Ch.122122. Winds of Plague (4)

Somehow, I ended up following them this far.

Originally, I hadn’t intended to chase after them, but the more I watched Junon walking with that troubled expression, the more my curiosity deepened.

So the tailing continued, and whether it was luck on their part, Professor Muniher wasn’t in his personal tent.

Fewer eyes meant a better chance to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“How is it, Charlotte? Can you hear what they’re saying?”

“Hmm… they’re too far away, I can’t hear well. Shouldn’t we just get down and move closer…?”

“Can’t be helped. I was even willing to carry you on my back to listen without being caught… ugh, let’s try to get a bit closer at least.”

Is getting closer really the right thing to do? Such doubts hadn’t yet occurred to the two who wanted to ease their guilty consciences.

***

As soon as the footsteps stopped, Professor Muniher turned around and asked what brought him here.

It was as if he was certain about who would come.

“…You knew all along, didn’t you?”

“Knew what?”

“There’s no need to hide it. Should I spell it out for you myself?”

But unlike Professor Muniher, who acted with such certainty, Junon was completely unprepared.

Despite having much broader and deeper knowledge hammered into his head from memories of the past, he couldn’t just blurt things out as he pleased.

Muniher persistently exploited this weakness.

“I’m not sure what you mean. You’ll have to explain it to me directly.”

“…”

How much time had passed without a word being spoken? Though Junon wasn’t aware of it, it was enough time for another question to come.

Inwardly, he hoped the conversation would begin soon.

‘The Lemtert Plague—you know something about it, and that’s why you’ve come to me.’

Despite being given ample time, Junon didn’t answer first. There must be a reason for that dark expression on his face.

As Dalia had mentioned, a boy who showed no reaction to alchemy or grotesque human entrails.

It was impossible to even guess what kind of life this boy had lived, and it was necessary to approach him with utmost caution.

Finally, Junon’s voice rang out through gritted teeth.

“You already know, don’t you? That the Lemtert Plague is being spread by those Scourge! That those magic-devouring rats have already infected members of the subjugation force!”

As if revealing that he could no longer avoid the issue, his voice grew louder.

“Why aren’t you issuing orders when you know we need to prepare now? Even considering the impact on troop morale, isn’t this something that needs to be communicated?”

Junon hoped it wasn’t too late, that the entire subjugation force could be informed about how to deal with the Lemtert Plague.

Using the vigilance that Professor Muniher had emphasized during end-of-semester evaluations, beginning-of-semester evaluations, and even the new welcome duels.

However, this statement gave Muniher another certainty.

“Oh? So you knew about it all along.”

“Ah, I didn’t know! It’s just that when dealing with the rats…!”

“Yet you prepared Mystelis and magic sealing. Anti-cast as well. Isn’t that all too convenient for this situation?”

Realizing the Scourge were rodents and preparing Mystelis had become evidence against him.

Anti-cast was also highly effective against Scourge, so as commander, Muniher couldn’t help but notice.

“If the truth were revealed to the soldiers, wouldn’t you be criticized for keeping it to yourself?”

“…!”

Junon’s pupils shook violently.

His mouth, which had been about to ask what reasoning led to this decision, hardened and couldn’t make a sound.

Junon wasn’t stupid enough to keep talking when everything had been seen through.

Muniher gradually broke down all of Junon’s defenses.

“The Scourge that attacked the rear couldn’t possibly have been stopped by your strength alone. That’s obvious to anyone.”

Yet the amount of bodily fluid covering them was significantly less than the main force—except for one person: Junon.

What that situation meant was clear.

“You understood how the magic circuits of the Scourge—no, what should now be called Devourers—operated, and how the Lemtert Plague was transmitted. That’s why you tried to take it all on yourself, isn’t that right?”

“…”

The gap between his parted lips closed completely. Having been hit right on the mark, with hidden facts being revealed one after another, there was no room for excuses.

Muniher smiled slightly and added one more thing to Junon, who was trying to look away.

“Even knowing that, it wasn’t a situation you could have resolved. Considering there were deserters, it’s a miracle the damage was limited to what it was.”

“Professor…”

Grabbing Junon’s shoulders as he raised his head, Muniher advised him once more.

“Remember, it’s not your fault. You did your best and tried to minimize allied casualties even at the risk of your own body. I saw those efforts, which is why I didn’t disclose it.”

He emphasized again that this was not something Junon could have solved alone, trying to alleviate his guilt.

He wanted to prevent a situation where one person would be blamed, or where a capable individual would be ignored and dismissed.

‘Junon. You’re a great commander who can make independent judgments and lead allies in emergency situations. I can’t lose someone like you.’

Though it might cost the soldiers their vigilance, Muniher would not regret his decision that Junon was more valuable.

“It’s about time we return. To the Principality.”

The rain had stopped.

By the time the soaked ground begins to dry, the march that had been impossible due to the downpour might become feasible.

Like the sudden shower that poured violently and then stopped, the seal of malice that nearly formed will not target Junon, preventing any disturbance on the return journey.

“This wasn’t necessary…”

“Yeah… shall we head back too, Charlotte?”

“Yes.”

