Ch.250Plague (4)

“Why do you keep sending me personal letters?”

I understand.

It’s easier to negotiate directly with the owner of limited supplies rather than waiting in line.

Since it’s been identified as the only cure for the plague, desperate people will try to obtain it by any means necessary.

But… even so, I publicly announced a month ago not to contact me personally about sugar purchases, so why are they still doing this?

“These are things I’ll never look at again even if stored, so burn them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Above all, most people who would write letters to me are nobles with some degree of status.

These nobles who know everything couldn’t possibly be unaware of my decree, so why are they doing this? Are they just being stubbornly unreasonable?

Of course, I could accommodate such requests from those with sufficient standing like the Emperor of the Holy Empire or the Duke of Lorel Duchy, or those with deep connections to me. But those who approach with a stiff-necked mindset that I should sell to them first just because of their high status, despite having nothing to offer, are truly disgusting.

Besides, nobles eat well and are healthy, so even if they catch this disease, they can recover sufficiently, can’t they? According to Ellen’s research, healthy people can slowly recover over about four weeks if they consume nutrients regularly, even without treatment. So they don’t necessarily need to take oral rehydration solution, right?

Moreover, sugar isn’t the only source of glucose—they could get it from honey or fruits. I’ve replied suggesting they try those alternatives if it’s urgent, but they still persist.

Ugh, it’s giving me a headache.

I should have just not sold the sugar at all.

Why did I release all the stockpiled sugar when the epidemic ended faster and with less damage than expected? I have plenty of money, so why did I do that?

‘…It ended incredibly quickly, though.’

In Lotaring, most of those infected with this plague were existing prisoners, and the total number of cases was only about 5,000.

Of course, 5,000 is not a small number, but it’s still an encouraging figure, especially considering the initial delayed response due to the sudden outbreak after the incubation period. We even managed to prevent the plague from spreading beyond the camps, so asking for more would be unconscionable.

If Ellen hadn’t been there, the damage would certainly have been worse, so I should reward her somehow for her contributions.

……….

“…Is this really enough?”

“Yes!”

Ellen was initially modest, saying she was just doing her job, but when I kept insisting she tell me what she wanted, she finally answered that it would be enough if I went for walks with her like we used to.

It seems like such a meager reward compared to her achievements… but well, it’s what Ellen asked for, and if she refuses anything else, I can always force some material rewards on her anyway.

“Oh, look over there! They’re selling chicken skewers!”

“Shall we have some? You seem to like chicken skewers?”

“Yes! Before I moved to the… ahem, I used to eat them almost every day. There was always a vendor selling chicken skewers on my way home from university.”

“Really? I didn’t know you liked chicken skewers that much. If you had told me earlier, I would have had them prepared at the palace.”

“It’s fine. I like the uniquely common flavor of street-sold chicken skewers.”

After saying that, Ellen took out her money pouch, ran over to the street vendor, and bought two chicken skewers.

They’re nicely browned and coated with seasoning, giving off a mouth-watering aroma.

‘…I’m pretty sure they didn’t sell things like this on the streets when I was young. Things have really changed.’

It’s not just the chicken skewers.

The city’s sanitation that used to make me wrinkle my nose and hold it, the dilapidated and haphazardly built buildings, the visibly unwell city residents—so many things have changed.

Since the changes happened gradually, I didn’t notice them immediately, but comparing it to when I lived in the city with my mother and Chloe as a child, it’s truly transformed.

The only thing proving it’s the same city is Dijon Castle where I live; everything else has completely metamorphosed.

“What’s… wrong? Do you not like it…?”

“Ah, it’s not that. I was just… comparing the Dijon of the past with how it is now. It’s changed a lot.”

When I came to my senses, Ellen was looking at me with an anxious expression, speaking in a trembling voice. She looked as if she feared I disliked the chicken skewers.

“Mmm, it’s delicious. Seeing this makes me wonder why we haven’t added chicken skewers to the palace menu.”

