Chapter 97

On a morning when we weren't moving, I was in my tent, using the alchemical equipment made for me by the triplets, who are Helkov's nephews, to refine medicine.

I never thought I would have to use the golden root so soon.

"Can't talk right now, Selene, I'm busy with my hands."

The black-haired elf, Squad Leader Salbur, also known as Selene, had come.

The march was almost at its final stage.

During this time, Selene had taken on the role of mediator between me and General Wageris, who were at odds.

So it wasn't the first time she had come to my tent in the morning.

"Really, the medicine that suppressed the epidemic, did you make it yourself, Your Highness?"

It seems alchemy is quite rare.

And this is the reason we are stationed here before reaching our destination.

A few days ago, there was a potential outbreak of disease within the army.

To be precise, it was an infection of vomiting and diarrhea caused by neglecting hand washing and gargling, not a particularly difficult condition.

However, some soldiers with severe symptoms became dehydrated and never regained consciousness.

It was only after one death that I finally grasped the situation.

"I'm making it with alchemy, but it's not poison. I told General Wageris yesterday that we should be able to depart tomorrow."

When I tried to get a response, there was none.

Stopping my work and looking at Selene, I saw her kneeling and bowing her head.

"Though it is a presumptuous request, could you please reconcile with General Wageris?"

"Huh, well, I did prioritize treatment and ordered General Wageris to be confined to his quarters, but I lifted that order yesterday, didn't I?"

In fact, there was a disagreement between me, who wanted to deal with the epidemic, and General Wageris, who wanted to continue the march.

(Explaining it wouldn't have helped, and he insisted that it wasn't a big deal based on his experience. I got angry. Well, my prediction of the epidemic's spread was based on my past life's experience, so I gave up on persuading him.)

Honestly, using the authority given to me by my father, the emperor, was immature.

If he had rebelled, General Wageris could have been court-martialed.

To avoid that, he would have had to either eliminate me or find a loophole in the authority granted by my father and deny its validity.

(Now that I think about it, General Wageris did follow the order, albeit reluctantly. Since I insisted on my way, it might be my turn to compromise.)

I was so busy with thorough hand washing, boiling disinfection, isolating the infected, and experimenting with the medicine I hastily made with alchemy that I resorted to a quick and rough method.

Now, I realize that using my authority to almost dismiss the top of the army was an overreaction.

Moreover, if I dismissed him now, there would be no one to replace him, and it could lead to a rebellion by those dissatisfied with his treatment.

Yeah, I don't have much popularity.

The soldiers who helped with boiling and isolation followed me because I had taken General Wageris hostage.

"Should I apologize to General Wageris? Is he prepared to accept an apology?"

Bowing is fine.

After all, I myself am a fox borrowing the tiger's might, the emperor's authority.

This time, even my aides, who didn't know about pandemics, said that it would be fine to deal with the situation after reaching the destination city, as General Wageris suggested.

Unfortunately, one person died, and the infection spread immediately. Now, I think my reaction was excessive.

However, in response to my concerns, Selene hesitated to answer.

"Well, this incident was the final straw, but the disagreements with General Wageris have been going on for a long time."

"Ah, the tent issues and the minor fire? But those were the results of formal protests. I can't retract or apologize for those."

As I explained my position, Helkov raised his hand.

"Your Highness, wasn't it about the guards stealing alcohol? You handled it with a formal apology and a pay cut, right? Who decides such punishments is a sensitive issue."

I remember that.

The guards, who were originally unwilling to follow me and had grievances, ignored the rear support team's attempts to stop them and brought a lot of alcohol to drink.

The rear support team complained to General Wageris, and I was scolded.

So, the people involved were made to apologize directly, and their superiors, including those involved, were given pay cuts.

"That was at General Wageris's request. Lady Asha has no reason to apologize. Rather, the issue is that during the march, when a woman sought help, he questioned whether there were only weak soldiers who couldn't stop to help a frightened woman."

I remembered this when Wearel mentioned it.

In any case, General Wageris prioritized the march.

The army's schedule is detailed, and negotiations with the destination cannot be delayed.

However, a woman whose village had been attacked by bandits sought help.

She was so desperate that she tried to stop the army, which could have been a reckless action.

As the army's commander, General Wageris believed that maintaining local security should be left to the local authorities, and he only allowed temporary protection.

I used my authority to send reconnaissance teams and attach Helkov as a guard, stopping the army and acting on my own.

"I thought I could help, so I did. Despite the complaints about stopping the march and causing widespread inconvenience, I stopped it again. I can see why he's angry."

Wearel nodded, and then Icto suggested another possibility.

"Given his emotional nature, it might be something smaller. For example, Lady Asha might have exposed the Dink wine as fake, or she might have embarrassed an officer, who is the general's nephew, by stopping him from forcibly inviting a town woman."

Small, but it does feel like a blow to the general's dignity.

The Dink wine was expensive, and saying that General Wageris was deceived in front of his subordinates was lacking in empathy.

However, I didn't know the officer was the general's nephew.

I just stopped a rude man in military uniform from harassing a woman.

"......Everything."

Selene affirmed everything as if she was squeezing it out.

It seems that the accumulated issues have led to General Wageris's distrust of me reaching its peak.

Selene, who has been observing closely, came here with a sense of crisis.

"Have you told General Wageris's side?"

"I have. The methods may have caused confusion due to inexperience, but the results should be acknowledged."

As a subordinate of General Wageris, Selene first approached him about reconciliation.

That's reasonable, but the fact that she came to me suggests something.

"Probably, he's saying that it's not manly to secretly take notes and report, or that it's petty. He's the type who gets angry if he doesn't retaliate when hit."

Herkov, who knows him, predicted, and Selene remained silent.

It seems similar things were said, but for a recluse like me, it was too extreme.

"So, do you think asking me to reconcile will solve anything?"

I finished refining the medicine and moved on to the next step, making it into pills.

"......I am ashamed to admit, but I have no good ideas. I can only rely on Your Highness's wisdom."

It seems Selene has heard something from her relative, Wald, who became my financial officer.

But I don't want to be overexpected.

I've been a recluse for a long time.

Honestly, I don't have the skills to move people.

"By the way, the rumor is spreading among the soldiers that the deployment was decided by Your Highness's will, but the army is stopped out of fear."

"Wow, the source is obvious."

The deployment due to my whims, as General Wageris said.

This malicious information is known to those with connections to the nobility.

The soldiers are mostly commoners, either serving their military duty or trying to advance in the military.

And the ones affected by the epidemic this time were mainly the rear support team.

Whether the lowest-ranking soldiers in the infantry or other units were affected is split.

Those who were not affected probably don't have a real sense of the epidemic since the infected were isolated.

"Nobility-born and not affected by the epidemic...... Most of the officers, I guess."

Even if I know the source of the malicious rumors, I can't narrow it down.

"Showing a united front with General Wageris is necessary to dispel the bad rumors about Your Highness, I believe."

I understand that Selene is desperate.

She is acting out of concern for the entire army.

However, I don't think nodding alone will solve anything, and I can't come up with a good idea.

While I was pondering, a voice called from outside.

It seems Nomariora had brought breakfast.

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Next: Marching in Step with the General 2