Chapter 249 – Silvatoria of the Northern Country

Irmhild sat on the edge of the deck, playing melodies on her lute to accompany the sailors’ sea shanties. The music seemed to be Irmhild’s improvisation matching the sailors’ songs. Beside her, everyone was lined up fishing from the ship.

The sea voyage was proceeding smoothly. It was summer. They had favorable winds while heading north, and since this was one of the established routes, the risk of being attacked by large monsters was originally low.

The wyverns were also flying around the ship for their amusement, making things even safer. Thanks to that, even small monsters didn’t approach.

If they could have crossed the sea using the Lindwurms, it would have been faster, but when transporting the dragon palanquin, even the wyverns needed to rest their wings periodically. Hence the sea voyage.

“—Got one.”

Sheila pulled her fishing rod and a red fish was hooked.

“You’re quite good at fishing, Sheila.”

At Claudia’s admiring words, Sheila nodded.

“During my Thieves Guild training days, I survived by fishing.”

“I see…”

…That would certainly make one skilled. There’s a saying that one excels at what one enjoys, and it seemed true that she genuinely loved all kinds of seafood. Previously, when they tasted the giant mantis shrimp hunted in the Magic Light Water Vein, it seemed her evaluation of it completely flipped.

So, combined with her sharp senses, Sheila had been achieving considerable fishing results for days.

Everyone was fishing, then simply cooking the catch—grilling with Fire Magic or boiling in pots—before eating.

In the ship’s hold, Lavigne was also freeze-preserving them, so the food lasted longer. With their diet being so fulfilling, the sailors seemed to be in good spirits too.

“I hear we’ll reach Marquis Zilbolt’s territory today… Should we save this for dinner?”

“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it.”

Sheila nodded while looking at the bucket piled high with the day’s catch. If possible, she wanted to use seasonings lavishly when eating them.

“Land ho—!”

A crew member’s voice came from atop the mast.

Silvatoria—the land of Marquis Zilbolt’s territory. The captain gripped the helm, and the sailors’ movements became hurried.

The port town gradually drew closer. The roofs were mostly orange or brown, and the walls cream-colored—warm-toned buildings predominated. It was quite a colorful townscape.

In the distance, a castle—and a large mountain mass were visible. That was Marquis Zilbolt’s castle residence. And beyond that, Mt. Tephra.

“What a pretty town… There are many houses with rich colors.”

“Since the winter cold is severe, they color the house walls like that to receive the sun’s warmth.”

“I see… So there’s a proper reason.”

At Ashley’s words, Princess Stephania, who was familiar with Silvatoria, provided an explanation. Marlene nodded thoughtfully alongside Ashley.

Hmm. Indeed… In warm climates like the Mediterranean, the image is of port towns with white houses and small windows. The north is the opposite—colorful townscapes with large windows.

Marquis Zilbolt’s castle residence was also quite colorful overall, with a reddish, brick-like hue and turquoise roofs.

“Well, my territory is located in southern Silvatoria, and we also have Lady Tephra’s blessings, so it’s relatively warm and comfortable to live in. However, it’s good that you all came during summer. For those accustomed to the Kingdom of Verdugal’s climate, I think you’ll find it cool and pleasant.”

Marquis Zilbolt added further explanation to the impressed Ashley and Marlene.

“That’s certainly true. The coolness doesn’t seem to be just because we’re on the ship.”

Rosemary murmured, reaching her hand out to the wind.

“Please be careful not to get cold at dawn.”

“That’s right. I don’t want to catch a summer cold. But there are hot springs, aren’t there?”

“Yes. Hot water is piped to both the castle and the town.”

“Ah. That must be Mt. Tephra over there.”

Grace said while looking at the distant mountain. Tephra nodded in response to Grace’s words.

“Indeed. Words of welcome… might be something I should not say, but perhaps Zilbolt should.”

“That may be so. Then, once again—”

Marquis Zilbolt placed his hands on his hips, bowed respectfully, and smiled.

“Welcome, and thank you for coming. I welcome you all.”

The ship continued onward into the dock. The mast was folded, the anchor dropped, and the gangplank lowered.

…My mother’s home country. Not exactly her birthplace, I suppose. Still, with slight emotion, I stepped onto the dock.

