Chapter 759 - Chapter 3: Exploring the White Island's Largest Demon Realm ⑥
The fortress being built on the eastern peak reached the completion of its first phase of construction when the earthworks reinforced with [Anti-Magic Stone] walls in front of the dry moat and the basement were finished. By the time we heard the voice of June, it was done. Since there would be a gap before the second phase of construction or the first phase of the western peak fortress, we returned to reconnaissance missions.
While spending our days scouting the skies over the forest around the cave where the Demon Lord would be resurrected, Price-sama returned. The Council of Lords had ended. Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama must have been waiting for this.
"The proposals of the Henry Party were generally accepted."
Shortly after Price-sama returned to the fortress, we held a strategy meeting with just the Henry Party. At that meeting, Price-sama explained the measures against the Demon Lord's army among the contents discussed at the Council of Lords.
The key point is the [Anti-Magic Stone] made by the Dwarves. Sertoria apparently proposed it. It's probably because the Church is taking the stance of a mere advisor. Of course, prior consultations with the Church must have been completed.
Among the construction materials used in the conquest of the Demon Realm, including the area around the cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected, the reaction of each country to the [Anti-Magic Stone] made by the Dwarves was apparently very positive. After all, it can also be repurposed for wars between humans. The representatives of each country were apparently very interested, saying it had the potential to fundamentally overturn conventional fortress defense battles.
"Fortunately, Sertoria, which has a contract with the Dwarves, has offered to sell it at nearly cost price, excluding shipping costs, only when there is a request from each country to the Church. Of course, the use is limited to measures against the Demon Lord's army."
It seems Sertoria missed out on a profit. However, some restrictions would be necessary to prevent it from being used for war, and Sertoria wouldn't be able to manage that. Besides, even if it were repurposed, it's a material for base defense, not for offense, so it's safe for the Church to manage it. In that sense, it was good. Besides, the original price would probably be exorbitant, so if the Church didn't manage it and lower the price, it would become a scramble.
"With that background and the issue of stone production volume, it was decided to set priorities for which Demon Realm the stones would be used in."
Since the money is managed by the Church, each country provides contributions. Naturally, I thought every country would want it and it would become a competition, but surprisingly, it was apparently settled smoothly according to Medioland's proposal.
"Currently, the first priority is the encirclement of the Morandine Demon Realm, in which the Henry Party also participated."
The second is Medioland, which, like Morandine, is currently in progress. Sertoria, the one who suggested it, is apparently tied for second.
However, there is a pitfall here. Currently, Morandine is in the middle of digging a dry moat and building earthworks with the soil dug from the moat. Moreover, they are working hard on building earthworks, thinking that if they suddenly built stone walls, startled monsters might attack. Naturally, the stone material is being postponed. Besides, the scale is too large to use it. It's on a scale that could cross the White Island from east to west. If they tried to make it a stone wall, they wouldn't know when it would end. Besides, Medioland and Sertoria... they seem to have been proceeding with fortress construction before anyone knew... Shop No. 7 must have made a fortune... they can't leave the current locations unfinished. It's a bit cunning, but that's the logic they used to explain it.
Fortunately, the Kingdom of Regnentes and Primordia, which do not have a Demon Realm where a Demon Lord is resurrected, as well as Finis and Northern Gram, which are not very active in Demon Realm conquest, expressed their intention to prioritize the current situation. Naturally, Morandine and Medioland, which are currently in progress, and if Sertoria goes along with that plan, the only one to oppose would be Engrio. It's a majority vote. Even if they did oppose, Sertoria and the Church would surely feign ignorance regarding the provision of stone materials. Although King Seldic is on an expedition, the representative of Engrio apparently accepted it. However, they said that since they are currently providing support to Morandine, they cannot support Medioland and Sertoria. That's natural; their military forces have gone to the continent.
"Soon, stone materials should be teleported here as well. Once Jeanne returns from her monthly duties, let's resume the construction of the base."
With that, Price-sama's explanation ended.
