Chapter 20

"The plague? Infected with the plague?"

"Yes. I saw Lord Gebel setting up quarantine lines."

The fact that the inquisitor who entered the monastery was infected with the plague spread quickly. It was obvious, given that Gebel was setting up barriers to restrict entry and Evhar was preparing a prayer meeting for the treatment of the plague.

To a modern person, the idea of treating the plague with a prayer meeting might sound like nonsense. But in this era, it was a natural response and even considered the most effective treatment.

However, whoever had spread the plague in the monastery had been preparing for a long time, and it was doubtful whether prayers would be effective.

Evhar, aware of this, was preparing bloodletting treatment. The monks had their own methods of dealing with the plague, albeit rudimentary, like rubbing dried herbs on their faces or hanging chicken feet around their necks.

Although many of these practices were unrelated to the Codex of light, it was evident that even the most devout monks were subtly influenced by superstition.

But there was one thing that Isaac could not accept.

"...All the leeches are dead?"

"Yes."

Evhar, who was performing bloodletting on Isolde, was flustered. They had planned to first draw blood and then treat her again, but now all the leeches were dead.

The monastery's basement had a tank of leeches for such emergencies. But now, instead of leeches, there was only black water sloshing around.

"How did this happen?"

'I can't exactly say that the tentacles ate them.'

Isaac decided to fib a little.

"When I put the blood-fed leeches in the tank, they all dissolved and disappeared overnight. Maybe it's because of the plague? The wolves and bears were also infected, so why not the leeches?"

Surprisingly, this excuse worked. In the biological understanding of the time, leeches were more like a liquid than an animal. In reality, the tank contained remnants of leeches that the tentacles had eaten and absorbed the plague from.

[You have devoured the 'leeches'.]

[Devouring bonus: Increased efficiency in bloodsucking.]

[Minor improvement in health recovery ability.]

Although he received an unexpected and unintended devouring bonus, the rapid digestion of leeches meant it probably wouldn't be of much help.

Evhar groaned at the news of the leeches' demise.

"It's difficult to find leeches in the middle of winter... should we draw the blood ourselves?"

'Oh no, these people are serious.'

Before Evhar could commit to any harebrained medical practice, Isaac quickly intervened.

"Abbot, may I offer some assistance?"

Evhar looked at Isaac with surprise.

"You mean you?"

"Yes. I've read some foreign medical texts in the past. Gebel and I can handle basic nursing and chores, so the monks and you, Abbot, can concentrate on the prayer meeting without worrying about other things."

It was a simple division of labor.

The monks trying to treat the plague themselves would only be a hindrance. However, as the prayer meeting was not ineffective, they should focus solely on that.

Isaac intended to focus on quarantine and treatment, the so-called 'chores'.

Evhar stared at Isaac for a moment and then nodded.

In an era where holding a saint's hand for healing was believed more effective than a doctor's diagnosis, and where miracles existed, such belief was not entirely misguided.

The plague was already spreading among the monks. The children were isolated to prevent infection, and even Gebel was showing symptoms of the plague.

However, Isaac, who had carried Isolde, showed no signs of the plague or even a cough.

Evhar, not so much trusting Isaac's knowledge as believing he might be blessed by God, consented to his actions.

"Very well. We will focus on the prayers, and trust the rest to you."

***

Isaac immediately began quarantine measures.

First, he isolated Gebel, who could be considered a close contact, in his own room. As Gebel was showing early symptoms of the plague, it was a necessary measure. Isaac also collected and burned all of Isolde's clothes, which were the main source of the infection.

When the monks were concerned about burning the inquisitor's clothes, Isaac calmly explained.

"It's a measure to purify the plague with fire."

The monks were convinced by his plausible explanation and burned other potentially infected items.

Fortunately, the monks, despite Isaac being only 16 years old, followed his instructions well. Isaac's actions were grounded and somewhat aligned with traditional superstitions.

'There's at least some concept of quarantine here.'

Even the act of isolating those infected showed they understood to avoid areas where the plague had broken out.

Isaac also mandated washing hands before meals and adjusted the monks' robes

to cover up to their noses. While it wasn't the same as a mask, it could at least prevent saliva from spraying everywhere.

"A separate place for the prayer meeting?"

"Yes."

Isaac even meddled in the prayer meeting arrangements. He requested that the prayer meeting be conducted separately for those showing symptoms of the plague and those who were not.

In an era where it was common to travel the country seeking the statue of a saint believed to have healing powers for the sick and their caregivers, Isaac thought the monks might resist the idea of separating the prayer meeting places. He planned to turn the chapel, where prayers were held nearly 24/7, into an isolation facility.

"The prayer meeting doesn't necessarily have to be confined to a cramped corner. If we are to follow the teachings of the Codex of Light, it's only right that the healthy raise their voices more clearly under the sunlight."

