Chapter 784 - The Tense Great Unity Conference
The day after the unexpected rewards and marriage announcements, we flew to Primordia in the Henry Party's bowl. It was to participate in the Great Unity Conference.
By the way, since East and West Liber are currently at war, it seems Magdalena-sama and Miana were not given permission to go to the continent. Miana was looking forward to it, but since there's a precedent, it can't be helped.
As usual, when we landed in the palace courtyard, not only the usual royalty—the King, the Queen, Edward-sama, and Miana—but also Cadogan-sama, Anri-sama accompanied by a maid, and even Yorg-sama and Jeanne of Sertogne were there. It's the first time this many have gathered.
After exchanging greetings after landing, we were quickly shown to something like a meeting room. Usually, it's the Audience Chamber first, but this is also different. Something must have happened.
After drinks were distributed, the room was cleared.
"Shall I apply Mute?"
When the King of Primordia took out a scroll, Eleanor-sama said immediately.
"I would be grateful if you did so. It will save us from wasting one scroll. I am sorry."
This is no ordinary matter.
The King of Primordia's story was shocking. A huge empire that rose in the east of the continent has been invading further and further west for quite some time, and there are rumors that they are carrying and scattering an epidemic as well as their army. That epidemic is also an extremely vicious thing, and its transmission is incredibly fast. No effective and immediate treatment has been found yet. And those who are infected die in a considerable proportion, regardless of age or gender. And their fingers and toes turn black. The name given to it is Black Rot Disease. To be honest, my face turned pale. And my hands trembled. It might have finally come...
"The source of information is the Duchy of Roland."
After the King of Primordia's explanation of the overview, Yorg-sama told us the latest information.
"The State Chancellor of that country is a former priest, and he is apparently enthusiastic about disease countermeasures. And he is gathering information related to the epidemic from scouts dispatched to the site and local informants. He apparently wishes to issue a warning to various countries at the Great Unity Conference to be held in the Duchy of Germania."
A warning... and from a State Chancellor who is a former priest...
It's quite bad. The invasion of a huge empire and the spread of a highly lethal epidemic scattered by its army coming from the east at the same time—this is exactly the Great Terror.
"However, I don't think there is a direct connection between the imperial army and the spread of the epidemic."
Yorg-sama is skeptical of the rumors surging in the areas where it's spreading. His atmosphere is soft as usual, but his expression is serious itself. It's a contrast to the casual clothes he often wore except at the wedding venue. Jeanne of Sertogne, sitting next to him, also has a truly solemn face. Most of all, neither of them has touched the drinks served.
"The reason is that the empire has currently stopped its westward advance. And that empire itself is being tormented by that epidemic. In other words, it's more reasonable to think that the infected are expanding west through trade more than through military invasion. As proof of that, infected people have already appeared in the region of the long, thin peninsula with many small countries south of South Liber."
The imperial army hasn't gone there, apparently. Despite that, infected people appeared. And those small countries on the long, thin peninsula apparently have active trade using the huge bay called the Inner Sea, from which the peninsula protrudes.
"As you all know, trade by ship often involves passengers living together on a ship for a long time. Moreover, there's no escape. Just one infected person becomes the source of infection for everyone on board. And because they go from port to port, they scatter the epidemic over an extremely wide area."
The terrifying things about Black Rot Disease are the strength of its infectivity, the high proportion of those who die after being infected, and the fact that an effective treatment has not yet been found.
"Especially slave trade ships. Slaves are not given satisfactory meals. Of course, even if they get sick, they don't receive any decent treatment. If it's found out they are infected, they will surely be killed and their bodies disposed of appropriately, so they might keep quiet about their own poor physical condition. And they are taken to various places. It's very dangerous, isn't it?"
It's the worst. I never thought there were such trade ships. Wouldn't it be better to call for their eradication instead?
"Presumably, that topic will become the largest one presented by the Duchy of Germania at this year's Great Unity Conference."
Yorg-sama said that much and finally took a sip of his drink. And after he took a sip, Jeanne of Sertogne followed suit.
