Ch.299Episode 12 – The Strongest Mage in History

Military Governor Mikhail’s argument was quite simple.

“The exact cause of the current outbreak of patients has not been identified.”

He stated in a flat voice.

“I’m aware that the area has been contaminated by what they call ‘malevolent energy.’ However, even the Imperial Magic Department doesn’t know exactly how this energy affects the human body or why additional patients keep appearing. Neither the Magic Tower nor the Church has been able to suggest a method to treat the patients.”

Governor Mikhail stared at me with expressionless eyes.

“There’s no cure, and we don’t know how patients are being affected. Unlike the Inquisition’s assumptions, it might even be contagious. Above all, we have no idea when this situation will end.”

Don’t you think so too?

He didn’t say it out loud, but that’s how it sounded to me. After a moment of silent eye contact, the commander continued in a businesslike tone.

“Fortunately, we have experience with similar biological warfare in the past. Infectious disease outbreaks occurred in cities attacked by demons. We will respond to the current situation based on the guidelines established then. In fact, we’re already doing so.”

“So you intend to continue the quarantine?”

“We can’t just sit back and pray, can we?”

He calmly added:

“While the residents of the quarantined city are important, I also have a duty to ensure the safety of residents in other cities.”

“……”

“The currently quarantined city is connected by roads to two adjacent cities. Those two cities have a massive river and railway that cross the northern region. If the reason for additional patients appearing is due to some form of infection, it would take no time for it to spread throughout the entire northern region.”

One city with patients reporting unidentified symptoms, and two more cities beyond it. And countless more cities behind those.

It’s not a difficult calculation.

“There’s no need to gamble with millions of lives.”

“……”

“Don’t you agree?”

Episode 12 – The Most Powerful Magician in History

The military government’s judgment was extremely rational. While standards of rationality differ from person to person, from a certain perspective, Major General Mikhail’s decision could be considered utilitarian.

But decisions that align with theory and logic aren’t always right, nor can they satisfy everyone.

“This is insane.”

Camilla was a prime example of someone who disagreed.

“You’re isolating a city of 330,000 people because of a contagion that may or may not even exist?”

Camilla was fuming at the military government’s decision to impose a quarantine.

I was somewhat surprised to see her angry, as it was a rare occurrence.

“The population was 330,000 until five years ago, but nobody knows how many people live there now. It could be more than 330,000, or it could be less.”

“That’s because the census was discontinued after the conflict broke out.”

“The problem is that next to this city of 330,000 are two cities with populations of 430,000 and 590,000 respectively, and those cities have four railway lines running through them and a river comparable to the Thames.”

Assuming the five-year-old data is still valid.

I emphasized this while tapping on the statistics pinned to the hardboard. The brownish board was covered with various statistics, newspaper articles, maps, and notes that Camilla had personally collected.

Veronica, Lucia, and Francesca had been carefully ensuring that no information about demons reached Camilla’s ears, but unfortunately, Camilla knew the northern front situation inside and out.

Because I told her.

“If it’s contagious, the problem is that the infectious disease will spread throughout the north, and even if it’s not, the situation can’t be controlled. No city can accommodate 330,000 people.”

As I pointed to the railways and rivers passing through the city and the overcrowded refugee shelters in nearby cities, Camilla, leaning against the wall, raised her eyebrows crookedly.

“That doesn’t seem like a good reason to quarantine a city and isolate 330,000 people who need help.”

“The biggest reason for the quarantine is probably that no cure has been discovered yet. Honestly, both the clergy and doctors have been at a loss, haven’t they?”

Of course, they did try to treat patients. But without knowing the exact treatment method, they could only provide life-sustaining care, like putting IVs in the arms of people coughing up blood.

“It would be good if the Inquisition could find something… Francesca is also looking through Magic Tower documents, and I hope she finds something useful.”

“Shouldn’t we focus on lifting the quarantine first? Even if we find a cure later, people who can survive should be allowed to live. How can patients survive in a quarantined city? Even healthy people are freezing to death.”

“Talking about quarantined cities reminds me of the Shanghai lockdown. Have you played Battlefield? I used to play it often with Americans when I was stationed at Bagram Base.”

“Don’t joke around. I’m not in the mood for that right now.”

Camilla, visibly displeased, chewed on the corner of her lip.

“This is truly insane. It’s killing people.”

“That’s a bit extreme, but I agree. About half of it, anyway.”

Quarantining a city of 330,000 to save 1.13 million citizens. Controlling all transportation routes and preventing anyone except military units from entering.

