Chapter 41
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Plague Disaster (2)
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A massive ward.
It was currently filled with people confirmed to have ingested the Crystals of Disease.
Most of them were still young children, and a great many were Ain children at that.
"Uh, when can we go home?"
"D-Did we do something wrong?"
Ordinary children might have burst into tears from vague fear.
But these kids from the slums, who had endured endless persecution as members of the Ain race, didn't cry over something like this.
Instead, after spending a few days here, they eyed their kind caretakers with suspicion.
"You'll just need to stay under observation for another week, and if nothing happens, you can go home."
"R-Really? But why does big sis have horns on her head? Is big sis Ain too?"
The area froze at the child's question.
The one the child had asked was none other than a member of the imperial family of this empire—the princess hailed as the empire's treasure.
"Oh my, I've never thought of it that way... But now that you mention it, maybe I am."
"Y-Your Highness! Please don't say such things lightly...!"
"But it's true that I carry dragon blood, isn't it?"
Riya said this with a bright smile.
"...This could be quite useful."
Only I, standing closest, probably heard those final muttered words.
[Now that I look, you two do resemble each other. Always thinking about how to turn any situation to your advantage, no matter what.]
'Don't make me sound so mercenary.'
[Not mercenary, but definitely profit-sensitive?]
'Well, yeah.'
It was all because I'd scrambled around since childhood to save my impoverished house.
"Ahem, in any case, the treatment seems effective."
"Yes. It's all thanks to Your Excellency the Count discovering the formula for the antidote!"
The physician grabbed my hand tightly, speaking in a voice thick with emotion.
"I merely found the documents Edward left in the bell tower."
"If you hadn't... Ugh, it's horrifying to think about."
Thanks to acquiring Edward's medical knowledge through Setting Addition, we'd fortunately been able to mass-produce the antidote ahead of schedule.
For now, we'd inoculated everyone in the areas where we suspected the Crystals of Disease had spread, as well as everyone who'd been in contact with them.
"We've saved so many lives because of you. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart."
"No, it's thanks to everyone's efforts. You've all worked hard."
Resolving this incident smoothly hadn't been my achievement alone.
Without the physicians and mages from the Magic Tower pulling all-nighters to produce it, or the empire's knights swiftly controlling crowds and preventing spread, the capital would already have become a hotbed of plague.
"So, preparations are all set now?"
"Yes. All that's left is tomorrow's finals."
When I answered without much thought, Riya stared at me intently.
"Are you sure you're okay? I could always..."
"I'm fine."
I looked at Riya and spoke with firm conviction.
I knew what she was worried about, but the situation was already in place.
And I would be the one to cap it off.
"Definitely."
* * *
The day dawned.
The day that would decide the hero of this Imperial Martial Tournament and the Founding Festival.
The day when the imperial capital drew its largest crowds, buzzing with the most energy.
"Who do you think will win today? I'm betting on Sir Silverst!"
"Come on! Then we can't make a wager!"
Amid the noisy crowds, most chatter was about predicting today's victor.
Ian Silverst, one of the continent's—no, the empire's—greatest geniuses.
And Clay Banheart, count of Talua Kingdom.
Clay's skills had certainly been impressive, but consensus held they fell short of Ian's.
'Clay Banheart...'
One man who overheard the conversations mulled over the name.
He had encountered Clay right in front of him once before.
'To think that was Clay Banheart.'
Should he call this coincidence?
Edward slowly shook his head.
'Something's off.'
There was no reason for him to come seeking me out with imperial knights for no cause.
Perhaps...
'It might be connected to how the plague hasn't spread yet.'
Yesterday and today.
Dráig, which should have been plunged into chaos by the plague, was still full of laughter, and the Founding Festival proceeded undisturbed.
'Did the crown prince catch on and move that guy?'
No, unlikely.
The crown prince lacked that kind of insight.
Besides, if he'd known about the plague, he would've tried to kill or capture me, not help.
"Now, the showdown to decide the hero of this Founding Festival will commence!"
"Woooaaah!"
At the referee's cry, the colosseum's packed audience roared until their throats tore.
Edward stared at the spectators while scanning his surroundings carefully.
Once every four years, the day drawing the largest crowds to one place. An astonishing 30,000 spectators filled the arena now.
'They think they've stopped my plague...'
Letting it spread as-is would be impossible.
He needed another plan.
'A place like this could multiply the infected in one go.'
Edward's hand, hidden in his long sleeve, turned to smoke.
