Chapter 267 - Tenth Story: The Effect of Anti-Mold Water
In the past, Finis and Northern Gram were in a relationship where they had crossed blades many times as a result of Finis's southward policy. That had changed three years ago when they formed an alliance including a marriage, and even in this invasion of Septanaquila, they were taking a coordinated stance.
In July, the commanders of both armies held a meeting in a town east of the former Septanaquila royal capital.
The Finis representative was Crown Prince Gwyn, and the Northern Gram representative was also their Crown Prince. The Crown Prince of Northern Gram was named Eowyn.
First, they had a drink and made a toast.
"Gwyn-dono. We have fought each other for a long time, but do you remember the day we joined hands?"
"Yeah, that after we took hands and defeated Septanaquila, we would decide who is superior."
"That's right. It was the day we participated in the Demon Lord's army subjugation force in Sertoria four years ago. I forcibly persuaded my father, the King."
At Eowyn's words, Gwyn looked up and laughed.
"You certainly managed to persuade him. Your country and mine have a history of fighting bitterly. And yet, he said he would give his princess in marriage."
"Is my elder sister well?"
"Yeah, thanks to her, she safely gave birth to an heir. Perhaps because she became friends with my younger sister Aira, who is in charge of trade with other countries, she's developed a business spirit, and now her embroidery has become a popular product in the country."
"I see, that is good to hear."
Eowyn set down his cup.
His hands were wrapped in white cloth. His face was covered with a silver mask.
"Then, as per our long-standing agreement, shall we not decide the ownership of the land our two countries have been disputing with a duel between you and me?"
Several years ago, Northern Gram made a certain proposal to Finis. That was to form a marriage alliance, then unite to attack and take Septanaquila, and afterward, have the Crown Princes, the heirs, duel to decide the ownership of the land they had been disputing for generations.
The disputed territory was the land on the south side of the river that flowed along the border of both countries, and it was originally land ruled by the tribes that made up current Finis. That tribe had ruled both banks of the river, but a dispute arose over securing water for agriculture, and finally, Northern Gram attacked and took it. Finis's argument was to return the land because they would build irrigation canals for both countries and ensure it wouldn't become a water rights issue, but Northern Gram had continued to flatly refuse.
Since then, the people of the northern border had never forgotten that grudge and had been attacking persistently.
"As you can see, my body is being invaded by a disease. It doesn't seem to have affected the bones yet, but in any case, I shouldn't last much longer. Fortunately, my sister married you and gave birth to an heir. In my country, my younger sister will marry a royal consort and become Empress. Until then, I want to resolve the issues with your country, eliminate any future concerns, and build a strong partnership."
Finis would not challenge a war as long as they could recover the land of the tribes that made up their country. They had always said so. The Crown Prince of Northern Gram knew that they had a strong attachment to the land where their ancestors' graves were located.
If Gwyn won, it would be ceded. If Eowyn won, maintenance of the graves and visits to them would be permitted.
"Can it not be cured?"
"Yeah, the doctor said it's incurable. It's a Karmic Disease. The progression is being slowed by herbal prescriptions, but eventually, it will affect the bones and I will die. Right now, I can move sufficiently. Though my appearance is a bit poor compared to four years ago."
"You do not have to fight by force, you know."
"I must fight. Unless it's settled in a visible way, neither side will be satisfied. That land was bought by the Royal Family and made into a crown land. Afterward, it's just a matter of deciding by battle."
That was certainly true. If a country once taken was easily returned, the judgment of the Royal Family would be held in low esteem by the nobles. Gwyn let out a sigh.
"Could you give me just two weeks' grace?"
"At this late stage?" Eowyn said, looking offended.
"Well, don't say that; just try this water, thinking you've been deceived."
When Gwyn signaled to the aide standing behind him, the aide went to another room and brought back a heavy-looking barrel.
"Your disease might improve. Originally, it was developed in Sertoria as a medicine for athlete's foot, but when Aira tried it on people with other skin diseases, it was effective. It's still only at the experimental stage, but if it hasn't reached the bones, it might work. I had the things Aira had bought up sent here via magic circle. I will stay in this land for the two weeks you try this water. Even if it doesn't cure, you've lost nothing; a miracle might occur."
Gwyn, saying it wasn't poison, personally scooped the water from the barrel into a cup, poured half over his body, and drank the remaining half.
"What a foolish thing," none of the Northern Gram people believed it, but rumors of the Finis army's monster-like strength had reached them as information brought by scouts. There must be some secret, but they decided to accept this offer on the condition that Gwyn stay in Northern Gram's occupied territory.
Since he only had to soak for about half an hour a day, they made a dedicated tank, put the barrel water in, and he laid his body down.
Since they said drinking about one cup a day would be more effective, Gwyn contacted Aira using a simple magic circle he had brought just in case, and barrels were sent one after another to Gwyn's tent.
About three days later, a slight improvement was seen in the symptoms.
Eowyn was drinking a cup of athlete's foot medicine every morning along with Gwyn.
Gwyn also attended the bathing every day. Of course, he was in the adjacent room, unarmed.
"What is it?"
