CH 61

Afterwards, I listened to the stories from the villagers.

They all said the same thing.

Before they knew it, they had fallen ill.

The symptoms of the rapidly progressing disease appeared all over their bodies without any warnings or prodromes.

Many people were creeped out or frightened, and they were sent away to a large city doctor’s office as if being chased out.

However, no one who fell ill has returned.

The child who was the first to show symptoms passed away a few weeks ago.

I heard that the mother of the child also passed away a few days later.

“Did the mother also pass away from the same disease?”

“No, I heard it was due to overwork. She took care of her son without sleeping, and her energy dropped after losing him.”

“We were also told that story, so we don’t know if it’s true or not.”

“I see…”

I wonder if it was really due to overwork or if it was due to the disease.

If there was a high risk of becoming infected by being in contact with infected people for a long time, we must also be careful.

We are going to be in contact with them a lot for a while from now on.

I’ll ask His Highness Ash about it later.

“Is there anything else? About the child who was first infected,”

“Well, there was nothing particularly unusual, I think.”

“What kind of child was he before he got sick? Was he naturally weak, or did he have any illnesses?”

“No, no, on the contrary, he was a healthy child. He used to run around the forest every day playing. Even though his mother warned him it was dangerous, he would go far away on his own, so she had a hard time.”

It didn’t seem like he was naturally weak or suffering from any illnesses.

According to their story, there was an adult man who was weak, but he didn’t get infected.

He has now moved to the town to accompany those who were infected because he can move better than they can.

In other words, it meant that there was no one else to rely on other than him, who was physically weak.

“Thank you for sharing your story with us.”

“It’s okay.”

“This is all we can do. Please try to get rid of this disease as soon as possible.”

“Yes. We’ll do our best.”

After hearing all the stories from the villagers, I returned to where everyone was waiting by the carriage.

Yuren-kun and Fusaki-kun had been waiting near the entrance of the village, knowing that it might be difficult to talk with their presence.

As they saw me returning, both Yuren-kun and Fusaki-kun ran up to me.

“Nee-san!”

“Are you okay now?”

“Yeah. Thanks, I was able to hear their stories.”

After talking with the two of them, His Highness Ash came up to us.

I met his gaze.

“Sorry for the wait.”

“It’s okay. Shall we get going then?”

◇◇◇

Luia is a town located in the center of the Ayre territory.

It is a large town where most of the territory’s residents live, and its beautiful streetscape is characterized by white and fantastical features.

It is also famous as a tourist destination, and many tourists visit here every day.

However, it is currently completely refusing to accept tourists, and there are few people walking around the town.

It seems that infections are spreading even in the town, and the residents are afraid.

Our carriage passes through the quiet shopping district of the city, and we arrive at His Highness Ash’s residence.

The carriage was parked and we entered the mansion, facing each other in the reception room.

His Highness Ash asked me.

“Was there anything you didn’t understand from what you heard from the villagers?”

“Just one thing. I heard that the mother of the first infected child had passed away, but is it true that it was due to overwork?”

“Yeah, that woman wasn’t infected. There were no symptoms that suggested it seen in her body.”

“I see.”

So, being together doesn’t make you more susceptible to infection?

But I can’t judge based on just one case.

I must be careful not to get infected.

“Is there anything else?”

“No, that was the only thing I wanted to ask about.”

“I see. Well then, would it be okay for you to start working from today?”

“Yes!”

I gave a clear and enthusiastic answer to restore my motivation.

Then, Fusaki-kun also raised his hand widely.

“I’ll help too! If there’s anything we need, I’ll go get it!”

“Sure. I’m counting on you.”

Yuren-kun then asked His Highness.

“Brother.”

“I understand. You also help out and lend your strength.”

“Thank you.”

Yuren-kun bows his head to His Highness.

I want to thank him instead.

I also bow with him, and His Highness waves his hand while saying “good, good.”

“Words of gratitude can wait until everything is settled! So, I’m counting on you, the Transmutation Master with high expectations.”

“Yes.”

I swear to work with all my might to meet those expectations.

◇◇◇

At the same time Aria and the others arrived,

The earth shook in the north of Luia, and the surrounding villages were devastated.

All the villagers perished.

The cause of death was said to be the shaking and the collapse of buildings, but thorn patterns were found on the bodies of young villagers.