Chapter 817 - Chapter 6: Temporary Great Unity Conference ②
The temporary Great Unity Conference began with an expression of condolences for the death of Priest Ancelotti. The host country, Germania, is a monotheistic country that Priest Ancelotti also believed in. Since the chairperson is a priest of the same religion, he offered a prayer based on its doctrine. This time, people from countries of different religions have also come. A country to the west of West Liber. It's a monotheistic country in the desert to the southwest. The god they believe in is of course different from the target of the chairperson's prayer, but like other pagans, they bowed their heads and offered a moment of silence.
After that, it proceeded to reports from each country, and the tension increased all at once.
The representative from West Liber reported on the spread of Black Rot Disease. Deaths have apparently been confirmed in port towns facing the Inner Sea, regardless of size. It's faster than imagined. And in the largest port town in the southeast... the town where Priest Ancelotti was killed... it's in a state of complete spread. Until now, it was winter and land movement was restricted due to snow. Now that it's warmer, it's feared that it will spread inland rapidly, partly because mercenaries have moved north.
The damage in the monotheistic country to the west of West Liber seems to be terrible too. They hadn't taken any particular measures until now. They're even participating for the first time this time. It's also feared that this will spread inland as it gets warmer.
In the report from East Liber, it was said that no damage has been confirmed at present. The border line is currently shifted significantly to the west compared to before, but since the state of war continues, they are apparently turning back those who wish to cross from the west.
From the countries to the east of East Liber, there were reports that no problems have occurred.
Judging from the reports above, we should be wary of the northward movement from the Inner Sea.
Once the discussion began, voices saying that the war should be stopped at all costs became loud. The ones who started it were the priest group from the White Island. In response, the representatives from East and West Liber persistently showed the view that the Kings of both countries are in agreement on a ceasefire. In response to that, the representative from the Duchy of Roland claimed that the Duke of Roland, Richard, is standing on the front line and calling for a temporary truce with the great noble from southern West Liber who has invaded, but for some reason the opponent won't listen. And he criticized West Liber for being unable to stop the great noble.
In the meantime, an opinion came out that magic water should be supplied to countries that have declared a truce. In other words, since the one at fault is the noble from southern West Liber, they should supply magic water to everywhere else. This was put forward by the Duchy of Germania and the participants from East and West Liber. In response, the priest group from the White Island, who are the source of supply, flatly refused, saying that magic water would be ineffective unless the war ends. This is because, although it's limited at present, there's no telling if the flames of war won't spread in the future. They ended up just repeating their claims, and the discussion showed no sign of wrapping up at all.
"It's more like a political talk than a conference of priests."
After it went into recess for lunch, we had a girls' party with the usual members. The participants were Saxburg, Sianya, the Wetlands Priestess, Jeanne of Sertogne, Mary, and me. That's when Saxburg said it.
"They should cool their heads once."
I certainly think so. However, the representatives of each country will inevitably put forward the opinions of their countries. Priests are also leaders.
"Well, I think it'll wrap up."
It's the Wetlands Priestess. She was carrying out the role of a leader more than the priests of today.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. First, you have to strongly appeal for opinions based on the position of the group you belong to, right? In this case, it's the country. If you don't, you'll get scolded when you go back. There are observers too."
"Then, will compromise plans come out from now on?"
"Rather than a compromise plan, it's a plan that can be done now? Since the political parts can't be changed. I think it'll become about the methodology of how to prevent the spread."
The Wetlands Priestess said that the Kings of East and West Liber should just fix the war zone by strictly closing the key points on the roads so that the flames of war don't spread. Since there is no magic water, closure and isolation are necessary. Naturally, they will continue to demand the cessation of the war.
"And also, they're probably exchanging magic water under the table, right?"
Eh? Is that so?
"It's being sent to Roland and East/West Liber from Engrio, Morandine, Germania, and Sertogne, right?"
When I looked at Saxburg, she was feigning ignorance without even denying it. How blatant.
Come to think of it, it's being provided to the three nobles of West Liber from Naonent. Since they've signed a secret non-aggression pact, the southwest can be at ease. Besides, Gwyn-sama said he doesn't care how Engrio and Morandine use the magic water he sent to those two countries. It must be flowing to East Liber and Roland.
Where is it flowing from Germania? West Liber? Come to think of it, if you go up the border river, you'll reach the capital of West Liber.
