Battle of the Crusaders* – Part 1

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On June 19th, in the fallen city of Mital, Angelica Sacrament rode her horse frantically.

9 days had passed since the Battle of Hot Bridge, and sporadic cases of smallpox had begun to emerge among the entire army and their numbers were rapidly increasing. Thus, Angelica had been ordered by the Grand Marshal Epitaph to deal with the situation.

‘Smallpox spreads through contact.’

It was common knowledge, so conveniently, they were isolated in a region of the fallen Mital.

Angie’s orders were not to treat them, of course. It was to manage the spread of infection. So, Angie, accompanied by several aides, roamed the entire army as a special envoy.

“Hey, are you Kutchin?” (Angelica)

Angelica finally found the man at a camp of the Flusha Kingdom after searching all day. It was almost dusk.

“Yes? That’s me.” (Kutchin)

At that moment, Kutchin was amputating the arm of someone whose wound had become gangrenous. It was a common sight on the battlefield. The limbs were bound to stop the bleeding, stitched up, and even after bleeding, the color still did not return, and they were rotting. Therefore, the only option was to amputate them. Otherwise, the rotting blood would take their life. However, his suturing technique was sloppy, and she didn’t think he was a skilled doctor.

“Is it true that you were an apprentice to a smallpox doctor?” (Angelica)

“…Who told you that?” (Kutchin)

Kutchin looked up at Angie suspiciously.

“It’s urgent. I need you to come with me.” (Angelica)

“Although you seem to be a lady of some royal house, such matters are among the highest secrets for medical practitioners. When I left my master, I was made to sign an oath, so if I reveal it, I’ll be ruined.” (Kutchin)

If he leaked the secret, he would likely face a hefty fine. Angelica knew that doctors who practiced medicine maintained their secrets through such means.

“Which doctor made you sign that oath? Name the country.” (Angelica)

“…The Papal States.” (Kutchin)

The Papal States. Angie almost burst out laughing.

“The Grand Marshal Epitaph Palazzo seeks your expertise. Such oaths can be nullified at will. You can lend your wisdom with confidence.” (Angelica)

“If that’s true… then, what about the reward?” (Kutchin)

“Is it alright to talk here?” (Angelica)

There were soldiers around, listening intently to their conversation. If one were to mention something like a number of gold coins here, this person wouldn’t spend even a single night safely.

“No, then, after finishing this suturing—” (Kutchin)

Kutchin, with needle and thread in hand, finished the interrupted stitching.

The man who had been stitched up had his mouth covered with cloth to prevent him from biting his tongue. Perhaps fearing being scolded if the restraints were removed, Kutchin left them in place and shouldered what seemed to be his belongings. He washed his hands in water, but his clothes were covered in blood.

“Let’s go then.” (Kutchin)

“Indeed. Follow me.” (Angelica)

It seemed appropriate to put him on a horse, but hesitations arose at the thought of putting Kutchin on a fine horse. After all, he was clad in clothes smeared with blood and oil. Even the attendants hesitated to do so. The attire of a field surgeon was quite atrocious. While it was normal for soldiers on the battlefield to have bloodstains on their clothes, field surgeons’ attire resembled layers of greasy blood atop each other.

“After the conversation, I’d like you to annul the contract I signed when joining the military, but I assume you can arrange that for me, right?” (Kutchin)

“I’ll tell Lord Quertz Wellingen. We’re meeting him soon. You can get permission on the spot.” (Angelica)

“I see.” (Kutchin)

“Change your clothes halfway. You’ll be meeting dignitaries.” (Angelica)

 

—

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The gathering of the leaders of various countries’ armies took place at what could be considered midnight. Angie brought Kutchin, who had changed clothes, to their tent.

“This is the man.” (Angelica)

“I am Kuchin. I have led a mundane existence in the secular world, so I humbly request the esteemed individuals to pardon any rudeness on my part.” (Kutchin)

After getting changed, Kutchin gave a peculiar greeting. He wasn’t offered a seat and remained standing.

