Chapter 778 - Investigation into the Ancient Priestess
After returning from the field survey, we took a break at the Ghost Mansion instead of the farm. At that time, Eleanor-sama brought up the topic of the ruins of the Eastern Church.
Currently, a certain church in Engrio is considered to be the Eastern Church. I actually went to see it, but somehow the construction felt different from the Southern Church, and it was so clean that it was hard to believe it had been left abandoned and uninhabited; it had likely been renovated. And if it had fallen into decline due to harassment rather than being destroyed by war, valuable materials and such would have been moved. Grand Archbishop-sama likely issued instructions to the Engrio Royal Capital Cathedral to investigate, but since such things are usually hidden in cave-like places, I don't think they'll turn up just by looking through old documents. There must be a clue somewhere. That was the gist of the conversation.
"According to the latest information, King Seldic will be returning home shortly. That gentleman is very cooperative regarding the Demon Lord, so he will likely want to participate in the investigation."
Eleanor-sama speculated that he would issue an order to the Engrio Royal Capital Cathedral—only King Seldic could order the church around!—and organize an investigation team.
"Depending on the situation on the continent, it is expected that the current state will last through the winter. In other words, King Seldic will likely attempt to conduct the investigation during the winter season."
This is becoming a regular pattern lately. Well, it's a good thing the White Island is peaceful.
"The Henry Party and Jeanne have received a request from the church for the investigation, so please keep yourselves prepared to participate at any time."
With those words, we were dismissed.
After that, I spent my time in Nakanohara, but I received word that the Great Unity Conference, where disease countermeasure officials from various countries gather in the Duchy of Germania, would be held in October, and I was to participate as well. If the 'Great Terror' coming from across the eastern sea is an epidemic, it will be a serious matter. The recent epidemic spread mainly along the northern coast of West Liber. There's no guarantee it won't come from the east. We need to gather information. While the curse of the Demon Race won't be made public, it seems they will be moving behind the scenes, and to discuss that point, we decided to go to Primordia. I am participating too. This time Miana joined us, so Beowulf is coming along as well. Unintentionally... though the members of the Sertorian Royalty might have planned it... this became my first entry into Primordia since the engagement was established.
By the way, Germana is difficult to introduce, so I had her return to her village for the time being.
As usual, we flew there without prior notice and landed directly in the palace courtyard. Because the 'delinquent old man' had been waving his hand next to Beowulf incessantly before landing, the King, the Queen, Sianya, and Edward-sama—the royalty—came rushing out. Edward-sama was even holding a greatsword in his right hand, perhaps because he had been practicing with a sword or something. It was as if he had come to repel an intruder.
The engaged couple didn't seem particularly self-conscious. She's wearing leather armor over here. At the announcement during the banquet, she had turned bright red, so I thought she might hang her head when facing him in person, but that wasn't the case. They greeted each other casually. The King told him to hand the greatsword on his shoulder to an attendant, and he hurriedly apologized to the two delinquent old men. Beowulf, standing next to him, was laughing. Like Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama, they are birds of a feather, so it's probably just right. Edward-sama didn't choose Beowulf based on her physique alone. However, the distance between the two has clearly closed, and they naturally lean toward each other now; that's what has changed.
While spending time at the palace, Cadogan-sama arrived. At this point, it has been decided that it's okay to talk about the curse with the Western Church and the Primordian Royal Family because of the history of the Wetlands Priestess being with them. After clearing the room and applying Mute, a discussion began with the King, Edward-sama, Sianya, and Cadogan-sama.
"First, I must thank you all for your efforts in strengthening the spiritual arts of the Priestess belonging to our church."
"King of Primordia. That was Jeanne's power."
"No, I was just practicing magic together with her. I should be the one saying thank you."
The conversation started with such exchanges and then moved to the topic of the Demon Lord's curse.
The Wetlands Priestess is usually in the wetlands, so she isn't here now. However, all four of them seemed to have heard from the Priestess, and the story was understood immediately. Of course, it seems that other than the Priestess, only the four people present know about it.
"I heard from the Priestess, but in truth, it seems she doesn't know what kind of thing this 'Great Terror' actually is."
