Chapter 630 - First Story: Exterminating Engrio's Ants ⑧
We should contact King Seldic immediately.
That's what I thought, but...
"It is better not to convey such talk to the Engrio side right now."
Surprisingly, Henry-sama opposed it.
"Why is that?"
"It would dampen the momentum."
"Momentum..."
According to Henry-sama, the Engrio army is currently prepared for death, given that their opponent is a skilled member of the Demon Race. If we were to speak of the possibility of peace at such a time, there's a chance their tension would slacken. If that happens, they might lose a battle they could have won.
"First, it is better to focus all our efforts on defeating that Demon Race member. Talking to King Seldic can come after that."
I didn't quite understand, but apparently, that's how things are.
"Then, will it be okay after we defeat the Demon Race member?"
When I asked again, Henry-sama looked at Eleanor-sama.
"Harris, what do you think?"
Eleanor-sama then turned to Harris-sama.
"Unfortunately, it will likely be difficult."
Harris-sama also made a negative comment.
"Why is that?"
Since we only need to defeat that Demon Race woman, we should be able to manage something if we work hard.
"If we were to offer the opinion of defeating a Demon Race member of that level and yet not conquering the Demon Realm, our nation might end up making an enemy of the Church. That is a negotiation that can only be done because King Seldic is a pagan; for anyone from another nation, it would be a proposal that requires the resolve to be branded a heretic."
"Is it still difficult, then?"
Does that mean Eleanor-sama thinks the same?
"Yes. For us to propose it."
No way, then coexistence and co-prosperity will never be realized...
"But it was fine during the time of the Bishop on Vectis Island."
There are exceptions. We managed somehow.
"The Bishop, he himself was the Demon Realm, wasn't he? His submission was, in itself, the conquest of the Demon Realm."
"Then what about the time with Morandine?"
"With Morandine, it's officially recorded that the monsters withdrew of their own accord, and the forest itself has fallen into human hands. The situation is different."
If they are effectively harmless, shouldn't coexistence and co-prosperity be prioritized?
"Besides, King Seldic's proposal was toward that Demon Race member, not toward the Orcs. I do not know how King Seldic will judge after the Demon Race member is defeated."
That might be true, but...
It's as if there's no creed or anything if a pagan has an easier time proposing coexistence and co-prosperity.
"Harris-dono, I have a proposal of my own, may I share it?"
"Yes. Please go ahead."
It was Bishop Harrison. Maybe he'll say something helpful.
"First, let us swiftly defeat the Demon Race woman with our own hands. The surviving monsters will likely flee into the forest. If that happens, it will become a mopping-up operation, but even King Seldic will struggle accordingly. At that time, would it be permissible for me to say a word?"
"A word?"
"Nothing so difficult. I would simply say that the Demon Race member who obstructed the negotiation King Seldic tried to achieve is now gone."
"I see. You'll make King Seldic realize it. It depends on King Seldic, but it won't be an offer from our side. However, if you say that, you'll need someone to serve as a window for negotiations with monsters who cannot speak. Do you have someone in mind?"
If that window were related to Sertoria, Harris-sama might say it's difficult.
"I was thinking of asking Count Vectis to be the intermediary."
Ah! Harris-sama clapped his hands. Lyudmila, who is close to him, looked surprised.
Indeed, if Count Vectis, whose fame resounds throughout the White Island, handles the talk, it might go well. After all, he's a pagan and was originally a monster. He also has the Bishop and Alraune as translators. He's plenty intimidating to the Orcs. Moreover, he can mediate for peace from a neutral standpoint.
"As for other candidates, well. If neutrality is desired, Dragonewts come to mind."
If those powerful Dragonewts came, the problem would seem to be solved all at once, but I wonder if they'd accept? In the case of the Dragonewts, moving might also be an option. It feels like it would be much better than being on top of a mountain like that.
"Asking Count Vectis to mediate is a good idea. It depends on the Count, though."
"Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, what do you think?"
"It may be an irresponsible way of putting it, but may we leave this matter to Harrison?"
"Of course."
"Then, if the opportunity arises, I shall arrange a meeting with King Seldic."
"I look forward to it."
