A Plan to Defeat the Plague
In the kingdom of Nereida, the state religion was the Hestia Church.
The Grand Archbishop Yohanna prayed daily.
*Oh Goddess, please do not let the Black Devil swallow them up.*
The Black Devil was the Church's euphemism for the plague.
The Hestia Church primarily conducted healing services based on divine power.
Consequently, their influence over medicine was immense.
If even a single baseless rumor spread, an uncontrollable catastrophe could result in victims.
That was why they used a code name instead of openly speaking of the plague, to prevent rumors from circulating.
However, Yohanna had sensed it.
The day when the plague's existence could no longer be denied was approaching.
*The already a few kingdoms had been afflicted, and even an edict of quarantine had been issued.*
The Church had likewise halted all activities to address the crisis first.
They needed to find a cure somehow.
*If the plague continued to spread and the Church's activities ceased, the seas would descend into even greater chaos.*
That was something they absolutely must prevent.
It was only natural, wasn't it?
*If we can't do healing services, we can't receive donations... or rather, we can't receive any contributions at all...!*
Yohanna bit her lip hard.
The healing services of the Hestia Church were known as free of charge.
But in reality, they were not.
In the end, nothing came without something going.
Nobles, starting with the lords, had quietly slipped in donations.
*Well, it was from sincere faith.*
There were truly devout believers who gave without expecting anything...
But most of it was no more than a bribe, a request to come again.
Even the Goddess could not encompass every island and kingdom scattered across the vast sea.
Moreover, a mere human Grand Archbishop could only go to a limited number of places.
If this was the case, shouldn't one naturally be drawn more to the places that demonstrated *greater faith*?
Yohanna was also one of those who responded to that *faith* with sincerity.
*Click! This time a new statue came out...!*
The children were frantically waving, begging her to look at them.
If those cheeky nobles got it first?
*No way. Absolutely not!*
We cannot let this plague catch us by the ankle.
We would somehow defeat the plague and go save the sick... instead of money.
Yohanna steeled her resolve once more.
*Knock, knock.*
- Archbishop, may I trouble you for a moment?
*Hah! Hah! Come in.*
Yohanna composed her voice and answered.
As if nothing had happened, her appearance was that of the holy Grand Archbishop itself.
*Ah, were you praying?*
*Yes. Please keep the sick and poor people safe. I was praying to the Goddess.*
*My goodness...! You didn't even sleep. As expected, the faith and devotion of Archbishop Yohanna are something even we cannot match.*
*Haha. It was only natural. When everyone becomes prosperous, that is the sea I dream of.*
It was not a lie.
As long as the people of the world became healthy and wealthy, the donations that came to her would increase!
*So, what brings you here?*
*A telegram arrived from a certain estate.*
*Which place?*
*Nelson.*
The Nelson Estate.
A name she had never heard of.
It was probably just an insignificant backwater village.
*Is this a request for healing services? Unfortunately, the Church has halted all external activities at this time.*
*It is not a request. However, the content of the telegram is unusual, so I thought I should report it.*
*What content?*
*They claim to know a way to defeat the Black Devil.*
Yohanna's body stiffened abruptly.
The Black Devil was a term used exclusively by the Church.
How did a mere lord know that code name?
*...The timing is too perfect to call it mere coincidence.*
A person who knew even the Church's code name.
Such a person would not send a telegram as a joke.
There was a high probability of finding even a small clue.
*...It seems worth trying.*
Yohanna quickly made her decision and nodded.
*Send a reply. We will meet immediately. No, I will come myself.*
*The, the Archbishop herself?*
*It is a matter of countless lives. We cannot waste even a second.*
The sooner we resolved this, the sooner we could avoid missing the statue release.
We still had not paid off last month's installment.
*W-well, as expected of Yohanna! Understood!*
A devotee hurried out and slammed the door behind him.
Yohanna brushed her hair lightly after confirming it.
