Chapter 529 - Effects of the Black Stone ③
The experimental results for Anti-Sepsis were exactly as expected. In short, it was powerful and wide-ranging. Until now, it hadn't been very effective against chest-related illnesses like colds, and that remained the same. It didn't increase the types of diseases it worked on; rather, it exerted a powerful effect on the diseases it was already effective against. This has its pros and cons. The Ultra-High level is good for saving critically ill patients. At the very least, it can save their lives. However, since the body's condition itself worsens, it can only be used when every second counts. Similarly, the magic water became more powerful and its effects lasted longer. Though, basic-level magic is likely used to create the magic water. Since it's used for bathing and such, volume is necessary. They probably make it in tanks equipped with large magic circles, but since the production of scrolls is limited, Medium-level and above simply can't keep up.
"If it's become this powerful, I think it would still be effective even if diluted by half."
When I had Dune check the quality of the magic water, she informed me of this.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. The rate at which the tiny living things that cause disease decrease when exposed to the magic or magic water is completely different from before."
"Hmm."
If the long-lasting effect can be doubled in volume, it's efficient. Due to cost issues, they'll likely use the Basic-level, but it doesn't hurt to know.
Time for an experiment. I added water to the magic water made with Ultra-High level magic to double the volume. After warming it with Fire Ball, I had a patient suffering from 'Just a Disease' who came from the mainland take a bath. The patient was checked by Dune before and after the bath. Since it's Dune's judgment, there's no mistake.
"See? It's probably about the same as when the Basic-level is used."
A globule of water was resting on the tip of her finger, but I couldn't really tell. According to Dune, the amount of disease-causing agents removed from the body was the same as the Basic-level.
"Why don't you try magnifying it? Small bugs get bigger, right?"
Beatrix's comment made me realize.
I tried it immediately.
"I can... see it? There's something like a very small black dot... maybe... or maybe not..."
Something that looked like the cause of murky water was floating in the water. No matter how much I concentrated, I could only see it as a faint dot.
"Yes! That's it! Incredible, that a human can see it!"
Dune jumped at me.
"Jeanne, then how about this? You should be able to see it even better!"
She pointed at Harrison-sama's feet.
No way...
"Uh, is that athlete's foot?"
"Eh? Ah, well, yeah, I suppose so."
Just as I thought. Please keep your feet clean.
In conclusion, diseases currently judged treatable with Anti-Sepsis could be faintly seen with Sight. For the plague that affects the lungs, which is like a severe version of the cold that spreads in winter, the causative organism couldn't be seen at all. Dune said it's even smaller than the cause of 'Just a Disease,' and even she can't see it. However, she says she can 'feel' that it's there. If it's invisible to the Great Spirits, I don't think a human could see it, no matter how much magic is used. Besides, even the magic used by the Ancient Priestess—who was apparently a monster among monsters that even Henry-sama and the others couldn't defeat in their prime—couldn't cure it. The conclusion was that it couldn't be cured because it couldn't be seen even back then. This was confirmed after Bishop Phillips unleashed an eight-fold volley, nearly fainting in the process, so there's no mistake.
Incidentally, I fainted properly. Of course, it was because I unleashed the eight-fold volley, not because I saw the cause of Harrison-sama's athlete's foot.
In any case, this discovery was significant. I can report this as a result found at the research institute to Magdalena-sama, and if I go to Primordia, I can meet Cadogan-sama. Depending on the war situation on the mainland, there will also be a meeting in Finis or Northern Gram next month. If bathing as a treatment for diseases that Anti-Sepsis can't cure decreases, it will save money. Since the authority on medicinal herbs is in Primordia, we can allocate funds toward herbs.
"A discovery was made immediately, I see."
It was Eleanor-sama.
"Yes. Thanks to you."