When I looked at Bishop Harrison, he gave me a smile.
"Jeanne-dono, let us defeat the Demon Race woman before damage occurs on the Engrio side. If people die, it will become a grudge."
"Yes!"
As expected of a hero. He's truly someone who received guidance from the Headmistress herself. Maybe the spirit of coexistence and co-prosperity is necessary to produce magic from one's mouth.
"So that means, we're going to defeat the Demon Race member by ourselves, right?"
"Exactly. For the sake of realizing a world of coexistence and co-prosperity, let's do our best."
When Beatrix asked, Eleanor-sama answered.
Eh? Is that so?
"Naturally. Let's do our best."
"Y-Yes."
I was pressed by Eleanor-sama. Beatrix and Lyudmila poked me with their elbows from both sides.
Harris-sama, there's no need to burst out laughing.
I felt like I'd been smoothly talked into it, but it was decided that we would subjugate the Demon Race woman. According to Eleanor-sama, we'll make it an unconstrained encounter battle.
First, we scout the forest. We have to find the Demon Race woman's whereabouts.
To increase efficiency, we split into two squads. We boarded small bowls and cut through the forest. The first squad consisted of Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Bishop Harrison, Beatrix, and Bonnie. The second squad was Wilson-san, Harris-sama, Will, Lyudmila, and me. Since Beatrix would act as the lid for Henry-sama's squad, they intended to speed up and whirl through the forest. In exchange, we would be on a safe-driving search.
"Let's do our best. If things go well, it may become a new foundation for the conquest of the Demon Realm."
Bishop Harrison called out to us as we were boarding. It was decided that if we found the Demon Race woman, we could launch a single attack depending on the situation. The first strike would likely be an Overflow with reflectors. That first shot is crucial.
"Yes!"
In Morandine, moving was the condition. If a successful example of coexistence and co-prosperity can be created here, and furthermore, if the Demon Lord can be sealed... The coexistence and co-prosperity of humans and monsters will surely take a step forward. Let's do our best.
We flew just above the canopy. If the monsters were gathered, it should be at the eastern edge of the forest. We flew in a quite zigzag pattern while peering through the trees from above, but we didn't see any swarms of monsters. As far as I could see with Sight, they weren't at the forest's edge by the water either. Just in case, Beatrix fired Wind Cutters several times while flying along the water's edge, but it only neatly mowed the grass.
"They weren't in the southern part. Then we'll enter the long, narrow hill range to the south. Wilhelmina, contact Eleanor-sama to that effect."
"Understood."
A little while ago, there was a contact saying they weren't in the northern half. In other words, the Demon Race member intends to take the entire army east, bypass the wetlands, and pincer the fortress from which the main force set out from the north and south.
We decided to go down along the small stream instead of the hill range. Because it's certain that Orcs and their ilk can move faster by running along the riverbank. We crossed the inner wall and came out to the river. When we observed to see if there were any footprints, Lyudmila found some.
"They're running inside the river. There are footprints on the riverbed."
I'm impressed she can find something like that. When I looked where she pointed, it did seem like there were depressions.
"That cliff. The footprints start from there. It's definitely Camouflage."
Lyudmila splashed Water toward the cliff she pointed at, but there was no sign of it getting wet.
"They must have descended to the river from there. That's why they're using Camouflage to hide the traces."
How ingenious. That means if we follow this river east, the Orcs will be there.
"Apparently, King Seldic has been requested to solidify the fortress."
We flew over the small stream. Since Lyudmila was following the footprints in the water, the speed was a bit slow. The others were using Sight to zoom in as far east as possible to see if there were any monsters. That's when Eleanor-sama contacted us.
"I wonder if we'll make it in time."
Will muttered.
Nearly three hours have already passed. If they were going to try to cross the wetlands by boat, they would have had to set out a long time ago.
"I think it'll be fine."
Even King Seldic wouldn't attack toward the forest through the wetlands where there's nowhere to hide. He's failed numerous times in the past.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Because they're attacking from the west with Teleport."
"From the west?"
