Chapter 191:

Chapter 191:

Knock knock.

At that moment, someone appeared through the open door gap.

Hmm, Countess Monad?

Yes.

He was an administrator from Elpasa, dispatched from the duchy.

This place, Elpasa, was a fairly large fortress, with a territory the size of several villages combined, administered by the official appointed by the Duchy as the Lord.

I, a representative from the village, request to meet you.

A representative from the village?

After exchanging glances with Jude for a moment, Juliet shrugged her shoulders.

Let them in.

Come in, Jacobo!

The one who came in was an elderly man with a rugged appearance.

Contrary to his simple appearance, his physique, used to labor, slightly hunched posture.

Juliet seemed to guess the mans occupation.

A miner.

Yes, most villages here in Elpasa are mining towns.

The administrator from Elpasa explained.

Primarily, the salt mines and sapphire mines are the largest.

Sapphire mines?

Juliet tilted her head slightly, sensing a strange familiarity.

Why? It felt like she was on the verge of recalling something.

Come closer, Jacobo.

At the administrators words, a middle-aged man hesitated, then approached them.

A knight with a sheathed sword and a woman dressed simply for easy riding.

Alternating glances between the two, conflicted Jacobo bowed his head deeply.

Please help, my lord!

The higher authority is over there.

Jude politely pointed towards Juliet.

The man turned out to be a village chief who was quick to change his demeanor.

Please save us, Countess!

What happened?

Juliet felt a bit pathetic, and heaved a sigh.

Little children are dying while shedding blood!

The rugged-looking man, who was already half bald, said he was the village chief.

Please save the poor kids!

Juliet, now understanding the situation roughly, felt awkward.

Isnt there a doctor in the village?

Its been several months since we had one.

According to the lord, as the village became poorer, the number of doctors decreased, and the few that remained were now unable to return from the larger villages due to the heavy snowfall that had been continuing for days.

I am not a doctor either

Juliet felt helpless, but seeing the desperate look in the mans eyes, she couldnt bring herself to refuse.

She had to at least pretend to do something.

Where are the children?

Moreover, to distract herself, it was better to get moving.

* * *

Elpasa.

* * *

Its scurvy.

Fortunately, Juliet knew the symptoms.

Jude frowned.

Scurvy? But isnt that a disease you get if you stay away from land for too long?

Since scurvy was also known as the sailors disease, Judes words werent entirely wrong.

Then a man known as the village chief cautiously intervened.

Well, that cant be, maam. Everyone here has lived off the land for generations. Could it be dysentery?

Maam then Countess, the titles were liberally used.

Its not contagious.

But Juliet shook her head.

Scurvy has nothing to do with land or sea. Its from a lack of food. I am not a doctor but its not contagious.

Juliet sighed.

I heard that there was a similar case in Tremoils silver mine before. Village chief, what have the villagers been eating lately?

Ah, weve been running out of potatoes since a while ago, and the merchants are stranded due to the heavy snow

Relieved that its not contagious, Jacobo nervously explained the situation.

With enough intake of vegetables and fruits, its a disease that can be easily cured. So you dont have to worry too much

Accidentally saying that, Juliet, who was rubbing her eyes, met the desperate gazes of dozens of pairs of eyes looking at her.

What did I just say?

Realizing her mistake, Juliet bit her tongue.

If there was abundant food, they wouldnt have gotten sick in the first place!

Besides, didnt she just hear about the merchants being stranded due to heavy snowfall?

Jude.

Yes, Miss.

There should be some sugar-preserved fruits in the carriage.

Like sugar-lime preserves or dried fruits.

The well-prepared maids always packed plenty of snacks for long carriage trips.

And anything similar you find, please bring it all.

The people of the Dukes house, along with the acting lord of Elpasa, went around the village distributing dried fruits and rations.

Its fortunate that the journey to the Dukes residence wasnt far.

Actually, she didnt plan to help this much, but Juliet had a reason to help them the next day.

The next morning, Juliet and the Dukes people, rubbing their sleepy eyes, were treated to breakfast at the lords mansion.

Thanks to their efforts distributing supplies until late last night, except for the townspeople who had flocked to see the noble visitors from the Dukes residence, the breakfast table was almost the same as the dinner last night.

Hm? Why didnt they bring this out yesterday?

Though modest, dried ostrich dishes were served. Ostrich meat was a good ingredient for treating scurvy

Amid the buzz, feeling somehow like a spectacle, the Dukes people had their breakfast.

Listening vaguely to the conversation between the lord and the townspeople while sipping on the thin stew, Juliet almost choked.

Cough.

Are you alright?

Jude, who was next to her, patted her back.

Sapphire mines?

Yes, Countess.

Jacobo, who was invited to the breakfast, was explaining about the village during the meal.

A few months ago, when we started offering sapphires to the imperial family instead of the Dukes house, the villages conditions worsened significantly.

Somehow, it was a story she had heard often.