184 – Request for Support(4)
I entered the room to conduct the meeting.
The Blackwood family, Gale, and Baran had already taken their places.
Gazing at them, I sat in an empty seat, ready to start the conversation.
As the lord of this land, I opened the forum.
“Once again, I thank you for your hard work in getting here.”
Garan, the second son of the Blackwood family, responded on behalf of the family.
“Not at all. It’s merely repaying a past debt.”
At his words, Ner’s gaze momentarily turned towards Garan.
Presently, she closed her eyes, maintaining her silence.
Garan continued.
“Lord Raiker, but there is something I need to inform you.”
“Speak your mind.”
“…I, leading many soldiers of the Blackwood family, will return to our territory. Understand that we came in large numbers due to the need to escort the carriage. Furthermore, our soldiers are not very knowledgeable about the epidemic. Rather than staying here and exacerbating the problem, it would be a better choice to return. Instead, we brought many supplies – we hope they will suffice.”
“I understand.”
I’d known as much to begin with.
The numerous Blackwood soldiers had entered Stokepin.
We couldn’t possibly take care of all of them.
If they could replace our downed members and help with village duties, that would have been better, but that was a request we couldn’t make.
Garan further explained.
“Ran and Ner will stay behind. Additionally, we will leave behind several personnel to aid in nursing. We kindly ask that you return these people safely to us.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
Given the spread of the epidemic, I could not make promises about the future.
However, Garan seemed satisfied with that answer, nodding his head.
I glanced at Ner for a moment.
She too was going to stay behind.
I didn’t know how things were going to work out, but it seemed I would continue to run into her.
Ner was already looking at me.
Eye contact that had happened countless times in the past.
But now, for some reason, the feeling was different.
Garan soon turned his head to Ner.
He then nodded at her.
Ner, as if recognizing this as a signal, opened her mouth.
“Berg. When did this situation start?”
Nehr dropped the formality of the boardroom when he asked me, seemingly trying to recall the familiarity between us. I took a moment to contemplate on how to answer… eventually, I sighed and responded bluntly.
“…15 days have passed by now.”
The corner of Nehr’s mouth twitched slightly as if taken aback.
However, she soon returned to her stern demeanor and asked me again.
“…how many… how many have contracted the plague?”
“103,” Baran interjected from beside me.
“Additional 12 were infected today.”
“…which makes it 115 then.”
The problem with the plague is the exponential growth of the infection.
For the moment we were somehow managing to keep the number down, but the situation would get out of control if more people got infected.
“How are they being treated?”
As our conversation proceeded, I was reminded of the casual chats we used to have.
There was a time when there was no one else with whom I could converse more comfortably than her.
“We have a quarantine room. That’s where we’re treating them.”
“What are you feeding them?”
“…gruel. Regular meals for those who still have an appetite.”
“How are you taking care of cleanliness?”
I shook my head.
“We can’t focus on that.”
It was a regretful truth, but currently, we were focusing more on the people outside the quarantine room than the infected inside.
We couldn’t let the patients leave the room just to bathe them.
And it was nerve-racking to leave the healthcare professionals inside with the sick for too long.
“What about ventilation?”
“…only briefly in the early mornings when everyone’s inside.”
Having listened to all this, Nehr looked at me and spoke.
“It seems we need to establish some rules going forward.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m against clustering patients together. It would be better to designate separate rooms based on severity.”
Nehr spoke to us with a firm voice. Even though this was her first time dealing with a plague, she seemed like she knew the answer.
“Let’s categorize patients into 3 stages…no, make that 5 stages,” Gail added to Nehr’s suggestion.
“…there aren’t that many places to rest in Stockfin. Now that you folks have arrived, there are even fewer places. In such circumstances, increasing the number of patient rooms… and in addition to that, scattering the patient rooms can lead to the plague spreading even more. How do you intend to deal with that?”
Nehr responded to him.
“Nonetheless, we have no choice. If there aren’t enough spaces, we’ll have to temporarily borrow homes of residents to segregate the patients. Only if we categorize patients by severity, will we be able to provide adequate care.”
Concluding her statement, Nehr turned to look at me.
“Berg. What will you do?”
And thus, she left the decision up to me.
As Gail said, there weren’t many empty houses in Stockphin. Many new houses had been built, but just as many new residents had moved into their territory.
Besides, in fear of spreading the plague, they didn’t even open the windows of the sickroom… There would be more things to be cautious of, the moment they started increasing the number of sickrooms.
I sighed.
Then, I spoke to Varan.
“Let’s segregate the rooms from now on.”
I wouldn’t have contacted them if I didn’t intend to receive assistance from the Blackwood family.
Countless lives were at stake due to the immediate choices.
I decided to heed Ner’s words.
Ner nodded in response to my affirmation.
Then, she began to propose new regulations.
“From now on everyone should wear a mask.”
Gail, surprised, asked,
“…all the residents?”
“Yes. It will be highly effective in suppressing the plague.”
Despite her words, I nodded my head.
“Let’s do so.”
It would be uncomfortable, sure, but that much discomfort, everyone could bear for one another.
