Chapter 33: Blessings of the Earth

To get to the Dwarf village as quickly as possible, I asked Liam, the Commander, to lend me a horse from the Knight Order. When I told him it was to gather information on medicine to cure Mother‘s illness, he lent me the best horse available.

“Lady Mary is the sun that shines upon those who live in this land. Lord William, I beg of you.”

Spurred on by Liam‘s words, we rushed to the Dwarf village.

“Oh, it has been a long time, Theo. And Lord William as well.”

Theo‘s uncle, the Chieftain, greeted us.

“To have such grave looks on your faces, what has happened?”

“Uncle, Lady Mary has collapsed from the infectious disease. Master is trying to manage to create a medicine using his Production Skill, but he needs a clue.”

“What, Lady Mary? That is terrible! She is kind even to Dwarves. I heard that she was the one who added Theo to the family line-up during the Summer Solstice Festival. Many Dwarves wept upon hearing that.”

“Uncle, wasn’t there something written about infectious diseases in our clan’s Ancient Documents?”

“Wait a moment, I will check right now. They are Ancient Documents that must not be shown to anyone outside the clan, but for the sake of Lady Mary, I cannot be saying things like that.”

Theo and I entered the Chieftain‘s house and waited. The Chieftain‘s wife served us warm Tea. Come to think of it, I hadn’t consumed anything for a long time. The Tea soaked into my parched body.

After a while, the Chieftain came out holding the Ancient Documents, shaking his head.

“There was indeed a mention of the illness, but I do not understand the meaning.”

“What does it say? Please tell me anything.”

When I asked impatiently, the Chieftain told me the contents of the Ancient Documents.

“The documents passed down to us state: ‘When the sickness of coughing blood torments us, the Blessings of the Earth shall heal the sickness.’ Since Dwarves always receive the Blessings of the Earth, I do not know what it refers to. It also says, ‘The answer shall be found within the soil.'”

Blessings of the Earth… And the answer is in the soil. Those were sufficient keywords to awaken my memory. That’s right! Streptomycin was a substance produced by Actinomycetes living in the soil.

“I remembered!”

I shouted and stood up.

“Chieftain-san, thanks to you, I have obtained a valuable clue. Theo, a small living creature in the soil creates the medicine that works for this disease!”

“I do not understand it well, but I believe in you, Master. So, what should we do?”

“I want you to collect soil from various places. I believe that creature is somewhere.”

“Understood. Dwarves are the Race of the Earth. They should have various soils. I will collect them and bring them back, so Master, please instruct everyone at the Workshop to collect soil as well.”

“Got it.”

I raced my horse to the Workshop and asked the craftsmen to bring me soil from various places within the territory. “Soil?” The craftsmen were bewildered by the sudden request.

Mabel asked me.

“Lord William, why is soil necessary?”

“It is necessary to cure Mother‘s illness.”

Hearing about Mother‘s illness, the craftsmen’s expressions turned serious.

“We do not really understand, but it is for the treatment of your mother, Lady Mary, correct?”

“Yes, Mabel. That is correct. The medicine to cure Mother is created by small living creatures inside the soil.”

Upon hearing my conversation with Mabel, Carpenter, the coordinator of the craftsmen, shouted, “Everyone, split up and search for soil!” The craftsmen, with serious faces, consulted each other saying, “Where will you search for soil?” or “I will go to the neighboring town,” and left the room one after another. Everyone, thank you.

“I will contact the relevant parties to inform them that production at the Workshop will be delayed.”

“I am sorry, Mabel. I will apologize later too, but right now, I want to concentrate on the medicine.”

And so, I waited in my room at the Workshop for the soil to be gathered.

Those who went to nearby locations returned first. Regardless, I continued to Appraise the soil that was brought in. After a while, Theo returned. “Huh,” I thought, seeing he was empty-handed, but then Theo produced a large amount of soil from empty space.

“Theo, is that…?”

“I thought that I had to carry the soil in a hurry no matter what, and I became able to use Storage Magic.”

Is that even possible?

In any case, I am grateful. As expected of the Race of the Earth, Theo brought various types of soil.

“I had them bring out their treasured soil as well.”

Having treasured soil is something unique to Dwarves. When I Appraised them, there was even Soil from the Depths of the Sea of Trees. They must have carried it with care when they escaped. I am grateful they provided such precious items.

Anyway, I continued the Appraisal. And finally, I hit the mark. The Appraisal result showed: Soil containing Streptomycin (Specific Medicine for Tuberculosis).

“I found it! Theo. This is the soil containing the medicine.”

“Thank goodness!”

I concentrated on the soil and activated my Production Skill. After the warm light faded, the soil separated into two dust-like substances and the remaining dirt. Yes, I was able to separate them safely.

When I Appraised them, the substances that looked like small dust particles were Streptomycin: Specific Medicine for Tuberculosis and Streptomyces Griseus.

“Alright, I was able to separate the medicine and the bacteria that produces it.”

“What do we do after this?”

Shoot, I hadn’t thought about what to do after separating the necessary substances. I don’t know if this small, dust-like amount of Streptomycin will be enough.

“Umm, I need to culture the bacteria that creates the medicine to increase it, but…”

I feel like Agar was used for culturing bacteria, but I have never seen Agar in this world. Besides, time is precious right now. If I have to culture it, it will take time. What should I do?