Episode 191
By the time they realized it, it was already too late.
This is the most terrifying aspect of an epidemic.
No matter how high the fatality rate, if you can respond quickly, you can minimize the damage.
However, an epidemic—especially one as contagious as smallpox—is frightening because it makes such early intervention impossible.
Genghis Khan felt a growing unease when he confirmed that a case of smallpox had appeared within his ranks.
If it had been confined to a single unit, they might have managed it somehow, but the more reports came in, the grimmer the reality became.
“Are you saying soldiers across the entire army are showing symptoms?”
“Yes, every unit is reporting cases.”
“We’re heading toward the worst-case scenario.”
Isolating a single unit wouldn’t solve the problem. With the disease spreading everywhere, it was impossible to estimate how many potential cases there might be.
“Tiraun, you haven’t been near any of the soldiers showing symptoms, have you?”
“Of course not. As soon as I received reports of suspected smallpox cases, I avoided close contact with anyone.”
“Good. Make sure commanders of a thousand or more are instructed not to act rashly. Especially, they must avoid going near those showing symptoms.”
“Understood. But, Great Khan, shouldn’t we investigate how this disease spread so suddenly?”
In truth, diseases like smallpox can strike at any time if you’re unlucky. Especially since Kublai’s forces have been raiding various places, the disease could have been contracted during those raids.
But considering how widespread and simultaneous the outbreak was, it was far from normal.
“There are two possibilities. Either we’re incredibly unlucky, or someone infected deliberately spread it.”
“The former seems unlikely, no matter how unlucky we are.”
“Exactly. So we should consider the latter.”
“But who would be crazy enough to wander around spreading smallpox? They’d collapse or show obvious symptoms before long.”
Tiraun had a point. Smallpox was so severe that even if someone intended to spread it, it wouldn’t be easy. Who would willingly come into contact with someone covered in hideous blisters?
Moreover, if such a soldier existed, Genghis Khan or another commander would have heard about it immediately.
“Of course, there are suspects. That’s why I had Subutai investigate as soon as I heard your report.”
“Great Khan! I’ve looked into everything you ordered!”
Subutai rushed in, breathless, speaking in a torrent of words, aware of the urgency of the situation.
Though his words were cut off, Genghis Khan, appreciating his effort, poured water and handed it to him.
“Calm down and tell me slowly. You had your men investigate instead of going yourself, right?”
“Yes. We kept a safe distance and communicated by shouting. But it turns out…”
“What? Was it as I expected?”
“No, it was the complete opposite. None of them were infected.”
“None of them?”
Genghis Khan frowned at the unexpected answer. Tiraun, listening quietly, asked cautiously, not understanding.
“Them? Who are you referring to? Do you mean those Shia?”
“Yes. Honestly, who else could we suspect?”
“True, but how could they spread the disease throughout our army? They were restricted from moving outside designated areas.”
“You don’t have to move to spread a disease. They brought food, didn’t they?”
“But they ate the food first to prove it was safe, as per your orders.”
That was the biggest mystery. Some fanatical Muslims were rumored to sacrifice themselves to harm their enemies. If Nasr was one of them, spreading a disease wasn’t impossible. He could have eaten the food knowing he was infected with smallpox.
Unlike poison, a disease doesn’t show immediate symptoms, so there’s time.
That’s why Subutai was tasked with checking the state of the Shia Liberation Front within the army. Nasr had left under the pretense of fetching more supplies, but many of his group remained.
If the theory was correct, most of them should have been suffering from smallpox…
“But none of them were infected? Are you sure? Could they be hiding their symptoms with superhuman endurance?”
“You can’t hide your skin. I considered that possibility and had them strip to check. None had any rashes.”
“So the food they brought wasn’t the cause? Really?”
“Yes. In fact, one of the leaders who came with Nasr, someone named Muhammad something, seemed genuinely puzzled about the chaos in the army. If they had spread the disease, wouldn’t they have left with Nasr under some pretext?”
It was a sound argument. Muhammad, who stayed behind, was a high-ranking member of the Shia Liberation Front. Many Shia followers treated him with great respect.