“You can’t take it off even at home, Verg. You have to wear it even when you sleep.”
I nodded again.
“I’ll pass the message on to the residents.”
“Ner looked at me and lowered her voice.
“…at the same time… showing affection… is not allowed.”
“………….”
“…because that’s the only way this will make sense.”
Gail questioned her statement.
“…You’re prohibiting the expression of affection between couples?”
“….”
“They already share a bed each night, what difference does that make?”
“…No. I’m not saying this should be forever. Considering the special circumstances it’s better to restrain.”
Throughout the conversation, I felt as if Ner was transmitting her emotions.
It would be nice if I were mistaken, but she seemed to expose her feelings.
Were these unconscious words.
Was it because of the kiss between Sien and me that happened earlier?
“…Verg…?”
“…”
Before I could answer Ner’s question, she spoke.
“…you can endure for the sake of protecting the one you care about.”
Her words reminded me of Sien and our child.
Without knowing I’m infected, if I transmit the disease to her through our kiss… Will I be able to bear that fact?
Could I endure the reality when the problem escalates?
…Perhaps not.
Upon reflection, maybe it was necessary to refrain from outspokenness in this situation of an epidemic spread.
I nodded.
It was not because I submitted to Ner’s words, but a decision made for those precious to me.
From noble mtl dot com
“…”
Finally, even Ner nodded.
“Next…”
She continually established several rules.
Gale continuously expressed his concerns about Ner’s opinions. It wasn’t so much that he thought Ner was wrong, but it felt like he was being cautionary.
In the end, even if Ner’s rules were adopted, he accepted it all without much complaint.
After all, the final decision was up to me, and Gale respected that decision.
We then discussed the treatment from Blackwood’s side.
The allocation of nursing staff, the food to feed them, their break times, necessary resources, etc.
Organize everything before the start.
Of course, many things would organically change as life went on, but for now, this was the discussion.
So, we sat and talked for a while, and naturally, dusk began to creep in.
Feeling the situation was winding down, I readied myself to wrap things up.
“…shall we call it a day?”
Upon hearing this, Garan nodded.
“Raiker, it seems the discussion has finished. My soldiers and I should get going.”
“…”
I wanted to tell him to take a rest, but considering the ongoing epidemic in the territory, his decision seemed right.
“Sorry we couldn’t accommodate you better.”
“No, it’s okay.”
We got up and exchanged handshakes.
And then, almost at once, we began to leave the room.
-clink.
In the midst of all this, someone grabbed my sleeve.
“…”
“…”
Of course, it was Ner.
“…Berg, I have a small favor to ask-“
“-Ner.”
Before Ner could finish her sentence, I stopped her.
Honestly, I thought I had let go of the betrayal I had felt towards her.
The fury that had burnt then had burned out, I wanted to remember her fondly.
I wanted to remember only the good, not the bad.
I hoped the pleasant feelings I had shared with Ner would not fade.
Upon my call, Ner looked up at me.
“…Huh…?”
“…Thanks for coming. The rules you set also seem to be of great help to us.”
At his words, Nell’s eyes quickly grew moist.
Her white tail began to sway.
Smiling gently, she bit her lip and whispered.
“…Yes. If it’s for you-“
“But.”
“…Huh?”
I looked down at the ring on her finger.
On her left ring finger was her ring, and on her thumb was mine.
Looking down at the rings, I said.
“…Now take off the ring.”
“…Ah…”
“It’s a jewelry with great significance to humans.”
I was already wearing a ring with Cian.
Even for her sake, I didn’t want to leave another woman holding a ring with me.
…Of course, it was a problem to just call Nell another woman… but I also didn’t want to just stand by and watch.
Hiding her hand behind her back at my words, Nell seemed to be holding back tears with gritted teeth.
The fact that she still had such vivid emotions for me… somehow stirs my emotions.
Even then, I had no intention of letting her go this time.
Instead of leaving her the choice and leaving, I stopped in front of her and reached out my hand.
It was an act of asking for the ring back.
At that gesture, Nell swallowed a dry gulp.
Her surprised eyes looked up at me in an instant.
Her perky ears folded.
Nell slowly shook her head and said.
“…I… I’ll hide it so you can’t see.”
“…Give it back.”
“…You’re… not going to keep it…”
“I’m going to throw it away.”
“…Then I can’t give it.”
“Nell.”
“I can’t give it to you, Berg.”
Nell huddled.
She was still clinging onto our relationship.
From that appearance of not letting go at all… I saw my past self.
How fragile she looked as if she’d break.
“…”
I quickly lost the strength to pressure her.
As I insist, Nell and I are no longer related.
I may have no right to torment her to this extent.
…Perhaps, it’s just an excuse because I don’t want to see her cry.
“…Sigh.”
I let out a sigh.
Eventually, I said to her.
“…Then hide. Now, out of my sight.”
“…”
“…Especially, don’t let Sien see you.”
“………..Hm.”
At the mention of Sien, she clenched her fists minuscule.
I turn my back on Ner, my ex-wife, to bid farewell to Garan who will soon return to his territory.
