Chapter 744 - Third Story: The Demon Lord's Resurrecting Cave's Demon Realm ⑮ (Morandine) Outpost
Mary's reading was correct.
The Henry Party had consulted with the Boy King and started building the barrier in advance. The Boy King had also dispatched Earth magic users, and when I returned from the restoration of the Northeastern Forest, they had already started construction. Not only that, the Henry Party's contract had been extended until the end of March.
"What about the winter hunt?"
In Northern Nakanohara, they do a bear-wolf hunt every February and March. Originally, Beatrix, Bonnie, and I participate. Beatrix apparently decided early on to remain in Morandine. Because she's digging holes day after day. It seems it was left to each person's judgment from February onwards.
"Um, I'm going home. Beatrix says she'll stay. What will Jeanne do?"
Bonnie is going home. At this stage, mages are prioritized over scouts.
By the way, Mary is reportedly staying. The sea is rough in winter. Since she'll only be active within Sertoria anyway, she decided to stay. However, she'll return once or twice midway. Apparently, she was asked by the ambassadors of each country living in the Sertorian Royal Capital to let them know the situation here. Of course, the King also knows that, and the reality is that it doubles as a formal inspection by the Sertorian Royal Family. Her activity is almost like a close aide. Surely, Eleanor-sama or someone will make something like an interim report and hand it over to the Sertorian Royal Family. The ambassadors will hear that content from Mary. It's almost the same as an official announcement. No, since she's on-site, it'll be more detailed.
Now, what should I do?
"I think it would be better if the lighting person stayed."
I decided to stay because of these words from Mary.
At the site, they were single-mindedly digging a moat. They intend to make a moat and earthwork inside the ice barrier they worked hard to make. They have no choice but to work hard. Moreover, because they are trying to make it a water moat when the ice barrier melts if things go well, they aren't just digging, but also firing it with fire magic after firmly hardening it. It's quite hard work.
Especially on days when it snows, the water from the melted snow makes it difficult to harden well, so they are reportedly working continuously, digging and hardening, then hardening and firing, without intervals. Because of that, they can't gain distance, but the level of completion is reportedly high.
My role as the lighting person is when they do such rush work at night. In other words, I don't have much to do during the day or on nights with good weather. So, I made many scrolls of Warm and Light. Since it's winter work, they'll want to keep warm, and light is necessary for night work. It's no problem even if there are some left over. That's how I spent the winter.
After finishing the restoration of the Northeastern Forest in February, while returning to Morandine with Mary, I was able to be with Price-sama. It seems the adjustments with each country are finished. They successfully obtained approval, and support units centered on soldiers who can use Earth magic will be sent after waiting for the snow to melt. Scouts for guarding and reconnaissance, units for guarding and labor, and field hospitals—just as King Seldic proposed. In addition, monster extermination units belonging to each country's Royal Capital Church and civil engineering technicians will also come.
Each country provides shared costs, and the Church summarizes and handles the accounting. This part is the same as the Demon Lord army countermeasures.
However, according to Price-sama, although they agreed to cooperate, the way each country takes it is reportedly subtle and different.
Primordia and Regnentes actively agreed. They said other places should also use this method as much as possible. Finis and Northern Gram showed the view that this case has a strong experimental meaning and cannot be applied to all Demon Realms. Just as Eowyn-sama said before. By the way, Sertoria, the source of the proposal in a sense, also falls here. Medioland's stance was that they should originally subjugate them but it was unavoidable given the circumstances. It's the same as the Church's traditional stance. What was unexpected was Engrio, the one who suggested it; apparently, words were added that although it's not perfect, it's a good thing not to wastefully damage the forest. It's like Serena. Even for the Demon Lord's cave, one could only go from the monitoring fortress via Teleport and bowls. Although the Demon Lord has not resurrected in recent years, the desire to value the forest was conveyed.
I heard from a guide soldier, but the person in charge had changed before I knew it. It went from the east side to the south side. To be precise, they are only doing the south side now. Because the front they are in charge of is wide and there are many monster swarms, they are reportedly making many screens at least.
The full-scale construction will be in April. This is because the support from each country will march here after the snow melts. During the snowmelt period, the soil becomes muddy and hinders the march. It's better when it's warmer.
