Volume 1, Chapter 39 – The Infection Spreads

Perhaps it was because I pushed myself too hard late into the night yesterday? I woke up a little later than usual.

“Good morning.”

After quickly changing and having a simple breakfast, I entered the room bearing the sign “Mummy Disease Countermeasures Office.”

“Good morning, Fiene-sama.”

Chris-san was already in the room, ready and waiting.

“Good morning, Fiene-sama. Thank you for your hard work late last night.”

The Temple’s treatment team and the Guard Captain were already assembled.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

“Not at all. Now then, everyone, please give your reports.”

Rеаd oո КαtReaԁіnɡСαfе

Perhaps because they were short-handed, Priest Laurent seemed to be acting as the director of the countermeasures office.

Apparently, he actually wanted to be out in the field too, but his other duties kept him too busy for that.

“Then, first, a report from the guard unit. The northern slums were completely sealed off during the night. It has been announced that only personnel involved in treatment are permitted to pass through. Furthermore, the distribution supplies are scheduled to arrive at the square, which is the entrance to the northern slums, around the time of the 10 AM bell. Also, we have placed an order with the Apothecary Association for distilled alcohol. Deliveries are scheduled to begin gradually this evening.”

“Thank you for your efforts. Including Fiene-sama, we have six Healers, so please divide into six units and enter the sealed-off area with a Healer. After distribution duties are complete, leave behind a guard detail and withdraw promptly, and be sure to undergo cleansing with Cleansing Magic. Next, Fiene-sama, your report, please.”

“Yes. Last night, we visited 4 buildings and 83 rooms, and were able to provide treatment in 45 of them. At that time, 20 individuals were already infected. This includes the first patient and their family. There were no buildings where all rooms could be treated. Also, the number of wells cleansed was 5.”

“Oh, that’s an impressive number. Now, for the Temple’s Healer unit: buildings visited were 6, rooms visited were 163, of which treatment only was possible in 71, and both treatment and cleansing were possible in 19. Two individuals were infected.”

The infection rate is clearly lower. It seems safe to assume the area around Dale-kun and Dan-kun’s house is the source.

“Here as well, because it was night, there were no buildings where all rooms could be treated. Also, the number of wells cleansed was 2. Furthermore, given the nature of the situation, we are currently negotiating with the royal palace to apply for the authority to enforce compulsory treatment. We are continuing negotiations with the aim of achieving a result within the next few days.”

Rеaⅾ оո КаtRеαԁiոɡСafe

That’s right.

It would be fine if everyone willingly accepted treatment, but the problem is that a certain number of people refuse treatment.

To prevent these people from spreading the pathogen, it’s necessary to forcibly isolate the infected.

All we could do now was hope the infection didn’t spread to other areas.

◇ ◇ ◇

Under the clear winter sky, we diligently carried out treatment and cleansing. Perhaps because yesterday’s fatigue hadn’t worn off, I wasn’t in peak condition like last night, and occasionally had to rely on MP Recovery Medicines.

But somehow, we Managed to treat all the residents in the block containing Dale-kun and Dan-kun’s house.

A large part of that was thanks to Dale-kun and Dan-kun, whom we had treated first, convincing people who refused to come out of their rooms.

Rеαԁ οո KatReаⅾiոɡСafe

Even when we knocked, they wouldn’t open the door, but Dale-kun and Dan-kun went around telling people about me, saying I was the Saint-sama who treated their sister for free, so it was okay.

I have no intention of becoming a Saint, but it’s true I’ve grown fond of this town without realizing it. I don’t want to see this town destroyed by a plague.

Even if it is a world inside a game.

Or rather… lately, I’ve started wondering whether this really is a game at all.

The scenery is too realistic. There are smells, tastes, I get hungry, and I even need to use the bathroom.

When I touch others, they’re warm.

Compared to every VRMMO I’ve played before, everything here feels far too real.

“Fiene-sama?”

Reаd οո КatReаԁіոɡСafе

Oops, Chris-san was looking at me with a worried expression.

“I’m fine.”

I gulped down the awful-tasting MP Recovery Medicine and forced a wry smile.

“I really don’t like the taste of this stuff. Anyway, let’s head to the next area.”

And so, we headed off to treat the next block.

Then, evening.

Having somehow finished the day’s work after using 7 MP Recovery Medicines, we returned to the Temple utterly exhausted, only to hear the words we least wanted to hear.

“Fiene-sama, I’m afraid we have some very unfortunate news. New cases of Mummy Disease have been confirmed in the central commercial district.”