Chapter 745 - Third Story: The Demon Lord's Resurrecting Cave's Demon Realm ⑯ (Morandine) Outpost
We successfully received one split-off and planted it near the Harpies' nest. Guided by the Alraune, we looked for thorns and ivy and covered the area around the nest and the tree, so we also made a barricade that doubles as a screen.
The Harpies, along with the chicks, were looking at the split-off tree curiously, but when the planting was finished and the split-off came out, the chicks were surprised and hid inside their parents' feathers while chirping 'pee-pee.'
"Oh? Is it that scary? Even though I went to the trouble of bringing a souvenir, I wonder if they don't want it."
The split-off sloshes the canteen 'chapu-chapu.' It was just right that the character is easy to get close to.
The content of the canteen is honey-water with plenty of honey from the Dryad's own forest dissolved in the spring's clear water. That said, they probably wouldn't understand from the sound alone, so she was also explaining with words.
The chicks look at their parents, then at me.
When I crouched down and did 'come here, come here' for them, they timidly approached. When I stroked the soft down on the back of their necks with my fingertips 'kui-kui,' they closed their eyes as if it felt good.
Since they settled down, I took out a bowl and had the split-off pour what it brought, and I tasted it first, then made a big smile. Relieved, they drank from the bowl themselves and smiled.
"It's delicious, right?"
When the Dryad said so, they were chirping 'pee-pee' happily this time.
"Jeanne is also quite meticulous with her performance."
"She's a stray. It might be just right that the typical seriousness of a priest has thinned out."
Price-sama is Price-sama, but Eleanor-sama is also Eleanor-sama.
After explaining how to use the tree, we actually tried moving through the tree once.
In advance, they received warnings not to dirty the inside of the tree, of course, but also the trunk, branches, and the area around the roots by doing their business, and to try as much as possible not to be seen by anyone when using it. After the split-off returned to the tree, I try talking to it. When a crack is made like that, you go inside.
Because it was a hurried matter, the tree is a bit small. Until it gets a bit bigger, it can only carry up to three or four people at a time if they are humans, so we split into three groups.
The Alraune, acting as the model, went first, followed by three Harpies, and finally Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Price-sama, and I moved.
From the plains in the southern part of the island to the mountainous region on the border of Finis and Northern Gram. The environment is quite different. Even if by chance, the weather is also blue sky and cloudy sky. On top of that, the amount of fallen snow is different. The coldness is different even during the day. The wind is cold, and it's easy to predict it'll be colder at night. The chicks felt cold and hid inside the women's feathers. They would dislike migrating at the current stage.
The males took off and circled overhead two or three times, but they returned immediately. It was cold and covered in snow, entirely white, and wasn't interesting to look at. However, they reportedly showed interest in the steep peaks of the high mountains in the north. They reportedly even said they'd like to go in summer.
By the way, the ritual before taking off was done while hiding in the shade of the tree.
"See, even though they came to see the evacuation site, they're in a sightseeing mood. They really are bird-brained."
The worrying Alraune has a wrinkle between its eyebrows.
"If they have an ally like you who seriously worries for them, unless something extraordinary happens, won't the Harpies be okay? Please, take care of them."
Price-sama bows to the Alraune. If it were in a town, it would cause a huge commotion.
"To think I'd be asked by a human to ensure the safety of monsters. Did the world change? Or are you people strange?"
It's looking at Price-sama in amazement.
"How is it? It would be good if it were the former, but it's probably the latter. "
"As I thought?"
"Unfortunately. But, even if it's strange, if the number increases from now on, it will eventually become normal. It's not something to be thrown away."
"Oh, I see. Then, work hard and increase them."
"I intend to make the effort."
Finally, the Alraune, unable to bear it any longer, burst out laughing.
We return with the Harpies who are saying it's cold and wanting to go home.
When we come out of the tree, it's clearly warm. The screen acts as a windbreak, and because the sun is out, the front of the nest is a sun-trap. It's just like being indoors. No wonder the Harpies would dislike migrating.
After entering the nest and having a light banquet with the mead we brought, we left the rest to the Dryad and Alraune and returned to the fortress.
