Chapter 170
The Rebel
Army's Battle ⑬ - The End of the Rebellion
Translator : PolterGlast
"Claire, Claire!
I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry!"
I apologized at
Claire's bedside in the infirmary where she slept. I had just heard that she
had drunk a medicinal broth and fallen asleep, so I whispered as quietly as I
could, crying and trembling.
I was never there when
it mattered. Not just for her, but for everyone. I had been taking them all for
granted...
After a while, I
remembered that Anne, Miseri, and Yoltia had been waiting considerately in the
hallway, and I snapped back to my senses.
"I'm sorry,
Claire. There are... still a lot of things I have to do, so I'll be back
tonight."
With that, I gently
stroked Claire's reddish, long hair and left the room. Thanks to my brother and
everyone else, her life had been saved. But other lives had been lost. I had
returned to my position as lord.
"First, I want to
apologize to everyone. For all the hardship I've put you through once again,
and for being absent at such a time.
And I want to thank
you from the bottom of my heart. For not breaking, not faltering, and not
giving up in the midst of such hardship, and for desperately protecting this
town and so many people. And for the fact that everyone here today is safe."
After our victory in
the forest of Burg, we had hurried back here to Teigoon, taking the route
around the demon territory from the Southern Gate. And now, to assess the
situation, I had convened a meeting with all the mages who could be spared,
along with Miseri, the Commander, and Anne.
"Please don't
trouble yourself over it. We only fulfilled our duties. If you wish to thank
someone, it should be Lord Darek."
Miseri replied on
behalf of those who had remained. Everyone else nodded silently in agreement
with her words.
"For now, I will
report on the currently confirmed situation regarding the plague and the recent
battle."
The report Miseri
began was astonishing, even to me, who already knew the general circumstances.
"First, I will
report on matters related to the plague.
Regarding the citizens
of Teigoon, it is safe to say that the infection has almost completely
subsided. Approximately 800 people were infected, but there were no deaths, and
we succeeded in preventing any cases from becoming severe through early
intervention.
Furthermore, 40
percent of the infected were secondary infections among those who were engaged
in relief activities and dealing with the infected who had flowed in from the Hiyorimi
domain.
The number of refugees
from the Hiyorimi domain reached a total of about 1,200 and they are dispersed
among the quarantine facilities at the New Checkpoint, the former
prisoner-of-war camp in the post town, and the former prisoner-of-war camp in
Teigoon.
The infection rate
exceeded 80 percent, a very serious situation, but thanks to the efforts of the
self-defense force's transport units, many of them were able to undergo the
purification ritual at the church.
However, among them,
there were about 50 casualties, mainly the elderly and those for whom the
ritual could not be performed in time. It also appears they were forcibly moved
across the border while the infection was at its peak. Initially, about 1,500
were headed this way, but it seems that 20 percent, about 300 people, died
during the journey."
"Miseri, what is
the current number of patients? Regarding both Teigoon and the refugees from
the Hiyorimi domain."
"Many of
Teigoon's infected have already recovered, and currently, just under 50 are
recuperating with mild symptoms.
As for the refugees
from the Hiyorimi domain, about 400 are recuperating. The current infected all
have mild cases and are expected to recover in a few days. They are currently recuperating
in the former detention and quarantine facility in town."
"So, is it safe
to assume the infection is subsiding?"
"Yes, as far as
Teigoon is concerned... However, other towns are still battling the plague.
According to the information we have, the infection is still spreading in Est,
Fran, and the eastern border region of the Estol domain.
Mia-san is currently
in the town of Est, Rosa-san is in Fran, and Michelle-san has gone to the
eastern border, each taking command on the front lines, and they are
accompanied by mages and soldiers as guards."
"What is the
situation in the town of Est? To the extent that you know, please tell me about
the infection status in each area and which places need support the most."
"In Est, Lord
Darren, Lord Chris, Lady Chrisia, and Lord Raymond all fell ill, and without a
commander, the situation was extremely dangerous for a time. However, none of
them became seriously ill, and starting with Lord Darren, they have been
recovering sequentially and are now attending to their official duties.
The total number of
refugees who flooded in was around 1,000, mainly residents from the northern
part of the Hiyorimi domain, and it seems the infection rate was slightly lower
compared to here. We believe the peak has passed, the chain of command has been
restored, and both the number of refugees and infected are on a downward trend.
Est also has a church,
and there are large quantities of supplies that were transported by Kaul, so we
believe stability is near."
