Chapter 551 - Chapter 1: Northeastern West Liber
The coastal areas of the Kingdom of West Liber had been suffering from a plague that had spread since spring. It was a disease said to originally break out in the summer. When July arrived, people feared that even further damage would occur.
West Liber condemned East Liber and Engrio, who had launched the war. Originally, the plague had been spreading since last year, but the local nobles blustered to the populace that the two nations, which had come surging in with the arrival of spring, had brought the plague with them. In fact, it was also true that the populace, who had their food stolen and were driven from their towns and villages by the chevauchée conducted by Crown Prince Richard of Engrio, had fled to relatively large cities along with infected individuals, resulting in the expansion of the spread. Of course, Richard had not calculated such things. In fact, there were infected individuals even in the units he led. If many infected individuals appeared within the military, it would lead directly to defeat. He was careful to prevent that, but it was not something easily done in a theater of war that had undergone several battles.
"How many plague patients are there in this fortress and our army?"
During breakfast, Richard asked the gathered staff. None of the staff knew. The knight at the very end stood up to go and ask the infirmary. He was a knight directly under Richard, and in times of war, he was entrusted with Richard's protection, acting as a messenger, and in some cases, managing the magic circles for sending letters. He could be called an intelligence officer. The knight who stood up knew well that Richard talked about various things during breakfast and used them for the subsequent meetings. The fact that he wanted to know meant it was related to the future movements of the army.
"Ah, I am not in a hurry. Have one of the lookouts go and ask."
The knight for messenger duties went to the entrance of the tent and had a young knight on lookout go to the infirmary to confirm.
The place where Richard was located was northwestern East Liber. It was a fortress constructed in the lowlands near the mouth of a large river on the border. The surrounding area was low-lying land at sea level, with several rivers flowing into it. Maritime transport centered on those rivers was flourishing. That area could even be called a province of East Liber, and was directly governed by a tribe different from the tribe that formed the main body of East Liber. Religions were also complex, with a mix of monotheism, which was the mainstream on the continent, and polytheism of local origin. It was one of the birthplaces of the tribes that could be called the ancestors of the former east coast countries of the White Island, including Engrio, and because of that, trade with the White Island was also flourishing. This was actually the same for the region across the river, which was divided into East and West Liber by the river. It had been divided by great powers.
Although they had won the fierce battle with the main West Liber army, which had a three-to-one numerical advantage about half a month ago, the Engrio army, centered on cavalry, also suffered many losses. Since they had captured many influential nobles, they would be able to squeeze quite a bit in terms of ransom. However, because the number of soldiers itself had become small, they withdrew from the border line without being able to secure even a piece of territory. There was a bay behind them, and they could return home at any time. Moreover, because reinforcements and supplies were also easy, the West Liber army never went so far as to cross the border river to attack.
"The number of patients currently confirmed inside the fortress is one hundred and fifty-six including mild cases, and of those, one hundred and twelve are from our army. Thanks to the magic water sent from the home country, the infection inside the fortress has apparently subsided, and there are no critical patients who cannot be moved."
He must have run back and forth to the infirmary. The young knight reported while catching his breath.
Richard liked the content of that report. What he had asked for was only the number of patients. However, the report added to that the outlook for future infection and whether or not the patients could be moved.
"You, what is your name?"
The man on lookout, who was suddenly asked his name, gave his name while feeling bewildered. He was not a noble. He must be someone recommended by the general soldiers. The lookout in front of the commander's tent becomes the last bastion in times of emergency. Moreover, they must see through suspicious individuals. In addition to sword skills above a certain level, quickness of mind was required.
"Have you already finished breakfast?"
"Yes. I have finished."
"Then, let's have a drink. Come inside."
"N-no, I am not a knight, so..."
"I will knight you later. It's a pre-celebration. From now on, fulfill your duties as a knight directly under me."
"H-yes! Thank you very much!"
When the senior knight made a seat for him next to him, they clapped each other's shoulders while their mouths broke into smiles.
After finishing the meal and having a simple meeting, Richard headed to the infirmary. The infirmary consisted of several large tents lined up at a distance from the fortress, and was mainly operated by Engrio priests.
"Richard-sama, thank you for coming."
The Bishop, who was the head of the infirmary, expressed his gratitude for the Crown Prince's personal visit. Richard replied by lightly raising his right hand. In the Engrio army, members of the royalty occasionally come to visit the sick and wounded soldiers. Regarding that point, the priests working at the infirmary were all grateful.
"If you are going inside the tent, please prepare as usual."
The Bishop scooped a bowl of water from the barrel at the entrance of the tent for Richard. Another priest brought infection-prevention clothes made by stitching together bat wings.
Richard, with practiced movements, washed his hands and face with the magic water, and after taking some water in his hand and putting it in his mouth, he rinsed his mouth and spat it out. Then, he put on the pitch-black infection-prevention clothes and covered his nose and mouth.
After that, he set foot inside the tent and spoke to each and every patient lying there. The soldiers were all moved and expressed their thanks.
"Is the magic water sufficient?"
After the rounds, he asked the Bishop, the head of the infirmary.
"Yes. As you know, we originally brought in one large barrel with a magic circle drawn on the bottom from the home country. And an additional barrel is transported here once a week. Considering the time to transport it here after turning fresh water into magic water, currently, we make sure to use up one barrel in roughly ten days. In other words, about one-third to half a barrel's worth of reserve is always left."
Richard nodded with satisfaction. The scrolls to activate the magic circle are imported regularly from Sertoria. Because the magic circle set at the bottom of the large barrel is continuous activation rather than intermittent activation, one Anti-Sepsis scroll is needed for one activation. Four are needed per month. He himself cannot use magic, but he knows its tremendous effect well. Because of that, he had sufficient knowledge regarding things related to magic.
