Chapter 18-26. Shooting star (3)
18-26. Shooting star (3)
This is Satou. I don't hate pandemic-based fiction, but like many suspense movies, I don't want to experience it for real. Peace is the best in real life, isn't it?
◇
We head to the place where the unburned body is.
"Let me examine the body"
"No, no. My grandson should not be touch by anyone."
"Let him sleep peacefully"
Unfortunately, the corpse was not provided.
The soldier in charge of the cremation asked me if I could force them to provide it, but I'll be sorry to do that, so I'll be patient until I get consent.
--That's it.
I use the magic " Clairvoyance” to thoroughly examine the inside of the corpse.
White thread?
Innumerable white threads like hyphae grow densely in the internal organs. (TR: plural for the branching filaments that make up the mycelium of a fungus )
What is this?
This seems to be the cause of the patient's death.
I'd like to take a sample somehow.
Try searching the map again for a strange disease.
"-It was"
I leave the crematorium and run into the nearby forest.
There is a deer whose internal organs have been infected.
A bear that had its meal disturbed roared and attacked, so I used its momentum to throw it over into the forest.
The bear, who shook his head and stood up, was still about to head, so I slammed him with my intimidating skill to drive him away.
For the time being, let's put a marker on that bear as well.
"Well--"
Take the leftover intestine and cut it with a knife to check the cross section.
The same white hyphae that I had confirmed by magic earlier were growing densely there.
The disease also seems to be transmitted by wild beasts.
I stare at the hyphae and read the explanation displayed in AR.
"…'A strange mycelium?'"
Hatena of an unknown name!
I was wondering if the exact name of the disease could be known from the hyphae, but … Thinking so far, I had an unpleasant expectation.
"No way, is it a new species that has never had a similar disease ?!"
I go around the forest, collect mycelial samples in test tubes, and store them in storage. Blood is also collected just in case.
I didn't think that mycelia were growing in the blood vessels.
"Maybe it was because it ate this meat. Isn't it?"
If you dismantle and the internal organs look like this, you wouldn't want to eat it unless you're very hungry.
"--What is the cause of the problem?"
There must be spores or something that propagate this mycelium.
However, it seems that expert knowledge is required to conduct further investigations.
I consulted with Mr. Aze in the space magic "world telephone".
"--A disease in which hyphae grow in the body? 』\
"Yes, can you introduce me to someone who is widespread in your acquaintances country and can discuss treatment methods? 』\
"Then, Brynan's Muse is the most qualified."
"I understand. Thank you"
I don't have any acquaintance with Mr. Muse, so I asked Mr. Kese, who is always talking about research, to take a break, and then I asked Dryad to open the "Fairy Road" and delivered the sample.
◇
"Isn't it a mycelium I've never seen?"
Muse, who wears a protective suit that seems to be in a biotechnology laboratory, picks up a sample of mycelium with tweezers.
It was planted into the open backs of experimental maggots.
"--This is"
The hyphae proliferated in a blink of an eye, and the maggots spit out body fluids and died.
It was soon found that it was the same in other experimental animals, and that it was a parasitic organism that proliferated, while stealing nutrients, especially in internal organs and blood vessels.
"Can you make a remedy?"
"First, let's try the existing medicines in order. During the experiment, I found that they were vulnerable to fire, but I couldn't use that inside living things."
There was a clicking sound, and Mr. Kese was waving behind the transparent wall.
"It's already noon. Let's eat curry together "
"I again forget to eat--"
Eat the orthodox curry from Borenan that Mr. Kese brought with Mr. Muse, who smiles bitterly.
It comes with a salad and is nutritious.
There are many vegetables I have never seen, but they are crispy and really delicious.
"Muse, I have prepared a sample of the remedy."
"It's hard work. I'll carry it in, so leave it there."
About 50 kinds of remedies are lined up on the cart pushed by the elf who seems to be a researcher.
With just this, there seems to be one thing that works.
"Let's go, Satou"
"I wish I could drink tea as slowly as after a meal."
I thank Mr. Kese for the curry and follow Mr. Muse.
"--Wow"
As soon as we got inside, mycelia grew all at once from the body placed on the petri dish and attacked.
- Guard shelter…
I protected Muse against all with the lower magic "Area Protection".
"Satou, the magic is melting!"
"--Gee"
There is an eroded dent on the surface of the barrier that the tip of the hyphae touches.