The military government’s decision was rational yet simultaneously irrational.

But rational judgments aren’t always right, and utilitarianism has been criticized for justifying morally questionable decisions.

“When will they allow medical volunteers to pass through? Lucia and Francesca have prepared so much, but they can’t do anything.”

“We’re continuously making requests.”

Given Governor Mikhail’s stubborn stance, I gave up on trying to persuade him directly. Instead, I decided to pressure the Imperial Defense Ministry directly.

“I’m planning to use the Foreign Ministry to mobilize ambassadors to pressure the military.”

“Is that possible?”

“I’ve already finished discussions with the Abas Defense Ministry. All the official documents have been circulated, and we’re monitoring internal trends in the Kiyen Empire’s military through our intelligence sources.”

“How long will it take?”

“At least a week, I’d say. We need solid evidence to convince the military, so it might take even longer.”

“Sigh…”

Camilla clutched her head in her hands.

“With 330,000 people trapped in the city, I wonder what’s happening inside. Are the patients receiving treatment?”

“I intercepted some plain-text communications and found that the military government has ordered the redeployment of medical units from rear corps and divisions. They’ve also pulled staff from fire departments and hospitals. So it seems they haven’t completely abandoned the situation.”

“What good does that do? We’re all stuck here now.”

Despite her frustrated outburst, nothing changed immediately.

After thoroughly messing up her red hair, Camilla sighed and muttered with a gloomy expression.

“…Can we convince the Defense Ministry?”

“I’m not sure.”

I really don’t know.

“We’ll have to try our best from now on.”

*

Although I said I would try my best, in reality, there was nothing more I could do. I had already tried everything possible.

The Military Intelligence Service immediately reported my telegram to their superior agency, the Defense Ministry. The Defense Minister personally took the documents to the Prime Minister’s residence and reported for about two hours. Shortly after the face-to-face report ended, an official document in the name of the Prime Minister’s Office was delivered to the Abas Kingdom’s embassy in the Kiyen Empire via the Abas Foreign Ministry.

The ambassador sent a letter to the Imperial Foreign Ministry on the Prime Minister’s orders.

To the ambassador’s letter, who had enough authority to meet with Chancellor Stolypin in private, the Imperial Foreign Ministry deflected by saying “military operations are not the Foreign Ministry’s jurisdiction but the Defense Ministry’s issue” and suggested sending the letter to the Defense Ministry. However, according to intelligence gathered by the embassy’s consul (the Royal Intelligence Department director), the contents of the letter did reach the Defense Ministry’s ears.

Normally, they would have foamed at the mouth about “Abas bastards daring to comment on Imperial military operations,” but surprisingly, the Imperial Defense Ministry made no statement.

Because the Abas ambassador wasn’t the only one who sent a letter.

“Ambassadors from countries involved in the conflict also sent letters. Well, some countries are keeping quiet to stay on the Empire’s good side. They’re asking for cooperation to at least allow medical personnel into the city on humanitarian grounds.”

“That’s a rather basic position.”

Pro-Imperial countries conveyed their basic stance through their ambassadors.

While they didn’t want to get on the Emperor’s bad side after getting involved in the conflict, their non-committal stance wasn’t solely due to fear of falling out of favor.

“They probably want to avoid having elite units evaporate in the conflict with demons. After all, they’re valuable troops. Who would want to lose important units to non-combat casualties in a foreign land?”

Neither dictators nor their military would want their forces dying while coughing up blood.

With Imperial troops dying on the front lines, there might not be much the home country could do, but fortunately, one entity stepped forward to handle the situation.

The Church.

“Since they offered to send clergy to treat patients, everyone else at least expressed their basic position. They were worried about not having medical personnel to spare, but when someone volunteered to send healing priests in their place, they were relieved.”

“So they’re just applauding because someone else is taking responsibility?”

“If you have no money in your pocket, why would you stop someone who offers to buy you a meal?”

“Damn it. This is why you shouldn’t do things that make you look like a pushover…”

Veronica, sitting in her office smoking a cigarette, grinned.

“I wonder if we’re just doing good deeds for nothing.”

“Well, who told you to send a protest letter so openly?”

I pouted my lips and shrugged my shoulders as if to say “see what happened.”

Shortly after the Abas ambassador’s letter was delivered, the Church’s ambassador to the Kiyen Empire sent a letter to the Foreign Ministry. It was a letter demanding the immediate lifting of the city quarantine to treat patients and capture demons.