"Yes. Considering the legends, it's reasonable to think of the Great Terror as a calamity where humans die in large numbers, but after all, it was five thousand years ago. Many people have died in the wars up until now, so perhaps the curse has already been realized."
"This island has been invaded twice by those coming from the continent."
Speaking of which, the Primordian Royal Family also comes from that lineage. However, Primordia welcomed a king from the invaders in order to avoid a war of aggression.
"Then, perhaps I, who executed as many as five traditional great noble families, might also be part of the Great Terror."
King, that joke isn't funny.
Regarding war, Edward-sama said that they could sufficiently win if they had magic soldiers, without even needing to rely on the coastal defense strategy using ghosts that the Priestess mentioned.
"In naval battles, it will be settled by fire attacks near the island. I hear that the White Island has twice allowed those from the continent to run rampant, but that was because they underestimated them as a small number of people and accepted them, giving them important roles in trade and war, and even granting them territory. I believe that just by being careful not to let that happen, we can prevent wars of aggression."
"In that case, those we should be wary of are the ones who have already landed."
In response to Edward-sama's prediction, the King jerked his chin toward the east. In other words, the outbreak of war originating from Engrio. Currently, that seems to be the only thing that could be called a war on the White Island. And East Liber and such would send reinforcements. The number of soldiers would be incomparable. It could well be called a Great Terror.
"It seems so. Could it be that the 'hole in the Goddess's protection' means something like that?"
Edward-sama's speculation is highly plausible. This is because wars within the White Island could not be prevented even with the power of the Goddess.
"It might be the landing of plague victims. Even with Anti-Sepsis, it doesn't work on all diseases. In particular, many people have died from diseases that affect the lungs, which are prevalent in winter. Those spread quickly. If you call it a hole, it's a hole. If a major epidemic occurs on the continent, they will be allowed to land unless strict measures are taken."
Cadogan-sama is, as expected, wary of epidemics.
"We need to attempt early detection of the spread. As expected, it would be best to speak with Anri-sama, involve Sertogne and Theresia-sama of the Duchy of Germania, and discuss early detection of the spread of epidemics, information sharing among officials of various countries, and the issuance of warnings at the Great Unity Conference in October. Of course, I don't think we can tell everything to the continental countries other than Sertogne."
The conclusion turned out exactly as Cadogan-sama said. This is because it's the only thing we can do at this point.
It seems Primordia frequently communicates with Sertogne by ship. Fast ships go back and forth constantly.
The King of Primordia sent a letter to the Sertogne Royal Family immediately after this discussion. And two days later, it was announced that Yorg-sama would visit as a messenger from Sertogne. During that time, I also spoke with Anri-sama, including the Wetlands Priestess, about the curse of the Demon Race.
According to Anri-sama, it doesn't matter when it comes, or if it has already come. What's more important than that is making preparations. As a reason, he told us why the White Island had twice been occupied in its central part—the breadbasket region close to the continent—by those coming from the continent. In other words, it was because there were people who had encroached from the east of the continent to around the current Kingdom of Liber, and the place where those who lived in the land that became the Kingdom of Liber fled to was the White Island. And that could happen again in the future. Since that is the case, the White Island must unite and prepare for an invasion from the continent. And it seems the same applies to epidemics. Since it is an island, it is surrounded by the sea. People live in a much narrower area compared to the continent, and because of that, the occurrence and spread of diseases are much lower than on the continent. However, since the movement of people has become more active compared to the past, the spread of infection is unavoidable. It wouldn't hurt to always be prepared for this; that was his point.
Then, I sent Miana and Beowulf back to Nakanohara, and in their place, Erikson-sama and Keira, who was possessing a field mouse, arrived.
For Erikson-sama, this is his first time in Primordia. To be precise, he has entered the country before. However, he was sleeping inside the stone he possesses, so it was nothing more than passing through. Since he met Sianya and Edward-sama during the Testament conquest, he naturally knew the King of Primordia and Cadogan-sama as well.
The Western Church has a history of moving to avoid conflict even in the midst of the struggle between the North and South. The meeting with Cadogan-sama seemed to be deeply moving; after the self-introduction, they shared an embrace for a while.