Since such a person chose to stay, Nasr was allowed to leave without much suspicion.
“Fine. Let’s say the Shia didn’t spread it. Then why is this cursed disease spreading through our army? What’s the cause?”
“Could it be a local endemic disease? That would explain why the Shia led us here.”
“The same counterargument applies. If it were so common that everyone caught it, they should have been infected too.”
No one had ever heard of a way to avoid smallpox. Even the most advanced nations, like the Song Dynasty, feared it as a demon.
Mongolia had suffered greatly from smallpox and had sought a cure whenever possible. But no nation or civilization they had conquered had the means to treat it.
Even Baghdad, the pinnacle of Islamic wisdom, couldn’t cure smallpox, so how could the Shia Liberation Front have such a method?
It’s an illogical notion.
“Then what if this disease only resembles the demon we know but is actually something else?”
“No, the symptoms match too perfectly. Ignoring reality will only lead to greater harm and prevent proper response.”
“You’re right. But if it is the real demon, we need to act now. Even if it’s late, we must hurry.”
“I know. But first…”
Whether this catastrophe was a result of sheer bad luck or a human conspiracy…
“We need to be certain.”
Commanders scurried about, the fear of disease palpable despite attempts to hide it, creating a heavy atmosphere.
No matter how hard they tried to conceal it, anyone paying attention could see.
Muhammad II, leader of the Alamut Assassins, felt a thrill realizing the plan had succeeded beyond expectation.
The Syrian Assassins, led by Nasr, had left under the guise of fetching supplies, but they remained.
Genghis Khan might think they stayed by accident, but the truth was different.
They stayed because their mission wasn’t complete. This was Alamut’s duty.
The Syrians had executed their part perfectly and withdrawn; now it was their turn.
If they failed to complete their mission, Alamut would forever be seen as inferior to Syria.
They had to finish this, even at the cost of their lives.
Summoned to a meeting by Genghis Khan, Muhammad steeled himself, listening intently to the voices from inside the tent.
“So, you’re saying this incident was entirely unforeseen by you?”
To prevent any mishaps, only Genghis Khan’s closest confidants were allowed inside the tent.
Thus, they had to converse outside, but Muhammad II was satisfied just to be summoned.
In the worst-case scenario, they could have been executed without question.
Fortunately, Genghis Khan was a rational man, allowing them to remain unharmed.
After all, how could a mindless barbarian have built such an empire?
It was only natural to hear them out before deciding their fate.
“Yes, Great Khan! If anything, we wish we could ask you. We hear there’s an epidemic; is it severe?”
”…”
“With all due respect, when it comes to medicine, we possess exceptional skills. If you would allow us to assist…”
“No. I cannot permit you to take direct action. Even if you have no involvement in this matter, you must admit the timing is suspicious.”
The voice dripped with suspicion, but that was actually a good sign. If they were still doubting yet unable to apply pressure, it meant they had no evidence.
Of course, that was to be expected.
According to the Great Apostle, smallpox is spread by invisible pathogens, transmitted through physical contact and the air. Since there are no visible factors, identifying the true cause is difficult, relying only on observation and experience.
And since we, who first consumed the suspect food, did not contract smallpox, it naturally hindered any initial identification of the cause.
“I agree, the timing is indeed suspicious, as the Great Khan mentioned. However, we have not moved from our designated areas to earn your trust, and we have tested all incoming supplies ourselves. In my humble opinion, this proves our innocence.”
”…Very well. I acknowledge that.”
“And one more thing. I have a strategy to turn this crisis into an opportunity.”
This was the moment. The perfect chance to execute the final command from the Apostle.
Muhammad II, interpreting the silence as agreement, continued with confidence.
“We should send soldiers with milder symptoms to defect to the enemy. This way, the disease could spread to their ranks as well.”
Though they tried to hide it, a ripple of unease was palpable in the air.
After a long silence, Genghis Khan’s calm voice finally broke through.
“An intriguing plan. Come in and explain further.”