Plague

WINIFRED

"An Envoy?"

"Yes. It has already been decided. His highness wants you all to accompany him since the lady would be going as well. Despite that, it's important that we all go."

Lady Freya and Darryl looked unsure but this course of action was best. Even though it was sudden, our visit as envoys to the Reagis Kingdom was something we were bound to do eventually. This is simply because...this is where Nathan's body is located.

"But Dame Circe, won't this cause a lot of problems? We will be leaving so suddenly too."

"I too think it's too sudden. However, it's an order from his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. The Reagis Kingdom is a close ally of ours and if we ignore their request, we won't be looked upon favorably, especially with our history. So, it is imperative that the Saintess be sent to the Reagis kingdom along with an Envoy from the royal family. His highness, unfortunately, happened to hold the perfect position."

"Why would they need the Saintess and an envoy?" Darryl asks. Dame Circe sighs audibly. I already heard why from Nathan. I felt the change in the atmosphere, triggered by Darryl's question. Rather than answer him, they were just making things worse by staying quiet. It was annoying.

"It's because the Reagis Kingdom has unfortunately been infected by the Fefnir plague, courtesy of the god of misfortune," I went ahead to answer his question.

"M-My lady, how do you know that?"

"Don't sound so surprised, Dame Circe. There's barely anything that happens out there that Lord Sebastian isn't aware of. You should also note that the maids in this manor are very gossipy."

"You're right. I should've informed you earlier. But please do not hold any worries about your safety. We will do our best to protect you with our lives, my lady."

"I know you will. But, what would happen to me after you're all dead? Only the living can protect the living, Dame Circe."

"I-I...misspoke, my lady. Forgive me."

That's right. Only the living can protect the living. Although it isn't my mother's fault that she died, neither was it her fault that she gave birth to me, she couldn't protect me from the grave. I don't need anyone to die for me. I just need them by my side.

"So, where's his highness, Dame Circe?"

"He's organizing troops for our visit. We will most likely teleport to our destination because of how dangerous the journey is and will be meeting the royal family of Reagis on arrival. We don't need a large force for anything but quarantine."

"I see. Is anyone coming from the church?"

"Bishop Matthew will accompany us on our journey, my lady. There will also be some physicians to accompany us."

"Very well. We should get to packing, right, Lady Freya?"

"Y-Yes, my lady but..." Lady Freya tried to protest but I shook my head.

"I understand your reservations but will you personally challenge the Emperor's decision, Lady Freya?"

"No, but...it's not fair. Sending a child in the midst of such a dangerous place..."

"Are you saying his highness is incapable of protecting me?"

"He can't protect you from disease!"

"That rests solely on Oriel, right? She is capable of purging impurities. We will just have to rely on that power of hers."

It took about a week of preparation before we were able to set off for the Reagis Kingdom. Since it was such a long distance from ours, the teleportation portal was vital. But the side effects of such a long journey would definitely be felt.

"You don't look nervous, our little saintess," Nathan casually remarked. I really wanted to punch that annoying smirk off his face. But if I did, there'd be too many questions.

"There's no real need for me to be nervous if you're coming with me. If we follow the traces left by that god of misfortune, we might end up finding your body."

"That's less important than your body-soul synchronization. We can't let your precious body break down at the wrong moment. Even now, they're looking for the perfect opportunity to strike you from there," he said, pointing at the sky. I raised an eyebrow and he shrugged. Without warning, the bastard picked me up and placed me in a carriage.

"We won't arrive together but please know I won't be too far behind. I can't peacefully co-exist with that obnoxious priest."

"So you're leaving me with him?!"

"Exactly. I'll see you on the other side, my lady," he said before leaving. That bastard walked really quickly and I could no longer see him. The bright halo of light arrived and surprisingly, he was quiet after greeting me. We joined the same carriage with Prince Ferdinard and Dame Circe.

"Winifred, are you nervous?" Prince Ferdinard asks. He sounded like he was teasing me. You never know what to expect with big idiots like him.

"Yes, I'm nervous. What if their cities are not accessible with my walking stick, especially now that they have a situation?"

"Y-You're right! I never considered it but people over in the Reagis Kingdom prioritize bloodline purity and thus, they really hate those who are considered 'incomplete'. This is...a disaster!"

"They requested the help of a Saintess despite knowing that most of them are born blind. If they decided to discriminate against me for being blind, we can look away from their kingdom being destroyed by plague and famine, right?"

"...I've forgotten just how cruel you are," Bishop Matthew suddenly said.

Cruel? I don't remember being cruel to him.

"Why would I be cruel? As a Saintess, it should be well within my jurisdiction to distribute reward and punishment, right? Is the fulfillment of my duties cruel or is the church's omnipotence cruel?"

"A child should behave like a child."

"An adult should behave like an adult. Do not avoid your responsibilities and try to silence me. I have a track record of not being silenced. I will not forgo my well-being for the safety of people who I don't know and who don't care about me."

"Perhaps, you are right. I apologize, my lady."

"It's good that you know your faults."

I still hated the discombobulated feeling I got from going through the teleportation portal. But I knew once the feeling went away, we've arrived. The weather certainly felt different. And just like the first time I arrived in this world, I felt a huge surge of dark energy pulsing from a short distance away. I confirmed it in my gut. What we're looking for is definitely here.

NATHAN

The surge of familiar energy really made it clear. I doubted her when she said an opportunity to find my body would come soon but she was really right. My body...is somewhere in this kingdom.

As the official Envoy, Prince Ferdinand and that annoying priest went off to greet the royal family. This meant I got to escort Winifred, Freya and Darryl to our quarters. Even though the surveillance was annoying, it was bearable. Nothing could destroy my excitement of finally finding my body.

"It's nothing like home but it'll do," Freya comments as the maids put our bags away.

"There's nothing we can do. We aren't home," Winifred replies. The maids who were offended by Freya's innocent comment, no matter how horribly it was framed, were amazed by Winifred's wittiness.

"If we get settled in, can we finally have breakfast? I can't listen to Darryl's gurgling stomach any longer."

"But my stomach isn't gurgling!"

"Yes, yes, that's what you say now. Lord Sebastian, if you please..."

"Of course, my lady," I bowed and left the room with the maids. Charming them was no difficult feat and I soon got to feed my little lady. She was unfamiliar with eating in a new place so Darryl had the burden of feeding her this time. He didn't dare to complain with her earnest gaze fixed on him.

I had to wait until it was dark to investigate the whereabouts of my body. I already sent Samuel ahead so all I had to was find him later.

Prince Ferdinand and the annoying priest soon returned to us and briefed us on the situation. The annoying priest was quiet and it was honestly for the best. If he dared to ruin my chances of recovering my body, killing him won't be enough to atone for his sins.

"So, tomorrow, we'll go inspect the quarantine zone that had been set up. You don't have to do much but listen to the prayers Bishop Matthew offers, Winifred. You can just repeat them and it'll go well."

"Of course," she replied. I knew exactly what she was up to. If she really had an affinity for light, then expunging the plague was the right move. But as someone who had a deep affinity for darkness, the plague could function as nourishment for her magic. She was going to absorb it.

I really wanted to know how she would absorb it with someone like Bishop Matthew by her side.