Chapter 597 - Chapter Eleven: To the Duchy of Naonent ⑥
The mercenaries surrendered successfully.
In the order of those who surrendered, those burned by Dark, those injured, and those fainted, we tied them with their hands behind their backs with ropes in a chain, and started treatment as necessary after finishing tying them.
There are no deaths. There were injured people, but there are three people who can use recovery magic. One ultra-high-level and two high-level. The appearance is 'that,' but they aren't life-threatening wounds. Most were cured with one or two basic-level-equivalent Heals. I fixed the ones whose faces and hands were burned by casting mid-level-equivalent. It was a pity for the person whose teeth were broken by the arrow, but let's have him endure it as a punishment.
Once the restraint and treatment were over, it was the interrogation of the head. Since I use Thought Communication, it's simple. Moreover, during the treatment, Harold-sama and Hermit-sama, taking Fiona with them, snatched the boss. The head was threatened by the Priestess and the boss by Fiona, and apparently, they both spilled the beans easily.
The purpose of the gang was first magic water, then ransom. The ones they would extort were the Duchy of Harmonia, the Kingdom of Sertogne, and the Kingdom of Sertoria, and depending on the case, they had apparently also considered selling me to West Liber or East Liber.
"By the way, how much is my ransom?"
Even though I look like this, I'm an ultra-high-level mage. I think it would be a considerable amount... In fact, I heard the Sertogne Navy earned quite a bit of ransom by capturing West Liber nobles as prisoners.
"If you were taken prisoner during a war, it would be an exchange with prisoners captured, but since this is a crime, we will not respond to negotiations."
"A-am I worthless?"
"You're a stray, after all. The Church probably won't put out money either."
Harris-sama was saying something about magic water becoming a strategic material...
"We won't respond to negotiations, but we will organize a unit mainly composed of Paratroop Jaegers and conduct a rescue operation."
Wouldn't that be more expensive?
"It is not a matter of money. It is to show both inside and outside that Sertoria does not respond to negotiations with criminals, so that they do not think of such a grand thing as kidnapping our country's citizens. This does not change even if the target of kidnapping is royalty. In the worst case, victims might appear, but we will surely annihilate the opponent even if we have to mobilize the whole country."
Hmm, is that how it is? They are quite resolute.
"By the way, what will we do with the captured people?"
Harris-sama asked.
Even though we punished them, if we just release them, we'll be looked down upon. First of all, the Henry Party who are hiding their identities is one thing, but the deputy envoy of this mission is the Primordia Princess. Normally, they'd all be hanged.
"I found out through interrogation that they are destitute. How about giving them work?"
Apparently, they tried to participate as mercenaries in the war that started last year, but Sertogne was mainly navy. Like the West Liber noble we met this time, diplomacy under the surface went well and they hardly participated in land battles. The army led by King Seldic of Engrio became the main force. In other words, the mercenaries couldn't earn much. Actually, when I went to the Duchy of Harmonia for the first time, I saw mercenaries hanging out at a tavern in broad daylight. That was right after the start of the war, but if there were no land battles, they might have stayed like that the whole time. If even Harmonia, where the navy went on an expedition, was like that, Naonent, which closed its checkpoints and holed up, would be even more so. The boss also apparently gets various underworld jobs when it's a war. They failed to earn as they expected. There, a maker of magic water, who is clearly a source of money, arrived. Moreover, since it's basically a priest group, they aren't state guests. The guard is also thin. As Anri-sama said, it's half an experiment, so it's even more so. Such information reached the boss. At first, they were requested to guard within the town, but the earnings from that are low. They apparently aimed for a one-shot reversal by snatching me. I don't know if that kind of idea is because they are mercenaries.
Eleanor-sama is suggesting giving work to such people. Since they won't make it public due to the Henry Party's special circumstances, it's quite a deal to give jobs to people who would normally be hanged, in exchange for being released without charges.
"The boss is one thing, but what about the mercenaries? They can only fight."