-Is it magical neutralization?
I create a "free sword" on the outside of the barrier and cut the hyphae into small pieces. At the end, I collected them with "Magic Hands" and put them together, and incinerated them all at once with the spirit magic of Mr. Musé.
"Are you okay, Muse! What happened? !! 』\
Mr. Kese is hitting a transparent wall from the outside.
"It is safe. Mycelium seems to like curry."
Mr. Muse is joking, but as far as I can see the sudden change, I don't think he's wrong.
Subsequent experiments were conducted after the curry odor was completely deodorized outside.
"--Is there any more medicine?"
Muse says with a bitter face.
"What is the remedy?"
Maybe athlete's foot medicine?
"It's not a remedy. It's a magical drug to neutralize the contaminated sap of the world tree."
"Speaking of contaminated sap--"
" Evil Jelly body fluid that protects the laid eggs. "
An unexpected word popped out of Mr. Musée's mouth.
In the Kingdom of Norrowk, which has nothing to do with the void, why is a thing similar to the body fluid of a jellyfish?
"I don't know the reason, but in this case, there is enough storage in the underground warehouse, so take as much as you need. It's easy to mass-produce. If there is not enough, we will increase production."
"Is it okay to prescribe it to humans?"
"No problem"
Mr. Musé confidently guaranteed.
"It's a medicine to prescribe to the world tree. I've experimented with forest plants and animals in advance. Theoretically it is for Evil Jelly. Other than that, there is no effect. If you pay attention to the concentration, you should be able to use it without problems. "
I receive the prescription data sheet and read through it.
Evil Jellyy It seems to be a special magic drug that selectively destroys only the factors of that. This certainly doesn't seem to be a problem.
Just in case, let's recruit applicants and conduct clinical trials before prescribing.
"Master! The person who should have healed has begun to suffer! 』\
From Arisa World Phone I got an urgent news.
◇
"That patient?!"
I received the magical medicine from Mr. Muse in a barrel, and returned to the Kingdom of Norrow after repeating the return transfer.
"Here!"
Led by Arisa, she heads for the patient.
According to the AR display, the "strange disease" has recurred. When I searched the map for "strange hyphae", it was re-breeding in the patient's body as expected.
"Everyone except the first patient has more or less recurrent symptoms."
The first one is the boy who prescribed the lower elixir.
"Sensei, haven't we been cured?"
"Lady, leave this to the sensei"
Lulu separated the patient's family from each other and created a space in front of the patient.
If you take the remaining panacea, the patient's "strange disease" will be cured.
A map search of a patient healed with a panacea using a strange mycelium revealed that a small amount remained in the body.
Probably, the strange disease recurred from this state just before.
"Sensei, isn't our person healed?"
"I have only temporarily suppressing his symptoms. I need this medicine to treat it, but the trial isn't over yet."
"Sensei, use it"
That was the patient who had just regained consciousness after taking the panacea.
"This isn't a clinical trial. It's definitely not safe."
"I don't mind. It's a life that's already over. If possible I want to save my son who is sleeping in that bed, I'll give you my life."
"Dear!"
The wife clings to the patient, who said something wholesome.
"Mast…-Mr. Hippocrates, let's respond to this person's manly spirit."
Arisa pushed me on my back when I was wondering if I should really administer it.
"Is it really alright?"
"Do it. Anyway, I'm have poor chance at this rate, right?"
"--That's right."
It's only a matter of time before the panacea runs out.
Even though it is an elf, it takes time to produce a panacea, and it is not something that can be made infinitely.
"I will administer it. If rejection occurs, please rest assured that I will help you properly."
You can use one of the remaining low-ranking elixirs to help the brave man.
"I trust you, sensei"
The man received the magical medicine from me hesitation. “Chug” he drank it immediately.
"Somehow I feel hungry--"
A man who was talking about fluent things suddenly choked his words and had an expression of agony.
"--Uga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga ga"
"Ah, you ah ah ah!"
While taking out the lower elixir from the storage, I use magical " Clairvoyance so I confirmed the inside of the body.
"--Master"
"It's okay. The hyphae are just resisting."
The mycelium breaks through the body and tries to escape from the magic drug, but it collapses from the escape end and becomes harmless.
I cast recovery magic on the man and forcibly pour in the anesthetic.