Gwyn called out through the door to Eowyn, who was staring blankly at his own arms after the bathing was over.
"The... the scabs are getting smaller..."
He widened his eyes and, with his mouth left open, tilted his head and looked at Gwyn.
"Eowyn-sama..."
When the attendant held out a mirror, he was stroking his own face reflected in the mirror surface.
Scabs, though small, fell off one after another.
"Was it effective!"
It was when Gwyn stood up and was about to run over.
"Don't come close! It's contagious!"
Eowyn shouted with a sharp gaze!
"As if it's contagious! It's Jeanne's water!"
"Jeanne's water?"
"That's right. She's our country's savior."
Gwyn didn't care and ran over, placed his hands on the tank, and knelt.
"How is it? Was it effective?"
When he asked again, Eowyn nodded slowly.
Looking, the places where the scabs had been were a vivid pink color. The scabs on the parts that were regenerating must have fallen off.
"That's great. Just in case, I had a month's worth sent. I'll ask Aira to send more. What, don't worry about the money. It's my treat."
Despite having just come of age and having an incurable disease, he had said he would challenge a duel against someone participating as the mainstay of the Demon Lord subjugation force. Gwyn felt a heart-warming admiration for Eowyn's bravery and held a fondness for him.
He took the hand of the bewildered Eowyn and rejoiced as if it were his own affair.
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It was now the middle of July.
This year, I received a lot of honey. Since Lyudmila, Flora, and Renata worked hard to make a flower field, we increased the beehives to four. Starting with the rapeseed flowers in early spring, the rows of trees besides the cherry trees all bloomed together.
I hear that war has begun on the northern border of the island and Regnentes, but for now, Engrio hasn't attacked Sertoria and they are apparently facing off at the border.
As for the vigilante group, the martial faction is taking turns patrolling the town like a substitute for the guards, but Lyudmila and I were told we have nothing to do for now, so we're brewing honey wine to reward everyone in the vigilante group.
Lyudmila is doing farm work with Flora and the bandits. The wheat has successfully ripened, and the brown ears are swaying in the wind; they say it's a better harvest than last year thanks to their efforts so far.
Garan-garan-garan, the bell rang three times. It seems a letter from the Marcelo Company has arrived.
The magic circle for sending letters is being watched by a bandit who watches the large-scale Teleport magic circle, and if a letter is sent, he rings the bell three times to let us know. Since it's not ringing continuously, it's not an emergency.
When we all went to see, it said that a large quantity of athlete's foot medicine scrolls had become necessary, so come back.
"They're quite carefree, aren't they? Has a mass outbreak of patients occurred on the front lines of Regnentes?"
"Does athlete's foot affect the war situation?"
"I wonder? It's itchy, but if it comes to an actual fight, one wouldn't have time for that."
Moreover, it's scrolls. They only have an effect for one shot, yet they're expensive. I have no idea who is thinking what.
I tilt my head along with the bandits, but it's the employer's command. It can't be helped.
When I hurriedly jumped back, Adolf-san, the Headmistress, and Jennifer-sensei were there. Normally, we should be the ones going to the town hall.
"Jeanne. It's about that athlete's foot medicine. It was discovered in an experiment by Princess Aira of Finis that if you make a large magic circle for it and activate it with a scroll, it works on skin diseases."
I didn't know we were exporting it. It must be Mary.
Well, to begin with, it's anti-mold magic. If the cause of the skin disease is mold, it would be effective just like with athlete's foot.
"So. You know of the Karmic Disease, don't you?"
"Karmic Disease..."
Karmic Disease is a disease where scabs suddenly form on the body, and if it progresses, sensation apparently becomes paralyzed to the point where you wouldn't know even if you poured boiling water on your hands. Using herbs is said to be effective, but it only slows the progression and doesn't cure it. It even affects the eyes and ears. If it reaches the bones, the fingers twist, and even the shape of the face changes, transforming one's appearance. Fortunately, it's not seen much on the island.
On the continent, because of the transformed appearance, even though it's a disease, they are apparently treated as apostates quite unreasonably because they were born carrying karma. The name Karmic Disease also came from the continent.
It's a terrifying disease that isn't easily cured, and even if it is cured, the appearance remains as it is. People on the island are told to be careful when going to the continent. It seems it's fine as long as you don't get close to the patients.
"Setting aside those with severe cases where it has reached the bones, it was found to be effective for those with relatively mild cases. There are patients in isolated treatment centers in Sertoria as well. Every country is the same."
"Does it really cure it?"
I don't think it would cure it so easily. It was originally anti-mold magic, and among the First King-sama series, it's one of the most incomprehensible magics.
"The Crown Prince of Northern Gram was afflicted with it. It seems the Crown Prince of Finis recommended the athlete's foot medicine. Then, he got better. So, Princess Aira requested the royal palace through the embassy and Mary. We're all going to make scrolls together."
It seems the Crown Prince of Northern Gram himself volunteered to be a guinea pig. If it goes well, the war in the north might settle down.
If it can be cured, it will be a landmark discovery.
For now, I made twenty of them and called Dune and Flora to ask them.
"We won't know until we examine the patients."