Harold-sama says that they were originally destitute people who became mercenaries with their bodies as capital, and they have neither money nor the skills necessary for industry. He doesn't think there's a place for them to be employed.
"It's not Sertogne, but wasn't there a country recruiting mercenaries?"
There certainly is. Even just among those I know, there are four: Engrio, Morandine, Germania, and Roland. However, for now, for Sertoria and Primordia who were the parties targeted this time, they are non-allied countries except for Morandine. Among them, Morandine is not very trusted at present.
"Hoho, are you going to make them 'grass'?"
The 'grass' Harold-sama mentioned is, in short, spies. Sending them as spies for the Northwest Coast Alliance.
"I'm not thinking that far, but there's no problem as long as the number of information providers to our country increases."
"So, where are you going to send them?"
"The Duchy of Germania."
It's Theresia-sama's place. I heard the number of soldiers has decreased due to the influence of war and plague. Since they might be targeted first if the war resumes, it'll be urgent to gather numbers.
"If the war resumes as it is, a considerable struggle is expected. There are famous mercenary groups in East Liber, but no one will want to go."
At present, there are apparently no single allied countries where the main country East Liber is not involved. It's unlikely that West Liber, which is thought to target the Duchy of Germania territory first, would form an alliance, and I don't think the countries forming the West Liber encirclement net would form a single alliance with the Duchy of Germania. If they formed an alliance, even if the East Liber main army couldn't move, they would enter a state of war when West Liber invaded Germania. They probably don't have the intention to fight West Liber that actively. In other words, it also means they can't hire mercenary groups based in such countries. Conversely, a country that doesn't stop mercenaries based in its own country from going can be said to have the intention of building a friendly relationship with Germania. It's a helpful story for Germania. Even so, mercenaries value their lives. I don't think they'd go to a country where it's difficult to win. It might be different for people who are in a situation where it's in exchange for being hanged.
"Let's inform the Duke of Naonent of this matter privately and send them to Germania."
"Will it go that well?"
"Let's ask the Duke of Naonent with our heads bowed low. Even for the Duke of Naonent, if it becomes public, it'll just be a shame."
"As long as I don't have my dinner reduced, anything is fine."
Is it okay to approve something that could sway national diplomacy for such a reason? I have great doubts.
In the end, the head of the mercenary group accepted Eleanor-sama's proposal. He would. If he didn't, he'd be hanged.
This is a later story, but the Duke of Naonent also approved. After that, it was also approved by the Sertogne King, and the mercenary group successfully crossed over to the Duchy of Germania. According to Eleanor-sama, Theresia-sama and her subordinates will also likely see through the fact that the mercenary group are spies. However, she said that hiring a Sertogne mercenary group has a great publicity effect and will likely become a trigger for starting a dialogue or secret pact with Sertogne. In other words, the fact that Sertogne desires a dialogue with Theresia-sama will become known both inside and outside.
If the story of the West Liber noble we met in this town is true, as long as East Liber doesn't attack recklessly, there will be no war, at least not in the southwest. If Theresia-sama can form a non-aggression alliance with Sertogne or West Liber, even if a war starts, it might just be around the towns occupied by the East Liber main army last year. In short, it's the King of East Liber.
The 'Just a Disease' was called the Karmic Disease until the treatment method was found. However, the ones who are really suffering from a disease worthy of that name might only be some of the royalty and nobility.
Anyway, it was solved without a single death. Since the planned three days have passed, I just need to confirm the results of the experiments requested by Anri-sama and go home.
There are three experiments.
One is how far south one can go and still cast Anti-Sepsis. This has already been carried out. The reason for doing the experiment is clear. As a result of the increase in people converting to monotheism in southern Sertogne, even basic-level magic has become unusable. Whether magic can be used or not influences the plague countermeasures and the war situation with West Liber. That must be confirmed. According to what Anri-sama says, tactically, since the river becomes the defense line, it's fine as long as magic can be used north of the river. As a result of the experiment, what was found is that within the grounds of a shrine or church, magic two stages lower can be emitted stably. And, it turned out to be stable even in the forest, unexpectedly. Surely, the magic power is thicker than in the plain area.