“First, give it to him.” (Epitaph)

Epitaph Palazzo raised his hand. A servant, presumably serving the Papal States, brought a leather bag on a tray. It likely contained gold coins.

“Check it. Beneath is the letter of dispensation.” (Epitaph)

Kutchin confirmed the gold coins inside the leather bag and then checked the letter underneath it.

“Lord Quertz Wellingen, please release this man from military service.” (Angelica)

Angie said.

“I will release you. Once this is done, you may go wherever you wish.” (Quertz)

As expected, Quertz immediately released Kutchin from military service. Kutchin, who had enlisted as a doctor for a certain specialized unit, was easily replaceable, and there would be no issue with one less. Kutchin had been summoned to this place because he had experience training under a smallpox specialist. However, he wasn’t specifically a doctor for treating smallpox.

“I may hesitate to say this in front of Lord Epitaph, but I received variolation in my childhood,” Angie said.

Variolation, a practice to prevent smallpox infection, was not highly recommended in the Catholic faith. In the Book of Yore, one of the books that make up the Holy Scripture, there was a scene in which God tested a devout believer, in which a blessed believer named Yore lose all his possessions and was afflicted with skin disease, yet still refuses to abandon his faith.

Based on this story, the Catholic Church argued that skin diseases were a test from God and preventing them was escaping from trials. Indeed, God gave Yore a skin disease, and the exemplary believer Yore did not flee from it. Among the many interpretations by the Catholic Church, this argument seemed to still hold up. However, this was just a facade, and the Church didn’t expressly prohibit it. In fact, variolation, like Angie received, was widely practiced. Compared to practices like abortion, which was publicly banned, variolation was not such a frowned-upon act. Furthermore, variolation itself wasn’t considered evil. Epitaph Palazzo, in fact, not only tolerated it but seemed to endorse it this time.

In the context of the Crusade as a sacred act, if treating smallpox with variolation could improve troop retention by preventing the spread of infection, then not doing so would be sinful. That was the reasoning. In the case of the Crusade, variolation was not considered a wrongdoing. If smallpox was a test from God, then wouldn’t this also be a test for the Crusade? Angie thought so, but she didn’t voice it out loud.

“Let me ask directly, is variolation something everyone here can undergo? For example, the entire army—” (Epitaph)

That was what Angie wanted to know the most. If the entire army were variolated, there would be no need to worry about the further spread of infection.

“It would be difficult.” (Kutchin)

Kutchin promptly denied.

“Why is that? I’ve heard that the pus used for variolation is obtained from smallpox patients.” (Epitaph)

There would be plenty of raw material.

“That’s correct. No, I misspoke when I said it’s impossible. It would be possible given enough time.” (Kutchin)

“How much time would be required?” (Epitaph)

“Hmm… Before that, wouldn’t it be necessary for you to understand the manufacturing process? May I have a moment to explain?” (Kutchin)

As he was asked for permission, Angie glanced at Epitaph.

“That’s fine. Go ahead and speak.” (Epitaph)

Permission was granted.

“Then… Variolation is indeed made from pus obtained from smallpox patients. However, merely transplanting pus from a smallpox patient’s skin to another person’s skin would only cause that person to also contract smallpox… it wouldn’t serve much purpose.” (Kutchin)

‘Well, that makes sense. Otherwise, everyone around a smallpox patient would become immune, and the explanation for the spread of infection wouldn’t hold.’

“However, by treating the collected pus, such as by drying it, the infective power of the pus, which is the source of the disease, gradually diminishes. We refer to this as ‘polishing’ the pus. Of course, the first polishing patient will exhibit symptoms almost identical to those of a normal smallpox patient. Otherwise, variolation wouldn’t serve its purpose.” (Kutchin)

Angie’s interest waned halfway through the explanation. She could already predict the next development.

