Chapter 123

Cyrus was lost in thought. Aside from mealtimes, he spent the rest of his time in his study, pondering. He wondered how things were in the Yami Kingdom Yami Kingdom. He had sent Qing Tuan to deliver a letter there, but it returned unopened. This meant the recipient was no longer in the Yami Kingdom, whether it was the Second Prince Nitaya or someone else...

Something must have happened in the Yami Kingdom that he was unaware of.

Cyrus couldn't help but have a bad feeling.

What is the nearest country to the Yami Kingdom?

It is the Saint Airo Empire.

After Orville, Archibald, and Gena Kozmo arrived at the castle, Cyrus inquired about the situation in the Saint Airo Empire —was anyone around them sick? Were there many patients with similar symptoms?

However, all three left the Saint Airo Empire relatively early, and all gave negative answers to Cyrus's questions.

No one around was sick.

Archibald asked, puzzled, "Why do you ask that?"

Cyrus said with a solemn expression, "An infectious disease has emerged in the Yami Kingdom."

He handed the letter from the second prince of the Yami Kingdom to Archibald and the others for them to read, saying, "This second prince, Nitaya, sent an envoy to the Desinia Territory to purchase a considerable amount of herbal medicines... After the Yami Kingdom and the Desinia Territory established friendly relations, I had Qing Tuan send a letter of greeting and inquire about the latest use of the medicines..."

However, the contents of the letters all indicated that this disease was extraordinary, especially the second letter, which stated that many people had died in the city of the Yami Kingdom in just one night.

"The Yami Kingdom is geographically closest to the Saint Airo Empire; I fear the empire may also contract this infectious disease..."

The study was currently occupied by His Holiness the Pope, Orville, Archibald, and His Majesty King Gena Kozmo of the Bovell Kingdom.

Upon hearing this, Gena frowned, puzzled, and asked, "How could a disease originating in the Yami Kingdom have spread to the Saint Airo Empire?"

"Not to mention the distance between the two countries, there's also a waterway in between. Can disease really fly over there?"

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"Moreover, the Saint Airo Empire is far more powerful than the Yami Kingdom, so Lord Desinia has no need to worry so much."

Without historical precedent or the horrors of an epidemic, in this era, while people believe that disease can take lives, they don't believe that a single disease can simultaneously claim so many lives and spread so rampantly and relentlessly across a vast area, sowing fear...

But it has already begun in the Yami Kingdom.

And clearly, judging from the attitudes of His Holiness the Pope, the Duke, and others, they did not realize the seriousness of the problem.

Cyrus said, "I mentioned the existence of bacteria at the auction before. Some bacteria can be spread through droplets from breathing or talking, skin contact with a patient's sputum, wounds, etc., while some animals and insects can also carry bacteria. When these animals bite you, the bacteria can enter your body through saliva, blood, etc., damaging your liver and health..."

Orville asked, "What kind of animal is it?"

Cyrus: "For example, rats, fleas, and flying insects."

Segalot: "Can diseases originating in the Yami Kingdom really spread to the Saint Airo Empire?"

Cyrus nodded. "Some bacteria spread very quickly and have an incubation period in the human body... You may have contracted the disease without even realizing it."

The reason why the disease broke out overnight in the city of the Yami Kingdom was also because of this. During the incubation period, related symptoms would appear, but which doctor could diagnose it? After all, medical level and ability are very limited, and there has never been such a case before.

Doctors could only advise them to drink herbal remedies based on common symptoms such as fever and cough.

This is the treatment for nobles.

However, some sick commoners or slaves did not have enough money to buy medicine to treat their illnesses, while beggars or vagrants had no chance of receiving treatment at all.

No one cares or pays attention when they get sick or die.

When everything accumulates to a certain point, it will explode, catching people off guard.

Cyrus said, "As long as there is still movement of people and trade between the Yami Kingdom and the Saint Airo Empire, there will inevitably be contact between them. If a sick person or an animal carrying bacteria were to enter the Saint Airo Empire... the spread of this disease would be only a matter of time."

"Perhaps even... the Achiyoli Territory, the Anas Kingdom, and the Desinia Territory will not be able to avoid it."

Cyrus looked at Gena, whose expression was gradually changing, and said, "The Bovell Kingdom is in the Far North, very far from both sides, so the situation might be a little better there..."

Moreover, the Far North is very cold.

Gena's expression showed no sign of relaxation.

He said, "If what the lord says is true, this disease can be transmitted through human-to-human contact, and even animals... Even if the situation in the Bovell Kingdom is better, people will still die as long as there is contact with the outside world."

Cyrus said, "Therefore, I would like to ask you to take precautions against this disease within your respective territories, and to be alert for any individuals exhibiting the symptoms described in the letter..."