"Has this matter been told to other countries on the White Island?"
Eleanor-sama asked the King of Primordia.
He said the transmission was from the Duchy of Roland. If so, since the main religion is different, there's a possibility it hasn't reached the various countries on the White Island.
The King of Primordia looked at Cadogan-sama without replying.
"We have not yet notified the various countries. However, our country, Sertogne, and at least the Medioland Royal Capital Cathedral, which was contacted by the Western Church, know. Today, Sertoria was added. And presumably, Engrio, Morandine, and East Liber also know."
I see, the lord of the Duchy of Roland, who is a vassal of the King of East Liber, is King Seldic's eldest son. The second son is in Morandine.
"However, the Duchy of Roland does not know about the legend of the Great Terror coming from the east. Therefore, as the Western Church, we cannot transmit it at this stage. We will leave the decision of how much to transmit to the Grand Archbishop."
The story is getting complicated. But shouldn't we at least transmit about the epidemic?
"It will be transmitted from the Duchy of Roland to the relevant countries at this year's Great Unity Conference. We can wait for that. Of course, we cannot talk about the curse."
It's Anri-sama. That seems better. It might be better to just talk about it as a disease countermeasure to avoid unnecessary confusion.
"Then, we, the Henry Party, shall also wait for the Grand Archbishop's judgment."
At Eleanor-sama's words, the King of Primordia and Cadogan-sama nodded, and the meeting ended.
Four days later, the Great Unity Conference was tense. Judging from the reactions of the participants, the various countries on the continent seemed to have a certain amount of knowledge. The ones who didn't know were Finis, Northern Gram, and Regnentes.
The officials from countries that had obtained the information for the first time and countries far from the country of origin did not have that much of a sense of crisis. They probably had conventional spreads of epidemics in mind. However, the epidemic official who came from southern West Liber had an extraordinary sense of crisis and strongly continued to appeal for the early implementation of measures.
"We need to quickly block highways and ports so that infected people do not cross borders, and isolate those who wish to cross for a certain period. Violators should be dealt with with strict penalties. Also, in preparation for the appearance of infected people, we need to establish a system for providing large amounts of magic water and transporting large amounts to the inland. Construction of highways and maintenance of transport equipment are also necessary. For that, a state-wide system is necessary, and we should also consider mobilizing the army..."
He's proposing a grand plan, but can it be done? You can't just easily maintain highways, can you? Besides, East and West Liber are still at war.
"...We should summarize at this conference that such measures should be implemented quickly and resolutely by various countries and declare an emergency. And I propose that we strongly work on the leaders of various countries to stop the war currently in progress between East and West Liber, and with that, I end my remarks."
While grand applause is occurring from several people, there are also those who are dazed by the excessiveness of the situation and are clapping weakly as if overwhelmed by the momentum. The gallery is buzzing. It's like appealing for the de facto suspension of trade. No loud heckling is flying, but I heard voices saying 'it's unreasonable'. I hope they aren't slave traders.
The one who responded to the scholar from southern West Liber was a priest from the Duchy of Roland, the source of the transmission. Since the content his own country transmitted was affirmed, he's very enthusiastic. He responded to the scholar from southern West Liber and gave him great praise.
The scholar who previously stated that using strong alcohol for fingers, dishes, and other cleaning would prevent the spread of the epidemic also spoke. If I recall correctly, he's a person from a country further east of East Liber. That person said that blocking borders is necessary, but more than that, it's also necessary to instill such habits in the common people. He says the subject of the warning is not just the rulers and leaders of the country.
There were questions about whether it can really be prevented with alcohol. Also, voices were raised saying it's impossible for the poor, who are most feared to be infected. In response, he was replying that we should do as much as we can.
Voices also followed one after another appealing to Finis, Northern Gram, and Sertoria for the supply of magic water to their own countries. In response to that, I was also asked to speak.
"As you may already know, magic water cannot cure all diseases. Also, it has an expiration date. Therefore, there is a limit to transportation. More than that, I think doing what can be done at this point is the key. I think blocking borders is effective, but above all, I think we should stop the war first."
