Chapter 246

First off, the situation of the Central Continent had become a chaotic mess.

Somehow, the Chel Army managed to defend the Capital City of Haizel from the Kalintz Army’s advance.

Kalintz, as he always did at the most crucial moments in his life—once again made the wrong choice.

Whether fortunately or unfortunately, due to the plague, no one in the Central Continent could move recklessly.

With no cure available for this plague, which had a low infection rate but high mortality rate, the people of the Central Continent nations quietly adopted what they deemed the most “efficient” method, as if by unspoken agreement.

They isolated those infected and waited until death occurred… then disposed of the bodies.

In reality, both the Chel Army and the caught-up Kalintz Army were actually implementing these measures not too long ago.

Having given up on recovery from the infectious disease, they chose to wait it out over time, hoping it would settle down.

Whether they wanted it or not, with no way to overcome the situation, there was nothing left to do but adapt.

The Serpina Army in the north avoided the falling blade-like epidemic by preemptively cutting off the spread of the contagion. The countries of the Southern Continent, being somewhat distant, had enough time to respond. And the Brance Army, located in the Central Continent, observed Serpina’s actions and wisely followed suit.

Time passed again, and an alarming number of people perished.

Around this point, some statistics could be drawn. A mortality rate of approximately 10%. A terrifying epidemic that claimed one out of every ten lives.

In such a scenario, there wasn’t much humanity could do.

It was simply… waiting for all of this to pass.

* * *

“…Yuri.”

The Royal Palace within Langbow Castle.

Yuri sat in a chair, her face hidden behind her hands as she bowed her head deeply.

Despite Epinal calling out several times, she didn’t lift her head.

Epinal, understanding her feelings, didn’t rush her, instead slowly sitting down beside Yuri on the Lady’s stone seat.

“I know how you feel, but you need to keep your spirits up, Yuri. Only with strength can we do something.”

“…”

“What kind of story would you like to hear first? The hopeful one, or… no, this isn’t the time for wordplay. There’s a not-so-good story I have to tell.”

After posing the question, Epinal waited silently for Yuri to respond.

Several minutes must have passed.

Finally, Yuri spoke in a meek voice.

“…The hopeful one.”

A hopeful story.

Right. Since it couldn’t be avoided, Epinal thought starting with the hopeful news might not be bad… and carefully recounted what she had seen and heard.

“Anima’s condition is improving significantly.”

“…!!!!”

Upon hearing this, Yuri immediately stood up, turning her head to look at Anima.

“R-really?”

“Who am I lying to? It’s true. Her attendants say her high fever has almost subsided, and now she can hold conversations for over three minutes. The symptoms of hemoptysis have also faded considerably.”

“That’s… such a relief…”

Hiccup.

Tears began streaming down Yuri’s eyes.

“I… I couldn’t do anything to help. If only I could take her pain for her, but even that wasn’t possible… huff…”

We lost Erhandorf. We haven’t even avenged him yet.

And if we were to lose Anima too… If the ruler we pledged our loyalty to succumbed to the plague… I feared I might just break.

Though five of us formed one Ashias, Anima was as precious to Yuri as her other half.

“Really, really fortunate…”

“I told you it would be alright. While some die from the plague, more survive.”

“Uh-huh…”

Like that, after crying for quite some time, Yuri’s thoughts naturally drifted to ‘that point.’

“Epinal. How about Emma?”

“…”

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

Epinal, who had been smoothly explaining Anima’s situation, became silent like a honey-eating bear upon hearing the mention of Emma.

Yuri slowly scrutinized Epinal’s face. It was noticeably darker than usual.

“…Epinal…?”

“Yuri…”

Recalling the words Epinal had just spoken, Yuri realized what they implied.

Hopeful news. And… its opposite, the not-so-good story.

“…No way…”

“Yuri.”

After hesitating for a long while, Epinal finally steeled herself, placing her hands firmly on Yuri’s shoulders, her eyes serious. Yes, that strict expression she used to wear when she was a teacher at the Academy returned as she said,

“No matter what I say, you mustn’t be shocked and listen carefully.”

