Chapter 252
When the priests acknowledged the efficiency of deer blood and began employing dual treatment methods, the spread of the pestilence started to slow down significantly.
And then, at a certain moment,
"This remedy is mainly composed of deer blood and herbs from the River Lethe. It's definitely more potent than ingesting the blood directly!"
"Great! Fantastic job! Outstanding!"
With Gilbert succeeding in creating the cure, the recovery of the patients accelerated dramatically. Additionally, as the gruesome practice of consuming fresh deer blood disappeared, the priests felt a sense of relief and could now focus entirely on healing.
As a result,
The epidemic that had originated in the heart of winter vanished within just three months, even before the planting season began, marking a remarkable victory.
"Bishop Illya, you've put in a lot of effort."
"Not at all. It's all thanks to His Majesty's wise decisions."
"The bishop seems skilled in flattery, I see."
"Excessive flattery? Your Majesty, just take a look around."
Eliane gestured with a smile.
In the expansive fields behind her, crowds of people had gathered, ready to bid farewell to Logan's group, assured that the plague had been eradicated.
Naturally, Logan had the decency not to involve the suffering people of Raftan in the farewell.
In essence, this heartfelt scene was entirely initiated by the local citizens.
As Logan's eyes naturally landed on them, cheers erupted sporadically.
"Look here, Your Majesty!"
"We are truly thankful!!"
"Long live King Logan!"
"Long live the McLaine Kingdom!"
Like thunder, the momentarily erupting shouts reverberated across the entire field, bringing genuine smiles to the faces of Logan and his companions.
Even some of the previously grumbling priests couldn't help but smile, touched by the heartfelt gratitude expressed by what seemed like a crowd of over ten thousand.
"After we return, I plan to make a generous donation to the Temple of Amonda."
After accounting for expenses on soldier training, equipment acquisitions, and even the magic crystal cultivation and dam construction,
The king, having completed the most financially burdensome tasks, wore a countenance of relief.
However, a sudden remark disrupted the harmonious atmosphere,
"Instead of donating to the temple, I hope you'll pay more attention to your people, Your Majesty."
"That goes without saying, and more...."
"Your Majesty, the people are suffering under heavy taxes. With the planting season approaching, they are at their most vulnerable. If this continues, another epidemic wouldn't be surprising."
As if transformed,
Illya flashed Logan a bright smile along with her straightforward advice, prompting a wry chuckle from him.
In any case,
'The nobles' taxes had to be advanced to cover the majority of the expenses.'
While the funds had been nearly depleted, the presence of the magic crystal mines ensured there were sufficient reserves.
"Alright. I will explore potential solutions."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Thank you... It's the least a king can do."
Rather than a response, Illya simply smiled and bowed her head, leaving Logan no option but to reciprocate with a smile.
"One can never predict how events may unfold in the world. It's wise to maintain good relations for the future."
"...Understood, Your Majesty."
As things seemed to conclude on a positive note,
The relief corps' spirits couldn't have been higher.
Consequently, the group departed amidst the people's cheers, reluctantly leaving behind the enthusiastic territorial citizens.
Their cheers persisted until the figures of the relief corps vanished over the horizon.
"Long live King Logan!"
* * * Bang!
"How could the improved epidemic result in so little! What kind of management was that!"
A sharp outcry echoed in the lavish chamber, accompanied by the rustle of black hair.
Prostrate before him, Cleo trembled but continued to bow his head.
Thud.
"My apologies, Your Highness. We failed to anticipate such a vulnerability."
Thud.
Observing Cleo repeatedly bowing, the Second Prince Baros Van Ares finally sank into his seat, grinding his teeth.
"When it comes to Logan McLaine, nothing ever goes smoothly!"
Tsk.
Releasing a small sigh to quell his frustration, the Second Prince redirected his gaze from Cleo, who remained prostrated,
"Leos. What's the current status?"
Status.
The unexpected term prompted the blue-haired attractive man standing nearby to respond with a blank expression,
"The First Prince has achieved a significant accomplishment in the western region, according to our intelligence."
"A significant feat?"
"We are only aware that it involves the Gaia Kingdom. The specifics are known solely to the 'scribe' and His Imperial Majesty. Nevertheless, the balance still tilts in your favor, Your Highness."
"Naturally. Hmm...."
Encouraged by the report, the Second Prince's lips curved into a smile once more.
"What if we made another attempt at McLaine?"
"King Logan seems to be repeating errors in all aspects except for managing the epidemic. The Strategic Department predicts a looming catastrophe within a year."
"Hence, exacerbating the already beleaguered kingdom further wouldn't yield much benefit. As your scribe, I recommend looking beyond McLaine to the allied nations of the minor kingdoms."
"Uhmm..."
The Second Prince recalled the unsettling crimson-eyed, crimson-haired king of those minor realms.
The man who had left an uneasy impression since their initial encounter.
Beyond merely quelling the civil war he had orchestrated,
there was something about him that lingered in the prince's mind.
"I'm not fond of it..."
"Pardon?"
"...I have reservations about that man."
"Then perhaps...?"
"Do we not have control over other outbreaks?"
"Your Highness, plagues are perilous. If the Restabum weren't under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Tower of Magic..."
"True. That Imperial Tower of Magic is more potent than deer blood. There's no use expecting aid from them."
At that sarcastic response, a hint of disquiet flickered in Leos' eyes.
"Your Highness... as I mentioned, the Kingdom of McLaine for the time being—"
"Ah, I've heard enough. But let's attempt one more strategy."
