Chapter 787 - Expedition to Southern Liber ②
In the end, I was also to go. However, the location is different. It's the Duchy of Naonent in Sertogne. It's the church near the border with West Liber that I went to before. They told me that if I died from the epidemic, it would be for nothing, so I should wait there and make magic water to strengthen it. The experiment Beatrix was planning to do was also moved forward to match that.
From the church at the border I visited before, they had also dispatched someone to participate in this year's Great Unity Conference, and above all, it's the same religion. Things move quickly. Once Yorg-sama finished getting the talk settled with the King of Sertogne, we set off. Until then, we stayed at the Henry Party's regular inn. During the day, we moved to the isolation facility, Beatrix drew magic circles, and I decided to make as many scrolls of Anti-Sepsis as possible. If I make as many scrolls as possible and take them to the border with West Liber, and if Anti-Sepsis works on Black Rot Disease, it will only have the effect of beginner level even if I make advanced level, but I can prevent the spread even a little. I spent the waiting time of about a week in that way.
Incidentally, the Vice-Chieftain was treated as a state guest and spent his time in the guest room of the palace. He received lectures on flight magic from Eleanor-sama daily, and apparently enjoyed sea fishing with Edward-sama. And Ancelotti-sama had gone ahead to meet us in the Duchy of Naonent.
Yorg-sama returned to Primordia after obtaining the King of Sertogne's permission and a letter addressed to the Duke of Naonent. After finishing the final meeting while eating breakfast, it was finally time to set off.
When the Vice-Chieftain cast Wind Barrier, he created an unusually large bowl. And, no, this is already a ship. Nine people and one ghost boarded it: the five regular members of the Henry Party, Sianya merged with the Wetlands Priestess, Yorg-sama, Jeanne of Sertogne, and myself. Including the Vice-Chieftain, the total is eleven people.
As soon as we boarded, it was compressed into a thin shape, a ceiling was formed, and the shape changed. It's a cylinder.
There's one horizontal hole with a windbreak at the very front.
The humans inside are basically in two columns, and Yorg-sama, the guide, took his position at the horizontal hole at the very front.
In the second row were Wilson-san and I, the third row was Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, the fourth row was Sianya merged with the Wetlands Priestess and Jeanne of Sertogne, and the last row was Bonnie and Will. At the very back, barrels for tools and many barrels filled with strengthened magic water were piled up.
"Then, we're off! I'm counting on you!"
When Yorg-sama called out toward the hole, the cylindrical bowl floated up softly. The Dragonewt is flying on the left side of the cylinder. He's resting his right hand on the cylinder and intends to maneuver it that way.
While the King of Primordia and the others watched, we gained altitude steadily, took a course in the southeast direction, and increased speed more and more.
"The ascent and acceleration are smooth, aren't they?"
It's exactly as Eleanor-sama said. The comfort of the ride is too different from the bowl of a certain someone who aims for records of rapid acceleration and rapid ascent. It's as comfortable as riding in a special carriage.
"It's a technique humans cannot do."
"Is that so?"
Accelerating slowly is apparently really difficult. I've never experienced a gentle acceleration even in Wilson-san's bowl. Moreover, the Dragonewt is keeping the cylinder horizontal. He's releasing it toward the diagonal rear from the horizontal plane, and even if I try to imagine it, I can't imagine how he releases it.
"Stopping can be controlled. He just has to release it on the opposite side of the direction of travel. As long as he's careful about instantaneous release, he can stop gently."
'Gently', you say, but there were times when it was quite harsh.
"I researched acceleration many times with Wilson, but a heavy bowl with humans on it still needs to gain momentum somewhere to ascend. The Dragonewt is able to do that. Speaking of size, it's a completely different order of magic control."
Hmm. Well, it must be different. After all, there aren't even a few hundred Dragonewts at present. Despite that, they said that even if they faced a human army of hundreds of thousands, they wouldn't be an enemy. Even if I take that as an exaggeration, if it's two hundred thousand against two hundred, it's a thousand humans per Dragonewt. No, since they aren't even an enemy, it's more. I'm also super-advanced, but I can't imagine magic control more than a thousand times that. If my eight-shot volley became an eight-thousand-shot volley, even the Demon Lord would be defeated in one hit. I, who fired it, would also have my brain broken and be dead, though.
