Chapter 813 - Chapter 4: Countermeasures in the North ⑩
As a policy of the Henry Party, they never interfere in the diplomacy of other countries, even if advice is sought. Of course, when it comes to negotiations with Sertoria, that written document comes out, but that's because it's their own country.
It was the same in Finis, but in Northern Gram as well, Beatrix held a meeting about the transport method for magic water using Translate, on the condition that if a need to spray a large amount of magic water arose. Even then, they didn't make any statements.
In the case of Finis, the isolation facility is under Saxburg's management. Therefore, the magic water is also placed under Saxburg's control. In the event that a Translate magic circle is installed, it will be jumped from there. The problem is where to jump it to. On this point, it wasn't settled even in Finis. Therefore, it became a flow where Gwyn-sama and Eowyn-sama would consult to some extent and propose it to the Kings of both countries.
"I can't draw the entrance magic circle unless I know where to jump it to."
Beatrix has been requested by the Church to mass-transport magic water. However, she is to consult with each country for specifics, taking into account their diplomatic policies. By jumping magic water with Translate, taught directly by a Gnome, it has become possible to jump more magic water more quickly and in larger quantities than before. Of course, it will be most effective for the Duchy of Naonent, but it's significant that the time for loading/unloading from ships and the transport period can be ignored. Since both of them know that Beatrix became an apprentice to a Gnome, they immediately entered into specific talk.
"Up until now, Finis and Northern Gram have a track record of supplying Morandine, Engrio, and the East/West Liber countries, as well as the Duchies of Roland and Germania. However, at present, supply to the Duchy of Germania can be excluded since Primordia is supplying them."
According to the explanation by Gwyn-sama and Eowyn-sama, Finis's role is the production of magic water and scrolls, and Northern Gram solely handles the window for diplomatic negotiations... negotiations with non-Northwest Coast Treaty member countries, including Morandine. This is apparently to prevent the other party from attempting useless bargaining. At the same time, they can negotiate with the other country by bringing up other countries. The Henry Party all knew this, but I didn't. Incidentally, Beatrix also knew. She had heard it from Mary.
Primordia is supplying Sertogne. The reason their defensive range is narrow is because the number of orbs to make scrolls is small. Incidentally, Sertoria is to supply Medioland, Regnentes, and Engrio. This was stipulated by the Northwest Coast Treaty member countries. However, Shop No. 7's scrolls are also being sent to Engrio, but since the number of scrolls is small, they are not counted in the contracts between nations.
"The current transport routes are: directly by ship to Engrio and Morandine, and via Vectis Island to East/West Liber and Roland."
Vectis Island is safe. the Count is a proper person, and above all, Shop No. 5 of the Class of 175 is in charge. Lyudmila goes there several times a year for agricultural reform, and she must be checking the documents... right?
"Vectis Island, huh. It's impossible as it is now."
"Why?"
Surprisingly, Beatrix said it was impossible. I unintentionally cut in.
"Translate jumps a large amount of magic water all at once."
"Yeah."
"You want to jump as much as possible at once, right? But you see, while it might be fine for the continent where the scale level drops, inside the White Island, if you jump a large amount all at once, a barrel made of wood won't be able to withstand the pressure of the magic water being jumped all at once. Once or twice is fine, but if you're going to jump it many times, it won't hold. It's different from being jumped continuously like Teleport. On the other hand, if you jump it little by little, it's meaningless, right?"
In other words, a stone-built water tank is needed at the exit, and it's better to load the jumped water onto ships using Clump Water. Recent ships for magic water have a side hole at the bottom of the water tank, from which it's poured into barrels or tanks outside the ship through something like a gutter. Otherwise, since magic cannot be used on the continent, humans would end up scooping it out with buckets.
"Then we have to have them make a water tank."
"That's right. We have to negotiate that too. But, it's no good now, right?"
Having said they should make a new one, it's hard to say that sending it will be later.
"Between nations is no good."
"Between nations?"
"That's right. For example, there's no problem if a shop does it spontaneously."