By the way, regarding the matter of cremation proposed by Erikson-sama to the Grand Archbishop as a measure against the undead, the reactions of each country were apparently varied. The north was opposed, while the center and south were fine either way. Morandine, which had suffered a bitter experience in the battle against [Revenant]s, apparently turned to active support. Well, as for the Church, they haven't forced either one until now. Because criminals are cremated without question, cremation doesn't have a good image. However, the Church wants to take measures against [Revenant] soldiers in preparation for the lifting of the ban on [Forbidden Magic]. In the end, on the grounds that the management costs for cemeteries would be extremely cheap in the case of cremation, the fee for the priest attending the funeral... or rather, the donation amount, was made much cheaper for cremation than before, while the price for burial was raised. Everything is settled with money. Seeing that the shift to cremation is expected to proceed, it's not just the Church's money-grubbing nature, but humans themselves are probably that kind of creature.
When I returned from the recovery operation in the Northeastern Forest in June, new stone materials had been teleported in. I don't know since when or how much they've been making, but the Dwarves must be working hard.
As far as the completion drawing of the eastern fortress goes, the fortress doesn't have very large buildings inside. Most of the use for the stone material will be for the outer walls. Since the stone material for one fortress isn't necessary, it was decided to build the eastern one all at once.
The time for building the fortress is, in other words, magic practice time. Parallel to the second phase of construction, I decided to work hard on practice with Germana and the Wetlands Priestess.
For practice, we went to the basement where the [Teleportation Circle] is and practiced activation. Overhead, a bowl on guard is flying hidden. We can't let others see us.
First is the mastery of the [Voiceless Method]. At this point, I've reached the stage where I can activate it if I say something like "Ei!". From there, I'll make it so I can activate it just by exhaling the breath I've inhaled all at once without making a sound. The magic itself is basic [Holy], so I can do it as many times as I want. As a training exercise, I sit on an empty barrel I brought as a chair and concentrate my mind while heightening the image of activation. When Germana pats my shoulder, I take a deep breath and if I can cast the magic with a 'hyu' as I exhale, I pass.
When I actually tried it, I came one step short of activation. Still, it's more certain to activate if I say "Ei!". What's the difference between making a sound and exhaling?
The Priestess, for her part, practiced [Mold]. It's the same as with [Thunderbolt]. She concentrates her mind, heightens the image, and sees if it comes out when she vocalizes. By the way, [Mold] is called [Regeneration] in ghost terminology.
When night came, we practiced the Priestess's [Mold] at the fortress with Wilson-san's cooperation. The location was Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama's room, so no one would suddenly barge in.
As for the method, first was Germana's example. She cast magic toward a scratch Wilson-san had made on himself... since a major wound wasn't necessary, I had him make it just a scratch. Next, I cast it while merged with the Priestess. This was so the Priestess could feel the sensation of activation through me. Almost simultaneously, the Priestess tried to cast it. If she couldn't, she concentrated and heightened the image. We repeated that for two hours.
After practice at the fortress, we rest, but when we can't do it, we go out to the terrace for a change of pace and feel the wind. Since it's June, the scent of plants and trees containing moisture is stronger than in spring. When I close my eyes and take a deep breath of the night wind, I can feel the vigorous life of the plants deep in my chest. I like the early morning scenery of the mountains recommended by Lewis-san, but I also like the night wind blowing from the forest.
"I just can't seem to do it well."
After feeling the wind, we sleep, but lately, the Priestess grumbles until she falls asleep. So far, unfortunately, there's not even a sign of it.
"I guess it has to be real combat."
"Recovery types can only be done steadily."
The size of the wound healed doesn't matter. More than that, the judgment to assess the size of the wound and take the necessary measures is prioritized. Or so it is said. Experience from many situations is what counts.
"Then, as I thought, let's gather insects..."
"No."
"Eeeh, modern priests are so stiff."
I don't think it's the era.
While saying this and that, she came out of the stone the next morning with a smiling face.
"I learned it. [Mold]!"
Apparently, she practiced until late last night.
I hope she didn't gather insects and turn them into [Revenant]s or hurt rats and heal them with [Mold] while I was sleeping.
The person herself is going to eat breakfast with a hum, floating around and going in and out of the walls. It's hard for me to chase her. While chasing the Priestess, I accidentally entered the room of the male soldiers. Since they were in the middle of taking off their clothes and wiping their bodies with cloth soaked in water in shifts, they screamed.
When I finally caught up, it was the dining hall. The Henry Party was already at the table. Everyone was rubbing their sleepy eyes. Price-sama was the same, eating with a tired expression. On the other hand, the Priestess was ordering beer.
