Episode 818 World Conference (2)
The most effective way to stop the spread of an infectious disease is to block the vector.
In the case of the Blood-Crying Plague, it is respiration, essentially people. If person-to-person contact is blocked, the plague can no longer spread.
However, in villages, cities, and nations formed by people coming together, it is nearly impossible to completely control individual behavior.Given the incubation period, it is even more difficult to determine infection status every time.
In other words, isolation… …the ruler goes further and considers disposition as one of the response methods. Just as one sets a counter-fire to reduce the scale of a wildfire.
Of course, this is a method that disregards powerful nations. Power carries dignity. It is a disgraceful act to ultimately fail to handle discharged soldiers and resort to mass culling the people.
You could have just cut off the rotten flesh from the forearm, but to stupidly cut it off completely?
It is an unwise action.
Therefore, the Arnach Empire, Gargant, the Iderat Alliance, Eon, Highlandia, and the Archenad Magic Kingdom managed to contain the plague by minimizing the aftermath to some extent.The Luas religion went without saying.Prohas suffered virtually no damage thanks to its environmental characteristics, and Delharun also suffered minimal damage as there was little interaction with other continents.
On the other hand, some of the weak-backed nations that did not belong to the realm of the transcendent being took such measures either out of a determination to save the nation or out of complacency.
The plague spreads while remaining in the human body, and that body cannot withstand the flames.
“There are widespread rumors that, unable to handle the epidemic this time, they secretly killed and burned people, regardless of whether they were infected or not. Is it true?”“Yes, Lady Ignacia. I do not know exactly how many people were dealt with in that way, but judging by the circumstances, it must not be a small number.”
A strange atmosphere hung over the House of Representatives at Feldianne’s immediate reply. King Ronia felt the back of his neck growing damp and secretly gestured behind him.The woman attending to King Ronia bit her fingernails slightly and handed him a handkerchief.
“Heh, I heard you were busy crafting and selling magic items exclusive to the Bloodcry Plague. Did you manage to verify something like that in the midst of that?”“Hohoho, isn’t this the Artisan Tower? I also received help from the other nine towers. I have brought specific data here, so I will share it with you, Chairman.”
With the Provider’s permission, Feldianne used
The Red Volcano clan leader, Arkul, snorted.
“Hmph, you’ve certainly killed quite a few.”“To tenaciously cling to something at times, and to simply cut it off at others—that is precisely human nature, a strength, and a weakness.”
Serendia, the guardian of the World Tree, offered an opinion that was hard to tell whether it was praise or criticism. Her voice was far more beautiful than that of an ordinary elf.The Beast King also spoke.
“You have to cut off what you can’t handle. The frail human body has its limits. Besides, looking at what is written here, it says that the Plague of Crying Blood is less effective the stronger the body. If you think about it that way, isn’t it actually a relief?”
The way humans and beastmen think is different.
“The weaklings who were bound to be weeded out anyway were naturally filtered out. If such a plague existed, I’d want to spread it to the beastkin as well.”
… … Tight.
Saint Leonhardt secretly clenched his fist tightly under the table. He tried not to show it outwardly, but it was hard to bear.Faint veins bulged on his face as he bowed his head halfway.
Mauler said.
“Do not undermine the dignity of the intellect, do not restrict freedom, and recognize responsibility. Isn’t that the Three Commandments of the Divine? Then, can I interpret this to mean that all the countries listed in this data are targets for execution?”
… … !
It has already spread far and wide what happened to the underworld that violated and rebelled against Eon’s rules. Thatthe leadership of the Blood Alliance was gathered in one place and had their heads severed in an instant.
The representatives of the Ternetian Federation involuntarily squeezed their eyes shut. This was because some cities had arbitrarily committed massacres under the pretext of purifying the plague.
Due to the nature of the Tertenia Federation, which grants significant autonomy to each territory, it was not possible to quickly block the decisions of the lords and mayors.
Then, Verden answered.
“No. We cannot judge based on this alone.”“You burned a person alive. Are you saying that didn’t violate dignity?”“That is not a matter of dignity, but of ethics. If we take issue with the act of burning a person to death itself, then fire magic would have to be banned. This applies not only to other elemental magic but even more so to mental magic. The same goes for black magic. However, that does not mean I intend to simply sit by and watch.”
He pointed to the materials Feldianne had given him.
“It is merely too early to make a judgment, as there is a possibility of a violation of the commandments. I plan to thoroughly investigate this matter and reach a conclusion.”“Are you saying you intend to encroach upon another nation’s territory to exercise your authority? At this rate, you’ll even covet my Delharun.”“Did I ever mention that I make exceptions for nations or territories?”
Verden asserted.
There are no sanctuaries.
It was an exceptional proclamation to impose discipline not only within one’s own territory but across the entire continent. The closest example to this is the ‘doctrine’ of religion.The teachings of the Luas religion extend beyond the religious nation to the entire world where humanity reaches.
“You crazy bastard.”“…….”“Hmm.”“As expected.”
Mauler let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.The Saint silently twitched the corners of her eyes.Indren, who was in control, expressed concern anticipating that drastic changes would occur.Vangelis nodded his head in satisfaction, as if proud.
Verden said.
“I apologize for unintentionally interrupting you, Master Artisan.”“Hohoho, it is alright, Lord Verden. Now then, I shall continue—”“Commandments and all that. To think these so-called Transcendents bother with such insignificant prey. You claim to be beings beyond the species, but in the end,are you still just human?” “Don’t mind me and go ahead. We have plenty of time anyway. I will be listening.”
Feldianne adopted an exaggeratedly polite posture and listened attentively. The Provider also did not interrupt, as he had permitted free speech.
King Su exhaled through his nose.
