Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Plague - 2
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The plague event was one that erupted at random intervals in the game, and if you didn't end it as quickly as possible once it started, it would spread rapidly across the entire continent.
When the plague spread, item prices skyrocketed, societies collapsed, and party members' stats dropped.
Of course, it wasn't all bad.
The number of bandits and monsters increased, and with fewer competing adventurers around, quest rewards went up.
On top of that, after a certain amount of time, those infected with the plague turned into undead.
That meant you could use it to grow quickly, so among speedrunners, there were even players who deliberately let a plague event run from the early game all the way until they defeated the Demon King.
Sure, the difficulty spiked because of it, but it was an event with its pros and cons.
Of course, even a sage like me could make a fortune exploiting the situation, but it got in the way of other achievements, so it was better to resolve it as fast as possible.
"...Aren't we negotiating the reward?"
"Oh. Right. What are you offering as payment?"
I almost let it slide because of how rushed everything was.
"The title of Honorary Elf, and..."
"I don't need fancy titles. Pay me in goods. Money's fine, or leaves or branches from the World Tree would work too."
"If that's the case... very well."
Lorellia nodded, but several elves behind her wore displeased expressions.
To the arrogant and authoritative elves, the idea of me taking leaves or branches from their sacred tree clearly rubbed them the wrong way.
"You lot. Why are your eyes so wide?"
"...We don't like it."
Veronica and Lucille spoke coldly, causing the elves to bare their teeth. The adventurers, sympathizing with their reaction, gripped their weapons.
"Wow. And these guys came begging for help..."
"That's why I hate elves."
A thick murderous intent rose, as if battle could break out at any moment.
Tch. If only the plague had started somewhere other than the elves' side, things would be easier for me.
But what could I do? It had already happened.
"Enough. I'm fine with it."
"You're way too nice. Seriously."
"Master..."
"If we leave the plague alone, it won't just hit the elves—it'll devastate other races too."
"Hmm... Sage. Do you know anything about this plague?"
"Once infected, it starts with high fever, muscle pain, and difficulty using mana. Early stage is like that, but mid-stage brings constant coughing, runny nose, phlegm, and trouble breathing. And in the late stage..."
"...Late stage?"
"You die."
"...."
"It's highly contagious and doesn't discriminate by race, so seal off anywhere it's spread. Oh, and once it reaches a certain level of spread, there's a low chance the confirmed cases turn into undead, so watch out for that."
"...Impressive. As expected of the sage who knows everything in the world."
Lorellia nodded and glanced back. The other elves, who had been ignoring me just moments ago, now stared at me in surprise.
"Then you know the cure?"
"We need to make an antidote. I've never made one before, though, so I'll have to see a patient first."
"I see. Then we'll go together."
"Can't do it right away. I need materials, and gathering them will take time. You all head back to the elves' forest first."
Plague treatment herbs and ores were scattered across the continent.
The optimal strategy was to pick them up while progressing the main story and use them immediately if a plague hit later.
But progressing the main story had been tough for me too, so I'd stuck to the shortest route and missed gathering most of those materials.
"I see... Understood."
Lorellia nodded slightly and gave instructions in Elvish to the other elves.
She was telling them she'd support me while the rest returned.
"You go too."
I didn't need support anyway since I'd teleport back and forth.
When I cut in with Elvish, Lorellia looked at me in surprise before responding awkwardly.
"...You speak Elvish?"
"That's basic."
"Hmm... Well, you were in a party with Evangeline..."
I hadn't learned it from her—I'd taught myself.
"But it'll be tough alone."
At Lorellia's words, Veronica fell silent for a moment before stepping forward.
"...Fine. No choice. Without my help, you'd..."
"M-Master. Let me help too!"
I didn't need either of them.
"O-Our kingdom maintains decent relations with the elves. If royalty steps up for something like this..."
Fair point. If politically oblivious Lucille took the lead in a diplomatic capacity, it'd help her grow.
"If the plague spreads and throws the continent into crisis, it'll give the Church headaches too. If a cardinal doesn't step up, who will?"
True enough. Still, I didn't need them tagging along to gather items, so I'd have them move separately.
After soothing the displeased pair, I turned to the adventurers.
One of the materials was crystal grass, only found in the Robento Mountains, so I'd hunt the mine demon while I was at it.
"Mine demon? Is that more important than gathering materials for the plague cure?"
Lorellia seemed annoyed I wasn't heading out for materials right away. But oh well.
"It's important to me. What, jealous? Go ask someone else for help then."
"...Sigh."
The elves were the desperate ones, not me.
Since the plague was still confined to the elves' forest, the urgent Lorellia chewed her lip before nodding, and I clapped lightly to lighten the mood.
"Alright. That's the plan. Let's call it."
Right after returning to the capital to drop Lucille off at the palace, the queen summoned me.
She already knew about the plague starting in the elves' forest.
In the audience chamber, the queen and Lukal awaited me.
"Did you meet Chief Lorellia?"
"Huh? That woman was the chief?"
In the game, the elves' forest chief was just a basic NPC, so I didn't know everything about her. A chief stepping up, though.
The elves must be sweating bullets right now.
"So they say. Well? Sage. Do you know about the plague?"