The second is the confirmation of the plague spread situation in the West Liber inland... this time only the southwest was found... and the practice of countermeasure methods. Regarding the situation, Bishop Lloyd, who saw and heard the actual situation, will summarize it.
What was found regarding the measures is that the southwest can be protected to some extent by using the transport power of riverboats. However, to actually transport or rather sell it, diplomacy will be necessary. This will likely be considered by the Northwest Coast Treaty as a whole.
The last third one is the most important experiment.
Actually, Eleanor-sama is involved. It's whether magic water can be jumped from the White Island to Naonent. The reason Eleanor-sama sent me to the wetlands was actually this. Since the Wetlands Priestess manages the orbs, mass production of magic water became possible in Primordia too. Since the provision of magic water to Sertogne is Primordia's share, they can jump magic water not only to the Duchy of Harmonia but to all of Sertogne. However, if the activation of magic is unstable, it will fail. We really didn't know what would happen. When I stopped by the Naonent isolation ward on the first day, I had installed a magic circle of large barrel size brought by ship. If it's stable in a church or shrine, it'll probably be fine.
The result will be known today, on the way back.
On the final day, the Duke of Naonent also came. He probably came to talk privately about the mercenaries. After greeting, he went somewhere with Bishop Lloyd. Since the other priest group were all examining patients on the riverbank, I don't know what happened. It's probably better not to know.
Fortunately, the patients' progress is good. Naonent is originally receiving provision of magic water. If they continue bathing, they should recover completely along with their physical strength.
"Jeanne-bishop. I learned a lot this time. Truly, thank you."
When leaving, the mustached noble told me. The three nobles, by the Duke of Naonent's arrangement, were specially able to cross the border with all their family and attendants who came by carriage. In exchange, they were had to take Bishop Lloyd's plague countermeasure lecture at the church. It's still spring now, but there's a risk of the infection spreading toward summer. I really want them to stop it at the river.
"The same to you, I learned many things. Thank you very much."
From the mustached noble, I learned about the surrounding situation of Naonent. Apparently, in southwestern West Liber, there is a high-ranking noble who calls himself a Frontier Count. His main military role is apparently preparation against the heathens... another monotheism, it seems... occupying the country to the west of West Liber, and he has no interest at all in the eastern direction. Accordingly, he is closely watching the movements of Sertogne and the Duchy of Germania, and if there's a movement that throttles the Royal Capital, there's a possibility he'll immediately dispatch an army. Conversely, if the Royal Capital and the west are calm, he stays quiet. Of course, it's a story completely unrelated to me. However, the ones next to me were Harris-sama and Sianya. The information obtained should surely be useful for the White Island.
"Jeanne-bishop-sama, thank you very much for coming all the way to this land. Utilizing this experience, in order to contribute even a little to the great unity advocated by Anri-sama, I intend to dispatch someone from my territory to the next meeting."
It's the noble who came all the way to Sertoria.
If this person hadn't come to Sertoria, this talk wouldn't have happened. At first, because of his grand way of speaking, I thought he was just a scoundrel thinking of making money with magic water, but that was not the case. After I refused once, he went to Anri-sama's place. There, his enthusiasm was recognized by Anri-sama. Anri-sama heard various things including the terrain and thought of these three experiments. He's quite different from me. I'm still far from reaching him.
Bishop Lloyd also seemed to like this noble's sincere attitude. Looking in a certain direction, he said "I will give you that." It's a box containing several sets of bat infection prevention clothes for backup that Cadogan-sama had me bring. Since he had specially left it, he must have intended to give it.
"Is that okay?"
"In exchange, please cooperate in preventing the spread. In the future, if an infected person appears, please guide them to wear those black infection prevention clothes."
"Thank you. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness."
