Chapter 772 - Ninth Story: Weakening Of The Demon Race ②
After hearing the Elder's story, I spoke with the Vice-Chieftain again.
"Now that I know, I shall speak to the Chieftain as well, but basically, it is a story between humans and demons. We Dragonewts likely will not concern ourselves with it."
"That's how it goes. We must investigate that curse on our own and find the 'hole' the demon left behind."
"Can you find it?"
"There are clues. Since the great terror will likely come from the continent."
Natural disasters are unlikely, and being told it comes from the continent feels a bit different. Famine is the same. Most causes of famine are weather.
According to Anri-sama, what people fear most is mass death of the populace, and the causes are cited as famine, plague, and war. That means the great terror coming from the continent is plague and war. I have an idea about both of these.
"No matter how you look at it, it's a story that has nothing to do with us Dragonewts."
Because it's so obvious, the Vice-Chieftain has an expression as if he's pitying us. Dragonewts don't catch diseases that humans catch, and wars between humans are just too much of their own doing. In the end, it was decided that the Vice-Chieftain would talk to the Chieftain, and I was told I didn't have to go. It's easy, but a bit complicated.
I thanked the Vice-Chieftain and the Elder and left the village.
Before returning to Medioland, I stopped by the Southern Church to pick up Erikson-sama, stayed one night at Price-sama's private residence, and humans, ghosts, and spirits talked about various things. The main content was about the future activities of the Henry Party based on the Elder's story.
"Why not bring some older folks into our group?"
When the talk was settled and we took a breather with the wine that was served, Erikson-sama spoke.
"By older folks, you mean?"
"There are probably many, but ghosts and such."
The border lord and the Queen? Certainly reassuring. However, the north was outside the central situation, and neither of them knew about the Priestess who spent time with the Water Dragon. The eras they lived in are different. In terms of information gathering, it's a bit different.
"Our knight order is from a different era."
It was the Wetlands Priestess. Even the lineage of the old vice-commander is three thousand years ago. Even if the Priestess who hunted demons lived five thousand years ago, there's quite a gap.
The one illuminating the ceiling in the room of secret books should also be from that time. Regarding the Black Stones, it's finally five thousand years ago, but there are no ghosts or souls.
There's also a ghost who will be my master for the [Voiceless Method] and simultaneous activation of multiple magics, but I can't say that out loud.
"What about Gnome? Do you not have any acquaintances of Gnome?"
There might have been. It might be good to try contacting them.
For now, we decided to try whatever connections we could and gather information, including from the Earth Dragon who had experience joining the Demon Lord's army.
Including that, we organized something like our future goals.
First, to investigate every single record of the battles with the demons. And to conduct interviews with everyone who might know the legends.
Second, to preserve the yokes and barriers the Priestess who once subjugated the Demon Lord made, which appeared in the Elder's story... likely the Black Stone-related ruins and the cave of secret books... using modern technology.
Third, to analyze what the great terror coming from the continent is and to counter it as the entire White Island.
Fourth, to discuss as the entire White Island what to do about the counter-measures against the resurrection of the Demon Lord, who is likely weakened because I sent them off, and to aim for a review of the ongoing Demon Lord army countermeasures.
Fifth, to convey the Elder's story to the Grand Archbishop and appeal for the need to start considering what the Church should do regarding the above four. These five. If the Church ignores us on the fifth point, the Henry Party will do it on their own. That much was decided.
"I am sorry, but Jeanne will be involved in a considerable part of this."
"A-ah, yes. Understood."
Honestly, I think it'll be quite tough, but I can't refuse if Price-sama tells me.
"Jeanne is a stray. What shall we do about expenses and rewards?"
Anticipating what I couldn't say, Eleanor-sama asked on my behalf.
"If the Church responds, the Church will, but if they say they cannot... yes. For the time being, I shall personally provide for it."
Price-sama? Out of his own pocket? Well, certainly, he's a great noble, and with Mary's advertising effect, he's probably making a decent profit from trade.
"You, personally? That's rare."
Eleanor-sama was also surprised. Normally, given Price-sama's position, personal expenditure would be rare.
"I believe it is a matter of that much importance. No matter what, we must clarify what the great terror coming from across the sea is, set up countermeasures, and protect the White Island. That is because I think so as an individual as well."
He has a very serious look. I'm also an ultra-high-level. I can see through lies, but there wasn't a shred of hesitation or lie there.
"Erikson-dono. What do you think of Price's proposal?"
Henry-sama asked Erikson-sama.
