Chapter 818 - Chapter 7: Countermeasures in the South
After the conference ended, I stopped by Primordia, where we held a meeting that included Yorg-sama and his wife. Since the investigation into the heritage of the Ancient Priestess had mostly concluded, they were going to share the findings. At the same time, we were to discuss countermeasures against the Black Rot Disease.
Cadogan-sama, Sianya, Anri-sama, the Wetlands Priestess, and Yorg-sama and his wife, who had all traveled together, flew to the royal palace as usual and were shown straight to the conference room. It was under a Vow of Silence. There must be something important.
"In the north, they seem to be using a unique method for rat countermeasures. I hear there is a secret art to manipulate rats with musical instruments. I would like our country to follow that example."
The meeting began with a word from the King of Primordia, also known as the Liberation King. The King of Primordia was speaking vaguely, but of course, he knew about the Demon Race. This was because information was being shared behind the scenes among the member nations of the Northwest Coast Treaty, excluding Morandine. However, it couldn't be made public. Coexisting with the Demon Race or using dark magic is still taboo. It couldn't be done in places like Medioland. Fortunately, countries on the west coast like Medioland, Regnentes, and Sertoria rarely have ships coming directly from the mainland. In that regard, there is a grace period in terms of time. However, geographically, Primordia has no such grace.
"Do you have any connections?"
Even if you ask for connections... I have some, but the living environment is too different from the north. I wonder? It would be best to find someone locally, but...
"It would be fine if we could learn to do it ourselves."
It was the Wetlands Priestess. It would be good if the Priestess or the members of the Wetlands Knight Order could learn Charm. Regarding the regulations on dark magic, they don't apply to ghosts. Of course, it can't be done openly.
"I'm good at dark magic, after all. I might be able to learn it. I wonder if there's a teacher to serve as a model somewhere."
Can a human learn the magic of the Demon Race? Since the words used for chanting and activation are fundamentally different, wouldn't one have to study at least the basics of that language?
"What about Subordination?"
Sianya mentioned an even rarer magic. The targets are rats. If one could learn it, they could manipulate them.
"Hmm. If anything, I'd probably learn Charm. Subordination is quite specialized, right? It gives the impression of someone who loves animals, but I'm not really like that."
Actually, whether it's Charm or Subordination, Sertoria has secured them. This is because Keira and Robinson-san are there. We have an agreement for them to be specially deployed if necessary. Since it's not urgent right now, there's no problem.
"As you know, almost all ships going to the west coast stop at our country's ports. If our country handles the rats and parasites and issues certificates, we can take countermeasures against Black Rot Disease for all ships heading to the west coast of not only our country but also Medioland, Sertoria, Regnentes, and Finis."
That's a great idea!
"Fortunately, our country has two facilities that can handle this. One is the wetlands managed by the ghosts, and the other is off the coast of the isolation facility. There, even if an infected person appears among the crew, we can deal with it safely. What do you think?"
Isn't this an immediate OK?
"If that happens, the amount of magic water needed will increase. We'll need to provide three types: magic water for treatment, magic water with insect repellent for infection prevention, and Insect-Attracting Water."
I thought it was an immediate OK, but Eleanor-sama asked a question.
"Indeed. That is the problem, but I am thinking of negotiating with Finis to increase the supply. Finis is also concerned with the west coast ports. Furthermore, if we do it in the wetlands, then for areas east of Engrio... we have Count Vectis, so it should be fine. Then, would it not be acceptable for our country to handle the west coast, while the east coast is handled by Engrio and Morandine at Vectis Island, and Northern Gram handles everything north of Northern Gram?"
"Has this been communicated to Medioland?"
"Not yet. I intend to propose it from the Western Church once we have a prospect of being able to do it."
Cadogan-sama and the Wetlands Priestess were also nodding. It seems the plan is already fully formed.
"At the moment, there is no clear prospect. However, I heard that the Henry Party was involved in the rat extermination methods of the two northern countries. Could you offer some advice?"
In a way, he hit a sore spot. However, Finis came up with the solution themselves. When they consulted Poppy, it led to a solution even for Northern Gram. The Henry Party was only able to advise because Poppy was already there.