-Thunk.
“…Berg.”
But Ner wouldn’t let me go.
As if she must say why she had initially held onto me.
“….I….I will really try hard.”
“…”
“…I will try to make medicine for the plague… and… nursing too… steadily…”
I knew very well just how big a resolution it was for the noble lady to volunteer to nurse someone.
Especially in an environment where she could catch the illness herself.
I knew that Ner was willing to risk her life to a certain extent in order to support me.
“…So that’s why…Berg…”
I turned to look at Ner at her trembling voice.
“…Could you please… hold me once… to give me strength…?”
Ner was pleading with me, her eyes tightly shut.
Her arms were trembling too.
“…If that’s too difficult…”
“…”
“…Could you at least give my head… a pat…? I… I missed you a lot….”
Her pitiful state immobilized me.
Her requests were trivial compared to the risk she was taking.
“…Like the old times…”
Holding her, patting her, these were all things I could do without too much trouble.
I could feel my expression twisting on its own.
I didn’t know whether what’s moving my heart was sympathy towards her, or the feelings I still held for her.
“…Sigh.”
-Clink.
But with difficulty, I pulled away from her touch.
In contrast, Ner easily fell away from my strength.
As if this wasn’t her only chance.
… I left Ner behind and continued on.
After returning Garan, we introduced the rules Ner had established to the village.
Many expressed dissatisfaction with the complex and detailed regulations, but I convinced them with the argument that they were necessary to save those dear to us.
The mercenaries followed my words without question, but it took time to persuade the immigrants.
Perhaps it would have been easier to outright declare a penalty for breaking the rules.
However, I was not yet comfortable with governing others to such an extent.
I was the first to don a mask on my face.
Baran, Gale, and the Blackwood party who followed me also put masks on their faces.
In doing so, the atmosphere seemed to reek of a full-blown plague.
But ultimately safety was more important to me than atmosphere.
I assumed that starting tomorrow, everyone will wear masks.
Next, we divided the sickbay into five levels.
Securing sickbay was not an easy task.
Not only did it mean finding new rooms, but we also needed to find new beds.
On top of that, dozens of guests from Blackwood had arrived, so we had to provide rooms for them too.
It was no easy task.
After dividing the space, Baran approached me and asked.
“The leader?”
“Speak.”
Baran spoke to me in a cautious tone.
“Finding a room for Raian Blackwood and… Ner Blackwood is proving difficult.”
“…?”
When I looked at Baran, unsure of what he meant, he answered with a guilty expression.
“… They’re affiliated with Blackwood, aren’t they? There’s just no place decent enough for the nobility to rest…”
“…”
“… Especially Raian Blackwood, as she cannot rest in squalor…”
I had forgotten something.
That Blackwood was a grand noble family.
I didn’t think about it when Ner was with us, but now our connection was severed… I had a responsibility to serve a powerful noble family like Blackwood properly.
Particularly because to a certain extent, she was our guest, who came to help us.
I continued on for the problem proposed by Baran.
I wanted to speak with Raian and Ner.
From afar, I could see Raian frowning deeply.
Her expression was full of discontent.
“Lady Raian Blackwood. Is there a problem?”
As I approached her first and asked cautiously. Raian spoke to me with a look of discomfort.
“None of the rooms are appealing to me.”
Despite her expression, she spoke with caution.
“Even as a helper, all the houses I visit smell strange… have bugs…”
Looking at Baran, he responded.
“…Even if you wanted to find a better place, it doesn’t exist now. The decent inns are being used as hospital rooms at the request of Nell…”
When I glanced at Nell, she turned her head away from me.
As if she was somewhat upset about earlier events.
To me, who couldn’t say anything, Raan asked.
“…Riker’s chamber, doesn’t his house have a place to rest?”
“…Excuse me?”
“…Isn’t it typical to rest in their mansion if they are the hosts…?”
As always, when resting in the lands of another noble family, it was typical to stay in their mansion.
Since the best house in the lands was usually the lord’s mansion.
I have had the same experience.
I have rested in the lord’s mansion during Nell’s, Arwin’s, and Jackson’s times.
On examination, it was appropriate to lend a room from our house to us, the guests, the Blackwood family.
We would have lent it worry-free if our house seemed more like a nobleman’s house.
But our house was still as it was before, and that’s why I was hesitating.
The relationship with Nell certainly had an effect.
I spoke to Raan, who’ve piled up dissatisfaction.
“…I can share a room, but there won’t be a big difference from other houses.”
“…”
To Raan, who didn’t answer, Nell approached and whispered.
I didn’t hear the whisper, but Raan said.
“…If you really don’t mind, I’d like to check it out once.”
“…”
While I was silent, she added.
“Initially, Nell used to live there.”
At the same moment, Nell and I met our eyes.
The house where Nell and I lived together for a long time.
In other words, it was the house where I engaged in repairs with her.
It was a place filled with our memories.
I unconsciously spoke to Nell.
“…You wouldn’t want to come.”
I didn’t know why I said it.
But Nell whispered back.
She was barely audible.
‘…After all, it’s my house.’