Kays Translations

Chapter 89: Epidemic 

　Recently, there seems to be an outbreak of an unknown disease among the nobility. Mr. Harrison, a civil servant, told me about it when he came over for lunch.

“An illness never seen before has spread among the nobles. It will soon become impossible to eat outside. I came here to eat before that happens.”

“Is There is a rule against eating out when a disease spreads?”

“Yes, there is. Mai-san, you know the disease prevention law, don’t you?”

　There it is. I am the only one who doesn’t know about this country’s common ways.

　How well-known is the disease prevention law? Rather than saying something stupid, I’ll just laugh it off.

　I tilted my head and showed him a smirk. Mr. Harrison didn’t seem to care about my tricks, and he immediately told me about the disease control law.

“The law states, that people should refrain from eating, drinking, and meeting outside until the outbreak of the disease has subsided. The decision to apply or lift the law rests with His Majesty.”

“What are the symptoms of this new disease?”

　I can’t use healing magic, and I don’t have any knowledge of the medicines in that world. But I have a great deal of magic power. I’d like to be of some use.

　According to Harrison, the symptoms of the new disease are fever, rash, fatigue, blisters, and itching. It’s just like chickenpox from over there.

　A family member suddenly develops the disease, then almost everyone in the family who has been taking care of the child also develops it. Children are less likely to become seriously ill, but adults are more likely to become seriously ill, and deaths have been reported, little by little.

“The food was delicious today too. I will come back again when the disease control law is lifted.”

　After Mr. Harrison left, Mr. Henry came to the store at 2:00 p.m. Albert and Sandor were outside chopping firewood and weeding the backyard when Mr. Henry came. They were probably being considerate.

　As soon as we were alone, I told him what Mr. Harrison had told me. Henry nodded with a serious look on his face.

“I was thinking of telling you today. There are all kinds of people who visit here, so you might get sick, too.”

“That disease is very similar to one that existed in my world. It was preventable over there, but I don’t have the detailed knowledge of it. It’s really frustrating. Are potions ineffective?”

“They do work. but only if it is made by a magician from the royal castle. Nobles and military personnel in the royal city are given priority to be supplied with potions from the magic department. I don’t think that commercially available potions will be any comfort. This time, the illness is concentrated among the nobles, but eventually ……”

“it will spread to the commoners as well, won’t it?”

　Henry nodded. When the disease spreads among the common people, that’s when I, with my unusually large amount of magical power, will come into play.

“Henry, I want to be useful.”

“You want to make potions in preparation for an epidemic among the commoners, right? I agree. According to past records, new diseases always transcend social status and spread throughout the country. With only ten wizards in the castle, there is a desperate shortage of potions. It will be a difficult situation. But the potions you make, Mai, are of exceptional quality, so I can have high hopes for them.”

“Special grade?　Is that so?　Are my potions the same as those made by the people in the magic department?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, I’ll go ahead and make some potions. Do you know how long potions can be stored for?”

“At the castle, we replace them every six months. The newer the potion, the more effective it is, but even potions that are more than six months old are still effective. They are also used by the royal family, so we’ve already verified that area.”

　For the sake of the common people who can’t drink castle potions, I will make potions to the limit of my magical power. My magic power that was too much for me. I thought it was a waste of ridiculous power, but yes. Let’s do it.

“What is the population of the royal capital?”

“Approximately 40,000 people.”

“We’ll need a lot of herbs and bottles.” 

　Henry slowly traces his lips with the tip of his middle finger. The finger stops moving and the corners of his mouth turn up.

“Leave it to me. I’ll arrange the herbs. This time, you will make them and I will use the Howler family’s funds. What should we do about where to store the bottles?”

“I’ll create a basement in my backyard and store them there. The people who would be the first to know when the outbreak occurs… would probably be the people selling potions in town.”

“No. It’s the security forces. The potions on the market are made by people with magical powers in the city. The sooner you drink the potion, the better it works, but poor people do not buy potions in the early stages of illness. They usually buy and drink  them after they’ve really gotten worse. In other words, the common people heal themselves almost entirely. That is why every time there is a new disease epidemic, many commoners die.”

　There are no potions or immunizations.

“If the disease is the same as the one that existed in my world, it is dangerous. What can I do to get them to take it as quickly as possible.”

“Give it to the guards, I guess. But let’s ask around first. Maybe we can find a better solution.”

　With that, Mr. Henry got up and headed for the backyard. The two young men were working diligently chopping firewood and weeding.

“Hey guys, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Yes, sir.”

　They came over, rubbing their hands on their trousers.

“When you get sick, what else do you do besides drink potions?”

“I’ve never bought potions. My Mother or father will just get me a talisman.”

“It’s the same in my house. It is that small piece of paper that is filled with divine power in the temple.”

“Paper?　What are you going to do with it?　Do you put it up in your room?”

“I’ll drink it.”

　I thought it was some kind of talisman to ward off the plague, but Albert’s answer was completely unexpected. I must have looked like I was in disbelief. Henry explained it to me.

“I’ve heard of it. You buy a small piece of paper with a prayer written on it at the temple and then swallow it as is, or burn it and swallow the ashes with water.”

“How can it work if it’s just paper?　Or does the prayer have some kind of effect, like magic?”

　Albert and Sandor look surprised.

“What is it, you two? Just say what you want to say clearly.”

“I’ve never seen someone say that the temple charms don’t work.”

　Oh no. But then Mr. Henry quickly and subtly helped me out.

“Mai is from a small village on the outskirts of Rivoli. Rivoli is a grassy countryside. There are a lot of things she doesn’t know about the royal capital. I hope you will take that into consideration.”

“I see. So, your hometown is Rivoli, Mai-san.”

“……Yeah”

　This is the first time I’ve heard that place’s name.

　Henry and I returned to the store and resumed our discussion, keeping our voices down.

“I reject the idea of you getting involved with the temple. It would be absolutely troublesome. No doubt.”

“Oh, really?　More importantly, does that paper really have the power of prayer in it?”

“No. It is just that the price is one small copper coin, which is practically free. For the poor, it is a comforting reminder that they have done all they can.”

　Oh dear! I’ll make the potion after all!

“Henry, let’s use barrels, not bottles, to prepare the potion. The number can be a hundred or two hundred. Or even more.” 

“More?　Are you sure you’re okay with making barrels full of potions, Mai?”

“I think it should be possible with the amount of magical power I have. Also, you can cover the cost by converting my diamonds into cash. It would be less conspicuous if you sold the diamonds yourself rather than me selling them. Could you do that for me too, please?”

“I understand. I will buy the herbs and barrels.  I’ll buy them all up before they are used in commercially available potions that have no chance of being effective.”

“It would be a nuisance for people selling potions…”

“There’s no need to worry about it, Mai. If the herbs are used for potions that don’t work, it’s the beginning of a tragedy. This is an emergency, so human lives take priority over the profits of those who sell the potions. But still, a hundred or two hundred barrels?”

“Yes. I don’t mind having extra potions. It’s much better than not having enough.”

　Mr. Henry looked a little distant.

Tl note:

御札, お札, おふだ, ofuda – Type of household amulet or talisman, issued by a Shinto shrine, hung in the house for protection.

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