The symbol of the Codex of Light's congregation was the sun. So, wasn't it inappropriate to mumble prayers in a cramped space when petitioning the Codex of Light?

Isaac said this in a critical tone.

Although it was an unconventional interpretation, Evhar found merit in his words.

"Alright. Let's do it that way."

Fortunately, Evhar and the other monks readily agreed with him.

This was partly due to Isaac being symptom-free despite close contact with Isolde and his inherent mysterious charm.

Having already built a trust with Isaac, there was no reason for them not to comply with his active requests.

'I hope this works.'

In reality, the monastery had already turned into a giant quarantine ward with the plague spread. Burning belongings or isolating patients might seem futile in such circumstances. However, Isaac hoped that classifying patients based on symptoms and focusing on cleanliness would make a difference.

Thankfully, Isaac's measures were somewhat effective.

Until he started his quarantine measures, the plague was spreading rapidly among the monks.

But as Isaac took action, the number of new infections started to decrease, and the worsening of symptoms slowed down.

'It's only temporary.'

If Evhar's prayer meeting proved effective, it might drive away the plague. However, before that happened, people could die or suffer severe aftereffects.

To solve the problem, it was essential to eliminate the source.

***

Isolde was still unconscious, groaning in pain.

Isaac examined her condition. Her wounds were still filled with blisters and festering sores. Amputation seemed necessary, but it was a difficult option given her weakened state.

Her endurance was largely due to the healing prayers.

The prayer meeting definitely bolstered Isolde's healing, but it wasn't enough to cure the plague. The only thing Isaac could do was to prevent bloodletting; the rest was up to prayer.

'This is not good.'

He heard similar stories about Gebel and other monks. The prayer meeting prevented death from infection but couldn't stop the infection itself. Isaac's quarantine measures were also temporary; if fatigue dragged on, the plague could spread again.

If the number of infected increased, the prayer meetings wouldn't be able to exert their full power.

'I wish the Codex of light would just miraculously cure everything.'

In a world of magic, gods, and miracles, it wasn't far-fetched. The issue was whether patients, especially Isolde, could endure until such purification.

He couldn't rely on miracles.

Isaac's duty wasn't to pray, but to act.

Ensuring he was alone, he brought out his tentacles. They slowly crawled over Isolde's body.

'It feels strange.'

It felt wrong, but it was necessary.

The tentacles began to scrape the rotten and festering parts of Isolde's wounds. The many teeth quickly carved out the infected flesh and devoured it. It was a method of removing only the harmful parts.

Despite his resolution not to consume humans, this was a delicate boundary.

'So it's sort of like leech therapy, right?'

Isaac shook his head at the irony of performing the bloodletting he once considered foolish. Isolde twitched every time an infected part was removed.

Soon, fresh blood flowed from Isolde's wounds, but the infected parts were gone. Without access to antiseptics or alcohol for cleaning, this was the best he could do.

Isaac then utilized the devouring bonus of the leeches.

[Devouring bonus: Increased efficiency in bloodsucking.]

[Minor improvement in health recovery ability.]

His tentacles exuded fluid over Isolde's wounds. These were created from her own flesh and blood. Although temporary, the healing-imbued fluid covered her wounds, helping them heal.

'I've done as much as I can.'

Isaac wiped the sweat from his forehead.

However, he couldn't stop there. This was just defense.

Even though the Codex of Light might soon strike a big blow, Isaac didn't intend to sit back and hope for divine retribution.

"There should be some progress soon."

Isaac muttered, heading to a corner of the room. A rat lay there, seemingly dead.

It was a rat paralyzed by the 'Parasite from Beyond'. Isaac activated the 'Offspring of Chaos' bonus on it.

[Offspring of Chaos / Requires 'Parasite from Beyond' bonus. The parasite rapidly consumes its host, transforming into an 'Offspring of Chaos'.]

As Isaac exercised his power, the rat convulsed violently. It burst open with a pop, like a water balloon.

From the gruesome remains, something crawled out, turning inside out.

It began to take shape, absorbing the rat's skin, bones, flesh, and fluids.

At first glance, the creature resembled a rat, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that tentacles, chaotically moving in all directions, awkwardly mimicked the shape of a rat. This was an offspring of chaos.

"Master."

A brief and blunt message reached Isaac. It was from the offspring of chaos. Perhaps because it had used a rat as a medium, all the chaos offspring could only use short and simple words.

Isaac shared a piece of Isolde's flesh with the chaos offspring.

"Find the source of this plague. It must have started somewhere in these mountains. We need to know who is trying to fool us."

The chaos offspring, its tentacles writhing, snatched the flesh Isaac offered. It swallowed the flesh with an unseen mouth and scurried into a rat hole.

Isaac hoped for the results of the measures he had consistently taken since the outbreak of the plague.

***

[The Nameless Chaos watches over you.]

That night.

"Master."

Isaac's eyes snapped open at the sudden message.

[Plague. Origin. Found.]