"The Kings of East and West Liber have declared a truce, right? Politically, it's a success. And it's only some of the nobles who are bad. If so, it wouldn't be strange if they were being sympathized with. Humanitarian measures? First of all, it's the people who are pitiful."
Saxburg's line, like Gwyn-sama's, is as good as revealing that they are tacitly approving the outflow.
Anyway, regardless of the front and back circumstances, it's a good thing that certain measures are being taken as spread prevention measures. The main thing is that the spread subsides or can be blocked. We can only do what we can, but it's better than doing nothing.
Just as the Wetlands Priestess predicted, the aspect changed in the afternoon. This was because the chairperson spoke out to strongly call for the cessation of the war and gained approval. After that, it became about specific methodologies, contrary to before.
Although it's late in the day, it was explained that magic water is effective against Black Rot Disease. Of course, they don't talk about the Dragon's messenger. A report was made by Anri-sama of Primordia that black dots seen as a result of magnifying the body fluids of a Black Rot Disease patient with Sight could be erased with magic water. No one is so tactless as to ask where and how the specimen was taken. The story that the Dragon's messenger saved a dying Black Rot Disease patient is well-known, and some even call magic water the Dragon's secret medicine. However, no one says anything about that either. Those who have sensed it understand, so they probably don't want to go out of their way to make things complicated by obsessing over it. These are scholars. They have the spirit of great unity that transcends religious differences. They are different from fanatics.
And then, specific measures for infection prevention. Again from Anri-sama, the necessity of rat extermination and parasite extermination was raised. As a basis, it was reported that marks of being bitten by things like mites were found on the bodies of Black Rot Disease patients. No one disagreed with the speculation that it's rats that bring in the parasites.
In fact, this too had been sent to each country by Anri-sama. Therefore, most of the scholars were listening without being surprised.
In response to this, most of the participants raised the question: rats aside, what about parasites that are too small to see? And the existence of the new Magic Water with Insect Repellent and Insect-Attracting Water was made public.
Is it true? Naturally, the question came out.
"Actually, we have brought the real things for the experiment. Let's try an experiment to prevent Black Rot Disease infection by rats and parasites using magic water."
Saying that, Lloyd-sama, who was next to him, took a mesh box out of the wooden box at his feet. There were about three wild rats inside, squeaking. They must be wild rats. They must have been caught in a trap.
"T-That, could it be..."
"Indeed."
"B-Black Rot Disease!"
Several people stood up with screams, having misunderstood something.
"N-No, no, please wait."
"I-It'll spread! Run!"
Someone shouts in the observer seats. Looking back, several people have already stood up and are running toward the exit. Seeing that, the observers started to flee from the venue in a stampede.
"A-Ah, no, these are wild rats brought from the White Island. They have nothing to do with Black Rot Disease!"
He hurriedly explains, but no one who fled is left. Mary is sitting there alone as if left behind. The scholars, as expected, have several people standing up, but none have fled. The soldiers guarding the venue exit are just looking in the direction the observers fled, dumbfounded. The clamor receded, and the venue became strangely quiet.
"Honestly, how cowardly. If they are that afraid, they should just not oppose the closure of roads or isolation at ports."
Only Theresia-sama's sigh-mixed murmur echoed loudly.
Since Theresia-sama said to leave those who left on their own, the conference continued.
The first experiment: a large cloth was spread out, and it was moistened by dripping Insect-Attracting Water from a leather bag. When the cage with the wild rats was placed in the middle of that cloth, small insects stuck to the cloth. Furthermore, when Magic Water with Insect Repellent from a leather bag was splashed onto the wild rats in the cage, the insects that jumped out from the rats stuck to the cloth increased.
The scholars spectating around the cloth raised voices that could be called surprise or murmurs.
"This is just the beginning. Furthermore, look at this."
When the wooden box that the wild rat cage was in is carried to the terrace, he pours out the water from the barrel that had been rolled there. Then, several moths flew from a nearby tree and jumped into the water in the barrel. They are fluttering while floating on the water surface. Eventually, even spiders from around there climbed up the wooden box. To be honest, it's disgusting. If it were summer now and we were in a forest, a quite disgusting sight would have spread. The scholars are looking into the wooden box in turn, staring intently. Theresia-sama also looked into the cloth and the wooden box, but in the wooden box, a large spider had just jumped in. She must have been about to scream. She's hurriedly covering her mouth with her hand. She must have been quite surprised. You should leave quickly, or many insects will gather, and what you'll be covering won't just be your voice.
"How is it? This is the effect of Magic Water with Insect Repellent and Insect-Attracting Water."