Just as he began slowly spreading it to infect everyone without drawing eyes—
"Sir Clay Banheart, where are you? Please come to the arena!"
The referee's urgent shout rang out.
Only then did Edward notice that Ian Silverst stood alone in the arena.
"What? Did he forfeit?"
"Nah, no way... Pulling that here would bring the empire's wrath."
If Clay skipped the finals, it'd ruin the Founding Festival. The empire wouldn't tolerate it.
Sure enough, Emperor Gideon's face soured.
'Tch. No time then.'
If the finals were canceled, there wouldn't be enough time for the plague to spread fully.
He needed to hurry...
Grab!
Someone yanked his shoulder.
"Aren't you rushing things a bit too much?"
"...!"
Edward's eyes widened upon seeing who'd grabbed him.
"Why are you here...!"
"Your disguise today is impressive. I almost walked past thinking you were just another spectator."
Clay Banheart, who should have been in the arena by now, sat right beside him.
* * *
"Probably wore that distinctive outfit normally to prepare for times like this."
I chuckled and sat next to Edward.
As he'd said, Edward looked utterly different from before.
A goblin mask and black physician's robes.
Insisting on such eye-catching attire was likely to cement his image that way.
No one seeing him now would think of Edward.
'Except me.'
With my Setting Check ability, no one hides from me.
[That's an Inpi mask on his face. Rare stuff from the East.]
'Such a thing exists?'
[Mostly used for disguises.]
Keeping an eye on Edward's hand hidden in his long sleeve, I continued calmly.
"Since the plague didn't spread as planned, I figured you'd come here. No place denser with people, right? Spray the germs here, and you'd get mass infections in one shot."
"How... how did you figure that out?"
"Like I just said—simple deduction."
"No. I'm asking how you knew about me."
Hatred laced his voice.
He must have realized by now. I was the one who'd ruined all his plans.
"Does that matter now?"
"It does."
"Hmm. Seems like something more urgent needs your attention."
"Other matters?"
"For example..."
I flashed another grin at Edward's puzzled gaze.
And with that smile, a red sword gleam flashed across his neck.
"Like a sword flying at you from behind... Ah, a bit late on the warning."
Edward's head severed in an instant and rolled across the floor. His body toppled sideways, losing balance.
"Kyaa! Kyaaaah! Someone's dead!"
Screams erupted as nearby people fled the sudden horror.
A vacant space formed around the headless Edward.
"W-What's happening? Ah, that's...! Sir Clay Banheart!"
The referee spotted me amid the uproar and shouted.
Not just him—other spectators peering at the commotion turned their eyes to me.
"...Count Banheart, I've handled things as requested, but can you manage the cleanup?"
"Cleanup will be up to Her Highness the Princess."
"Uh, erm. Her Highness..."
Countess Ribina looked down at Edward's corpse with a complicated expression.
She'd worn that face even when I first mentioned this.
If not for Riya smiling brightly right beside me, she never would've agreed. She'd have told me to prepare for the finals instead.
That's why connections matter.
"Anyway, seems we've taken this guy down..."
"Countess Ribina."
"What now?"
"Don't jump to conclusions yet."
She frowned at my words, but I offered no further explanation.
She'd see for herself soon enough.
"Saying 'taken down' usually means things are just getting started."
Kwaaaa!
Green smoke exploded from Edward's fallen body.
My body was instantly engulfed in the sudden haze, while Countess Ribina reflexively leaped back out of range.
If people had lingered nearby, casualties would've been heavy.
"Urk?! This is...! Count Banheart, you alright!"
Of course I was. This was the scenario I'd orchestrated.
"Human strength cannot stop me."
Edward's body dispersed like a cloud.
His voice echoed from the smoke, and the green haze began spreading rapidly.
"W-What's that?!"
"Run! Get away!"
Even those watching from afar started fleeing, but it was too late. No human could outrun smoke.
"Indeed, impossible for ordinary humans."
'All your fault. I planned to proceed calmly. The hell unfolding now is all because of you...'
Edward's words cut off.
The smoke spreading wildly halted, blocked by something.
"W-What's this barrier?"
A man moments from the smoke gaped at the transparent curtain before him.
'What is this...'
I kindly explained to the flustered Edward.
"But not everyone here is human."
Boom!
The colosseum shook violently.
My eyes turned upward, and Edward's gaze likely followed.
There floated a dragon.
The former Dragon Calamity, Riya Asktalin.