*Nelson Estate. I hope it is valuable enough for me to visit.*
If they could really defeat the plague, it would be a godsend.
It would be an opportunity to raise the name of the Grand Archbishop.
It might even be possible to go beyond Grand Archbishop to become a Cardinal or higher...
---
*Welcome, thank you. Archbishop Yohanna.*
*The honor is mine. Count Read Nelson.*
The Grand Archbishop had arrived safely at the Nelson Estate.
The person who had come was none other than the famous female Grand Archbishop Yohanna.
This was exactly as Read had calculated.
*Yohanna loves being praised by others. She would react the fastest to this sort of thing.*
Personally, it was a selection he liked.
Yohanna was a rare pragmatist even among Grand Archbishops.
She matched his personality, and there was a high chance the conversation would flow well.
At the very least, there was no fear of her being slapped in the face with divine will or the like.
Having sensed that things would become a little easier from the moment he received the message, he had felt relieved.
*I should have come myself. I apologize for making you travel such a long distance.*
*It is not a problem. Saving people is important. What is the significance of that?*
The smile on her face was that of a priestess blessed by the Goddess.
This woman was obsessed with luxury goods.
That was why women's masks were frightening, it seemed.
*Then I will guide you this way.*
They followed the path slowly toward the manor.
Along the way, soldiers and knights were stationed in strict formation.
Beyond them, a crowd of people filled the area.
*Whoa, it's really the Archbishop!*
*My goodness, Archbishop Yohanna came all the way to our island herself.*
*What on earth is going on?*
*The lord personally invited you. Our lord is that kind of person!*
The people of the estate had all come out to look at Yohanna.
Though he had asked them to refrain as much as possible, it could not be helped.
This backwater village was seeing a Grand Archbishop for the first time in hundreds of years.
*My apologies. They are all people of deep faith who came to see the great Archbishop's grandeur. Please overlook them with tolerance.*
*Haha! No, it is I who should apologize. Guiding them is our role.*
Yohanna seemed genuinely pleased.
*She is enjoying the attention. She is the perfect Grand Archbishop in every way.*
Passing through the crowd, they arrived at the manor.
Once the doors closed and only their attendants remained, the two's expressions turned serious.
*Well, you claim to know a way to defeat the Black Devil?*
*That is correct.*
*As for me, I am concerned about how you, Lord Nelson, learned the code name.*
*Haha. What is the big deal about that. The method of defeat is what matters, after all.*
Yohanna stared at Read intently and nodded.
*Well, that is true. Right now, the important thing is to defeat the plague.*
She had used the direct word "plague" instead of the code name.
It meant she would accept no excuses about how he knew.
It was fortunate that the other party was Yohanna.
They no longer needed to offer any trivial excuses.
*So, how do you plan to defeat the plague?*
*I suppose one could say there is a method. I have already developed a cure.*
*...What?*
Read placed a single green bottle on the desk.
*This is the cure. Drinking it will allow for treatment.*
*...*
Yohanna's eyes narrowed.
Her face looked as if she were staring at a swindler.
*Is this really a cure?*
*As a seafaring person, the Goddess Hestia is watching. I cannot tell a lie.*
*This plague was hidden even by the Church, and its name has not even been given yet. You claim to have already created a cure?*
*That is how it is.*
Yohanna tapped the table with her finger.
As a Grand Archbishop, this was an impolite act she could not show.
It meant the situation displeased her greatly.
*Lord Nelson. I am not someone who has time for your jokes.*
*Of course I know that.*
*You know?*
Yohanna sneered.
The cold smile showed exactly how angry she was.
*Has the plague broken out in the Nelson Estate as well?*
*Thanks to the Goddess's blessing, it remains peaceful so far.*
*Yet you developed a cure for the plague that has spread to other places. Even our Church could not create one.*
*I understand why you would think so.*
Read nodded readily.
*Three minutes.*
*What?*
*Give me three minutes, and I will prove it.*
Yohanna lightly stroked her chin.
From her perspective, Read did not seem like the type to make idle jokes.