“Why…? What is it? Please, hurry and tell me…”

“…Emma is in danger.”

“Aaaah!”

I anticipated it.

I fully expected this answer, yet my body went limp the moment I heard it.

But I didn’t fall. Epinal held me up so I wouldn’t collapse.

“Listen well, Yuri. Though it’s a dangerous phase right now, remember Emma fell ill later than Anima. Like Anima, this could just be a passing phase. So, you shouldn’t think too negatively… you understand, right?”

Even though the mortality rate is high, there’s still a chance to survive.

“…Sniff…”

Epinal consoled Yuri as she cried, feeling the gravity of the situation through Yuri’s fragile state.

“Hmph…”

Apparently, the next three days are critical for Emma.

According to the reluctant explanation from the doctor, Emma’s chances of survival… are extremely slim.

A symptom experienced by nearly 90% of those who died from the plague—rapid necrosis of the fingers.

The fact that three of Emma’s fingers had already necrotized served as evidence.

Anima didn’t experience this symptom. But Emma’s case seemed slightly different.

Currently, she’s unable to even converse with others, so preparations should be made accordingly—that’s all Epinal gathered.

Thus, Epinal needed to properly explain the harsh reality to Yuri.

But the oppressive weight of this cruel reality felt too heavy for the delicate Yuri to bear right now.

Epinal swallowed the brutal truth without uttering it.

The death of Erhandorf. And now, possibly the death of Emma.

No one anticipated that two out of the five would perish on this expedition.

Not even in battle against the Serpina Army. They didn’t even reach that point. A meaningless skirmish with the Chel Army… and dying from the plague—what a futile end.

“If only I could do something…”

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

There’s no one with the ability to make perfectly accurate predictions, nor anyone with comparable powers.

Results emerge from a series of choices.

If this is the result of the ‘choices’ she made at those decisive moments… then all she can do is accept them.

At least, Yuri and Epinal were spared the knowledge that this was the result of their own ‘choices’.

Please, let a miracle happen.

Beyond muttering this unreachable wish… there was absolutely nothing else they could do.

* * *

And then.

Contrary to Epinal’s hopes, a few days later—

“…”

The doctor silently covered the pale face of Emma, who lay with her eyes closed, with the blanket that had been draped over her.

Then, slowly… addressed the attendant standing nearby.

“Please convey this to Lord.”

“A…”

“General Emma… has passed away.”

Emma Eldrun.

She concluded her once brilliant life here without avenging her closest friend, Erhandorf. Two of the five heroes of Ashias met their ends in an unexpected place.

* * *

After some time had passed.

The plague was calming down.

The number of new cases was rapidly decreasing, and things were quietening down even in the Central Continent, where it originated.

Yes.

Had everything gone well, I might have been able to relax too—but—

“Don’t worry too much, My Lord. Didn’t I already say this was within the scope of what we anticipated?”

“…”

The day before departing for Kelshtain Castle.

To the grieving Serpina, I responded with the best smile I could muster.

“For now, focus on domestic affairs. Justice is on our side. This is merely a storm in a teacup that will pass.”

“Swoen…”

At that moment.

Serpina approached me, tightly gripping my hand and spoke.

“Did I… do the right thing?”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t just doing the right thing.

She made the best decision for her nation.

“But ever since… my life, whenever I touch something, it seems to run wildly astray as if maliciously targeted, beyond my expectations…”

I could sense the tremor in her voice as she spoke.

Now, I understood what she meant. No matter the achievements, if no one acknowledges them, and every decision leads to criticism and hatred, anyone would inevitably shrink back like this.

“So, rather than letting you get entangled in unwarranted rumors—”

“My Lord.”

I looked straight into her eyes and spoke.

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

“…!”

“Therefore, please trust me. I’ll prove that my ‘Mind’s Eye,’ which guides you towards favorable paths, was not mistaken.”

Why did things come to this?

This requires some explanation.