Chapter 482 - Fourth Episode: Events in Primordia
When rumors spread that the Engrio army had sent troops to the continent, a request for a Great Shark hunt came from Primordia. At the same time, it seems a meeting for countermeasures against plagues and those in poverty will be held.
In this meeting, it seems the hospital ship devised by the King of Primordia and Archbishop Cadogan, the head of the Primordia Royal Capital Great Church, will be unveiled. In short, they said they had converted the same type of ship used for transporting patients with Just a Disease into one for treating and transporting people injured in war.
"Are they going to transport people injured on the continent to the island?"
Since I was called to the Royal Palace, I went with Bonnie and Matilda as instructed, and Queen Magdalena explained the new field treatment center... in other words, the hospital ship.
The location was the audience chamber, and in front of me sat the King and Queen on their thrones, with the Henry Party lined up beside them.
"No, they will treat them using magic at sea. On the continent, magic ranks drop by two compared to the island. Even though there are those who can use advanced recovery magic, it becomes beginner level. Furthermore, mid-level mages become unable to use magic at all. In that case, even those who could be saved won't be."
Well, that's probably true. Even more so if there's a lot of bleeding.
I heard that the King, upon hearing the hospital ship concept, approached Primordia. Primordia has declared support in this war.
"Then, how will they be transported to the ship?"
"They will transport the wounded brought back from the battlefield by ship. Therefore, the targets are those who have already finished at least emergency treatment or those who are somehow clinging to life."
In that case, wouldn't those of high status be prioritized no matter what?
"I wonder about that. Those of high status are few in number to begin with. Besides, they are going to build a treatment center on the opposite shore, and they say they will also accommodate enemy soldiers as prisoners."
Hmm. We did that during the previous war too. If the same thing is done on both sides, it's equivalent... or rather, they can be exchanged for an amount corresponding to the number of people and the ransom. However, it's meaningless unless the enemy country does the same...
"That's true. West Liber cannot do the same. Therefore, it will be one-sided. Instead, there is a possibility that the treatment of those who become prisoners will improve and the exchange period will be earlier. And if that doesn't happen, West Liber soldiers will surrender one after another. A war-weary mood will fill the air, and the war might end early."
I see! So that's it!
No, wait a second. If that happens, won't the war end quickly? Certainly, Eleanor-sama said it's better for other countries on the island if the war is prolonged and Engrio is consumed.
"That is certainly true, but if that happens, West Liber, which cannot use magic, will decline faster and eventually be annexed by East Liber. That could give Engrio a chance to become powerful. Don't you think it's better to end the war as early as possible so that doesn't happen?"
I see. That's true. However, if West Liber doesn't treat prisoners well, it will have the opposite effect...
Could it be...
"By any chance, are you also making a request to West Liber to help the wounded soldiers who become prisoners?"
"Now, I wonder?"
She laughed and dodged the question.
But still.
If there are such movements, and if such rumors spread among the soldiers of both countries—especially the conscripted soldiers—the fighting spirit of both sides will drop at once, and many will want to become prisoners. In fact, in the previous war, there were apparently quite a few conscripted Engrio soldiers who surrendered easily even though they weren't seriously injured. Of course, there were also people who lost limbs and were seriously injured, barely surviving. Even so, it's a big difference whether a life is saved or not.
"That's why I was called here too. Fine by me, I didn't start making prosthetic hands and feet for the money. I'll go to Primordia... I-I mean, I will go."
Matilda, who usually heads straight to the medical research institute when she comes to the Royal Capital as the technical director for prosthetic limbs, spoke vigorously. Today, since she was called to the Royal Palace for the first time in a while, she wasn't wearing her usual green marble with cut sleeves, but a decent red one-piece dress and leather long boots. The boots are for women, the same ones Matilda uses for her handmade prosthetic legs.
"It helps to have Matilda say that. Your technology will surely be useful on the continent as well, and you might even be able to exchange information with continental engineers."
"C-Continental engineers! I-Is that true? I mean, is it?"
"I don't know if you'll actually be able to meet them. It will probably depend on the quality of the prosthetic hands and feet you make. If it reaches the ears of a prominent noble, it wouldn't be strange for there to be an offer for technical cooperation."