As soon as they disembarked at the port, soldiers approached for procedures. However, upon noticing Marquis Zilbolt, who had removed his hood, they saluted with surprised expressions to welcome him.

“Wha—! Marquis…!”

The ship was different from the one they took to Termwills, and their return was earlier than expected. For them, it must have come completely out of the blue.

“Indeed. You all, good work on your duties.”

“Yes, sir!”

“While I was away, was there anything unusual?”

“Nothing abnormal, sir!”

At the soldier’s report, Marquis Zilbolt nodded quietly.

“We will now head to the castle using the dragon palanquin brought on the ship. Relay that to the guard post. However, due to the emergency situation, do not leak information to outsiders. Those who recklessly leak information will be punished. Understood?”

“Y… Yes, sir!”

The soldiers began moving hurriedly at Marquis Zilbolt’s words.

So… after notifications were completed with the Knight Order and soldiers, they would move via the dragon palanquin.

After that, they planned to proceed with formal wanted notices using Alvelinde’s bust and portrait. There were also other tasks like having his subordinate Intelligence Unit report any visits from the Crown Prince’s agents… With many miscellaneous tasks, the Marquis would likely be somewhat busy.

“Marquis. We intend to move to collect information to verify the soldiers’ words and check if there’s any information they aren’t aware of.”

Said Elmer.

“Indeed.”

As the Marquis nodded, Elmer, Donovan, and the Intelligence Unit quickly ran into the town.

While waiting for the soldiers to finish notifications and return, they proceeded with preparations for moving—unloading luggage and hitching the wyverns to the dragon palanquin.

“Notifications completed without issue, sir.”

“Indeed. Good work.”

Marquis Zilbolt gave a brief reply to the returning, saluting soldier.

“Well then, Captain Montague, thank you for your care.”

Princess Stephania said to the captain.

“Your words are too kind, Your Highness. I am proud to have safely delivered you to Silvatoria. We will be docked here for several days awaiting the arrival of Marquis Zilbolt’s ship, correct?”

“Yes. I’ll count on you again then.”

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

They would part ways here with Captain Montague and the sailors for now. In a few days, Marquis Zilbolt’s ship carrying his household servants was scheduled to arrive at this port.

At that time, there might be movements from people dispatched by the Crown Prince’s side. They planned to use the ship as a base to monitor that or capture them.

Until then, the sailors were free. Getting shore leave seemed to be long-awaited time for the sailors, as their excitement was quite high. Especially since there were hot springs too.

In contrast, the sailors remaining on deck were probably those on standby for ship watch duty. Their morale was so low the divide was stark. What’s called “half the crew ashore,” I suppose.

“You lot! I get that you’re excited to be ashore, but behave yourselves properly so you don’t embarrass yourselves in front of the guests we brought!”

“Aye, Captain!”

The captain was scolding the excited shore-leave group.

Guests—meaning since this is the Marquis’s territory, don’t go overboard and cause trouble.

Sailors have to maintain discipline at sea, so it’s a common story that they tend to get too excited and rowdy once they reach land.

Now then. While all this was happening, the dragon palanquin was ready. First, they would head to Marquis Zilbolt’s castle residence, and once safety was confirmed, then Mt. Tephra… probably.

However, right now there was fog covering the mountaintop. Conditions were somewhat poor for heading there directly via dragon palanquin.

“Hmm. I’d like to reach the point where I can take this off soon.”

If Tephra walked around the Marquis’s territory, it would likely cause a huge commotion. For now, she was covered from head to toe in a long robe to remain inconspicuous, so she seemed somewhat cramped.

Tephra’s hair resembled flames, but for some reason, the hood didn’t burn. In Tephra’s case, it was just warm, not hot.

“Once we’re inside the dragon palanquin, you can probably take it off, right?”

“Is that so? Then I’ll take you up on that.”

Saying this, Tephra eagerly boarded the dragon palanquin. Seraphina entered the dragon palanquin following Tephra. Ignis, Ambrum, and others who would cause a commotion if seen were already inside.

“Alright. Then, head for the castle.”

Once everyone was aboard the dragon palanquin, I gave instructions to the Lindwurm. The Lindwurm had also grown accustomed to acting as the leader of the wyverns; with one command, it masterfully coordinated the flock.

Looking down upon the Marquis’s colorful townscape below, the dragon palanquin carrying us flew toward Marquis Zilbolt’s castle residence.