episode_0246

First of all, the situation in the central continent has been devastated.

The Zell army somehow succeeded in blocking the capital Heisel from the advance of the Kalinz army.

Carlinz, as he always did in his life, made the wrong choice again at the most important point.

Fortunately or unfortunately, no one in the central continent could move carelessly due to the plague.

In a situation where there is no cure for this plague, which has a low infection rate but high mortality rate, the people of the Central Continent countries have become quiet, as if they have implicitly chosen the most ‘efficient’ method they can.

Isolate everyone who is sick and wait until they die… … Disposing of the body.

In fact, the Kalinz army, which was caught up in the Chell army, was actually taking the corresponding action some time ago.

Give up on recovering from the infectious disease, pass the time and wait for it to calm down.

Whether you wanted it or not, if you were in a situation you couldn’t overcome, there was no other way than to just comply.

What was able to avoid the fate of a falling knife was the Serpina military in the north, which blocked the spread of infectious diseases in advance, the countries on the southern continent who were located somewhat far away and had enough time to respond, and the Serpina military, which was located in the central continent. It was Brans who watched their actions and imitated their actions.

Again, time passed, and many people died.

At this time, I was able to produce some statistics. Mortality rate about 10%. It was a terrible plague that killed as many as one in ten people.

In this situation, there wasn’t much humans could do.

just… … I just hope this all passes.

* * *

“… … Yuuri.”

The royal castle of Rambou Castle.

Yuuri, sitting in a chair, had his head down, covering his face with both hands.

No matter how many times Epinel calls, he doesn’t raise his head.

Epinel also seemed to understand her feelings, without urging her… … He slowly sits down next to Seongjusuk where she is sitting.

“I know how you feel, but… … You need to cheer up, Yuuri. Because you can do anything if you have energy.”

“… … .”

“Which story would you like to hear first? A hopeful story, and a less hopeful one… … No, this is not the time for puns. There is a story that is not so good.”

After Epinel asked that question, she waited for a long time for Yuuri to answer without saying a word.

How many minutes have passed?

Yuuri finally spoke in a quiet voice.

“… … A hopeful story.”

It’s a hopeful story.

okay. I have to say it anyway. Because Epinel had an obligation to report to Yuuri what she had newly learned.

So maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start with a hopeful story… … Thinking about it, she carefully told what she heard and saw.

“Anima’s symptoms are improving significantly.”

“… … !!!!”

As soon as Yuuri heard those words, he stood up and turned his head to look at Anima.

“G, is it true?”

“Who would I lie to? Really. The attendant said that his fever was almost gone and he was now able to talk for more than three minutes. The symptoms of hemoptysis have also faded significantly.”

“Thank goodness… … Really.”

Hehehe.

Tears began to flow from Yuuri’s eyes.

“I can’t do anything for you. It would be nice if I could hurt you instead, but I couldn’t even do that… … Black.”

We lost Hernandorf. Now we are in a situation where we can’t even repay that enemy.

What if you even lost your anima in that situation? If the Anima, whom you tried to save even by betraying the duty of the monarch, dies due to a plague… … Really, I thought it might collapse.

Although the five of us were together as one Acious, Anima was so precious to Yuuri that it was like half of himself.

“I’m really, really glad… … .”

“I told you so. It’ll be okay. There are people who die from the plague… … Still, there are more people who survive.”

“Yes… … .”

After crying like that for a while, my thoughts naturally reach ‘that point’.

“Epinel. Emma… … ?”

“… … .”

“How is Emma… … ? Is there any improvement?”

Epinel, who had been explaining about Anima without difficulty, became mute as soon as she heard the story about Emma.

Yuuri slowly looked at Epinel’s face. His face had darkened noticeably.

“… … Epinel… … ?”

“Yuuri… … .”

Without even having time to wonder when I saw Epinel not answering, I remembered what she said just now.

Hopeful news. and… … The opposite, not so good story.

“… … no way… … .”

“Yuuri.”

Epinel, who was unable to answer for a long time, seemed to have made up her mind and placed both hands on both shoulders of Yuuri, whose eyes were constantly shaking –

A more serious expression than ever. okay. Yes, he said with the same stern expression he had when he was a teacher at the academy.

“No matter what they say, don’t be surprised and listen carefully.”

“Why… … ? What? Come on, speak quickly… … .”