"I-I see. I'll do my best. But the ones I make are cheap, so they might not be popular with the nobles."
"It's fine. For those who want expensive things, you just need to use expensive materials. For example, making the material of the leather boots from a magic beast, or making the metal parts from silver. Or encrusting them with jewels. Besides, such things can be left to jewelers or continental engineers if you can meet them. They'll raise the price as much as you want. You just need to make something easy to use, as always."
I don't know what's fun about encrusting prosthetic hands or feet with jewels, but it's probably as Queen Magdalena says. Matilda seemed convinced and gave a light laugh, saying, "That's true."
Miana, Beowulf, Bonnie, and Matilda ended up participating in the Great Shark hunt together.
Miana was apparently excluded at first, but she insisted on going and ended up being added. After all, she is still first in the line of succession. Even though it's far from the battlefield, they probably didn't want to let her go to a country at war. After all, if Miana goes, the King will be the only one left in the Royal Palace who can provide war leadership. The former King and Queen, the current Queen, and the first in line to the throne are all going to Primordia.
The King lamented Miana's unexpectedly stubborn attitude, wondering who she took after, but that's already decided. It's the smirking Eleanor-sama and Queen Magdalena. As expected, I was forced to listen to the King's complaints all through the banquet that night. Though, even if Miana stayed, she wouldn't be able to provide war leadership, so the King just has to do his best.
As usual, when we flew in the medium-sized super-high-speed bowl, we encountered a ship flying the flag of Northern Gram in the sea north of Primordia. When we appeared and descended, as expected, Saxburg, Aira, and Gwyn-sama's queen were on board.
(Jeanne! It's been a while!)
Saxburg, who usually wears amusing costumes, is in formal attire today. Moreover, she has a small sword at her waist.
It's not just Saxburg. Aira, who is good at unarmed combat, is wearing leather armor, and Gwyn-sama's queen is even wearing chain mail with a long sword at her waist.
(It's quite heavily armed today.)
(It's because we're at war. We have to be careful. There are guards in the sky too.)
When Saxburg waved her hand toward the sky, a small flag that appeared in the air fluttered.
(It's true. How strict.)
(If we were to be captured by a West Liber warship, the country would be dragged into the war. We have to make sure that never happens.)
Seeing Aira and Gwyn-sama's queen exchange glances, it might not be an overstatement.
(Besides, people from the continent and Engrio are coming to this meeting, right? You should be on high alert too, Jeanne.)
Come to think of it, that was true. However, Sertogne has Beowulf's connection, and Engrio has the Head Maid from Vectis Island. It'll probably be okay.
That said, it's better to be cautious. Besides, I can't say it out loud, but it's much better than their usual attire.
After joining up, since it was a sea voyage, we spent the time casting Refresh.
We arrived safely at the port in a few hours.
Since those participating in the meeting are Queen Magdalena, Miana, Mary, and me, the Henry Party, Bonnie, and Matilda are going to meet the King.
In the waiting room of the Primordia Royal Palace, I was able to reunite with the Head Maid who came from Vectis Island.
(Bishop Jeanne-sama. It has been a long time.)
She greeted me properly with her hands gathered slightly below her stomach.
She was wearing a black one-piece dress with a white apron and a headscarf.
Several scrolls of Thought Communication have already reached Vectis Island. She must have practiced, as she responded to dialogue without using her voice.
Except for the Class of 175 and Archbishop Cadogan, those attending are all royalty. She looks like a maid through and through; I wonder if she'll be okay.
(Thank you for your concern. But please rest assured. I am the messenger of Count Vectis. If I say that, I will not receive any reproach no matter where I go.)
She smiled and gave a light bow.
She's composed.
As expected of a Vampire. Setting aside Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama who greet everyone regardless of who they are, the moment the Head Maid said she came as the representative of Count Vectis, Aira, Gwyn-sama's queen, and even Saxburg looked a bit tense.
In the waiting room, I also met Archbishop Cadogan, Sianya, and the loud-voiced prince, Edward-sama.
This meeting is basically a public announcement of the results of countermeasures against diseases that are prevalent in winter, but as a highlight, the hospital ship will be unveiled. Since it's a ship originally made for transporting patients with Just a Disease from the continent, a bishop dispatched from the Sertogne Royal Capital Great Church was also there and was introduced as is.
