The next day.
The results of everyone’s efforts bore fruit.
Firstly, Irudo and I completed our negotiations with the dwarves.
After working out the finer details in regards to the trade route between Senpu Village and Jiiteias Castle, such as about the tax rates, the Zamuslon [Clan of Rulers] and I signed contracts on both that and the anti-Shadow Demon alliance.
The plan is to first prioritize the expansion of Jiiteias Castle and the construction of the road up to Senpu Village. Once that is done, and after gaining approval from Filsand, then we will begin the work on extending the trade route. While the work on Jiiteias Castle is going on, Dig Dug Worms will continue boring the tunnel through the eastern mountains, and the blueprints for the route expansion will be drawn up.
As for the trade with Filsand, Senpu Village will also dispatch their own negotiator.
Furthermore, a blacksmith and an engineer, as well as their respective assistants, are going to be deployed to Jiiteias Castle to be garrisoned there. I was given permission to use them as castle staff, for which I am truly thankful.
♥♦♣♠
Leiha was able to make full use of her master intelligence gathering skills.
She caught absolutely everything, from the Star and Shield Knight Order’s members’ one on one conversations to their mutterings to themselves, and also checked everything in their luggage. All useful information was then conveyed onto Elizabel. Of course, the knights did not notice a thing.
From the information provided by Leiha, Elizabel was then able to guess each of the knights’ circumstances and personal relationships, then negotiate with them as needed.
Claura went along with her for protection, so there were no worries on that front.
The conclusion from Leiha and Elizabel’s joint investigation revealed that this time’s mastermind was indeed the second son of the Duke of Filsand, Agbeil. However, the presence or absence of the Duke’s personal involvement remained undetermined.
Furthermore, it came to light that a significant number of the knights in the Order actually feel opposed to the method of assassination or to Agbeil himself. From among them, with consideration to their family lineages and peerage rank, their financial state and other factors that determined their relative distance from Agbeil, we were able to get a couple to defect…… no, to cooperate with us.
“I am truly very sorry!”
“From now on, I will swear my loyalty to Hime-sama!”
There are two young knights prostrating themselves before Elizabel.
From here on, they will feed us information from within the Order, and will take her side in case of any emergency.
Our pretext proved sufficient to prevent any hostile actions from the other knights on the journey back to Filsand.
Just in case, we told the Order to stay behind to transport the siege towers in question, and that we would go to Filsand first, so there shouldn’t be any interference on the road or at Filsand.
“Good work, you must be tired.”
“Not really…… Since I could bring out Margils-sama’s name if I ever needed to, everything became very easy.”
Elizabel, who is relaxing in my guest room as a matter of course as my ‘betrothed,’ shrugs her shoulders.
“Despite that, you don’t look very happy.”
“Negotiations conducted while having an absolute power at my back is no more than coercion, right? …... It doesn’t feel good at all.”
“Ahh, I see. And ‘do this if you don’t want that power to be turned towards you’ makes the negotiation sound even more like coercion.”
“Ara? Are you sure I can say that? This is your name we’re talking about, you know.”
In response to the young lady’s seemingly teasing tone, this time it is my turn to shrug.
Though I know it is coarse, times when it must be done, it must be done.
♥♦♣♠
“Oh sprite, please use your secret arts to deliver this postcard to mine intimate friend. [Arcane Postcard]”
At the end of my chant, small grains of light gather above the table in front of me, eventually forming a postcard.
On that postcard, I write a report of our current situation, and also ask after the current situation at Jiiteias Castle. After I finish writing, I pick it up and throw it out the window while bringing Sedam’s face to mind. Immediately, a small sprite appears out of nowhere, catches the postcard, then flies off into the distance.
“...... That’s quite poetic for one of your spells.”
“So far, we’ve only been seeing giants and demons and large worms, so……”
“Oh, leave me alone. Anyways, that postcard should reach Sedam in 2 or 3 days.”
♥♦♣♠
Just like that, we each finished everything that we needed to do is Senpu Village.
The next day, with Elizabel-jou and the dwarven negotiator added to our party, we set off for Filsand.
♥♦♣♠
Four days later.
“This…… is much harder…… than I had expected……”
“I, I need a second……”
At the present moment, we have no choice but to take the very twisty road that is the only pass through the eastern mountains standing between Senpu Village and Filsand.
This road runs between two high mountains north and south of us, so the elevation is not too bad, but the tons of rocks on the path makes it very tough going.
It’s a given for Ted and the soldiers, who are carrying our camping equipment and all other luggage, but even the light-bodied Elizabel and Claura are struggling quite a bit.
As for me, I have the magic item Traveling Boots that enables me to keep walking without feeling any fatigue. However, I had decided to not wear it earlier on to be healthy, a decision which I am now thoroughly regretting.
“Don’t worry, we’re almost through the mountains. Going downwards is going to be a lot easier.”
“That may be true, but……”
The dwarf composedly walking beside me is Fablu of Rimulon [Clan of Merchants], who had been our guide in Senpu Village and is the representative tasked with conducting the negotiations with Filsand.
On the road, he explained to us that the dwarves’ gods are enshrined within these two mountains. This is all the more true for the northern mountain, a dormant volcano, which is regarded as the avatar of the God of Smithing.
While I was recalling that as I continue putting one foot in front of another, Leiha returns from scouting.
“My lord.”
“Thank you for your work. So, is there a problem?”
“I’m not sure if it is a problem. It certainly doesn’t seem dangerous, but……”
She’s right in that it’s difficult to determine whether this is a problem or not.
After we proceeded for about one more hour, we have reached what Leiha reported about…… the remains of a small ruined village.
“All clues indicate that this was a human village. To settle our holy ground as they please……”
“But well, the state it’s in……”
Exactly, this was clearly a small settlement made by humans, concealed within the large rocks and meagre forest of this mountainous area.
It is located a slight distance away from the road connecting Filsand and Senpu Village.
However, the shabby buildings are either burned or destroyed, and there are corpses all around that we suspect were the residents.
“...... Muu……”
The last time I saw such blatant atrocity was when we went underground on our way to destroy that Shadow Demon nest.
The corpses all seem to be that of normal villages, but they were not simply killed — there are clear signs that they were thoroughly tortured. As I fight down the urge to empty the contents of my stomach, Elizabel draws close to one of the bodies.
“...... This clothing is what Filsand people wear……”
“I don’t see any warriors or soldiers. To attack a village like this…… bandits, perhaps? Or else……”
Seeing Elizabel kneeling in shock next to a corpse that had suffered atrocious violence, Claura hugs her to her shoulder.
“Though faint, there is the smell of Shadow Demon.”
The normally silent Leid suddenly speaks up.
On one hand, he is holding that orb with Shadow Demon blood sealed inside, the Sight Demon.
“Leiha, investigate the area one more time, more thoroughly.”
“Yes, m-......!!”
The moment Leiha nods, several arrows stab into the ground near our feet.
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