Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 243

Chapter 243

**Chapter 243: Plague (疫病, plague)**

The word for a widespread epidemic disease that spreads rapidly with a high mortality rate.

And in the history of the continent, there were even empires that crumbled due to just one type of such a plague.

Therefore, it was inevitable that the Kingdom of Maclaine would be thrown into chaos.

“Plague?! Where?!”

What is this sudden news?

‘This kind of thing never happened in my previous life.’

Logan was filled with bewilderment that spanned his past and present lives as he exclaimed.

“Southeastern Rafthan territory. Four days ago….”

“Why on earth?!”

And to happen at this time of all times…

As he listened to Damian’s report, Logan bit his lip so hard that it bled.

He was currently pushing himself to the limit to strengthen the nation’s defenses, and now, this unexpected calamity from the rear had the potential to completely topple all his plans.

“We must take action as quickly as possible!”

“With just the royal family’s power, it is uncertain if we can stop its spread. We need the help of the nobles too!”

“Convene a great council! Right now!!”

The confidants who had heard the news expressed their concerns about the severity of the situation, and Logan’s command was soon dispatched to the nobles.

The nobles living in the estates of the capital were hastily gathered.

As nobles, they felt as though a fire had fallen onto their feet—or more accurately, as if a fire had started to engulf their homes.

“What on earth is going on all of a sudden….”

“The end of days, truly.”

“The old saying goes ‘when a king is lacking virtue, calamities arise’….”

“Hey! Do not speak such ominous words!”

The nobles gathered in the council whispered anxiously among themselves.

Then, soon after.

– Announcing the arrival of His Majesty the King!

At the shout of a knight from the outside, the nobles suddenly hushed and focused their attention on the main gates of the council hall.

Thud, thud.

With brisk steps, Logan crossed the center of the grand hall and sat on the throne, letting out a brief sigh before he surveyed his surroundings.

“Thank you all for coming at such short notice. An unexpected situation has arisen, and an urgent meeting has been convened to seek your cooperation. Prime Minister, report the situation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Roberts Floyd stepped forward and began to read from the lengthy document in his hands.

“A week from today, in one village of the Rafthan territory, a corpse was discovered, having bled from all bodily orifices. And within just three days, about thirty others with identical symptoms perished. Additionally, a hundred more residents are experiencing troubling symptoms of high fever and skin rashes.”

“Just three days?”

“Madness…!”

“How can this be happening?!”

Even for a contagious disease, it was unbelievable: from infection to death in just three days.

The council was once again abuzz with incredulity.

“Quiet, quiet! Let him finish speaking!”

While the nobles were sufficiently aghast, Roberts Floyd’s report had not yet concluded.

“The Temple suspects that this plague is similar to the Lestabum that ravaged fifteen territories in the east of the kingdom seventy years ago. There were some reservations about it being exactly the same….”

The other part of his speech hardly reached the ears of the already agitated nobles.

An epidemic that had toppled numerous territories in the past; just the resemblance to it was enough to convey the danger.

“Is there a cure?! What about the priests?!”

“We must request assistance from the Temple right away!”

“We have to quarantine the Rafthan territory!”

The council hall started to become as noisy as a marketplace.

“Quiet!!”

With a slam of his armrest, Logan quickly subdued the heated atmosphere.

“Prime Minister. What’s the current status of the plague?”

“Currently, Rafthan territory has quarantined the village and restricted all access. However, two days ago, another village reported its first case showing early symptoms.”

Logan clenched his eyes shut despite having heard this report before.

“Specific symptoms?”

“High fever accompanies a burning redness over the entire body, and within a day, victims lose consciousness. Three days later, they vomit blood from their eyes, nose, ears, and mouth until they die.”

Mournful groans began to spread throughout the council hall.

“As you have heard, the situation is extremely serious. I intend, with the combined support of the royal family and all of you, to end this crisis as quickly as possible. Any opinions regarding this matter should be voiced.”

Logan spoke of support measures, however…

“Your Majesty. No plague in history has been completely conquered.”

It was Zache Juan who was the first to voice a pessimistic opinion.

“I understand that it can be treated with divine power.”

“There are limits to what the priests can do. If the plague spreads, we are without answers.”

“Then what do you propose we do?”

“…We must mobilize the country’s resources to quarantine Rafthan territory, and burn everything within it to the ground.”

“What did you say?!”

A terrifying proposal to exterminate an entire territory.

However, many nobles assented to this radical nonsense.

“That’s correct!”

“If sacrificing one territory saves the fate of the nation, it would be a profitable deal!”

“I fully support this!”

The council hall quickly descended into chaos, with nobles shouting and veins popping in their necks, until Logan’s imposing presence, as an Aura User, silenced it in an instant.

“Are you saying that we should annihilate a territory of over thirty thousand inhabitants because of a plague? Is this what nobles should be discussing? Have you forgotten your blue-blooded duty to protect our land?”

“But the plague is a disaster that can bring down a country, Your Majesty. You must end it with a few sacrifices before it spreads!”

“We shall suppress it before it gets to that point! Not extermination, but salvation—propose measures for that!”

Logan’s strong voice again brought silence to the hall.

But then a deep voice from right below the throne broke that chilling silence.

“Command the lords near Rafthan territory to seal the borders, prioritize support for the lacking military forces.”

The statement from the Sword Duke caused a stir in the hall.

Logan narrowed his eyebrows and gazed at his master.

“Duke. Don’t tell me you are also advocating for extermination?”

“Of course not. I am merely suggesting that we cut off the possibility of contagion and commence rescue operations.”

The Sword Duke drew a clear line between his advice and the other nobles’ opinions.

His stance caused many nobles to frown subtly, but one among them, Zach Juan, instead allowed a meager smile to creep across his face. However, an instant later, he managed his expression well, but not before his smile had already caught the Sword Duke’s discerning eyes.

‘That man…’

Just when the Sword Duke’s brow furrowed.

“Dispatch requests to the Temples for priests and secure the quarantine of the territory. Relay my will to the surrounding lords and command their support in troops, food, and necessities! Every noble must provide supplies and funds for relief aid! Any shortfall will be covered by the royal household!”

“Your Majesty?!”

Dwayne, who had quietly been listening from a corner, was taken aback by the declaration, but even that was not enough to calm the anxieties of the listening nobles.

“If it spreads to another territory….”

“Our land is not that far away….”