Chapter 50

“…Viscount Edwin, Lady Roman, and Madam Harris.”

These were the names Edelis received in the written report. There were others, but these three were the main figures.

“They’ve been spreading malicious rumors about me?”

“Yes. Tracing the origins of the rumors always leads back to those three.”

Upon reviewing the investigation on the three, several oddities stood out.

First, it wasn’t surprising to see aristocrats like a viscount and a noble lady involved, but a commoner like Madam Harris was included too. Even a baron, from a commoner’s point of view, is someone from a different world.

‘And yet they’re talking about the Empress, a royal of this empire?’

Second, the stories they spread were nearly identical. Across classes—commoners and nobles alike, across genders and age groups—from young noble girls to elderly viscounts—the stories remained the same.

‘The Empress spread the plague.’

Viscount and Lady Roman claimed that the Empress had spread the disease to strengthen imperial authority. Madam Harris said the Empress spread the disease just to cure it herself and gain popularity. Though the wording differed, the implication was the same: gain support from the commoners and weaken the noble factions to solidify royal power.

Lastly, their connection. There were very few places where commoners and nobles could mingle. Madam Harris wasn’t a maid in a noble household—she was an ordinary person.

“She’s a follower of the Light God, like many others in the empire.”

“Yes, and all three have attended the Saintess’ mass.”

“Attending mass doesn’t mean they’d have a reason to spread malicious rumors about me.”

“I know. But beyond that, there’s no other point of contact.”

Even after reviewing the papers in her hand again, Edelis couldn’t find any other shared factor beyond what Lehan had pointed out.

“I didn’t think the Holy Empire was this political.”

“Neither did I. But I suppose this just hadn’t been exposed until now.”

“Could be the Saintess or at least a high-ranking priest behind this.”

“I think so too.”

That being said, the Saintess didn’t strike her as someone capable of such actions. In both the book and reality, she had done nothing wrong—she had even come to help the empire after attending the wedding. That left only the priests who had accompanied her.

“But why? What would they gain from this?”

“There could be several reasons, but I hear the Holy Empire is currently trying to expand its religious influence during this time of chaos.”

“Then the royal family distributing medicine wouldn’t be in their favor.”

“Exactly.”

A sigh escaped through her lips. Now that they knew who was spreading the rumors, they could punish them decisively. But since they were still receiving help from the Holy Empire, exposing them recklessly wasn’t an option.

‘Even if I’m distributing medicine, the book clearly said the Empire owed the Saintess. That means their help was significant too.’

If even a tiny hand could offer help, she wouldn’t reject it. Not to mention, the priests had more experience in handling such situations, so they couldn’t be dismissed just yet.

“For now, let’s just keep collecting evidence. Once we have something solid, we’ll strike all at once.”

“Are you sure about this? I’m more concerned about you than anything else.”

Lehan looked at Edelis with worry. She feared being slandered, but his eyes put her at ease. In the end, the truth would come out, and Lehan knew the truth.

“I’ll be fine. I can endure until then.”

“You don’t have to.”

Lehan spoke firmly, but Edelis scolded him instead.

“What are you saying, Lehan! We need to endure! Ours isn’t the only country relying on the Holy Empire’s help!”

“That may be true, but to me, you’re the most important.”

“A ruler shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Your husband is allowed to.”

“And you said my husband lives under my thumb, right? Then respect my decision. I want to reveal it later.”

As Edelis smiled, Lehan groaned in mock defeat.

“Alright. I want to be under your thumb, after all.”

“What even…”

Edelis giggled, and Lehan chuckled along, bumping his forehead gently against hers.

“But Edelis, don’t endure too much. If it gets hard, tell me right away.”

“I will.”

“If you change your mind, let me know anytime.”

“I doubt that’ll happen.”

Her voice carried laughter. Though she had experienced something deeply unpleasant, it was strange how being with Lehan brought her joy.

“That’s a shame. I was ready to slaughter them all.”

“…Huh?”

“Pardon?”

Wait, did she hear that right? Lehan had mumbled it so quietly—it could’ve been a mistake.

“D-Did you say something?”

“Nothing important.”

“R-Right. Okay…”

Lehan’s innocent smile seemed to radiate harmlessness. Of course. Her sweet, kind Lehan couldn’t have said something so chilling. The Lehan by her side was nothing like the emperor from the book! …But then why did it suddenly feel so cold?

* * *

“P-Please, spare me… Please…”

“Ugh, uhh…”

The moans of patients infected by the plague filled the clinic. These were the lucky ones. The severe cases were already in the “Cave,” a place where they were isolated.

