Chapter 243

“……Anima?!”

Yuri rushed to the side of Anima, who was lying down and panting for breath.

“Yu…uri, don’t… don’t come closer.”

“This is… what?! Are you okay?!”

“I’m fi…ne…”

Cough, cough!

With a few violent coughs… blood, crimson in color, trickled out from Anima’s throat.

Yuri’s eyes widened dramatically as if they’d activated some sort of battle mode.

“T-this is…!?”

“Don’t worry. It’s just… I’ve been overworking myself lately. If I rest for a few days, I’ll be fine… Don’t concern yourself with someone like me…”

“That’s nonsense!”

“It’s an important time… Chel could show up anytime… We need to take the initiative…”

Cough, cough!

“Just… let’s head back to the Royal Palace. Wait here.”

As Yuri turned to leave, Anima weakly grabbed her sleeve.

“No… If we waste time here, we’ll end up giving Chel more time… Somehow, we must act… Otherwise, Ern’s spirit…”

“Anima…”

Yuri looked at her with an expression more serious than ever before.

“I can’t afford to lose you too.”

“Yu…uri…”

“…Just wait. I’ll be right back.”

Yuri gently laid Anima down on her bed and quickly left the room.

* * *

The Mirage Castle, once territory of the Chel Army but now under the control of Aishias Army.

After admitting Anima to the hospital wing, Yuri was hearing something unexpected from the attending physician.

“You mean… it’s the plague…?”

“Yes, that’s correct. The symptoms that appeared about a week ago match those of our strategist. It seems reasonable to assume this is indeed the plague…”

“Tell me more.”

“I cannot definitively explain its contagiousness or danger. However, given how similar the symptoms are, it’s logical to consider this a plague outbreak. Currently, there are around twenty reported cases within our territory, including the strategist…”

“…Why didn’t you say this sooner?”

Yuri restrained herself from snapping, knowing she had neglected internal affairs after losing Erhandorf, focusing solely on annihilating the Chel Army.

“Even though we can’t confirm it’s the plague yet, it would be wise for you, my Lord, to keep your distance from the strategist for now.”

That’s right.

If this really is the plague and I get infected too… then I’d have no face to show Anima.

“But why… why suddenly… why the plague?”

“Well… I can’t say for sure…”

The doctor nervously wiped his brow.

“Considering the recent unrest in Central Continent and the numerous bodies left unhygienically disposed of… it might be related…”

“…What?”

“No, no! I’m not saying the war caused it…”

Damn timing for a plague to hit…

“Are you certain?”

“No! There’s no certainty. This might just be speculation… Given we’re not even sure if it’s the plague…”

Without responding, Yuri quietly left the hospital.

She closed her eyes briefly, then gazed skyward.

“Erhandorf…”

We haven’t avenged you yet.

Though the war has lasted longer than expected, our Aishias Army is stronger. It was only a matter of time before we could display Chel’s head on the castle walls.

“We can’t stumble here…”

Looking to the heavens, Yuri prayed silently.

Once upon a time, after the massacre at the Academy, she vowed to trust her comrades over any deity. Yet here she was, appealing to gods whose very existence was questionable.

In this Era of Chaos, with few priests remaining and no religious institutions left, a monarch praying for divine intervention seemed absurd even to herself. Still, she sent her wishes skyward.

“Please… let this pass without incident… Please, may it not become a major epidemic…”

If it was Aishias Army’s fate to unify this continent, perhaps her prayers would be answered.

But Yuri wasn’t one chosen by destiny. Someone like her couldn’t defy such absolute predictions. Unaware of this harsh truth, she continued to pray pointlessly.

* * *

Naturally, Yuri’s wishes went unanswered.

“There are over 300 infected individuals…?”

Her composure shattered at the news delivered just a day later.

“Yes. It’s best to confirm this as the plague.”

“Is there any treatment?”

“Not yet… Experts are discussing possibilities based on past plagues. Please give us some time. Also, I suggest setting up separate wards.”

Yuri accepted the proposal and followed the doctors’ advice as much as possible.

However, once a plague spread in these times, it moved quickly.

