How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 49: Queen’s Summons (1)

The Queen's decree was issued.

As Lord Walter Raleigh suggested, gatherings of five or more people were banned in London.

However, only "within London."

Fortunately, the upper classes who had places to escape to on the outskirts of London could enjoy conversations over banquets and refreshments in other nearby cities.

And even there, the topic of conversation was "that."

"Lord John Hawkins has died."

"No, how did that happen?"

"These days, there's no other reason for people dying. They say it's the plague."

"...Wasn't it the Earl of Pembroke last time?"

"That's right. We're hearing obituaries every other day."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Didn't everyone... escape to the outskirts of London at the appropriate time?"

"They did indeed. How this happened, I just can't understand."

"This gathering may not be safe either."

"What do you mean, not safe?"

"Haven't you all seen Her Majesty's decree? Don't they say that even after the evil energy enters the body, one appears fine for days?

Among us here, who look fine, there may be those with the energy of the plague."

At those ominous words, the earls and barons gathered here clear their throats while creating distance from each other. Instantly, silence falls over the gathering.

"No, I think differently."

"Think differently? What are you trying to say?"

"Do you all still not understand? That there's a commonality among those who died."

"Com...monality?"

"I don't know."

"The news is already widespread in London. They say it's the Lord's will."

"Well, life and death are all the Lord's will. Being too swayed by the nonsense of commoners..."

"Weren't they all those who coveted 'that medicine'?"

"...Pardon?"

"They demanded medicine and then about a week later, they slowly grew ill and many died. Only some ran to the treatment center in time and barely survived."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Indeed. Perhaps it truly is the Lord's will."

As the elderly noblewoman makes the sign of the cross, the rest also check the atmosphere and quickly make the sign of the cross.

Questions begin to sprout in everyone's mind.

Is it really... the Lord's will?

Did they die by the Lord's will?

Anyway, that rumor that spread from London reached Richmond, Kingston, Oxford, Reading, and other places.

"...They are nobles who died while coveting the 'Lord's medicine.'"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Though it's quite an impious rumor, it seems to be very popular among London citizens."

"I suppose so. Isn't it quite a beautiful story?"

"...From John Hawkins, the Naval Supervisor, to the Earl of Pembroke, who was the Chairman of the Welsh Parliament, they have died despite neither having been particularly unpopular... shouldn't we suppress the rumor?"

"No. What suppression?"

And to Queen Elizabeth, who was staying at Windsor Castle to avoid the chaos in London.

"Spread it actively."

"...Pardon?"

"I have a thought, Lord Walsingham."

Thus, the reputation of the 'treatment center blessed by the Lord' skyrocketed day by day.

The eyes of all London citizens turned to the slums of Southwark.

==

October had come.

In London, all public facilities were closed, and even church gatherings, including all meetings, were banned.

When even the Queen's Accession Day celebrations scheduled for next month were canceled, the streets became completely deserted, and the city was quietly waiting for the end of autumn and the beginning of winter.

And.

"...It's definitely decreasing."

Harriot, who had somewhat become Lord Raleigh's assistant, handed papers to Eleanor and Margaret and spoke.

"What is?"

"Deaths. Except for when some nobles and gentlemen suddenly and unexpectedly died, the plague in London is subsiding. It's been that trend for days now."

Death is ceasing.

In areas where wealthy people lived, death had almost stopped, of course.

And in Aldgate and Houndsditch outside London's walls, and in Southwark and other neighborhoods along the Thames River, the march of death was slowly coming to an end.

As the weather grew colder, the season when rats thrived was gradually passing.

Already having reduced the number of rats significantly with traps and poison, once winter came and they froze to death on their own, the momentum of the plague would diminish even more.

Eleanor raises her head and looks beyond the tent. She saw that the entrances to the wards, where people had lined up long just last month, had become quite spacious.

The days when volunteers collapsed from heat exhaustion while working all day in full-body protective suits were over. Now they could finally rotate their staff.

It wasn't all over yet... but at least the end was starting to be visible.

