Chapter 48

The first official duty of the summer vacation was a visit to the orphanage.

I've been interacting with the children for a long time now, so it's no surprise that they've figured out we're not really princes and princesses. But here, we're still called Shin-niichan and Serea-neechan.

Today, I brought a horse!

This is my beloved horse, Metro! I've known him since I was a child. He's a large horse, but he's quite old. He has a gentle temperament and doesn't get flustered by much, making him a safe choice for children to play with. He doesn't run much because of his age.

Today, Serea and I rode Metro to the orphanage.

"Wow! It's so big!"

The children, who don't often see horses up close, were overjoyed. We took turns letting them ride and led them around the playground.

"I want to get a job where I can ride horses!"

The economy is doing well, and trade is thriving. There's a high demand for drivers, so it might be a good career option for the orphans. Perhaps we should establish a vocational school that teaches horse riding and handling.

Interacting with the children often leads to improvements, which is one of the reasons I actively participate in the orphanage's operations.

Next, the Royal Academy, and as usual, we start with Professor Spalutes' laboratory.

"Serea-san! Thank you for your idea! Thanks to you, we were able to crystallize penicillin and extract it in pure form!"

That's impressive. I didn't know it could crystallize. It's amazing what you can achieve when you try.

"We are currently conducting animal experiments and clinical trials. We've confirmed that it can treat tetanus, botulism, diphtheria, and more. It's a versatile medicine!"

"Be cautious. All medicines have side effects and can cause drug-induced harm."

Serea, looking worried, reminds us of this.

"I understand. Some people may have anaphylactic reactions due to the mold components. It would be disastrous if this medicine were banned because of that. We will proceed with caution."

Well, Professor Spalutes is an expert in this field, so I'll leave it to him. I just worry because he's always so enthusiastic.

I also spoke with researcher Jane.

"Vaccination has been implemented as a national policy. Is it true that everyone entering or leaving the country is now vaccinated?"

"Yes, it has become widespread among the general public, and the benefits are well-explained. However, many important figures entering or leaving the capital stubbornly refuse it."

"In other words?"

"Nobles and their children."

...So, the students of Flora Academy are the most resistant.

Most students return to their territories during the summer break, but some leave the capital without getting vaccinated. That's a problem...

"Why don't we hold a lecture at the academy? We can explain the threat of smallpox and the effectiveness of vaccination to all the students, emphasizing that eradication is possible within five years. If we hold an official lecture at the academy, the message will reach the noble parents through their children. We need to ensure that all citizens, including those in the territories, receive the vaccine. I'll help by informing everyone that even the prince has already been vaccinated and is immune to smallpox. If they know this, everyone will get vaccinated."

"That's a great idea! I'd love to do that!"

"Jane, would you be willing to give the lecture at the academy?"

"Of course!"

Great, this will help spread the message to all the lords. It might be possible to vaccinate the entire population. Let's start as soon as the summer break ends.

The last official duty of the day is at the observatory.

I was asked by the head of the astronomy department, Count Jofnes Kepler, to visit his laboratory. Of course, this was a message from his son, Hartis, who is also a student at the academy. The observatory is in the same building as Professor Spalutes' laboratory.

"Oh, I've been wanting to meet you! I really wanted to thank you, Serea-sama!"

For some reason, Serea is being welcomed with open arms. All the researchers have gathered. It's amazing how she's treated everywhere she goes.

"Long-standing mysteries in astronomy have been solved! The orbits of the planets are elliptical, just as Serea-sama predicted. It's a beautiful, truly beautiful orbit. This should satisfy even the church. The celestial bodies created by God are not the perfect circles we thought, but more complex and advanced. This is a significant discovery in the history of astronomy!"

Count Kepler, whose hair is a bit thin, shakes Serea's hand vigorously! It must be that important.

"Well, I just thought that if it wasn't a circle, it might be an ellipse..."

"That's what makes it amazing. We had the preconception that everything created by God must be perfect and beautiful. We were struggling with calculations that didn't add up. But that wasn't the case. As scientists, we should discard all preconceptions and be sincere with observational data. Thank you for reminding us of that."

All the researchers bow to her. It's quite a scene.

"Once, astrology had the power to influence the monarchy... but as science developed and observational data accumulated, it became possible to make predictions. Astrology changed its name to astronomy and, ironically, became less necessary as its truths were revealed. The overly complete theory actually led to a stagnation in astronomy..."

"Father, that's enough..."

Scholars are all like this, aren't they? Hartis would have to stop him, or he'd keep talking forever.

"Ah, I apologize."

Count Kepler scratches his balding head as a young man runs in.

"Is it true that Serea-sama is here?"

"Please, be quiet, Harley. This is the person you're looking for."

Harley, a young researcher, looks excited.

