Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki – 23

「うがい手洗いは防疫の基本」 (Ugai Tearai wa Boueki no Kihon)
“Gargling and Hand Washing Are the Basis of Disease Prevention”

Well can certainly say what you want about Genjitsu but no denying the series knows how to stick to its guns. From the intricacies of slavery (or lack of) to the fun of disease management we’re easily running the gambit of all key – if potentially stale for some – components of state building now with barely any time left for actual shenanigans. Sure, that might sound like a complaint, but rest assured it’s anything but. When it comes to the nitty gritty of running countries I’m all ears for the details.

While Genjitsu needs to be applauded for actually delving into some of the fun regarding public hygiene it’s critical to make a specific note: it’s being a little disingenuous. For all antibiotics are the probably the modern era’s greatest biological marvel, for all encouraging hand washing and basic sanitation is important, there’s a key difference between bacteria and viruses which Kazuya has definitely missed. Antibiotics after all do not work against viruses, they are an antibacterial agent which coincidentally loses effectiveness (thanks to the wonders of evolution) the longer and more prevalent they are used. Although it’s probably beyond Genjitsu to become a pedantic microbiology lesson, I would expect Kazuya to clamp down on any optimism that his new wonder drug would stop any and all epidemics in their tracks. You might eliminate the likes of dysentery and cholera, but don’t think for a second that isekai penicillin will cure smallpox – some things take a little more effort than that to properly treat.

On the other hand not everything was microscopic critters as a romp through the refugee slums helped indicate this week. Much like the rest of Genjitsu the premise is pretty clear for this: Kazuya’s new world is going through an upheaval thanks to demonic invasion and he’s here to show how such problems can be remedied into lasting solutions. Much like public hygiene and slave emancipation the obvious solution is amalgamating displaced populations into Elfrieden’s overarching society, but as we all know from recent and ongoing history such things are never that easy in practice. Some will be dubious about the viability of integrating such groups, others will be disinclined for parochial, ethnic, or religious reasons. And yet more will consider the moment an opportunity to put the screws to a king whom they detest.

Kazuya after all might have secured his place as ruler, but as has been mentioned and teased over the preceding weeks there’s always new and bolder threats on the horizon. The only question is which ones will deign to make an appearance before this season draws to a close.