The cylindrical bowl moved to horizontal travel after finishing the ascent. Fortunately, it's a clear autumn day. The sky is high. Because of that, we can see far, far away.
Even though it's autumn, it's considerably high. I thought it would be quite cold, but because the wind coming gently from the inner wall of the bowl—I've never seen this way of releasing it gently either. If a human did it, you'd feel a clear wind strong enough to make your hair flutter, but it's only as strong as a human's breath—is warm, it's comfortable. When making the bowl, Wilson-san was making a bonfire with Fire Ball. He didn't seem to be burning anything in particular, so I wondered what he was doing, but apparently he made the bowl while mixing in warmed air. Originally, a huge bowl was compressed small... though even compressed, it's the size of a medium-sized bowl. It's a feat possible because the walls are that thick. Somehow, I feel the decisive difference in power between humans and Dragonewts.
The first night will be in the Duchy of Naonent, but I don't know how long it will take. In Yorg-sama's opinion, his managed land is probably about the middle. So, it was chosen as a checkpoint for the course. Because of the altitude, there isn't much sense of speed, but it's presumably super high speed. The strait was more than half over during the ascent, and we were on the continent in an instant. When we reached the bay that is likely between Sertogne and Germania, we changed course slightly to the south at the place thought to be above Yorg-sama's managed land. Once we entered inland, the left side is West Liber and the right side is Sertogne.
"As expected, there are few forests."
"Umu. West Liber is quite bare."
It's exactly as the two old couple said. Right after passing the strait, it's likely the bay between Sertogne and Germania. On both sides of that bay, I could see deep green. Forests of evergreen oak and beech. However, beyond the large river that is the border with Sertogne, there is only brown. Fields. Forests are only here and there. I flew around the sky of the White Island many times in the Henry Party's bowl, but even in the flat Engrio or Morandine, the proportion of deep green is higher.
I had the same impression when I first saw the land of West Liber. I saw it from a riverboat, but there were no forests.
Yorg-sama's voice shouting loudly can be heard from the front.
The hole is next to the face of Yorg-sama, who is squatting at the head of the column. It's like a circular window, but the front edge is protruding and acting as a windbreak, so no wind enters inside. Through that window, Yorg-sama and the Dragonewt are conversing. The content of the conversation was the same as the humans, about the lack of forests. He seemed to be explaining to the Dragonewt why there are so few. In short, humans probably cut them down saying they needed fields and charcoal for metallurgy, but for the Dragonewt, it must be an outrageous story.
"That is a forsaken land."
I heard the Vice-Chieftain say as if spitting it out. Well, I can understand the feeling of wanting to say that.
We gradually change course to the south, but unfortunately, the 'forsaken land' the Vice-Chieftain mentioned continues on the left. Presumably, Yorg-sama is intentionally proceeding along the border. That difference in color is the guidepost. And on that line, a single river running east-west came into view. Even if I say running east-west, it's intensely meandering. After flying west for a bit over that river, we slowed down and began the descent. A town can be seen ahead. It must be the capital of the Duchy of Naonent.
Yorg-sama pointed to a mansion by the river at a distance that could be called the outskirts. He said we would stay at his private residence for trade in Naonent today. It must be there.
The mansion's grounds face the river and are a quay. In the plan, one ship is supposed to be moored. It's a ship for contact, and Ancelotti-sama, who went ahead, is on board.
Since there is no ship, he hasn't arrived yet. So, we decided to go down the river and meet up.
While flying along the river as if on a leisurely sightseeing flight, we saw a ship coming up. When I magnified it with Sight, it was flying the flag of Sertogne. That must be it. Yorg-sama told the Vice-Chieftain, and we landed on the deck of the ship just like that.
When the Camouflage was deactivated and Yorg-sama and Jeanne of Sertogne stood up, the captain and crew came running.
"Good work. It was just the right timing."
"Yeah. As expected of the legendary Dragonewts. We flew here in a little over two hours."
"T-Two hours? Only two hours?"
"Yeah. It's really fast, isn't it?"
Two hours is about the distance of flying between Primordia and Sertoria at super high speed. If you take a ship, it's three days. I'm impressed they were able to match it so well.
I also met Ancelotti-sama, and the self-introduction to the captain was finished... the Vice-Chieftain had also hidden his wings with Transform. Since his large stature is the same, he looks like an older Edward-sama. We landed in the Duchy of Naonent by ship just like that and entered the mansion.