"Um, um, the orbits of the planets are elliptical, right?"

"...I'm Serea. I apologize for causing a commotion at the academy with my comments."

"No, no, no! You are our savior! I'm currently calculating the orbit of a comet! I'm Edmond Harley."

He bows deeply.

"So, Serea-sama, do you think the orbit of a comet is also elliptical?"

This guy asks such a direct question!

"...I don't think it's my place to say, but comets have extremely elongated, elliptical orbits, don't they?"

"Exactly!"

Harley claps his hands and is overjoyed!

"I was unsure myself, but your confirmation gives me confidence. If the royal family supports my theory, I can restart my research and prove it!"

"...What do you mean?"

I ask, curious, and Harley says, "We'll be able to predict when comets will appear in the night sky!" That's impressive.

"Comets were once considered ominous signs or even potential destroyers of the world. But if we can prove they are celestial bodies like Mars and Jupiter, there will be no need to fear them. After all, we can predict their appearance and see them as expected!"

Everyone in the laboratory is excited.

I feel like I'm witnessing a significant moment in the history of science. It feels that way.

"Um, everyone..."

Serea speaks up hesitantly.

"I have a request. Please don't mention my name in your next research. Let it be known as your own discovery."

"Why not?"

Everyone is surprised.

"We were preparing to publish a paper with Serea-sama as a co-researcher..."

"That's too much... My comments were just a brief suggestion, and if I overstep, I might be treated as a witch!"

Witch hunts and trials were banned two hundred years ago, but the church still holds influence...

"I see... That's a shame."

I'll add my voice.

"Everyone, please don't use the authority of the royal family to advance your research. Achieve results through your own efforts. There's no need to use Serea's name just because you received a suggestion. I believe that someone among you would have noticed it eventually. There are many researchers at the academy studying various fields. It wouldn't be fair... Please understand."

"...You're right. I'll keep that in mind."

Everyone bows, and I feel a bit embarrassed.

"Okay, let's move on to the serious stuff. You promised to show us Mars today, right?"

It's getting late. It's time to unveil the latest astronomical telescope.

We go to the astronomy department's rooftop, where the new dome observatory has been set up. Professor Kepler personally guides us, along with Hartis and Harley.

The telescope is huge! The diameter is as wide as you can make with both hands!

It's indeed challenging to create such a large diameter with lenses. The reflective design using mirrors is innovative. Lenses cause chromatic aberration, which blurs the image.

"The planet closest to the sun is Mercury, but it's too close to the sun to observe. Venus is the closest to Earth, but it's always hazy, making it hard to see its true nature. Mars is more interesting. Have you heard of the novel 'The War of the Worlds'?"

"Yes, the one where Martians invade Earth but die from immune deficiency."

"...You ruin the story by giving away the ending, Your Highness... Anyway, the novel was inspired by what appeared to be large, artificial canals on Mars. But with this telescope, it looks like natural riverbeds, not canals. There are no signs of plant life or other organisms, so it's unclear if there is life on Mars."

"No Martians. That's disappointing."

"If they did invade, it would be a big problem, Your Highness..."

Everyone laughs.

"Have the two moons mentioned in 'Gulliver's Travels' been confirmed?"

"That's right! Mars does have moons! Two of them! We are currently confirming this. If it's true, we might name them 'Phobos' and 'Deimos' in honor of the novel."

Serea is excited to look through the telescope!

It's a cool summer evening on the academy's rooftop.

"Mars is interesting, but Saturn is currently very close and easy to observe. Let's take a look."

The telescope is adjusted to Saturn.

"At this magnification, the sky moves quite fast, so it will quickly move out of view. Please, observe it now."

We take turns looking at Saturn.

"Through this large telescope, Saturn has a strange shape. It looks like it has ears."

I looked through it too, and it is indeed a strange shape...

"Really?"

"We hypothesized that Saturn has two moons that are attached, forming a triple star system. But it seems odd, and the discussion is ongoing."

"Such large moons wouldn't stay attached. They should be orbiting. I can't support that theory," Harley also opposes it.

"To me, it looks like a ring..."

"A ring?"

"Huh?"

"What?"

Kepler, Harley, and Hartis are puzzled by Serea's comment.

"Like a straw hat on a football..."

Serea draws a picture of a football with a straw hat.

"A ring?"

"A ring..."

"If it's a ring..."

Everyone looks through the telescope again.

"It does look like a ring now."

"A ring? Does Saturn have a ring?"

"A ring? That's a strange idea... Is it possible?"

"No, no, no, it's too early to conclude, everyone!"

"We need a larger telescope..."

Amidst the lively discussion, Serea is giggling.

She must know that Saturn has rings...

Serea, you're a trickster.

Next: "48. What is a Butler Café?"