Chapter 736 - Third Story: The Demon Lord's Resurrecting Cave In The Demon Realm (7) (Morandine) Outpost
There was no attack by monsters in the middle of the night.
After eating breakfast, we depart, saying we are going on a reconnaissance. The composition is a six-person group with Price-sama and Wilson-san from Group 1 participating.
We headed straight for the Harpy nest. The Dullahan, whom Henry-sama and the others went to pick up after sneaking out of the fortress last night, is reportedly staying there.
When we got close, the Dullahan was waiting for us in front of the nest. We bring the bowl close and land.
Upon asking, the three Harpies are inside. When the Dullahan called out toward the hole, one came out. According to the Dullahan, it's the one that was having the aerial battle at the fortress. Henry-sama took off the sword at his waist and handed it to the Dullahan. He showed that he had no intention of fighting.
"I have spent time in their nest since last night. They fully understand your actions. The male in the back didn't quite understand, but he was being reasoned with by her."
"Knight of the Forest, thank you for your trouble. You have my gratitude."
Henry-sama walked up to the Dullahan, and they embraced each other.
"What will you do? Will you talk with them for a bit?"
"If possible, I would like to do so."
When the Dullahan said something to the Harpy, the Harpy, seemingly in agreement, squawked at the Dullahan while pointing inside the nest.
"She says to enter first."
"Then, let us intrude."
Henry-sama went on all fours and entered just like that.
We entered the nest on Eleanor-sama's plate, just like the day before.
In the nest were another Harpy and the chick. The adult one must be the one we made into a bagworm. It's impossible to distinguish by appearance, but it's apparently a male. The male, realizing he lost the fight, doesn't harbor hostility, but he looks a bit displeased. However, in the world of monsters, the winner is superior. He seems to understand that. In contrast, the chick, perhaps understanding what happened to it, looked at us and smiled a little.
The old couple and Wilson-san, who snuck out of the fortress in the middle of the night, flew the bowl to the herb garden in Northern Gram. Since it's ultra-high speed, it would take about an hour or two. There they met the Dullahan, and then turned back and went to the Harpy nest. This is because the Dullahan can talk to Harpies. A discussion was reportedly held there. Since the Harpies understood that the Henry Party had defeated the demon and released the chick, they responded to the Dullahan's call.
According to the Harpies, they originally had no intention of being hostile toward humans. They have slender builds to begin with. They didn't attack livestock, but hunted fish and wild rabbits. They were told by the Demon Lord that they only needed to conduct aerial reconnaissance over the forest. Moreover, since humans didn't invade either, they lived comfortably as they were.
It was after the previous Demon Lord subjugation ended. A high-level demon requested their cooperation. Although Morandine now has a reasonable size, that's because it conquered and occupied countries that existed before. In other words, it was a much smaller and weaker country than now, and yet the Demon Lord's army couldn't achieve significant results twice in a row. It was apparently a front line with the least results. He said that if Harpies, who fly freely in the sky and use powerful magic, actively participated in combat, it would change completely. The Harpies were happy that the commander class of the Demon Lord's army valued them so much, so they promised to cooperate in the next Demon Lord revival. And they also began coordinating with the Orcs.
The situation changed completely after the report came in that the demon had been killed by humans. A subordinate demon... though it seems to be quite low-ranking and not that strong... started acting big and said it would take charge. When they complained, the chicks were taken hostage. They were put behind iron bars that had magic defense applied so they couldn't be broken by Harpy magic. Henry-sama could break them because he used a silver sword. And the opponent uses Teleport. Since it's only good at escaping, they couldn't kill it easily. They tried to kill it several times but failed. Finally, all but one chick were killed. And it has continued to the present.
As a result of the consultation including the Dullahan, the Harpies decided to withdraw from the command of the Orcs. In reality, it wasn't that they were in command, but the high-level demon gave instructions and the Harpies used their mobility to transmit them, so the Harpies themselves weren't in command. The operations themselves were independent, involving attacking surrounding villages, and if provoked humans invaded, the Orcs would draw them into the forest and conduct delay actions at the outskirts of the forest while the Harpies launched surprise attacks from the rear sky with Tempest; it was apparently devised by the high-level demon. According to Eleanor-sama, it's an extremely effective tactic against normal forces, unless the intercepting bowl units are sufficient in number and well-trained. The attacks on villages after leaving the wasteland were not organized, but were done by small numbers of those with bad habits. This roughly matches several Morandine records of a dozen or so monsters attacking villages while chasing sheep in the grazing land. In other words, even during the period when the Demon Lord had revived, there were no large-scale invasions. However, if he revives in Morandine, it's unknown what will happen.
