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chapter 74
Whether naturally occurring or artificially induced through poison, once an epidemic spreads, it attacks everyone fairly indiscriminately.
It doesn’t matter what social status, wealth, or level of knowledge a person has.
Moreover, in this case, it wasn’t under Elion’s jurisdiction, so his subordinate, Hayley, didn’t have an active reason to get involved.
Yet, as she looked at the worried Elion, Hayley’s eyes shone with calm determination. Soon, she spoke in a composed tone:
“Since it’s dangerous, we must take the initiative. If, as expected, the MacKinnon group is the main culprit behind this epidemic, we can’t fully trust the support unit dispatched to the southern region.”
“That’s because of the link between the MacKinnon group and the Empress.”
“Exactly. If all of this was done under the Empress’s orders… alleviating the suffering of innocent civilians in that area wouldn’t be their priority.”
“……”
Elion pondered, unable to make a decision immediately.
There were too many risk factors.
If all of Hayley’s suspicions turned out to be true, the crimes of the Empress and her close aides would be far from minor.
Elion didn’t like the idea that the responsibility of holding the Empress accountable had fallen to him.
‘I never wanted to be involved in anything related to the royal family.’
That was why he had ignored the Empress, who always displayed clear hostility toward him. He had quietly endured even while facing the countless assassins she sent.
But the Empress’s twisted hostility being directed not at him, but at those he cared for and innocent civilians, was a different matter.
‘I can no longer just watch silently.’
Elion clenched his teeth.
He could not turn away from a matter that determined the lives of countless civilians.
‘It seems… this is becoming what the Empress and her aides feared.’
From the moment she bore the Crown Prince, the Empress had made her hostility toward Elion transparent, as if his very existence threatened the Crown Prince.
Elion, constantly at the battlefront as a knight, could not fathom how he posed a threat to the Crown Prince at the time.
But now, he had a vague understanding.
He realized that the orders he was giving Hayley might mark the beginning of what the Empress feared so much.
That it could shake the Empress’s position and perhaps even influence the Crown Prince’s standing.
‘This is… going to be troublesome. But… I have no choice. I must do it.’
After a brief moment of contemplation, Elion finally spoke:
“All right. Go to the south, Hayley.”
“I will obey, Your Highness.”
Hayley’s eyes flickered brightly, filled with intense determination.
“Investigate the cause of the epidemic and develop a cure as quickly as possible.”
“Understood.”
As if it were obvious, Hayley nodded vigorously.
But she could not nod at Elion’s next order.
“Persuade Omar to go with you.”
“Excuse me?”
A slight crease appeared at the corner of her eyes.
Elion noticed her expression, knowing an explanation was needed.
“Remember when you and Omar collaborated to develop the new magical stabilizer? When geniuses work together, things progress swiftly and safely. I believe the same can happen here. Am I wrong?”
“……”
For a moment, countless thoughts filled Hayley’s mind:
Does His Highness think my abilities alone aren’t enough? Does he really believe Omar is better than me?
How should I persuade Omar? He won’t follow willingly. What offer could entice him?
Ah… just the thought of being stuck with him constantly is exhausting.
‘…But if I follow His Highness’s advice and work with Omar, things will indeed progress twice as fast.’
Suppressing a sigh threatening to escape, Hayley spoke:
“Convincing Omar won’t be easy. He’s the type who dislikes moving around.”
“The lives of countless civilians are at stake. The fate of the Empire hangs in the balance. I want you to do your utmost to persuade him. Whatever conditions he wants, be prepared to accept them.”
“Anything, Your Highness?”
“Yes. Anything.”
Hayley’s eyes shone brighter than ever, almost mischievously.
“Would that… include building a hospital?”
“Of course.”
“A large hospital, five stories high, with around 100 beds?”
“Yes.”
Hayley’s face radiated personal desire as she looked up at her lord, who nodded as if it were obvious.
“Omar remains an underground healer wandering the backstreets because he has no certification, having never graduated from the Academy.”
“So that’s the reason.”
“Without a medical license, could he run a hospital?”
Elion stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“If he’s an exceptional talent who uncovers the cause of this epidemic and develops a cure, I can issue a special temporary license at my discretion.”
“Temporary… license?”
“Of course. We can’t completely break the rules. He’ll have a special temporary license valid until he enrolls in the Academy and obtains his diploma.”
“So that comes with the prerequisite that Omar must eventually return to the Academy.”
“Correct.”
“Understood.”
“But…”
Elion’s gaze narrowed, skeptical.
Hayley discreetly swallowed and looked up at him.
“Yes?”
“You’re thinking of the best offer to persuade Omar, right? Not an offer to satisfy your own desires?”
Caught off guard, Hayley could only move her lips silently.
‘Was His Highness always this perceptive? Or am I just bad at controlling my expressions?’
Her mouth felt dry.
Soon, an awkward professional smile settled on her lips.
“Satisfy my own desires? That’s impossible. Omar is unpredictable, so I was considering various proposals for practicality.”
“Good. I trust only you then.”
Elion nodded, still skeptical but willing to move on.
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Hayley let out a relieved sigh and bowed politely.
“Saint, something seems wrong.”
“What is it?”
A middle-aged cleric came to see Saint Florencia and spoke cautiously.
“It seems that the divine power is not working properly on the patients.”
“……”
“When treated with divine power, the fever subsides and wounds heal temporarily. But soon, the fever returns and the wounds reopen.”
“I see.”
Florencia wasn’t surprised by the cleric’s observation, as she had already sensed the same.
The dark-faced cleric glanced at Florencia nervously.
“Are you saying that divine power cannot fully heal them…?”
“The epidemic spreading here isn’t naturally occurring; it’s artificially induced.”
Florencia spoke for the cleric, who couldn’t continue.
Divine power was a gift from the god, the creator of nature.
While the speed of recovery varied depending on the ability of the cleric or saint, naturally occurring diseases or injuries could all be healed with divine power.
Magical injuries could also be healed, since magic was part of nature.
But diseases caused by poison could not be treated with divine power.
Poisons artificially created by combining various substances were outside the scope of nature.
“I-I see.”
The cleric’s face twisted in fear.
Florencia spoke calmly:
“Even so, we must do our best to treat the patients. I will personally report this matter to the High Chancellor, so please wait.”
“Understood, Saint.”
After the cleric left, Florencia stood and headed to Duke Miren’s room.
“What is it?”
The duke, reviewing documents, looked up at Florencia.
The desk was piled high with paperwork, likely because he had much to manage while assisting the inexperienced Crown Prince.
After briefly looking into the tired eyes of the duke, Florencia finally spoke:
“Epidemic… was this part of your plan, Father?”
“……”
Duke Miren remained silent, staring at his daughter.
