Chapter 31: Crisis of Infectious Disease

Snow didn’t fall much this Winter either, but the temperature was low. Perhaps partly because of that, an infectious disease began to spread in various parts of the Kingdom. When I asked Smith, the steward, about the symptoms, he said there is a violent cough, and in severe cases, one coughs up blood. This is terrible. It might be Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis was an infectious disease that was a threat in my previous life as well. I heard that until a specific medicine was found, many people died all over the world, including Japan. In this world where medical knowledge and systems are not advanced, many people will likely fall victim to it. Although there is Magic in this world, there is no Recovery Magic, so diseases cannot be cured with Magic.

If I recall correctly, the basics of preventing infectious diseases were washing hands and wearing masks. I want to suggest to Father to encourage the territory’s people to wash their hands and wear masks. But how should I explain where I got that knowledge?

That’s it! I thought of the Elves and visited the Elves’ Hidden Village. I explained to the Elder and Lucelina that according to knowledge from my previous life, the spreading disease is a terrifying illness called Tuberculosis, and that while I want to spread the use of masks and hand-washing to prevent infection, it is difficult to explain the source of the knowledge, so I want to claim that the Elves taught me.

“I see, I understand the situation. If this disease called Tuberculosis spreads, it will be a disaster. Please do as you think best, Lord William.” Lucelina agreed.

“Thank you. Even though you call me Savior, I’m sorry for only asking for favors.”

“Lord William is humble. However, you are already fighting against the power of darkness for the sake of the world.”

“Eh, Elder? I am just doing manufacturing; I am not fighting monsters.”

“No, fighting monsters is not the only battle against darkness. When the power of darkness strengthens, Famine occurs due to drought or cold weather damage, and diseases spread. Then, monsters attack when people are weakened. You prevented Famine caused by drought, and now you are trying to prevent disease. That is also a battle against darkness.”

“Is that so?”

“It is exactly as Grandmother says. Lord William is trying to save the world. Besides, by building houses, we and the Dwarves have already been saved.”

“I didn’t do anything that special…”

“No, it is not something just anyone can do. Besides, your personality of not boasting about your achievements is very favorable. I think there is a meaning to why the World Tree called you at this timing, but I think it is fine for you to stay as you are. Thanks to your manufacturing, people can oppose the threat of darkness.”

I see, maybe I can save the world without fighting. After talking to the Elder and Lucelina, I felt more at ease. When I returned home from the Elf Forest, I visited Father‘s Office and, pretending I heard it from the Elves, suggested encouraging masks and hand-washing.

“I see, an Elven tradition? They have longer lifespans than us and possess various knowledge.” Father decided to issue a proclamation to the territory’s people to wear masks and wash their hands.

“Will, this is a national crisis, so I intend to report this to the Royal Family as well.” Indeed, taking measures only within our territory won’t stop the infectious disease. Coinciding with Father‘s proclamation within the territory, we mass-produced cloth masks at the Workshop and distributed them to the people for free. I don’t have the technology to make non-woven fabric masks.

When I distributed masks to the townspeople with the Workshop craftsmen: “This is a strangely shaped cloth.” “Do I just cover my mouth and nose?”

“If it’s the Lord’s instruction and Lord William‘s idea…” They put on the masks while bewildered. I hope this stops the spread.

After a while, the spread speed of Tuberculosis slowed down. I think spreading the countermeasures had meaning. However, the infection did not end.

The Royal Family also issued a proclamation throughout the country encouraging masks and hand-washing in line with Father‘s suggestion, but few nobles distributed masks for free like we did. In the end, poor people couldn’t buy masks, and since their nutritional status is also poor, they get infected.

The troublesome thing about Tuberculosis is that it is highly contagious. If someone coughs, infection spreads through droplets scattered in the air, so stopping the epidemic is not easy. While this was happening, the infection reached someone close to me.