“I don’t want to go to the Cave! Please!”

On the fourth day of infection, a patient in agony resisted being taken. But the clinic guards mercilessly grabbed his arms and legs and threw him onto the wagon bound for the Cave. It was called a “wagon,” but one door had been nailed shut and the other was closed after loading, preventing escape.

“So, the next to go is…”

As the voice of the “reaper” echoed, the other patients turned away in fear. But one man, Legrand, couldn’t sit still. The man just loaded was the one who had arrived just before him. That meant he was next.

“I’ll do anything! Anything at all—just not the Cave!”

Dragging his blackened foot, Legrand crawled desperately toward the doctor. His hands slipped, his chin hitting the floor several times. But he couldn’t miss this final chance. He didn’t dare grab the doctor’s pant leg—he just clenched his fists.

“…Mr. Legrand, would you really do anything?”

He had begged with all he had, but never thought it would work. When the doctor finally responded, Legrand quickly nodded.

“There’s a thing. They call it a ‘medicine.’ We don’t know if it works. We don’t even know the side effects.”

“Medicine!”

“If you go to the Cave, you’ll be lucky to live a week.”

“A week…”

“In my opinion, you won’t last four days. If you take this, who knows? You might die immediately. Or you might live longer than you would in the Cave.”

“….”

Most doctors refused to use the Empress’s medicine. The composition was strange, its effects unknown. They feared noble backlash or lawsuits if it went wrong. But this doctor was different—he had already been chased out by the nobles. His patients were now commoners. If he succeeded, he might regain favor and return to a noble household. Until then, treating plague-ridden commoners was all he had. He hadn’t used the medicine yet because he’d saved his only dose for himself—just in case. But now, he’d been lucky enough to receive a second one.

“Will you take it?”

“….”

“I’m not forcing you. If not you, another patient will get it.”

Grimacing at the searing pain in his foot, Legrand cried and answered,

“Please. I’ll take it. Even if I die early—it’s better than this pain.”

The doctor smiled, handing him the medicine. After a moment of hesitation, Legrand opened the bottle with trembling hands. It smelled of simple herbs. Perhaps it really wouldn’t work at all. Still, he drank the whole thing in one go.

“Ugh, ugh…”

He suddenly clutched his chest and gasped. The doctor and his assistant rushed to check him, but with no knowledge of the drug, they were helpless. Maybe it had failed. They laid him back on his cot and decided to delay sending him to the Cave for observation.

* * *

“It’s working?!”

“Yes. It hasn’t been long, but signs of recovery are showing.”

“Ahh, thank goodness!”

Edelis let out a sigh of relief. The medicine’s formula was from the book, but with the future having changed, she worried it might not work. The symptoms matched what was in the book, so she had hoped—but still.

“They say even the doctors who refused it before are now lining up to get it.”

“That’s good. The older the medicine gets, the less effective it is anyway.”

She stretched. Reports were filed on who took the medicine, who used it, and what the results were—to prevent hoarding or misuse. With this, the epidemic would soon weaken. Thank goodness.

“If only we had more herbs.”

“…You mean Lailonia?”

“Yeah. It’s a common herb, but when we tried to buy it at the market, it was already gone, so we’re growing more now.”

Not a huge amount was needed, so harvesting wouldn’t take long. But with time being critical, having market access would’ve helped. Instead, they were now growing it in palace gardens and medicine farms. Still, it was far too little for all patients.

“That herb is in the hands of the Holy Empire.”

“Huh? The Holy Empire?”

“Yes. When we tried to buy it from the people who bought it in bulk, it had already been sold… and ended up in the Holy Empire’s hands.”

“The Saintess didn’t seem to know about it though?”

She’d asked the Saintess about Lailonia, and she didn’t seem familiar. But it had gone to the Holy Empire?

“I’ll need to ask the Saintess directly.”

“I’ll have the head attendant arrange contact.”

“Thank you.”

If the Saintess could provide herbs, medicine could be mass-produced and distributed. Hopefully, they’ll talk soon. Just as the attendant left to deliver her message, Sir Frache came rushing in.

“Your Majesty, do you have a moment?”

“What is it?”

What kind of urgent matter had brought him?

“The medicine is being distributed.”

“Yes. Doctors came for it earlier today. The word must be spreading fast.”

Edelis blushed. News always spread quickly.

“No. I mean the Holy Empire is distributing it—on a large scale.”

“…What?”

No one should know how to make the medicine yet.

“They’re distributing it not just in the capital, but throughout the entire empire.”