Chapter 116
(Kyle
Calendar Year 508: Age 15)
Special
Mission: Epidemic Countermeasures
Translator : PolterGlast
The other
"special mission," paralleling the foreign intelligence, was given to
all Holy Mages. This mission was to prepare countermeasures and responses for
the plague that would strike in the winter of the following year, ravaging the
entire Estol territory.
I had Marianne, Rosa,
and the other four Holy Mages investigate past epidemics, their symptoms, and
previous treatment methods. Frankly, I had no medical knowledge whatsoever.
However, in the previous timeline, I had seen many sick people, including my
own family.
When the disease
struck, patients suffered from persistent high fevers, became dehydrated, and
gradually weakened. Many, especially the elderly and children with low physical
strength and resistance, died. The infection spread from person to person, but
whether it was airborne or droplet transmission, I didn't know. However, like
the flu, if one family member got infected, others in the household would
quickly follow.
But even with my
sister, among those close to me, Anne and I didn't get infected. Rosa also
remained safe in the infirmary. I still don't know why.
Our current
capabilities are limited. Without antibiotics or effective bacterial countermeasures,
there are almost no notable treatments. Therefore, our first priority is to
minimize the cause of the outbreak. Then, to contain the spread of infection.
And to prevent the weakening of the sick. We plan to start here.
1. Securing Safe Water
Supply (Drinking Water): This is already in place. However, during an epidemic,
people shouldn't drink raw water. We need to enforce this thoroughly.
2. Maintenance of
Sewer Systems for Wastewater: This was the point we paid the most attention to
in city planning. We also purify sewage using oyster shells, conduct regular
cleaning, and exterminate rats and insects in the sewers. We are also
considering the use of Fire Mages and Wind Mages.
3. Thorough
Disinfection: We are implementing three initiatives here.
**First: Mass
Production of Soap.**
Soap exists in this
world, but it's a luxury item, not something commoners can use daily for
handwashing. Moreover, its production and distribution are monopolized, and
it's imported from other countries. Ordinary people use something similar to
the fruit of the soapberry tree. This tree is cultivated in various parts of
the Kingdom and used as a detergent, but there isn't much surplus. Therefore,
we are experimenting with making soap using edible (olive) oil, beef tallow,
lye, and rainwater. In my second life (before this one), I had some experience
with making handmade soap as a hobby, and was even made to help, so I vaguely
know the necessary ingredients, but the exact quantities are not in my memory.
This endeavor is being tried through trial and error daily by the Holy Mages
alone, kept secret.
**Second: Another
Matter of Uutmost Confidentiality.**
I (Nishida) only have
knowledge from what I saw on the news, so it's unclear if this can be realized.
For this experiment and to secure materials for agriculture and other purposes,
Bart and Kaoru have been making several round trips to a coastal town in the
neighboring country since returning from their special mission. They are
currently processing the collected materials and repeating trial and error and
experiments. Also, I've had Foreman Karl at the workshop make a certain item
after explaining the principle to him.
**Third: Making
Gargling a Habit.**
Introducing gargling
to people who have no such habit was difficult, but we've had them practice
with water gargling and plan to transition to salt gargling during an epidemic.
4. Preparation of
Isolation Facilities: In the Teigun area, we are already constructing a
hospital for isolation. This will minimize the spread of infection and allow
for appropriate treatment (though it will be symptomatic treatment).
5. Other Infection
Prevention Measures: We plan to prepare whatever is possible, such as dealing
with sick people's clothing, and droplet countermeasures like makeshift masks
that can be made even in this world.
6. Preparation of
Response Manuals: An epidemic might not be limited to Teigun. If it comes to
that, we plan to create manuals for my mother and the steward to deploy
throughout the territory. This will also include strict movement restrictions.
7. Other Responses:
There are a few other things I want to try. One was to use the results that
Bart and his team brought back, but that ended in failure. However, it was
resolved during the prisoner repatriation.
Another was an
experiment with Holy Magic. Even apart from the epidemic, illnesses presumably
caused by viruses, such as colds, occur regularly. We are testing the effects
of Holy Magic on these patients and accumulating the results.
Is there anything else
I can do? I was at a dead end on this matter.
※
Then one day, Rosa
visited me.
"Rosa has
something important to discuss with you, Takuhir-sama. Please, do listen to
her." Claire had given me a heads-up the previous night.
"Um... I'm sorry
to bother you when you're busy. This might be overstepping, but..."
