BGFV 146

Chapter 146

It had been a week since they returned to Chest.

In the meantime, there had been many changes in the duchy, in Chest, and throughout the southern region.

First, they had begun identifying patients affected by the epidemic across the South and, unless there were special circumstances, had restricted movement between regions to prevent further spread.

“Currently, the total number of confirmed patients is about 200. For the entire southern region, it’s not that high.”

“Moreover, half of those are from Valeron.”

“Let’s take a look at the compiled data.”

Hestia and Luciard gathered all the key figures in a temporarily set-up meeting room to receive reports on the situation across the South.

Everyone examined the materials Basil had distributed, identifying the primary outbreak zones.

“Roughly 60 to 70% of the cases occurred in Valeron and the surrounding villages.”

“It seems the epidemic spread to neighboring areas due to the initial mishandling by Count Humphrey’s household.”

“We’ve since quarantined the area to prevent it from spreading further.”

“Still, at this rate, there’ll be more casualties within the quarantine zone. Our top priority now should be identifying the disease as quickly as possible.”

“You need not worry about that. Our pharmaceutical company is already researching it thoroughly.”

Jerome raised his hand as he spoke.

Having inherited his father’s workshop this year, Jerome had become the undisputed head of Tiers.

He had founded a new pharmaceutical company called “Eye’s” and was now expanding into the pharmaceutical industry.

Since early on, Jerome had experimented with combining herbal effects into cosmetics. As a result, his knowledge of herbs was on par with professional herbalists.

Because he truly enjoyed learning about herbs, Hestia had suggested that he expand his business into pharmaceuticals.

After much thought, Jerome accepted her proposal.

At first, he thought Hestia had simply helped broaden his perspective.

‘Looking back now, she must have seen the big picture from the start.’

The only real way to resolve the epidemic was to develop a cure.

And now, the empire’s best scholars, doctors, and herbalists were all gathered in Chest—under the name of Eye’s Pharmaceutical and Hestia herself.

“Also, we had previously researched a similar disease, so we should be able to obtain meaningful results soon.”

Jerome glanced at Hestia as he realized the symptoms of this epidemic resembled those of a previous experiment she had requested.

But she didn’t notice his gaze and continued reviewing documents with a serious expression.

Jerome had experienced far too many unexplainable “coincidences” since the day he met Hestia as an eight-year-old child.

Through countless experiences, he had learned that following her lead usually got him more than halfway to the right solution. He pushed his curiosity aside and continued speaking as the head of his company.

While Jerome continued talking, Hestia found herself unable to concentrate and kept tapping her fingers against the table.

“What’s wrong? Is there an issue?”

Luciard whispered so only she could hear, not wanting to interrupt the meeting.

“…Can you take a look at this?”

Hestia pointed to a section of the report, and Luciard followed her gaze.

It was the statistical report showing the number of cases per region.

“Novelli Town… zero cases?”

Luciard was startled and double-checked the papers.

Chest already had six cases, and Byron had nearly ten—but Novelli had none? That was odd.

“…Didn’t the palace say the disease was spread by refugees?”

“Yes. But there’s not a single case in Novelli Town.”

“Does that make any sense?”

“…”

Hestia furrowed her brow instead of answering.

“Um… Miss Hestia, Young Master?”

Someone called to them, and Hestia looked up.

The meeting had paused, and now everyone was looking at them.

“Is something wrong?” Galleon asked cautiously, having sensed the strange tension between the two.

Thinking it best to share what she had noticed, Hestia explained the detail that had been bothering her.

“…So, Galleon, send a letter to the imperial palace right away. Ask them for a report on the current situation in other regions. I especially want to know what’s happening at the refugee camps in the North.”

“Yes, I’ll send a messenger immediately. Shall I include our situation in the South as well?”

“Yes, please do.”

“Basil, has there been any word from Valeron or the Humphrey household?”

Luciard turned to Basil next.

“Nothing yet, but I’ll go check now.”

The two moved quickly and returned five minutes later.

“Lady Hestia, a letter has just arrived from the imperial palace.”

“And the Humphrey household has also sent a letter. Would you like to read them?”

Hestia and Luciard took their seats and first checked the letter from the imperial palace.

It was from Kenneth and detailed everything that had happened so far—including what Hestia had wanted to know.