Eleanor-sama had been asking Gnome various things about what would happen if I wore all five Black Stones. Fortunately, it seems I won't become a spirit or anything; I'll remain human. However, there is something called 'sealed power.' If I break that seal, a spirit's power—not the four elements, but something else—will dwell within my body. And when that power grows, a fifth person will be born. Apparently, the Ancient Priestess set up such a mechanism. Gnome didn't say anything, but the sealed location is likely the magic circle deep underground in the Ruined Town. Currently, not only is the method to break the seal unknown, but it's even doubtful if one could reach it. Even the former boss of the Ruined Town, who is imprisoned somewhere in Sertoria, doesn't seem to know, so I might never reach it in my lifetime. However, if it's safely unsealed, it might become possible to seal the Demon Lord, so we plan to go explore the underground with the active heroes when the time is right. Of course, because of the war on the mainland, James-sama in particular is busy, so for now, we'll be unraveling things starting from what's close at hand.
Regarding Sight, I haven't made a magic circle for it. However, taking this discovery as an opportunity, we decided to make one for the Ultra-High level. This is to help with plague countermeasures, to determine the treatment method based on symptoms and whether the black dots that cause the disease can be found.
Since there might be misunderstandings or misidentifications, a training session immediately began with Dune as the teacher. The participants, led by Bishop Phillips, were five priests working at the research institute who were confident in their eyesight. For some reason, the Henry Party (excluding Wilson-san), Beatrix, and even Harrison-san wanted to see. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough mana left to cast Sight on everyone, so for those other than the priest Harrison-san, we rolled dice and selected only two.
"Could it be these black dots? They're drifting fluffily in the water."
The one with the good luck was Eleanor-sama. Beside her, Henry-sama was desperately leaning his face in, but it's probably impossible with just natural eyesight.
"I see. So this is how it works."
Will, who had won the other slot, looked up, her cheeks flushed. It was rare for Will, who is usually calm no matter what happens.
"Look, Jeanne. I've figured out why flies can stick to the ceiling. It's because they have many small spatula-like things attached to their feet. I'm sure they're sticking on desperately with those spatulas!"
What on earth are you looking at...
She was holding a dead fly on her palm as if to say, "Look, look."
I caught Beatrix's eye and had her blow it away with wind magic.
Will hurriedly chased after it as it flew away. Since it's magnified, she'll probably find it immediately.
From my experience, rather than looking at something small right away, it's easier to see clearly if you magnify something far away once and then look at the small object. Conversely, when looking far away, it's better to have looked at something small first. Also, using Ultra-High level Sight is extremely tiring for the eyes. We decided it should be limited to once per person per day, and it's best to look at the surrounding scenery to calm the eyes and mind. Since the research institute is surrounded by forest, it was decided that it's best to use it on a clear day, and afterward, look at distant scenery from a high place or go for a walk in the forest.
Since I was getting tired from casting Ultra-High level multiple times, we ended for the day. When the rank has just gone up, you get unusually tired because you're not used to controlling higher-level magic. Especially in my case, since it's up because of the Black Stone effect, it's even more so.
The next morning,
Light, Repellent, Anti-Sepsis, and Sight—the new effects were understood. Only one remained: Thought Communication.
The difference in Thought Communication by rank is only the range of effect. It doesn't work at all on anyone except living humans and those who became Revenants while still alive. However, at the High level, I was able to communicate when casting it while merged with a ghost. Though, in the case of a powerful evil spirit, it's not a voice but deep negative emotions that are transmitted, which probably shouldn't be called 'communication.'
Setting aside exceptional patterns with ghosts, it's simple in a way. At the High level, it spread to about the size of a small church. I wonder how far it will spread now that it's Ultra-High level?
I thought it might be about the size of a Great Church, but when I actually cast it, there was no change at all. The way it transmits is the same. It doesn't transmit to Dune, so it's ineffective on spirits. It's also ineffective on the dogs kept at the research institute. I hastily went to the beastman trading point, but it was also ineffective on beastmen, who are treated as monsters. That leaves demons, ghosts, and dragons. I have connections to each, but demons are hard to meet, and Fiona is currently training to master higher-level arts. That leaves the Earth Dragon...
