Chapter 18

On a day off, when I visited the duke's villa after a long time, I found Serea writing something in her room. It looked like a script for a play or something.

"What are you doing?"

Serea looked up and answered with a cheerful smile.

"I'm trying to make a paper theater. I want to do something that will make the children happy. It's a form of entertainment where you tell a story using flip charts. It seems to have been popular in my grandfather's time."

It's similar to reading a picture book.

Embarrassingly, the literacy rate in our country is still quite low, so parents can't even read picture books to their children. As a result, there's no demand for publishing books for children, and picture books are very expensive, only a few being available for the children of nobles and the wealthy. They're not something you'd find in an orphanage. Serea, that's a great idea.

"Wow, what kind of story are you doing, Serea?"

"I'm thinking of doing 'Mr. Taiyaki, Swim!' It's based on a popular children's song in my country."

...What is Mr. Taiyaki?

"What's that?"

"Mr. Taiyaki is being baked on a hot plate every day."

"Wait, is that a story for children?"

That's like a depiction of hell, isn't it?

"I'm creating it based on the children's song. It's a story for children."

"It's not torture... What kind of children's song is that?"

"Mr. Taiyaki, tired of his life, escapes to seek freedom and enjoys a brief moment of freedom."

"Of course he'd be tired of it... 'A brief moment' doesn't sound good. What happens at the end?"

"Mr. Taiyaki, drunk on freedom, accidentally falls into a trap, realizes he's still just a taiyaki, and ends up being eaten."

"Out, out, out! You can't tell that story to orphans!"

That's a bad ending. A tragedy, right!?

"Serea, many of the children here have run away from abusive parents or terrible workplaces to become orphans. A story where they end up being caught and killed is too hopeless and depressing to tell in an orphanage!"

"Hmm, now that you mention it, you're right... It was popular in Japan, though."

I feel like I've seen a deep, dark side of Serea.

What kind of country is Japan, where such stories are popular?

"Is Mr. Taiyaki a slave or livestock? That's too sad. Let's try a different, more hopeful story."

"Then, how about 'Hayabusa-kun's Errand'?"

"Sounds good. The title sounds fantastic. What's the story about?"

"Hayabusa-kun, who is asked to run an errand, encounters various troubles along the way but overcomes them with wisdom and courage and successfully completes his errand."

"Great! That's the kind of story we should tell the children!"

I think that's a good, fairy-tale-like story!

Serea is enthusiastically writing the story at her desk. I shouldn't disturb her...

Next week, we have a hospital inspection planned.

I'm summarizing what I learned about hospitals from Serea on the table. I ask Serea when I don't understand something. She knows a lot about hospitals.

One interesting thing is the "medical chart." They create a notebook for each patient to record diagnoses and treatments. Usually, doctors keep these records in a single ledger like a diary or ledger, but in a hospital where many doctors work together, they can't see what treatments other doctors have given in the past.

Often, patients don't remember what diseases they've had, what treatments they've received, or what medications they've been given, so the treatment is done on a case-by-case basis, and long-term treatment is not possible.

Each patient has a medical chart that is kept in the hospital for life. Although it requires a notebook for each patient, I think this is a better system. It's impressive.

Also, the concept of bacterial infection and disinfection.

Diseases are caused by microorganisms that are too small to see!

...Will people believe this?

The basic method is boiling, which means boiling everything in hot water, but the best disinfectant for first aid is alcohol!

In other words, liquor. The component that makes people drunk in alcohol is effective for disinfection.

We'll have to distill and mass-produce alcohol that isn't for drinking.

Will the distilleries do this job for us?

No, first, we need to gather data to prove its effectiveness.

We need to conduct experiments and quantify the results.

The door was knocked, and Bell brought tea and snacks.

Both of us were so engrossed in writing at our desks that Bell was surprised. She probably thought we were just playing.

"That's amazing... Are you studying?"

"We're not studying, we're working on official business."

"Are you two really eleven years old...?"

"We can't afford to lose."

"To whom...?"

Now, it's time for the hospital visit.

It's crowded. Many people who couldn't see a doctor before can now be treated thanks to the hospital and the government's financial support. It's a groundbreaking achievement. Poor people couldn't even get a doctor to visit their homes.

By establishing a hospital, doctors who could only treat four to five patients a day by visiting each house can now treat over twenty patients a day. This is thanks to my sister.

However, there are people waiting in line just to have their bandages changed or to stop bleeding from a workplace injury. This needs to be improved.

After the clinic hours, we gather all the doctors and staff for a meeting.

The hospital director, five doctors, and fifteen nurses. We need more people, but first, we need to improve efficiency.

"Divide the hospital into departments and specialize. At the very least, into surgery, internal medicine, and emergency."

"Sur... surgery...?"

"Surgery is for injuries and fractures, internal medicine is for colds, stomachaches, and fevers. Separate them based on whether the treatment involves bandages, stitches, or surgery, or if it involves prescribing medication. Doctors have their own specialties, after all."

"That's true."

"Assign specific doctors to each department, create a reception area, and assign patients accordingly."

"Indeed, that would be more efficient."

The director is impressed.

