Chapter 72

The next morning, right after waking up, I read through the report summarizing Master and the landlord's thoughts while comparing it with the borrowed book on antidotes. I also considered the symptoms of magical treatments.

The reagent made with "Alchemy" is a liquid, syrup-like substance. One dose is said to provide a theoretical 8-hour effect of slight resistance. The duration increases with the amount consumed. If I were to give it to my brother, for example, when drinking the tea, adding 3 to 4 doses of the reagent would reduce the poison's effect, and while not all of it, a certain amount could be expelled from the body.

What Master is thinking about is the case of giving this tea to the patient themselves. The disease "Mana Accumulation" is best treated where the mana is concentrated. Therefore, he theorizes that it's better to use this syrup to adjust the duration of the effect.

The recipe for the alchemy reagent, which the landlord must have created, was also there. The materials and everything else are not too difficult. If I can make a recovery potion, I should be able to make this without any problem. The status resistance potion seems to be more difficult... It was mixed in with the scattered documents on the floor. Hmm. I can't copy it without permission... but I really want this recipe.

"Hey, kid. Are you awake?"

"Yes, Master. Good morning."

"Sorry about last night. I got a bit carried away."

"No... Master, you think the antidote will work on the Gigantosnake's poison, right?"

"Yes, that poison has been troublesome for a long time. If treated early, it can be managed, but once a tumor forms and the patient goes into a state of apparent death, even using a serum, survival is a matter of luck."

"Luck, huh..."

Luck... Even with the reagent, it's not a matter of luck, I can't say that. I want to tell Crow and Leus that there's a chance of survival...

"Yeah. In the end, it's luck. Even with treatment, there are cases where the patient doesn't survive. I've been asked to make a serum for Gigantosnake antidotes several times. But... because it's a special poison, whether the patient survives or not depends on the location of the tumor. They're no longer in a state of apparent death, right? If so, it's worth trying, but the problem is how to confirm the location of the tumor."

"Can't you do it, Master?"

"No. It's better to show it to a specialist doctor or a priest knowledgeable in medicine."

Hmm. Can I somehow figure it out with "Diagnosis"? I'll try it first. In the worst case, that priest might know.

"So, can I start making the serum? If you want to check on the patients first, go ahead."

"Yes. I'll check on the patients first. I'll also bring a lightly affected person with me."

"Alright. I'll prepare everything."

Crow and Tiga were both in a state where a day had passed, but one was in a state of apparent death due to the poison spreading throughout the body, while Crow was not yet completely affected. The reason for this is unclear. Was it because of higher resistance, the location of the bite, or the fact that they are different races? Crow is apparently a quarter birdman. The racial difference could be a factor.

However, the reason Crow's detoxification was successful, even if not complete, is likely because the tumor from the Gigantosnake's poison had not yet formed. This makes it understandable why treatment is difficult once the tumor has formed.

But, does it make sense to try it on Crow? While thinking about what to do, I headed to the church.

At the church, I used "Observation" and "Diagnosis" to check Tiga's condition, but it hadn't changed much.

"..."

While casting "Status Recovery" and slowly flowing healing magic through the body, I suddenly felt a sense of being blocked. Could this be the tumor from the poison? I tried to flow magic past it, but it was blocked, and I didn't feel any improvement.

"Hey, kid, how's it going?"

"It's difficult... I was using 'Status Recovery' to observe, but it feels like it's being blocked..."

"Using 'Dispel' was strange too... It's blocked. Well, it doesn't seem to be getting worse, so I'll keep an eye on it. Do what you can, kid."

I went to the guild to check on the two, and they were just arriving. I thought I'd explain and head home, but I ended up angering Leus.

His eyes were wide, and he looked at me with a scowl.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Basically, we found out the poison is more troublesome than expected. If it's less effective than usual, we're considering using a new reagent I've been researching. But, we're thinking of trying it on Crow first, rather than Tiga."

"Why do you need to use such a thing? We don't even know if it's really necessary! We don't even know if the poison is real!"

"...I'm not lying. But, this is a dangerous poison that puts people into a state of apparent death for long-term preservation. It might be difficult to completely eliminate... Since magic isn't effective, it's not unreasonable to try a medicinal approach."

"Alright, alright. I'll be the guinea pig, so don't look at me like that... Leus, don't get involved. ...Sorry."

"..."

"No... I suggested coming to town without fully understanding the situation. I'm sorry."

I apologized to Leus, who was glaring at me. I understand his anger for entrusting his important companion to me.

