Chapter 604 - Fifth Story: Reunion with the Fire Dragon
While we were at the Ice Island, the month changed to June.
At the southwestern foot of the mountain, another Council of Lords must have been held. Perhaps because of that, when we reached Northern Gram, we were able to hear about the situation on the continent from Eowyn-dono.
"It seems West Liber has set out to take back the eastern towns that were seized last year."
"West Liber made the first move, then."
"It seems so. However, it is a force centered around the southern nobility. The King has not left the Royal Palace, and the main army has not moved either."
"They must have judged that the East Liber main army has no leeway to deal with it. Was there any movement from the surrounding countries?"
"No, nothing in particular. They must have stationed troops near the borders, but they won't seriously invade. They are likely observing. As for Engrio, they haven't even called for a mobilization. Perhaps there was no request from East Liber, or perhaps they refused because the main army isn't moving toward West Liber."
"Is there a possibility that some West Liber nobles set out on their own?"
"Currently, every country seems to be exploring that line. The King of West Liber is maintaining silence, but I believe he will launch a full-scale offensive if he sees a good opportunity."
Can a commander-in-chief maintain silence even after breaking a ceasefire?
"A ceasefire can be broken at any time. A ceasefire itself can last for only a single day. This time, it was caused by the inability of both countries to fight due to the spread of the disease, so once that situation is alleviated, they were in a situation where it could be resumed at any time."
Which means!
"Th-Then, has the disease on the continent subsided?"
I instinctively look at Eowyn-dono's face... but wait? He's tilting his head.
"The situation seems not to have changed since early spring. According to what I heard, the number of infected people was supposed to increase in the summer... in other words, right about now, but while the number of infected people itself is increasing, the rate of increase... that part is the same as in early spring."
I see. Then it's no wonder he's tilting his head. As for the situation, it's at a point where you can't say for sure it won't become a major epidemic. There's no doubt the situation doesn't allow for optimism.
"The involvement of Count Vectis was significant. Currently, the scrolls and large barrel magic circles that our country and Finis are providing to West Liber are all unloaded at the designated artificial island of the Count. After that, they are strictly managed at the Count's port, and after the magic water is produced, they are transported to West Liber by the Count's ships. After all, the Vampire's fame thunders across the entire continent like a thunderbolt. Anyone who treats cargo loaded on a ship flying that flag dishonestly must be either extremely ignorant of the world or a fool who cannot distinguish between a horse and a deer." (T/N: 'Horse and deer' refers to the Japanese word 'baka', meaning fool.)
Count Vectis also understands this, and when handing over the goods, he issues a notice prohibiting resale, and has issued a document stating that those who violate this will be treated as having insulted the Count's honor. No one would be safe if targeted by a Vampire who can freely use magic even on the continent. Those who received the goods are all quietly delivering them to the destinations. As expected. Since the Great Unity Conference some time ago, the recipients are nobles, but the managers have become the local churches. Combined with that, the amount used for the common people has increased significantly compared to when the supply of magic water began. If it's being used in the residential areas of the poor, which become hotbeds for disease patients, a major epidemic will surely be prevented.
"Also, the West Liber army that set out this time is that of a great noble from the south. They must have judged it was no problem because it hasn't spread to the south."
The commander is apparently a noble who went nearby and watched during the siege by the King of East Liber himself. It's rumored that he might get a percentage of the land he takes back. Well, since humans are creatures that move for profit, luring them with profit and making them work is a realistic and good method.
At any rate, for now, the various nations of the White Island seem to have decided to wait and see, and that part was good. Whether it's East or West, no one wants to form a military alliance and get dragged in.
We successfully handed over the frog eggs to Northern Gram. However, they won't grow large if raised normally. The eggs were transported to the isolation facility along with the water tank used for transport. From now on, it seems the Lich will be asked to make a breeding manual based on what Eleanor-sama heard from the Vice-Demon Lord. We're not making B-ranks like Behemoths or Lindwurms. The magic power level of a normal forest should be enough, so it'll work out somehow.
"After that, it's the Scorpions."
Scorpions are those things with a stinging tail curled over their backs. They were the provisional champions until they were swallowed whole by the frogs. If I recall correctly, they were around the crater where the Fire Dragon lives. They look quite rugged, but I saw them get scared and run away at the shout of the Loud Prince, Edward-sama.
"The monsters living in the third layer of the Demon Lord's cave aren't decreasing at all. The ants we wiped out have resurrected before we knew it, and on top of that, even bees are swarming."