“… … Emma is in danger.”

“Ah… … !”

I expected it.

It was a fully expected answer, but even so, my body relaxed as soon as I heard it.

However, it doesn’t fall down. This was because Epinel supported her with strength to prevent her from falling.

“Listen carefully. Yuuri. It’s definitely a dangerous juncture right now, but Emma developed the disease later than Anima. Like Anima, it’s possible that it’s just a passing process. So, you shouldn’t think too negatively… … You know, right?”

Even though the fatality rate is high, there is still a chance of survival.

“… … Black.”

Epinel was next to Yuuri, who was crying, and comforted her.

Seeing her look like she was about to collapse, I was able to realize once again that the situation was more serious than I thought.

‘ha… … .’

From what I heard, Emma said the next three days would be critical.

As a result of urging the doctor, who was reluctant to explain, to hear his story, Emma’s chances of surviving were… … He said it was very rare.

Among those who contracted the plague, nearly 90% of those who lost their lives experienced a symptom – rapid necrosis of the fingers.

The explanation was that Emma had three fingers that were necrotic.

In the case of Anima, she did not experience this symptom. But Emma looked a little different.

It is said that it is currently impossible to even talk to people, so it seems that we need to prepare our hearts… … That was all Epinel heard.

So, I had to properly explain the reality to Yuuri.

It seemed unlikely that the now delicate Yuuri could overcome the extremely heavy weight of reality.

Epinel swallows the cruel reality as it is, unable to explain it.

Hernandov’s death. And, Emma’s death.

No one expected that two out of five people would die on this expedition.

And that wasn’t during the battle with Serpina’s army. I couldn’t even get there. A meaningless battle with Chell’s army… … And dying from a plague, what a fleeting end this is!

‘It would be better if I could do something… … .’

Of course, there was nothing Epinel could do in this situation.

It was not possible to make a prediction that was unconditionally correct, nor was there anyone with equivalent abilities.

The result was a series of choices.

If this is the result of the ‘choices’ she made at those crucial moments… … There is no other way than to accept it.

The fact that may be of some comfort to Yuuri and Epinel is that they cannot even know that this is the result of their ‘choice’.

Hopefully, a miracle will happen.

Other than muttering a hope that will never reach… … Nothing could be done.

* * *

and.

Contrary to Epinel’s wishes, a few days later――

“… … .”

The doctor said nothing, lying down with her eyes closed and covering Emma’s pale face with the blanket she was covering.

And then, slowly… … I spoke to the attendant next to me.

“Tell the lord.”

“Ah… … .”

“General Emma… … He passed away.”

Emma Adlen.

Unable to avenge her closest friend, Hernandov, her once brilliant life ended in vain.

Two of the five heroes of Acious… … I abandoned that life in an unexpected place.

* * *

After some time has passed.

The epidemic was beginning to calm down.

The number of people newly infected with the plague was rapidly decreasing, and even in the central continent, where it originated, it was becoming quite quiet.

okay.

If things had gone well like this, I would have been able to put my mind at ease as well――

“Don’t worry too much, my lord. Didn’t I tell you that this is within the scope of what I expected?”

“… … .”

The day before leaving for Kelstein Castle.

To Serpina, who was heartbroken, I answered with as much of a smile as I could.

“Please focus on internal affairs for the time being. Morality is with us. So, it’s just a storm in a teacup that will pass.”

“Swen… … .”

at that time.

Serpina came closer to me and held my hand tightly.

“I… … Did I do the right thing?”

“Of course.”

It’s not just about doing the right thing.

She made the best decision for her country.

“But, it’s always been like that. So far… … My life is like the more I touch it, as if I were harming someone I hate so much… … Because I ran in an unexpected direction.”

I could feel her voice shaking as she said that.

Now I can understand what they are talking about. If no matter what achievements you make, you are not recognized, and no matter what decisions you make, if you are criticized and hated, then everyone has no choice but to feel intimidated like that.

“So, you too will be caught up in a strange reputation for no reason-”

“Master.”

I looked straight into her eyes and said.

“In the end, sincerity communicates. And, unlike before, am I not by your side now?”

“… … !”

“So, please believe me. I will prove that my ‘mind’s eye’, which shows a favorable path for my lord, is not wrong.”

Why did this situation come to be?

This required some explanation.