"Ahem. As an advisor, I think I'd like the Henry Party to take on this job. And the party will hire Jeanne. Archbishop Price's resolve is admirable. However, we should have the same thoughts."
I see. So that's how the development goes. In that case, will the Henry Party be hired by Price-sama?
"Price. The leader of the Henry Party is me. As the leader, I cannot have someone who is a non-regular member of the party pay the money."
"Then, will Jeanne work for free? The Henry Party is not well-funded, is it?"
The Henry Party is basically penniless and doesn't receive rewards.
"I know that. Don't say that. As for the immediate expenses, I'll pester our current generation to increase my allowance. So, Price, on your end, could you receive a request for investigation from the Church or the Medioland Royal Family?"
"Only the Church and the Medioland Royal Family?"
"No, now the Henry Party has regular and non-regular members in five countries from north to south. I intend to work on each country. Eventually, it will be the entire White Island through the Council of Lords."
"Is that so? Then, please do so."
Erikson-sama nodded with a satisfied 'umu'.
"For now, let's finish what we're currently doing. Price, please talk to the Grand Archbishop and James-dono."
"Understood. It helps to have a leader who is quick to understand."
Erikson-sama laughed, 'kakaka'.
When I looked at Eleanor-sama, she looked at me and smiled lightly.
There wasn't a shred of hesitation or lie, but didn't she foresee this development? If she tells the Grand Archbishop or James-sama about this entire exchange, they'll surely decide to hire the Henry Party to investigate, seeing the situation as important. The Kingdom of Medioland and the Medioland Great Church can't afford to be outdone by other allied nations and be rushed by each country at the Council of Lords. People in positions of power are really troublesome.
In the end, after the Northeastern Forest restoration operation ended at the beginning of August, there was a request for investigation to the Henry Party. Since the investigation work I was in charge of and the second-phase construction of the fortresses on the eastern and western peaks were finished, I was informed when I stayed at Price-sama's private residence on the way back to Sertoria. I don't know if Price-sama's seriousness was effective. It seems the Church will cover all expenses. The reward is a success fee.
However, regarding the preservation of the ruins, it was decided to do preservation work using anti-magic stone on the currently known locations... the places where the Five Great Spirits are will be left as they are, and the ruins related to the Black Stones will be the immediate targets. The construction will be handled by the Great Churches of each capital. The five locations are the ruins of the island in the lake where the Water Dragon of Finis is, the area around the stone statues inside the limestone cave of Morandine, the shrine on the island of Sertoria, the sundial-like ruins of Engrio, and the ruins of the ancient people of Primordia. And, the Henry Party was requested to search for the site of the Eastern Church, whose location is currently unknown.
"It will be after finishing the work currently decided. The Grand Archbishop intends to propose the investigation at next year's Council of Lords."
According to Price-sama's explanation, the view seems to be that something that is not known when it will come cannot be made the top priority. And, maybe it has already come. Especially regarding war, the island was largely occupied by those who came from the continent and nations were established, and after that, the eastern half of the island was occupied by forces centered on Engrio. Interbreeding has also progressed among the general populace. A pure lineage continuing for thousands of years is only in Finis. And, during that time, truly a lot of blood was shed in wars. Price-sama said that assuming the story from five thousand years ago, the estimated population at that time was roughly less than two or three hundred thousand, and eighty percent would be 160,000 to 240,000. If he said that many might have already died from plague or war, they certainly might have died, so it wouldn't be strange for the demons to be joyful.
"He wants more solid evidence, or rather, a logical argument that seems like a crisis. Otherwise, he says he cannot request each country. Therefore, for the time being, it is only an investigation."
The investigation can start after the currently proceeding investigation of the demon realm is finished. It will be next year.
"Did you have any information on that side?"
We investigated various things on our end too.
First, I talked to Gnome. As a result, nothing was found out. I was told that in order to maintain neutrality, even if they knew, they wouldn't tell.
The Earth Dragon didn't know either. I was told I didn't have to worry about the demon's curse.
And, I also went to ask the glowing ceiling of Nakanohara Lake. I told the whole story, but there was no reaction. I had no choice but to conclude that they didn't know.
Furthermore, based on Erikson-sama and the information of the Priestess from a thousand years ago... Erikson-sama's story was heard from others, and the Priestess had actually visited, so I made a stone to possess and actually had her fly in the sky... we confirmed the location of the Eastern Church on a map. As a result, we found out that the place where the church worshipped by the Engrio royal family and nobles currently stands is likely it.
"There is a certain rumor about the Eastern Church."
It's Price-sama. Even though he applied [Mute] after clearing the room, he lowered his voice.