Two days later, two ultra-high-level mages and two high-level mages came from Medioland. All four are good at Earth magic.
They are people who came in advance, and they play the role of lecturing the main force coming later and the magic soldiers of other countries on how to make earthworks.
Regarding the watchtowers, since there is one user of Curve, Beatrix was showing a model.
I don't have anything in particular to do. The night work has already been suspended, and I continued the reconnaissance of the forest in Wilson-san's bowl along with Henry-sama, Will, and Bonnie.
Three days later, the Henry Party was to go home. Honestly, it didn't matter if I came or not. Last time, when I returned for the restoration of the Northeastern Forest, it was subtle timing-wise. Because I thought it would be over. Just in case, I asked Eleanor-sama if I should come in the second half of February too. She told me to come, so I came, but it ended with only a few days' stay. However, she said we'd go to the Royal Capital to give greetings, so it must be for that.
We received a sufficient welcome at the Royal Palace.
The reward this time comes from the Church, but it also specially came from the Morandine Royal Family.
"Not just by raising troops and subjugating them, but by encircling them, we were able to eliminate damage to the people without losing soldiers. Everyone is happy. This is a small token of gratitude for that. Please, accept it."
In the audience hall, there was a special address to the Henry Party. It was an attitude toward royalty rather than civilians, and the Boy King spoke after standing up from the throne and embracing Henry-sama.
At the banquet after the audience, the State Chancellor called the names of each member of the party one by one upon entry and introduced them to the participants, and the Boy King once again gave words of thanks.
Fortunately, the members of the Class of 175 here are all knights somewhere. Everyone was able to attend.
At the banquet, as usual, Mary in formal wear and Beatrix in autumn/winter Green Marble are forming a circle. Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, taking Will and Bonnie along, are chatting with the Boy King and the two heads of the Royal Guard. I was able to hear various stories from Price-sama, the Grand Archbishop of the Morandine Royal Capital Church, and the Bishop of the monster extermination unit who also participated in the monster subjugation.
Especially, the Bishop of the monster extermination unit told me rumors that were like the inside story of this whole affair.
Some people say King Seldic's proposal was because he couldn't bear to see Morandine feeling small at the Council of Lords because they couldn't do monster subjugation. However, while the appearance at the meeting might improve, the Morandine army, which would take the lead in fighting, would have had to be prepared for losses. That was achieved without losing soldiers. For Morandine, which is in the middle of reorganizing its national army, it must have been exactly what they wanted. To be precise, the battle inside the Demon Lord's cave after the encirclement is completed is waiting, but that has been experienced in two countries, and it shouldn't be that large a battle. A quiet battle in the dark is waiting, but since the conquest method including the Behemoth has been completed, it'll be far better than fighting nearly ten thousand Orcs in the forest.
Because of this and that, the Henry Party's reputation in Morandine, led by former heroes as expected, is reportedly very good.
Because tomorrow is early, after leaving with a grand send-off from the nobles who were saved from suffering losses by invading the Demon Realm, we were put up in the best inn in the Royal Capital. The Boy King intended for us to stay at the Royal Palace, but we declined, insisting that we are strictly a civilian organization.
After taking a breather, we gathered in the Henry couple's room as usual. Theirs is the most expensive room. It has a room like a reception room in addition to the bedroom. The content of the consultation is the confirmation of the banquet's content. Price-sama and Harrison-san, who plan to stay at the church, also came.
"Regarding future plans, it is expected that we will also be requested to conquer the Demon Lord's cave after the containment is finished."
Apparently, there was a confirmation of intent from the State Chancellor. When it comes to the cave where the Demon Lord resurrects, the Henry Party has an advantage. Not just for their own country, but in Engrio too, they achieved conquest despite the Behemoth surviving. Moreover, both had extremely minor damage. It's not strange for Morandine to think it's better to leave it to the Henry Party than to the support from each country.
"Specifics are unknown. However, since the containment work is expected to be finished within the year, it will likely be from the spring of the following year at the earliest."