Once it starts, it'll be quite a large-scale construction. What they do isn't that difficult, but the distance is long. How long is the distance? According to Eleanor-sama, in terms of the terrain around the Northern Gram Royal Capital, it's as long as connecting the east coast and the west coast. The White Island is reportedly shortest in east-west distance around there, but even so, a distance that can cross the island is an outrageous story. Even if they gather magic soldiers from each country to make it, it will take time. Especially since Earth magic is important as agricultural magic and indispensable for the season, they can't stay stuck there. There are periods when they have to interrupt. As for the construction, basically, it'll be a continuation of digging and piling up, hardening, firing sufficiently, and shaping. Depending on the situation, the process of making an ice barrier that also serves as a screen is added to this. Among those, the one that can't be done without Earth is digging and piling up. Firing is done by fire mages who received support from wind mages. For other parts, for example, it'll be okay if the soldiers acting as guards and laborers take turns working hard.
Fortunately, the main magic, Clump Sand, is a mid-level magic. If you're a high-level or above mage, you can fire many. If they just single-mindedly dig and pile up, they'll manage somehow. If they combine Glaciate and Cocytus, they can make ice barriers even in summer. They'll proceed by combining the four elemental magics in various ways. During that time, some new discovery of applied magic might occur, and although it's existing for one country, it might not be so for another. Research related to magic will also gather, including the development of applied magic. The large-scale construction, the first since the beginning of the White Island, is also a testing ground for magic in a sense.
Even if it's rough, they'll encircle the forest with dry moats of sufficient depth and earthworks of sufficient height. The completion is reportedly aimed for the end of November. November is already the off-season for farming. It's just right for the final push.
I joined the Henry Party and immediately had a meeting.
"How long will the Henry Party be here?"
I try asking Eleanor-sama.
I think they'll probably swap with the support units from each country. It'll be after handing over to the advance team of the support units from each country.
"Several ultra-high-level magic soldiers from Medioland are reportedly coming in advance. Once we hand over to them, our role is over."
When Eleanor-sama looks at Price-sama, Price-sama nods lightly in agreement. It must be through Price-sama's influence.
"We'll be going home at the end of this month, so let's do what needs to be done by then."
When I wondered what 'what needs to be done' was, it turned out to be about the Harpies.
"We were waiting for Jeanne to return. We have to go pick up the Alraune, and let's go have a talk tomorrow."
Saying that, she said they'd go scout the monsters in the forest the next morning, and departed in a bowl.
As for the crucial Harpies, they were living quite carefree lives. Apparently, they had already been told that the focus would be on construction and no battles would occur, so they were reportedly flying normally and hunting. They were even doing training for the chicks to fly.
"It's true that they're bird-brained. They aren't thinking about the future at all."
The Alraune interpreter is suddenly grumbling. The Alraune is an Alraune, and this is true for many Alraunes, but it's always wary of something. It's probably unavoidable because they are in a weak position, but it's the polar opposite of the Harpies who fly at high speed and use ultra-high-level magic.
Apparently, they are enjoying their current lives, thinking they are safe because the humans are making barriers. Given how things were until then, I can see why.
In the direction of the Alraune's gaze as it speaks while half-sighing, there is a pair... that's probably it... who look happy watching the chicks drink the honey-water from the canteen I gave them.
"For the time being, an invasion by humans has been avoided. From now on, it will be the reinforcement of the barriers. Until now it was ice, but it will become earth barriers, so please don't be surprised."
Even when Eleanor-sama's explanation was interpreted, both of them are just nodding lightly 'fun-fun.' Do they really understand?
"If something happens, we will move to the north. If you like, shall we go see it now? We'll provide transportation."
Even if they go, have lunch, and come back, because it's ultra-high speed, they can return this afternoon.
"They say they don't want to go to the north because it's cold. They say summer is better if they go."
I see. They have no sense of crisis at all.
Apparently, everything was like this. For the Alraune, it must have been a worrying winter.
"Hey, can you take me to Northern Gram now?"
Perhaps at its limit, the Alraune gave up.
"That's fine, but will you go home just like that?"
"That's not it. I'll have the Dryad give me a split-off. If I plant it here, I can come anytime, and the Harpies can evacuate anytime too, right?"
"Will the Dryad give it to you?"
