Chapter 602 - Chapter 4 Second Visit to Ice Island
Since the operation itself ended successfully, we returned to the isolation ward for the time being. I asked Renata's seedling to convey a message and had the Goblin mothers who went to Nakanohara called back.
As a result of asking for their impressions, they all said they wanted to be like that too. Although the area they live in is on the edge, they live in the Dryad's Forest. Despite that, they thought the Nakanohara Goblins lived in a better environment.
What is the difference?
It was, after all, a clean living environment. They said that various rules, starting with cleaning the dwelling place, are troublesome but make it harder for children to get sick. If I recall correctly, the Nakanohara Goblins changing their living habits was also the result of Robinson-san's guidance considering hygiene. He said that at first, he used Subordination to force them to do it, but halfway through, they started doing it themselves.
The decisive factor was that as a result of the mothers, including the Elder, exchanging information, the Nakanohara mothers told them that if they were living in such a dirty place, they should just move over. They said that as mothers, it's natural to keep the dwelling place clean for the health of the family. They were grandly pitied and ended up being bragged to about the clean dwelling places. The mothers, whose pride was greatly hurt by being looked at with eyes of pity by their own kind, apparently got fired up. They reportedly pressed the Elder to teach them, with their breath coming in huffs.
However, even so, things don't change easily. The Elder had already thought about that point. The Elder and the Nakanohara Goblin mothers should just commute regularly using Renata's tree. Spirits have no borders to begin with. Eowyn-dono and Saxburg also approved.
"After that, it's the Amphisbaena extermination."
It's Eleanor-sama.
Regarding this point too, Robinson-san was fine with it. On the contrary, since the earnings are good and there's the matter with the Goblins, he was proactive. As a result of the discussion, it was decided that once a month, including the education of the Goblins, he would accept Eowyn-dono's requests. Since they are human, the movement is by Henry's party's high-speed bowl.
After that, it's me.
"Beatrix, what do you think as the Class of 175?"
For some reason, she asks Beatrix about my schedule.
"Let's see. I think the basic line is fine with that. But Jeanne is busy with various things, so it might be good to have an alternative method. Since she can't come sometimes, or even if she comes, there's a gap until the next time, what should we do in the meantime? I wonder if there are any ideas on the Northern Gram side?"
And for some reason, Beatrix answers as if it's natural. But what she's saying is correct.
"I see. That is certainly true. Then, let's consider a method to proceed with the work here when Jeanne-sama and the others are not present."
In the end, it was decided that when I can't participate, I would draw Light magic circles and entrust them to Robinson-san. Activation of a magic circle requires vocalization. Whether attaching or extinguishing, you have to approach and speak. However, since doing it non-stop for a whole day every time is tough, it was decided to do enough that it can be finished with one activation.
Next, how to gather the frogs for bait became an issue.
Eowyn-dono had apparently been attacking the frogs while they were sleeping during hibernation throughout the winter, and he had been actively making frozen frogs by offering rewards. Currently, there are three hundred in stock. However, the opponent is the greedy Amphisbaena. If they eat two at a time, it only amounts to one hundred and fifty portions. Besides, when Robinson-san isn't there, some might escape. We need to gather more.
"Why don't you just breed frogs?"
Beatrix says it easily, but if it's to be a frog ranch, a vast wetland with plenty of insects would be necessary. The condition would also be that there are no snakes or the like. I wonder if there's such a convenient place... come to think of it, there was.
"Eleanor-sama, there was someone who kept a lot of frogs, wasn't there?"
"Such an eccentric person... there was one among my acquaintances."
Eleanor-sama also seemed to remember.
"That is encouraging. Who on earth is it?"
"It is someone Eowyn-dono also knows."
"I do?"
He's tilting his head. Shall I tell him the answer soon?
The one keeping frogs is the Ice Vice-Demon Lord. He keeps frogs and insects for the Amphisbaena he keeps as a hobby. If we ask, he might share some with us.
"Right now, the church should be doing cod fishing. Let's ask Price."
Eleanor-sama took out a magic circle for sending letters.
In the reply from Price-sama, he said he wanted us to do it ourselves.
"It seems the task is too heavy for the priests who have gone to the Ice Island. He said that perhaps Jeanne must go directly."