I see. In practice, the Count of Vectis's maid is looking at everything, but it's a Class of 175 shop. They can just do it on their own.
"Understood. A shop's ingenuity, then."
"That's right. The transaction will be conducted based on agreements between nations, but there's no need to mention the detailed methods. You're jumping it with magic, right? As long as that's understood, there's no problem."
"Then, will it be okay if we just get Count Vectis's permission?"
"Isn't that the bigger problem? Our country, a member of the Northwest Coast Treaty, and Engrio are mutual hypothetical enemies. Won't Seldic refuse permission?"
"Hmm. It seems King Seldic doesn't interfere in the affairs of that island. In exchange, he's become a vassal of Engrio. He's signed such a contract. He should be guaranteed not to have to participate in battles with the Demon Lord's army or wars between humans."
"Is that so? However, people and cargo cannot easily land on Vectis Island, can they? Isn't it out of the question to use movement-type magic circles?"
"The artificial island handling magic water is technically outside the island, so in that sense, it might be okay too."
"Is that so?"
"That's right. Haven't you heard from Mary?"
"I wonder? I left it all to her, after all."
Gwyn-sama started laughing.
"Me too. If I leave it to Mary, it'll be mostly fine, after all."
"True."
I unintentionally exchanged glances with Beatrix.
Are these two countries okay?
"Hey, won't you open a Class of 175 shop in Northern Gram?"
Saxburg asked. I haven't heard from Mary that there are plans to open one. On this point, Mary is strict. The first manager of a branch must be a member of the Class of 175. In fact, the first manager of Shop No. 5 on Vectis Island was Lyudmila. It was because she started going there regularly after taking on the agricultural reform of Vectis Island, but after nearly half a year, it finally changed over to the maid. Due to those circumstances, the temporary shop in Primordia remains a temporary shop.
"Then, a temporary shop is fine. I'll operate it with my husband."
"That's right. If so, the water tank to jump the magic water I make can be made here too."
That might be good. Anyway, the scrolls for magic water are managed by Saxburg at the isolation facility. It would be better than doing it elsewhere.
"Hmm. If the contract itself is made by the royal family and it's jumped from the isolation facility based on that contract, there's no problem."
Eowyn-sama, who makes the ceasefire between East/West Liber a condition for supply, also agreed.
"As expected of Jeanne-sama. You've solved everything, including diplomacy."
If only he didn't say such unnecessary things, it would be perfect.
"After that, we just need to get Count Vectis to allow connecting here and Vectis Island with a movement-type magic circle."
When Saxburg looked at Eowyn-sama, I felt for just a fleeting moment that Eowyn-sama's eyes became sharp.
"But, because of the Northwest Coast Treaty's policy, we can't say it from our side."
This time, I felt like he nodded for just a fleeting moment.
"We can't talk about it until the war on the continent is over."
For just a fleeting moment, Eowyn-sama's eyes smiled. He's quite a strict older brother.
"Um, I can't say it very loudly, but it's actually a work in progress."
"Work in progress?"
At Beatrix's unexpected words, everyone, including me, cut in. Ah, Duke Hexham just turned his gaze toward Beatrix.
According to Beatrix, there was a direct request from the Church.
"I've already been told to make as much preparation as possible. You know?"
"Preparation?"
"Yeah. In short, the plan to send magic water to Sertogne, Roland, Germania, and the coastal areas of East/West Liber? In short, the coast of the White Island, to make it a barrier against Black Rot Disease. Preparation for that."
"A barrier, huh. There was such an expression in the letter Richard of Roland sent over."
"Yes, that. Someone in the Church... I think it's probably the Grand Archbishop or Price-sama... seems to have liked that expression. They want to get the form ready as soon as possible."
Beatrix took out the instruction document from the Church and handed it to Eowyn-sama. Eowyn-sama looked at the contents and handed it to Gwyn-sama. After that, it went through Saxburg and Duke Hexham and came to me.