Relocation of the Harpies was also considered, but it was decided against. It's not a good idea to go to the north in the middle of winter with a chick. And because the nasty demon is gone, the Harpies thought their previous comfortable life would return. It was decided that if the human side implemented the plan to seal the Demon Realm... assuming it's uncertain whether it can be done... it would depend on that result. When he heard Eleanor-sama's breastwork plan, the Dullahan thought for a bit but agreed it wasn't bad. Regarding the Orcs, he showed the same view as Gigant.
When we said the human side might begin an invasion next summer, it was decided that in that case, they would evacuate to the Dullahan's forest. In that case, too, it would be a hard journey for the chick. It was decided that the Henry Party would monitor the movements of the human side and, as quickly as possible, come to pick them up in the bowl and send them to the Dullahan's forest.
After the discussion, there was a simple banquet. Since we couldn't bring sake barrels, everyone brought wine filled in their water skins for encouragement. Bonnie distributes the bowls. For the chick, it's the honey water I brought. After having the Dullahan explain, I poured a little bit and acted as the poison tester, taking a sip before handing it to the parent. The parent took a sip, and perhaps liking it, drank it all, and was hit on the head by the other parent next to it. I heard the one who drank it was the one who became a bagworm. They look indistinguishable, but it's apparently the male. I have no choice but to pour another cup and hand it to the chick. When the chick put it to its mouth tentatively, it smiled. I was happy, so I gave it the whole water skin.
"What will the results of this investigation be like?"
On the way back after sending off the Dullahan, I asked Eleanor-sama. Although it's primarily the Church, it's the Henry Party that conducted the investigation.
"We defeated one demon who was the leader and killed several subordinate Harpies. As a result, there are no longer any conspicuous monsters capable of organizing a Demon Lord's army. That's how it will be."
As the Henry Party, they want to summarize that while there is no immediate threat, invasion is difficult because of the large number of Orcs; on the other hand, an invasion by monsters is also unlikely at present when the Demon Lord has not revived. It's better to strengthen monitoring by some method and aim for a de facto containment.
"Containment, is it. It depends on how King Seldic, the proposer, judges it."
Price-sama is not smiling, perhaps thinking it's difficult.
If magic soldiers are mobilized, the construction of the breastwork should be possible. Each country will share that. Every country will stop fighting if their magic soldiers are gone.
"What will you do about magic countermeasures?"
Price-sama asked. That's the problem. For the time being, dry moats and earthworks will be fine, but eventually, they must be reinforced. The slug paint used for Eleanor's armor would work, but production is limited. And it's a military secret.
"I intend to request technical cooperation from the Dwarves. If there's a material with a certain level of magic strength, it should be fine."
"In other words, you've already spoken with them."
"Yes. We plan to use it for our country's containment operation. We just have to buy the things the Dwarves developed as construction materials."
"By the way, what is the estimate if it's actually implemented?"
"According to the calculation..."
According to Eleanor-sama, it's scheduled to be paid in five-year installments. In other words, it will take five years for the Dwarves to prepare the anti-magic materials. There's no way those guys would accept a lump-sum payment. They will probably be given some sake barrels every day. And since most of them work in some mine, they are busy. They will make them in the gaps between their work. Since they'll probably do it lazily while slacking off anyway, it might take about seven years instead of five.
The materials themselves will be produced at a factory built somewhere in the Royal Capital area, and the Sertorian Royal Family will buy them. Since they only order construction materials capable of magic defense from the Dwarves, they can maintain neutrality, albeit barely. And they won't complain even if they sell to the Demon Race. The Dwarves will each jump in via Teleport and process the materials. The finished products will be collected by Beatrix and jumped to the construction site with new magic. The construction personnel will be Kingdom Army soldiers. If there's a labor shortage, civilians can be hired if there are volunteers. They are also considering incorporating it into corvée labor. In that case, civilians will commute from the Royal Capital area via Teleport. It's better to have a safe place to sleep. Meals will be a lunch box service.
"Will the budget all be held by the Royal Family?"
Price-sama asks further.
As for using Kingdom Army soldiers, the labor cost would be hazard pay, I suppose. If civilians are hired, the wage per person should be quite a bit. The problem is the processing fee paid to the Dwarves. The quantity is large. It will be expensive.
"That's the plan. I'd like to say that, but it won't work that way. The trial calculation shows that considerable donations from the wealthy will be necessary. However..."
"However?"
"For example, if the Church takes the lead and requests each country to make it a joint operation, the burden per country for a single year will be quite cheap. We will do that sequentially at the caves where the Demon Lord is currently confirmed to revive."