"I truly caused much trouble for the Western Church during my lifetime."
"Trouble, you say? I believe my predecessors only did what was natural."
"There is not a day I do not think that if only I could have placed myself in the midst of the controversy, made a clear declaration of intent, and yet not been dragged into the conflict, as the Western Church's flexible response allowed..."
"It must have been the times. Please make it your nourishment and continue to lead us in the future."
Erikson-sama was nearly in tears, while Cadogan-sama smiled gently; it was a contrasting and impressive meeting.
Riding in the medium-sized bowl, we went to the shrine that Keira remembers fondly. I went in the medium-sized bowl along with the King of Primordia, Cadogan-sama, Edward-sama, and Sianya. Upon arrival, the five nobles who were the managers of the ruins, having been contacted by Cadogan-sama, had already arrived.
"Bishop Jeanne, it has been a long time."
The managers welcomed me with smiles.
They were the people who had made various skeptical remarks during the Black Stone search, but they understood in the end. The Black Stone found here was useful for strengthening Repellent, and it is being used in Sertoria and Primordia as a magical insect repellent water for agriculture. It's not dramatic, but production certainly increases if used, so it must be working positively for the nobles' estate management as well. Moreover, the territory increased by the amount redistributed after the great nobles who previously controlled it were executed. Although there were twists and turns, the alliance with neighboring countries has also become solid. It's all good things.
We all entered the meeting room we had entered once before. There are two people who are difficult to explain upon entry. Since it's a hassle, Erikson-sama merged with Henry-sama. Keira was designated as Miana's guard. Well, it's not wrong. Originally, the purpose was to protect Miana from the old men digging for silica. Now, she's a favorite among those old men.
After everyone entered the room and drinks were distributed, the room was cleared. Here, Cadogan-sama requested that the ten people take a Vow of Silence.
The ones who looked suspicious were the nobles. Usually, it's the other way around. Some were put off, but when he explained that he had heard a story related to the Ancient Priestess from a certain race and wanted to share it specifically with everyone, they agreed, albeit looking displeased.
As a preamble to the explanation, Cadogan-sama explained that this investigation was based on a formal request from the Grand Archbishop to the Henry Party.
"Now then, Eleanor-sama. If you please."
Prompted by Cadogan-sama, the five nobles were astonished by the content Eleanor-sama explained.
First, they only knew about the Dragonewts through legend. Of course, they must be hearing about the curse of the Demon Race for the first time.
"Since we have newly obtained such information, I thought I would speak to you all and by all means ask for your cooperation, which is why I asked you to gather like this."
Eleanor-sama's explanation ended. The nobles were dazed. Part of it was that the story was so sudden, but more than that, the content was too far-fetched. The Demon Race cast a curse, and the Priestess created a barrier. One of those barriers is the shrine and underground passage that the nobles manage and protect. We have to conduct an investigation to see if there are any clues while simultaneously performing maintenance work on the caves related to the Black Stones. We came for that purpose.
Actually, it has already started in Sertoria. This is because we are diverting anti-magic materials for the cave where the Demon Lord will be resurrected. The construction is under the direct control of the King, with Evans-sama and Victor-sama in charge. Primordia became the first to receive an explanation among the various countries. According to what I heard from Keira, the Ancient Priestess had clay tablets with characters carved on them, and they were kept in the house where the Priestess and Keira lived. They weren't magic circles. They were writings. There is a possibility that they continued to be kept by the managers even after her death.
"Wh-What on earth do you want us to do..."
"It's simple. Please give us permission to perform maintenance work on the shrine and cave and to investigate the ancient documents left by the Ancient Priestess. We will talk about the details of the construction after obtaining permission. And regarding the investigation of the ancient documents, we will report the results of the investigation to you all."
The nobles looked at each other. They weren't originally the managers. On top of that, they probably haven't received any handover from the previous managers. They must not know what to do.
"How about it? Since I will take responsibility, why not leave it to us? I or Bishop Sianya will definitely be present for the investigation. If you wish, it is of course fine for all of you to be present as well."
Perhaps unable to watch any longer, Cadogan-sama spoke up, and they nodded to each other while making eye contact to confirm each other's thoughts.