I Was Reincarnated as the Prince in a Villainess Story, so I’ll Use My Cheat Knowledge to Create a Noble Lady Harem and Make Them All Happy - 19

Chapter 19: The Bathkeeper’s Log

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“We suspect the Damp Lizard’s venom glands may have become more potent due to this season’s climate. Several villages reported that their beast-repelling talismans failed to function…”

In the royal capital’s Government Office, several officials were gathered around a long table, reading aloud the reports arriving one after another from the small southern villages. The Damp Lizard was a type of monster that appeared near marshlands. It had once been believed to spread infectious diseases, but in truth, there was no such transmission. Only its weak venom glands caused minor poison effects, so it was not considered a serious threat.

“The symptoms appeared mainly among children and the elderly. The coughing lingers, but fevers are mild, and there’s no danger to life. The villagers have been admitted to the infirmary for observation.”

Valis only responded with a quiet nod to the report given in a tone deliberately kept from sounding too grave. He reached for a cup with faint steam rising from it, took a sip, and then lowered his gaze to the map laid beside him.

“What evidence do we have to conclude that contact with the Damp Lizard causes the coughing?”

“There are several eyewitness accounts, but… It seems not everyone who came into contact developed symptoms.”

“I see.”

On the map, several villages with reported cases were circled in red pencil. At the edge of the map, Valis’s eyes caught the name of a village that had recently installed public baths for the first time this year. He furrowed his brow slightly but said nothing.

“There’s one more thing that concerns me. It’s the age bias.”

Reina, who was attending the meeting, raised her voice as she flipped through the documents.

“The outbreaks are concentrated among children and the elderly, while adults only show mild coughing at worst. For poison, that distribution seems odd, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed, Reina-sama. However, we have yet to obtain any specimens, so…”

The civil officer’s hesitant response caused a faint ripple in the room’s air. Then…

“I’ll go.”

The clear voice cut sharply through the atmosphere of the meeting. All eyes turned toward it. Standing there was a girl in a blue dress—Milia Elfein.

“Milia…”

Reina softly called her name. But Milia did not respond. Her gaze remained fixed directly on Valis. Her voice was calm, yet beneath it burned a quiet, unmistakable heat. Reina seemed to notice something and turned her eyes toward Valis. He, too, seemed to sense it. Lowering his gaze, he exhaled softly.

“…At least take an escort with you.”

Without breaking eye contact, Milia replied firmly.

“It’s fine! I’ll get there faster alone, so I’ll go on ahead! You can catch up later!”

Her voice carried clear urgency and a tremor, as though she were suppressing something deep within. In the next instant, she broke away from the restraining calls behind her and dashed out of the office.

Once her retreating figure disappeared beyond the door, a brief silence settled over the room. The lace curtains by the window swayed slightly, and the faint scent of paper and ink brushed against the nose. Reina ran her fingers along the edge of the document before her, took a steadying breath, and spoke.

“Your Highness… When Milia was a child, she often suffered from unexplained coughing fits.”

Valis lowered his gaze, his eyes moving quietly toward her.

“…I see.”

“Yes. Her chest would tighten, and every breath she took would make her throat wheeze… Honestly, it was unbearable to watch.”

Her words were concise, but the fatigue and fear beneath them were vivid. Reina clasped her fingers together again and looked down.

“That’s why, to her, ‘coughing’ itself is a symbol of fear. Now that she knows others are suffering in the same way… I suppose it’s just like Milia to rush ahead.”

After a pause, Reina added,

“Milia isn’t just gifted in Divine Arts. Her physical enhancement as a Holy Monk is also first-class. She should be in no real danger. …So please, Your Highness, take your time and make your decision calmly.”

At her words, Valis leaned back deeply in his chair and lowered his eyes in silence. Memories from his time working at the Sewage Management  surfaced in his mind.

Legionella bacteria—particularly dangerous to the elderly and children—thrived in stagnant or lukewarm water within circulation systems. Whenever problems arose in bathing facilities, they always reviewed water temperature, flow rate, and cleaning frequency, revising maintenance standards accordingly. But this was another world.

He didn’t even know if similar microorganisms existed here. The concept of “bacteria” itself did not yet exist in this kingdom, and even Valis’s own knowledge did not reach that far. The symptoms appeared consistently in children and the elderly, were mild but distinctive, and clustered within a specific period. Judging from that alone, the situation closely resembled Legionella infection…

Yet, Valis had another point of concern.

“In all the bathhouses of the royal capital, despite countless users every day… Not a single case like this has ever occurred.”

Was the difference in the facilities themselves? Or was it the water… Or perhaps something else entirely? He fell silent for a while, then finally stood up. Walking toward the map, Valis marked the affected village’s name again with a small red line.

“…Reina. I want you to go as well. I’ll stay in the capital to organize preparations and records.”

“As you command, Your Highness.”

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The following morning, a small but orderly expedition party waited before the capital’s castle gates. After confirming the arrangements with the vice-captain of the knights, Reina straightened the collar of her cloak and placed her hand on the saddle. Beside her, her attendant stood quietly, holding the reins.

Her armor, shining in shades of her signature blue, was elegant like a gown. They were custom-made by distant Dwarven craftsmen, exuding both grace and dignity.

Valis knew well that Reina was not one to indulge in ostentation. Yet she understood her own symbolic value and the effect her image carried. Possessing the shrewdness to use such displays when necessary. Footsteps approached from behind. Turning around, she saw Valis still in his official uniform.

“Are you here to see me off?”

“I thought I should do something prince-like for a change.”

Reina smiled faintly, then returned to her usual composed expression. Valis took out a sealed vial glinting dully in the morning light and a fresh white cloth. He checked the cork lightly, felt the texture of the fabric between his fingers once, and handed them to her.

“Fill this vial with water from the bath. …And wipe one of the bottom stones with this cloth, then bring both back.”

Reina lifted the cloth, smoothed out a fold with her fingers, and weighed the vial lightly in her palm. A faint smile touched her lips.

“I shall carry out your request faithfully. I’ll seal both the water and the cloth securely before returning.”

“Don’t push yourself. This is just for confirmation.”

“Understood.”

Mounting her horse with a graceful motion, Reina looked down once more into Valis’s eyes.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

“I’m counting on you.”

The sound of hooves echoed through the capital’s morning air as the procession passed through the castle gates. In Valis’s eyes, as he watched her receding figure, there flickered a faint trace of unease.

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