Chapter 500 - Chapter 21: Two Patients
It seems it could be called dramatic. The princess's symptoms lightened significantly. She wanted to know the movements of the army she leads and was in a state where she looked like she might jump out in armor at any moment.
That said, it's hard to say she's fully cured. Even if she herself is energetic, she could become a source of infection for the people around her. As Dune-san always says, dramatic changes, whether for better or worse, put a heavy burden on the body and a reaction comes later. Fortunately, since the current role of the fleet Theresia-sama leads is mainly escorting hospital ships and scouting, her subordinates' deputies should be able to hold out for a while. It was decided she would rest for about two weeks while we monitored her condition.
"I have visited Engrio and Morandine several times, so I know at least what magic is. However, I didn't think there was even magic to cure plagues, like Bishop Jeanne's magic."
"To be honest, it's not clearly known what kind of illnesses it's effective for. Research has only just begun in the various nations of the White Island."
"I heard that magic is conveyed by Oracles who have received the divine message of the Goddess you people of the White Island worship. At that time, don't you receive an explanation of what kind of magic it is?"
She's quite well-informed. Moreover, she asks in a stiff tone that sounds like it's clicking, as befits a military person.
"I did receive an explanation. It was said to be for mold prevention, or rather, to prevent the decay of raw things like food."
"Preventing decay... I see. Magic to prevent decay caused by miasma."
"No, it's not like that..."
"In short, isn't it magic to exorcise miasma? I hear that illnesses... especially plagues, are the result of the body being contaminated by miasma."
The fundamental idea is different. In the stories from the spirits, things like miasma don't come up.
"Theresia-sama. Excuse me, but isn't the concept of miasma something religious? The main source of faith on this island is the Goddess. It differs from your country."
Sianya-san came to my rescue. Since we talk about what we heard from the spirits at meetings, there's no such idea as miasma. Of course, it differs from the main thinking of the Church, but the Church itself hasn't fully explained the connection between miasma and illness.
"Ah, I see. That's right. Sianya-sama, I apologize for the discourtesy in your presence."
"No, please don't worry about it. To add, Anti-Sepsis is also called a lost ancient magic in some circles. In other words, there are still many parts that haven't been clarified, and as Jeanne said, it's under research. Though, magic itself isn't very well understood."
"That's true too. I understand. For now, it's enough to know that it works on this illness, right?"
"Just as you have discerned."
She smiled brightly. As expected of princesses, both of them are quite cute. The noses of the escorting knights, who had a solemn air toward me, are extending all the way. (T/N: 'Nose extending' is an idiom for being smitten or losing one's composure due to a woman's charm.)
There was also a question from Theresia-sama about magic water.
"The Engrio medical clinic was bringing some, but the quantity was small. Could you somehow let our country have some as well?"
The Class of 175 is selling scrolls to Engrio. The number of scrolls purchased at one time is twenty, enough for one barrel, but they are shipped once a month. As long as there's a large-scale magic circle, one scroll can make enough for a full water tank, so a stable supply should be possible. However, since they hadn't anticipated taking it to war, it's unavoidable that it's in short supply.
One of the reasons she came to the White Island for treatment, even leaving the unit she commands, was apparently to negotiate for the acquisition of magic water.
However, East Liber is far away, and it's also a nation of heathens. Since neither scrolls nor magic circles will activate there, they have to rely solely on magic water, but once the effective period passes, it's just ordinary water. Since there's a limit to my production capacity, they would have to transfer patients to Engrio or buy it from Finis or Northern Gram.
"I understand. Since we have a track record of trade with both countries, I'll try negotiating through merchants."
"Since those two countries are managed by the royal families, they shouldn't accept anything other than negotiations between nations."
"We are in the middle of a war now. Considering our country's current position, wouldn't negotiations with both countries be difficult?"
"Then, what if we propose the same thing to West Liber? If we do that, it'll be mutual, so political positions won't matter anymore, right?"
Theresia-sama became speechless.
If we conduct peaceful negotiations with a country we are currently at war with, the King of East Liber might get angry. They should just stop the war for the sake of plague countermeasures.
