Chapter 33

"Next time we meet, it will be at the academy, won't it?"

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."

We, who have turned fourteen, will enter Flora Academy next year at the age of fifteen.

We must do everything we can, prepare thoroughly, and go with a clear mind.

We vowed to meet again at the academy, and Jack and Silfa returned to their territory.

Both Cerea and I have trustworthy friends, and that gives us courage.

Of course, we didn't tell them about the game, but no matter what happens, they will surely be on our side. That's a great comfort.

We have achieved as much as possible up to this point. Through our public duties, we have been deeply engaged in establishing our solid positions as the prince and the prince's fiancée. I think we can say we have made all the necessary preparations.

Orphanages and hospitals have now been established in each territory across the country, and their operational know-how has been firmly established. The first batch of graduates from the orphanages has already entered society, surprising their workplaces with their education level, which is higher than that of the average commoner.

The hospital is always ready to receive patients with a three-department system: surgery, internal medicine, and emergency. The infant and child mortality rate has dropped to less than 1%.

The production system for disinfectant alcohol has been established, and along with its hygiene management know-how, it is growing into an export industry for our country. We have even received requests for technology transfer from the advanced country of Halpa.

The ice, which is essential for medical treatment, has also been mass-produced, and now the windmills that power the ice-making machines are turning with a clatter. They serve as a good landmark for the hospital. In places that handle meat and other food, high-priced steam-powered ice-making machines have been introduced, and they are proving effective in food refrigeration, with further spread expected in the future.

We visit the laboratory of Mr. Spalutes, which has become the center of our activities. The staff has increased, and it has become a large team.

"Well, you can learn new things from failures too. Look at this!"

He shows us a petri dish that has been covered.

"This is a culture of tetanus bacteria, but as you can see, mold has grown on it."

Upon inspection, blue mold has grown.

"Normally, we would sterilize and discard it, but where the mold has grown, the bacterial colonies have been destroyed. The blue mold is killing the bacteria! It's a great discovery!"

I'm sorry, but that blue mold is what Cerea sprinkled from a moldy piece of bread. Of course, this isn't the same petri dish from that time.

Why is Cerea smiling? I can't look at Mr. Spalutes' face.

"We are now collecting blue mold from various sources and growing it on different bacterial cultures to confirm its effects! We are currently experimenting to isolate and extract the antibacterial component! If we succeed, it will be a groundbreaking treatment!"

Mr. Spalutes' enthusiasm is incredible. It's such a powerful drug. Cerea's mischief had a significant meaning...

"Is it safe to administer to humans? Will it cause mold to grow inside the body?"

"It's safe. We extract the antibacterial component from the mold. Under the microscope, we found that bacteria, like plants, are covered with a 'cell wall' that protects the cell. The mold dissolves this. It's likely an antibiotic that the mold acquired to eliminate other plants and slime molds and win in the competition for survival. Animal cells, like those of humans, do not have this cell wall, so it is harmless."

You can learn so much from a microscope.

This microscope was completed thanks to Cerea's advice, so she is truly amazing.

"I came today to consult about a different disease."

"What kind?"

"About preventing smallpox."

"Smallpox!"

The laboratory staff all look at us. They all look shocked.

"Smallpox!? The greatest enemy of humanity!? You're saying it can be prevented!?"

"Look at this."

As he says this, all the staff in the room gather around our table. You can see how much smallpox has troubled doctors.

"We conducted a survey, and it turns out that the Viscount Wyls territory is a unique point where large-scale smallpox outbreaks have not occurred nationwide. Upon investigation, it was found that in the Viscount Wyls territory, where livestock farming is prevalent, cows occasionally contract a disease called cowpox."

"Yes, blisters form on the cow's udders."

"People involved in livestock farming usually contract this disease through milking. In humans, it is a mild fever that lasts about a week, but people who have contracted and recovered from 'cowpox' do not get smallpox."

"No way..."

The staff are all shocked.

"I just received the data, but it's a survey on whether people have had cowpox. We interviewed 400 people involved in livestock farming. About 200 of them, or half, have had cowpox, but only one of those 200 has had smallpox."

"Cowpox..."

"People who have survived smallpox and not died number about ten, but they are not involved in livestock farming and have not touched cows, so it is likely they have not had cowpox."

The room falls silent.

"Does contracting cowpox give immunity to smallpox?"

A young female staff member asks hesitantly.

"Perhaps."

"People who have recovered from smallpox never get it again. Only those who have had smallpox are selected to care for patients. The same could be done with people who have had cowpox?"

"I want to take it one step further. Cowpox causes mild fever and occasionally blisters, but it clears up in a week. Can we deliberately infect the entire population with cowpox?"

"Deliberately spread the disease!?"