Support with “Magic hands" to prevent accidental ingestion. Clairvoyance and good magic are convenient.
"The pain is gone--"
Perhaps the anesthesia worked, the man fell asleep.
It took about 30 minutes to completely remove it, but it seems that it was completely cured.
From now on, when I give the magical medicine for extermination, let's continue to combine it with the anesthetic and the health recovery medicine.
If possible, I would like to follow up and then administer it to other patients, but much is at stake.
Many patients are likely to fall into a coma while I am doing this.
"Next--"
It was difficult to decide the next subject, probably because they were listening to the cry of the man, but thanks to the fact that a naive man of the Gaten, it was proven that he could be cured painlessly, and then the treatment proceeded smoothly. I was able to do it.
Treatment is carried out day and night to heal patients, who hear rumors and came one after another.
At the same time, I asked the guards in the city of Noromos to spread the word about not ingesting meat that was suspected to be pathogenic.
◇
When the new patient settled down, a messenger finally arrived from the royal capital.
"Dr. Hippocrates, your Majesty has acknowledged your achievements and said that you will be appointed as the Deputy Medical Officer of the royal family."
"I humbly decline."
I don't need such a troublesome position.
"How rude to refuse his Majesty's kindness!"
The aristocratic messenger was in a rage, but there are times when he has priorities over that.
"Here's the treatment procedure. Gather doctors and priests and prescribe them systematically. And because you don't have enough anesthetics, get ready by mobilizing all the alchemists and pharmacists in the kingdom."
I pass him by and talk to a talented person, who seems to be an office worker.
I sent prescriptions and remedies to the royal capital, but I'm not good at it.
"But--"
"Only you can help the people. Now is the time to be a hero."
Arisa pops in and whispers to the attendant.
"Okay. I will appeal directly to His Majesty and start working immediately."
"What are you saying--"
The attendant received the documents from me with a motivated face and forcibly persuaded the messenger to return to the royal capital.
"Maybe--"
Arisa put her index finger on her lips and winks with bad expression.
Perhaps Arisa used her mental magic to change his mind.
"What do you do after this?"
"I'll leave it to the doctor to chase the pathogen."
I left the rest to the doctor and set out with my friends.
The guides are the man and his son who first used the jellyfish remover.
"Since about half a month ago, beasts have begun to come down the mountain."
A meat-loving boy named Gofe says.
He and the people of his village are survivors among the earliest patients.
Perhaps he was eating an individual with weak hyphal power to acquire antibodies.
We are heading to their village.
Even in the map search, there is a place where mycelia are densely gathered in the mountains about two places away from the village.
Perhaps it is parasitic on mountain beasts and plants and is proliferating.
"Is this your village?"
"Yes. Now we all went to the city of Noromos and there is no one in the village."
After asking Gofei's father about the distribution of mountain beasts and where the incident happened, he took a break in the village.
"Wait here. I'll see the forest a little."
"Then I'll guide you. It's still a hunter's edge. It's useful."
"No, it's unnecessary"
"That's right. From here on, we are--"
It's bad for Liza who is enthusiastic, but it's really dangerous from here onward, so I'll go alone.
" With Flying shoes I just go to check from the sky. I ask you guys to be their escort. "
"I understand."
Liza suppresed her regret and agreed.
I was wearing flying shoes and soared into the sky with a heavenly drive.
"Escort"
"Leave the sniping to me"
"Disinfect filth!"
From behind, Mia, Lulu, and Arisa, who were held by Sylph, caught up.
"Wow! What the hell!"
"Muu, perfect"
"The mountain is all white, isn't it?"
Arisa was surprised, Mia frowned, and Lulu briefly represented the scene in front of her.
Mycelia proliferate in the valleys in the mountains and dye the mountains white.
"Slope"
"After being scooped out by something. Did the meteorite fall?"
"There is a big depression on the extension of the slope line."
"It looks like a crater. Did the meteorite really fall?"
--Satou! We did it.
The words of Mr. Kese, a high elf, flashed back in my mind.
When did they wipe out the hundreds of jellyfish that had been targeting the World Tree with the Void-only pseudo-spirit Burgtom Eye?
Why is the magic drug for removing jellyfish contaminated liquid effective for removing hyphae?
"Kurage?"
" For real really Right. The mycelial dome in the middle of the crater looks like a jellyfish. "
Arisa points to the crater.
