Chapter 499 - Chapter 20: The Truth of the Pursuit
It was the following day when we returned to the Royal Capital of Primordia.
The delay was due to the fact that the detention center, which suddenly had to accommodate prisoners in a situation where they weren't fully prepared, couldn't get ready in time.
With the increase in guards and the transport of supplies, various ships were mobilized to shuttle between Harmonia's capital and the small island.
As for the hospital ship, we treated the patients, focusing on the severely wounded, while heading toward the White Island. Six of us were in charge of treatment: the medical director, two other staff members from the hospital ship, Sianya-san, and myself.
Among us, the high-level magic users were the medical director, Sianya-san, and me.
Around the small island, we could only use magic that was two levels lower than usual, but once we moved a bit away from the island, it only dropped by one level. When that happened, the three mid-level magic users in charge could use recovery magic equivalent to beginner level. If we could hold out until then, there was a high chance of survival. Regardless, we stopped the bleeding and washed the wounds with magic water stored in barrels.
The medical director's skill—or rather, his judgment—was incredibly fast. Perhaps he could tell the condition just by looking at the wounded's complexion, as he immediately identified the patients in poor condition.
Such patients were not taken to the treatment room but were given their first treatment right there on the deck. As soon as he saw the wound, instructions were issued. His subordinates were also well-practiced; each carried a storage bag, and the moment an instruction was given, they pulled out various tools and began the procedure.
Leather cords were used to stop the bleeding.
The medical director would press down with his fingers while simultaneously tying it with a leather cord. From a barrel of magic water carried by a helping soldier, a bowlful of magic water was poured over the wound. Recovery magic was cast. It was pressed with cloth and tied. Once more, a bowl of magic water was poured over the treated cloth.
Until we reached a place where magic could be used to its full extent, Sianya-san and I took turns casting recovery magic, but we were told that beginner-level—meaning mid-level—was sufficient. And this continued even after we approached the White Island and magic could be used as usual. Unless it was an exceptionally severe injury, we were told not to use anything above mid-level.
"As long as we can stop the bleeding, we can somehow save their lives. Don't try to heal them all at once; just focus on the procedures to sustain their lives."
In other words, he was telling us to conserve magic.
The Headmistress, for example, often used mid-level or high-level magic to improve a patient's condition quickly. Of course, that's only possible for an ultra-high-level magic user; an average magic user would run out of breath.
The numbers were vast. The suffering of the wounded would last a long time, but since there were many others who needed to be saved, they just had to endure it.
After anchoring in a place where magic could be used and continuing the treatment with all our might, we delivered the wounded—friend and foe alike—to the small island and finally set out on our return journey.
Fortunately, all the wounded brought onto the hospital ship were on the road to recovery.
Those taken to the small island from the start were only soldiers with minor injuries or no injuries at all. In other words, the hospital ship must have taken on all the severely injured. However, the total losses on both sides exceeded the number of wounded. I don't want to think about it too much, but it's likely because we only saved those who could be saved.
"I hate to say it, but on the front lines of a battlefield, every second counts, and the number of people to be treated is simply too many. As someone who can only use up to high-level, I have my hands full just handling those who can be saved."
While seeing off the soldiers who were offering words of thanks while occasionally groaning in pain, the medical director whispered this to Sianya-san and me.
Once we were on our way back, we had a party to celebrate everyone's hard work. At that time, we received words of praise from Edward-sama for the valiant efforts of the medical clinic. After the medical director thanked him with a smile, we all shared a toast.
It's obviously better to cast a high-level Heal without hesitation. However, one cannot do what one cannot do. He must have experienced countless moments of regret.
When we returned to the Royal Capital of Primordia, we were greeted with great cheers, perhaps because they had heard about the battle.
It was Edward-sama's first campaign, and Sianya-san was also on board. Information like that was surely something Eleanor-sama, who had returned earlier, had incited the royal palace to broadcast.
Whether it should be called a stroke of luck or a matter of course, it seemed no one knew about the Henry Party or me. While Edward-sama and Sianya-san, led by the medical director, disembarked the ship to the cheers of the welcoming crowd, we got off the ship quietly, as if hiding in the shadows.
While watching Edward-sama and the others head to the royal palace in a welcoming carriage surrounded by the enthusiastic crowd, we went to the inn where the Henry Party was staying, joined up with Eleanor-sama and the others, and finally settled down.