Hearing about my
parents, I felt a little relieved.
In the [previous
history], my parents, my sister, and the steward had all lost their lives to
the plague. But in [this world], although they all contracted the plague, the
treatment was successful, and they recovered and survived.
"Right now, the
situations in Fran and the eastern border region are precarious and
unpredictable. Nearly 500 refugees flooded into Fran at once, and their access
was cut off by the Hiyorimi army's invasion. Furthermore, there is no church in
that area to provide aid.
We are taking measures
to send additional support personnel and relief supplies to both regions and to
sequentially transport the infected to Teigoon."
"Understood,
thank you. We need to immediately establish several relay points on the highway
connecting the town of Fran and here to support personnel transport. I would
also like to borrow some manpower from the expeditionary army. Commander, may I
borrow some of your soldiers?"
"Of course. I
think it would also be a good idea to arrange for the establishment of
temporary aid stations in several locations. Can you ask Bart-san to handle the
transport of materials? I will relay the order to prepare for deployment and
have them get organized."
"Thank you. What
else needs to be confirmed regarding the plague... perhaps the production
status of holy water for purification?"
This time, Yoltia
stood up.
"Yes, since Anne-sama's
visit, Father Grace has independently gathered people and established a system
for mass production.
Thanks to that, we
have somehow managed to meet the production numbers up to the current situation
with some capacity to spare. Personnel within the church have been allocated
for ritual response and production response, and the people from the Central Church
who accompanied Rosa-san have also been very active. The production of holy
water for purification continued even during the peak of the infection.
Separately, I have a
proposal. I would like to move the recovered refugees from the Hiyorimi domain to
the inns in the post town to free up the quarantine facilities in preparation
for new patients from the Fran side. It will incur costs, but may I have your
permission?"
"Thank you. Of
course, you have my permission. Please proceed with haste. I'm sure the inns
have also been hit hard by this plague, so including the inns in Teigoon, I'd
like you to use them extensively for the temporary stay of the refugees,
excluding those who are infected or recuperating. See if you can negotiate a total
rental with each inn."
"Understood. If
it's a total rental, I believe many inns will be willing to comply."
"Anything else...
if there's anything else that needs to be shared now, such as the status of the
battle with the Hiyorimi army, please let me know."
At my words, Christoph
stood up.
"Yes, as for what
has been confirmed, the total number of the Hiyorimi army this time was 1,500.
One thousand invaded from the Fran side, and 500 from the demon territory
side."
"Fifteen hundred!
That many..."
I became keenly aware
of my own complacency.
I had underestimated
them, as they had always brought only 600 men, one of the smaller forces among
the viscounts, when on campaign.
Even if they had
mobilized all of their garrison troops, it was too many. Did this mean they had
cleverly hidden their surplus strength...
"Furthermore,
thanks to Lord Darek's reinforcements, we have captured about 250 from the
demon territory side, and I believe it is safe to say that the Frontier Knights
Sixth Corps has defeated nearly 200.
However, the
whereabouts of the commander of these forces, Viscount Hiyorimi's eldest son,
Lugner, have not yet been confirmed. It seems he has evaded our search and fled
somewhere.
On the New Checkpoint
side, just over 500 have surrendered to Lord Erol, and we have captured about
300, including Viscount Hiyorimi. We also defeated nearly 200, but it is
believed that some escaped under the cover of darkness.
It can be said that
both forces have been annihilated, and the Hiyorimi army has lost its function
as a military force."
Here, Elan raised his
hand.
"Excuse me. I
also have three pieces of information that I believe I should share.
First, it seems the
plague was originally prevalent in the Hiyorimi domain, even before it was
here. They concealed this, and it seems they made their move on us at the point
when the plague that had broken out in the southern border region had spread to
the central part.
Second, the refugees
who flooded here appear to have been intentionally created. We have confirmed
from multiple refugees that soldiers forcibly pushed the citizens, mainly from
the southern part of the domain who were suffering from the plague, toward the
Teigoon area.
Third, the soldiers
seem to have believed false information and held an abnormal level of hostility
towards us. There are signs that they were brainwashed into believing that
Baron Solis had sown the seeds of the plague in the Hiyorimi domain and killed
many of its people. That misunderstanding has now been cleared up."
I was at a loss for
words.
What have they done to
their own citizens! What reason do we have to be treated this way?
Did this mean that
Viscount Hiyorimi's hatred far exceeded my imagination...
