Chapter 814 - Chapter 5: Countermeasures on Vectis Island
The matter with Vectis Island was settled easily. The churches of both countries arranged the meeting procedures. When we spoke to Sir Archer and the maid on the opposite shore of the island, a reply came back immediately saying that Count Vectis had readily agreed. Of course, the Northwest Coast Treaty's stance has been explained. We immediately went by carriage to meet Sir Archer at the merchant house on the opposite shore.
"the Count says he will leave everything to the Class of 175."
"Thank you. I'll do my best. I haven't received permission to enter the island, but the artificial island is okay, right?"
"Permission has been granted."
"Eh?"
"Beatrix, right? I heard you became an apprentice to a Gnome. If it's for using that skill for epidemic countermeasures, the Count's permission to enter the island has been granted. Just like Bishop Jeanne and Lyudmila, you can enter any number of times from now on for the same requirement. Well, as long as you don't do anything contrary to the Count's will, that is."
"E-Eh, I-I see. Thank you. I'll do my best."
"Umu. I shall convey that to the Count."
She's been quite trusted. With this, she's become the third person from the Class of 175 to have permission to enter the island. Since Lyudmila is also here this time, the five of us, including Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, crossed over to the island on the ferry commanded by Sir Archer.
When we crossed to the island, the Count was there to welcome us.
Starting with the usual greetings for the old couple, it proceeded to Lyudmila and me, and finally, Beatrix was introduced.
"I heard you became an apprentice to a Gnome."
"Yeah. But only for Translate."
"Can those on the island learn it too?"
"It's fine if they're someone who learned Teleport on their own. But, I'm telling you, if it's used for war, the Gnome will apparently ban its use."
"Do not worry about that. Our island is an island unrelated to war. We have always remained without intervening in the battles with the Demon Lord's army or wars between humans."
"I know that. But it's a condition the Gnome set, so I want you to know. Because even if the Count hates war, I don't know if the people I teach or their families feel the same. I don't know that much."
"I see. Then, I shall firmly convey that to those who are taught. That I will not forgive those who go against it."
"I'm counting on you."
"Umu. Understood."
And so, the talk was settled like that.
We went to the artificial island under the Count's guidance. The artificial island was established on the shore a short distance away from the river mouth where the conventional harbor is located.
According to the Count, this is the first time someone from outside the island has entered the artificial island from the island. Apparently even King Seldic hasn't come. Well, that gentleman is busy with various things, so he probably doesn't have time to come.
Looking from above on the bowls, two rectangular islands are lined up parallel to the shore. Ships can moor between the islands. Except for the middle waterway where ships moor, the islands are surrounded by high walls, and there are watchtowers with guards at each of the four corners. The waterway is blocked at the front and back by water gates that connect the walls of the left and right islands, and when departing or mooring, the water gates are opened... probably a lift-up type... to pass through. It's quite strict. Ordinary merchant ships cannot enter. Only magic water transport ships. Since the sailors on the moored ships all know that the lord of the island is the Vampire Count Vectis, they don't cause any undue trouble. Well, if there were even one insolent person, he apparently declares upon entry that he will absolutely not let that ship transport magic water, and in some cases, the Count himself will come out and execute them, so they have no choice but to be quiet even if they hate it. However, ships coming from the continent are close, so they leave quickly once their business is done, but ships coming from Northern Gram, which is far away, can't do that. It's a valuable facility to soothe the fatigue of the journey. If they behave politely, it's not scary, so it's apparently appreciated. Of course, the sales of the facility are the island's profit, so the islanders involved will also respond kindly.
Buildings are lined up on the outer island. They are rest and accommodation facilities used by sailors, with inns, bars, cafeterias, and shops where simple food and daily necessities can be purchased. And the facilities related to magic water are on the inner island. Here, the distance between the quay and the buildings is close. Instead, or rather, there is space on the opposite side. It's the opposite of the outer island. Naturally, the inner island is closer to Vectis Island. They've provided space on the side closer to the island.
"It's the second floor of that building. There is a facility to store magic water there."
Long, thin wooden box-like things are sticking out from the second-floor windows, pointing diagonally upwards. The tips are connected by ropes to pillars standing on the roof. They must be gutters to transfer magic water to ships.
