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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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The plague event was a randomly occurring event in the game. If it wasn’t dealt with quickly, it would spread rapidly across the continent.
When the plague spread, item prices would rise, social order would collapse, and party members’ stats would decrease.
Of course, this wasn’t all bad.
The number of bandits and monsters would increase, and the number of competing adventurers would decrease, leading to higher quest rewards.
Additionally, a certain percentage of those infected would turn into undead after a certain period of time.
So, some speedrunners would intentionally let the plague event continue until they defeated the Demon King, using it for rapid growth.
Of course, the difficulty would also increase, but it was an event with both pros and cons.
As a Sage, I could have used this situation to make a fortune, but it would have interfered with my other achievements, so it was better to resolve it quickly.
“…Aren’t you going to discuss the reward?”
“Ah, right. What’s the reward?”
I was in such a hurry, I almost forgot.
“The title of Honorary Elf and…”
“I don’t need that. I’d prefer something tangible. Money is fine, or a leaf or branch from the World Tree.”
“If that’s the case… Very well.”
As Lorelia nodded, a few of the elves behind her scowled.
It seemed the arrogant and authoritarian elves weren’t pleased with my request for a leaf or branch from the World Tree.
“What are you looking at?”
“…I don’t like it.”
Veronica and Lucille spoke coldly. The elves bared their teeth. The adventurers, in response, gripped their weapons.
“Wow, coming here to ask for a favor…”
“This is why I hate elves.”
A palpable killing intent filled the air, as if a battle was about to break out.
Tsk, it would have been easier for me if the plague had started somewhere else.
But what could I do? It had already happened.
“Enough. I’m fine.”
“You’re too soft.”
“Tutor…”
“If we leave the plague unchecked, it will affect not only the elves, but other races as well.”
“Hmm… Sage, do you know something about this plague?”
“Once infected, the initial symptoms are a high fever, muscle aches, and difficulty using magic. In the mid-stage, it progresses to frequent coughing, a runny nose, and phlegm, making it difficult to breathe. And in the final stage…”
“…The final stage?”
“You die.”
“…”
“It’s highly contagious and spreads regardless of race, so it’s best to quarantine the affected area. Ah, and if the plague spreads beyond a certain point, there’s a low chance the infected will turn into undead, so be careful.”
“…Impressive. As expected of the Sage who knows all things.”
Lorelia nodded, then glanced back. The other elves, who had been ignoring me earlier, were now staring at me in surprise.
“Then do you know the cure?”
“We need to create a cure. But I’ve never made it before, so I’ll need to examine a patient first.”
“I see. Then let’s go together.”
“I can’t go right away. I need to gather the ingredients, which will take some time. So, you should return to the Elven Forest first.”
The medicinal herbs and ores needed for the cure were scattered across the continent.
Ideally, I would have gathered them during the main storyline and been prepared for the plague, but…
The main storyline had been difficult enough, so I had taken the shortest route and missed out on most of the ingredients.
“Is that so… Alright.”
Lorelia nodded slightly and gave instructions to the other elves in their own language.
She would stay behind to assist me, and the rest should return to the forest.
“You should go too.”
I would be teleporting around, so I didn’t need any assistance.
As I interjected in their language, Lorelia looked at me, surprised, then said with a hint of reluctance,
“…You speak Elvish?”
“That’s simple enough.”
“Hmm… Well, you were in the same party as Evangeline…”
I didn’t learn it from her. I taught myself.
“But it will be difficult alone.”
As Lorelia spoke, Veronica, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.
“…Sigh. I suppose I have no choice. You can’t do anything without my help…”
“T- Tutor, I’ll help too!”
I didn’t need either of them.
“O- Our kingdom has a good relationship with the elves. If a member of the royal family were to step forward…”
That was true. If Lucille, who lacked political sense, were to act as an ambassador, it would be a good learning experience for her.
“If the plague spreads and the continent is in crisis, the Church will have its hands full. If a cardinal doesn’t step forward, who will?”
That was also true. But they didn’t need to travel with me to gather the materials, so I could have them move separately.
After appeasing the two of them, who looked dissatisfied, I turned to the adventurers.
One of the ingredients, Crystal Grass, could only be found in the Rovento Mountains. While I was there, I might as well hunt the Demon.
“A Demon? Is that more important than gathering the ingredients for the plague cure?”
Lorelia looked displeased that I wasn’t immediately going to gather the ingredients. But what could I do?
“This is also important to me. If you have a problem with it, you can ask someone else for help.”
“…Haaah.”
The elves were the ones in need, not me.
The plague was still confined to the Elven Forest, so Lorelia, who was in a hurry, bit her lip and nodded. I clapped my hands to lighten the mood.
“Alright, then it’s settled. Let’s disperse.”
After returning Lucille to the palace, the Queen summoned me.
She had already heard about the plague in the Elven Forest.
When I went to the audience chamber, the Queen and Rucal were waiting for me.
“Did you meet with Chieftain Lorelia?”
“Huh? She was a chieftain?”
In the game, the chieftains of the Elven Forest were just NPCs, so I didn’t know all of them. But a chieftain had come to see me.
It seemed the elves were in a real bind.
“So I heard. So? Sage, do you know about the plague?”
“Yes.”
I gave the Queen the same explanation I had given Lorelia. She looked at me with a serious expression and said,
“Do we have to cure it now?”