"Your Highness?"
"He is anticipated to self-implode from hastily amassing an army, as per the Strategic Department's projections, correct?"
"...Yes."
"I doubt he's that foolish. Hmm."
After contemplating with his chin resting on his hand, the Second Prince suddenly voiced a thought as if struck by inspiration,
"What if he had an alternate source of funding?"
"Pardon? It's implausible. A sudden emergence of state funds..."
"That's why I said 'what if,' a conjecture! What if there was one?"
"...Are you suggesting there's a fund to sustain a military force?"
"Yes."
"Even so, the repercussions of prior blunders will be severe. The very foundation of the nation, the famished populace, will lead to widespread fatalities. Even if they manage to survive for a year somehow, intensified public discontent would prompt the people to reject serving the state. This is the extent of a king's vision from a minor kingdom."
"Ah, a limitation."
"The aftermath will endure for decades. He has altered the future at the cost of 50,000 soldiers."
"Then he might seek to procure provisions."
"Pardon?"
"If he isn't as naive as the Strategic Department presumes, and if there exists a funding source, he will likely secure sustenance to prevent starvation among his people."
Upon this revelation, Leos's eyebrows twitched.
"If that were his intention, he wouldn't have raised taxes initially."
"Building an army demands substantial funds, even for a standard regiment from our imperial forces. He must have required a significant sum at the outset."
"...Your Highness appears to be overestimating King Logan."
"Overestimating?"
"Yes. If there were funds to maintain such a force, he could have taken several years to amass them."
Pfft.
Indeed, a valid point was raised.
'Unless he was privy to our empire's plans, there would have been no rush. Nonetheless….'
The Second Prince couldn't shake off that nagging premonition.
"That may be the case. Nonetheless, there's an unsettling feeling."
The directives of one of the empire's prominent heirs to the throne.
Even if these instructions stirred 'unsettling' sensations, the subordinates refrained from voicing their dissent aloud.
"Let's attempt just one more tactic. One final time."
With the Second Prince's enigmatic smile, Leos fell silent.
And Cleo, who had been incessantly thudding his forehead until it bled throughout their exchange, trembled motionless in his place.
* * *
"Gilbert. What is your perspective on the cause of the epidemic?"
"Your Majesty, as previously mentioned, our Healer's Guild attributes it to the microbes...."
Excluding those microbes, what then?"
Gilbert, typically beaming with Logan's full endorsement, slightly tensed his expression.
"Well, I...uh...I...."
Witnessing his hesitancy, Logan smirked and completed the thought himself.
"Could it be due to starvation and unhygienic conditions?"
Taken aback, Gilbert couldn't conceal his astonishment, prompting a small sigh from Logan.
"I understand that the excessive taxation is my responsibility. I don't intend to fault you, so speak freely."
"Yes. That's indeed crucial. Even the outbreak named Pestian... "
"Commenced because malnourished individuals resorted to consuming rats?"
"...How do you possess such knowledge, Your Majesty?"
Sensing Gilbert's unease, Logan steeled his resolve.
The logical sequence suggesting that hunger resulting from exorbitant taxation could lead to an epidemic began to solidify into certainty.
'Let's set aside the guilt. The time is now...'
He contemplated the necessary actions to take.
Hence,
"I aim to prevent any deaths from starvation, particularly during the planting seasons."
"...Pardon?"
"If this strategy still culminates in a situation like the previous one, I may need to call upon you once more."
"If Your Majesty beckons, I shall respond without delay."
"Excellent. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated."
Logan fortified his determination, yet upon his return to the palace, his thoughts encountered an immediate obstacle during a meeting with his trusted advisors.
"A nation where no individual starves... Haha..."
Dwayne's expression turned vacant, and just as a glint of determination flickered in his eyes, Logan involuntarily flinched.
Glaring at the king, Dwayne enunciated each word with precision,
"Your Majesty. May I speak candidly?"
"...Please proceed."
Enveloped by a menacing aura, Logan awkwardly replied as Dwayne erupted.
"Have you lost your senses?!"
The chamber reverberated with a thunderous outburst,
"It's unattainable! Completely unattainable!"
Unrestrained like a fit, no one dared to intercede or pacify Dwayne's tirade.
"An entire nation free from starvation. It sounds noble indeed! But even the empire struggles with it! Do you believe royal authority elevates you to the status of a deity!? Power emanates from budgets, the budget!! There's no conceivable way to amass that kind of wealth!"
The continuous protests, far exceeding the decorum of a vassal, went unchallenged even by the stern Knight Commander, who averted his gaze without reprimanding Dwayne.
Ultimately, the impracticality of the proposition was evident.
Fortunately, having anticipated such resistance, Logan mildly corrected Dwayne's exaggerations.
Perhaps his loyal vassal had interpreted them too fervently,
"Not to eradicate starvation entirely, but to avert fatalities caused by hunger. Could this be achievable by optimizing the budget?"
Upon this statement, Dwayne, who had been vehemently objecting, fell silent.
He desired to declare it impossible, but the surplus from the magic crystal mines made it challenging to do so.
Involuntarily, he began to perform mental calculations.
'I wish my intellect wasn't so acute.'
Ugh.
Dwayne tormented himself by tugging at his hair.
"If that's the case, why impose such heavy taxes! And why hastily raise an army! Slow down. Ahhh..."
Amidst his anguished moans, the seasoned vassal witnessed the king's daring response.
"…Is this within the realm of possibility?"
Dwayne collapsed on the spot, thunderstruck.