The Henry Party is staying at a small, cozy inn, befitting simple traveling merchants. Apparently, it's the place Mary-san always uses when she comes to Primordia. Mary-san was introduced to it by Sianya-san, which is to say, it's a place used by the royal palace. Seeing as it's built in a rather inconspicuous part of the lower town, it must be a place the royalty uses incognito. As proof, even though I was there—someone who was originally supposed to stay at the royal palace—nothing was said. On the contrary, when the Henry Party walked in with a "Hey, hey!", they were silently led to a back room, and beer was served even though we hadn't ordered any. No matter how you look at it, there's a story behind it.
"I'm glad everyone is safe. First, let's have a toast."
With a very simple toast led by Henry-sama, and after briefly explaining what happened to each of us, Eleanor-sama told us why the hospital ship was attacked.
"Magdalena. Your deduction pointing to the possibility of East Liber's involvement was half correct."
Half? The medical director said that all the rescued prisoners were soldiers of West Liber. It seems East Liber and West Liber were originally the same country, but because they've been split for so long, their languages are different. If the White Island is the standard, West Liber's way of speaking is mumbling and light, while East Liber's is said to have strong voiced consonants and a heavy feel. If the soldiers were from West Liber, the high-ranking officials would likely be from the same country. Otherwise, the overwhelming majority of soldiers would revolt.
"There was a certain person on the hospital ship that was being pursued."
The medical director's prediction was correct. That's also why he said they didn't attack with fire arrows. And the fleeing hospital ship likely knew the enemy wouldn't... or rather, couldn't attack with fire arrows. Could it be a hostage?
"The captured soldiers were said to speak the West Liber language very naturally. Regarding this point, I heard it from the Primordia side, so it's likely correct."
"That country cannot be measured by such simple things."
"What do you mean by that?"
At Magdalena-sama's words, Eleanor-sama shrugged. Apparently, it really isn't simple.
According to Eleanor-sama's explanation, Central Liber, which has now become weak and retreated to the south, once owned territory up to the northern coast of the continent. Currently, that coastal area is said to be territory owned by East Liber, but originally the ethnicities were different, and there are many people living there who can normally speak both East and West languages. In other words, they cannot be identified by language.
"So, the ones who attacked our allies were indeed East Liber in disguise?"
"No, it seems they were privateers."
Privateers apparently mean pirates. During a war, you could call them mercenaries.
"So, the hospital ship was attacked by privateers flying the West Liber flag. And the employer of those privateers is likely East Liber?"
"That was the case originally, but it seems they defected halfway through."
"Defected? From East to West?"
"Yes."
The trigger was apparently a single wounded person the hospital ship took on for treatment. That person was actually royalty from East Liber. Furthermore, it was a princess.
"That person is said to have a plague."
Hearing the symptoms, it was a terrifying disease that many people die from.
Blood gets mixed in the... digestive system, and one gets a fever or stomach pains. There are good medicinal herbs, but sometimes it takes a long time to fully recover, and not everyone is saved. The cause is said to be water or something; the wealthy catch it when they catch it, and there are times when many catch it at once on the battlefield. Fortunately, the possibility of treatment with magic water has been suggested by a report from Cadogan-sama. However, unlike skin diseases, just bathing isn't enough. It needs to be drunk regularly, but drinking too much will upset the stomach more than usual, so it's quite hard on the person. Cadogan-sama's daily dosage is set at one or two bowls, but it apparently takes time accordingly. It's said that casting magic directly on the patient with a scroll is more effective, but since the production of scrolls is limited, the use of magic water is recommended even if the treatment takes longer.
"She was taken into a medical clinic dispatched by Engrio. That princess is an active person who leads a naval unit; she joined the Engrio army and was stationed together in a port in eastern Sertogne. The trigger was that a plague was spreading in the villages of the surrounding area. It seems she was consulting with the Engrio medical clinic, which had established a base nearby, about infection control measures, but finally, her own onset was confirmed."
After that, her transport to Primordia was decided through a church priest who knew of Cadogan-sama's report. Fortunately, a Primordia hospital ship was also anchored in the port. They thought if the East Liber army carried her that far and she was transported to Primordia by the hospital ship, something could be done.
After all, she's royalty. She needs an escort. So, a ship owned by mercenaries who had been incorporated into the East Liber Navy was designated. Of course, the ship she was on had an escort of regular knights. And the mercenaries became kidnappers for ransom. No, they tried to become them and failed.
It seems no regular soldier trusts mercenaries, so they had sent in a spy.