It can't be helped. I greeted them and sat at the table.
"Man, from tonight on, I can't sleep with my feet toward the Henry Party. To think I'd be allowed to treat Orcs."
Did you bully the Orcs? That's not good.
"It seems Germana negotiated well. Thank you very much."
"Umu. It was truly a help."
Eleanor-sama and Henry-sama are both yawning. The area under their eyes is pitch black. They must have stayed up all night.
"I'm sorry, but please let us rest a bit today."
Even Price-sama.
"What happened?"
Leaving aside the Priestess who was gulping down beer like water since morning, I asked Eleanor-sama.
"The Priestess snuck into a group of Orcs and treated the injured individuals."
As a result of reconnaissance, we generally know where and what kind of monsters are. The same goes for the Orc groups. And those who can see regardless of day or night are the Priestess, Germana, and Wilson-san.
Last night, they apparently went to the foot of the mountain southwest of the eastern peak. It's located to the west of the shore of the long, narrow lake that extends further south from the southern edge of the Demon Realm we are using as a base. It's at the southwestern edge of the entire Demon Realm and is a bit far away. And it's topographically isolated from the western peak where the cave for the Demon Lord's resurrection is. This is because there is a fairly wide isthmus between it and the eastern peak.
A river flows through the isthmus on the north side of that region and to the west. And the southern and western parts are the sea. There are apparently several Orc groups there.
They went over there in the hidden bowl, and when they found a group, the Priestess floated down into the forest. Since she's a ghost, it's not strange for her to make such an appearance. And once she's known to be a ghost, she's basically ignored. The Priestess apparently floated through the group pretending to just be passing by while looking for injured individuals.
It's after the full moon. There must be some injured from fighting with other groups. The Priestess looked for such individuals and practiced [Mold].
Orcs know they can't win even if they fight a ghost. Moreover, normal ghosts don't view monsters as enemies. They must know it's a waste of time to fight. Besides, they must have thought that since a ghost that hadn't been there before suddenly appeared, it would eventually disappear. They probably thought it was annoying that she was muttering nearby, but she didn't have a silver weapon. In that situation, while being ignored, the Priestess repeatedly practiced until she finally activated it.
They probably never imagined a ghost would chant [Mold]. [Mold] doesn't produce light like [Light] or mist like [Dark]. Suddenly, a host-like thing came out from the injured part and healed the wound.
The first individual it activated on must have been very surprised. The Priestess also aimed for small wounds rather than large ones where tentacles would come out grandly. That strategy was successful, and the first individual was apparently just staring at how its own wound was healing in surprise. And once it understood that the mysterious ghost had healed its wound, the surrounding individuals apparently approached timidly. Of course, they were injured individuals. The Priestess, who had successfully reached activation, was delighted and used [Mold] all over the place. To the Orcs who were surprised but happy, Germana, who understands the language of monsters, descended.
While the Priestess was healing the injured individuals, Germana initiated negotiations with the leader of the group. Since we won't lay a hand on them until the Demon Lord is resurrected, they shouldn't lay a hand on humans either. That's what she apparently proposed. The Orcs apparently didn't take her seriously at first, but they changed their minds after she healed an individual that could be called seriously injured.
The Orcs eventually accepted Germana's proposal. After all, they can call it off once the Demon Lord is resurrected. Besides, even if the conquest of the Demon Realm begins, humans have no intention of completely eradicating monsters. Because it's impossible. The point is the conquest and blockade of the interior of the cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected.
And Germana further proposed setting boundaries for each other's habitats. The boundaries are the isthmus, the river, and the sea. Even for the coastline, it's not continuous with the plains. In short, it's a cliff, so humans won't land from there. It would serve as a boundary.
It's a negotiation settled by one of the five great spirits. The Church has no choice but to accept. That was the view given by Price-sama. Or rather, Germana probably acted on that premise. As a result, a non-aggression zone was created in a part of the Demon Realm. Although it's only until the Demon Lord is resurrected, being able to avoid being on guard until then leads to the efficient deployment of personnel.
"Man, it was a meaningful practice. If possible, I'd like to gather the ghosts around here and keep moving forward with negotiations with the Orcs."
The Priestess laughed brightly, and Price-sama and the Henry Party, who were yawning, clapped.