The bishop is a person who has been involved from the beginning in the full-scale transport of Just a Disease and seems to have an extraordinary desire to treat the disease.
"Are you Bishop Jeanne? I have been wanting to meet you by all means."
The bishop who came from Sertogne suddenly took both my hands.
"Thanks to Bishop Jeanne's efforts, those who were previously just waiting for death with rotting bodies are now able to live energetically while regaining their original beautiful flesh. Moreover, that disease is no longer loathed as something due to the person's past misdeeds. The patients who reached the sanatorium on this island through the efforts of His Majesty the King and Archbishop Cadogan all want to meet the Bishop. Would you not be willing to meet them?"
It's a bit embarrassing, but I don't mind meeting them. The rest is adjustment with the meeting schedule, but...
(Bishop-sama. This is an intrusive request, but when Bishop Jeanne heads to the medical facility, please allow us to accompany her.)
Suddenly, Gwyn-sama's queen conveyed this.
Gwyn-sama's queen is the elder sister of Eowyn-sama, who suffered from Just a Disease. Since her brother's illness was an open secret, her marriage was late for royalty, but she married into Finis, which didn't care about the illness, and has now given birth to a child. I heard that when I met her before, she was quite worried that the child might inherit Just a Disease, but since Eowyn-sama's illness was completely cured and the child is healthy, she is inwardly relieved. Probably, she felt a sense of debt toward the Finis Royal Family that she originally didn't need to feel at all. Now, there's no need for any worry. I heard from Aira that because of that, she is very interested in plague countermeasures, starting with Just a Disease.
(Sister. I also wish to accompany you.)
(I wish to accompany you as well.)
(Then, let's all go together.)
Saxburg, Aira, and Queen Magdalena wished to accompany us.
"W-What, what is this... Everyone's voices are echoing directly in my head... is this also a type of magic?"
Oh no. I hadn't explained Thought Communication.
The inner voice of the completely confused bishop is leaking out.
In the end, we decided to go on the second day of the meeting.
The meeting itself reported that the previous predictions were mostly correct as a result of the winter investigation, and a consensus was reached that both bathing using boiled magic water and the prescription of herbs are effective. Actually, the fever that is prevalent in winter has almost no effect from magic water, but it seems effective to warm the body by entering hot water for a short time. It's a broad view that it's better to use magic water anyway, but since it's not mandatory, they can use that method when there's plenty of magic water. For that purpose, it was deemed effective to install large bathtubs in medical facilities and throw in Fire Balls to warm the water. Of course, hot springs can also be turned into magic water. It was recommended to build medical facilities at hot spring sites, also serving as recovery areas for injuries and pain in the legs and back, and the meeting itself ended.
After the meeting, it was an inspection of the medical facility. Since explaining is a hassle, I decided to interpret for Aira.
The medical facility for Just a Disease is in an isolated location, but the port for bringing them in was a dedicated one, or rather, a place not usually used as a port. This was at the request of the patients, reflecting Archbishop Cadogan's thoughts after he witnessed the terrible treatment by those with groundless prejudice when such consideration was not given at the time of departure.
The medical facility is on a hill near the port, or rather the landing place, so it has a good view.
Until now, the patients who lived in places like caves have been able to bask in the sunlight to their heart's content, and since the food is sufficient if not luxurious, many apparently wish to migrate to Primordia as they are.
"Even now in Sertogne, many people think that transporting them here is not treatment but disposal. In such a situation, I am truly grateful that the royalty of each country have gathered like this to visit the patients."
The bishop who came from the continent, along with several assisting priests, thanked us. Of course, since everyone is wearing clothes made of bat wings for infection prevention, they look like a somewhat strange group, but royalty from four countries, including the local Primordia, visited. The patients' gratitude seems to have been overwhelming, as they were all breaking down in tears.
"Sertogne said that if there are patients who wish to migrate, they may do so. They must have intended to get rid of them from the start. Such people are all those of low status over there; from now on, they will live as Primordia citizens. Now, as for how to make them economically independent, I would like to borrow your wisdom as well. I would like you to spend more time discussing measures for those in poverty in each country at the next meeting, if possible."
The King of Primordia, often called the Liberator King, proposed with a smile.