“After polishing the pus 7 times, we obtain what we call ‘mature pus’ for variolation. However, at this point, the symptoms have already weakened considerably. So, unlike a normal smallpox patient, who would have pustules all over their body, we can’t just extract mature pus freely. Usually, only 1 pustule forms at the site of inoculation. We then propagate it from there, so it’s not feasible to go from one person to 10 or 20. Perhaps, the mature pus implanted in Princess Angelica was of the highest quality between the 7th and 15th polishings. There seem to be differences among physicians as to which polishing level is the best, but I don’t know that much since I left the medical profession as an inexperienced person. Pus polished more than 20 times will eventually show no symptoms at all, and overly mature pus loses its value. It’s said that even when such mature pus is inoculated, one might still contract smallpox as usual.” (Kutchin)

‘So, that’s how it is…’

“It takes about 10 days for smallpox to manifest after transplantation. In reality, it’s said to take around 80 days until the 7th polishing… it’s quite a time-consuming process.” (Kutchin)

“In other words, with just 1 or 2 polishings, the symptoms of smallpox would manifest normally, and the person would exhaust their strength.” (Angelica)

Angie said.

“That’s right. Patients who undergo variolation after 1 or 2 polishings will develop pustules all over their body and suffer considerably. Of course, some may even die. Patients polished from 3 to 7 times are less likely to die, but the risk of disfigurement remains high. Even with 7 or more polishings, in some cases, symptoms may still manifest throughout the body. Once polished 13 times, symptoms rarely appear throughout the body. That’s why they’re considered the highest quality.” (Kutchin)

Of course, there was no way they could afford to wait 80 days. Yuri How was attempting to destroy their supply lines. If they were to leisurely wait 80 days, starvation would lead to deaths one after another, and the entire crusade would collapse. Moreover, waiting 80 days would mean it would already be September. It was out of the question. A month after that would be October, and there was still a considerable distance to Sibyaku. With the fortified city of Kotlaha in between, waiting that long would risk the entire army being isolated in the freezing cold winter.

Furthermore, even if they were to send messengers to summon the variolation physicians, it would take many tens of days. And even if they were called, based on the explanations, it was unlikely they would have mature pus available for over 50,000 soldiers. Since they were considering variolation to conserve the soldiers’ strength, they couldn’t afford to inoculate them with variolations polished less than 7 times, which would deplete their strength further. Kutchin’s notion of transplantation probably assumed healthy individuals with sufficient nutrition, so if given to soldiers whose food distribution was restricted, it might exacerbate the symptoms even further.

“Do you currently possess this ‘mature pus’?” (Epitaph)

Epitaph inquired.

“I do not. It has been 14 years since I was excommunicated from my master, and as per the agreement, I have never been involved in variolation.” (Kutchin)

‘Well, it’s not like he conveniently had it. Besides, specialized physicians who perform such tasks typically don’t participate in wars like this.’

“I see. Understood. You may go. Be careful on your way back.” (Epitaph)

Epitaph said, allowing his departure.

“Then, I shall take my leave.” (Kutchin)

Kutchin bowed deeply and left the tent.

“It seems we need to prepare ourselves.” (Epitaph)

Epitaph remarked.

“I was hoping for an easy solution to stop the infection here, but it seems there isn’t one. We’ll leave those currently afflicted with smallpox here and hasten our march.” (Epitaph)

‘The commanders here are also rulers. Everyone knows this nature, except for a few idiots who leave everything to someone else. This is as Kutchin mentioned earlier. Isolating smallpox patients doesn’t stop the spread. The disease lies dormant like seeds and sprouts a week or two later. So, even if a village is surrounded and isolated by the army, someone who visited that village a few days ago may develop symptoms elsewhere. Abandoning infected individuals at Mital would likely result in new cases emerging during the march.’

With that, Angelica raised her hand.