Since the Demon Lord was exterminated, they had been aiming for complete conquest starting from the first layer for training purposes, but the third layer had apparently been put off because the opponents are what they are. There were times when they couldn't deploy enough troops because of the war or because they were on standby for the war on the continent. Especially since the Paratroop Jaegers, who act as guides, were taken for that, they haven't touched it lately.
I thought it would be fine to just burn all the overgrown black trees with Prominence, but apparently, even though it's incredibly vast, if a large fire starts inside the cave, the air will become thin and it'll become impossible to enter ever again. If that happens, the investigation itself will become impossible. It seems they have no choice but to steadily exterminate the insects while cutting the trees into small pieces with Wind Cutter and carrying them out.
"If the monsters living in the Demon Lord's cave are being sent from the outside, there must be a link with the place where the Scorpions are."
Eleanor-sama says that Scorpions are originally creatures of warm regions and are not on the White Island. Probably, they brought them from the continent and are increasing them somewhere as Scorpions. In other words, the only place where discovery cases have been found so far is around the crater where the Fire Dragon lives.
"Fortunately, the situation on the continent is not that pressing. While we can, we should search the forest around that crater with the cooperation of Finis."
In that place, as creatures not seen elsewhere, there were also Cerberus, Orthrus, and Griffons. Of course, regarding magical beasts, the deep forest called the greatest Demon Realm is in the north of Medioland, at the border with the former Septanaquila territory, and there are mountains of them there. Probably, there's a possibility that place is also connected. Of course, as for Finis, almost everywhere that isn't a settlement can be called a Demon Realm with many powerful magical beasts, and I don't know how far we should search. Afterward, humanoid monsters are in the Demon Realms that haven't been conquered yet, so in the end, we'll just have to temporarily wipe out the high-ranking Demon Race.
"But can you find a magic circle in such a vast place?"
"That is, as expected, impossible."
"Th-Then, what are you going to do?"
"We will lure out the Demon Race."
"Can you do such a thing?"
"I wonder. I think it's about fifty-fifty."
"Fifty-fifty... what on earth are you going to do?"
"That is a pleasure for when we get to the site."
If I'll know when I get to the site, I think it's fine to tell me now.
We returned to Nakanohara once and had a wrap-up party. This time, Violet is also in a good mood, perhaps because she's on the side being told 'good job'. She's happily giving 'high-highs' to Glory, the Goblins, and Little Serena many times with her side legs. There seems to be no debate practice, and the bandits are drinking normally with the Salamander. The ones caught by the Gnome are, as usual, Alex and the Elf Prince. However, he's persistently encouraging them to drink, perhaps intending to make them pass out drunk early.
"Renata, I am sorry for making various unreasonable requests. I look forward to working with you in the future."
Eleanor-sama immediately thanks Renata. We were allowed to use Renata's seedling trees specially.
"I don't mind. I left them behind thinking there might be times like this."
Serena looked like she wanted to say something, but she seemed to reconsider. At least, we're not making it so humans use them continuously. She must appreciate that point. Also, regarding the Demon Realms, Eleanor-sama has apparently talked to her in advance. Since she's keeping her promises properly, she seems satisfied.
"Thanks to Jeanne, my forest has taken shape quite a bit too. Well, it's better to call it a young woods than a forest. But during the winter, even Beastmen started coming, and the manpower increased, so I've been able to develop it more and more."
The wages for the seasonal Beastmen are paid by the Elves. The Elves, in exchange, are making crafts from magical beast horns and furs, and silk fabrics. They apparently make one item over a whole winter, but since the memories of the old man from the construction site returned, the technical level has also jumped up at once. One item is truly a masterpiece and is reportedly selling to enthusiasts for dozens of gold coins. They can easily cover the wages for the Beastmen's seasonal work. In exchange, the 'old-man-ification' of both men and women is progressing in the village, and it's reportedly become quite lively.
"Hornless ones have increased and are gathering acorns and storing them, so rabbits and squirrels have also increased. Living with pigs is a bit much, though. Even so, I've become able to protect the forest myself by making mist. That much is an easy task."
"That's amazing!"
It couldn't be done well in the monsterized forest.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, the recovery is progressing faster than I thought."
She hugged me.
"Sister. If that's the case, can't we pick up the pace a bit more?"
"I wonder if we can."
"Increase the number of trees we illuminate? I don't have a problem, but if we do it all at once, the surface soil will wash away when it rains, right?"
We are illuminating the black trees with Light enhanced by high-level Holy. The black trees split and fall but sprout new shoots. Serena gives power to the shoots to make them one-year-old trees, and we plant them to make a woods of young trees.