"A joint operation based on the burden of each country? You've thought it through. Is Sertoria first?"
"Morandine would be good. Since it's impossible for this country alone, we can justify making it a joint burden. And we will make this the prototype."
"You want me to convey that to the Grand Archbishop?"
"No, if we're going to propose it, it'll be at the Council of Lords next year. Without the agreement of each country, we wouldn't be able to make a request to the Grand Archbishop."
Hmm, Price-sama thought for a bit, then opened his mouth.
"I don't think it's bad. If each country jointly provides magic corps, the breastwork itself can be built. As long as it can be covered with anti-demon materials by the time the Demon Lord revives, it just needs to be maintained until it's sealed with Testament, so it might be manageable in terms of economic aspects and human loss."
Can this be seen as agreeing with Eleanor-sama's opinion?
"What does Jeanne think?"
For some reason, he asked me. To be honest, I don't really understand even if you say fortresses or bastions. However, there's just one thing I want to ask.
"Um, I have something I'd like to ask Eleanor-sama, if that's alright?"
"What is it?"
"Sealing the Demon Lord's cave is one thing, but in Morandine, you say you will seal the entire Demon Realm as well."
"Yes, I think it would be safer if we could do it that way."
"In that case, from the human side, it's a defense wall for sealing the Demon Realm, but from the monster side, it would be a defense wall to prevent human invasion into the Demon Realm."
Price-sama stared at Eleanor-sama.
"If so, isn't it strange for only humans to guard the defense wall?"
If it's a defense wall for both sides, it should be a defense wall for mutual non-aggression.
Eleanor-sama looked at my face after letting out a sigh.
"Such a view might also be possible. However, suppose that actually happens. And suppose a part of it is damaged for some reason and needs repair. At that time, who will repair it?"
Could it be, Eleanor-sama intended that from the beginning? To make the Demon Realm a monster territory that humans do not enter. In other words, she intends to make a substitute for the Green Wall of the Dryads in the Royal Capital area. That wall was made by spirits including Dryads. Naturally, repairs can only be done by spirits.
"If possible, I'd like to hear the intentions of those standing on the other side."
The Dullahan said it wasn't bad, but what would the sub-Demon Lord or the female demon think? Perhaps they might say the wasteland should be made a non-aggression zone. However, the difference between wasteland and grazing land is unclear. There will be times when livestock escape. If prey comes before them, monsters will chase it. They might even go to a village in the heat of the moment. Like the boundary with the Dryads in the north of the Royal Capital area, I think it's better to have something that can be recognized at a glance.
"I understand."
I asked Eleanor-sama, but for some reason, Price-sama answered.
"Eleanor, I agree with your thought. But as Jeanne says, it takes two to tango. And humans are arrogant. I think it's better not to think that everyone will agree with you."
Eleanor-sama nodded lightly two or three times with a solemn expression, as if to say she understood.
"And Jeanne. Thank you for your useful opinion."
"N-no."
"Regarding the report, shall we summarize it by saying that to prevent economic and human loss that would occur if a subjugation army is raised, the effectiveness and possibility of containment also need to be considered?"
She'll change it to a softer expression. She'll weigh them. The defense wall is expensive. On the other hand, an offensive would result in many people dying.
However, I feel like I've done something bad to Eleanor-sama.
"As you all know, the direct trigger for this investigation, regardless of the background, was the Morandine Royal Family's request to the Church. As a result of the investigation, what kind of action to take will, after all, respect the intentions of the Morandine Royal Family. And for Morandine, which is currently in the process of rebuilding its national army, it might dislike human loss more than economic loss."
In other words, if Morandine agrees to the defense wall creation plan, Eleanor-sama's plan will be realized...
"And if the defense wall is covered with the new material proposed by Eleanor, each country will buy that material from Sertoria. At that time, I would certainly like to hope for a price that is kind to the national treasuries of each country. If possible, at a price close to the amount bought from the Dwarves."
Eleanor-sama, who had been making a solemn face, looked in the direction Henry-sama suddenly pointed.
"Eleanor, I wonder what that is? That?"
"I wonder what it is. It's interesting."
The two of them are looking far, far away. I'm sure there's nothing there.
These delinquent old people! They were making solemn faces the whole time Price-sama was talking, but everything was calculated? Could it be, they were thinking of earning the budget to build Sertoria's defense wall in Morandine?
"Hmm, it's a mysterious shape."
"We might not be able to see it again in our lives. Let's take a good look."
Price-sama is even laughing out loud.