"...Will he survive?"

"...The magical response is different from yesterday... Honestly, I don't know."

"What? You don't know!"

"Calm down. Do you have something to yell at her for? She's doing her best."

Crow calmly stopped Leus, who was about to get angry. I went to the guild to get the materials. I had left the Gigantosnake's corpse there the previous day, and it had already been dissected. I decided to leave the main materials there and take a part of the tooth and some poison for the serum.

After that, I brought Crow and Leus back home. The landlord was already there, so we gathered in the second-floor dining room to explain the situation.

The main point was whether to try the new drug on Crow, who was less severely affected, rather than Tiga. Either way, Tiga's condition wouldn't improve on its own. Making and administering the serum was a certainty, but the cost was a concern. I also explained the possibility of taking the reagent together.

Since we couldn't get Tiga's consent, the decision was left to his companions, Leus and Crow.

"Hmm... I'm not an expert, but I have no choice but to trust you. If you're trustworthy, it's fine."

"Master is one of the best pharmacists in the country. He's definitely the top expert on monsters. No one in the town's guild doesn't know his name. Also... the church couldn't cast the antidote magic yesterday. It's a very difficult spell... and it would be expensive either way."

"So, if I try the drug... When will you try it on Tiga?"

"Well... the condition gets worse with each passing day, so I'd like to give it to the severely affected person today, but if we test it on you first, it would be tomorrow or the day after. However, we'll test it on you with a regular paralysis cure, and for Tiga, it will be a specialized serum. I'll make it as quickly as possible..."

"Understood. I'm sorry, but the money will have to wait... I'll definitely pay it back, so please wait."

"Sure. No problem... Should I make it, or should I ask my disciple?"

"Huh? Isn't Master going to make it? I don't know how to make it..."

I looked up at Master, who gave me a wry smile. Crow and Leus also looked confused.

"Old lady... What's the difference between who makes it?"

"Well... the big difference is whether we owe a debt to both me and the kid, or just to the kid. You and the other person are also receiving treatment from the kid. Magical treatment is expensive, and with the cost of the serum, it's not a small debt... You should expect to carry the debt for a few years..."

"Huh... Before that, isn't the question whether the serum can even be made?"

"That's not a concern. I'll supervise and give instructions... The quality might vary a bit, but if I make it, I'm getting old... If I die before you can pay back the debt, it could get complicated. Should I explain more?"

"No... I'd prefer to consolidate the debt. If possible, I'd like to ask the disciple, not the old lady. Leus, what do you think?"

"...I don't really understand, but if it helps, either way. But, if it's faster, we should try it sooner... I don't want him to die."

Leus's thin voice made me want to pat his head. I remembered that he might not be as young as he looks. I didn't want to overstep, so I looked at Crow, who shrugged and then patted Leus's head. They looked to be about the same age, but their mental ages seemed quite different.

As a result of the discussion, Crow would be tested first, and the serum would be made during that time. If there were no problems with Crow, the serum would be administered immediately.

Considering the possibility that the drug might make him feel unwell, we decided to have them wait at my house. Master, the landlord, and I would make the serum in the basement, and they would wait in the second-floor living room or the first-floor storage room... but.

After a while, Leus left, looking unhappy. He said, "There's nothing I can do," but Crow came to the basement with a troubled expression.

"There was a bit of a disagreement."

"Is everything okay?"

"Don't worry about us. Just focus on the serum."

Crow said he would wait on the sofa in the basement in case he felt unwell. The landlord had nothing to do, so we talked. By evening, the serum was complete, but Leus hadn't returned. Crow said, "Don't worry," but I was concerned.

"I know you're doing your best. But... Leus feels strongly that he got into this state protecting others. He can't face the reality. You don't have an obligation to cure us or introduce someone to help. It seems he takes it for granted that you'll help."

"...That's..."

"I consider myself lucky. So, even if Tiga doesn't make it, you shouldn't worry. I'll pay the treatment costs for Tiga as well."

"...Understood."

Master had also explained that proper treatment costs money. It wouldn't be fair to cure them without discussing the costs and then demand a high fee later. There was also a problem with not explaining the possibility of failure.

I had raised Leus's expectations... It's my fault that it caused a rift between them.

"Kid, the serum is ready. Go ahead and treat him. When that boy comes back, tell him you went to the church."

"...Yes. I'll go then."

I headed to the church with Crow, hoping for a successful treatment. This is my first major task as a pharmacist. I hope... he survives.