Chapter 180: Found

Chapter 180: Found

After having a break and drinking the tea brewed by the attendant at Princess Mimir’s mansion, the observation party immediately boarded the carriage to observe the Sanctuary.

「The northern side has an orchard as well as a forest and thickets with various medicinal plants, therefore I will guide you to the west and south sides.」

Princess Mimir gave an explanation in the carriage.

Because the carriage might not be able to travel in the north and the east is where they had passed through, they will only tour the west and south.

The village in the west where the Cat Siths and the children reside came into view.

The number of Human and Beastkin children increased in the village. They were toiling in the fields with the Cat Siths.

Watching the children and Cat Siths inhabiting the continually expanding village, King Lomaria asked Princess Mimir.

「Every child is smiling. Were all these children sheltered in the Sanctuary?

「Indeed. These are the children that the Great Spirits had picked up.」

The children looked happy working. Little children were playing in the vicinity. Their complexion looked very healthy too. King Lomaria and Valkyra Prime Minister Simon observed this with complex expressions. Margrave Volton had established orphanages in every town or village in his territory, but he knew that in the territories of other noble houses, there were many that didn’t, so he felt the same.

They left the village and approached the sea. And this time, a settlement with many erected houses close to the coast came into view.

They were able to see some mermaids fishing in the sea. They also grasped that the numbers were quite high within that settlement.

「That settlement is the place where the sheltered Mermaids live. I believe that they number nearly 250 as of now.」

「Mermaids, huh............, this place has nothing but rare races.」

「Your Majesty, it is difficult for these rare races to subsist in the outside world.」

Surprised by the rarely seen races, King Lomaria and Prime Minister Drehd thought about the currently existing harsh life of the rare species in their own country, deciding to reexamine the present state of these races there when they return.Finndd the newest novels on n/o/velbin(.)com

They headed south from the Mermaid settlement. From the sandy white beach, it became more and more rocky until finally, they arrived at a place with an artificial port. There, the gazes of the observation party moved from the carriage to the coastline, and they all froze, wide-eyed and mouths hanging.

An enormous shipbuilding dock built on the harbor and a gigantic sail-less metal ship was moored there. Seeing the gigantic ship that exceeds this world’s common sense with their own eyes, the people who could be said to be at the top of their countries couldn’t hold back the cold sweat that ran down their backs.

「I’m so glad that my country does not face the ocean.」

「If this can trade by way of sea which hasn’t been feasible until now, I would definitely want this ship............」

Valkyra Kingdom’s Simon and Lomaria Kingdom’s Drehd timidly sounded Undine out for the purchase of materials.

「Let’s see, Mimir’s place has the World Tree so they wouldn’t need the Spirit Tree’s materials, would they? H~mm, the Spirit Tree is still young so the amount would be little, but if you are fine with that, how about bartering food, seasonings, and building materials for it?」

「Yes, that is of course welcome.」

「Our country also agrees to those terms, and we would like it if we could discuss the exchange rate separately.」

「Our Yggurle Kingdom had come only to declare that we are not hostile against the Great Spirit-samas.」

「............ You Elves and we Spirits have maintained a close connection for a long time. However, there are also Elves that sit cross-legged[1], and don’t naturally show respect.」

Yggurle Kingdom’s Prime Minister Balza was afraid that if he loses his hearing for the Spirits’ voices, he would lose Spirit Magic. Actually, even at this time, soldiers and mercenaries sent by a certain carnivorous elderly elf are searching for a way to pass through the barrier.

「T-that is... please pardon us. Even His Majesty is unable to hold that man’s reins, and Yggurle Kingdom is struggling against him too......」

Balza was sweating and making excuses about Earl Hordia. At first, Earl Hordia struggled to hide his affiliation to the soldiers and mercenaries at the barrier, but now, he is brazen and doesn’t hide it as the private army of the House of Earl Hordia attack the barrier and attempt to lift the magic formula.

「Well, there are fools in any country. Next time, you all will be allowed to bring one civil official with experience, as well as an attendant and two knight escorts to pass through the Sanctuary’s barrier.」

「Undine-sama, will it be alright for a knight to pass through?」

Princess Mimir asked in concern for the inhabitants of the Sanctuary when Undine gave two knight escorts to accompany them.

「It’s fine. If it’s that amount of knights, then Takumi and the others will be able to deal anything that happens.」

「Undine-sama, what is a Takumi?」

Hearing the name Takumi coming from Undine’s mouth and then once more from King Lomaria, Margrave Volton and Simon grimaced.

While thinking unpleasant thoughts about the unfettered remark of the Great Spirit, Margrave Volton decided to give up because continuing to hide matters about Takumi is impossible anyway.

As her cheeks grew stiff, Princess Mimir believed in her heart that she had erred by Takumi, who is in a neighboring mansion.

***

Footnotes:

1. In Japan, when sitting on a chair, it is impolite to cross your legs. Whenever you’re talking to someone who you don’t know well or who is senior to you, you should basically not cross your legs. A discussion about it vs other cultures here.

2. Title is actually: Takumi, found.