When we immediately jumped to the royal capital, the Queen, who knew the circumstances, received us.
"I have heard the story. Let's go to the dedicated treatment center right now."
Since she provided a special carriage, the Queen, two ladies-in-waiting, Dune, Flora, and I went to see the patients.
The treatment center was in a forest far from human habitation. It was surrounded by a high fence and there were guards. It was like a prison.
The operating costs apparently came from the royal palace's budget. The donations were in the Queen's name.
The director was a bishop who was well-versed in the effects of herbs and hot springs.
They apparently gathered patients from all over the kingdom, but there were about fifty in total. Most of them seemed to be people who had worked on the continent, like in trade.
We went to see the patients lying in beds.
Wearing pitch-black bag-like clothes made by patching together waterproof bat wings over our heads, and wearing masks made of bat wings with only the eyes showing, we first entered the ward for mild cases. On our hands, we wore gloves that covered up to our sleeves. The gloves also used bat wings.
When I called the priest to a corner and confessed that Dune and Flora were spirits, he recoiled, but he promised not to tell others.
When we entered the ward partitioned by triple doors, Dune walked boldly toward the patients.
"Show me your hands."
Seeing Dune and Flora in those outfits, the patients tried to flee in a swarm, so we said it was fine because they had the special protection of the Goddess-sama and held them down. Some were violent, but the Queen and the ladies-in-waiting, like the original demon-wife and her ladies-in-waiting, were locking the patients' joints so they couldn't move. At a glance, it was a scene of a criminal arrest.
The other patients huddled in the corner of the room, completely terrified.
"Fumu. They're certainly being affected. But I can cure this much. Since it will take time until a complete recovery, it's better to use a magic circle like that time."
"Yeah. Just like that time. It's okay. I can cure it with anti-mold water."
Since the two of them were touching the patients' skin with their bare hands, the patients were offering prayers to the Goddess-sama.
That time must have been when they cured the Water Dragon.
When I cast Anti-Sepsis, several scabs peeled off and fell.
"I-it's cured!"
The bishop and the patients all widened their eyes.
The Queen caught her breath.
"Priest Jeanne. This is..."
"It is magic I received from the Goddess-sama. It seems to be effective for skin diseases. It seems to be effective for this disease as well."
When I explained to the bishop, the patients started to cry.
"It seems medicine can be made using this magic. These two say it will be cured."
Dune and Flora were nodding.
"More than that, since the whole room is contaminated, it's better to wipe it clean with anti-mold water."
"That's right. Bat wings are also effective, but anti-mold water can kill the source of the disease."
The two spirits gave their seal of approval.
Immediately, the construction of a large tank to replace the bath and the installation of a magic circle were considered and put into construction right away.
Anti-mold water doesn't lose its effect even if it's made into hot water. They just have to take a bath every day.
Next, we went to the ward for severe cases. The patients all had their bodies covered with white cloth, and their faces were unrecognizable. When we had the cloth on their hands removed, their fingers were swollen and twisted.
"Hmm. When it's gone this far, anti-mold water won't be enough. But it will be cured, so as long as you can endure the appearance, it'll be fine."
Removing the cloth from several people, Dune treated them while touching them. It took time, but it seems it reached the point where something could be done with anti-mold water. As expected of a Great Spirit of Water.
It seems there were also people who had progressed quite far, given up, and entered caves on their own to wait for death. There were apparently several such caves near the treatment center.
Fortunately, there were no people in need of urgent care, so the installation of a tank was decided here as well.
"Let's solicit support and start a fund. This disease is a problem for the entire island. Fortunately, they say the scrolls will be sold at a low price just like Thought Communication, so let's hire someone who can draw magic circles exclusively. Everyone just needs to go in once a day, every day, right?"
The Queen immediately made a plan, and we put it into practice right away.
The patients, who had been unable to even leave the treatment center and were just waiting to die, all rejoiced while sobbing. The Queen immediately promised to set up a workshop. With this, they would be able to become self-sufficient.
Unfortunately, even if it succeeds, people on the continent won't be saved unless they come to the island. According to the Queen, because of unreasonable prejudice, people who would put out money would be rare. However, if it really cures and that reputation spreads, eventually patients might come from the continent.
A workshop with a Thought Communication magic circle installed has already been built. We can do the same here, and people who are concerned about their appearance can learn a trade here. I never thought it would be effective for Karmic Disease.
When we returned to the royal palace, it was a banquet.
According to His Majesty the King, if the experiment Gwyn-sama is doing in Northern Gram succeeds, the war in the north will settle down for the time being, and at the same time, Sertoria will be able to form a strong alliance with Northern Gram. Northern Gram is one of the East Coast nations. If realized, it would apparently have a strong deterrent effect against Engrio.
"The cause of war will disappear. For those living on the island, there is nothing more auspicious than this."
The King, who rejoiced greatly saying so, promised the regular purchase of anti-mold water magic circles made by the Marcelo Company, and for Dune, the presentation of one barrel of wine per month for the next year, and for Flora, a raise in salary for the Nakanohara Northern Scout Team and the active recruitment of Goblins and Alraunes.