Chapter 96

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At the forefront of the hall, the bright red lines on the graph soared high, catching everyone's attention.

On both sides and below the hall, nobles, knights, merchants, craftsmen, and others fell silent.

Under the command of the bald archbishop, a piece of armrest snapped off with a crisp sound.

He stood up abruptly, saying, "What should we do? Tell us, and we'll cooperate with you!"

It was a tremendous trust and an immense responsibility. Despite Garrett Nordmark's dual roles as a priest and a mage, combining two level-one professions, he was still far less powerful than the bald archbishop. Yet, Garrett showed no fear. He extended his right hand, fingers ticking off one by one as he spoke:

"First, gather all the patients in one place, separate them based on severity. Assign people to take care of the mild cases, and let the priests treat the severe ones"

Before he could finish his sentence, the hall erupted in uproar. Lord Joane Vaughn jumped up, exclaiming:

"How can we allow that! My family should not be placed with those commoners!"

"Do you know how to take care of them? Do you know how to treat them? If someone falls ill, do you know what to do to prevent others from getting sick?" Garrett bombarded Lord Vaughn with three questions. With each question, Lord Vaughn's arrogance diminished, and after the third question, he blinked his eyes in bewilderment:

"But"

"No buts," Elder Elwin Wilkinson coldly stated, "If you don't obey orders and refuse to help, the Divine Magic Temple won't have time to heal you."

"The Temple of War won't have time either," added the bald archbishop.

With all three major churches closing their doors, the Radiant Church, God of War, and God of Nature, they practically monopolized all healing resources. United, they could command the entire city. Lord Vaughn fell silent, listening as Garrett calmly issued orders:

"Retrieve maps and census data for the entire city, divide it by regions, and search for patients house by house. Transport all patients to one location for treatment."

"I'll send my men!" Captain Nolan immediately agreed. Elder Elwin added, "Just take them to the Lord of Radiance's temple; it's empty there anyway."

"Thank you for your kindness," Garrett nodded slightly. Turning to the official recording the orders, he asked, "Note it down as a donation to the temple?"

He looked at his teacher. Elder Elwin nodded, and immediately, Mr. Hogan, who had previously given him paper and pen, jumped up, his belly buttons trembling:

"I donate ten gold coins!"

"Thank you for your generosity," Garrett bowed slightly. Turning to the official, he said, "Record it as a donation to the temple."

He looked around, and Mr. Hogan's initiative prompted others:

"I'll donate ten too!"

"I'll donate five!"

"I'll donate eight!"

"I'll cover all the charcoal for boiling water these days!"

The official couldn't record fast enough. Garrett scanned the crowd, revealing a smile that matched everyone's expectations, and continued giving orders:

"Collect lime from across the city. Pour large quantities of quicklime into all water sources. Mix one bucket of quicklime with one bucket of water, stir it well, then add three more buckets of water. Use this ratio to sprinkle the ground in every household with patients!"

"Find some healthy women to come to the temple and take care of the patients, boil water, and cook"

He issued orders one by one. The officials of the city lord's mansion were busy moving maps, census data, dividing areas, and coordinating city guards to assign personnel by blocks. Calculations for regions, manpower, and expenses were ongoing. Suddenly, Captain Nolan turned back:

"We don't have enough manpower!"

"Send the temple guards!" The bald archbishop immediately responded. He stared straight at Lord Vaughn until he reluctantly spread his hands:

"Well, I can send ten guards from my house too."

Garrett racked his brains, trying not to miss any details. Even in a different world, facing an unknown disease that only "considered" to be bacterial dysentery, the principles of disease prevention and control should still follow the same three rules:

1. Manage the source of infection!

2. Cut off the transmission route!

3. Protect susceptible groups!

Have I covered everything?

In every aspect, have I considered everything?

With assistants, mentors, and reliable companions, yet in this vast otherworldly realm, I am the only one with formal medical training!

"Close the city gates, prohibit entry and exit!... No? Then send someone to consult with the city lord."

"Recall all priests outside, gather them at the Temple of Radiance..."

"Collect all bodies, don't bury them privately, and certainly don't throw them into the water..."

"Handle the patients' feces uniformly, mix them with quicklime before pouring..."

"Count the number of patients..."

Garrett thought through every detail. Only when he couldn't think of any loopholes did he, along with Elder Elwin and others, set off to the Temple of Radiance to start medical work.

The grandest structure in Hartland City, the Temple of Radiance, stood in the central square, facing the city lord's mansion from a distance. From above, it resembled a standard cross shape, with a tall spire towering at the intersection, surpassing even the city lord's mansion in height.

Surrounded by a wall, the temple had a large military camp marked out around it. Three years ago, the Knights of Radiance, the most formidable and ruthless force in Hartland City, was unmatched.

Even with their influence waning and being expelled from Hartland City three years ago, the vacant temple still stood there, imposing and untouched. If not for the epidemic, holding a righteous reason, Elder Elwin wouldn't have wanted to intervene with their church.

But now, circumstances were different. Following Elder Elwin, Garrett entered the Temple of Radiance. A cacophony hit them immediatelycrying and chaos filled the hall. Wives clung to husbands, mothers held their sons, crying as if it were a farewell

"Damon! Damon! Don't take him away, please, don't take him to that place"

"Priest, please, save us"

"Lord of War, have mercy on your faithful"

"Run! They want to lock us up and wait to die"

Garrett stood still. In the midst of it, a small, soft thing collided with him, grabbing onto his leg. Not far away, a woman's voice exclaimed, "Eva"

Garrett lowered his head. It was Little Eva, the girl he had given a piece of bread to, thanked him with flowers, and was almost hit by a carriage but saved by his teacher. Now, the girl with slender hands clutched his robe, speaking timidly:

"Big brother, please help my mom. Don't lock her up, okay? I can take care of her... I don't want her to die waiting..."

Waiting to die... yes, concentrating critically ill patients seemed like making them wait to dieand this was a common method in this world!

This won't work!

It will cause chaos!

Without time to discuss with his teacher, Garrett lifted

 the girl onto a table, shouting loudly:

"Not locking them up to die! You'll have food, care, and treatment! You'll get better!"

He didn't notice the abnormal magical fluctuations or how loud his voice was, rolling through the hall. The commotion fell silent, and someone shouted:

"How do we trust you?!"

"I am Garrett Nordmark!" Garrett shouted back, "During the midsummer trampling incident, I led the rescue, and not one person was abandoned, not one person died!

This time, concentrating patients for treatment was also my idea! I'll be with you until the last person is healed, won't abandon you! No one will be abandoned!"

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