"Yes."

This is Cerea's idea of preventive immunity. In her previous life's country, this is done for various infectious diseases from children to adults, and it helped eradicate smallpox.

"Wow... That's an incredible idea. It might be met with strong opposition."

The staff are all skeptical.

"Prince, as you may know, smallpox only affects humans. No animals contract it. This means animal testing is impossible. Any testing would have to be on humans..."

Oh, that's a big problem.

"Who would do this..."

"Whoever does it risks contracting smallpox."

"People who have never had smallpox should not approach patients. It's a medical rule."

"..."

Everyone falls silent.

"I'll do it."

The young female staff member speaks up. She is beautiful and young.

"Jane, it's dangerous!"

Mr. Spalutes tries to stop her. The disease has a mortality rate of over 50%!

"I lost my parents and siblings to smallpox. It is my enemy. It is an enemy that must be defeated! I can't bear to do nothing with such a clue! I will conduct the survey!"

"Jane..."

"Please let me go. I will conduct the survey in the Viscount Wyls territory. If there is a village with a smallpox outbreak today, please let me know. I beg you!"

"No! Jane, if I lose you to smallpox, I can't bear it... Please don't do it."

Mr. Spalutes, are you in a relationship with this female researcher? No wonder he doesn't want her to go.

"The research on blue mold cannot be interrupted. You need to focus on that. Someone has to do this..."

"Jaaaaane!"

Mr. Spalutes hugs Jane.

Oh, this is turning into a love triangle. What should we do?

"Anyway, I will hand over this data. Please consider it carefully."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will consider it carefully. I will not waste this valuable information. Thank you."

The staff all give a deep bow and see us off.

"Wow, this has turned into a big deal."

"I'm surprised too... I never expected it to come to this."

We have only been working on the basics of hygiene, sterilization, and isolation, so I didn't expect it to become such a big issue.

"Anyway, the dice are cast. Let's leave it to them."

"...Okay."

In the afternoon, we meet with Bell at a café.

It's the first time we've met since Shrigan's wedding.

"Long time no see, Shin, Cerea."

"Long time no see..."

This is the first time I've seen Bell in civilian clothes. She's wearing a cool, summery black polka-dot dress with a wide-brimmed hat, exuding a mature woman's charm. She has changed so much. The atmosphere is completely different.

"Shrigan is doing well. How is married life?"

"It's the best form of entertainment."

What does she mean by that? It sounds both happy and a bit raw. I don't know how to respond. As long as Shrigan is doing well, that's good.

"Today is my last report. Thank you for taking care of us."

"No, thank you for all your hard work."

She sips her tea and speaks.

"Linz, the daughter of the Hans restaurant, has been recognized for her talent and will become the adopted daughter of Baron Blauver."

This is a shocking turn of events. I thought it was possible, but Cerea said, "I don't think that will happen."

"Not only is she talented in creating new dishes, but she also has a good business sense. Hans was reluctant to let her go, but Baron Blauver desired Linz, who is a 'money tree.' Linz herself had been delaying her response to the adoption, but at fourteen, she has decided to accept it."

...It's not impossible. While high-ranking nobles like dukes and marquises have a strong attachment to bloodlines, lower nobles like barons often adopt talented individuals to strengthen their power. There are many examples of adding skilled swordsmen, magic users, and high-achieving students to their families.

"You both look the most surprised."

"...Actually, we are."

"I see. The person you have been paying attention to is Linz, isn't it?"

"You're right..."

"I thought there was a reason you were keeping it a secret, so I didn't ask. I assume you won't tell me in the future."

"Yes."

"You will turn fifteen next year and enter Flora Academy. You will likely be classmates with Linz."

Flora Academy is a three-year program. The heroine was attending a private school in the capital, but she was recognized for her talent and would transfer in as a commoner in her second year. The game actually starts from there, and the game period is two years.

However, from the first year, she will challenge us as a noble, even if only as an adopted daughter. I had thought that the heroine's greatest strength was being a commoner, but she is willingly giving up that position. It must be a well-thought-out decision. Perhaps two years is not enough, and she is planning something over three years.

"From now on, it will be up to you to encounter Linz. What you do is up to you. There is nothing more we can do. I wish you good luck."

...Perhaps Bell's decision to leave her maid duties and get married was also to let us see what happens next. We are not children anymore.

"That's all."

"Thank you. We have really been taken care of."

"No, thank you."

Cerea reaches out and holds Bell's hand.

"Thank you, Bell. Please be happy."

"Of course."

She smiles.

I might be seeing Bell's genuine smile for the first time. Yes, this is probably the first time.

Bell stands up, bows, and leaves.

Her back view was beautiful.

Next time: "33. The Night Before Academy Enrollment"