Given the Imperial Defense Ministry’s nature, it was nonsense that would obviously fall on deaf ears, but when the Church and Abas took the lead in protesting, the dictatorial countries involved in the conflict began to cautiously support the idea of lifting the quarantine.

“The Abas Foreign Ministry tried to persuade them, but honestly, it wasn’t smooth. Thanks to you, things have become much easier. Thank you, Veronica.”

“Major, surely that’s not all you’re thankful for?”

“Ah, of course, for informing me about the military leaders’ opinions as well.”

Veronica had been tipping me off about the discussions within the military. More precisely, she had been monitoring internal trends in the Defense Ministry on my behalf.

Generals who viewed the quarantine positively, those who viewed it negatively. Who envied Major General Mikhail, who supported him, and so on.

Thanks to her, planning became much easier.

“I’m always grateful, Veronica.”

As I picked up a glass bottle and responded, Veronica began to smile mischievously.

“Just with words?”

“Please shut up, Saint.”

“Can’t I even joke around?”

“I always think you look most beautiful when your mouth is closed. So please…”

“Alright, alright. I get it, but you’d better repay the favor later. Make sure of it. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Of course, she wasn’t the only one who helped.

Lucia also sent a letter to try to persuade Commander Mikhail, and Francesca contacted acquaintances in the Imperial Magic Department and the Oracle to find ways to help the residents and patients trapped in the city.

Similarly, Camilla helped gather information about the situation inside the city through Imperial military officers she knew.

Veronica sat at her desk, filling her fountain pen with ink, and began speaking.

“The Inquisition has sent copies of ancient texts. Judging by the preservation magic on them, they seem quite old, but they believe these documents contain clues to resolving this situation.”

“Where are these copies?”

“The Inquisition people are interpreting them now. They say results should be available by early tomorrow morning.”

We’ve tried everything possible.

Now all that remains is to wait for the results.

I collapsed onto the sofa and stared blankly out the window.

It was just about two days before the New Year.

*

Time passed, and the next day dawned.

This morning, Lieutenant Lyudmila, the interpreter from the military government, informed me that travel permits had been issued.

Whether moved by the desperate efforts of various foreign ministries, Lucia, and Francesca, or for some other reason, Commander Mikhail had exceptionally granted permission to enter.

Stepping out of the car, Camilla stretched her entire body in the sunlight.

“Ahhh! Finally entering the city. It feels like we’ve been waiting forever.”

“It’s only been a day or two at most.”

“My mind wasn’t at ease, so it felt longer. Time seemed to pass slowly.”

Behind the vehicle provided by the embassy was another car. Lucia and Francesca disembarked, escorted by an Inquisitor and a combat magician.

Behind the two vehicles stretched a long line of vehicles. All were medical personnel dispatched from the Church, Magic Tower, and several foreign units to resolve this situation.

While I was checking on everyone who had gotten out of the vehicles and conducting final checks with Church and Magic Tower officials, Lieutenant Lyudmila, who had finished talking with the checkpoint guards, trudged through the snow to deliver news.

“Sir, they’re about to remove the barricades. You can enter when you’re ready.”

“Understood.”

I turned my gaze toward the officials standing nearby.

“Let’s get ready.”

The Church and Magic Tower officials dispersed to return to their respective vehicles. Heavy boxes were continuously being unloaded from trucks at the back, and some of these boxes were placed in front of their vehicles.

Opening the trunk of our vehicle revealed neatly stacked luggage waiting for me.

As I was slowly organizing the luggage and preparing to enter the city, Camilla approached with hurried steps and looked at me with worried eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“Are you worried about me?”

“Of course I’m worried. I should be the one going in…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to die in there.”

While chatting with Camilla, Lucia and Francesca also approached me. The two had been receiving reports from Church and Magic Tower officials until just now.

Lucia was the first to speak.

Like Camilla, her face was full of concern.

“There shouldn’t be any problems, but please return safely.”

“Take care of yourself, sir.”

No lengthy conversation was necessary. The Church and Magic Tower personnel who had completed their preparations stepped forward. Imperial soldiers in charge of escorting us shouted out precautions.

Beyond the barricades that had been pushed aside was a checkpoint standing tall. Through the slightly open iron gate, the gray cityscape was visible.

At that moment, Camilla’s joke, seemingly intended to ease the tension, came from behind.

“If anything happens, just scream! I’ll fly right over to save you!”

Instead of answering, I waved my hand.

Then I turned and slowly advanced toward the quarantined city.