"A third country is necessary. How about this? What if we have Northern Gram approach both countries about the sale of magic water? The purpose is plague countermeasures."
Sianya-san made a proposal.
As expected, she's smart. If it's an approach from a country currently maintaining neutrality, there should be no problem. Of course, if they say they don't want it, we just won't sell it. That part would be the same as food items and such.
"Is such a thing possible?"
"Could you give us a little time? There is a perfect initiator for starting the negotiations, so I'd like to hear from that person."
"P-Please, I beg of you."
At Sianya-san's words, Theresia-sama nodded vigorously.
The initiator is, of course, Archbishop Lloyd's senior fellow disciple.
Even though he had been confined to a cabin, after the battle with the insolent people operating the privateers, he safely reached the isolation facility in Primordia. After arriving at the port of the Royal Capital and Edward-sama and the others and us disembarked, he had arrived at the port dedicated to the isolation facility. Since there's a priest who came with the bishop from Sertogne who arrived earlier, there should be no problem.
Ever since departing from the prisoner-of-war camp on the small island, he was enthusiastic about talking about old times with Henry-sama on the ship, except for sleeping at night, and during that time, Sianya-san and I were almost always together with the priest who was taking care of him.
What I understood from listening to the two of them talk is that this person is no ordinary priest. Of course, his knowledge regarding plagues and medicinal herbs is top-notch, but having traveled around various countries on the continent, his insight—or whatever you call it—into politics, economy, diplomacy, and military affairs was extremely broad. Lloyd-sama probably informed him about relatively recent events.
Since he's been getting a shot of Anti-Sepsis every morning since we met, he's in extremely good spirits. Since coming to Primordia, he said he hates special treatment as long as he's a priest and is in a large room, but there seems to be no problem at all.
After leaving Theresia-sama's side, we immediately went to consult him.
"Hmm. You have said a good thing. I have an acquaintance at the Great Church in the Royal Capital of West Liber, so I shall write a letter. If I do so, they will likely approach the royal palace, and a request for purchase will come from the West Liber side. It should reach them if you give it to Lloyd."
Far from just giving his consent, he even decided on the specific steps.
He was in a state where he was about to have the caretaker do dictation, telling him to bring parchment and a pen, but we haven't talked to Finis or Northern Gram yet. Besides, Theresia-sama herself must coordinate with her home country. I told him to wait a bit and hurried back to Theresia-sama's place.
"Is it true?"
When I explained, she jumped out of bed despite being a patient.
Why are there so many patients who are too energetic...
I told her it's fine so stay in bed, and we made specific plans.
When Sianya-san sent letters to Aira and Saxburg, replies came after a few hours.
"They will provide equal support to both East and West Liber, limited to plague countermeasures. And they asked whether the safety of the merchant ships can be guaranteed. Regardless of the ships heading to East Liber, they want East Liber to guarantee the safety of the ships heading to West Liber."
That's only natural. If a merchant ship were to be attacked, it would be immediate war.
To East Liber from the north of the White Island, one can pass through sea areas unrelated to the war, but the route to West Liber becomes exactly the combat sea area. A mistake might happen.
"There is no problem. They can just head to West Liber after stopping at a port in Engrio or Primordia. Those sea areas are my responsibility. The fleet I directly lead will not attack ships from neutral countries."
"I see. That's certainly true. Then, what about the privateers?"
At Sianya-san's relentless questioning, Theresia-sama became speechless.
It's no wonder. She herself was attacked in the worst form of defection.
"I-I will speak directly with the King of East Liber. I will not allow any mercenaries to enter the sea area in question!"
The fact that her tone contained a bit of anger must be due to her rage toward the privateers who attacked her.
In the end, we ended up waiting for Theresia-sama's recovery. This is because it's meaningless unless the person leading the fleet herself is healthy. In the meantime, coordinating with each country became the immediate task.
"Attacking merchant ships would only be a loss for East Liber. I'm sure the various nations of the White Island are trying to use this as an opportunity to create an atmosphere for the East and West Libers to set up a place for talks."