"As expected of Jeanne-sama. Then, our country shall provide a ship."
Things are moving too fast!
In the first place, is there a need to hurry that much? Certainly, it'll be troublesome if the young snakes become parents. However, since there's a powerful barrier, they are contained.
"There is a reason to hurry, if you must say, more so than the extermination itself."
"What is it? What is the reason?"
You're not just saying something random again, are you?
I thought, but wait? Eowyn-dono and the staff are looking at me with solemn faces. What on earth happened?
"Armor made from Amphisbaena skin has very high magical and physical defense and is excellent. It can be used for any branch of the military because it can be worn not only as leather armor and helmets but also under chainmail."
I think that's a wonderful thing. It would reduce the number of injured and dead when a war breaks out. But even so, as for the reason to hurry...
Could it be...
"Is war near?"
Has the ceasefire on the continent ended and resumed? But the Northwest Coast Treaty Nations are neutral, right?
"Whether it is near or far, I do not know. However, preparation is necessary. Northern Gram is sending ships to sea areas close to the battlefield, so it is even more so. Many mistakes happen on the battlefield. We should avoid situations where victims arise due to mistakes."
At Eleanor-sama's words, Eowyn-dono and the staff nodded slowly.
I guess that's true. I thought, but Beatrix told me later. Even if the situation on the continent is unstable, there's no way they'd tell the truth to civilians like Robinson-san, Beatrix, and me.
"According to the town rumors, it seems West Liber is making a comeback in diplomacy."
Nakanohara is a midway base for trade with Engrio. In other words, rumors heard from Engrio merchants close to the continent reach us. Beatrix, who appears at taverns almost every night, hears rumors like a scout.
"Making a comeback?"
"Yeah. Apparently, the tribes on the eastern edge of East Liber have revolted. It's said they might have been incited by West Liber. And at the same time, the nobles on the southern edge also raised troops, saying they don't like the King's way and he should abdicate. It's too perfect, isn't it? They say West Liber might start a war themselves."
From West Liber?
"Are they going to invade Germania?"
"I don't know about that. But if they're going to force the King of East Liber to abdicate, wouldn't they go toward the home country?"
I see, that's true too.
To the White Island, it takes ten days for a round trip by ship from the tip of Finis. Since it's currently late May, if we go now, we can be back by the beginning of June. We'll make it in time for the recovery of the Northeastern Forest. Since they said I could get fifty gold coins as a reward if the negotiation goes well, I decided to leave the monster extermination in Nakanohara to Beatrix and go to the White Island. Since the frogs have to be controlled, Robinson-san is going too. I asked Renata to let us pass through the tree just for this time and returned to Nakanohara once.
"You're going to see the Ice Vice-Demon Lord?"
When we were having a wrap-up party in the backyard of the farm, Violet asked.
"Yeah. I'm going to get some frogs."
"Frogs?"
I explained this and that.
"You should just get the eggs."
"Eggs?"
"Yeah. You can get a lot."
I've seen frog eggs before. They are those things that look like a collection of transparent, squishy black eyeballs. Once, Lyudmila gathered some from a marsh of a farmer she was helping and kept them in a washbasin. Around the time they became tadpoles, she couldn't figure out the food situation and tearfully released them back into the original marsh.
"They lay so many at once. And since they just leave them, they get eaten by fish and stuff, but if you keep them in some pond, they'll become a lot of frogs, I think."
Violet lived deep in the mountains until she was invited by the Demon Lord. She said she saw them laid in marshes and stagnant parts of rivers many times. She tried to eat them once, but the smell was too fishy and it was no good.
Frogs lay eggs around this time. If it's the same for these frogs, it's perfect.
I call Eleanor-sama and talk to her.
"Then, let's ask the Lich how to raise them."
"What about the eggs?"
"It'll be faster to have the Vice-Demon Lord share the eggs too. If that's no good, we'll have to tell Eowyn-dono and have them look in the wetlands."
"Hey, Eleanor. Are you going to see the Vice-Demon Lord?"
"Yes, that's the plan. Are you coming too, Violet?"
"Is it okay?"
"It'll be five days one way by sea. Is the sea breeze okay?"