“Hehe… I’m glad.”

As I took a bite of the chicken skewer, Ellen’s visible anxiety melted away, and she smiled brightly with relief.

…Ugh, to think such talent exists within such cuteness, it’s truly remarkable.

WAAAAAAH!

“…?”

Suddenly, a massive cheer erupts from the direction of the square. Even without seeing it directly, I can tell there must be a huge crowd gathered there.

Even though the plague epidemic has ended, I issued a decree prohibiting crowded gatherings while the war with the Empire is still ongoing…

“…What are they doing?”

Ellen seems to have realized this too and appears displeased.

Just a moment ago, she was looking up at me shyly with her head bowed, but now she’s turned her head sharply toward the square, expressing her displeasure in a low voice.

Well, she must have worked incredibly hard on the frontlines to prevent the spread of the plague, so naturally she wouldn’t be happy seeing people gathered like this.

“Ellen?”

“Eep?! Ah, um… this is… well…”

“Shall we go take a look? It might be an educational experience in its own way.”

“What? Oh… yes, that would be good.”

Since this plague isn’t airborne, it should be fine as long as we’re careful.

Besides, I’d like to see the face of whoever organized this gathering.

……….

“—Look at these filthy Imperial citizens who contract the plague because of how they live. This proves that Lotaring people are fundamentally different from outsiders!”

“Long live Lotaring! Long live His Majesty!”

“…What are they saying?”

What was happening in the square was shocking. I thought it would be like the patriotic, loyalty-inspiring speeches of the past, but looking deeper, it’s completely different at its core.

They’re disparaging other nations like the Holy Empire and the Kingdom of Albion, along with their citizens, satisfying their own sense of superiority and self-gratification through these acts.

What’s more horrifying are their justifications:

[The Albion scum are fundamentally descendants of pirates and not worthy of equal negotiation. As demonstrated in the recent war, they are inherently inferior, fleeing from battle and focusing only on rape, plunder, and arson—they’re garbage.]

[The people of the Kisalpina Peninsula are ungrateful wretches who betray at every turn, thinking only of their own survival despite His Majesty’s grace. This is proven by how they insulted His Majesty who tried to protect them from the Empire’s ambitions in the last war.]

[The worst of all are undoubtedly the Imperial bastards. Pushing those heretical barbarians eastward and pioneering new territory is the only way to secure a bright future for us Lotaring people!]

How should I put this? These are the kind of statements that would seem more fitting with a toothbrush mustache under the nose.

I was well aware that the people of Lotaring had become nationalistic due to the consecutive wars, conscription, and my numerous propaganda posters that distorted the truth.

But I had no idea it had become this serious…

“Lotaring is superior! Thank God!”

“Long live His Majesty! Long live Lotaring!”

“God protect His Majesty and Lotaring!”

The reason citizens haven’t fallen ill is because Ellen and officials worked hard, and the reason we keep winning wars isn’t because Lotaring people are superior but because of weapon superiority and the consistent training of soldiers and officers. Yet the person on that platform is ignoring all that and simply claiming that Lotaring people are superior, so God naturally made it so.

…This is infuriating.

All these good results came about because people like Simon and Ellen worked hard in the field, but they’re ignoring those efforts and simply concluding that it’s because Lotaring people are superior.

Above all, it’s laughable that they’re belittling others and claiming superiority while ignoring my ban on gatherings.

[Ugh… the smell.]

[Chloe, don’t go there. It’s dangerous in the slums.]

From my childhood, I lived on the streets of Dijon and experienced many things.

People relieving themselves in the streets, not bathing because of superstitions about cleanliness being impure, doctors who “treated” patients by bleeding them with needles… What? Superior?

“Cut the bullshit! What’s so superior about us?!”

My shout instantly draws the attention of everyone in the square, but I don’t feel particularly intimidated.

How many years have I been in this position? This level of attention is nothing.