"I don't know. But that's the safest, right?"
"That's certainly true. Then, let's go immediately."
"Thank you."
And so, we hurriedly went to Northern Gram.
In Northern Gram, we went to the medicinal herb garden and met Saxburg, who received a message via Mary. From there, we went to the Dryad's Forest together. Anyway, the Dryad's intention is the priority.
It's Price-sama's first time meeting the Dryad of Northern Gram. Moreover, it's the first time in his life he's been guided to a Dryad's Forest. Apparently, the only one he's actually seen is Renata's forest, which is in the middle of recovery.
"Is that person okay?"
The Dryad is worried about Price-sama. The man himself remains standing still, single-mindedly gazing at the forest.
"He'll be fine. Let's let him be lost in emotion for a while."
Eleanor-sama said, and ignoring Price-sama, started with the explanation of the circumstances.
The Dryad also knows the circumstances from the Dullahan. Until now, it was a migration to the Dullahan's forest, so she didn't show particular interest. There, the split-off provision plan newly surfaced.
"Harpies, was it? They're monsters, right? What are they like?"
The Northern Gram Dryad didn't know about Harpies. By the way, among the Sertorian Dryads, Renata knew. That said, she had never met them. She had apparently heard stories because she was with the Demon Lord army.
When Eleanor-sama explained, she seemed to dislike the fact that they do their business as they please.
"You can just have them do it when they use the tree. Once you put it out, it's fine as long as they don't drink or eat."
"Won't they do their business on the split-off tree?"
"It'll be fine if you tell them not to. They're bird-brained, but they have a certain amount of discretion. And adults basically do their business in a place away from the nest. Otherwise, the nest would be found out, right?"
The chicks have a dedicated hole, and they reportedly do it there. Since they can use Curve, they should just make a toilet.
"Basically, they do it after eating and before flying. In an emergency, they do it while taking off. They have such habits, so it can't be helped."
The Alraune seems to have studied a lot in practice, and knew about the Harpies' various habits.
"It doesn't seem like they have bad personalities."
"Their personalities are quite good. They're just bird-brained."
"So, you want one for evacuation?"
"There's that, but I also thought I'd use it occasionally to go see how they're doing. If possible, it would help if the Goblins also helped."
"My, you're quite kind toward monsters."
"Somehow, watching them, it's just too precarious."
She's sighing, saying they are too carefree. She might be overly worried, but I can't say I don't understand the feeling. Magic soldiers from each country are gathering. If someone changes their mind, there's a possibility the forest will be destroyed along with them. If it's spirits or monsters, it's natural to be wary of human changes of mind.
"Somehow, they seem to think they can trust them."
"Humans?"
"Um, rather than humans, maybe the people who are here now. They think it'll be okay because these people who helped the chicks will do things well."
Too much reliance on others. I'm happy as a person involved, but I want them to have a little more awareness of self-defense. Even the famous Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama looked at each other and tilted their heads. They are super powerful and super famous, but they probably don't have enough influence to sway the Harpies' future.
"Ahahaha. You've been quite trusted too. Fine. I still have one split-off placed for reconnaissance from when I was in conflict with the Dullahan before, so let's connect the new one there."
"Is it okay? Thank you."
"Make sure you tell the Dullahan yourself."
"Me? Well, okay, but, um..."
It must be heavy on her heart to go alone. She looks this way.
"Shall we go now? You just need to meet the Dullahan, right?"
Eleanor-sama easily offered cooperation, and it was decided to go.
"Then, we're going. Jeanne, please keep an eye on Price's state."
"Ah, yes."
The Henry Party regulars all went off easily.
I approach Price-sama, who is sitting on a stump and gazing at the forest before I knew it, along with the Dryad.
"How is it? My forest?"
Suddenly asked, Price-sama turned around with a start. There are traces of tears at the corners of his eyes. He's hurriedly rubbing them with his sleeve.
"I am sorry. Until I reached this age, I never dreamed that such a beautiful forest could exist in this world. And I was just feeling ashamed of my own immaturity for thinking I knew it only through legends."
"Oh? I'm happy you praise it that much."
Price-sama looked around and noticed the Henry Party's absence. I explain this and that.
"I see. Then, let's gaze at this forest until they return."
Saying that, he smiled.