The scholar from southern West Liber gave me a very large round of applause. This is because my statement was nothing other than a specific measure for his proposal. Beatrix's mass transport by Teleport, which has not yet succeeded in experiments, has currently been decided to be experimented on between Primordia and the Duchy of Harmonia. After that, it's just transport to the south. For places it can't reach, there's no choice but to cut off traffic.
The scholars' discussion continues single-mindedly, as always. What's different from before is that it's a bit bloodthirsty. Everyone must be that serious. Now, those from Finis and Northern Gram, which have become the largest suppliers of magic water, say there's a limit to the supply, while the various countries on the continent, which are the recipients, ask if something can be done. That kind of state continued. I was also dragged into it, but I was rescued by Priest Hermit and Mary and escaped without incident. I exited just like that and evacuated to a room for lodging with Mary, and pulled Jeanne of Sertogne along to Saxburg and Sianya's room, and the five of us were together.
"I never thought such a story would jump out. Did you know, Jeanne?"
Saxburg asked me. I can't tell everything yet. However, I've been told by Anri-sama that I should talk about—or rather, I must talk about—the fact that something called Black Rot Disease is spreading from the east.
"I was told when I stopped by Primordia."
I say while looking at Jeanne of Sertogne.
"My husband is doing trade centered on medicinal herbs, and I am helping him. Regarding Black Rot Disease, I heard rumors from a business partner when I went to West Liber."
Jeanne of Sertogne replied.
Yorg-sama apparently advances as far as the Inner Sea once or twice a year for trade. In other words, it's raw information.
"What is the situation on the ground?"
"There shouldn't have been a sense of crisis yet. Therefore, I didn't think the conference would be this tense."
Exactly. However, Yorg-sama said that trade in the Inner Sea is dangerous. Especially slave ships.
"Is Sertogne taking any measures?"
"Yes. Receiving my husband's suggestion, a notice is scheduled to be issued by His Majesty's order soon. They will prepare an isolation place at the port, and those who board ships coming from the Inner Sea will not be allowed to leave unless they continue bathing in magic water for about a week."
They have apparently already suggested that to Theresia-sama as well. Fortunately, the port of Germania is close to the White Island. Also, it seems trade ships from the Inner Sea do not come frequently to Sertogne or Germania.
"There was a talk from Engrio, Morandine, and the Duchy of Roland about whether the supply of magic water from next spring could be increased. I didn't hear that the epidemic was particularly prevalent in those three countries, so I was wondering why, but that's what it was."
It's Saxburg.
As expected, the source of the transmission seems to be the Duchy of Roland. In other words, King Seldic and his two sons probably think it will come next year.
"But is Black Rot Disease that fast?"
Saxburg's argument is reasonable. I've never heard of a disease prevalent in the Inner Sea coming to the White Island or its opposite shore in one leap. And Anri-sama was saying the same. He said it was unprecedented. However, Yorg-sama said we can't be careless.
"Currently, it has come as far as the region south of South Liber. The speed of infection up to that point is unusually fast, so he said we can't be careless."
"Hmm."
Even after hearing Jeanne of Sertogne's words, she still doesn't seem to believe it. Well, that's natural. The Great Terror comes across the eastern sea. If I didn't know this story, I would have been the same.
"We might not have enough ships. We'll need Count Vectis's cooperation."
I heard that the three countries requested a considerable increase. Especially the Duchy of Roland, the source of the transmission.
"But it's not guaranteed that magic water will work."
For now, I have to at least say this. If they rely on magic water, other things will be neglected. Besides, nobles who plot to make money by taking advantage of it might appear.
"Currently, magic water doesn't work on the epidemic that affects the lungs and is prevalent in winter, so first we need to confirm if it works. Until then, it's blockade and isolation. After that, we have to suppress the war between East and West Liber through diplomacy. I'll tell my father and brother."
Saxburg, who is always quick to reach a conclusion, said resolutely. Being too quick to decide is sometimes problematic, but I think it's appropriate this time.