After parting with Theresia-sama, Sianya-san whispered this to me.
As expected of a future advisor. I don't really understand how to create a place for talks.
At any rate, it's a good thing that the number of people suffering from the plague will decrease.
Immediately, when Sianya-san and I returned to Lloyd-sama's senior fellow disciple's place, he had already prepared the letters.
"Unlike in the past, the hand holding the pen is clumsy. Even my signature is uncertain, but it should pass somehow."
It was a letter dictated to the caretaker with his own signature written on it. It couldn't be called a beautiful script, even as a compliment. In addition to being blind, his fingers have swollen due to illness, so he can't hold a pen satisfactorily.
I was shown the completed letters, and there were six in total. The content written was to purchase magic water made on the White Island for both East and West Liber and use it for countermeasures against the plague that hits the stomach, which shouldn't be a problem in itself. Moreover, it also mentioned that Theresia-sama was almost kidnapped by privateers and stated that those who committed the crime should be immediately captured and escorted to East Liber.
What's amazing is the recipients.
Lloyd-sama in Sertogne and Cadogan-sama in Primordia were natural, but there were also the Head of the Great Church in the Royal Capital of Sertogne, high-ranking bishop-class individuals working at the Great Churches in the Royal Capitals of East and West Liber, and even one addressed to Price-sama at the Great Church in the Royal Capital of Medioland.
"As long as we get Price-dono's approval, the entire White Island should be able to move. It would be even better if the priests involved in plague countermeasures in each country could unite using this as an opportunity."
A grand unity of researchers and priests involved in plague countermeasures... This person seriously intends to achieve that.
"Bishop Jeanne. As long as you are human, the time will surely come when you die. At that time, the legendary magic will be lost, perhaps temporarily. In fact, within the scope of my knowledge, there are no accurate records regarding Anti-Sepsis."
That's likely true. Even in the secret books of the mountain, detailed things weren't written. Only the effects of beginner magic. The fact that it hasn't been written in records from at least three thousand years ago means that no clearly identified effects were confirmed during these three thousand years. However, if I hadn't obtained the advice of various spirits starting with Flora, I wouldn't have known either. Magic for preventing decay became a way to ward off diseases in field crops, became a medicine for athlete's foot, and finally, it was found to be effective for various illnesses. Even if there were a human with superior abilities, and even if they were using Black Stones freely, I wonder if the effects currently known would have been identified.
"Bishop Jeanne. As tools to replace fire magic, various tools to start fires were discovered and invented. It's like how candles, lanterns, oil dishes, and lamps were invented as magic to replace Light."
The Elf Prince said the same thing. Those skilled in magic rely on magic. This is because using magic is far more convenient and has higher power. However, humans who cannot use magic satisfactorily have devised and made various tools to compensate. That is science.
"I think you already know this, but for example, salt and spices have the effect of preventing decay. Garlic and chives have similar effects, and if you sprinkle the juice, mold becomes less likely to grow. Strong alcohol is the same."
I've heard of it, but I actually didn't know to what extent the effects go.
"Drying and salting are used for food decay prevention, vinegar works for athlete's foot, and strong alcohol works for battlefield diseases. Of course, those effects are far smaller compared to magic."
Well, that's certainly true. Drying or salting seems to fundamentally turn it into something else, vinegar can only cure very mild symptoms of athlete's foot, and the old men on the battlefield would just drink the strong alcohol themselves.
"Human effort and the progress of science are too slow and modest. Just as magic was lost from most of the continent and can only be used in a very small part of the region, magic might eventually disappear from the White Island as well. Before that, Jeanne might die, and Anti-Sepsis might be lost."
My dying would be sooner. I'm sure Gnome thinks so too.
"That is exactly why. While Bishop Jeanne is alive and using the legendary magic, we must obtain the starting point for clarifying its fundamentals and inventing substitutes through the progress of science. To achieve that, as many people as possible need to gather and research. For that purpose, I believe a grand unity is necessary."
Grand unity... Crossing borders, crossing politics, and even crossing religion, to form a partnership and unite.
That itself is surely the path to coexistence and co-prosperity.