One day passed, then two, then five – and the Southern army still had no signs of movement. They quietly sustained this standoff without so much as a single arrow shot.

Alfred could not understand their intent no matter how much he mulled over it, not that there was a particular measure they could react with regardless.

It was then that Alfred received a peculiar report.

“Some of the men have fallen ill, you say?”

“Yes, that is so. It’s not a lot yet, but quite a few troops are showing symptoms of a high fever, body aches and vomiting, sir.”

“How many men have contracted this sickness?”

“There are currently around 30 men, sir. They have been isolated under quarantine protocol to be safe.”

Alfred nodded at his aide’s report.

“Be sure that the quarantine measures are abided by and keep an eye on the men’s condition.”

“Understood.”

The situation had not yet reached its tipping point. With barely 30 men falling ill, Alfred assessed that this matter would be allayed soon enough if they only abided by the quarantine measures.

However, Alfred’s face turned pale at the report he received the next day.

“Captain, the number of men who have fallen ill has grown. Several hundred patients are raising complaints with the same symptoms.”

“How could… was the quarantine protocol observed for certain?”

“There’s no mistake that all...