I knew it.
The kingdom and the elves were allies, but the elves were generally arrogant and looked down on other races.
But they were also physically and magically gifted, and many valuable items could only be made in the Elven Forest, so many races maintained a strained relationship with them.
So, the Queen was probably thinking of using this opportunity to put the elves in their place and make them indebted to the kingdom.
“Of course, this is just my opinion. I’m sure many of the other races feel the same way.”
“If we don’t cure it, the plague will spread across the continent. Are you saying you’re just going to let that happen?”
“Of course, we have to cure it.”
Rucal added,
“When the elves have been sufficiently humbled.”
It wasn’t a bad idea, but my goal was to completely eradicate the plague. And if it spread across the continent, it would take more time and effort to do so.
The Queen seemed to be counting on me, but why should I do what she wanted?
“No.”
“Haaah… I thought you would say that.”
The Queen sighed and shook her head. Rucal smiled faintly.
If I were under their command, they would have ordered me, but I wasn’t, so they had no authority over me.
“By the way, you’re too kind. After what the elf in the Hero’s Party did to you, and yet you still…”
“What happened with Evangeline is between me and Evangeline. It has nothing to do with the elves.”
“Is that so… Then I understand. What kind of support do you need?”
“Hmm… Just ensure the cooperation of the other countries and races when I’m gathering the ingredients.”
“I’ll do what I can, but as you know, the dwarves and elves are on very bad terms. Even if it’s for a plague cure, they might try to obstruct you if it means helping the elves…”
This was why it was important to live a peaceful life.
Why did they have to make so many enemies…?
But the Queen and Rucal didn’t need to worry.
I had many friends among the dwarves.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Alright. Then we’ll prepare a medical team for your return.”
“Yes, well, that would be appreciated.”
The more alchemists, the easier it would be for me. I would accept the kingdom’s help for this.
After the audience with the Queen, I immediately left the palace. Veronica had already gone to the Church to report on the plague, so only the adventurers remained.
“Are you going to the Rovento Mountains first?”
“That’s the plan.”
Curing the plague was important, but so was hunting the Demon.
“By the way, if the plague spreads, won’t the lizardman clans be in danger?”
“The beastmen will be in danger too…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t you trust me?”
I smiled at the frowning adventurers.
I would take care of everything. They just had to help me with my achievements.
After reassuring them, we left the capital and traveled for a few days to reach the Rovento Mountains.
As we arrived at a base camp, bustling with herbalists and adventurers looking for Crystal Grass, which could only be found in the Rovento Mountains, I saw a familiar face.
“Huh?! Isn’t that the Sage?”
“Ugh.”
“Mr. Sage, it’s been a while. Ah, and aren’t those S-Rank adventurer Valtin and A-Rank adventurer Galik? Especially Valtin, who became S-Rank after defeating the Black Wyvern, and who also participated in the subjugation of Drakan, the Londerbang Dungeon, the acquisition of Rulbirian, and the battle for Lotisia… he’s a renowned adventurer and the next chieftain of the lion beastman tribe…”
The familiar voice of the lizardman, Lark, and the info-dumping nun with the impressive glasses, Case.
Why… why were these two trolls here together?
I felt a surge of anxiety as I looked at them. Surely, these two trolls wouldn’t interfere with my plans?
“We’re here for the Crystal Grass collection quest.”
That was a relief. They weren’t here for the Demon.
“Crystal Grass is a common solvent in alchemy, and it has three main uses. The first is…”
“I know, so please stop explaining! Sister! Please, just…”
My ears were about to bleed. And I wasn’t the only one. The other adventurers were also frowning.
“So, why are you here, Mr. Sage?”
“Ah, to hunt the Demon.”
“Oh, that Demon. Are you sure you can handle it? I heard an S-Rank adventurer party was wiped out trying to defeat it.”
“That’s why I have an S-Rank adventurer party, an A-Rank adventurer party, and myself, the Sage.”
“Hmm…”
Lark folded his arms and swished his long tail.
“What, you want to join?”
“Well, I heard a rumor. That adventurers and bounty hunters are heading here to hunt the Demon. If you’re going to hunt it, you should do it quickly.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I don’t know.”
That was strange. The Demon was powerful, but it didn’t drop any good loot.
So, no one had ever bothered to hunt it before.
The problem was this.
If another adventurer party defeated the Demon, would it count towards my achievement?
Considering the game’s mechanics, the Demon King’s defeat, and other similar situations, it probably would. But I couldn’t rule out the possibility that this one wouldn’t.
If it didn’t…
Ugh, just the thought of it was horrifying.
“We don’t have time to…”
Just then,
A large, blue gate materialized at the entrance to the lodge.
I knew what it was.
It was…
A portal.
“…H- Hyun-woo?”
Claire emerged from the portal. I looked at her, stunned, and asked,
“What are you doing here?”
“Huh…? Oh, well, I received a quest to hunt the Demon when I was at the Church…”
“…Who issued the quest?”
“Um…”
Claire glanced at me nervously, then answered cautiously,
“The Pope…”
Damn it.
A quest from the Pope… that meant only the best of the best would be here.
“H- Hyun-woo? Why…?”
“Alright! Let’s go! Quickly!”
I shouted at the bewildered adventurers and started walking towards the mountain path.
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