"It's... thanks to everyone's hard work."

Margaret Lawrence said tearfully.

"Good heavens, I never thought we'd... we'd finally...!"

"We shouldn't rejoice yet. Plague patients are still being found everywhere."

"It will disappear soon! At the current rate, wouldn't it be under control in a month or two?"

It was an optimistic statement, but one that couldn't be denied.

Winter would soon arrive.

Margaret jumped for joy, saying she could finally sleep more than six hours a day, and Harriot also breathed a sigh of relief that the end of the quarantine work was finally in sight.

And... Eleanor...

She felt dazed.

As rumors spread that this place was under the Lord's protection, those who had already found Eleanor and Margaret difficult to approach began to act even stranger towards the two.

They would say things like "It's the saint..." when Eleanor passed by, or they would make the sign of the cross instead of greeting Eleanor.

Patients would strangely try to touch Eleanor's clothing, or those who made eye contact with Eleanor would hastily offer prayers.

It was really... uncomfortable and eerie.

'Did Nemo feel like this too?'

...That couldn't be. He is a real angel, and I'm just an ordinary person.

Eleanor dismissed the strange thought and focused again on the conversation between Margaret and Harriot. They were discussing that it might be okay to make the sterilization cycle for syringes and other equipment more frequent...

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Fling.

Suddenly, the tent door opens. Wondering what it was, she turned to see a familiar face.

"Lord Raleigh!"

It was Lord Raleigh, who had already overcome the plague.

He was still continuing quarantine work in various places with royal guards and his own servants. It had been difficult to see him for the past few weeks.

"...Ah! Just as I thought, you're both here. It's been so long since we've met. It's hard to believe we're in the same city."

However, Lord Raleigh's face showed emotions stronger than the joy of meeting longtime colleagues.

Somehow, he seemed anxious and urgent. After glancing around, he gestured to Harriot to step aside for a moment.

As Harriot and others left the tent, Eleanor and Margaret were puzzled. No, what important conversation was he going to have that he even sent out his friend Harriot?

"Do you two have time now?"

"...Pardon?"

"I'm asking if you have time. There's a place we need to visit, and we might have to leave London."

"Leave London? What for..."

"Don't be too tense. Just tell me if you have time or not. Will any patients die if you're not here?"

"..."

"..."

The two shook their heads. Even though they couldn't have left their posts a few busy weeks ago, now a few days would be fine.

"Then, let's go. The carriage is ready."

"Where to?"

"Right outside!"

"F-first, let me tell the others that we'll be away for a while..."

"Hurry!"

Thus, without knowing what was happening, the two hastily handed over their duties and boarded the carriage, which then sped through London.

Bewildered, the two looked around as all sorts of scenery quickly passed by outside the window. The carriage seemed somehow luxurious, with gilded decorations throughout.

"...Um, it's my first time riding something like this."

When Margaret murmured, Eleanor also replied, "Mine too..." Seeing this, Lord Raleigh grabbed his forehead as if they had a long way to go and said:

"Both of you, when we arrive, don't walk ahead of me. Understand?"

"Y-yes?"

"And don't speak before being spoken to, and don't forget to add 'Your Majesty' at the beginning of your sentences."

"...Pardon?"

"Ah, did I not tell you because I was in a hurry? No... I deliberately didn't mention it to avoid burdening you."

Walter Raleigh spoke naturally and matter-of-factly, as if telling them they were going to lunch.

"We're going to see Her Majesty the Queen. Her Majesty urgently wishes to see you two."

"...What?"

"C-c-can we get off?"

"Is that so surprising? After receiving revelations from an angel."

"Um...umm?"

For an hour, Walter Raleigh explained all sorts of etiquette and manners, but eventually realized that neither of them understood anything at all, and closed his mouth.

So the carriage stopped.

The carriage door opened.

As the two followed Lord Raleigh with frozen steps, a huge door opened.

After that, passing through magnificent corridors, magnificent doors, and people in magnificent attire, the two succeeded in completely turning into statues.