We return on Harmonia's riverboat. The Duke of Naonent and the knight guards also board. We set out being seen off by the three nobles, the wealthy people, and the priests of both local churches.
While watching the receding figures for a long time, a small boat set out after we had moved quite a distance. It's a pity I couldn't cast Sight which can enlarge. Because I surely would have been able to see the Henry Party.
In conclusion, the third experiment was a success. In three full days, we succeeded in jumping about three to four-and-a-half large barrels' worth of magic water to the magic circle installed at the isolation facility. If we make a large water tank and activate several magic circles simultaneously, we'll be able to jump even more. With this, it became possible to provide magic water to churches in various parts of Naonent without taking time. Since the Duchy of Naonent was one of the places furthest from the White Island in all of Sertogne, it's a relief. However, there might not be any Teleport users in the Duchy of Naonent, let alone all of Sertogne. Since they'll be buying expensive magic circles from Primordia, they won't be able to use them for daily use, but they should be useful in emergencies.
This time was a good learning experience for me personally too. I was able to see actual spread prevention measures on-site. And there was a new discovery. That it's possible to aim for plague spread prevention over a wide range with terrain. I had understood it vaguely in my head, but I was able to see it with my own eyes. Using mountains and rivers as defense lines. The idea is the same as tactics. I've heard from Paul-san before. Technology progresses most during war periods. Medical methods and slaughter methods. One saves lives, and one takes lives. It's an ironic story. And both must be familiar with the human body. If the starting point itself is the same and only the purpose and method are different, it must depend on the ruler. And humans are the only ones killing each other among the same race. Perhaps that's why humans are progressing in technology.
And there is one question. Whether the Duke of Naonent or the Sertogne King will provide magic water to southwestern West Liber when the infection of the target plague expands in the summer. However, there's no need to deliver it. Because like this time, the three nobles just need to bring the patients. Of course, it'll be used for diplomatic transactions. The condition will basically be mutual non-aggression. I hope it proceeds in the direction of utilizing politics for plague countermeasures, as Will said before. If tactics utilizing terrain are effective for plague countermeasures, utilizing diplomacy should also be effective. At that time, I just hope it doesn't become something non-human, like utilizing plague countermeasures for politics.
Class of 175 Management Scale (Excluding cash, jewels, etc., and personal assets)
・Shops: Main Shop (Nakanohara, Kingdom of Sertoria), Second Shop (Village near the Sertoria border in eastern Regnentes),
Third Shop (Sertoria Royal Capital), Fourth Shop (The Flatlands), Temporary Shop (Primordia)
・Right of Free Passage and Right of Free Commerce: Medioland, Regnentes, Finis, Northern Gram, Primordia, Engrio, Duchy of Germania, some regions of Sertogne
・Special Passage Permit: Primordia
・Fields: Eight fields (Including buildings with farm functions)
・Livestock: Goats, sheep, pigs, a few
・Contract Animals: Eight honeybee swarms
Chapter 24 End
Chapter 24 has concluded.
Thank you very much for reading this far.
And, I had not posted/published it in a way that made it clear it was the end of the chapter.
Usually, I schedule posts in bulk and add the Class of 175 management scale and afterword the day before, but I completely forgot. If you don't know it's the last part, you'd think there's still more, right? I have corrected it and offer my apologies.
Also, despite it being such a hectic work, I received bookmark registrations/maintenance, evaluations, likes, and reports of main typo corrections. Thank you very much.
And a report. For the sake of wanting impressions, I had attached the "Netcon Impression 11" tag, and it seems to have passed the first selection. I have nothing but gratitude for the person in charge of screening who chose this work. Thank you very much.
Now, for the future posting schedule. The situation called the wetlands series continues for a while, but actually, it continues in the next chapter too. One interlude on Friday, and the pace of starting the first episode on Monday after the weekend will not change. Please, look forward to it. If you like it, please register bookmarks, evaluate, and like. Also, please do send in your impressions.