“In this world, it is always about results, not process. The beast that died weighing this and that, and the beast that tenaciously survived. Which is right? Only survival is right. Life is proof of strength, and death is a symbol of inferiority.”
Verden looked at the King of Water.
It is an idea I have heard of.
Dragons are independent entities. While there may be hierarchies, there is no sense of camaraderie. Furthermore, we attach no significance to corpses. Death is elimination. Yet, talk of respect for the dead or whatever… A living being’s body is only important when it is alive and breathing. That is why it loses its meaning upon death. A dragon’s corpse? What does it matter if someone else eats it or dissects and uses it? It is merely the trace of a being that has been eliminated.
It is similar to what the Sky Dragon Aerodon said. No, the meaning is identical. There are clear commonalities that make it too significant to be dismissed as mere coincidence.
‘A Beast King’s tail reminiscent of a dragon… Is it actually related to dragons? Perhaps it possesses dragon traits.’
There is also Regrit, the half-human, half-dragon, hiding his horns with a helmet behind Emperor Zeracl. The possibility is always open.
Naturally, it wouldn’t be a demon.
The Beast King already existed before Isabella revived the concept of the Demon Race, and originally, the Demon Race referred to a fusion of humans and异形种 (heterogeneous species).
King Su asks.
“I thought you would be different from the other Transcendents. It is a bit disappointing that you prioritize the process over the result, weighed down by your ideals, Verden.”“Do you know me?”“Of course I do. The Transcendent who formed an alliance with that exclusive Elf race and joined hands with the selfish Dwarf race. And the Transcendent Slayer who killed the Darkmoon. But now that I see it, that was nothing more than a bared fang.”
King Su’s sense of smell caught a deep fragrance invisible to the eye.
“I’ve never smelled blood this strong before. It’s so intense that it takes time just to distinguish it properly. You really are different from other Transcendents. I’m sure it hasn’t even been two years since you awakened. What is it about you?”
The beast’s pupil split vertically in an instant.
Just how many transcendent beings have you killed?
* * *
“……what?”
The Oath-taker, Yurion Hairos, furrowed his brows to check if he had heard correctly.The commotion was greater in the Senate than in the House of Representatives.
Even Emperor Zeracl, Grand Duke Rivandale, Vangelis, the Saint, the Pope, the Saint, the Black Sea, Indren, and the Head of the Adventurer’s Guild could not remain silent.
Ignacia opened his eyes wide.Not joking, but for real.
‘Wait a minute. The only ones Verden killed were… … Dahit Wesroel and Balok Besias, surely? Could the Bone Dragon be included, by any chance? But there’s no way he’d say that just because he killed three, huh?’
The smell of sand brushed against my mind.
The book written in the desert language that Verden left as a gift explained the history and culture of a country named Tuhar.
Desert of Silence
Verden visited that uncharted territory and discovered traces of civilization there. If that civilization still exists, there must be a powerful ruler governing it.
So… … the King of the Desert is a Transcendent? And Verden killed that Transcendent?
Four was a number where it wouldn’t have been strange for the Water King to show such a reaction. The quick-witted woman arbitrarily formed a hypothesis and put the puzzle together.
“flaw.’
Ignacia swept her brilliant hair and pressed hard against her scalp.Her brain tingled.
Just then, Master, Vendie Kaenar parted his lips.
“What do you mean by that, King Su?”“Heh, it means exactly what it says. If you’re curious, why don’t you ask him?”“Or you may seek his advice.”
The one Pope Romanus designated as his advisor was the transcendent being of the Senate.
“What do you think of the Beast King’s words, Current Darkwarton Tower Master?”“…….”
Reindel Nexreon, the understandr of death, would be able to give a definitive answer. The eyes of the Senate attendees turned in unison to the same spot.The Necromancer quietly accepted those gazes with his usual heartless eyes.
At that moment.
“stop.”
The Provider intervened. The magical power that radiated out with the voice instantly shifted the atmosphere, which had been leaning in one direction.
Interrogating attendees goes beyond the scope permitted by free discussion. If you want a formal Q&A, please wait for the sub-agenda.
Although the commotion subsided, the gazes demanding a resolution to the mystery did not fade at all. The killing of multiple transcendents was that serious an issue.
The Water King, who had actually caused ripples in the lake, shrugged his shoulders as if nothing had happened.
Verden leaned back against the backrest.
“So he could sense something like that. Then again, there are transcendents like Reindel who can sense death occurring on the other side of the continent. Since he is the Beast King, nothing he does would be that strange.”
Although it felt like being suddenly stabbed in the heart, Verden was not particularly shaken. For relatively speaking, this was merely a light ripple.Instead, he thought about what purpose the Water King had in attending the meeting.
“Getting back to the main point. It means that discussing the weak who couldn’t withstand a plague at a world conference is ultimately a waste of time. Besides, if humans have a system of governance, they should be able to do as they please. Kill their own people or not. That is what it means to be a king.”
King Su smiled wryly and mentioned one of the countries listed in the records.
“Isn’t that so, King Ronia?”
Crunch.
The Ruler trembled behind Verden. It was an expression of rage. The Ruler was a knight who had rebelled against the Kingdom of Ronia.
“…….”
Only Verden’s blue eyes moved.
There is also one person on the side of the Ruas Theocracy who is showing a reaction similar to that of the Ruler. He is enduring it, but his intense emotions are gradually coming to the surface.
A new saint.Master of the holy sword, Ruens.
‘… … ! The Water King is provoking the divine being of the Luas religion. No way.’
It seems that the King of Water is targeting the Ruas Theocracy at the World Conference. Although the exact objective is unknown, it certainly won’t end there.
“Kick.”
Ignacia, who saw through him just like Verden, began to suppress her laughter.