Looking at it, it's a letter with the Grand Archbishop's signature! It's addressed to the Sertoria Capital Archbishop. The content is an instruction document to request Beatrix to prepare for the transfer of magic water to be supplied to various countries, including the continent... specific country names were written. It also mentioned the reward, stating how much per creation of a magic circle. The amount was the price Beatrix had set before, which is slightly higher than if transported by ship. This is to avoid taking away the work of the sailors. In exchange, a sudden mass transport is possible.
"Did Gwyn know?"
"No, I only just learned this much now. Originally, Finis mainly produces scrolls, after all. As you know, our country supplies Engrio and Morandine, but there's no interaction with Vectis Island."
"That's true. In other words, at present, is it only our country and Vectis Island that are preparing?"
In Finis, she didn't show the letter. Normally, she should have only shown it to Northern Gram. Showing it where Gwyn-sama was must have been Beatrix's own decision.
"That's right. But eventually, there might be requests for Finis... and not just Finis, but also Sertoria and Primordia, to make them for the continent."
"Will it become that urgent?"
"I don't know. But Harris-sama told me so verbally. No Vow of Silence."
In other words, it wouldn't be strange if it were made public at any time.
"As it's written, what we're doing at present is just preparation. We don't have to send it."
"Hmm. So that's how it is. In other words, we're making it so we can send it at any time once they cease fire."
"I think so. A horse with a carrot dangling in front of its eyes? It feels like that."
Beatrix and Eowyn-sama are smirking.
They're going to tease the warring countries. The Church is also quite nasty.
The letter Beatrix produced became the deciding factor, and Eowyn-sama decided to take us to the royal palace. To talk with the King. Since it's ultra-high-speed, we took off immediately.
While the Henry Party does as they please in Primordia and Finis, it's not like that in Northern Gram. It's the same in that they fly slowly over the royal palace while waving the Black Dragon Flag representing the Sertoria Royal Family, but the landing is in front of the main gate. Just before landing, a man came running out from inside the gate. He's carrying a lantern despite it being daytime. He's out of breath.
"E-Everyone, w-welcome. And you've arrived a l-little earlier than usual. Please, check this."
While wheezing, he held out the lantern.
Eleanor-sama checked the lantern and let out a sigh. Eowyn-sama, seeing that, patted the man's shoulder and thanked him.
"Today, we were able to catch the north wind on the way, so we were earlier than usual. However, unfortunately, it's your win again this time."
"N-No, it was a close call."
"Then, here."
He's handing over a box of Highway Cookies Deluxe. Apparently, they were having a competition. I don't really understand the rules, though.
"Thank you very much, as always."
"I'll win next time."
"I look forward to your best effort."
I wonder what that was all about.
The talk with the King of Northern Gram itself proceeded smoothly. Here too, the Henry Party didn't particularly make any statements. They just gave greetings and said they came as escorts for Beatrix and me. Gwyn-sama followed suit, watching from the edge. Since Eleanor-sama signaled me with her eyes, Beatrix and I went before him, and Eowyn-sama and Saxburg also lined up with us. And Eowyn-sama explained what Beatrix and I had talked about.
The King of Northern Gram also smirked at the Church's stance of only preparing.
"Will this be made public?"
The King of Northern Gram asked the Northern Gram Capital Archbishop. As was the case in Finis, the Great Churches of each country haven't been told the details. They've only been told to urge the royal families to take Black Rot Disease countermeasures.
"What do you think? If it's made public, the countries that hesitated to cease fire will likely be criticized. East/West Liber won't be able to ignore it either."
He smirked even more at the Archbishop's reply. If that happens, Northern Gram... no, it's not just one country, it's the entire Northwest Coast Treaty. It also aligns with the Church's policy. Moreover, if it's the Church's instruction, the responsibility won't be borne by each country. It's the Church's responsibility. If that happens, there won't be any fault-finding like saying Black Rot Disease spread because Northern Gram's response, acting as the diplomatic window for magic water, was slow.
"The Grand Archbishop lately is quite bold. It's interesting. Is he perhaps aiming for some kind of reform?"
"What do you think?"
The Archbishop tilted his head, but he probably can't really answer that.