Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 995: Meeting with the Sibruh Family

Chapter 995: Chapter 995: Meeting with the Sibruh Family

Marquess Sibruh had already suspected something when the walls and watchtowers were included in the construction projects.

"We have caught spies from other countries here in Sibruh recently," Alwin said, and the Marquess family was even more alarmed.

[I hoped I was just overthinking things, but it seems it’s true.

However, what would they want from our territory when we don’t even have our stock of food due to the pest infestation and plant disease?

Or were they just gathering information?]

They were confused as to why anyone would be interested in their territory after seeing the situation here.

However, it’s not exactly, simply, about taking Sibruh.

If they thought about the whole situation, it was more about getting access to Valeria somewhere it was not expected.

Even if Sibruh was far from the capital, a lot of information about Riva and Valeria still reached here.

Moreover, once they entered Sibruh, they could cross from one border to another until they were closer to Riva and eventually reach it.

"From which nation, Your Eminence?" Marques Sibruh inquired.

"We were not able to confirm since they immediately killed themselves," Alwin revealed.

This made the Sibruh family even paler since it meant the espionage was serious for the spies to kill themselves the instant they were caught.

[Could this be related to the missing butler? But what if they think we were slacking off with the security for us not to be able to find a single butler?]

Marquess Sibruh wanted to mention the missing butler, but he was worried it would get them into trouble if it was unrelated.

[No, this is exactly why Father failed. I shouldn’t fear to ask a question or mention something like this out of fear that they would think I failed.]

The Marquess concluded he should mention it, so he said, "Your Eminence, a few days ago, after the banquet, one of our butlers suddenly went missing. I wonder if this might be related to this issue. Unfortunately, we haven’t found him yet."

"It is indeed related. This is one of the reasons why we have this meeting. That butler is one of the spies. I caught him because he was trying to assassinate Her Majesty’s assistant, who noticed the irregularity in the plant disease. We wanted to ask him questions, but he died just a few seconds after he was caught," Alwin explained.

"!!!"

[So that’s why we couldn’t find him, no matter how many knights I sent!

But why is their target Her Majesty’s assistant?

If they have plans to conquer our territory, wouldn’t it be better for them if the problem with the plant disease is solved?

Unless... Don’t tell me that they have something to do with it?!!

But how?

Is that even possible?!!]

Marquess Sibruh figured some of it out, but thought it was too impossible to believe.

"But why is he the target?" one of Marquess Sibruh’s siblings asked.

"Because they didn’t want the secret behind the plant disease to be discovered. And they didn’t want a treatment to be made," Alwin explained.

"That’s absurd! But why? Unless they have something to do with it?" Marquess Sibruh inquired.

"Yes, they do," Alwin said, and the whole family was wide-eyed and confused.

"How is it possible?" Marquess Sibruh inquired.

"As you had been informed last time, Ivan, Her Majesty’s assistant, discovered something important about the pathogens of the plant disease.

Pathogens are the organisms causing the disease," Alwin clarified for those who did not understand it. "Upon repeated experiments, of every part of the pathogen, Ivan realized that there was a part he could not isolate and study, no matter what he did.

Upon reporting it, one of the magicians of the Magic Tower checked it and realized magic was involved.

The part Ivan could not isolate was protected by a lot of magic spells that prevented it from being studied."

"So, it means magic was involved with the plant disease?" The Marquess asked for verification of what he understood.

"Yes, magic is involved with the plant disease. Rather, it was made using magic and experimenting with plant diseases," Alwin explained.

The Sibruh family was astounded and tried to process everything they heard.

After a minute or two of contemplating it, Marquess Sibruh said, "So the plant disease was intentionally spread here?"

"Yes. Upon repeated studies, it was discovered that rats were the first carriers, followed by grasshoppers.

Thus, as we have already informed everyone, we need to be careful of them next year.

We already tried to catch all the offspring of rats, but there may be survivors hiding here and there.

Grasshoppers are even more problematic since they multiply in numbers even faster.

A lot of them may have already laid their eggs, and it will be troublesome if their offspring are already contaminated with the disease.

Or those who created it may have made it passable from parent to child."

This made it clear to the Sibruh family that the problem with the plant disease may take longer to solve than they thought, even with all the researchers present, due to the nature of the carriers.

It was a series of bad news for the Sibruh family today

They all looked like they had aged several years after all the news they received.

"Then, will the lockdown last for a while longer?" Marquess Sibruh asked the rest of his family, who were speechless.

"Yes, likely until next year after we ensure that the carriers and the disease will no longer be a problem," Alwin confirmed.

"I see..." Marquess Sibruh and his family felt even more problems on their shoulders since they never knew when the people might blow up in frustration again due to the lockdowns.

"There’s no need to fret, though, since it may not be as long as it was supposed to be.

The other day, I worked with Ivan and the researchers, and upon guiding them on the magic-related matters, Ivan was able to discover a treatment." Alwin finally delivered the good news.

"Oh, there’s already a treatment?!"

The Marquess and his family visibly brightened at this news.