The spy conveyed the mercenaries' change of heart to the hospital ship with a signal. When they tried to outrun the escort ship that had sent instructions to stop with suspicious behavior, the pursuit by the mercenaries, whose eyes were blinded by money, began. The rest is as we experienced.
What the mercenaries will do after this is unknown, but Wilson-san's guess is that they'll probably flee to West Liber.
"So, has that princess gone to that medical clinic now?"
To Magdalena-sama's question, Eleanor-sama gave a single nod.
"Yes. After defeating the enemy ships, they went straight to the coast of the isolation ward. A person fitting the description went into the building, so there's almost no doubt."
Throughout, they apparently acted like escorts while remaining invisible.
The crew are from Primordia. When the enemy's bow went up in flames from Prominence, cheers broke out, so they must know at least that an ally helped them. They shouldn't be thinking it's a Fire Dragon's curse or anything.
"Then, it's fine if we treat this as something we don't know about, right?"
"Yes, I think that's fine. Just report it to His Majesty."
"Understood."
I thought this was the end of the matter, but when I went to the royal palace the next day to pay my respects, the King of Primordia asked me to meet the princess.
"She is, after all, a princess of an allied nation. Moreover, she is enthusiastic not only about military affairs but also about plague countermeasures. Considering future cooperation with East Liber, I think it's better to lighten her symptoms as quickly as possible, even if she isn't fully cured."
Well, that's true. Besides, I was planning to go to the medical clinic anyway to meet Archbishop Lloyd's senior fellow disciple, so it was perfect.
However, since it would involve politics if it were a talk between royalty, the Henry Party decided not to get involved.
"Let's go together. I have to be deeply involved with that person due to my position, so it'll be reassuring if Jeanne is with me."
It was really reassuring that Sianya-san said that.
At the medical clinic, we were suddenly surrounded by knights.
As befits a princess, she seems to have been given a special room, with two rooms in addition to the sickroom. The knights were guarding the place that serves as a waiting room, and they all stood up at once as we entered the room.
"You are Bishop Jeanne, I presume?"
He's likely the leader of the guards. An elderly knight asked.
He's wearing a surcoat with an emblem over chain mail. A flashy silver sword with a large jewel attached is tucked into his waist; he looks like a nobleman at a glance.
"I hear you can cure my master's illness."
"I won't know until I try. First, please let me meet the person herself."
"First, I want to verify your identity. I hear you are from Sertoria."
What a tedious old man. It's the same regardless of where I was born, right? What's the point of asking?
"Old man, that's rude. It's fine, let them through."
A young woman's voice could be heard from the back room. It must be the princess. She sounds weak, perhaps due to the illness, but her tone is resolute.
The princess's words were effective, and we were let through easily.
Meeting her, I exchanged first-time greetings with the princess, who was lying in bed.
"I am Theresia, a princess of East Liber. I apologize for the rudeness of my subordinate."
She's very proper. She's a beauty with impressive long blonde hair. Her eyebrows are thick, and her eyes are blue. Due to the illness, her cheeks are sunken and she's pale. She's so beautiful it's almost intimidating. Somehow, her atmosphere is similar to Gladys-sama. Maybe she's good with a spear.
Sianya-san did the questioning.
I don't have knowledge regarding illnesses, so I wouldn't understand even if I heard. However, since she was admitted here, she must have been checked by the bishop in charge, so there's no mistake it's a plague that hits the stomach.
They've already tried gastric lavage using magic water and administration of medicinal herbs as of last night. However, magic water doesn't show effects unless continued for three or four days, and there's no dramatic improvement. At this point, you could say there's no change.
"I don't know if it will be cured, but I'll do what I can."
"I appreciate the trouble."
I had the men step outside, had her sit up, and had her bare her upper body. The same can be said for Gladys-sama and Will, but I couldn't help but be fascinated by her beautifully formed figure, which looked like nothing but a statue.
Actually, it was Primordia that discovered Anti-Sepsis works on plagues that hit the stomach, and I myself have never been involved in the treatment. Especially in Nakanohara, the water is drawn from the lake that Dune-san cleaned. There's no way a disease caused by water would be contracted. I have no confidence at all.
"Then, I will now chant the magic. Please relax."
"Yes. Please."
Since it's said to hit the stomach, the stomach is the target. I decided to release it with all my might using both hands.
"[Anti-Sepsis]!"
A slightly yellowish light, different from Holy, envelops Theresia-sama.
"It's warm. What a pleasant light."
The princess closed her eyes, surrendered herself to the light, and said in a relaxed tone.