“Your Highness Angelica, go ahead.” (Epitaph)

” I would like to ask the generals here if any of you have received any reports of passing any pox-ridden villages on the road to Hot Bridge?” (Angelica)

She waited for about 10 seconds, but no one spoke up.

“This is crucial. Please think carefully.” (Angelica)

Angelica reiterated, but still, no response.

“What’s the matter? Do you have something in mind?” (Epitaph)

Epitaph asked.

“Smallpox typically occurs when one person gets infected and gradually spreads to others nearby. However, the outbreak in the army this time is occurring simultaneously across the entire force. Please keep that in mind.” (Angelica)

“Women talk too much. Get to the point, Angelica-dono.” (Alfred)

Her brother Alfred interjected.

“It’s alright. Her Highness Angelica’s insights are always spot on. Please continue.” (Epitap)

Epitaph intervened. It was unsettling for Angelica.

“Today is June 19th. You’re all aware that it takes about 10 days after exposure to smallpox for symptoms to appear. So, it’s reasonable to deduce that it likely originated from here after crossing the river.” (Angelica)

“I see.” (Epitaph)

“In conclusion, we should consider the possibility that this is a trap set by Yuri How. In other words, those currently suffering from smallpox used houses that had been artificially smeared with pus, ate leftover food, and became infected through these.” (Angelica)

She had this suspicion because she found it strange that there was leftover food in the villages near Hot Bridge.

“In the villages near Hot Bridge, food was left in all of them. You may have heard reports that each house had a little bread, but no flour. This was probably because they didn’t want it to get toasted in the bread making process.” (Angelica)

“Were they afraid that burning it would remove the toxicity?” (Epitaph)

” That’s right. There was food left in the villages around Hot Bridge, but there isn’t a single piece of food in Mital. There seems to be a few leftovers, but it’s minimal.” (Angelica)

“Does that mean this whole thing is an enemy’s deliberate operation?” (Epitaph)

“That’s correct.” (Angelica)

When Angie said so…

“That’s unthinkable.” (Alfred)

“If that were the case, wouldn’t this city be unusable for several years? Would all evacuated residents need to return and receive that so-called variolation? I can’t even estimate the amount of effort required.” (Alfred)

Despite being a fool, he pointed that out. His observation was accurate after all.

“It’s just a possibility. What I want to convey to everyone is that if that were the case, every household in Mital where about thirty thousand troops are currently camped might have pus applied to them. If so, we’ll see a sudden increase in infected individuals starting ten days from now.” (Angelica)

It was obviously better for the soldiers to sleep inside rather than under the thin tents set up outside in the wind, so some of the soldiers went inside Mittal and were resting inside the houses.

“If Yuri How has been using the scorched earth strategy near Sibyaku, we won’t make it in ten days no matter how fast we march.” (Epitaph)

“So, we need to hurry up with our march.” (Alfred)

“Or, we could wait here for 10 days and see if any infected individuals appear… and then decide to attack again later.” (Angelica )

It took courage for Angie to say that. It meant dissolving the Crusade due to sheer bad luck. Needless to say, it was a heavy decision for Epitaph. For someone like him, with such a background, dissolving the Crusade, which cost a vast sum of money, without even engaging in a real battle or reaping any plunder, could be a decision tantamount to ruin. Although such decisions may be understood as wise decisions by those involved here, they would not be understood by outsiders who know nothing about them.

“That’s impossible.” (Epitaph)

Epitaph asserted.

“Tomorrow, we’ll separate the infected and start marching. If this is indeed a trial from God, then beyond this hardship lies a splendid blessing.” (Epitaph)

In the Book of Yore, he maintained his faith even when tested by God, and as a result was given greater wealth than he had ever possessed before. Thinking about it, there was no way Epitaph would stop the advance. Angie remembered Epitaph’s madness that she had almost forgotten.

“The decision of this meeting is to march at full speed. Departure is set for eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Make sure to inform everyone on time. With that, we’re adjourned.” (Epitaph)

 

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