Chapter 71

Although I feel bad for showing up so late, I returned to the church once again.

When I entered the church, I glanced around to make sure no one else was there before being let in.

"Hey, you're alone, huh? Sorry, miss."

"No... Can't you heal it?"

"If it were a poison I could detoxify, it would be a different story... But treating you on top of that is too much of a burden."

"Huh?"

"Well, if you don't realize it, it's fine."

I don't really understand, but it seems that my treatment has been confirmed. However, in that state, it seems to be difficult to treat?

I want to ask for a detailed explanation, but as I said at the Adventurer's Guild, only I can take responsibility for the treatment.

"Anyway... If I treat you?"

"I'm just lending you the bed. Well, I can give you some advice. Thanks to you, there's a bit of hope for how children who obtain light magic within the kingdom are handled."

The method I proposed to the lord will apparently be brought to a council meeting in the capital after some groundwork. That's good. But I think the approach was just wrong... Well, if it means I've done a favor, that's fine.

The priest seems to know what kind of poison it is, but he doesn't seem to want to spread that information.

When I told him I wanted to check something if I had the materials, he handed me a book. "The Art of Antidotes"... Yeah, it's exactly what I need. When I flipped to the page marked with a bookmark, it described the poison of the Gigantosnake.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

When I read the content of the book, it said that after the poison spreads throughout the body, it solidifies in several places? You have to find those spots and cast a spell? No, it's a healing spell, right? Do you cast it?

I read it casually, but I don't really understand.

"Um?"

"You won't need to use it, so you can take it. Just return it when you're done."

"Yes... Is it okay to take it?"

"Do you want to help? I can't be involved in the treatment, but you might have a chance to do something."

I want to help... Yeah, well... Since I got involved, I can't just leave them.

I'll do what I can. But, according to the teachings of the clergy, is it okay to cast it like that?

"I can't do it, so I don't have any awareness?"

"Basically, it's a poison known for being difficult to detoxify. In the Holy Kingdom, there are only a few requests for its antidote each year... Not only magic, but it's better to prepare a dedicated serum if possible."

"That's... I'll try my best. And, it seems to be getting a little better, so I'm casting Dispel, but it consumes a lot of MP..."

"Dispel? Why are you using such a spell?"

"Huh? Is it wrong? It had a better effect than Refresh."

"Well, at first, it might have a better effect than a basic spell... But do you understand the fundamental meaning of the spell?"

From the priest's explanation, I realized that my understanding of magic was wrong.

Magic is about imagining the power of the spell you want to use and infusing your magic power to realize that image... Your imagination is important. Even if your image and the incantation are not perfectly integrated, if you infuse the necessary magic power...MP, it can still be activated.

For example, with Water Arrow, you use your imagination and infused magic power to launch an arrow... Whether it's a thick and large arrow or a small one... Even a bullet, it depends on the person's imagination to attack the enemy.

Then, what about Dispel?

According to the priest's explanation, it is originally a spell to dispel status abnormalities. It cancels out effects caused by curses or magic. For example, if someone is continuously sleeping or cursed... But I thought that dispelling a status abnormality means restoring it, which means regenerating it. So I used the spell with the image of restoring and regenerating poison and paralysis.

The spell does activate, and its effect does appear.

However, the effect of Dispel is to cancel out. The first time, it has the effect of dispelling. But since it doesn't improve the condition, it's better to use Refresh to recover each status after canceling it.

"I thought Dispel consumed a lot of MP."

"Probably because you were trying to force out a different effect from its original one. Besides, it's not a spell you're supposed to keep casting."

Dispel is a spell to dispel curses and incantations. The effect of curing status abnormalities is higher with Refresh.

In a case like this, the idea of regenerating damaged tissue is correct, and it's not wrong to try casting a regeneration spell.

However, the spell for regeneration is called Restore. In the Holy Kingdom, it's used to detoxify this kind of poison. It's a level 9 holy magic, and very few people can learn it. Yeah, it's impossible. I understand.

Well, the effects of power leveling have raised the level of my magic, but holy magic is only at level 5. Raising it to level 9 is currently difficult. Any more would make me stand out too much.