"What about the emergency department?"

"It's for patients who need immediate treatment to save their lives. They shouldn't have to wait in line if they're bleeding."

"Hmm, that does sound effective."

Next, I explain the medical charts.

"No, that's impossible! Each doctor has their own way of doing things, and they would have to share their techniques. All the doctors will oppose it!"

Even young doctors oppose it. I see. That's why doctors don't want to share their records.

"...We need to change their mindset. Sharing better treatment methods and improving medical techniques can save more lives. If good treatments and medications are kept secret, the citizens will suffer."

"..."

"Please implement it and experience the benefits. I'm asking you."

They don't look happy. I didn't expect such resistance...

"Think of medical knowledge as a common asset of humanity, not an individual's. You all learned most of your skills from your mentors, didn't you? Hasn't learning a new treatment method saved someone's life?"

"...Yes."

"Then, please."

I bow, and Serea bows with me.

"Alright. If the prince asks us, we can't refuse."

Good, we can tackle today's challenge.

Now, it's Serea's turn to explain.

"Regarding disease prevention and treatment, are you aware that most diseases are caused by microorganisms, which are too small to see?"

"Oh, there are researchers studying that. It's not widely accepted yet, but you know a lot about it!"

The doctors are surprised.

"The scary part is infection."

"Indeed, many diseases are contagious..."

"Most diseases are caused by bacteria or viruses. They enter the body and multiply, which is why diseases spread."

"There are researchers studying this, but it's surprising that the royal family supports this theory... Do you really believe in it?"

There are researchers studying this in our country. I'd like to hear from them.

"Yes. Food poisoning, for example, is caused by bacteria. Eating spoiled food causes illness because bacteria are present."

They seem skeptical.

"To prevent infection, we need to kill these bacteria. For example, surgical instruments should always be washed and boiled before use."

"Yes, we know that boiling water makes it drinkable, so the same applies here."

"Please do this for each surgery. Don't reuse instruments between patients. This applies to everything that goes into the body."

"Indeed... We'll need a lot of backup instruments."

I need to speak up about this.

"It's necessary. We'll allocate the budget to purchase them."

Serea has an idea about disinfection, so she explains it.

"For things that can't be boiled, like wounds, the best disinfectant is alcohol."

"Alcohol...?"

"The component that makes people drunk in strong liquor. It's known that applying it to wounds can prevent infection to some extent."

"Yes, I've heard that it's done on battlefields, but it's more of a morale booster."

"It's not just a morale booster. It's effective. Alcohol kills bacteria. When fruits or food are soaked in alcohol, they don't spoil. The same applies to preventing infection in the human body."

"Alcohol... Strong liquor is expensive, though."

I take over the financial part from Serea.

"Start with cheap liquor. If we can gather data showing that alcohol is effective in preventing infection, that will be enough."

"Data?"

"People will always oppose or say it's unnecessary, but data can silence them. We need to prove its effectiveness with data."

"I see... I understand."

"Please try to do that."

"Understood. We'll verify its effectiveness."

"If we can do that, I believe we can increase production and convince people. I'm asking you."

"Some doctors might drink it instead of using it for disinfection."

One of the doctors jokes, and everyone laughs.

No, please take it seriously. I'm asking you.

"Still, you two are really eleven years old?"

"We hear that a lot these days..."

As we leave the hospital, the wind is howling, and dark clouds are gathering, indicating a storm is coming. Thunder rumbles in the distance, so we hurry back to the palace in Shriegan's carriage.

The thunder and rain start as we return.

"Whoa, this is bad!"

Shriegan, Serea, and I rush into the palace, where the maids and Serea's attendants welcome us.

"There's no choice... Serea, please stay at the palace tonight."

At night, the thunder becomes even more intense!

Serea is sleeping in the room next to mine, which my sister used to use.

Is Serea scared of the thunder?

Bang! Rumble, boom!

The thunder is very close!

Serea must be scared, this is definitely scary!

I hug my pillow and knock on Serea's door.

"Come in," she replies, so I enter.

"Prince Shin, what is it?"

"W-well, the thunder is really loud, and I was wondering if Serea is scared."

Boom! Rumble, rumble, rumble!

"I... I'm not scared."

Serea opens the curtains, wearing a fluffy negligee, sitting on the bed and watching the thunder through the window.

"Serea, aren't you scared of the thunder?"

"I'm not scared at all."

"Why?!"

"Thunder is a natural phenomenon where static electricity from clouds falls. It's like the static you feel when you take off a wool sweater or touch a doorknob. It's not something dropped by demons or gods."

Her knowledge from her past life is impressive! She's not scared of thunder!

"Prince Shin, are you scared of thunder?"

"My father's thunder is scary, though..."

Boom! Rumble, rumble, rumble!

I crouch down involuntarily.

Serea pats the bed.

"Come here. Let's sleep together tonight."

"R-really?"

"Yes."

I hesitantly crawl into Serea's bed.

We share the blanket.

Serea gently hugs me.

She's soft, warm, and has a sweet, milky scent.

I got a little excited. I feel like I'm in a lot of trouble.

Next time: "19. Presentation"