After having lunch... as expected, the food on the continent is really delicious... I went to see the Duke of Naonent with Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, and Sianya merged with the Wetlands Priestess, led by Yorg-sama. As a result of having sent word ahead, he'll meet us. We have to explain this operation. We've already received the King of Sertogne's permission and a letter. We'll hand that over and have our activities here recognized. Since there are points difficult to explain to non-believers, we had Ancelotti-sama stay behind at the mansion.
We met the Duke of Naonent at the palace of the Duchy. Since we carry the King of Sertogne's letter, it's official. As proof of that, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are in formal wear, though it's simplified. Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are the former King and former Queen of the Kingdom of Sertoria. And Sianya is a priest, but she's the Princess of Primordia and a royal advisor. They are legitimate royalty of a nation and are higher-ranking than the Duke of Naonent, the lord of a Duchy. In fact, the Duke of Naonent took the form of welcoming them at the entrance of the guest room, not the Audience Chamber. He greeted the two old couple and Sianya first, and the three of them returned the greeting.
After sitting in the prepared seats and drinks were distributed, the room was cleared. Since mid-level Mute won't activate even if cast here, I don't cast it. Perhaps the door is that thick.
The King of Sertogne's letter, in short, said to cooperate with the Henry Party. Since that doesn't explain anything at all, Yorg-sama explained everything. In short, to confirm if magic water works on Black Rot Disease, we will snatch away patients and conduct an experiment using magic water made on the White Island. The Dragonewts and a ghost will participate from the White Island and cooperate in the movement and kidnapping. And a mass transfer experiment of magic water by a new magic learned by a certain mage will be conducted. That's what it is.
"You have thought of something quite extraordinary again."
After hearing Yorg-sama's explanation... the words 'Dragonewt', 'ghost', 'kidnapping', and 'magic water' naturally came out... the Duke of Naonent said with a smile.
As expected. He's not shaken at all.
"Will you be able to provide cooperation?"
"Of course. I have His Majesty's letter. Above all, I am indebted to Sertoria for disease countermeasures. Thanks to you, since the two of you visited before, I've even made friends across the river."
That's a wonderful thing. The friends across the river must be the three nobles. It's a good thing the border is peaceful.
The Duke of Naonent attached two conditions to his consent. One is that if magic water is supplied to southern West Liber, the transport from the White Island must have Naonent as the terminus. There is no other way. A mass transport experiment is scheduled to be conducted later, but regardless of the result, this place is, so to speak, the final collection point. He wants that promised.
"Just in case, let me hear the reason."
Eleanor-sama asked.
"I will use it as a diplomatic trump card. To continue the non-aggression alliance with West Liber."
Currently, including the friends across the river, Naonent is the window for supply to southern West Liber. There are humanitarian issues, and it would be a problem if poor epidemic patients swam across the river. The fees are reasonable, and in exchange, they are building a friendly relationship. They are currently doing that independently. He says to make that officially recognized by the Northwest Coast Treaty. If it's handed directly to southern West Liber for the White Island's convenience, the nobles of southern West Liber, who are powerful even on their own, will no longer need to form a non-aggression alliance with Naonent.
"Understood. Currently, our country is providing the magic water supply to Sertogne. We shall arrange it as you have requested and at the same time notify the relevant countries. I promise as the representative of the King of Primordia."
It's Sianya. As expected of a royal advisor. It's an immediate decision.
The Duke of Naonent was greatly pleased and expressed his gratitude to Sianya.
"What is the other one?"
Since one was settled, Eleanor-sama asks again.
"Well, let's see. Regarding this operation, I... no, to be precise, me. Won't you let me join as well?"
He said with a grin.
This feeling, it's the atmosphere the old couple likes.
"Just in case, let me hear the reason."
Eleanor-sama asked. As expected, she's grinning.
"Because it looks interesting. Dragonewts, ghosts, magic water. Invading another country, snatching away epidemic patients, and if things go well, treating them. Such an experience, if you live normally, you likely wouldn't have once in a lifetime. I definitely want to go with you."
This is it. I thought that would be the case.
Anyway, this will also likely be an immediate decision.
In this expedition, Yorg-sama and Jeanne of Sertogne have become non-regular members of the Henry Party. Perhaps even a currently reigning Duke will join.