Then, should I use Refresh? The answer is that Multiple Status Recovery is the correct choice.

It's complicated... However, when multiple status abnormalities like paralysis, poison, and debuffs intertwine and become complex, it's difficult to recover with Refresh. The spell that can recover them all at once is Clear.

"If I had known this earlier, I would have said, 'You need to study more.'"

Yeah. There's a mountain of knowledge I lack. Not only knowledge about medicine and drugs, but also about magic... I have to learn it one by one...

But, I also want to learn things outside by reading books. There are many things I want to do, but I can't do them...

"But... You know Dispel, but not Multiple Status Recovery?"

"...Is there a way to learn it?"

"Maybe if you keep casting Status Recovery, you'll eventually learn it? Honestly, few people learn Dispel."

Moreover, it's not just about pouring MP without thinking. It's important to understand the symptoms and imagine how to cure them.

Still, there are limits to magic, so treatment with medicine is necessary. My master would know about that.

I need to consult my master... Even if it involves dragging him in, if I make it, I can probably manage...

"The symptoms will fully set in after about two weeks, you know that, right?"

"Yes... But if you don't treat it early, the chances of recovery will decrease, right?"

"Yeah. In extreme cases, it's possible to temporarily stop the symptoms from setting in within the church... But it costs a lot of money. I don't think you need to go that far. They're probably companions of those men, so we'll have to talk to them tomorrow."

"...I'm sorry for the trouble."

"By the way, here. Status Recovery."

Huh? Why did you cast a spell on me?

Well, I feel much better... Why?

"Do you realize you're approaching potion poisoning?"

"Oh... No, I think I'm fine now."

"Poisoning is a status abnormality, so it can be cured with magic. But I don't recommend you try to recover on your own."

"Why not?"

"It's endless. For someone like you who overdoes things. I cured it this time, but don't drink any more, okay?"

"Okay..."

I had a sense that I was approaching poisoning... But how did you know just by looking at me? Well, I feel much better. The fatigue is gone, so I'm grateful.

I need to be careful about drinking too many potions... I know I shouldn't drink any more for 2 or 3 days...

Then, I borrowed a book from the priest and returned home.

From here, I need to consult my master...

"Welcome back, chick."

"Welcome back, I'm intruding here~"

At home, my master was with the landlord. Well, it's my home, but I left it in my master's care, and the landlord often drops by, so it's fine.

"I'm back~. Master, what are you doing?"

"Oh, welcome back. Yeah, you said something about trying to do something with alchemy, right?"

"I did. So, you involved the landlord?"

"I wasn't dragged in! But, why didn't you tell me about such an important matter! If it's about alchemy, I want to be consulted!"

"The night you left, I happened to come by to ask you to gather some materials. I asked a few questions. The perspective of a pharmacist is different, and while the compounding techniques can't do much, I said I was researching whether processing a potion to prevent alchemy status abnormalities could work, and she offered to help."

I see... You both look so happy.

Hmm. This makes it hard to talk.

A lot of books and notes are scattered on the floor. Well, it's fine... But the stock of paper I just received has decreased. I might need to seriously start crafting paper to avoid running out.

"So, you have a problem?"

"Yes, well... I don't want to involve you, so I'll stop for now."

"What are you saying! After coming this far, I won't allow you to hold back. Spit it out and behave yourself."

Eh~. Landlord, did you flip a weird switch?

Is it like not wanting to miss a chance to work with your admired master?

"Chick. A half-baked person shouldn't think too much and rely on their predecessors."

"Um, a victim bitten by a rather troublesome snake? Well, I picked up a survivor... and I'm treating them."

"Snake means poison. Do you know what kind of poison?"

"Please keep it confidential... It's a Gigantosnake."

"Oh, it sounds like a good test subject."

"Being able to try it right away is a good timing~ As expected, my disciple."

Hmm?

Test subject? Try what?

"What for?"

"Master, I'm sorry. Can you explain it in a way I can understand?"