“The West, East, and Central regions haven’t seen many cases yet…”

“But the North has an overwhelming number.”

“Compared to the South, the North is far worse.”

Thanks to the South’s early response, the outbreak had been largely contained outside of Valeron and its surroundings.

But the North saw a rapid daily increase in patient numbers.

For now, it was around 1,000 people…

“At this rate, the entire North could be consumed by the epidemic.”

If that happened, it might slowly spread to other regions and spiral out of control.

‘Just like in my past life.’

Wasn’t it tens of thousands of people who died back then?

Every household was drowned in grief.

‘Florence… what are you people thinking?’

It was now certain the Duke of Florence’s family was involved.

But this was just Hestia’s suspicion.

Whether they had deliberately spread the disease as a step toward rebellion, or simply took advantage of an accidental outbreak—she wasn’t sure.

‘If this tragedy really stems from your blinded greed…’

Then she would never forgive them.

“Hestia, I think we should share our guidelines with the North. If they follow our protocols, they might at least be able to avoid further casualties.”

Luciard’s words pulled Hestia out of her thoughts.

She took a deep breath and brushed her hair back.

“Good idea. Let’s share it not just with the North, but with the palace as well—so the whole empire can follow the same procedures. Galleon.”

“I’ll make sure the new guidelines are included.”

“And we need to maintain regular communication with the palace to track how the situation develops across the empire. It’s not enough for only the South to be safe.”

“Yes, Lady Hestia.”

“Now then, what did the Humphrey family say…?”

Hestia turned to Luciard, who had been reading the letter already—but she froze when she saw his face turn to stone.

“…Luciard?”

He looked deadly serious, so Hestia grabbed his arm.

Only then did Luciard slowly look at her, eyes wide.

“…Count Humphrey is dead.”

“What?”

Hestia was speechless at the unbelievable news.

Arthur sat blankly in a chair, a white cloth covering his nose and mouth.

A bit further away, the body of Malrus—his father—lay peacefully in a coffin, black spots covering his skin.

Arthur and Lyla had rushed to Valeron the moment they left the capital, switching out their exhausted horses to travel as quickly as possible.

What they arrived to was devastating.

His father, mother, and beloved son had all contracted a mysterious disease.

Since it was said to be contagious, they hadn’t been able to see them.

To make matters worse, many in the countdom were also showing symptoms, and Arthur and Lyla had been forced to try and restore order to a chaotic estate.

They were overrun with tasks, their family was sick, there was no cure… Arthur had nearly lost his mind over the past few days.

And then today—he received news of his father’s death. It felt like the last thread he had been hanging onto had finally snapped.

The man he thought would live another ten, twenty years had died so easily.

And because of the epidemic, even the funeral would be held quietly, without any mourners.

With bodies piling up, Valeron was said to be running out of crematoriums and graveyards.

But that wasn’t the only thing weighing on Arthur’s mind.

The day before Malrus died, Arthur had rushed to his room after hearing that his father was asking for him.

He had to speak to him through the door, as the doctor had forbidden anyone from entering.

If it could even be called a conversation.

“Arthur! Contact the Duchess of Florence immediately! Tell her I’m in deep trouble! If you tell her I’m infected with this plague, she’ll understand!”

“Huh? The Duchess of Florence?”

Arthur was confused. His father didn’t ask about the estate, or the other sick family members—but urgently asked for a specific person.

“There’s still a long road ahead! I’m supposed to lead the Empire! I can’t fall here! Arthur! Are you listening? You must contact the Duchess! That’s the only way we survive!”

Arthur had agreed at the time to calm him down, but hadn’t yet contacted Florence.

Something just didn’t sit right with him.

Now that Malrus was dead, those words wouldn’t leave his mind.

Arthur stood up and headed for Malrus’s study—the place his father had always worked.

He immediately began rifling through the desk.

Something inside him told him there was something hidden here.

But no matter how much he searched, he only found documents about Sunset Vale.

Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair—and then his eyes landed on the safe.

It was locked. But Arthur had a hunch where the key might be.

The single-seat sofa—Malrus’s favorite spot.

As a child, he had sometimes seen his father slide his hand between the cushion and armrest.

Arthur sat down and did the same.

He felt something.

A key.

He took it and turned to the safe.