Would he risk losing the Grand Archbishop over a pointless prank?
There was no benefit to be gained.
*Although developing a cure is absurd...*
He was going to this extent because he was confident.
*Well then, how will you prove this is a cure to the Archbishop?*
*The Archbishop carries a communication device, does she not?*
*Of course.*
A communication device capable of contacting distant seas.
The device itself was expensive, and the fuel required was no small cost.
However, a Grand Archbishop did not need to calculate such things.
*Let me see... Given the time, Lefer seems appropriate.*
Yohanna's eyes widened.
That was one of the islands where the plague had spread.
*...Connect the communication device.*
Yohanna immediately gave the order to her attendants.
Soon, the connection was made.
[Who, who is this?]
*I am a faithful servant of the Goddess Hestia. I am Archbishop Yohanna.*
[Ah, aaah...! Archbishop Yohanna!]
The voice on the other side of the device grew noticeably brighter.
[Thank you so much! Thank you! Thank you for making the cure so quickly for us!]
*...You say it is a cure?*
*Yes! I heard that the Church predicted this and created it together with the Nelson Estate. Once again, I thank the Goddess's blessing!*
*...*
Yohanna glanced at Read.
*...Is the situation on the island not too bad?*
*The people who drank the cure are recovering quickly. My goodness. You created such an effective potion so quickly. As expected, the Hestia Church's skill is truly extraordinary.*
*...That is fortunate.*
*Yes! Yes! Once the plague is defeated, I will come personally to thank you later! Thank you so much! I will never forget this kindness, Archbishop Yohanna!*
The call ended with an exclamation that seemed as if he would have slammed his head against the ground if he were present.
Yohanna looked at Read.
She opened her mouth slowly.
*Thanks to the lord of Lefer getting so excited, we did not even need the three minutes.*
*That is good. For them, for me, and for you, Archbishop.*
*...That is true.*
Yohanna smiled faintly and nodded.
*They thought I was the one who gave them the cure.*
*Yes. It seems they must have made a mistake when passing it on, because our islanders have such deep faith.*
*You really are bold.*
Yohanna considered seriously whether to slap the handsome man before her.
*It is a good thing, isn't it? The Archbishop's fame will spread even further.*
*Indeed. Indeed. The patients of Lefer will tell everyone that the cure came from me, and they will speak of it around.*
A miracle caused by the Grand Archbishop.
The blessing of the Hestia Church.
The people of Lefer Island would surely boast about it...
*But the people of the other islands that are suffering the same damage will now shout back. Why aren't you helping us? Why did Archbishop Yohanna abandon us?*
*Wow, scary. You really think such filthy thoughts.*
*If we do not help them in time, I will become a Grand Archbishop who created a cure and let people die, and the rumors will spread.*
Such a thing must never happen.
Yohanna was aiming to become a Cardinal in the future.
Not allowing even the slightest stain on her name was what made her a Cardinal.
*So I will cooperate with you no matter what conditions you set.*
It was only natural that the Hestia Church would want to create a cure.
But as an individual, Yohanna's urgency had increased.
*If I do not invest even a little bit, I will not be able to supply the medicine quickly to so many islands. The later it is, the more my reputation will be damaged.*
The only method (cure) to solve this problem.
Only the young lord before her possessed it.
*It is good that we can cooperate. After all, we are backwater villages lacking both money and facilities for making medicine.*
*...*
*It would be wonderful if someone invested. Archbishop Yohanna.*
Yohanna watched Read's shameless smile while hiding her anger.
*You got me.*
It was a clever and sinister strategy.
She had supplied the cure for free to one island for the sake of this one move.
*If you want to produce the medicine quickly, you had better invest in the Nelson Estate quickly. How shameless.*
She could not get angry, though.
Saving people from the plague was, by the Church's law, an *righteous act*.
*...You are quite interesting.*
*I have heard that a lot.*
The eyes of the lord and the archbishop met in midair.