Certainly jellyfish-to be exact, It's similar to the Evil Jelly that parasitized on the world tree.
"Sukasuka" (TR: reference to What Do You Do at the End of the World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us? )
"If you ask me, it's empty. Is it just the outside?"
Through the gaps in the jellyfish dome, I saw a black mass that looked like carbonized.
According to the AR display, it seems to be a thing called Makai Tsukimei Nucleus. From the name, jellyfish-- Evil Jelly. Probably is its origin.
"Doesn't it look like it's playing?"
A large number of animal bones are rolling around the jellyfish-like area.
This is just an imagination-he may have been feeding wild animals and parasitizing them, multiplying the animal's bodies into the nursery and regenerating the body lost in the atmospheric entry.
"What are you going to do, master?"
"I'll burn it"
"If you don't burn it it cleanly, it will spread."
"It's okay"
I take out a secret weapon from the storage.
"Smell of curry?"
"Yes"
Their sense of smell seems to be sharp, and hyphae have already gathered under our feet. It's amazingly fast.
I manipulate the wind magic to let the scent of curry drift in the surrounding mountains.
"Wow, they've gathered"
"Strange"
"Does that white one like curry?"
I'm also feel its is strange.
"beast"
"I'm pretty good"
Wild animals run from the outside of the white area.
They are also victims. It's hard to burn them off with jellyfish.
I use my throwing skills and a simple sling made of cloth to throw a decontamination drug and save the animals from strange diseases. Dying individuals were given inflated magical agents in a similar manner.
"Sylph, rise"
""Master!""
Arisa and Lulu grabbed her arm and Sylph lifted her to a higher altitude.
Looking down, mycelia gathered and became like tentacles, trying to catch me.
Lulu uses a magic gun to check the hyphae, and Arisa uses fire magic to wipe them off.
"Don't let your guard down anymore."
"Sorry Sorry"
I apologize to Arisa and contact Liza in advance.
"Liza, I'm going to burn the pathogen from now on. You can see the flames over the mountain, but don't worry because there is no danger. "
"I understand. Good luck
After confirming that enough hyphae have gathered, using the intermediate attack magic " Flame storm “ I burned down the whole mountain.
"Uhhhh, it's more firepower than the guild chief Inferno ~"
"Hmm, evil"
"My darling is amazing!"
The hot air is so great that I may get burned, so I use wind magic to prevent it.
I searched the map for the missing items and burned them carefully with small fire bullets systematically.
Perhaps because of that, I was able to eradicate the hyphae that cause the strange disease from the Kingdom of Norrow on that day.
The report to the city is left to the man and child Gofei, and we secretly heal the affected people who remain in the royal capital and satellite cities, and then collect contaminated food-mainly dried meat-and have a strange disease. I was able to end the turmoil.
At the last temporary hospital I stopped by, doctors and priests cried and thanked me, and the patients and their families who we helped treated me like a savior.
The festive feast was a celebratory ruckus involving the city as the leader of the city of Noromos opened a grocery store and celebrated it grandly.
"Bimi Bimi"
"There isn't much meat, but every dish is delicious."
Because the medium this time was meat, even unrelated meat was incinerated without stopping.
"Darling, I got some cheese."
"The cheese here is also famous in the Saga empire."
That raises expectations.
Let's open a good vintage wine.
On that day, I was caught up in a doctor who was crying, hugged and was covered with alcohol, but the next morning I could refresh myself with the hot water prepared by Liza and the people in the city.
Thus, the series of turmoil that began with the shooting star came to an end.
◇
"Satou-sensei! Dr. Hippocrates did it!"
Princess Metia of the Kingdom of Norrow, who was contacted by the national license, gave her a letter of gratitude and a medal in honor of introducing Hippocrates as a thank-you from the king. I didn't have enough for all my friends, so I'll make a handmade medal and distribute it later.
The reconstruction of the Norok Kingdom, which was devastated by the plague, was supported by the newly established Echigoya Firm, so it will be somehow managed.
Of course, Mr. Kese, who started the event, gave an overview of the incident and promised to clean up any individuals that would fall to the ground.
I'm not familiar with compensation for the Kingdom of Norrow because it's a story between the parties.
"Okay, the second order of the day! The Floor master Subjugation! "
Pushed by Arisa's cheerful voice, we went to the Labyrinth of Serivilla today.