"I heard the infection in our army has subsided."
"Yes. It is as you say. No new infected individuals have been confirmed for four consecutive days. Those entering the fortress are thorough with hand washing and face washing with magic water, so I believe it is mostly fine."
"What are the measures for the surrounding residents?"
"If there is a surplus, we share it, but because the amount is limited, I cannot say it reaches everyone. However, the infection on this side of the river is not that severe. Local churches and apothecaries are doing their best, and it seems it has not become a major disaster."
Then it's fine, he thought, satisfied.
"Do you know the situation on the other side of the river?"
Next, he asked the scout captain who was accompanying him.
"It seems to be a quite terrible situation. The townspeople are driving out those who came from elsewhere, but because the infection had already started, it is too late. About twenty percent of the residents are infected, and infants and the elderly in particular become critical quickly, and in those cases they mostly end up dying."
Richard, who heard the scout captain's talk, looked up at the sky and let out a sigh.
"It seems West Liber is saying I am the cause."
"Your Highness, that is a strategy of West Liber. Originally, the infection had started before our army landed, had it not? In fact, Theresia-sama of East Liber was infected in the west and left the battlefield before our army began its actions."
The head of the infirmary desperately defended him.
"Well, that is so, but I am the one who created the refugees. Is there not a story going around that those refugees expanded the damage?"
"That is certainly so, but that only hastened the infection by a little. In any case, it is certain it would have spread."
"Can nothing be done? If I have made the people suffer, I cannot possibly appear before my father. Is increased production of magic water impossible?"
"Magic water is necessary not only for treatment but also for infection prevention. To ensure the spread does not reach East Liber, not only for our country and our army on expedition on the continent, we are consuming a certain amount even if there are no infected individuals. If it comes to increased production, not only response within the country but also diplomatic negotiations with Sertoria will be essential, but..."
"Currently, there is no negotiation window with Sertoria, is there..."
Currently, the trade of Anti-Sepsis scrolls is under the direct control of King Seldic. Richard, who spends half of the year in East Liber and the remaining half in eastern Engrio, was not involved at all. Of course, he had sent letters to his father, Seldic, but so far there was no reply.
"Richard-sama, there is something I wish to bring to your ears privately."
Richard, who sensed something from the scout captain's solemn face, took his leave of the head of the infirmary and left the place.
"What is it?"
"Actually, regarding the matter of the scrolls being provided from Northern Gram..."
Richard had also heard the information that Northern Gram would provide Anti-Sepsis scrolls to East and West Liber for a fee, in view of the situation of the plague spread in West Liber.
"What? You mean the magic water is not reaching the people?"
"Yes. It seems some nobles are monopolizing it."
The scrolls and water tanks with magic circles drawn on them sold to West Liber are apparently indeed being transported to port towns with many patients. However, they were not reaching the general commoners. The nobles commanding the West Liber army stationed there were monopolizing them. There were four reasons for that. One was that they were not well-versed in the method of using magic water and misidentified the required amount. One was that although the areas with severe spread were Kingdom of West Liber territory, many minority tribes different from other major cities of West Liber lived there. And the third was to sell them off at exorbitant prices to obtain money. And the fourth was to start rumors of the plague spread by the Engrio army and lower Richard's reputation.
"I see. Then, there is only one thing to do."
Richard, who heard the scout captain's talk, said one thing and then returned to the fortress. And he summoned his staff.
"I have decided to leave this land before we are infected by the plague. In one week, we will withdraw to the home country, leaving behind some forces. Proclaim it to the entire army immediately."
Currently, they are in the position of a strategic army targeting the flank of the main West Liber army, which has headed for a decisive battle with the main East Liber army. The staff, who had thought Richard was surely waiting for the timing to advance into the inland, were surprised and panicked by the sudden change in policy. However, Richard's instruction had been given. They thought they had to hurriedly select the forces to leave behind in the fortress. And they thought that would presumably be the soldiers led by the military supervisor dispatched from East Liber.
At midnight one week later, one of the port towns in northeastern West Liber, which was supposed to have been attacked by Richard's army that had returned home on a fleet, had fallen by dawn. The flag of the Kingdom of Engrio was fluttering over the fortress in the center of the town, and the decapitated head of the commander was exposed in front of the main gate. Beside the stand where the head was placed was a sign, and a piece of parchment recording the crimes of the owner of the head during his lifetime was pasted on it.
This person, for the sake of selfish desires, monopolized the treatment for the plague and neglected the prevention of its spread. Therefore, he is sentenced to decapitation.
To the gathered townspeople, several priests from Engrio and East Liber were conveying the symptoms of the spreading plague and telling those with symptoms to gather at the town's church. At the church, it seems they will provide the plague treatment recovered from the disposed noble to the patients free of charge and treat them.
At the same time, outside the town, several large tents were pitched, housing refugees who had fled from the surrounding areas but had been driven out of the town.
"Your Highness, was this for the best?"
From the lookout tower of the fortress overlooking the town, a noble spoke to Richard.
"I think it is fine. Was there some problem? Mortimer."
Mortimer, who was replied to with a smile, gave a wry smile.
"Since I have come on expedition, the home country is empty."
"I do not care. The countries of the White Island likely do not have the guts to attack Engrio. Besides, my brother is there. He should be able to buy some time at least."
Richard led a force of over ten thousand, including the three thousand soldiers led by Margrave Mortimer, whom he had left behind in the home country as a caretaker, crossed the sea under the cover of night, and occupied the port town just like that. As a replacement for the hole left by Margrave Mortimer's absence, he hurriedly summoned his younger brother, who had married into Morandine, and made him the commander in case something happened. Regarding King Seldic, everything is an ex post facto report.