Fortunately, this wasn’t solely Aishias Army’s problem. The infection rate was lower than historical records suggested. The spread wasn’t alarmingly fast – it rapidly infected around 2000-3000 people initially, but after recognizing the situation and taking precautions, the infection rate significantly slowed.

Most importantly, Yuri, who had been in close contact with Anima early on, remained unaffected.

And as mentioned earlier, plagues respect no borders. The Chel Army also faced an outbreak within their territory, naturally leading to a temporary halt in continuous battles. This also meant there was potential to contain further spread.

Still, this didn’t mean the end was in sight or that prospects were hopeful.

Currently, Aishias Army, which had been pushing hard against the Chel Army, was suffering devastating losses.

“The soldiers are being infected primarily?”

“It’s just a tendency… But we’re hearing the same about the Chel Army.”

Was it due to weakened physical states from prolonged warfare, or mere coincidence? Among Aishias Army, the group most affected by the plague were the regular troops. Clearly more soldiers were falling ill compared to the territorial people.

After the doctor left,

Epinal, temporarily acting as strategist in place of Anima, cautiously spoke up.

“There are reports of plague patients in the Kalintz Army as well.”

“Hmm…”

“Yeah. For now… we probably can’t do anything. No war, no conscription, no internal affairs.”

“How’s Anima doing?”

“The same. The doctors are prioritizing various treatments… but there’s been no improvement.”

Epinal said this while pressing her forehead with her hand.

“Yuri, can we… can we get through this? Can we truly avenge Ern?”

She who had always remained positive was showing uncharacteristic unease.

“Maybe we should just… abandon the territory and retreat to Falaharte Castle? Continuing like this might really destabilize our army’s foundation.”

“But… we haven’t avenged Ern yet.”

“I know that. Of course, I’m not suggesting ending the war with the Chel Army. Just… a tactical retreat. They can’t do anything either because of the plague.”

“Still… we’d have to cross through the Chel Army’s territory to retreat.”

“So what?”

“How?”

“…”

Epinal sighed deeply upon hearing this.

“Anima might have come up with a plausible plan… but I… I’m not sure.”

“At least-”

At that moment…

“…!!!”

“Why so shocked, Yuri?”

When Yuri suddenly cut off her words with wide eyes, Epinal questioned her.

“…It’s nothing. I was just feeling a bit tired. Anyway… understood. I’ll consider your opinion. Epinal, can you check on the infirmary? You can switch shifts with Emma.”

“…Alright.”

Though concerned about what Yuri might have been about to say, Epinal quietly left without pressing further.

Then Yuri, leaning against the wall beside her, thought to herself…

‘I was going to…’

She replayed the words she had almost spoken.

-Then at least, could you be quiet?

‘To think I almost said something like that to Epinal…’

Tears began streaming down Yuri’s face.

Even though she hadn’t actually said it aloud, the fact that she had unconsciously considered speaking this way to Epinal, someone she cherished deeply as a comrade, was shocking.

‘Calm down, Yuri. I can’t take out my frustration on my comrades… especially not on my precious family.’

Having lost Erhandorf, with Anima sick and her carefully amassed forces crumbling without accomplishing anything, unable to achieve even revenge…

Though she hadn’t expressed it outwardly, Yuri was nearing her breaking point too. But how could she possibly vent her frustrations on Epinal, whom she valued more than kin?

Gently biting her tongue, she contemplated biting harder out of anger… but realized that too would just be another form of emotional release.

‘Let’s think positively. Though it’s called a plague, the infection rate is low. There haven’t been any deaths yet. So surely, with time, we’ll get through this without much trouble. Revenge can… be prepared later. The Chel Army is likely in the same situation as ours anyway.’

Thus, Yuri steadied her wavering heart.

And a few days later…

The first death from the plague occurred. He was a young soldier who succumbed after experiencing coughing and high fever. His body was immediately cremated – more accurately, hastily burned to ashes. There was no choice; he had died carrying plague pathogens.

And starting with his death…

They came to understand, whether they wanted to or not, that this disease had a low infection rate but a high mortality rate.