Regressor of the Fallen Family Novel

Regressor of the Fallen Family (Novel) Chapter 243

**Chapter 243: Pandemic

**Chapter 243: PandemicA term referring to a widespread outbreak of a disease that spreads rapidly, often resulting in high casualties.Throughout the continent's history, there have been instances where empires collapsed due to such pandemics.Hence, it was inevitable that the Kingdom of McLaine would descend into chaos."Pandemic?! Where?!"What was this sudden piece of news?'This never occurred in my past life.'Logan was utterly bewildered, bridging his past and present lives in his reaction."Southeastern Rafthan territory. Four days back...""Why now?!"And at a time like this...As Damian reported the news, Logan bit his lip till it bled, struggling to fortify the nation's defenses, only to face this unforeseen calamity that could disrupt all his plans."We must act swiftly!""With just the royal family's strength, we might not contain its spread. We need the nobles' assistance!""Call for a grand council! Immediately!"Upon hearing the severity of the situation, Logan's advisors swiftly relayed his command to the nobles.The nobles residing in the capital's estates were hastily assembled.As nobles, they felt as if disaster had struck—or rather, as if their homes were ablaze."What's happening all of a sudden...""A true catastrophe.""The old saying goes 'when a king lacks virtue, calamities arise'...""Hey! Stop with the ominous words!"The nobles gathered in the council whispered in anxiety among themselves.Soon after,- Announcing the arrival of His Majesty the King!With a knight's shout from outside, the nobles fell silent, focusing on the main gates of the council hall.Thud, thud.Logan strode across the grand hall and took his seat on the throne, sighing briefly before surveying the room."Thank you all for coming on short notice. An unexpected situation has arisen, and we've called this urgent meeting to seek your cooperation. Prime Minister, update us on the situation.""Yes, Your Majesty."Roberts Floyd stepped forward, reading from a lengthy document in his hands.A week ago, in a Rafthan village, a corpse was found bleeding from all orifices. Within three days, around thirty others with similar symptoms had perished. Additionally, a hundred more residents showed troubling signs of high fever and skin rashes."Just three days?""Unbelievable!""How is this possible?!"Even for a contagious disease, the speed of infection to death in three days was unfathomable.The council erupted once more in disbelief."Quiet, let him finish!"While the nobles were shocked, Roberts Floyd's report was not yet over."The Temple suspects this plague resembles the Lestabum that devastated fifteen territories in the kingdom's east seventy years ago. Although there are doubts about its exact nature..."The rest of his speech hardly reached the already alarmed nobles.An epidemic that had ravaged multiple territories in the past; the mere similarity was enough to signal danger."Is there a cure?! What about the priests?!""We need to seek help from the Temple immediately!""We must isolate Rafthan territory!"The council hall buzzed like a market."Silence!!"With a firm slam of his armrest, Logan quickly quelled the intense atmosphere."Prime Minister, what's the current status of the pandemic?""Currently, Rafthan territory has isolated the village and imposed restrictions. However, two days ago, another village reported its first case with early symptoms."Logan closed his eyes tightly, though he had heard this report before."Specific symptoms?""High fever, redness all over, followed by unconsciousness. Three days later, victims vomit blood from eyes, nose, ears, and mouth until death."Mournful sounds spread through the council hall."As you've heard, the situation is dire. With the support of the royal family and all of you, we aim to resolve this crisis promptly. Any suggestions should be voiced."Logan mentioned support measures, yet..."Your Majesty. No pandemic in history has been completely eradicated."Zach Juan was the first to express a pessimistic view."I know it can be treated with divine power.""There are limits to what priests can do. If the pandemic spreads, we're unprepared.""What do you propose then?""... We must mobilize resources to quarantine Rafthan territory and burn everything within.""What?!"A chilling proposal to wipe out an entire territory.Despite the radical suggestion, many nobles supported it."Exactly!""Sacrificing one territory to save the nation is worthwhile!""I agree wholeheartedly!"The council chamber descended into chaos, with nobles shouting and veins bulging, until Logan's commanding presence, as an Aura User, silenced them instantly."Are we suggesting annihilating a territory of over thirty thousand due to a pandemic? Is this the discussion befitting nobles? Have you forgotten your duty to protect our land?""But the pandemic can bring down a country, Your Majesty. It's better to stop it early with a few sacrifices!""We'll prevent it before it escalates! Not extermination, but salvation—suggest measures for that!"Logan's resolute voice restored order in the hall.But a deep voice from below the throne shattered the silence."Instruct the lords near Rafthan to seal borders, prioritize aiding the lacking military forces."The Sword Sage's statement caused a stir in the hall.Logan furrowed his brow, gazing at his master."Duke, you're not suggesting extermination too, are you?""Of course not. I propose cutting off contagion possibilities and launching rescue operations."The Sword Sage drew a clear distinction between his advice and the other nobles' opinions.While this stance puzzled many nobles, Zach Juan managed a faint smile, caught by the discerning eyes of the Sword Sage. However, before his smile faded, the Sword Sage had already noticed.'That man...'Just as the Sword Sage's brow furrowed,"Send requests to the Temples for priests, secure the territory's quarantine. Inform the surrounding lords to support with troops, food, and essentials! Every noble must contribute supplies and funds for relief aid! Any shortfall will be covered by the royal household!""Your Majesty?!"Dwayne, who had been quietly observing, was taken aback by the decree, yet even that didn't soothe the anxious nobles."If it spreads to another territory...""Our land is close...""Could this