According to the Count, they apparently operate the gutters from the third floor on the roof to transfer from the barrels installed on the second floor to the barrels loaded on the ship.
"If we're going to make a water tank, will it be there?"
Beatrix asked the Count. Today, we've come for such a meeting.
"It's stone-built, right? The current building might not be able to withstand the weight."
The building is made of logs. It might be able to support about one large barrel, but if it's a stone-built water tank, it might not hold up as the Count says.
"Then, rebuild?"
"Don't you think that would be better?"
"I do. Why not just make a sturdy and big one and make it so we can transfer to ships one after another?"
"Don't say it so easily. It takes quite a bit of effort to try to make a stone-built water tank, you know."
"Hmm. I wonder if there are any huge rocks."
"Rocks? What are you going to do with rocks?"
"I'll carve them with Curve and make a hut with a water tank for you. If there isn't a rock of the right size, just the water tank is fine. If you put a stone water tank on the first floor, you can carry it to the large barrels on the second floor with Clump Water. The fee will be received in a lump sum from the Church, so it's the same either way."
Is such a thing possible? I mean, how are you going to bring that rock?
"Wasn't Beatrix human?"
The Count said as if exasperated. Certainly, it's not on a scale a human would think of. Has her sense gone crazy because she's been with Dragonewts for too long? Even Eleanor-sama is looking at Beatrix as if startled.
"I'm human. It's just, you know, various things happened, and I'm good at earth magic."
"I see, a Gnome... no, a Dragonewt. I've heard the rumors. Apparently you were working together with Dragonewts in Morandine."
"Well, yeah. Something like that."
"Hmm. Interesting. There are rocks on the island. I'll bring them for you, so as you just said, why don't you carve them with Curve and make a hut for me?"
Huh? Bring rocks?
"As expected of a Vampire. I thought you could do it. Then, can you guide me to the rocks? I'm human, so it takes time. It'll be better to make it and then carry it since it'll be lighter, right?"
"Hmm. Certainly. Then, let's do that."
It's kind of amazing. To be able to carry a rock the same size as a two-story building, the magic control of a Vampire must be on a different level.
Since we're making it, a blueprint is necessary. We landed, and the Count opened the lock and entered the hut.
The first floor must be an office. A table and chairs are placed. You can see the waterway where ships moor from the window. That's all. Since they provide magic water for a fee based on contracts, they have to check the documents. It seems to be a place for that.
When we went up the stairs to the second floor, two large barrels were placed. There was a large window on the waterway side... or rather, a window so large you could say a part of the wall was missing... and you could see the wooden gutters we saw from above. The gutters themselves are operated on the roof and fixed with ropes.
Beatrix was measuring and writing down distances while drawing a picture of the building.
"Here, we make magic water using the scrolls sent from Northern Gram."
"Does two large barrels mean for two ships?"
"No, it's for one ship. Because time is needed to make the magic water. When it's crowded, we provide magic water with one while making it with the other."
"I wonder if two ships at once is impossible."
"It doesn't make much sense. They line up in a single vertical row, after all. For security reasons, the waterway is one-way, so they can't back up."
"Shall we line up two small ones? Or is the same size fine?"
"Umu. That's fine."
So they can carry it even without changing the size. Incredible.
"Who usually does it?"
"Two maids who can use Shower and Clump Water, and Sir Archer as a guard."
The maids are amazing. I heard that the Count teaches magic to the islanders, and apparently he hires those with good memory as servants.
"Doesn't Sir Archer use magic?"
"He can only use beginner level. Either he has no intention of learning, or no sense. Or both. Even though he's a dependent type, as long as he's a Vampire, he should be able to use magic on the continent as well as on the White Island, so it's a problem."
That's certainly a waste.
"Eh? Count, can Vampires use magic even on the continent?"
It was Lyudmila, who had been silent and just listening to the explanation until now.
"Of course. We were originally people of the continent, after all. Lyudmila, your mother was also from the continent. Even though she was a half-blood, she inherited the blood of a True Ancestor who could freely use powerful magic on the continent. And you, as long as you inherit that ability through succession rather than being a mere quarter-blood, should be able to use a certain amount of magic even on the continent. However, the mana will be extremely thin. You'll need to master the knack for accumulating it, and even if you master that, it will probably take time to activate."