"It's fine. I've lived near the sea before. But there's drinking water, right?"
"Yes, we have enough for us to survive. It rains often too, so we can replenish. The food is mainly dried meat, so there's no problem, right?"
"Yeah. It's fine!"
It's fine for her to go along, but I wonder why she wants to go.
"Well, you see, I want to try meeting the Vice-Demon Lord."
"What will you do when you meet him?"
Eleanor-sama asks.
"Well, before, he told the Vice-Demon Lord that I'm with Jeanne and the others like this now, right? So that's why."
I certainly told him. The Vice-Demon Lord was happy.
"Are you going to talk about your current situation?"
"Yeah. I've never met him, but he's a great demon who was said to be the Demon Lord's right hand, right? I want to say hello and tell him that even though I'm a monster, I'm often having parties with humans, spirits, and ghosts."
Eleanor-sama hugged Violet gently.
"Understood. Then let's go together."
"Yeah. Thanks."
She's having her head patted and is grinning bashfully.
Two days later, we rode the high-speed bowl to the port at the tip of Finis and boarded a Northern Gram ship. It's a military ship, but a small one. It's small, but for its size, it has many oars and is apparently fast.
This time, Eowyn-dono is not participating. According to the captain, since the situation on the continent is suspicious, he has to stay within Northern Gram. So, all the royalty are on standby. Quite different from some other royalty.
When we arrived at the Ice Island, the captain from before welcomed us on the beach. He apparently comes to the island once a month to transport the finished salted fish.
"You have done well to come. The Bishop, who is the head of the church, is currently at the factory. He should be coming soon, so please wait a moment."
Oho. He's quite industrious to be leading the factory himself. It must be Price-sama's selection.
That Bishop came after changing from work clothes into white priestly robes. The way he's incessantly sniffing his hands... he must be worried about the smell of fish.
"Henry's party, I see. I have heard from Price-sama. You are most welcome. I was just gutting cod until a moment ago, so I think my hands smell. Please keep the greetings informal."
Even as he's saying that, Henry-sama is kneeling and taking the Bishop's hand.
"Bishop. Do not mind it. Working is a noble thing. What is a little fish smell... This certainly smells quite a bit. Eleanor, I've become hungry. Let's eat cod for lunch."
"Didn't you just eat lunch a moment ago? Have you already forgotten?"
"Was that so?"
The captain laughed loudly at this. The Bishop, who couldn't keep up, was looking blank.
"Bishop, these people are special. You don't need to worry too much."
After the atmosphere softened with an exchange where it was unclear how much of the 'special people' part was true, everyone greeted the Bishop normally and received a blessing. Of course, I did too. Incidentally, Will is from the continent and has a different religion, so she greeted him normally, and Violet also has a different religion, so she greeted him normally. Heretics are rare in Sertoria, but since they were companions of the special people, the Bishop didn't seem to mind particularly.
We handed over several wine barrels brought as a donation and got to the business.
"By the way, Henry-sama. I have received a letter from Price-sama, but you are going to the interior of the island, aren't you?"
"Yes. It is research on monsters."
"I am sorry, but by Price-sama's instructions, I cannot accompany you."
"We do not mind. It is enough that you have permitted our landing in this land. We shall move as we please so as not to cause you trouble. When we return, we shall come to say hello again like this."
"We look forward to it."
Hmm. The church is thorough in its own way.
We fly off in the bowl just like that. We entered the basin just like last time, and on the way, we piled up shrubs we had cut in the forest on the edge of the medium-sized bowl and lit them to raise a smoke signal.
After about half an hour, Violet reacted and stood up.
"He's here."
I can tell she's nervous. Even Violet, who talked back to four Dragonewts.
What Violet is looking at is a hole in the middle of a cliff. Just like last time, he appeared in the same place. Since I had cast Sight just in case, I knew immediately.
"Ah, it's the Vice-Demon Lord. Hey—!"
I raise both hands and wave with all my might. My voice won't reach because it's too far, but the feeling should get through.
"Ah, look, he waved back."
Look, it got through.
As expected of the world-renowned Vice-Demon Lord. Just like last time, he is proper.
"Jeanne is really amazing."
"Eh? Really?"
For some reason, I was laughed at by Henry's party.