The woods are spaced according to the growth of the trees, and shrubs are planted and undergrowth is grown in the empty spaces. The Elves are doing that adjustment. The role of the Beastmen is mainly physical labor. They do a lot of things, like plucking shoots, crushing the stumps or the split trees themselves with wind magic and mixing them with soil, bagging that, and carrying and planting the one-year-old trees, and pouring water produced by magic at the roots of the planted young trees. It's heading toward summer now, but since there are no deer or boars, they have to cut the undergrowth. However, since reconciliation with humans has been established, there was no need to guard the boundary line. They will apparently turn those spare hands to the forest. Naturally, the wages are paid by the Elves.
"The new forest has become wider, right? So the circumference has become longer."
"I see, we can do it in several places at the same time."
We have been proceeding with the work so as to draw a spiral where a group of black trees and a group of young trees alternate, so as not to expose the ground all at once. That spiral has reached a sufficient size. In the summer, the Elves also seem to prioritize the forest over crafts, so there is manpower.
We are limiting the number of trees we illuminate with moderation. One thousand trees a day. If we do it for two consecutive days, we can double it.
When I consulted with Marcelo-san, who is in charge of Holy, and Eleanor-sama, the Royal Palace representative who is paying the allowance to the two of them, they easily gave the OK. A condition was attached, but it was to make it two consecutive days. Even for the seasonal Beastmen, and for us, that's better. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to go on expeditions.
"By the way, where is Jeanne going next?"
Lately, I'm often asked by Renata.
"Finis."
"Going north again, then."
"Yeah. We're going to the volcano where the Fire Dragon is."
"Then it's a party with the Salamander."
"That's right."
Come to think of it, when Gwyn-sama meets the Fire Dragon, the Salamander is the translator.
It was three days later that we reunited with that Fire Dragon. Robinson-san is here this time too. And Gwyn-sama and Sianya are with us. In other words, Robinson-san's existence is declassified to Finis and Primordia as well.
By the way, why is Sianya here?
It's apparently 'Demon Race Luring Operation Part 1', thought up by Eleanor-sama. I haven't been told what they're going to do yet.
"Yo, thanks for calling me."
The Salamander was also called out. The Fire Dragon is also 'guon-guon'-ing with joy. The Fire Dragon is holding its favorite silver spear. According to Gwyn-sama's story, it's apparently been practicing its swings every day and has improved considerably.
"Oh! Is that not the Fire Dragon? You are quite thoughtful."
The Gnome was also called. There's a reason for that.
"What, were you all here too?"
"Yes. We also met the Earth Dragon the other day."
The one who replied to the Gnome's words was the Chieftain of the Dragonewts. He came with the Vice-Chieftain. They have already met the Earth Dragon through the arrangements of Henry's party. Since he's prickly, we called the Gnome as a buffer. It's a secret, though.
"Compared to when I first met Jeanne and the others, you have become quite soft."
"It is so. For now, I believe the current generation of Sertoria can be trusted."
Hearing the Chieftain's words, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama bowed with smiles.
Those meeting for the first time gave 'Nice to meet you' greetings. Gwyn-sama was surprised by the Gnome and the Dragonewts in his own way, and Sianya was a bit stunned by the appearance of the Fire Dragon, the Gnome, and the Dragonewts. It's just like Robinson-san not to be moved by anything. It must be the difference in life experience.
When the greetings were over, it was a toast with Finis's top-shelf stuff. Since it's a different treatment from what's usually paid, the Fire Dragon is relaxing cross-legged, holding a dedicated washbasin-sized bowl in its right hand. Its favorite spear is in a dedicated sheath and leaning against a dedicated spear rack.
"To think the Fire Dragon was communicating with humans to this extent... We were blind."
The two Dragonewts are sighing. We're planning to have them meet the Water Dragon and the Wyverns later. Those live even more amicably with humans. I wonder what kind of impressions they'll have.
"However, now that we are gathered like this, will the Demon Race not be on guard?"
The Gnome said with a smirk.
Certainly, if you think about it normally, it would be disadvantageous for the Demon Race. Two of the Four Great Spirits, the Fire Dragon, and the Dragonewts are having a party with humans in a vast place like the area around a volcanic crater.
However, the interaction between the dragons and humans in Finis didn't start just now. The Fire Dragon is recent, but others... the Wyverns, who were at a distance, have recently started hunting together. The Water Dragon also recently started drive-in fishing together... Could it be that it's dangerous?
"Please rest assured on that point. We will have the dragons and Beastmen maintain thorough neutrality. If there should be an unscrupulous human who, even as a joke, says they will fight alongside the Demon Lord's army, they are to laugh it off as a good joke."
Eleanor-sama is puffing out her chest, but what she's saying feels a bit delicate. But well, since the Gnome and the Dragonewts are nodding along, I guess it's okay.