"If we go to meet him, it'll take a while, won't it?"
Even if the Henry Party works hard in the absence of Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama, I feel like it won't be settled in a single night.
"What do you think? But you did promise to visit the Earth Dragon along with the Dragonewt Chieftains, didn't you?"
It's as Eleanor-sama says.
Since things were settled through the discussion with Gnome, it had become vague.
"That won't do. A promise must be kept."
"Sigh, well, I suppose so. But does it have to be now?"
"No, there's no particular rush."
"Right?"
"Besides, if we're going, let's have you meet the dragons of the four elements. I think that would be better."
I see. That might be true. The Chieftain, who always falls silent, would probably be happy too. It would be better to act as a mediator between dragons and humans as in the past. To do that, we should first become friends with the Dragonewts and have them learn more about humans. Furthermore, if they maintain neutrality without getting involved in the conflict between humans and demons, it would be best if they could mediate for co-existence and co-prosperity. If both sides realize it's better that way, they should be able to segregate their living areas.
"However, regarding the Black Dragon Child, let's keep quiet until the spirits bring it up."
"That's true."
To be honest, I don't really know the reason. I just feel like all the spirits want it that way.
That night, I stayed at the medical research institute. Matilda and Mary also joined us.
"Next, you're going to Primordia, right?"
It was Mary. Lately, she knows so many things I wonder if she's working as a scout for Sertoria.
"Yeah. Did you hear it from Sianya?"
"It's not just Sianya. Theresia-sama? That princess of East Liber. And the Bishop of the Encyclopedia of Herbs. Those two are eagerly waiting for Jeanne."
"Has Theresia-sama recovered?"
She should be returning home soon.
"Well, you see, there was a unit that started a war on its own, and thanks to that, the war situation on the mainland seems to be in chaos."
What is that? Is a single unit allowed to start a war on its own?
"Theresia-sama wants to return to duty quickly, but it seems she's been told by her home country to convalesce for a while. The naval units under her command are also currently raiding port towns and aren't at the original port."
Apparently, a second-in-command figure is launching an offensive together with King Seldic, who participated as reinforcements. They seem to be attacking from both sea and land in coordination with the navy. Since they're gaining momentum and it looks like it'll fall soon, she seems to be watching the situation until the operation reaches a stopping point.
"The main army that was in the West Liber Capital seems to be being toyed with by Crown Prince Richard of Engrio. Crown Prince Richard is gaining a reputation for having crushed an enemy nearly three times his size."
It's not very good that the successor of a hypothetical enemy country is good at war.
When I looked at Eleanor-sama, as expected, she had a gloomy expression.
"Crown Prince Richard of Engrio seems to be quite a clever person. Just when we thought he had returned to his original garrison and was staying quiet, he reportedly began to stir as if to coincide with the departure of the West Liber army."
The West Liber main army headed east for a decisive battle with the East Liber main army. That's when Crown Prince Richard started moving. As a result, the West Liber army changed course to the northeast to crush Crown Prince Richard. Crown Prince Richard noticed this and began to flee toward East Liber halfway through. As for the route, he apparently first headed southwest and then turned due east. The border itself is closer if you go east. In short, he ran away. The West Liber army followed after him and, before they knew it, were lured into the wetlands. While they were unable to move, many of their horses were killed by volleys of arrows. When they finally escaped, they were reportedly attacked by a cavalry unit that had circled around to their rear, suffering heavy damage. Being the main army, many famous nobles are mixed in. Since they likely became prisoners, the ransom amount is expected to be considerable.
"Then, is it the Engrio army's victory?"
At this rate, West Liber might lose. If that happens, the possibility of East Liber and Engrio merging and launching a conquest of the White Island would increase.
"I wonder? It seems it was quite a fierce battle, and the forces led by Crown Prince Richard also seem to have suffered considerable losses. Crown Prince Richard did win. However, whether he can take operational actions like before is hard to say."
Eleanor-sama said with a sigh.