"If so, they should be isolated and treated promptly."

"Furthermore, I've lost contact with Prince Nitaya." Cyrus frowned. "I don't know the current situation in the Yami Kingdom, nor the Saint Airo Empire..."

Segalot then said, "You can send Qing Tuan to the Saint Church."

Cyrus looked up.

Segalot: "The church dome is engraved with the emblem representing the Creator God, which Qing Tuan should be able to recognize. In addition, Malediz has been to the Desinia Territory before, so he should be familiar with Qing Tuan."

If the lord of Desinia's eagle flies into the Saint Church, the clergy will certainly report it to the cardinal who is temporarily in charge of the Saint Church.

Cyrus can use this to learn about the situation within the Saint Airo Empire.

Segalot, with one hand resting on the back of the chair, looked at Cyrus's surprised expression and said, "Do you still have the Papal Edict I gave you?"

Cyrus nodded.

Orville and the others glanced at them sideways.

Segalot chuckled, "You can use this token to make any request of me, whatever it may be, I will not refuse."

Upon hearing this, Cyrus's heart stirred.

He wanted His Holiness the Pope to use the Holy See's influence in the Saint Airo Empire and even in various small countries and territories to explain the dangers of this disease. He wanted the clergy in the church to explain to the common people, slaves, and even nobles how the disease spread and how to protect themselves.

With the righteousness of creation!

God asked them to do this! God will save them.

--To get people to listen, you need to emphasize the speaker's authority.

The Holy See carries enough weight.

Just as Cyrus was about to speak, Segalot said, "But we can save that opportunity for later. Now, whatever you ask of me, I will not refuse."

What do you want?

His Holiness the Pope seems exceptionally tolerant of the Lord of Desinia.

This caused Orville to frown slightly, Archibald to narrow his eyes, and even Gena Kozmo's expression seemed thoughtful.

Cyrus, however, did not notice their expressions and postures. Instead, she got up from her original seat, sat down next to His Holiness the Pope, and made her request to him.

The Saint Airo Empire.

Suddenly, a huge eagle flew over the Saint Church and landed on the inner wall of the Saint Church, startling the clergy who then hurriedly reported it to the two cardinals.

Malediz and Dempus appeared below the wall shortly afterward.

Malediz taken aback. "The eagle of the Lord of Desinia?"

Before the words were finished, the enormous eagle flew down to the steps beside it, and a sharp-eyed clergyman noticed something tied to one of the eagle's talons.

Malediz walked forward and, as the Qing Tuan bounced around, stretched out its feet to remove the cylinder tied to it.

The Qing Tuan spread its wings again and flew up to the high dome, where it stood on a protruding spot and began to slowly preen its feathers.

Malediz opened the cylinder, and upon seeing what was written inside, his expression changed slightly. He then handed the letter to Dempus, saying, "If I remember correctly, some of the people who came to the Saint Church to pray yesterday seemed to have the symptoms described in the letter..."

He happened to be passing by at the time, and the man's violent coughing was too obvious.

Malediz stopped and looked into the prayer hall. Someone clutched their chest, suddenly trembled, and collapsed. The person was then helped out of the prayer hall.

He hadn't paid any attention at first, but after seeing the contents of the letter, he suddenly remembered...

After reading it, Dempus's expression was even more solemn Malediz's.

Malediz couldn't help but ask him what was wrong.

Dempus said, "Several clergy members in the Saint Church have also developed these symptoms."

He was in charge of managing the absences of clergy from prayer and leave due to illness. Before today, two or three clergy members were unable to continue preparing for the weekly worship service due to illness, so they came to his archbishop to explain the situation, and the archbishop then reported to him.

Dempus was initially puzzled as to why the symptoms described in the reports were identical...

Malediz: "Quickly send someone to inquire about the condition of these clergy members. His Holiness the Pope also wants to know the current situation in the Imperial Capital, so he will also send someone to investigate..."

Dempus and Malediz dared not delay and followed the instructions in the letter.

That night, when the moon was high in the sky, the two cardinals still showed no signs of sleepiness, their expressions solemn and grim.

Afterwards, in the study, Malediz wrote a letter, which was quickly stuffed into a cylinder and tied to Qing Tuan's claws. The snow-white bird left a trail in the dark night and disappeared.

Cyrus wasn't asleep yet; she was nestled on a soft cushion in her private study with His Holiness the Pope, surrounded by their furry companions.

He couldn't sleep soundly until he received a reply.

Finally, the sound of flapping wings rang out from outside the window.

Cyrus turned his head, Qing Tuan landed on the wooden frame, stretching out its paws at him. He took the letter, read it...

Cyrus's expression darkened.

Things, however, have taken a turn for the worse.