This is a surprise. Lyudmila will be able to use ultra-high-level magic on the continent if she just catches the knack. To put it bluntly, isn't she invincible?
"Is that true?"
Ignoring Lyudmila who was surprised, Eleanor-sama bit onto the topic.
"Did Eleanor-sama not know either?"
"I didn't know. Olga didn't really want to talk about the abilities of a Vampire half-blood."
"I see. However, I don't not understand Olga's feelings. Being different from others must have been a pain for her in a way."
Different from others... I've heard from the Headmistress that Lyudmila's mother didn't care for wealth or fame and valued a modest life with her family above all else. That's why, even though she could have obtained a glorious position in Sertoria and lived a luxurious life in the capital if she felt like it, she lived quietly in such a forest. Because she knew that money changes humans.
"Count, I am proud to have inherited my mother's abilities."
She's clutching my sleeve with her left hand. This part hasn't changed since before she received the Ritual of Succession. I wrap my right hand around the hand holding my sleeve.
"Umu. Well said. Those words must be the best memorial service for your mother."
"Thank you very much."
Lyudmila thanked the Count, who patted her shoulder repeatedly.
"Count. I have never been to the continent. Earlier, you said that mastering the knack is necessary to activate magic on the continent."
"Yes, because the mana on the continent is very thin."
"Would I be able to master it too?"
"You should be able to. You should just go to the continent and practice. However, it might be difficult alone. I think it's better to have someone guide you. But even if I say someone, a human won't do. There's no way someone who can't use it themselves can teach others. I'll say it just in case, but sorry, I can't help because I can't leave this island."
"I see..."
Lyudmila looked down and knitted her brows slightly. It's her habit when thinking.
However. There is a teacher. Dragonewts. I don't know if they'll take it on, though.
"Um, Count."
"What is it? Bishop Jeanne."
"Can Lyudmila use the magic she knows now on the continent without dropping the level, if she just masters the knack for gathering mana?"
"She can. However, not all of it. Since it's a succession of ability from a half-blood to a quarter-blood, she should be able to use a general range of magic that humans can use among the magic a half-blood can use."
"Specifically, what kind of magic is that?"
"Hmm. Lyudmila is here too, so I might as well tell you."
According to the Count, magic on the continent and magic on the White Island are basically the same. Of course, there are magics that only a True Ancestor can use, like calling a storm, so those should be excluded.
"Currently, among the magic that humans on the White Island can use, she should be able to use all attribute magic and state-change types. Regarding Dark magic, she'll be able to use the spells she's been able to learn."
Other than those, she basically won't be able to use them. Holy magic... naturally, but... movement-type magic, and Light magic.
"Being a quarter-blood, she's closer to the human side. Therefore, she cannot use magic that only monsters or Revenants can learn. However, since her magic control is superior to top-class humans, she'll be excellent in power and continuity."
In the Dark magic system, there are spells exclusive to Revenants that ordinary humans cannot learn. Apparently, there's a possibility she might learn such spells since she's not an ordinary human.
"Regarding the Dark system, it depends on what her mother, Olga, used. There are spells that even I, a True Ancestor, can and cannot use. That's individual difference."
Incidentally, the Count apparently cannot use Memorize. That's an exceptional among exceptional magics, and in the first place, he apparently didn't even know such magic existed until he came to the White Island.
"We Vampires are called immortals, but we are monsters and not the dead. Isn't that a magic exclusive to the dead like Revenants and ghosts?"
That might be so. After all, apparently a normal human's brain would break if they learned it. Maybe only Revenants and ghosts, who aren't affected by the blinding of Light or Holy... blinding doesn't work but they can be destroyed... learn it.
Incidentally, Sir Archer apparently can use Charm. Moreover, since he's a dependent type who became a Vampire through a curse cast by the Count, he doesn't have the power of a True Ancestor, but rat extermination is his specialty. Since we're at it, we decided to have that conveyed to King Seldic. With this, Engrio has secured at least two rat-catchers.