With similar reasoning, the two girls who had been eavesdropping nearby looked at each other, nodded, and turned away. Not confronting Junon directly was for the same reason.

Of course, on their way back to the tent,

“You two. Care to explain where you’ve been?”

“S-Senia, big sis…”

“W-Well… ahaha…”

“Didn’t I specifically tell you not to tell anyone else?”

“Kyaaah!! We’re sorry!!”

Despite her bright smile, Senia had a prominent cross-shaped vein on her forehead as she thoroughly scolded them.

***

Though they were ordered to prepare, there was a sense of urgency.

Muniher insisted that they needed time to regroup before eliminating the remaining magical beasts, and in response, the subjugation force returned to the Principality.

The return journey was as smooth as silk.

Upon entering the Principality, they could return to the arms of worried families and go back to normal life, sharing drinks with comrades who survived the battle together.

But this was merely a facade; before long, the Principality would be devastated by the silently approaching symptoms of the Lemtert Plague.

I wonder if Professor Muniher’s decision to keep it hidden was really the right one.

“Brother.”

While still lost in complicated thoughts, Cain quietly approached and spoke.

“What if someone sees you addressing me so casually?”

“It’s fine. Brother, we’re at the very back, no one will notice.”

I suppose that’s true.

For this subjugation force eager to return to the Principality as quickly as possible, the rear wasn’t of much interest.

“You knew all along, didn’t you?”

“Knew what?”

“That holy power is effective in driving away the Lemtert Plague.”

Yes, that’s what Cain was asking.

Whether I had known and sent him to Tembris to help improve Lumia’s condition.

Then he bowed his head deeply.

“…Cain.”

“I came to properly thank you. Thanks to you putting me on this team, Lumia’s condition is gradually improving.”

“That was resolved by your teammates, not me.”

“Even setting that aside, I never properly thanked you for your help. Lumia also said to convey her gratitude when we meet again.”

Cain wasn’t originally like this. He was always rigid, doing only his job and rarely showing emotions to others.

I didn’t know he was the type to bow his head and express gratitude like this. Is it because of Lumia?

‘That aside.’

…Is this really something to be thanked for?

Lumia hasn’t been properly cured; her plague symptoms have merely been alleviated.

Yes. As someone who knows that she’ll eventually revert to her original state, this isn’t something I deserve thanks for.

“Besides, Cain, that behavior is too conspicuous.”

“What?”

“Seems you’ve forgotten what I asked you to protect.”

“Ah…”

Cain sighed and straightened his back, turning his eyes toward the main force as if recalling the four conditions in his mind.

Calling me “brother” instead of “senior,” and while it might be acceptable for seniors and juniors, if any team member around the middle of the main force were to look back, it could cause a commotion. Especially if Mr. E or Miss A were to see.

“Still, I want to call you brother. Using the excuse of guarding the rear should be fine, right?”

“…”

This guy is stubborn too. Feeling it wasn’t worth arguing over, Junon let it be.

“By the way, brother. There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Ask away.”

“Why do you try not to keep any comrades or friends around you?”

It was a rather sharp question for mere curiosity.

“You keep your distance, as if trying not to have any connection with others, pushing them away with blunt words.”

“I think you’re reading too much into it, Cain.”

“I can say this with confidence from my own experience. It doesn’t suit you to push people away like that. Your words may be harsh, but your actions are too kind…”

“That’s enough. I’m sick of people pretending to know me.”

“Brother…”

After that, Junon walked past Cain, once again walking alone.

But it happened again. If he was truly sick of it and full of irritation, he would have pushed the person away.

If he didn’t want to talk anymore, he could have bumped Cain’s shoulder as he passed, expressing his displeasure in his own way.

But he didn’t.

Because he wasn’t sick of it.

Watching Junon walk alone down a side path after pretending to leave in irritation, Cain quietly murmured.

“Brother… you deserve admiration, not contempt.”

He was someone who, no matter how much he pushed people away, had a nature that strongly drew them in.

***

If one were to name the most treacherous place on the return journey to Schütt Province, it would undoubtedly be Mount Utulum.

Mount Utulum is so rugged that just crossing it involves arduous marching, and the recent downpour made it twice as grueling.

“Ugh… let’s rest a bit…”

“I know it’s tough, but aren’t we falling too far behind? What if we encounter magical beasts…”

“Come on, we dealt with them all. And we need time to rest slowly in preparation for that possibility.”

The march, difficult even for trained soldiers, feels even more arduous for academy students.

Soon, when they had fallen so far behind that the main force was no longer visible, the ground suddenly began to shake.

“Wh-what?! A sudden earthquake?”

“…This is strange.”

“Hey, is that important? Just be careful not to get hurt. We need to party hard when we get back.”

“No, it’s really strange! There shouldn’t be earthquakes here unless a dirt mountain is collapsing…”

I had the same thought.

While it wouldn’t be unusual for a dirt mountain to collapse in this area, an earthquake is a truly unnatural disaster.

So what caused this unnatural earthquake?

The answer jumped out before our eyes.

-Squeeeeeak!!!!

“Everyone, battle positions!!”

Rats, by nature, are animals that dig and live in burrows.