It seems to be a story secretly passed down only to the Engrio Great Church, not within the Church as a whole. It's a suspicious tall tale that the town's know-it-alls occasionally talk about. The source seems to be the nobles of Engrio.
"After the conflict between the North and the South, except for the West which was, so to speak, outside the fray, a conflict arose between the North and the East."
Again, this. I wonder what the churches are doing.
The cause seems to be a power struggle. The East lost, and as a result, most of its territory was taken and its rank dropped. It became just a church. No, because a grudge was formed, it received various harassment-like pressures. To make matters worse, a large church was built in another land, and the Grand Archbishop at that time openly favored it. As a result, the former Eastern Church became desolate. And, finally, it became uninhabited. With this, except for the West which was outside the fray, the one-strong system of the North was established. Times changed, and mercenaries from the continent began to be active. However, they didn't have a large church to worship the gods they believed in. They achieved merit in a certain battle and were given the area around the site of the Eastern Church as territory, and they renovated and maintained the church which had half-turned into ruins. And, with that land as a base, they established the country that would become the origin of the current Engrio. The series of records was likely erased like the Great Southern Church.
"Unfortunately, it is currently a church of pagans, so we cannot easily intervene. And, when I requested an investigation before, I heard that they couldn't find a wall that can only be erased with light magic."
That must be the story from when they searched for the Black Stones. Eventually, that was found in another place. If we are to re-investigate, we must make a request to King Seldic. That King Seldic is in the middle of participating in a war on the continent, and we'll have to tell the whole story. Timing is apparently necessary.
However, for example, as is the case with the Great Churches of Medioland and Primordia, there is a possibility that there is a wall in a place that can hardly be called the vicinity of the church. Medioland's was part of a sheer cliff. Something might be hidden in such a place.
"I'll borrow Jeanne for a bit. Yes, for about a week. The reason cannot be revealed. Because there is a [Vow of Silence]."
In other words, he's going to ask another connection. It's my master who calls himself a vicious evil spirit, but I think he was a person from three thousand years ago. The glowing ceiling didn't react, but I wonder if it'll be okay?
That self-proclaimed evil spirit is apparently being selfish, saying he won't talk unless his disciple—me—is there. Since he would say he doesn't know if he didn't know, Price-sama thought he might know something and I was called out. Honestly, even though he's my master, I wish he'd consider his disciple's hardships.
Currently, as someone in training, I feel hesitant to go ask things in an inadequate state. However, since I was told he might talk if I were there, it can't be helped. I thought if I brought Germana and the Wetlands Priestess and the three of us talked if he got sulky, it would work out.
When I went to James-sama's private residence and introduced Germana and the Wetlands Priestess to the Grand Archbishop and James-sama, both of them knew about them from Price-sama. The Priestess was so nervous she was stiff.
In order to confirm whether the three of us could have an audience, the Grand Archbishop and Price-sama, who specially participated for this occasion, went to confirm, and as a result, it was successfully accepted. The witnesses are the Grand Archbishop and Price-sama. James-sama is still just the escort to the entrance. That's the biggest pressure. I have no choice but to produce results.
"My disciple. You have done well to come."
He had apparently been cooped up in the stone since then, but he came out and spoke cheerfully.
"You've brought a ghost and a spirit. Moreover, both of them seem quite capable. Especially the spirit is amazing. Even I am no match."
He asks with an expression as if he's about to lick his lips. When I had them introduce themselves, Germana introduced herself as a spirit of a cave, so he tilted his head.
"A spirit of a cave? Hmmm. I didn't know such a spirit existed. The world is wide."
He probably saw through the lie. However, perhaps because he was deferential toward a spirit, he didn't ask anything.
"As expected of my disciple. I'm impressed just by you becoming friends with such people. So, how far has your training progressed? It must have gone very well, right?"
This sounds like he'd say something like 'punishment' if I hadn't progressed at all.
"E-eh, um. It's not [Voiceless], but..."
"Aahn?"
He tilted his head while wrinkling his brow and looked at me with sharp eyes. What kind of delinquent are you?
"I haven't reached [Voiceless], but I've become able to release both [Light] and [Dark] simultaneously just by exhaling. I don't faint if it's just once."
"What! Is that true!"
He suddenly came close. It's a bit scary, so I back away.
"Show me right now. Surely it's not a merger with that ghost there, is it? I know. Both the ghost and the spirit next to you are users of dark magic, aren't they?"
Amazing, he saw through it in one shot. He's not just a delinquent.
"It's by myself. I had those two help me with practice, though."
"I see, I see. By all means, show me."
I don't mind doing it, but isn't your face too close?