"Yes."
I gave her the same explanation I'd given Lorellia, and the queen looked at me gravely before speaking.
"Should we treat it right now?"
Knew it.
The kingdom was allied with the elves, but elves were inherently condescending and dismissive of other races.
They had high physical abilities and magical aptitude, plus unique items only made in their forest, so many races gritted their teeth and stayed friendly.
In other words, the queen wanted to use this chance to keep the elves in check and put them in debt.
"Of course, this isn't just my thought. Plenty of other races are probably thinking the same."
"If we don't treat it, the plague will spread across the continent. You're just going to let that happen?"
"Of course we'll treat it."
Following the queen's words, Lukal chimed in.
"If the elves bend enough."
Not a bad idea, but my goal was to completely stamp out the plague. If it spread continent-wide, it'd take even more time and effort to eradicate.
The queen seemed to trust me now, but why should I go along with it?
"No thanks."
"Sigh. Knew you'd say that, Sage."
The queen sighed deeply and shook her head, while Lukal smiled bitterly.
If I were under their control, they might order me, but I wasn't, so they had no justification to hold me.
"By the way, you're too kind. After... what the Hero Party and that elf did to you, you still don't hold it against the elven race..."
"What happened with Evangeline is on Evangeline. It has nothing to do with the elves."
"I see... Very well. What support do you need?"
"Hmm... Just make sure I get cooperation from each kingdom and race when gathering materials."
"We'll cooperate as much as we can, but as you know, the dwarves hate the elves. Even for plague treatment, they might obstruct things since it's helping elves..."
That's why they say you should live amicably with people.
Who makes that many enemies...?
But the queen and Lukal didn't need to worry.
I had plenty of dwarf friends.
"I'll handle that."
"Understood. We'll prepare a treatment team to send as soon as you return."
"Yes. Could you do that?"
The more alchemists, the easier it'd be for me. Time to accept the kingdom's help.
After the audience with the queen, I left the palace immediately. Veronica headed to the Church first to report on the plague, leaving just the adventurers.
"Heading to the Robento Mountains first, right?"
"Yeah."
Plague was important, but so was the mine demon.
"By the way, if the plague spreads, won't the lizardmen be in danger too?"
"The beastkin tribes as well..."
"It's fine. Trust me?"
I smiled at the sullen adventurers.
I'd handle it all, so they just needed to help me rack up achievements.
After reassuring them, we left the capital and arrived at the Robento Mountains base camp a few days later.
It was crowded with herbalists and adventurers seeking crystal grass, unique to the range, when I spotted familiar faces.
"Whoa! Isn't that the Sage?"
"Ugh."
"Long time no see, Sage! Oh, and those are S-Rank Adventurer Baltin and A-Rank Adventurer Galrik, right? Especially Baltin, who reached S-Rank by clearing the Black Wyvern subjugation. He's an outstanding adventurer who took down Drakan, cleared Rondbang's dungeon, obtained the Rulevian, and participated in the Lotisia siege. He's also the next chief of the lion beastkin tribe..."
The familiar voice belonged to the lizardman Lark and the nun Case, with her huge glasses and endless explanations.
Why. Why were these trolls together?
I looked at them, feeling a surge of intense anxiety. Surely these trolls wouldn't get in my way?
"For a crystal grass gathering quest."
Good. They weren't here for the mine demon.
"Crystal grass is a herb often used as a solvent in alchemy, with three main uses. First..."
"I know already, so stop explaining! Nun! Please shut up for once..."
My ears were about to burst. The other adventurers were grimacing too—it wasn't just me.
"So what brings you here, Sage?"
"Oh. Hunting the mine demon."
"Oh, that mine demon. You sure you'll be okay? I heard an S-Rank party tried last time and got wiped out."
"That's why we've got an S-Rank party, an A-Rank party, and me, the Sage."
"Hmm..."
Lark crossed his arms and wagged his large tail.
"What. Wanna join?"
"Well. I heard adventurers and bounty hunters are heading here to take it down. Better grab it quick if you're going to."
"Huh? Why?"
"No idea."
Interesting. Mine demons were a problem, but aside from their strength, there wasn't much gain from them.
That's why no one had bothered until now, and top players hadn't gone after them...
The issue was this.
If other adventurers took it down, would it count toward my achievement?
In the game, it probably would for Demon King kills and such, but I couldn't rule out it not counting in this one case.
If it didn't...
Ugh. Horrifying just to think about.
"No time to rest..."
That was when it happened.
At the camp entrance, a blue glow formed a large door.
I knew exactly what this was.
A portal.
"...Hyun-woo?"
Out stepped Claire, and I stared at her in confusion.
"Why are you here?"
"Uh...? Oh, well, last time at the Church, I took a quest for the mine demon subjugation..."
"...Who gave the quest?"
"Um..."
Claire glanced at me cautiously before answering.
"The Pope..."
Shit.
A quest from the Pope's level... Only real heavy hitters would show up.
"Hyun-woo? Why...?"
"Come on! Let's move!"
I shouted at the bewildered group and headed up the mountain path.
Author's Note
Have a fun Friday~ Everyone enjoy it and have a wild Friday night~ See you tomorrow~