouldn't mix, and a lid was also made with Wind Barrier and a wall of Light with reduced output. After throwing in a few Fire Balls to warm the room and canceling Sleep, the experiment began.
"Shall we all make a bet on which one is the strongest? The stake is one copper coin. I'll present a glass of beer during the viewing to the participants."
Eowyn-sama suggested.
This kind of thing is something I should refuse as a priest. I thought so, but both Northern Gram priests expressed their intention to participate. It might be different depending on the country. Since it would be bad to dampen the mood when it's getting lively, I decided to participate as well.
The Secret Books didn't say that slugs defeat snakes. It's going to be an unprecedented battle.
The favorite is, of course, the two-headed snake. It just needs to attack the frog after the frog swallows the slug. However, judging from the cases seen in Engrio, the snake might not think the slug is stronger than itself. Besides, it has already been confirmed that the snake goes for the frog more than the slug. If it mistakenly attacks the frog first, the slug will win. It's based on the premise that the two-headed one, which is stronger than a normal snake, is smart to some extent and has the power to see ahead. And if the frog is unexpectedly smart, neither will move. Since the slug won't actively pick a fight, it'll be a draw. It's quite difficult.
Everyone started consulting individually. Judging from what I can vaguely hear, the most popular is indeed the snake. Moreover, it seems to be the overwhelming favorite. Eleanor-sama will likely buy the slugs she takes care of daily. So the Henry Party will probably all buy slugs.
However, at times like this, one should buy the unpopular one and aim for a windfall. Since the frog has a slim chance of winning no matter how I think about it, I decided to entrust one copper coin to the frog. The number of participants is six, including the Henry Party and me. On the Northern Gram side, there are fourteen people, including Eowyn-sama and the twelve others who participated in the operation, plus the fortress commander and vice-commander. In other words, if the frog wins and I'm the sole winner, it'll be one silver coin.
"I am sorry."
Eleanor-sama, who as expected bought slugs, spoke up. Don't tell me she's planning to change to the frog?
"We are penniless, so we cannot participate. Would anyone be willing to buy these Highway Cookies Deluxe? Half price is fine."
They're penniless as usual. Moreover, it has even spread to Will and Bonnie. Perhaps it's a new kind of disease.
The Highway Cookies were successfully purchased by Eowyn-sama, and everyone was able to participate in the bet. With a beer in one hand, the match began.
As soon as the Wind Barrier obstacle was peeked through, the two-headed one moved. Its target is the frog. It's moving slowly while flickering its tongue. The frog is looking at the slug but doesn't move, wary of the two-headed one. It's pointing only one eyeball toward the two-headed one. The slug doesn't move from the Warm magic circle.
The two-headed one raised its head. However, since there's a ceiling with a Light wall attached, it's not very high.
Good. When a snake attacks, its raised head goes toward the opponent. Its body doesn't stretch, nor does it pounce. The fact that its raised head is at a low position means the distance the head travels when attacking becomes shorter. That should make it easier for the frog to be wary and escape.
The two-headed one inches closer to the frog. The frog doesn't move, perhaps measuring the distance. Shouldn't it jump and escape once soon?
Finally, the two-headed one made its move. The frog jumped and escaped. But the two-headed one's way of attacking was good, and it was cornered. The two-headed one corners it further. The frog looked up, but there's a ceiling. Oh no, it can't escape...
Alas, the frog was bitten by the two-headed one and swallowed. Unfortunately, I lost. Well, it can't be helped.
After that, perhaps satisfied from eating the frog, the two-headed one stopped moving. Half an hour passed like that. As a result of the discussion, a judgment of the frog's total defeat was handed down, and it ended with only me losing. The other people got refunds. The one copper coin became the property of Eowyn-sama, who could be called the bookmaker.
"First, we will gather frogs. If we store them in an icehouse, they can also be used as bait from spring onward. In that way, we will reduce the frogs and the Amphisbaena. We will put in the slugs after that."
The discussion between Eowyn-sama and his staff ended. In conclusion, it seems they've decided to attack the frogs while they're sleeping.