"Don't worry
about it. Is something wrong? I'd be happy if you spoke freely, as
always."
Rosa had a strained
look on her face, unlike her usual self, as if she were deeply troubled.
"Thank you. This
is something I heard a long time ago, when I was studying medicine at the
mansion in Est..."
"Yes, don't hold
back."
"Yes, at that
time, my teacher told me that there's a specialized institution for learning
medicine in the Royal Capital. They apparently have many historical documents,
materials, and case information regarding past diseases... However, one can
only access them if they become a student there, and I thought it might be
useful for our current research."
"!"
"However... to become
a student, one needs a recommendation from a reputable person, and... the
tuition fees are apparently very high."
"Rosa, do you
want to study there?"
"Could someone
like me...? Is it really alright? But no matter how much I save, it's not
enough for the tuition..."
"Don't worry
about the tuition. And is my recommendation sufficient?"
"I will
definitely work and repay the tuition someday. At that time, my teacher said
that a priest from a large church would be the best for a recommendation."
I see, the infirmary
and the church have a close relationship. In some territories, the church even
runs them. Father Grace is probably connected to the central church too, so he
might be suitable. As for the tuition, perhaps she feels guilty about going to school
alone among the Holy Mages.
"Alright! Then,
as your Lord, I ask this of you. To study medicine in the Royal Capital and
conduct this current investigation. In addition, to study to become the
exclusive physician of the Solis Barony in the future. I'm entrusting this
mission to you, Rosa."
Rosa's face was still
not bright. She probably felt apologetic about being the only one.
"Also, it will be
after Rosa returns, but all Holy Mages who wish to will be given the
opportunity to go to the Royal Capital to study, on a rotating basis. Of
course, the Solis Barony (I) will bear all the expenses."
Rosa's face instantly
lit up.
One more member would
be heading to the Royal Capital. I probably guessed that Claire had listened to
Rosa's concerns and encouraged her.
※
The day after Rosa
visited me, I immediately went to the Teigun church with Anne. Of course, I had
procured the usual item from the administrative office's treasury beforehand.
"Oh, Lord
Takuhir, welcome! What brings you here today?"
My direct visit to the
church always meant money. Since we hadn't conducted Mage aptitude
confirmations for over a year, Father Grace greeted me with a full smile.
"Today, I came to
consult with Father Grace. First, I've brought an offering to God on this
occasion, so please accept it."
Saying that, I
presented a bag filled with 100 gold coins.
"As always, Lord
Takuhir's deep faith must surely reach God. Now, what is it that you wish to
consult about?"
This person is easy to
understand in a way. So it's very helpful.
"Yes, as only
Father Grace knows, we have many Holy Mages here. Teigun has also grown. I am
considering taking this opportunity to give them a chance to formally study
medicine in the Royal Capital, and in the future, if possible, to provide
medical services not only at the infirmary but also through the church. The
infirmary will be prioritized first, of course."
"I see, I think
that's a good idea."
"And so, I wish
to have them formally study medicine in the Royal Capital, but I have no
connections. I thought Father Grace might know various things, so I came to
seek your wisdom."
"The medical
school in the Royal Capital, you say. I see... That school is operated by the
church. A recommendation from the church would be the shortest path, I believe.
However... you wish to conceal that they are Holy Mages, correct?"
"As expected of
Father Grace! You are truly considering the safety of our territory!"
"Of course! If
they were Holy Mages, my recommendation as a priest would suffice, but if we
are to conceal that, a recommendation from a Bishop-class priest would be more
desirable, I suppose. However..."
Yes, I understand. It
will incur various expenses, won't it? I muttered to myself.
"I see. So, I
should ask the Bishop in the Royal Capital for a recommendation through my
brother, who currently staying there, correct?"
"Ah, no, that
is..."
"You might have
already heard, but I too will be attending the academy in the Royal Capital
this autumn. I had hoped to have a church contact point in the Royal Capital as
well, if possible."
"I-is that so? If
those are the circumstances, then I believe we can be of assistance. There are
also past circumstances. Having a trustworthy contact is very important, I
believe."
"Really?! If it's
Father Grace's introduction, then I can rest assured! It's very presumptuous of
me, but would it be possible to leave the introduction and recommendation to
you?"
I gestured to Anne,
who presented the second bag (of gold coins).
"M-most
certainly! Leave it to me!"
...Father, you're
stammering. I know you're happy, but still.
Thus, Rosa's trip to
the Royal Capital was confirmed.
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