escalate into a major disaster?"Whispers of concern among the nobles didn't escape Logan's notice.Each noble was focused on their own position.This behavior baffled the newly crowned King Logan, leaving him somewhat disgusted."Boom!""I've made a decision! The royal family will spare no effort to contain the pandemic and save Rafthan. I expect your voluntary cooperation, noblest of nobles!"As Logan rose to conclude the grand council meeting,"Your Majesty. I fear if the pandemic spreads, it'll spell disaster for our nation. We might regret not acting sooner, but by then, it'll be too late."Zach Juan, worried, voiced his opinion loudly.A cold smile formed on Logan's lips as he gazed down at Zach's calculated expression."Are you hinting that I'll be blamed for this?"All eyes were on their exchange, and Zach Juan's steely gaze began to waver."No, I wouldn't dare...""Do as you wish, but remember, any noble or king who forsakes their people, regardless of circumstances, is unworthy. If you're truly noble, don't forget your duty and choose your words wisely!""... I'll remember that."With Zach Juan's demeanor hardening, the council meeting drew to a close.* * *"It's disheartening, after dealing with the Mana Cultivation Farming Method and other issues...""Are you saying we should ignore the territory struck by a devastating epidemic?""Who's suggesting that? This fate is just suffocating. Why can't things ever be simple?"Dwayne slapped his chest in frustration, capturing Logan's current mood perfectly, leading him to release an exasperated sigh and clutch his head.'In my past life, nothing like this ever happened. What went wrong?'An unexpected worst-case scenario reignited the headache he thought was fading.Pandemics were termed calamities for their mysterious origins.Now, the focus was on finding a solution rather than dwelling on the cause."Begin sorting relief supplies and food for Rafthan territory, stressing the nobles' obligation to contribute. They'll have to pitch in.""... Yes.""Dispatch priests and troops to accompany them. Any other ideas?""There's a guild of healers. They're sought by commoners lacking funds, although their efficacy isn't as visible as priests.""Ah, that's right.""Shall we seek their support too?""Yes. Reach out to them and promise generous rewards for their aid!""Understood."While the royal palace busily planned to combat the pandemic, within the Grand Temples of Grandia, dissenting voices started to emerge, stirring potential turmoil if made public."Who'd volunteer to go treat an endless pandemic in Rafthan?"Bishop Roop Teian of the god of trees and life, Agni, frowned, echoing concerns shared by other bishops."Looking at records of the Lestabum plague, even intermediate-grade priests perished. Sending lower-ranked priests could be perilous..."Bishop Praha of the god of earth and death, Adga, added, hardening the bishops' expressions further.The notion that lower-ranking priests might perish sent a chill through the council."Yet, if the pandemic spreads, it'll shake the country. As children of god, we must fulfill our duty."Bishop Ilia of the god of seas and changes, Amonda, the lone female bishop, spoke like a true priest, deepening the council's contemplation."Let's organize the priests each order can send. I'll convey it to the king afterward."Grand Archbishop Pamien Gernheim of the god of water and agriculture, Aiyon, concluded the meeting, and...After Logan reviewed the list of deployable priests from the Temples, frustration gripped him."Only eighteen people? And just one senior priest? This is outrageous!"Logan's voice quivered with restrained anger.With a city of thirty thousand plagued, sending a mere eighteen priests was like throwing a pebble into a river—an utterly inadequate effort."Thankfully, the Healer's Guild has over 300 volunteers...""Enough. Ready the knights; we're heading to the Great Temple now!""Pardon?"Leaving a bewildered Dwayne behind, Logan headed straight for the Great Temple of Grandia.* * * The northern part of Grandia's Outer City.Beyond a luxurious street in stark contrast to the common Outer City, lay 'Temple Street,' where grand temples stood in a row.The nine temples, crafted from pure white marble, shared a single compound, yet the common folk avoided the street, opting for other routes.An irony of temples meant to carry out divine will but shunned by everyday citizens.'Even in my past life, the underprivileged rarely hoped for a priest's healing.'Recalling this unchanged reality since his rebirth, Logan rode his horse to the temple's entrance, flanked by knights."Y-Your Majesty?"The king's unscheduled visit, accompanied by knights, caught the temple guards off guard, their faces as pale as the temple's walls."Inform the Grand Archbishop of my visit.""Yes, yes! Please wait a moment!"The guards rushed inside, and soon Logan faced the Grand Archbishop."It's been a while, Grand Archbishop.""Ah, the honor of Your Majesty's personal visit after so long...""Increase the priests sent to Rafthan. Eighteen won't suffice!"Cutting short the Grand Archbishop Pamien's greetings, Logan got to the point.The Grand Archbishop, with a strained smile and evasive eyes, hesitated to respond."We have our considerations... Ha ha ha."Observing the Grand Archbishop's nonchalant response, Logan openly frowned.'As always, what drives these priests is clear.'Suppressing a sigh, Logan played his trump card."The royal family will show sincerity.""Sincerity, you say?""Offering a hundred million gold coins. How about that?"An amount that would render Dwayne unconscious.A hundred million gold.Equivalent to a middling count's annual budget.The colossal sum stirred even the Grand Archbishop."With such generosity from Your Majesty... let me discuss with the bishops."'Are you serious?'Discussing with the bishops meant starting over.Logan didn't expect a lukewarm response to his substantial offer.Should the pandemic spread, the kingdom faced ruin. Eradicating the territory would lead to unmanageable repercussions.With resources needed to prepare for an impending catastrophe, suppressing the pandemic was crucial.Thus, Logan proposed a bold move the Grand Archbishop couldn't easily dismiss."I'll go to Rafthan myself. The royal family will spare no effort! I seek the Temple's aid too!"His declaration widened the Grand Archbishop's eyes, and...