"And, if possible, I would like to provide it to the countries on the opposite shore as well. That would make it easier to handle the processing during export as proposed at the Great Unity Conference. In particular, a request has come to our country from the nation west of West Liber regarding the provision of magic water. Trade from that country must involve the various nations on the west coast. We cannot simply ignore them."
The King of Primordia added further. That country had not participated until now. They participated for the first time this time, and according to reports, the port towns facing the inner sea in the south are in quite a terrible state.
At this, Eleanor-sama also crossed her arms, raised her face, and stared intently at the ceiling.
After thinking for a while, Eleanor-sama finally spoke.
"There is a way, in a sense. It is not a contract with a low-level demon. And we will require the cooperation of the Priestess and the promising members of the Wetlands Knight Order. I cannot share the details here. And, assuming the Priestess learns Charm or Subordination as you mentioned earlier, I will require a vow that you all, or the Priestess and the Wetlands Knight Order, will keep that fact to yourselves and not speak of it even to members of your own country or the Western Church. On those conditions, we may provide assistance in secret."
That means Robinson-san's Subordination. Even if it's found out, the bandits should protect us.
"Fine. I definitely won't tell anyone. We won't be tortured, so it's okay."
At the Wetlands Priestess's word, the Sertogne side strongly agreed, and it seems the Priestess's study abroad in Sertoria was decided.
Afterward, Yorg-sama spoke about Priest Ancelotti and the eight people we had treated.
When the eight returned to the infected port town with Ancelotti-sama, they reportedly publicized the dragon's secret medicine and spoke of the threat of Black Rot Disease.
They also went to the jail where they had been isolated when they were kidnapped and met the guard who had been knocked unconscious by the Vice-Chieftain. The guards had already been telling those around them the story of being kidnapped by a dragon. After all, it had twisted the iron bars of the jail to kidnap them and let out massive roars multiple times. The Wetlands Priestess had also used spirit arts to release several lightning bolts. On top of that, they had flown north with the black-clad figures. Of course, flying north was a distraction, and they changed course afterward to return to the island where Wilson-san and I were hiding.
They had done things quite flashily without me knowing, but thanks to that, the rumor that a dragon had kidnapped the sick spread in the blink of an eye. The townspeople reportedly thought the dragon had disposed of the Black Rot patients to save the town, but that wasn't the case. This was because the eight had returned with Ancelotti-sama.
The eight spoke of being saved by the dragon's secret medicine, and Ancelotti-sama explained the countermeasures for Black Rot Disease. After building the foundation of the rumors like that, they returned to a large port town in southern West Liber. The rumors were brought to the entire Inner Sea via trading ships, and the lords who had been waiting to see what happened finally took the step of regulating the entry of trading ships. They were working hard like that, but in the end, he was murdered.
Upon learning that Ancelotti-sama had been murdered, the eight considered retaliation. Two of them reported to the three nobles who were neighbors of the Duchy of Naonent, as Ancelotti-sama had instructed them beforehand, and in the meantime, the remaining six gathered information. They were originally crew members of trading ships traveling the Inner Sea. Some had been involved in the slave trade, so they had connections. There were also collaborators in the church to which Ancelotti-sama belonged. Information gathering reportedly progressed well. Meanwhile, the two who reached the three nobles explained Ancelotti-sama's end to them and then returned home after securing their cooperation. The three nobles reportedly sent them off with several skilled men.
"Of the eight, three have returned. They are currently living and working under the three nobles."
The five who did not return reportedly died in the battle for retaliation.
"According to the three, the perpetrators of Priest Ancelotti's murder were immediately captured and executed. The culprit apparently had a massive amount of debt and committed the atrocity in exchange for having it paid off and his family taken care of. And the ones who set up such a deal were slave traders. There were about three of them. Also, the port manager who was bribed by those slave traders and lifted the isolation with conditions. Those four."
The port manager apparently wasn't involved in the priest's murder. However, he must have suspected it, so he is equally guilty.
"Were you able to successfully take revenge?"
Eleanor-sama was leaning forward as she asked.
They had bodyguards. I'm sure they were able to defeat them.
"Yes. I hear they carried it out splendidly."
The Sertoria group broke into cheers.