Lloyd-sama's smug face is something else.
As a method for parasite extermination on fabrics, you just need to wash them with Magic Water with Insect Repellent. It kills two birds with one stone. Magic water itself doesn't have the effect of discoloring or damaging fabrics. Please use it with peace of mind. And if possible, it would be even better if there were Insect-Attracting Water nearby for the fleeing insects to jump into. Since fabrics that have undergone such work are safe, everyone will want to use them.
"This is not just about the time of import. If possible, I want the cargo of fabrics or furs to have their contents washed at the time of export. And then, dedicated facilities for that processing should be made. By doing so, safety will be even higher. How about it? Is it possible?"
The representative from Northern Gram said what I wanted to say. The opponent is the representative from the Duchy of Roland, a major production area for woolens.
When I looked at Saxburg, she noticed my gaze and looked at me. After smiling with just her mouth, she looked forward with a straight face.
"Assuming it can be done, it's expected that the price will rise accordingly."
"It can't be helped, can it? It can't be traded for the safety of the country."
"That is certainly true, but..."
"Besides, we will increase the supply amount for countries that agree to the implementation. Of course, if there are no fabrics or clothes in the export cargo, that amount can be diverted elsewhere. For example, for treatment."
"I-I see. I can't say anything in my position, but it might be a talk worth considering."
They're even having a deeper talk. Moreover, it's based on the premise of increasing the supply amount. He's quite motivated.
"If possible, it would be even better if there were official documents guaranteeing that the processing has been done."
"Idiots who forge them might appear, you know."
"Insect-Attracting Water should also be used at the time of import. If enough insects gather to judge it as untreated, how about burning the cargo along with the ship and sentencing those involved to death?"
"I-I see."
"How about adding the conclusion of such a pact to the summary of this conference and requesting the rulers to consider it?"
It almost looked like a bilateral discussion, but he managed to bring it back to the form of a conference.
That night began with Saxburg's speech. That is, the girls' party after dinner. The scholars must be debating while drinking as usual.
"There was really a lot of friction over what to do about the supply amount. But we found out that Magic Water with Insect Repellent can have its amount increased by reducing its effectiveness."
Reducing effectiveness? I can't let that pass.
"Where and how does it become?"
"It's diluted with water."
"Eh?"
Isn't watering it down a scam? I don't care if it leads to war.
According to Saxburg, if you fire each magic with an orb toward the water produced by magic... the unit is a large barrel, so it must be Shower... you can make magic water with slightly strong effects for insect attraction and insect repellent. Furthermore, you strengthen it with Holy. Apparently, that is then diluted with water newly produced by magic.
"It's been found that even if the insect repellent water and insect-attracting water are diluted to about half, they still have sufficient effect. The only difference compared to before it's diluted is the distance the effect reaches. To be honest, it was too strong because it was for wide fields until now. So, there's no problem if it's sold as being for direct washing of cargo from the start."
I see. I didn't know that at all.
"Then, basically half price? Ah, no, it's mixed with magic water, so it won't go like that?"
"I wonder. The material cost is like that, but the labor and freight don't change, so I don't know how much it'll be. But it should be cheaper. Just a bit more expensive than normal magic water?"
Her eyes are smiling a little. Don't go overcharging them.
The next day, we entered the final summary. The observers who fled also came back.
The conclusion of the temporary Great Unity Conference was roughly the same as the summary and proposals the chairperson put forward at noon on the first day. In short, they will request the cessation of the war as soon as possible. That said, the crucial Kings of East and West Liber have already declared a truce. The great noble who won't listen is the bad one. According to the talk Mary heard from the merchants in the observer seats, the reputation of the West Liber King has dropped quite a bit. In contrast, the reputations of the East Liber King and the Duke of Roland have risen. Because they were the first to call for a ceasefire. Not only that, in the towns that have become battlefields, they are apparently sharing the magic water supplied by the Duke of Roland, Richard, carefully among the whole town. No one seems to poke into where they got it from. Well, it's mostly obvious, but I'm worried that Engrio's reputation will rise and Northern Gram's reputation will fall.
And then, take parasite countermeasures using Magic Water with Insect Repellent and Insect-Attracting Water. As for rats... let's have them work hard to exterminate them. Regarding the processing of fabric cargo at the time of export, it was decided to propose it to each country on the continent. Of course, taking infection prevention measures with magic water and strong alcohol is the basic of basics.
The above was approved by a grand applause, and the conference closed.