Chapter 46 - Plan of action

I'm tired...

In one of the meeting rooms inside the castle, King Estel, Diana, Gizzere and Ram are currently discussing about the endemic disease. Knowing a thing or two about this disease, I do give them my opinion and how to tackle the problem. Of course, curing those who contracted the endemic disease is important, but so does finding the cause. Still,

"You guys don't have any sort of clue as to what causes it?" [Ash]

Silence, the answer is silence. Well, I'm an idiot, if they knew about the cause, they will surely tackle it long back.

"I'll look into it." [Ash]

"Thank you. Plus, from the look of it, you seem to know or at least have some idea about it" [Diana]

"I do. It should be something related to water supplies inside this country, so I'll be looking at it starting tomorrow" [Ash]

"That's a bit hard" [King Estel]

"Why is that?" [Ash]

"The water supplies, they're being managed by the Duke's family that you have squabble with" [Gizzere]

"No problems then" [Ash]

"Sigh... Dear, remind me to ask Alice to assist this guy, and also to keep him in check" [Ram]

"That's rude, plus don't involve her in this matter. That idiot noble will surely misunderstand it" [Ash]

"Don't worry, I'll do something about it" [King Estel]

As he said that, he brings out a contract paper, ask me to sign it before stamping it with the royal stamp. The content is that I'll have full authority and support from the royal family especially from the king himself to investigate the causes of endemic disease so long as I'm abiding by the rule of the country

Then comes the reports from both Guild Masters. Huh, it seems that my little siblings also involved in the investigation. From what I understand, some nobles and merchants do hide the medications to increase the price. Not only that, they're supplying it to the church so that the church will hand out those medications for free which in turn causing the masses to believe the church are trying to save them. In return, the church will sway them into supporting those said nobles and merchants while at the same time belittling the royal family. There's even a rumour stating that Diana is the one that's responsible for taking all the medication from the market for her own personal use. Quite an underhanded tactic, but this is political issue involving their country, as a traveller, I have no room for that, or so I thought

The people here are still following the old follower. They're not as extreme as the old follower themselves, but if they do garner support from the masses, who knew what will happen to the orphanage. Sure, I can repel any sort of attack and counteract back but until when? If things come to worse, I might have to consider moving into another country with them, but Claude will not agree to that.

(So the best I can do now is to find the root and help the royal families who support the new saint and saintess) [Ash]

As for treating the disease, they will use the young healers, station it in few strategic location and ask them to heal those people. This will serve as training to them, plus this way, Diana's name can be cleaned (hope so). But the problem is

"The orphanage?" [Ash]

"Can we use it? It's a good location, plus that way their perception of non-human can be change slowly. Of course, I'll be there along with few trusted knights to guard them. I will even make a request to the adventure guild to help protect them" [Diana]

"Hmm..." [Ash]

This is hard, I mean, the orphanage helping them out do bring a positive image but, I'm worried

"Understood, but let me be clear on one thing. I'll ask Housey to be extra careful on that day. If Housey detects any sort of malice intention to my siblings, I'll ask it to just kick them out, even if it's mean by using extra forces" [Ash]

"Understandable" [Diana]

So, the plan to tackle this endemic disease can be summarised as follows

1. I'll search for the cause of the endemic disease and if possible stop it (and Alice will be there with me, Ram insist on it)

2. The young healers will be stationed at few strategic locations and start treating the sick

3. Gizzere and Ram will be sniffing out the noble and merchant responsible for hiding those medications and bring them to the court. Their actions are made valid as they're also receiving the same contract as I do

That's for today meeting. I'm tired, better go and tell Rafiah about them having to treat the sick. Plus, Yefefiah is with her as well, so she can tell other young healers about it.

Oh, they're both sitting on a seat inside the garden. Plus, they're few young healers as well. From the looks of it, I'm sure they're gossiping about something. Well, I should tell them first. I'm sure Diana will told them, nonetheless I just felt like doing it

"..." [Young healer]

"What is it?" [Ash]

What's wrong? Something happen? Why are they looking at me like that, and Yefefiah, why are you giggling nonstop.

I'm too lazy to guess, so

"Rafiah, let just go" [Ash]

"Yes" [Rafiah]

"IT'S TRUE!" [Young healer]

"NO!" [Rafiah]

"But a young girl going to a man's house. What else could it be?" [Yefefiah]

"I told you it's nothing like that!" [Rafiah]

"Rafiah, please don't do anything suspicious to me. I'm still young, plus I don't want those siblings of mine to copy such act" [Ash]

As tired as I am, I still understand what's happening, and with the young healers having so much fun teasing her, I decided to join in as well. Well, Rafiah is also to be blamed here, her reaction make us addicted and thus I'm sure they can't help but to keep on teasing her. Looks, her effort on denying my statement and the reaction of others, it's fun. Haha, I should stop before she starts crying

"Now now, I'll be sure to protect myself so you guys don't have to worry much about me. Before I forgot, Diana will tell you this thing tomorrow, or maybe this night itself. You're all to be stationed in few locations inside the city and start treating the sick two days from now" [Ash]

The young healers seems to be excited. I guess getting to treat someone is an enjoyment felt by the doctors. It's tiring but it's a nice feeling, one that make them keep on going even through the hardest of time.

Yefefiah and another young healer decided to join Rafiah when I mentioned the orphanage will be one of the locations, to which I simply ask them to get permission from Diana herself first as I don't have any power on deciding that

As if detecting what's happening, she magically appears. I really can't detect her presence though. Still, she's quick to act and quickly station them to each location. The orphanage will have three young healers station including Rafiah and Yefefiah. The other will be stationed somewhere else. The orphanage is labeled as the east section and they should be ready to be mobilize to other station should help is required. I can understand that. Those around my neighborhood area are mostly free from the endemic disease as compared to other, so less manpower is required there.

With that, Rafiah and I excuse ourselves (while the other having 'that' face directed toward the now beet red Rafiah. Look, even Diana is joining them. Poor girl)

Using the bus golem, we quickly went back to the orphanage, only to find those ten already asleep. Claude and Housey welcome us back, and they quickly prepare a room for Rafiah.

As for me, I informed Claude as to what's happening and the decision to use the orphanage as one of the centres. Claude simply agree to it. Before going to sleep, I'll supply extra mana to Housey as an extra step of precaution