If it's the same pattern as Engrio, it'll be a request from the Morandine Royal Family.
"As participating members, I definitely want Jeanne and Beatrix, who participated in the Engrio conquest, to participate. How about it? The reward is reportedly the same as in Engrio."
I'll probably be the lighting person. Beatrix will be the Translate personnel. She has to fly a large amount of earth and sand to the entrance of the cave where the Demon Lord resurrects and block it. Even if it's blocked, it might be removed immediately if the Demon Lord resurrects, but it'll be fine if the Demon Lord doesn't resurrect. Moreover, Morandine suffered quite a bit of damage, whether it was the war dead from the previous war or the deaths from the plague from the continent. Probably, the Demon Lord won't resurrect anytime soon.
"It depends on the schedule at that time, but if there's nothing in particular, it's fine. Right?"
"Yes. If I can participate, please."
Well, it's a year away at the earliest. I should just take it easy.
After Eleanor-sama, it was Mary's turn to speak.
"As you all already know, as a plan to make the encircling barriers, at first, we'll use the current ice barriers as a screen and work on making dry moats and earthworks inside them. And after that, the plan is reportedly to extend the dry moats and earthworks without a screen."
For the time being, it's fine because there's a screen. The problem is after that. It's strange for ice barriers to be there when the snow has melted, and it's also strange for dry moats and earthworks to appear after the current ice barriers melt. The Orcs might be wary.
"The work is done during the day. In contrast, the monsters' activity becomes active at night. Since humans rest at night, we will naturally be shorthanded. In response to this, it is necessary to suppress the monsters' actions to some extent."
What's needed there are apparently barriers and the lighting devices used in Engrio.
Engrio made many lighting devices, but they have no utility value currently. They will reportedly lend them to Morandine for free. If monsters come out of the forest and show signs of an attack, we'll illuminate them with the lighting devices and chase them away. By doing so, we'll make it so the Orcs don't approach. Otherwise, especially during a full moon, if a skirmish becomes a full-scale battle, damage will occur. As for illuminating them with Light, they just feel bad and don't die, so there's no retaliation.
However, if we actually do it, a large number of Light magic circles will be needed...
"At this banquet, the Class of 175 was able to reach an agreement with Morandine to handle the Light magic circles. Since it will be handled by Shop No. 7, the manager, please make the necessary arrangements."
"Got it. Tell me the number needed."
"Right. It's an estimate, but..."
Business talks begin between Mary and Beatrix.
Hey, I haven't heard about this.
Fortunately, the number doesn't seem to be that many. The Orcs will flee if illuminated a little. Because even the two-hour limit for the small magic circles used for the lighting devices isn't necessary. Since the bowl units also participate, assuming one is used up in about a week, it's four a month. If it's for three locations, it's twelve a month, and if the time taken for completion is ten months, it's one hundred and twenty. Since the ice barriers will be used as screens until the end of March, we just need to prepare a certain amount by April. Apparently, they'll be sent to Morandine from Medioland as tax-free items, and they reportedly signed a contract for twenty a month for half a year. By the way, as samples, they'll also load dried meat and Green Marble and such.
"Jeanne, for now, twenty for next month, please. I'll tell Matilda at the main shop too."
Hey, Beatrix. I haven't heard anything!
In the end, my quota increased, even though I had it easy since the plague had subsided. Well, it's twenty a month, which is light, and they are timed. I'll accept it.
"Also, the Henry Party and the Class of 175 are going to Northern Gram. Because we're going to talk about the Harpies. We'll drop Price off at Medioland on the way, but Jeanne, you get off there too."
"Ah, yes. Understood."
Only me in Medioland?
When I look at Price-sama, he nodded. It must be by agreement, or rather, a proposal from Price-sama.
"For the return, I'll ask James-sama to arrange for you to be sent to the Eastern Plains in a Medioland army bowl. Is it okay if you join the Henry Party there?"
Henry-sama nodded, and it was apparently decided.
"I cannot tell anyone at this point why it is only Jeanne alone. However, it is not a bad story for you, so please rest assured."
Price-sama told me, but I wonder what it is.