"Snake venom is troublesome. There are many types of poison depending on the monster species, and there are individual differences. To treat it, a dedicated serum is needed, but even with a serum, it can be difficult."

"...Yes."

"Especially, the Gigantosnake is famous for being troublesome. Once the poison spreads throughout the body, it solidifies like a tumor, and even if you try to eliminate the poison, it's blocked by the tumor and can't reach the core, making it difficult to remove. But if you can adjust the timing of the serum to act directly on the affected area, as you suggested? It would be a good opportunity to try it."

"I see? ...So, you mean to treat the affected area directly? It seems to be a rather troublesome poison."

"Well... It's a tough poison, but it's a great opportunity. It's worth trying as an experiment to produce an effect directly on the affected area."

As the priest said, my master is indeed exceptionally skilled when it comes to monster poisons. He seems to have a comprehensive understanding of the content in the book I brought back. I saw a brief mention of it, but he already knew.

However... Test subject? Is it really okay?

"If you can calculate to produce an effect directly on the affected area, the effect will be higher than before, right?"

"Um... Master, did you complete it while I was away?"

Indeed, before I left, we talked about preparing an antidote for my brother. My master was researching materials for that, but... Wait, didn't I go to gather the materials? Is it already done?

"Completion or not, it's not that difficult with alchemy techniques. It's possible to give status resistance for a certain period after drinking, like a status resistance potion. There are also potions with debuff effects that delay activation. If you can change the effect duration of the potion, extend the time, and target a specific effect to start at a certain time, it's the optimal technique."

"That's right. I never thought about it before, but if combining it with medicine can enhance the effect, the value of alchemy will increase! I want to try it. Since it's processing an existing potion, there's no need to worry about its effect on the human body."

"Management is necessary when taking medicine, though."

The landlord is so excited.

Well, alchemy always uses magic stones, even in small amounts. They can have adverse effects on the human body, so while the temporary effects are high, continuous use can lead to poisoning, so it's better to be cautious.

Neutralizing agents made with alchemy are useful, and daily items like cleaning agents and magical substances made with alchemy are available, but they are too expensive for common people to use. In a sense, they are used less than medicine.

Potions are essential for adventurers because they have immediate effects... Valuable high potions have their pros and cons, as they can easily cause poisoning.

"Master... I think it's fine, but just in case, I want to confirm the experimental drug before administering it."

"Sure. I have a summary of the materials, so check them. It's a simple explanation, but the idea is to dissolve the components of the tea in a way that temporarily suppresses the effect and then activate the drug's effect over time... So far, there are no problems with the experiment. The next step is to try it."

"I see? ...What's the necessity of using this new drug?"

"To be honest, the Gigantosnake's poison is quite difficult to handle. It's important to make the serum effective on the affected area where the tumor is, but it's not clear if it can be eliminated just by drinking the serum. First, we need to identify the location of the tumor and prevent the effect from occurring before reaching the tumor... If this works well, the chances of survival will increase. We have to try it."

"...Is it really okay in this short time? I'm not doubting you and the landlord, but..."

"Well... But there's no one else to cooperate with for the experiment."

"Oh..."

Should I talk to Crow?

Crow still has mild paralysis, but it can't be healed with magic... Is it worth trying to cure the paralysis? It might be better than giving it to someone unconscious.

But I need to confirm their consent...

"There's a less severe case. I'll talk to them tomorrow, so why don't we try it on them first? The severe case is still improving a little with magic, so let's stabilize them a bit more."

"Alright, then tomorrow! I'm looking forward to it~"

"Sure... Let's go to bed today, then."

"Yes... That's a good idea."

After that, I was tired and sleepy... I thought I would read the book I borrowed from the priest and my master's report... But it didn't work. Maybe because I was tired, I couldn't focus at all.

A whirlwind of a day... My master and the landlord are so capable that they can create something before I even consult them... I can only use magic, and I lack knowledge, so I'm inefficient... I can't do anything, it seems.

I'll start with what I can do... But there's too much to do, isn't there?

...I want to try my best, but I feel a bit discouraged. I can't keep up with the developments.