That's right. With the idea that it's better to take the high ground first, they'll attack from the place our reconnaissance unit judged to be safe. Even Engrio has ultra-high-level mages who can handle medium-sized bowls. They should have already completed the move to the west along with the Teleport magic circles by last night. By now, the main force should have moved using those magic circles. We've already confirmed that there are no Demon Race members in the western hills. After that, once we grasp the enemy's position, they were scheduled to move to the upper part of the hill range. Of course, it's also possible to turn back.
"There should be boats with straw dolls on them wandering around the wetlands near the fortress."
Numerous boats with awnings for concealment have set out. Those are several boats tied together vertically with ropes, and they're supposed to be steered appropriately to go up the river flowing from the wetlands. It's hard for the people steering, but they're allowed to jump into the river and escape if anything happens, and they shouldn't go too far from the fortress. King Seldic is a meticulous person and had those dolls prepared at the fortress. He apparently intended to use them for a feint.
"Since he wasn't thinking of crossing the wetlands by boat in the first place, it'll serve as a distraction."
King Seldic had said that to Eleanor-sama with a grin. Between the unit movement combining medium-sized bowls and Teleport, Engrio also seems to be thinking of various ways to use the Aerial Scout Corps. I don't think the method of hiding their presence has been conveyed, but I can't exactly ask. The Aerial Scout Corps itself is said to be in the middle of reconstruction, but once the numbers are gathered, it'll become quite troublesome.
"They're doing things like that?"
"Yeah. He said the opponent is the Demon Race, so it'll be a battle of wits."
In addition to Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, that King Seldic thought of it. That Demon Race woman, we won't be easy to deal with either.
"We've caught up."
Just as I was telling everyone the details of the plan, Wilson-san seemed to have sighted the rear of the monster group. We all looked forward at once.
When I zoomed in with Sight, they were definitely there. Several Orcs were on the riverbank. When we ascended once and looked north, it was around the middle of the wetlands. Isn't it too early for a break?
"It might be a decoy."
It was Harris-sama. Indeed, it's too simple.
"It's better to overtake them."
Wilson-san also agreed, and it was decided to fly past them.
As we observed, those who were on the riverbank, perhaps having come to drink water, were walking toward the outer hill range.
"It's strange that they're on the outside."
"Normally, they'd be on the inside."
"Was there something on the inside?"
The inner side of the southern part...
"Could it be the ants?"
Yesterday's Queen subjugation was on the inner side of the southern part.
"The surviving ants?"
"Yes. They must be avoiding them."
We should have defeated the Queen. However, I don't think all of those worker ants could have been eradicated. There must be quite a few survivors. Originally, today was supposed to be a mopping-up operation. With the appearance of the Demon Race woman, that was no longer possible. A considerable number might remain.
"Wilhelmina, contact Eleanor-sama. Orcs discovered near the hills outside the southern side. High possibility of ants remaining on the inside."
The northern part had the ants on the outside exterminated. If the monsters are wary of survivors, they should flee to the inside.
"Lyudmila, draw a simple location map. Current position is the southern part of the central wetlands."
"Yes."
Just as Wilson-san requested Lyudmila, thinking words alone would be difficult, the magic circle for sending letters prepared by Will glowed, and a scrap of parchment appeared.
"A message from Eleanor-sama. Apparently, the fortress is under attack by a considerable number of ants. We are to attack and repel the Orc swarm as soon as we find them."
I was speechless at Will's words as she read the message.
"Charm!"
Wilson-san clicked his tongue.
Charm...
"That Demon Race member must have used Charm. Even for the Demon Race, it's impossible to handle that many with Subordination."
Did that Demon Race woman use Charm to incite the ants who lost their Queen? The Demon Race's vanguard is the ants, not the Orcs... Is such a thing really possible?
"She must have made all her moves during the night. She intends to do the pincer attack from the north and south with ants."
Ants would easily climb the stone walls of the fortress. Even if magic is used, they'll soon run out of mana, and if they take that spit attack, armor will be rendered useless. I don't know how many there are, but it shouldn't be just three or four digits. Unless they were prepared for an interception, it's not something that can be defended with only a few hundred people under a surprise attack. No one had anticipated an ant attack controlled by the Demon Race even at last night's strategy meeting.
That Demon Race member... just how strong is she?