Wizard: I devour the stars with swarms of insects.

"However, there's still one problem... what exactly is causing the drought-induced plague that's plaguing the castle?!"

Holman asked, almost frantically.

Although the cause of the rat infestation in Greyhawk Keep has been investigated, the more crucial issue is the cause of the drought plague in Greyhawk Keep.

If it wasn't caused by rats... then what was the cause of the spread?

"From a biological perspective, large-scale epidemics can spread through a few routes: air, water, food, mosquito bites, blood, and... sexual transmission."

Now, Wayne recalled the knowledge about plague transmission he had learned from books in his previous life as a biology graduate student, and pondered.

However, it is clearly not sexually transmitted, so this option is immediately ruled out.

After all, no one would be so disgusting as to have malicious thoughts about a living corpse.

"If it's not from the air, nor from the bites or contact of rats or other animals, then could it be... water or food?"

Wayne thought to himself.

After thinking for a moment, Wayne said...

"Senior Holman, it's perfect that you're here too. Let's go back to the scene and take a look, investigate a bit."

"good!"

So, under Holman's guidance, Wayne followed Holman to a nearby district where the plague outbreak was more severe.

The plague-stricken area here has been fortified with wooden planks and earthen walls, and is guarded by fully armed soldiers.

At the entrance, there were knight-level soldiers on guard, strictly prohibiting anyone from approaching at will—of course, the main purpose was actually to prevent someone inside from falling ill and turning into a zombie, then running out and attacking other citizens.

A few minutes later, Wayne and Holman entered the plague zone.

I saw a team of corpse transporters wrapped in thick, wax-soaked protective suits and wearing bird-beak masks.

They were cleaning up and collecting corpses in the epidemic area, pulling the corpses onto a nearby cart, and cutting off their heads with a sickle.

Then, the headless corpses were piled on top of the open-air carriages and dragged out to be burned.

Furthermore, many corpses were piled up on the ground, not yet cleared away, lying stiffly in various painful postures on the cold stone road, bathed in the pale moonlight.

Next, Wayne stepped forward and carefully examined the body on the ground, trying to find more clues.

The bodies on the ground showed obvious signs of dehydration; their skin was dry, their faces were contorted, and their expressions before death were filled with pain and fear.

"Dehydration symptoms, plague, a dirty environment, and..."

Wayne observed the surrounding urban environment.

In addition to the sweet, fishy smell, there was also a faint stench in the air.

It wasn't just the stench of a corpse, but also a smell similar to feces.

"stool?"

Wayne's mind raced, and he followed the scent to the place where the stench was coming from.

Sure enough, some vomit and traces of feces were found on the ground.

Furthermore, some have weathered and dried out, while others are somewhat damp, suggesting they were recently formed.

"Feces and vomit, it looks all sparse..." Although observing these feces and such things here is really disgusting.

However, in order to investigate the traces and clues of life around the body, he had to bite the bullet and carefully examine the scene.

Around the feces, there is also a city sewer.

However, of course, the sewers in medieval feudal cities wouldn't have been technologically advanced.

It was just an open, stinking ditch, emitting a faint stench.

"Plague, dehydration, there was vomit and feces on site, and diarrheal vomit. The virus has a high mortality rate and a strong ability to spread..."

"So could it be because of...waterborne transmission?"

Now, looking at the ditch beside him, Wayne stroked his chin, pondering to himself, and tried to speak.

"Water source? That can't be..."

Holman asked with some doubt.

"Our family members and servants in the lord's hall drank the water from the city, but... none of them showed any symptoms of infection?"

Holman said, looking bewildered.

"At first, I also suspected it might be the water source, but the people in our castle drink water from the city every day, and nothing has happened."

"Yeah?"

Wayne said thoughtfully.

Next, looking at the stinking ditch in front of him and surveying the surrounding environment, he didn't have any good ideas for the time being.

After thinking for a moment, Wayne said.

"By the way, Senior Holman, could you help me with some survey data?"

"What kind of investigation?"

Holman asked.

"Please help me compile a death toll for each district, preferably by street and residential area, and then summarize it for me."

"this......"

Upon hearing Wayne's request, Holman scratched his head, his eyes showing hesitation.

This is no easy task.

To count the number of deaths on every street, in every block, and even in every house? That's a huge task.

Moreover, the city was already short-staffed due to the plague outbreak, and people were already living in fear...

However, after considering the wisdom his junior brother had displayed in the previous two encounters, Holman gritted his teeth and said...

"Alright! Junior Brother Wayne, I'll arrange for people to do the statistics right away! However... it will probably take at least a day to get the results."

"It's alright. Once the statistics are compiled, please send the results to my room."

Wayne said.

"No problem, I'll have Alfred's butler send it to you once the statistics are complete."

"Okay, thank you for your help."

Next, Wayne and Holman turned and left the plague-stricken district, returning to the Lord's Hall.

Upon returning, Holman immediately began making arrangements for his subordinates.

Following Wayne's instructions, they began to investigate and count the number of people infected by the plague outbreak in each area of ​​the city.

......

The following evening, as dusk deepened.

While Wayne was meditating in his room, constantly circulating the five black orbs in his mind.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

When Wayne finished meditating and got up to open the door, Alfred the butler was outside, holding a thick stack of draft paper.

"Dear Mr. Wayne, here are the results of our overnight compilation, all recorded above for your review!"

"Okay, thank you for your help."

Wayne said.

"Alright, farewell, esteemed Mr. Wayne. May the moonlight of Greyhawk Keep protect you, and have a wonderful night."

Alfred bowed, then turned and left.

After closing the door, Wayne went to the wall.

A map was hanging on the wall; it was the map of Greyhawk Keep that had been sent during the investigation of the rat infestation.

Next, Wayne spread a thick stack of scrap paper on the ground and gave instructions to the [Hive] AI in his mind.

"Scan the data and mark the corresponding data coordinates on the map in front of you."

[Scanning in progress... Estimated time: 2 minutes]

A faint blue hue appeared in his pupils as he scanned and recorded all the data on the scrap paper.

Because during the initial investigation of the rat infestation in Greyhawk Keep, a three-dimensional map of Greyhawk Keep had already been scanned and constructed.

Therefore, it is now possible to directly annotate the scanned data on the 3D map of Greyhawk Fortress.

Next, Wayne stared at the 3D city map projected onto his pupils, a map visible only to him.

In every neighborhood, street, and in the most severely affected areas of the city.

The corresponding number of deaths is marked on it, forming a statistical chart similar to a bar chart.

At first, it wasn't obvious... but after gradually adding the number of people on it...

Wayne quickly noticed something amiss.

"Huh? Could this be...?"

Then, as if realizing something, a glint suddenly flashed in Wayne's eyes, and he murmured.

"Could it really be like this...?!" Wayne stared intently at the statistical chart in front of him.

After thinking for a moment and hesitating, Wayne picked up his clothes from the clothes rack next to him and began packing.

Open the door and, under the cover of night, leave the lord's hall.

They disappeared into the vast darkness of the night.