In the previous
history, Viscount Hiyorimi and his eldest son, Lugner, had both died from this
plague. And the surviving Erol had succeeded the viscountcy, leading to the
calamities that followed. That's how history was supposed to have progressed.
By teaching them how
to deal with the plague, their lives were saved from it, and that had led to
this invasion. The fact that history was balancing its books, and its malice,
once again made me shudder.
And another thing that
astonished me was the change in Erol, my nemesis in the previous history. To be
honest, until I met him in person and confirmed it for myself, I couldn't
believe this incredible story.
"Christoph, how
is Lord Erol now?"
"Under Lord
Darek's orders, he is leading the surrendered soldiers and is engaged in
patrolling the border and the Hiyorimi domain.
It seems he is working
to rescue the remaining citizens in the Hiyorimi domain, control the flow of
refugees, and transport them to the church within his territory. He says he
will return to be punished once the infection and the situation have settled
down.
Lord Darek accepted
his offer and released them with supplies."
I see. If my brother
decided that was for the best, then I have no objection. But... it's still a
little hard to believe.
"From what I saw,
the citizens of the Hiyorimi domain called Lord Erol 'young master' and were
very fond of him. According to them, Lord Erol has been working to help the
citizens for a long time, and he seems to be very popular and well-regarded
within the domain."
Sensing my doubt,
Yoltia reported what she had seen with her own eyes.
It's true...
Before, yes, in a
report from a spy I had sent out before I left for the Royal Capital, there was
a similar story attached. But I had dismissed it, judging it to be
disinformation.
My own preconceptions,
knowing the previous history, had clouded my judgment. Is that it? The revision
of history has greatly changed people's way of life, and their roles in the
current world... is that what this is?
"We also suffered
a small number of casualties in the defensive battle. I have no words to
apologize for the fact that we lost about 20 members from the self-defense
force in particular."
Gale prostrated
himself and apologized.
"We need to treat
them, and all who died serving in the defensive battle, with the utmost
respect. Inform their remaining families and relatives that we will provide
ample compensation at a later date, and for now, please arrange for a
condolence payment of 30 gold coins from the administration for each of the
fallen.
The burden on the
self-defense force this time was extremely large, and I deeply regret that we
took their goodwill for granted. I intend to rethink their rewards, their
system, and their treatment in the future.
Miseri, when things
have calmed down, it's fine if it's later, but please report to me again on the
current financial situation. The development costs are extraordinary... I think
we're naturally in the red again this year, but we still... have some left,
right?"
"Yes, if it
weren't for the 50,000 gold coins previously granted by His Majesty the King,
we would have been completely broke... but we are fine.
Right now, Teigoon's
economy has grown to the point where it can sufficiently manage, if we exclude
factors like unreasonable development, the mass employment of laborers that
came with it, and the plague. If we maintain this growth, we will eventually
turn a profit.
There are some
provisional parts, such as payments to the church, but I will bring you a
summary of the income and expenditures later."
And so, the immediate
sharing of information came to an end.
Now, I still need to
share information with my brother Darek, my father, Viscount Gorman, and the
others who are still fighting in various places, and decide on our future
course of action.
Everyone took on their
new missions, and we began to push forward toward another battle whose end was
finally in sight: the battle for recovery and the end of the plague.
After the meeting, I
returned to Claire's room and held her hand until the next morning.
<Kyle Year 509 - At
the End of the Rebellion - Remaining Budget>
〇 Personal Gold Holdings
・Brought Forward from Previous Year: 12,000
・Income: 2,000
・Expenditure: 1,500
Remaining Balance:
Approx. 12,500 gold coins
〇 Domain's Gold Holdings
・Brought Forward from Previous Year: 40,000
・Development Expenditure: ▲38,000
・General Expenses: ▲20,000
・War Expenses: ▲1,000 (Provisional)
・Plague Response Costs: ▲6,000 (Provisional: Includes church payment)
・Sales Revenue: 5,000
・Temporary Income: 3,000
・Revenue from Captured Goods: Not yet calculated
・Kingdom Subsidy: 10,000 (For fortress construction via
Margrave)
・Domain Revenue: 24,000
※Tax Revenue (Poll tax, trade tax, rent, commodity
exchange sales profit, public ranch sales profit, agricultural products, mining
revenue, etc.)
Remaining Balance:
Approx. 17,000 gold coins
Remaining Loan
Balance: 4,000 gold coins (from the Margrave)
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