The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

Chapter: Plague (2)

The Plague Event was a randomly triggered event in the game, one that needed to be resolved quickly. If left unchecked, it would spread rapidly across the continent.

As the plague spread, the prices of goods would skyrocket, governance systems would falter, and party members’ stats would be reduced.

Of course, it wasn’t all bad.

The number of bandits and monsters would increase, the ranks of competing adventurers would thin, and quest rewards would rise. Additionally, some infected individuals would turn into undead after a certain amount of time, which could also be exploited.

Because of this, players aiming for fast progression sometimes let the plague linger when it triggers early, using it as an opportunity to grow quickly until defeating the Demon King. While it significantly increased the difficulty, it was a double-edged sword of an event.

For me, as a Sage, I could also exploit this to make a fortune. However, it would interfere with other achievements I was pursuing, so resolving it quickly was the better choice.

“…Are you not negotiating your reward?”

“Oh, right. What exactly are you offering as compensation?”

I’d almost forgotten, caught up in the urgency.

“The title of Honorary Elf and—”

“No need for that kind of thing. Payment in goods will do. Money is fine, or even leaves or branches from the World Tree.”

“If that’s acceptable… very well.”

Lorellia nodded, but several of the elves behind her looked visibly displeased.

It seemed the thought of me taking something as precious as leaves or branches from the World Tree didn’t sit well with their arrogance and sense of superiority.

“What’s with the glares?” I asked.

“…It’s unseemly,” Veronica said coldly, with Lucille adding in a sharp tone, “Incredibly rude.”

The elves bared their teeth, and their reactions stirred a similar response among the adventurers, who gripped their weapons tightly.

“Wow. Pretty bold, considering you’re the ones asking for help,” an adventurer muttered.

“And people wonder why elves are so hated,” another grumbled.

The tension grew thick with the potential for conflict.

Tsk. If only the plague had started somewhere other than the elves’ territory, my life would’ve been so much easier.

But what could I do? The situation was already in motion.

“Stop. I’m fine,” I said, stepping in to diffuse the situation.

“How generous,” Veronica said sarcastically.

“Master…” Lucille muttered, looking uncertain.

“If we leave the plague unchecked, it’ll spread beyond the elves and affect other races too,” I explained.

Lorellia looked at me, her expression mixed with skepticism and curiosity. “Sage, do you know something about this plague?”

“Once infected, symptoms begin with a high fever, muscle pain, and a reduction in the ability to use mana. That’s the early stage. In the mid-stage, it worsens with persistent coughing, nasal congestion, phlegm, and breathing difficulties. Finally, in the terminal stage…”

“…The terminal stage?” she asked cautiously.

“They die.”

“….”

“The plague is highly contagious and doesn’t discriminate between races. It’s best to isolate infected areas immediately. Oh, and once the infection spreads significantly, there’s a low chance that the deceased may turn into undead. So, watch out for that.”

“Impressive. Truly worthy of the title Sage Who Knows All.”

Lorellia nodded, her gaze shifting to the elves behind her. The ones who had dismissed me earlier now looked at me with visible shock.

“And do you know the cure?”

“We’ll need to create a treatment. I haven’t made one before, so I’ll need to examine the infected directly to craft it.”

“Understood. Then we shall accompany you—”

“Not yet. I need to gather the necessary materials first, and that will take time. You should return to the Elves’ Forest in the meantime.”

The ingredients for the treatment—herbs, minerals, and other items—were scattered across the continent.

Ideally, you’d collect them while progressing the main storyline so they’d be ready when the plague event triggered. But back then, I had taken the shortest possible routes due to the difficulty, so I hadn’t gathered all the materials.

“I see… very well,” Lorellia said after a brief pause. She gave instructions in Elvish to her companions, telling them to return while she stayed to assist me.

“You should go too,” I interjected.

Since I’d be using teleportation to gather materials, there was no need for her support. When I spoke in Elvish, Lorellia looked surprised.

“You… speak Elvish?”

“That much is simple.”

“Hmm… Well, I suppose you did travel with Evangeline as a companion…”

I didn’t learn it from her, though. I taught myself.

“But it’ll be difficult to manage this alone,” she said.

Veronica stepped forward, her expression resolute. “Then I’ll help. Without me—”

“M-Master! I’ll assist as well!” Lucille interrupted.

Neither of them was necessary.

“Additionally,” Lucille continued, “our kingdom has maintained amicable relations with the elves. If a royal family member gets involved in this, it could—”

She had a point. Involving Lucille diplomatically could help her grow.

“The Church would face complications if the plague spreads across the continent. If a cardinal doesn’t step up here, who else will?” Veronica added.

Another valid point. Still, since gathering materials didn’t require all of us to travel together, I decided to split them up.

After calming their evident dissatisfaction, I turned my attention to the adventurers.

Among the ingredients was Crystal Grass, which could only be found in the Rovento Mountains. While retrieving it, I might as well hunt down a Demonkin.

“Demonkin? Is that more important than obtaining the materials for the cure?” Lorellia asked, visibly irritated.

But what could she do?

“To me, it is. If you don’t like it, feel free to ask someone else for help.”

“…Hoo.”

The elves needed me more than I needed them. The plague was still confined to the Elves Forest, and with no other option, Lorellia bit her lip before reluctantly nodding. I clapped my hands to break the tension.

“All right, that’s settled. Let’s wrap this up.”

***

After returning to the capital to drop Lucille off at the palace, I was immediately summoned by the queen.

She was already aware of the plague spreading in the Elves Forest.

In the audience chamber, the queen and Lukal were waiting for me.

“Have you met Lorellia, the chieftain?” the queen asked.

“Huh? That woman was the chieftain?”

In the game, the Elves Forest chieftain was just an ordinary NPC, so I didn’t know everything about them. But for the chieftain herself to appear?

The elves must be in a full-blown panic.

“That seems to be the case. So, Sage, do you know about this plague?”

“Yes,” I replied.

I explained to the queen exactly what I had told Lorellia earlier. She listened with a serious expression, then asked me gravely:

“Should this be treated immediately?”