I heard that not only the bodyguards but also the leader of the three nobles sent a formal messenger to interrogate them. It was likely possible because the leader was of higher rank. Then, while they were conducting interviews with the lord about the Black Rot Disease, they reportedly achieved their revenge. Once the truth became clear, the three survivors were acquitted... I suspect they forced it to be so... and safely moved to the three nobles, ending the revenge.
"However, the general public has not been informed. I believe only a very limited few know. Therefore, while it's good that they've resumed Black Rot countermeasures, there's a high possibility it will be too late."
And so, the mercenary group that had set up a base in that town moved north once the snow melted. Isn't that quite dangerous?
"That is the problem. The army that Duke of Roland Richard is currently facing is exactly that."
The ones ignoring the West Liber King's ceasefire order.
"What is the war situation?"
Eleanor-sama asked. Can we even know the war situation?
"The Duke of Roland has secured a logistics route and established a system to supply personnel, food, and magic water from his own country. He is striving for defensive battles to strengthen the guard and prevent the town from being occupied. At the same time, he is appealing to the town's residents about the threat of Black Rot Disease, publicizing that if the town is occupied, it will ultimately be infested with Black Rot. As a result, partly due to the circumstances of the Duchy of Roland's founding, the people are actively cooperating with the Duke of Roland."
Amazing. He has completely taken control of a town that was West Liber territory until very recently. However, to be able to supply even magic water. As I thought, Engrio and Morandine must be funneling it through the black market. Duke of Roland Richard is going out to the front lines, not just his own country, and acting as a defensive wall.
"Is the logistics line passing through the river that has its mouth in the Duchy of Roland, and the northern region of the town where the siege is currently continuing... in other words, through East Liber territory?"
"That's right. Actually, my men have also infiltrated there. I can't send them south because it's too dangerous."
"Does the Duke of Roland have a chance of winning?"
"He will win."
He stated it clearly. I think that's a rare thing.
According to Yorg-sama's story, volunteer armies organized by the people from the Duchy of Roland are reportedly gathering not only from the capital but from various regions. And the Duke of Roland is reportedly using them mainly to maintain the logistics line. Furthermore, the East Liber army lined up in the north is similarly blocking the highways to keep the West Liber army out of their own territory, and they are reportedly striving to maintain logistics by securing the Duke of Roland's rear. The East Liber King has reportedly made numerous requests for a truce to the West Liber King, while at the same time loudly criticizing the West Liber King for not being able to keep his subordinate nobles in check.
"The Duke of Roland is a hero now."
Eleanor-sama sighed. If the future King of Engrio is treated as a hero by the people, that means he is a great threat to the member nations of the Northwest Coast Treaty.
No, perhaps it might even be a great terror.
Yorg-sama's explanation also extended to the situation in Sertogne. They are reportedly preventing Black Rot by colluding with the Duke of Naonent, the three nobles, and the leader of the three nobles. However, they are uncertain about rat and parasite extermination. As expected, they were hoping to increase the supply.
"As one might expect, the rat extermination that started on the White Island is impossible in our country. Therefore, we would like to actively conduct parasite extermination. And we shall initiate as many negotiations as possible with the various nations on the mainland to urge them to wash the cargo of trading ships heading for the White Island in advance. If our country takes the lead and conveys specific methods to each nation, we should be able to get cooperation from Roland and Germania. If three countries, including ours, implement this, then due to geographical relationships, ships from countries west of us can be handled in our country, East Liber ships in Roland, and ships heading from West Liber to Primordia can be handled in Germania, making it possible to process cargo before export in each case."
And according to Yorg-sama, the Duke of Roland is plotting to use Black Rot countermeasures politically as a bargaining chip for diplomacy.
"I don't know the reason, but there are signs that the Duke of Roland planned for an early ceasefire from the beginning. I don't think he could have predicted the situation up to this point, but now a structure has been created where East Liber and the Duke of Roland, who were supposed to have invaded, are the good guys, and West Liber, which was invaded, is the villain. As you know, the three Liber kingdoms have many nobles who go against the King's wishes. If the East Liber King gains popularity among the nobles and people of the three kingdoms here, while West Liber's popularity drops, it should work in favor of both domestic and foreign policy in the future. I suspect that is the Duke of Roland's aim. However, I think it's easier for us, the member nations of the Northwest Coast Treaty, to just go along with it for now."
He's smiling calmly, but what he's saying is quite risky, isn't it?